Shengshou Gem 4x4x4

ShengShou Gem 4x4x4

ShengShou released the Gem series as budget stickerless cubes. They come in colored plastic in the stickerless bright version, with a black interior and a glossy, hard surface. The ShengShou Gem 4x4x4 has no magnets and doesn't compete with flagship cubes. It's a simple, affordable 4x4 cube for anyone who has already mastered the 3x3 and wants to learn to solve a bigger cube without spending much to get started.

How it turns

Right out of the box, the Gem turns fairly light and smooth. Some units only become quieter and smoother after lubing. For a cube in this price range it performs decently, but it has its limitations. Corner cutting is modest, and during faster turning you'll get catching and lockups, especially when the layers aren't precisely aligned. The cube has no magnets, so it doesn't settle the layers into place by itself, and you need to control your turns more carefully. Some users also report popping during aggressive solving. For learning to solve centers, pair edges and handle parity, it's perfectly sufficient. When you're chasing faster times, these limitations will start to get in the way.

Design and adjustment

• Three-piece corner caps. This is the trademark of the Gem 4x4 and makes the cube look a little different from a typical 4x4.
• Black interior combined with colored plastic on the outside.
• Stickerless surface. There are no stickers, so nothing will wear off or peel.
• Adjustment screws. A tighter cube is more stable and pops less often. A looser one turns faster but comes apart more easily.

Who is it for?

For someone who can already solve a 3x3 and wants to try a 4x4. It also works well when a parent is looking for an affordable first 4x4 cube for their child, or as a spare cube to keep in your backpack. If you solve 4x4 regularly and for time, you'll quickly notice the lack of magnets and the weaker corner cutting. In that case, it's better to go straight for a mid-range magnetic 4x4. The cube is legal for official competitions.

Specifications

• Type: 4x4x4 cube, non-magnetic, stickerless
• Manufacturer: ShengShou (Gem series)
• Size: 62 mm
• Weight: approx. 152 g
• Interior: black plastic
• Finish: glossy
• Color scheme: Stickerless Bright
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• In the box: cube, solving instructions