What is a Ball-Core in Speedcubing?

If your child is getting into speedcubing, you might hear them talk about different cube technologies. One of the latest advancements is the ball-core.

How Does It Work?

A ball-core is a special type of internal mechanism found in some modern speedcubes. Instead of the traditional design, these cubes have a rounded, ball-shaped core that helps the pieces move more smoothly and adds an additional track of magnets between the corners and the core of the cube.

Some products even have magnets in the base of the edge pieces that repel from the core magnets, this creates a sort of 'auto-aligning' when turning the faces past the 45º point.

Ball-Core Cube: Rounded design for smoother, more tactile turns.

Standard Cube Core: Traditional design with a less 'magnetic' feel.

Benefits of a Ball-Core

• Smoother turning: Reduces friction and gives a 'gliding' feel to layers.
• More stability: Helps prevent the cube from popping apart during fast solves.
• Better corner-cutting: Allows the cube to corner cut better due to the added stability

Should My Child Get One?

Ball-core cubes can be a great upgrade, but they’re not 100% needed for beginners. It may be worth starting with something slightly cheaper. That way, the upgrade will be more appreciated.