How much does speedcubing cost?

$40 buys all 3 essentials.

3 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission

Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick

$40

3 items, nothing rented

Against 247 hobbies

Below median

Cheaper than 78% of them. Median hobby: $84.

What each thing costs

Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.

Speedcubing Timer essential

mid $22top $50

$20

Speedcube (3x3) essential

mid $28top $40

$10

Cube Lubricant essential

mid $14top $13

$10

All 3 essentials

$40

What you need

$40

Everything you need to start speedcubing. None of it is a big commitment.

Speedcubing Timer

$20

Real WCA-style timer mat for accurate timing. Smartphone apps work for practice.

Professional Speed Cube Timer,Touch Control Timer with Display

mid $22top $50

Cube Lubricant

$10

Silicone lube for the springs/cores (fast); silicone-grease for the pieces (smooth feel). Different lubes for different feels.

SpeedCubeShop Martian Professional Speed Cube Lubricant 5ml

mid $14top $13

Speedcube (3x3)

$10

Modern 3x3 cubes have magnets, adjustable tension, and precise alignment. Skip the original Rubik's cube — start with a real speedcube.

Monster Go 3x3 Magnetic Speed Cube

mid $28top $40

Later, if you stay

Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.

Other Cube Puzzles

$10

Once you sub-30 on 3x3, the other WCA events open up: 2x2, 4x4, pyraminx, square-1, megaminx.

Bukefuno MoYu RS2M 2022 2x2 Magnetic Speed Cube Stickerless Magic MFJS…

mid $18top $65

Startup cost · all 247 hobbieslog scale

$1Blogging

$84median

$1245Kite Surfing

$39

Speedcubing costs more to start than 22% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.

Cost questions

How much does Speedcubing cost to start?

About $40 for the 3 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each.

What does each thing cost for Speedcubing?

Speedcubing Timer: from $20. Speedcube (3x3): from $10. Cube Lubricant: from $10.

Is Speedcubing an expensive hobby?

Speedcubing costs about $39 to start, dearer than 22% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the cheaper ones to get into.

What should I buy first for Speedcubing?

speedcubing timer, cube lubricant, speedcube (3x3) — $40 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.

Hobbies that cost about the same

The 6 nearest to speedcubing by startup cost, out of 247.

Baton Twirling$1 less$38 Conlanging (Language Creation)about the same$39 Lock Pickingabout the same$39

Speedcubingyou are here$39

Ethical Hacking$1 more$40 Mudlarking$1 more$40 Speculative Biology$1 more$40

Start speedcubing Speedcubing beginner guide