UV Coated Speedcubes Explained - Are They Worth Buying?

UV-Coated Speedcubes Explained: Are They Worth The Extra Cost?

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The Quick Answer

UV-Coated speedcubes can be worth the investment if you’re looking for better grip, durability and a premium feel, especially at an intermediate or advanced level. If you’re a beginner, you likely won’t feel much of a difference between the two, and a standard/matte finish cube will perform just as well.

What is UV Coating?

UV coating is a glossy finish on the outer surface of a speedcube that has been cured using ultraviolet light. In simpler terms, it makes the cube more shiny, smooth and, contrary to popular belief, more grippy!

At first glance, UV-coated puzzles might look similar to standard non-matte cubes, but the difference is evident as soon as you hold one. Compared to matte (frosted) finishes that are mostly rough, UV-coated cubes offer a smoother feel but still stay quite “controlled” in the hand, owing to the increased grip.

Why Did UV-Coated Cubes Become Popular?

The popularity of the UV-coated cube trend is tied to the evolution of higher quality speedcubes. In the past few years, in particular, internal mechanisms of cubes such as magnet strength and distribution, corner cutting and enhanced stability systems have pushed the boundaries of puzzle performance.

As this came about, manufacturers turned more towards external feel and performance, since the controllability of the cube is what determines how well it suits a speedcuber. Top brands began to introduce UV-coated variants of their flagship puzzles, which were aimed towards top-level cubers who required that extra grip on the surface.

Over time, people started seeing the benefit of this coating and, while it doesn’t suit everyone the same, it has become synonymous with a premium feel and much better look (some people might even see this as a luxury upgrade which enhances both performance and aesthetics).
Benefits of UV Coating

1. Improved Grip (Biggest Advantage)

This is the primary reason for modern-day speedcubers to switch to UV-coated cubes. While the surface of a UV-coated puzzle may appear “too” glossy, the control provided by this modification is much better during fast turns.

For many speedcubers that solve at a very high speed (measured in Turns Per Second (TPS)), this can make a sizable difference because the cube now feels secure in your hands, and the number of slips through the execution of an algorithm begins to drop.

2. Better Resistance to Wear (More Durable Surface)

Compared to matte or normal glossy finishes that can fade or discolour over time due to wear, UV-coated puzzles maintain their appearance for much longer, being essentially immune to fading. The hardened outer layer does a great job of protecting your puzzle against minor scratches and surface dulling.

3. Consistent Feel During Solves

Since UV coating provides a completely uniform, extra-glossy and grippy finish to all the pieces, the texture across the surface of the entire cube stays consistent. This can help improve muscle memory and overall solving confidence over time, since the cuber can focus more on their algorithm execution and TPS.

4. Premium Aesthetic

While this isn’t very important to most cubers, the shiny and polished appearance of UV-coated cubes can stand out and add to the appeal of purchasing the puzzle, with the colours appearing more vibrant and the cube feeling more 'high-end.'

Drawbacks of UV Coating

1. Higher Price (Biggest Disadvantage)

This is the most obvious drawback when it comes to UV-coated cubes. Since UV-coated cubes require extra treatment, they tend to cost significantly more than their standard counterparts, and this can be a decisive factor for most cubers.

2. Fingerprints & Smudges

Due to the excessively glossy finish, these puzzles can tend to accentuate fingerprints and smudges more easily. This can lead to a lot of cubers needing to wipe their cubes more frequently, particularly if they have sweatier hands than usual.

3. No Guarantee of Having ‘Better’ Feel

Naturally, the glossier finish brings in a subjective element, which is that it may not suit everyone in the same way. Grip is subjective and while many cubers might like the smooth finish of UV coating, there are still a good amount of them that prefers the dry, textured feel of matte plastic. This means that UV coating is not a universal improvement and is highly individual in how it impacts performance.

4. Overkill for Beginners

For most cubers that are just starting out, getting a UV-coated puzzle would not impact their performance at all. In fact, the surface finish really only matters at an intermediate to advanced level, where your times are physically being limited mostly by your turning speed and smoothness.

So, it doesn’t make sense to consider a UV-coated cube if you’re just starting out or if the feel of your cube is not the biggest thing holding you back. In fact, there are still professional speedcubers at a very high level that do not enjoy the feel of UV-coated puzzles, just supporting the point that it is not a universal improvement.

UV vs Matte vs Glossy: Comparison

Matte (Frosted) Plastic	Glossy (Standard) Plastic	UV-Coated Plastic
Rough feel, less fingerprint visibility, can become slippery over time through wear.	Smooth and shiny, but tends to be too slippery at higher TPS	Added grip, more durable and resistant to wear, but prone to smudges and more expensive.

Who Should Consider a UV-Coated Cube?

Beginner	Not necessarily, a standard or matte cube will be equally good.
Intermediate	Consider if you’re upgrading to a flagship cube with a better overall experience.
Advanced	Definitely worth trying it first, because the added grip and control can complement high TPS solving.

UV Coated Cubes Suggestions:

While there are plenty of options on the market, some of the best include:

FAQs

Do UV-coated cubes make you faster?

Not necessarily. Better grip can reduce slips which may improve consistency over time, but this is subjective!

Are UV-coated cubes good for beginners?

No. Beginners will not benefit much from UV coating because feel only matters after a certain speed.

Do UV-coated cubes wear out eventually?

All cubes wear out eventually, but UV-coated cubes are known to be more resistant to wear and fading when compared to their matte counterparts, and so they tend to last longer.

Why are UV-coated cubes more expensive?

The process of UV-coating is very capital intensive, and since they are positioned as a premium feature, they tend to be more expensive.

Should I upgrade from a matte cube to a UV-coated cube?

If you are improving at a decent rate and are craving better controllability and feel from your puzzles, UV coating is absolutely worth giving it a shot once!

Final Verdict:
Are They Worth The Extra Cost?

While this answer truly depends on what you’re looking for exactly, it’s safe to say that at an intermediate-to-advanced level, it is worth giving it a shot at least once and, if it does suit you, then it’s worth the extra cost.

If you value performance, smoothness, controllability and grip, then UV-coated cubes are 100% worth it. They can offer you a solving experience that is more refined and will boost your confidence while solving. However, if you’re on a budget or just starting, the standard versions of most modern speedcubes are already really good, so you won’t be missing out on any core performance features.

So, to conclude, while UV coating is a revolutionary development in the evolution of speedcubes, it enhances their performance in a subtle way that may or may not suit you. This makes UV-coated cubes non-essential for improvement, but once you try them, there’s a very high chance that you appreciate the differences they have to offer.

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re an aspiring speedcuber who wants to get to the top, try one for yourself now! You just might find your new favourite cube!