YJ MGC Square-1 – Standard Magnetic — lightweight magnetic Square-1 with smooth turning and optional black caps

YJ MGC Square-1 – Standard Magnetic is a popular magnetic Square-1 from YJ’s MGC line. It feels lightweight yet “planted” thanks to most of the mass being concentrated in the core, and both inner and outer layers are fully magnetized with moderate-strength magnets. This gives a buttery-smooth turning feel and solid control for speedsolving.

The cube is made from stickerless plastic, measures about 54–55 mm across and weighs around 94 g. Included in the package are extra black caps so you can replace one of the colored sides and turn it into a “stickerless black” variant (for example, swapping the yellow side for black).

Who is YJ MGC Square-1 for

Skill level:

• confident beginners who already know a basic Square-1 method;
• casual solvers who want a fast, stable magnetic Square-1 for regular practice;
• advanced speedcubers looking for a reliable main without paying flagship-level prices.

Best use:

• daily timed practice and algorithm drilling;
• training for and competing at official WCA Square-1 events;
• pushing averages and setting new personal bests in the event.

Design features

• Fully magnetic mechanism — magnets in both the slice and outer layers keep layers snapping cleanly into place and reduce overshooting.
• Moderate magnetic strength — magnets are clearly felt but not overwhelming, so the cube stays fast and doesn’t feel overly stiff.
• Center-weighted feel — with most of the weight in the core, the puzzle feels stable and composed rather than loose or wobbly.
• Approx. 54–55 mm, ~94 g — a compact, lightweight form factor that works well both for learning and for fast, high-TPS turning.
• Extra black caps included — you can swap the factory-installed caps and get a black side if that color scheme suits you better.

Setup and turning feel

• Buttery-smooth turning — plastic-on-plastic contact with minimal catching; a bit of lube makes it even softer and more pleasant.
• Good control at speed — magnets and center-focused weight help to prevent overshooting and keep your moves accurate.
• Classic screw-and-spring core — simple, familiar tensioning system that’s easy to adjust without any complex mechanisms.
• Resistant to pops — modern piece geometry plus magnets reduce the chance of pieces popping out during fast turning.

Who might not like it

• complete beginners to Square-1, who may be better off starting with a simpler, slower budget cube;
• cubers who prefer extremely strong magnets and a very “locked-in” feel;
• those specifically chasing the latest ultra-flagship with MagLev or UV coating — this is the classic v1-style design.