GAN 16 MagLev Max Review: GAN's Most Ambitious Cube Yet.

First Impressions

Out of the box, the GAN 16 MagLev Max feels noticeably different from previous GAN flagships. The UV coating gives the pieces a glossy, almost jewel-like quality, and the whole puzzle has a slightly heftier feel compared to the lighter GAN 15 — sitting at around 68g thanks to that expanded magnet count. The packaging is premium, the adjustment tools are included, and you get the sense GAN really wants you to spend time tuning this before your first serious session.

And honestly? That setup time is worth it. Out of the box it runs a bit fast and loose, applying a heavier lube like Angstrom or Super Honey transforms it into something exceptional. Personally, I added some Weight 5, Gravitas, Mystic, and DNM-37.

Performance: The New Magnet System

The big story here is the new magnetic layout. GAN has moved beyond the traditional corner-to-corner system and added 24 center magnets and 24 edge-foot magnets, creating what they call a "middle layer magnetic network." In practice, this means the cube's auto-alignment is the most aggressive I've ever felt on a 3×3. Layers snap home even when you're well off-center, reportedly from 25-45 degrees, which at intermediate turning speeds makes a real difference in reducing lockups during fast, looser turning styles.

The MagLev springs have also been refined in the Max version. There's a solidity to each turn that feels more linear than previous GAN cubes, less of the "bubbly" feeling some cubers didn't love about the GAN 14 or 15. The Omni-Support Structure and ultra-hollow design keep friction very low, so even tight setups feel fluid rather than sticky.

Customization: Genuinely Impressive

72 tension combinations via GAN's numerical system is not just a marketing number, it is one of the most versatile setups in the hobby. Per-piece magnet customization at every corner and edge is a feature usually reserved for boutique cubes costing far more. For an intermediate cuber, this means you can genuinely dial the cube in for your solving style rather than adapting your style to the cube. Tighten it for controlled cross-and-pairs solving, or loosen it off for a fast, floaty CFOP flow. It handles both convincingly.

Where It Falls Slightly Short

The value question is real. The GAN 16 MagLev Max sits at the top end of speedcube pricing, and for intermediate solvers who aren't competing at a high level, the marginal gains over a well-set-up mid-range cube are smaller than the price gap suggests. The cube also needs lube attention out of the box, if you're not comfortable with cube maintenance, the experience can feel overly fast and hard to control.

The new center skirts that create its distinctive turn feel take some adjustment if you're coming from a MoYu or older GAN setup. It's not a catch-prone cube, but it has its own feedback character that takes a session or two to adapt to.