The GAN 13 MagLev was GAN's flagship 3x3 speed cube when it launched in late 2022, and it introduced a lot of people to the idea of a cube with no springs inside. Nearly four years later, the picture has changed: GAN has shipped several newer flagships, and the 13 has quietly disappeared from most major retailers. This guide covers what the GAN 13 MagLev actually is, what its specs mean in practice, where it stands in August 2026, and which current cubes make more sense for most buyers. A note on method: we do not lab-test cubes; this is based on manufacturer spec sheets and current retailer listings, checked at the time of writing.
What the GAN 13 MagLev Is
The GAN 13 MagLev is a magnetic 3x3 speed cube that replaces the traditional spring tensioning system with magnetic levitation. Instead of a spring compressing under each center piece, two repelling magnets hold the tension. The claimed benefits are less friction, less spring noise, and a tension curve that feels different from spring cubes: soft at first, then firmer as you compress it.
The core specs, as listed on retailer spec sheets such as Cubelelo's GAN 13 MagLev page:
- 88 factory-installed magnets, including corner-alignment and repulsion magnets
- MagLev tensioning in place of springs, with GAN's GES v2 numerical tension system
- 6 corner magnet strength settings and 216 possible configuration combinations in total
- 71 gram weight, which sits between the lighter GAN 12 (66 g) and heavier mainstream cubes
- Enhanced core positioning 3.0 with auto-alignment from about 30 degrees
- Honeycomb internal contact surfaces for more even lubricant spread
- Two finishes: UV coated (glossy, grippier when clean, shows fingerprints) and frosted (matte, more forgiving grip, wears smooth over time)
In practice, the settings matter more than the magnet count. Most solvers find one or two combinations they like and never touch the rest, so treat "216 configurations" as flexibility for picky tuners rather than a feature you will use daily.
Honest Strengths and Weaknesses
The 13 turned fast and cut corners well by 2022 standards, and the MagLev tension gives it a smooth, quiet feel that many solvers still like. The auto-alignment helps sloppy turning stay solvable, which is genuinely useful for solvers averaging under 20 seconds who push turning speed past their accuracy.
The honest downsides: it launched at full flagship pricing, the light weight and strong magnets feel twitchy to solvers used to heavier, steadier cubes, and the UV coating divides opinion. None of that is unusual for a flagship. The bigger issue in 2026 is simpler: you mostly cannot buy one new anymore.
Availability in August 2026
As of this writing, the standard GAN 13 MagLev is no longer listed on GAN's own store, and the two big US specialty retailers, SpeedCubeShop and TheCubicle, do not carry it in their current catalogs. The listings you can still find abroad, like the Cubelelo page linked above, show it as out of stock. What remains on GAN's site are display-only limited editions from that era. Practically, that means your options are the used market, marketplace sellers with old inventory, or paying collector prices. For a cube you intend to actually solve with, none of those are great value.
What to Buy Instead
GAN has released several generations since the 13, and the current lineup covers the same territory at similar or lower prices. Prices below are from the retailers linked, checked in August 2026; expect some movement.
GAN 17 MagDrive: the current flagship
The GAN 17 MagDrive sells for around $85 and combines MagLev tensioning with a ball core and updated magnet system. It is the natural pick if you want whatever GAN considers its best hardware today. Limitation: it is the most expensive option here, and if you average over 30 seconds you are paying for margins you will not feel.
GAN 16 MagLev MAX: the recent flagship, same price tier
The GAN 16 MagLev MAX also lists around $85 on GAN's own store, with the MAX sitting above a cheaper base GAN 16 trim that runs about $70 at the retailers linked here. It is the closest spiritual successor to the 13's feel. Limitation: at the same price as the 17, it mainly makes sense when it is on sale or when you specifically prefer its feel.
GAN 12 M MagLev: the value MagLev
The GAN 12 M MagLev runs around $52 to $59 depending on finish and retailer. It is one generation older than the 13, lighter at 66 grams, and delivers the same core MagLev experience for meaningfully less money. Limitation: fewer refinements to corner-cutting stability than the 13 and later cubes, so very fast, aggressive turners may notice more lockups.
If you just want a good cube
GAN's V100 line and the older GAN 356 M sell in the $30 to $45 range at the same retailers, and budget-focused brands like MoYu compete hard below that. If you solve casually, a cube in this tier plus ten dollars of lubricant gets you most of the flagship experience. Limitation: heavier feel and simpler tensioning, which is exactly what some solvers prefer anyway.
Buying a Used GAN 13: A Quick Checklist
If you do go the used route, a few checks separate a good deal from a headache. Ask for the accessories, since the original package included the adjustment tool needed to change tension and magnet settings; without it, retuning is awkward. Confirm which finish it is, because worn UV coating looks glossy in photos but feels slick in hand, while a frosted cube that has gone shiny at the contact points has real mileage on it. Spin each face and listen: MagLev cubes are quiet by design, so grinding or clicking usually means dried lubricant at best and a cracked piece at worst. Finally, compare the asking price against the roughly $85 a brand-new current flagship costs. A used 13 above that number is a collector price, and you should only pay it for collector reasons.
Should Anyone Still Hunt Down a GAN 13?
Two groups, honestly. Collectors who want the generation that popularized MagLev in GAN's flagship line, and solvers who tried one, loved the specific feel, and want a backup. If a clean used one shows up at a fair price, it remains a very good cube; nothing about it stopped working in 2026. For everyone else, the newer cubes above are easier to buy, covered by current warranties, and priced sensibly for what they are.
The short version: the GAN 13 MagLev earned its reputation, and its ideas live on in every current GAN flagship. But in 2026 it is a discontinued product, and buying discontinued flagships at markup is rarely the smart play when the successor costs the same as the original did new.
