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[Robot kits](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/) / **LEGO Mindstorms is retired. What to buy instead**

Updated 2026-10-18

# LEGO Mindstorms is retired. What to buy instead

Researched by [Riley Hart](https://robotsforthat.com/author/riley-hart/) · every fact links to its source · we may earn a commission

LEGO ended Mindstorms at the end of 2022, and LEGO Education stopped selling SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential on June 30, 2026. For most families the best replacement is a Makeblock mBot2, with VEX IQ for teens who want a bigger snap together build system.

Short answer LEGO's newest robotics kit, Computer Science and AI, is sold to schools, not families. Buy a Makeblock mBot2 for a first coding robot that works with LEGO bricks. Buy a used EV3 only if the price is low and you are fine with community software.

- Makeblock mBot2 (sold as mBot Neo) about $150 · ages 8+
- VEX IQ Education Kit about $500 · ages 10+
- ELEGOO Smart Robot Car Kit V4.0 about $66 to $80 · ages 12+

## Kit finder: 4 questions

1 Who is building? A kid (8 to 11) with a parent A teen (12 to 15) An adult

2 What should the robot do? Drive around and explore Walk like an animal Pick things up Teach me electronics

3 Budget for the kit? Under $80 $80 to $150 Whatever it takes

4 Built anything before? Never, total beginner A little

Answer the 4 questions and your best matches show up here.

| Kit | Price | Ages | Builds like LEGO? | Coding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makeblock mBot2 (mBot Neo) | about $150 | 8+ | Works with LEGO bricks, seller says | Blocks, then Python (mBlock) |
| VEX IQ Education Kit | about $500 | Grades 5 to 8 | Snap together pieces, its own system | Blocks, Python, C++ |
| LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 51515 (used) | about $385 used | 10+ | Yes, it is LEGO | Free Pybricks Python |
| LEGO Mindstorms EV3 31313 (used) | about $160 used | Not stated | Yes, it is LEGO | EV3 MicroPython on a microSD card |
| ELEGOO Smart Robot Car Kit V4.0 | about $66 to $80 | 12+ | No, a car kit with modules | Included code, app control |
| SparkFun Inventor's Kit v4.1.2 | about $100 | 10+ | No, breadboard and wires | Arduino |
| Petoi Bittle X robot dog kit | about $319 | 10+ | No, servos and screws | Blocks, Python, C++ |

## Our picks

Prices change. We may earn a small commission, your price stays the same.

1

### Makeblock mBot2 (sold as mBot Neo)

about $150 · Ages 8+ · about 30 minutes, maker says to build · Easy

The closest family friendly swap for Mindstorms. A seller lists it as compatible with LEGO bricks, so old LEGO pieces get a second life. Kids start with blocks in mBlock and move to Python in the same app. The maker shows sale prices well under $150 at times.

Learns **Block coding****Python****Sensors****Building with LEGO bricks**

Skip it if your child wants to build a big new robot shape every week. mBot2 is a car first, not a full build system.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0919F9CKS?tag=robotsforthat-20)

2

### VEX IQ Education Kit

about $500 · Ages 10+ · Medium

The best match for the full Mindstorms feel. It is a big set of snap together plastic parts with 4 motors and over 750 pieces. You code it with blocks, Python or C++ on a tablet or computer.

Learns **Robot design****Block coding****Python and C++****Gears and motors**

Skip it if you want a gift under $200. VEX sells mainly to schools, and the maker lists it for grades 5 to 8.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=VEX%20IQ%20Education%20Kit%202nd%20generation&tag=robotsforthat-20)

3

### ELEGOO Smart Robot Car Kit V4.0

about $66 to $80 · Ages 12+ · Beginner

A low cost way to keep a Mindstorms fan building. It follows lines, avoids walls and drives from a phone or tablet. The code comes in the box.

Learns **Wiring modules****Line tracking****Obstacle avoidance****Arduino code**

Skip it if your child is under 12 or has never wired anything. The maker says beginners do better with someone guiding them.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPZ8RSZ?tag=robotsforthat-20)

4

### SparkFun Inventor's Kit v4.1.2

about $100 · Ages 10+ · Easy

Mindstorms hid the wiring inside the brick. This kit shows it, with no soldering. It builds 16 circuits on a breadboard and ends with a robot that avoids objects.

Learns **Circuits****Arduino coding****Motors****Building a small robot**

Skip it if your child only wants to build with bricks. This is wires and code, not a construction set.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDZTBKPV?tag=robotsforthat-20)

5

### Petoi Bittle X robot dog kit

about $319 · Ages 10+ · about 60 minutes, seller says to build · Medium

For the kid who built Mindstorms animals and wants a real walking robot. It comes as a kit with servos, a board, a battery and a screwdriver. You code it with blocks, Python or C++.

Learns **Servos****Walking robots****Block coding****Python and C++**

Skip it if you want a robot that changes shape. Bittle is always a dog.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNT6TSVT?tag=robotsforthat-20)

Learn as you build · Builder Club

## Your kid learns how robots really work

Builder Club turns a kit into real learning: one step at a time, with progress you both can see.

- Step by step build screens with a check after every step
- Photo help the moment you get stuck
- Progress, levels and badges for each kid
- A new project every month for the same kit
- Works for parents who have never built anything

## What happened to LEGO Mindstorms

LEGO launched Mindstorms in 1998. EV3 came out in 2013, and the last set, Robot Inventor 51515, came out in 2020.

In October 2022 LEGO said it would end the Mindstorms line at the end of 2022. LEGO said it was "redirecting our MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor team" to other work. It pointed builders to SPIKE Prime instead.

Today the Robot Inventor page on lego.com is marked "Retired Product". The school version of EV3 stopped selling on June 30, 2021.

## Can families still buy SPIKE Prime or SPIKE Essential in 2026?

Not from LEGO Education. It ended sales of SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential on June 30, 2026. Both product pages on education.lego.com now say "Retired".

Sets you already own keep working. LEGO says the SPIKE app gets support until June 30, 2031. FIRST LEGO League teams can use SPIKE through the 2027 to 2028 season.

LEGO's new kit, Computer Science and AI, is built for classrooms of students working in groups of four. Reports put it at $339.95 per kit and up, for grades K to 8. It is not sold as a family toy.

You may still see leftover SPIKE boxes from other sellers. Check the price and that the hub is included before you buy.

## Is a used EV3 worth buying?

Sometimes. A used EV3 set (31313) sells for about $160, per BrickEconomy, down from $349.99 new. A used Robot Inventor set sells for about $385.

The catch is software. LEGO said its EV3 app would stay available to download until July 31, 2026. After that, plan on EV3 MicroPython, which runs from a microSD card and is coded in Visual Studio Code on a computer.

The free Pybricks project already supports Robot Inventor and SPIKE Prime hubs. It is working on new EV3 firmware too.

- Make sure the EV3 brick powers on and the screen works.
- Count the motors and sensors against the set list.
- Ask if the battery or battery cover is included.
- Have a 4 GB to 32 GB microSD card and a Windows or Mac computer ready.

## How to pick the right replacement

Match the kit to what your child loved about Mindstorms. Prices change often, so check before you buy.

- Loved building with LEGO bricks: Makeblock mBot2.
- Loved big builds and robot contests: VEX IQ.
- Loved making robots drive and dodge walls: ELEGOO Smart Robot Car V4.0.
- Wants to know how the wiring works: SparkFun Inventor's Kit.
- Wants a walking robot animal: Petoi Bittle X.

**Black Friday price alert** We email you when these kits drop in price. One email per drop, nothing else.

## Questions parents ask

### Is LEGO Mindstorms discontinued?

Yes. LEGO ended the Mindstorms line at the end of 2022. The last set was Robot Inventor 51515, and lego.com now lists it as a retired product.

### What replaced LEGO Mindstorms?

LEGO pointed fans to SPIKE Prime. But LEGO Education stopped selling SPIKE on June 30, 2026. Its newest kit, Computer Science and AI, is sold to schools, not families.

### Can I still use my old EV3?

Yes. LEGO kept its EV3 app available to download until July 31, 2026. You can also run EV3 MicroPython from a microSD card and code it on a computer.

### Does Robot Inventor still work?

Yes. LEGO promised app support until at least the end of 2024. The free Pybricks project also lets you code the Robot Inventor hub in Python.

### Is there a robot kit that works with LEGO bricks?

Yes. A seller lists the Makeblock mBot2 as compatible with LEGO bricks. It costs about $150 and is for ages 8 and up.

### What is the closest kit to Mindstorms today?

VEX IQ. It is a large snap together build system with motors and sensors, coded with blocks, Python or C++. It costs about $500 and is sold mostly to schools.

## More robot kit guides

[Best Robot Kits for 10 Year Olds The best robot kits and robot toys for 10 year olds: real builds, block coding to Python, no soldering. Prices and maker ages checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-10-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for 12 Year Olds Robot kits for 12 year olds ready for real Arduino projects: camera cars, robot arms and walking spiders. Prices and maker ages checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-12-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for 8 Year Olds Robot kits an 8 year old can build and code with little help. Prices, maker ages, build time and what your child learns, checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-8-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for Teens Robotics kits for teens who want real code: Arduino tanks, ESP32 robot dogs and Raspberry Pi robots with cameras. Prices checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-teens/)[Best Robot Kits for Adults and Beginners Robot building kits for adults new to robotics: Arduino starter kits, a robot dog and Raspberry Pi robots. Prices and specs checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/for-adults/)[Best robot kits for kids and adults The best robot kits for ages 8 to adult: a coding robot, robot cars, a walking robot, a robot arm, a robot dog and an electronics kit, with prices and ages.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/)[Best Robot Kits Under $50 Cheap robotics kits under $50 that still teach real skills: Arduino cars, a robot arm and a screen free hydraulic kit. Prices checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/under-50/)

## Sources

- [Brick Fanatics: LEGO is discontinuing MINDSTORMS in 2022](https://www.brickfanatics.com/lego-discontinuing-mindstorms-end-of-2022?market=uk)
- [Wikipedia: Lego Mindstorms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Mindstorms)
- [LEGO: Robot Inventor 51515 product page](https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/robot-inventor-51515)
- [LEGO Education: MINDSTORMS Education EV3 Retirement FAQs](https://community.legoeducation.com/blogs/36/95)
- [LEGO Education: App availability for EV3 and WeDo 2.0](https://community.legoeducation.com/blogs/36/235)
- [heise online: Discontinuation of Lego Mindstorms](https://heise.de/-9814679)
- [LEGO Education: SPIKE update 2026](https://education.lego.com/en-us/spike-update-2026/)
- [LEGO Education: SPIKE Prime Set 45678](https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-spike-prime-set/45678/)
- [LEGO Education: SPIKE Essential Set 45345](https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-spike-essential-set/45345/)
- [Brick Fanatics: LEGO Education retires SPIKE and launches Computer Science and AI kit](https://www.brickfanatics.com/lego-education-retires-spike-launches-ai-kit)
- [BrickEconomy: LEGO 31313 Mindstorms EV3](https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/31313-1/lego-mindstorms-ev3)
- [BrickEconomy: LEGO 51515 Robot Inventor](https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/51515-1/lego-mindstorms-robot-inventor)
- [Pybricks: Saving LEGO MINDSTORMS](https://pybricks.com/project/saving-lego-mindstorms/)
- [Pybricks: EV3 MicroPython installation](https://pybricks.com/install/mindstorms-ev3/installation/)
- [Makeblock: mBot2 coding robot](https://www.makeblock.com/pages/mbot2-coding-robot)
- [RobotShop: Makeblock mBot Neo (mBot 2)](https://www.robotshop.com/products/makeblock-mbot-neo-mbot-2)
- [RobotShop: Makeblock mBot2 Classroom Pack](https://www.robotshop.com/products/makeblock-mbot2-classroom-pack-6-robots)
- [VEX Robotics: VEX IQ](https://www.vexrobotics.com/iq)
- [ELEGOO: Smart Robot Car Kit V4.0](https://us.elegoo.com/products/elegoo-smart-robot-car-kit-v-4-0)
- [SparkFun: Inventor's Kit v4.1.2](https://www.sparkfun.com/sparkfun-inventor-s-kit-v4-1-2.html)
- [RobotShop: Petoi Bittle X V2 Construction Kit](https://www.robotshop.com/products/petoi-bittle-x-v2-construction-kit-w-lite-servos)
- [Petoi: Bittle X assembly guide](https://guide.petoi.com/product/bittle-x-v2/quick-start-guide/assembling)

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