- [Robot kits](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/) / **Makeblock mBot2 vs Sphero BOLT+** Updated Oct 29, 2026 # Makeblock mBot2 vs Sphero BOLT+ Researched by [Riley Hart](https://robotsforthat.com/author/riley-hart/) · updated Oct 29, 2026 · every fact links to its source · we may earn a commission - Our pick Makeblock mBot2 about $150 · ages 8+ · Easy The winner for most families. It costs $50 less than BOLT+, has more sensors, and the child builds it, so they see how motors and sensors connect. [Check price on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0919F9CKS?tag=robotsforthatai-20) - Sphero BOLT+ about $199 · ages Grades 3 to 10[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JBNLTQ?tag=robotsforthatai-20) - Sphero BOLT (original) about $179[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sphero%20BOLT%20coding%20robot&tag=robotsforthatai-20) Short answer For most families the Makeblock mBot2 beats the Sphero BOLT+: it costs $149.99 at Makeblock versus $199 at Sphero, is rated 8+, has more sensors and grows from blocks to Python and Arduino. The Sphero BOLT+, rated by Sphero for grades 3 to 10, wins when you want no building, an iPad friendly app and a sealed, waterproof robot for a classroom. Buy the mBot2 if your child is 8 or older, likes to build and has a Windows, Mac or Android device. Buy the BOLT+ if you want coding in minutes, use iPads or Chromebooks, or need a robot that survives many hands. Both use free apps and both support Python. | | Makeblock mBot2 | Sphero BOLT+ | |---|---|---| | [Price →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Price&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | $149.99 (Makeblock) | $199 (Sphero) | | [Maker age →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Maker%20age&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | 8+ | Grades 3 to 10 | | [What you get →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=What%20you%20get&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | A robot car the child assembles | A sealed robot ball, ready to roll | | [Screen →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Screen&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | Color screen on the CyberPi controller | 128 by 128 pixel LCD | | [Main sensors →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Main%20sensors&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | Ultrasonic, four color line sensor, light, sound, gyroscope, accelerometer | Light, infrared, compass, distance | | [Coding app →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Coding%20app&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | mBlock (blocks and Python) | Sphero Edu (draw, blocks, JavaScript, Python) | | [Other code →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Other%20code&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | Arduino IDE in C and C++ | None listed | | [Devices →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Devices&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android (Stemfinity) | iOS, Android, Chromebook, Mac, Windows, Kindle | | [Battery →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Battery&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | 2500 mAh, about 5 hours, 1 hour USB charge | About 6 to 8 hours, wireless Qi charging | | [Build →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Build&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | Aluminum alloy body, works with LEGO bricks | Waterproof shell | | [Class packs →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Class%20packs&tag=robotsforthatai-20) | Classroom packs sold by Makeblock and resellers | 15 robot Power Pack, $3,499 | Prices from maker pages read October 29, 2026, before tax and shipping. Specs are from Makeblock, Sphero and Stemfinity pages. Findings come from those pages, not from hands on testing. ## 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. ## Our picks Prices change. We may earn a small commission, your price stays the same. #1 #1 ### Makeblock mBot2 about $150 on Amazon A small aluminum robot car with a CyberPi controller, encoder motors, ultrasonic sensor and four color line sensor. Ages **8+** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Block coding, Python** **Great if:** your child is 8 to 14, likes to build and wants to grow into Python. **Skip if:** your family only uses an iPad, or your child is under 8. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0919F9CKS?tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it The winner for most families. It costs $50 less than BOLT+, has more sensors, and the child builds it, so they see how motors and sensors connect. #2 #2 ### Sphero BOLT+ about $199 on Amazon A rolling robot ball with a 128 by 128 pixel screen, coded in the free Sphero Edu app. Ages **Grades 3 to 10** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Draw and block coding, JavaScript and Python** **Great if:** you use iPads or Chromebooks, or you want coding to start in minutes. **Skip if:** your child wants to build or add parts. BOLT+ never changes shape. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JBNLTQ?tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it The pick for no build coding and classrooms. It is sealed and waterproof, charges on any Qi pad, and Sphero says a charge lasts a full school day. #3 #3 ### Sphero BOLT (original) about $179 on Amazon The earlier BOLT robot ball with a light sensor, compass and infrared sensors. Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Block coding, JavaScript and Python** **Great if:** you find it on sale well below BOLT+ and want the same Sphero Edu lessons. **Skip if:** battery matters. Sphero lists about 2 hours of typical use and about 6 hours to charge. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sphero%20BOLT%20coding%20robot&tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it Still sold by Sphero for $179. It codes the same way as BOLT+ but has an 8 by 8 LED matrix instead of a screen. 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 ## The short verdict For a single child at home, buy the Makeblock mBot2. It costs $149.99, is rated 8+, and offers blocks, Python and Arduino in one robot. Buy the Sphero BOLT+ at $199 if you want zero building, you code on an iPad, or many kids will share the robot. Sphero rates it for grades 3 to 10. ## Build vs ready to roll The mBot2 comes as a kit. Kids attach the wheels, sensors and CyberPi controller with a screwdriver. That build teaches how the parts fit together, and Makeblock says it works with LEGO bricks and over 500 Makeblock parts. The BOLT+ is a sealed ball. There is nothing to assemble and nothing to lose. Kids open the Sphero Edu app and start driving. If your child loves building, the mBot2 is more fun for longer. If they just want to code, BOLT+ gets there faster. ## Sensors and screen mBot2 has more sensors. Makeblock lists an ultrasonic distance sensor, a quad RGB sensor for line following and color, plus a light sensor, microphone, gyroscope and accelerometer on CyberPi. It also has 8 motor and servo ports for add ons. BOLT+ adds ambient light and distance readings to the original BOLT's light sensor, infrared sensors and compass, per Sphero support. Its 128 by 128 pixel LCD shows animations and live sensor data. Both robots can show messages and images on their screens. ## Coding apps and Python mBot2 uses Makeblock's mBlock. Kids start with Scratch style blocks and switch to Python in the same app. CyberPi also works with the Arduino IDE for C and C++. BOLT+ uses the free Sphero Edu app. Kids can draw a path, use blocks, or write JavaScript or Python. Sphero Edu runs on iOS, Android, Chromebooks, Mac, Windows and Kindle. If you only have an iPad, BOLT+ is the safer pick. Stemfinity lists mBot2 support for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. ## Battery and durability Makeblock lists a 2500 mAh battery in mBot2 with about 5 hours of play and a 1 hour USB charge. The body is aluminum alloy. Sphero says BOLT+ lasts a full school day, typically 6 to 8 hours, and charges wirelessly on any Qi pad. The shell is waterproof. For heavy daily use in a classroom, BOLT+ is the easier robot to keep running. ## Classroom use Sphero sells a BOLT+ Power Pack with 15 robots and a charging case for $3,499. That works out to about $233 per robot, with storage and charging handled for you. Makeblock and resellers like RobotShop sell mBot2 classroom packs. mBot2 costs less per robot, but each one needs to be built and stored with its parts. Teachers with Chromebooks and short class periods often prefer BOLT+. Robotics clubs that want building and Arduino often prefer mBot2. **Black Friday price alert** We email you when these kits drop in price. One email per drop, nothing else. ## Questions parents ask ### Is mBot2 or Sphero BOLT+ better for my kid? For most kids 8 and up, the Makeblock mBot2 is better. It costs $149.99, is rated 8+, has more sensors and adds Arduino. Pick the Sphero BOLT+ at $199, rated for grades 3 to 10, if you want no building. ### How much does Sphero BOLT+ cost? Sphero sells the single BOLT+ robot for $199 on its own store. A 15 robot Power Pack costs $3,499. ### What age is Sphero BOLT+ for? Sphero lists BOLT+ for grades 3 to 10, which is roughly ages 8 to 16. It costs $199. ### What age is the Makeblock mBot2 for? Makeblock rates mBot2 for ages 8 and up and suggests adult help for younger kids. It costs $149.99 at Makeblock. ### Can you code Sphero BOLT+ and mBot2 in Python? Yes. mBot2 ($149.99, 8+) uses Python in Makeblock's mBlock app. Sphero BOLT+ ($199, grades 3 to 10) uses Python or JavaScript in Sphero Edu. ### Does mBot2 work on an iPad? Stemfinity lists mBot2 support for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, not iPad. If you only have an iPad, the Sphero BOLT+ at $199 runs Sphero Edu on iOS. ### Which has better battery life, mBot2 or BOLT+? Sphero says BOLT+ lasts about 6 to 8 hours. Makeblock lists about 5 hours for mBot2 from a 2500 mAh battery. ### Is the original Sphero BOLT still sold? Yes. Sphero lists the original BOLT at $179. It has an 8 by 8 LED matrix instead of BOLT+'s screen and about 2 hours of typical battery life, per Sphero support. ## 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. 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Which Pi works, total cost and prices, October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/raspberry-pi-robot-kits/)[Best robot dog kits to build and code The best robot dog kits for teens and adults: Petoi Bittle X, SunFounder PiDog, Hiwonder MechDog and Freenove, with real total cost and ages.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/robot-dog-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 - [Makeblock: mBot2](https://www.makeblock.com/products/buy-mbot2) - [Sphero: BOLT+ coding robot](https://sphero.com/collections/bolt-plus/products/sphero-bolt-plus?variant=42004713078829) - [Sphero: BOLT coding robot](https://sphero.com/collections/bolt-plus/products/sphero-bolt) - [Sphero: BOLT+ collection and Power Pack prices](https://sphero.com/collections/bolt-plus) - [Sphero support: BOLT vs BOLT+](https://help.sphero.com/sphero-support/bolt-vs-bolt) - [Sphero support: BOLT features](https://help.sphero.com/sphero-support/bolt-features) - [Sphero: Sphero launches BOLT+](https://sphero.com/blogs/press-releases/sphero-launches-sphero-bolt) - [Stemfinity: Makeblock mBot2](https://stemfinity.com/collections/holiday2024/products/makeblock-mbot2) - [RobotShop: Makeblock mBot2 Classroom Pack](https://www.robotshop.com/products/makeblock-mbot2-classroom-pack-6-robots) Black Friday is Nov 27 Get the Black Friday prices on robot kits the day they drop We check prices every morning and compare them with each model's 2026 low. 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