Energize Lab Eilik vs Makeblock mBot2
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Energize Lab Eilik costs $140 and the Makeblock mBot2 costs $150, so the Energize Lab Eilik is $10 cheaper. The Energize Lab Eilik has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Makeblock mBot2 is not scored yet. Pick the Energize Lab Eilik for a cheap, private desk toy. Pick the Makeblock mBot2 for kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python. The Energize Lab Eilik wins 1 of 1 points we can measure.
- Type
- Desk buddy
- Interaction
- Touch
- Subscription
- None
Tiny offline desk buddy that reacts to touch, no app or plan
Full Energize Lab Eilik review, pros and cons →- Type
- Wheeled robot kit
- Interaction
- 1.44 in color screen
- Subscription
- None
- Ages
- 8 and up
Metal build it yourself coding robot with Scratch and Python
Full Makeblock mBot2 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Energize Lab Eilik | Makeblock mBot2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 | $150 |
| 3 year cost | $140 | $150 |
| Our score | 8.5/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Companions | #1 | #8 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 90 days, plus a 14 day money back guarantee (Energize Lab store) | n/a |
| Type | Stationary desktop companion with an OLED face and moving head and arms | Wheeled robot kit with metal chassis that kids assemble, run by the CyberPi controller |
| Interaction | Touch sensors on head, belly and base; reacts to being moved or shaken; plays with other Eiliks; no voice control on the standard model | 1.44 in color screen on CyberPi, buttons, RGB lights; driven by code or the mobile app (B&H, The Canadian Homeschooler) |
| Ai features | On device behaviors only; works without WiFi or internet. Optional AI Station ($99, sold separately) adds AI chat, gesture games and face greetings over a network | Wi-Fi on CyberPi for internet and AI based coding projects in mBlock; no built in companion personality |
| Camera | No camera on Eilik itself; the optional AI Station adds one | No camera in the base kit; a camera add on is sold separately (The Canadian Homeschooler) |
| Mobility | Stationary; four servos move its head, body and arms | Two encoder motors with 1 degree accuracy, up to 200 rpm (B&H) |
| Battery runtime | About 1.5 hours (450 mAh) | Built in rechargeable lithium ion battery charged by USB; runtime not published |
| Charge time | About 1 hour over USB Type C (5 V, 1 A) | n/a |
| Size weight | 108 by 105 by 133 mm, 230 g | Robot size not published; package 8.7 x 7.4 x 4.1 in, 2.5 lb (B&H) |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Age range | Not published | 8 and up (Makeblock, per The Canadian Homeschooler); the reviewer suggests 10 and up |
| Sensors | n/a | Ultrasonic distance sensor, quad RGB line and color sensor, light sensor (Jessica Boschen, B&H) |
| Compute | n/a | CyberPi with ESP32-WROVER-B, 8 MB flash, Wi-Fi, stores 8 programs (B&H) |
| Programming | n/a | Block coding in mBlock 5 (Scratch based) and Python (B&H, The Canadian Homeschooler) |
| Best for | a cheap, private desk toy | kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python |
| Skip if | you want voice chat or a mobile robot | you want a companion with a personality |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Energize Lab Eilik
- Goally (4/5): Hands on use with games, jokes and dance parties lifted the reviewer's mood for as long as the roughly 90 minute battery lasted; reviewer was skeptical of emotional claims. Note that Goally sells a competing kids tablet. Source
- Gagadget: Named Best Desk Toy in a five robot roundup for its touch responses and multi robot play; drawbacks were no voice control and recharging about every 1.5 hours. Source
Makeblock mBot2
- What I Have Learned Teaching (Jessica Boschen): Her 12 year old built it alone, with one part upside down, and wrote Scratch programs using the ultrasonic, line and light sensors. Highly recommended it, noting minor connectivity issues. Makeblock supplied the unit. Source
- The Canadian Homeschooler: Kids aged 11 and 9 assembled it without help. A motor in the wrong port made it spin in circles, setup was the hardest part and firmware updates often fixed issues. Suggested ages 10 and up. Makeblock supplied the unit. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Energize Lab Eilik or the Makeblock mBot2?
The Energize Lab Eilik has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Makeblock mBot2 is not scored yet. Pick the Energize Lab Eilik for a cheap, private desk toy. Pick the Makeblock mBot2 for kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python.
Which is cheaper?
The Energize Lab Eilik at $140, versus $150 for the Makeblock mBot2, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $140 vs $150.
What is the difference between the Eilik and the mBot2?
Type: Stationary desktop companion with an OLED face and moving head and arms on the Eilik, Wheeled robot kit with metal chassis that kids assemble, run by the CyberPi controller on the mBot2. Interaction: Touch sensors on head, belly and base; reacts to being moved or shaken; plays with other… on the Eilik, 1.44 in color screen on CyberPi, buttons, RGB lights; driven by code or the mobile app… on the mBot2. Ai features: On device behaviors only; works without WiFi or internet. Optional AI Station ($99, sold… on the Eilik, Wi-Fi on CyberPi for internet and AI based coding projects in mBlock; no built in… on the mBot2.
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