Makeblock mBot2 vs Miko Mini
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Makeblock mBot2 costs $150 and the Miko Mini costs $149, so the Miko Mini is $1 cheaper. Pick the Makeblock mBot2 for kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python. Pick the Miko Mini for young kids who want a talking robot buddy. The Makeblock mBot2 wins 1 of 2 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Makeblock mBot2 wins 1 of 2 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| mBot2 | Miko Mini | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $150 | $149 | Tie |
| 3 year cost | $150 | $446 | mBot2 |
- You care most about 3 year cost ($150 vs $446)
- Best for kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python
- Best for young kids who want a talking robot buddy
- 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 →- Type
- Small kids companion
- Interaction
- Voice first
- Subscription
- Miko Max content plan:
- Ages
- 5 to 10 years
Pocket sized voice first AI robot for kids 5 to 10
Full Miko Mini review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Makeblock mBot2 | Miko Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $149 |
| 3 year cost | $150 | $446 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Companions | #8 | #7 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | n/a |
| Type | Wheeled robot kit with metal chassis that kids assemble, run by the CyberPi controller | Small kids companion robot with a 2 inch screen face |
| Interaction | 1.44 in color screen on CyberPi, buttons, RGB lights; driven by code or the mobile app (B&H, The Canadian Homeschooler) | Voice first; triple MEMS microphones; parent app with usage limits and blocked hours; English only |
| Ai features | Wi-Fi on CyberPi for internet and AI based coding projects in mBlock; no built in companion personality | AI conversation, stories, fun facts, songs and a Story Coach feature; companion app adds games and videos |
| Camera | No camera in the base kit; a camera add on is sold separately (The Canadian Homeschooler) | Yes, wide angle HD camera with an on demand camera shutter; one way video calls from the parent app |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic distance sensor, quad RGB line and color sensor, light sensor (Jessica Boschen, B&H) | n/a |
| Mobility | Two encoder motors with 1 degree accuracy, up to 200 rpm (B&H) | Wheels: rubberized wheels with time of flight range sensors and odometric sensors |
| Compute | CyberPi with ESP32-WROVER-B, 8 MB flash, Wi-Fi, stores 8 programs (B&H) | n/a |
| Programming | Block coding in mBlock 5 (Scratch based) and Python (B&H, The Canadian Homeschooler) | n/a |
| Battery runtime | Built in rechargeable lithium ion battery charged by USB; runtime not published | Up to 1 hour of active play and up to 15 hours on standby (Miko) |
| Size weight | Robot size not published; package 8.7 x 7.4 x 4.1 in, 2.5 lb (B&H) | 4.5 x 5.3 x 6.49 in (Miko); weight not published |
| Subscription | None | Miko Max content plan: $99 per year or $14.99 per month (Miko site) |
| Age range | 8 and up (Makeblock, per The Canadian Homeschooler); the reviewer suggests 10 and up | 5 to 10 years (RobotShop listing); Mumsnet suggests 7 to 9 |
| Charge time | n/a | Not published; charges over USB Type C |
| Best for | kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python | young kids who want a talking robot buddy |
| Skip if | you want a companion with a personality | you need long play time or languages beyond English |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
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
Miko Mini
- Mumsnet: Reviewer's kids found it cute and engaging, and she rated it good value. It sometimes misheard commands, Dance Master songs cut off mid song, and app syncing needed a restart during setup. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Makeblock mBot2 or the Miko Mini?
Pick the Makeblock mBot2 for kids 10 and up moving from blocks to Python. Pick the Miko Mini for young kids who want a talking robot buddy.
Which is cheaper?
The Miko Mini at $149, versus $150 for the Makeblock mBot2, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $150 vs $446.
What is the difference between the mBot2 and the Miko Mini?
Type: Wheeled robot kit with metal chassis that kids assemble, run by the CyberPi controller on the mBot2, Small kids companion robot with a 2 inch screen face on the Miko Mini. Interaction: 1.44 in color screen on CyberPi, buttons, RGB lights; driven by code or the mobile app… on the mBot2, Voice first; triple MEMS microphones; parent app with usage limits and blocked hours… on the Miko Mini. Ai features: Wi-Fi on CyberPi for internet and AI based coding projects in mBlock; no built in… on the mBot2, AI conversation, stories, fun facts, songs and a Story Coach feature; companion app adds… on the Miko Mini.
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