Looking for the Perfect Robot for Your Kids?
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the number of robots out there to choose from? Have you created a list of robots you think your kids will enjoy, but you need to narrow down your choices? The first question to ask yourself is whether your kids would prefer a pre-assembled robot that’s ready to use right out of the box, or would building the robot themselves be half the fun? You should also think about what you would like to see your kids do with the robot. Are you looking for something that has room for growth? Are you hoping to use the robot to get your kids into coding? Whatever your situation, our Buying the Perfect Robot guide will help you in your quest for that perfect robot.
Pre-Assembled vs Assembly-Required Robots
Pre-assembled Robots
Pro: Pre-assembled robots can provide hours of fun right out of the box.
Pro: Working with pre-assembled robots in a classroom setting leaves more time for the non-building aspects of a STEM lesson.
Pro: Many pre-assembled robots now come with a coding feature. Scratch (or Scratch-like blocks), JavaScript, Python, and Apple’s Swift Playground are popular coding languages in robotics.
Con: Not all pre-assembled robots with a coding feature are equal. Be sure to research how many language options the robots on your shortlist really have.
Con: Most pre-assembled robots can’t be modified. What you see is what you get.
Con: If a pre-assembled robot that is app-controlled only is discontinued, it’s only a matter of time before the app is outdated and no longer functions on your device(s).
Assembly-Required Robots
Pro: Some kids enjoy the experience of building the robot themselves just as much as they enjoy controlling it.
Pro: Many assembly-required robots can be modified by your kids as they gain more experience in robotics.
App-Controlled vs Remote Controlled Robots
App-Controlled Robots
Pro: App-controlled robots tend to be more advanced with additional features, like coding, that your kids will enjoy.
Con: App-controlled robots may become obsolete when the robot is discontinued and the app is no longer updated.
Con: Your kids will only be able to use their robot when they have access to a compatible iOS/Android device.
Remote-Controlled Robots
Pro: You don’t have to worry about the controller becoming obsolete.
Con: Many robots with their own remote control tend to have limited functionality.
Issues to Watch Out For
Today’s robots can get expensive because of the hardware and software components involved. Investigating the following issues can help you decide whether the cost of the robot you’re looking at is worth the price at this time.
- For app-enabled robots, you should check which features, if any, are available offline. Will your kids be able to use the robot when they no longer have access to a compatible iOS/Android device? If you’re sharing your device with them, how often will they have access to it?
- Is the robot you’re interested in still manufactured today? Both Sphero and Lego have discontinued robots over time. Digital Dream Labs hadn’t purchased the rights to Anki’s products, Cozmo would most likely be obsolete at this time.
- Are the companies who made the robots on your list still in business today? The original Anki Cozmo robot is currently one of our favorite little robots, but Anki shut down in May 2019. If Digital Dream Labs hadn’t purchased the rights to Anki’s products, Cozmo would have become obsolete once Anki stopped supporting their app.
- Check the App Store reviews for any app-enabled robots on your list. We’ve seen more than one app fail to allow the user to log in or attach to their robot, either when the robot first came out or after a recent update. You may want to research how often this occurs and how long the fix takes.
Robot Categories
We divided our growing collection of robots into several useful categories that best describe their essential features. The robots with more advanced features tend to be in multiple categories. For additional information on each robot, see our Meet the Robots in Our Lab page.
We’ve included any discontinued robots at the bottom of each category table since they’re still great robots. You can use our in-depth discussions on our Meet the Robots in Our Lab page to decide whether they’re the right choice for you and your kids – if you happen to find one.
Pre-Assembled Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Dream Labs Cozmo | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium-ion battery and power adaptor | Cozmo, charger, and three interactive cubes (each with a pre-installed 1.5 Volt / N size battery) |
| Sphero RVR | Yes | 8+ (for beginners, builders, and hackers) | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Rechargeable battery | RVR, rechargeable battery, battery key, cover plate, protective roll cage, 4 color cards, micro USB charger |
| Sphero Bolt | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 1 Lithium Polymer battery | BOLT, Inductive Charging Base with UBS cable, Protractor with heading, direction and clock, Sticker sheet |
| Discontinued Robots | |||||
| Sphero BB-8 | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | BB-8, his induction charging base, and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero R2-D2 | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | R2-D2 and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero BB-9E | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | BB-9E, his induction charging base, and a micro USB charging cord |
Assembly-Required Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sphero RVR | Yes | 8+ (for beginners, builders, and hackers) | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Rechargeable battery | RVR, rechargeable battery, battery key, cover plate, protective roll cage, 4 color cards, micro USB charger |
| LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor | Yes | 10+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Rechargeable battery | Rechargeable battery, 4 medium motors, distance sensor, color sensor, 1 programmable hub, and a micro USB cable for charging and communication |
| MakeBlock mBot Robot Kit | Yes | 8+ | Remote Control or Compatible iOS/Android Device | mBot - 4 AA batteries or 1 3.7V 1800mAh Lithium Battery (not included) Remote Control - CR2025 coin battery (not included) | mBot's mCore & casing, chasis, R & L motors, ultrasonic sensor, line follower, bluetooth module, cables, wheels, misc screws, piece of velcro, and a map |
| Meccano MeccaSpider | Yes | 10+ | Built-in control panel and a compatible iOS/Android Device for additional features | 5 alkaline size C batteries (not included) | 290+ parts, including a decal sheet, a pair of small hand tools, and easy to follow instructions |
| Meccano Micronoid Code Series (A.C.E, Magna, and Zapp) | No | 8+ | Built-in control panel, located on the robot's head | 4 AAA batteries (not included) | Each kit contains 100+ parts, 1 motorized Micro Module, 1 USB cable, a pair of small hand tools, and easy to follow instructions |
| UBTECH BuzzBot and MuttBot Kit | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium-ion battery | 6 servo motors, over 250 parts that snap together to build BuzzBot or MuttBot, a Lithium-ion battery pack and charging dock |
| Discontinued Robots | |||||
| LEGO Star Wars Droid Commander Set | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 6 AAA batteries (not included) | Interchangeable move hub, 1 interactive motor, and 1 color & distance sensor |
| LEGO Mindstorms EV3 | Yes | 10+ | Remote Control (two modes only) or Compatible iOS/Android Device | Remote Control - 2 AAA batteries (not included) EV3 - 6 AA Batteries (not included) | Programmable EV3 brick, 3 servo motors, infrared sensor, color sensor, touch sensor, and a two-mode remote control |
| LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 | No | 10+ | NXT Lego brick | 6 AA batteries (not included) | Programmable NXT brick, 3 servo motors, ultrasonic sensor, 2 touch sensors, color sensor, NXT software CD |
App-Enabled Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Dream Labs Cozmo | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium-ion battery and power adaptor | Cozmo, charger, and three interactive cubes (each with a pre-installed 1.5 Volt / N size battery) |
| Sphero RVR | Yes | 8+ (for beginners, builders, and hackers) | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Rechargeable battery | RVR, rechargeable battery, battery key, cover plate, protective roll cage, 4 color cards, micro USB charger |
| Sphero Bolt | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 1 Lithium Polymer battery | BOLT, Inductive Charging Base with UBS cable, Protractor with heading, direction and clock, Sticker sheet |
| UBTECH BuzzBot and MuttBot Kit | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium-ion battery | 6 servo motors, over 250 parts that snap together to build BuzzBot or MuttBot, a Lithium-ion battery pack and charging dock |
| MakeBlock mBot Robot | Yes | 8+ | Remote Control or Compatible iOS/Android Device | mBot - 4 AA batteries or 1 3.7V 1800mAh Lithium Battery (not included) Remote Control - CR2025 coin battery (not included) | mBot's mCore & casing, chasis, R & L motors, ultrasonic sensor, line follower, bluetooth module, cables, wheels, misc screws, piece of velcro, and a map |
| Meccano MeccaSpider | Yes | 10+ | Built-in control panel and a compatible iOS/Android Device for additional features | 5 alkaline size C batteries (not included) | 290+ parts, including a decal sheet, a pair of small hand tools, and easy to follow instructions |
| Discontinued Robots | |||||
| Sphero BB-8 Droid | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | BB-8, his induction charging base, and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero R2-D2 Droid | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | R2-D2 and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero R2-9E Droid | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | BB-9E, his induction charging base, and a micro USB charging cord |
| LEGO Droid Commander Set | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 6 AAA batteries (not included) | Interchangeable move hub, 1 interactive motor, and 1 color & distance sensor |
| LEGO Mindstorms EV3 | Yes | 10+ | Remote Control (two modes only) or Compatible iOS/Android Device | Remote Control - 2 AAA batteries (not included) EV3 - 6 AA Batteries (not included) | Programmable EV3 brick, 3 servo motors, infrared sensor, color sensor, touch sensor, and a two-mode remote control |
| LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 | No | 10+ | NXT Lego brick | 6 AA batteries (not included) | Programmable NXT brick, 3 servo motors, ultrasonic sensor, 2 touch sensors, color sensor, NXT software CD |
Apple’s Swift Playground Compatible Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discontinued Robots | |||||
| Sphero BB-8 | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | BB-8, his induction charging base, and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero Bolt | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 1 Lithium Polymer battery | BOLT, Inductive Charging Base with UBS cable, Protractor with heading, direction and clock, Sticker sheet |
| Sphero R2D2 | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | R2-D2 and a micro USB charging cord |
| LEGO Mindstorms EV3 | Yes | 10+ | Remote Control (two modes only) or Compatible iOS/Android Device | Remote Control - 2 AAA batteries (not included) | Programmable EV3 brick, 3 servo motors, infrared sensor, color sensor, touch sensor, and a two-mode remote control |
Scratch Compatible Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Dream Labs Cozmo | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium-ion battery and power adaptor | Cozmo, charger, and three interactive cubes (each with a pre-installed 1.5 Volt / N size battery) |
| Sphero RVR | Yes | 8+ (for beginners, builders, and hackers) | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Rechargeable battery | RVR, rechargeable battery, battery key, cover plate, protective roll cage, 4 color cards, micro USB charger |
| MakeBlock mBot Robot | Yes | 8+ | Remote Control or Compatible iOS/Android Device | mBot - 4 AA batteries or 1 3.7V 1800mAh Lithium Battery (not included) Remote Control - CR2025 coin battery (not included) | mBot's mCore & casing, chasis, R & L motors, ultrasonic sensor, line follower, bluetooth module, cables, wheels, misc screws, piece of velcro, and a map |
| Sphero Bolt | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 1 Lithium Polymer battery | BOLT, Inductive Charging Base with UBS cable, Protractor with heading, direction and clock, Sticker sheet |
Python Compatible Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Dream Labs Cozmo | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium-ion battery and power adaptor | Cozmo, charger, and three interactive cubes (each with a pre-installed 1.5 Volt / N size battery) |
JavaScript Compatible Robots
| Robot | App-Enabled | Skill Level | Controller | Power Source | Package Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sphero RVR | Yes | 8+ (for beginners, builders, and hackers) | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Rechargeable battery | RVR, rechargeable battery, battery key, cover plate, protective roll cage, 4 color cards, micro USB charger |
| Sphero Bolt | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | 1 Lithium Polymer battery | BOLT, Inductive Charging Base with UBS cable, Protractor with heading, direction and clock, Sticker sheet |
| Discontinued Robots | |||||
| Sphero BB-8 | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | BB-8, his induction charging base, and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero R2D2 | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | R2-D2 and a micro USB charging cord |
| Sphero BB-9E | Yes | 8+ | Compatible iOS/Android Device | Lithium Polymer battery | R2-D2 and a micro USB charging cord |