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Best LEGO Robot Kits

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
LEGO MINDSTORM
LEGO
MINDSTORM
Check Price
Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A great kit that comes with multiple robot builds and activities.

Pros

Phone app allows you to control your robot builds with ease. Comes with instructions to build and play with 5 different robots. Helps kids gain STEM skills alongside building the lego sets themselves.

Cons

The hub will occasionally stop connecting to the robots.

Best Bang for the Buck
LEGO Creator Robo Explorer
LEGO
Creator Robo Explorer
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

While a few of the pieces are very small and may get lost, the light-up brick and ease of building make this a hit with kids.

Pros

Users can build any of 3 types of robots. Battery-powered light brick is a hit with kids. Tracked wheels roll easily. Most kids can put together a robot in about 30 minutes with instructions.

Cons

Some very tiny pieces mean younger kids need to be assisted by adults.

LEGO Marvel Iron Monger Mayhem
LEGO
Marvel Iron Monger Mayhem
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A fun kit with characters that kids will recognize.

Pros

Based on Iron Man, this kit comes with 479 pieces. The large robot suit is fun to build and easy to play with. Includes the ability to shoot lego studs out of the mech's arm. Comes with 3 mini-figures.

Cons

Studs can be easy to misplace when shot out of the mech's arm.

LEGO Mining Mech
LEGO
Mining Mech
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Easy Build
Bottom Line

An easy-to-understand build that has versatile options.

Pros

The 3-in-one robot is easy to build for younger lego fans. Comes in 327 pieces. The mech can be posed in many different positions allowing for endless creativity.

Cons

Is on the more expensive side for smaller lego builds.

LEGO Ninjago Ninja Ultra Combo Mech
LEGO
Ninjago Ninja Ultra Combo Mech
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

It might not be the typical robot in disguise, but this set lets you build a robot out of 4 separate vehicles.

Pros

Includes 7 minifigures from within the Ninjago lore. The robot includes a tank, a car, a jet, and a mech that all combine into its final form. Includes a collectible banner kids will love.

Cons

It comes apart too easily when you play with it.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

54
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60
Consumers
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Buying guide for best lego robot kits

Robots were once the stuff of sci-fi fantasy, but today, you can build your own working robot using LEGO bricks. Both kids and adults can enjoy and learn new things from a LEGO robot kit. The question is, how do you pick the right LEGO robot kit to fit your needs? First and foremost, consider who will be using the kit. What is this person’s skill level? Where do their interests lie? All this can seem a bit daunting, especially if you're not familiar with LEGO robot kits.

At BestReviews, it's our mission to aid you, the consumer, in finding the products that best meet your needs. We perform extensive research via lab testing, expert consultation, and chats with real consumers. As a result, we’re able to create fair, thorough product reviews you can trust.

Read on for our full guide to LEGO robot kits, or scroll up to the product list to see our five favorite kits available today.

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While LEGO robot kits come with all the bricks and other parts you need to recreate a number of different robots, you can use additional bricks to make your own creations.

Programmable vs. model robot kits

You'll find two main types of LEGO robot kits for sale: programmable robot kits and model robot kits. Here’s a brief overview of each type.

Programmable robot kits

  • Programmable LEGO robot kits contain motors and sensors.

  • You can program, or "code," your finished robot via an app for tablet or smartphone or a program for PC or Mac.

  • LEGO robots made with programmable kits can move independently. Depending on  your coding skills, some can carry out astounding tasks.

  • You can find programmable LEGO robot kits with two LEGO themes: Boost and Mindstorms.

"The coding app that comes with LEGO Boost robot kits is word-free, so it's even suitable for children who haven't learned to read yet."
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Model robot kits

  • Model LEGO robot kits look like robots but simply function as toys or models.

  • While model LEGO robots don't have motors or the ability to move independently, some do have moving parts.

  • You can find model robot kits in a range of LEGO themes, including Creator, Star Wars, Ninjago, and Ideas.

Questions to ask before buying a LEGO robot kit

Before you purchase a specific kit, it helps to find out as much as you can about the product. The following questions give you a good place to start.

What age group is the LEGO robot kit designed for?

One of the first factors to consider is the age of the person you're buying for and the recommended age range of the kit. LEGO Boost robot kits, for instance, are recommended for ages seven to 12. LEGO Mindstorms kits are designed for ages 10 and up.

Is the kit programmable?

Only LEGO robot kits from the Boost and Mindstorms ranges are programmable. The Boost coding app is completely icon-based and very intuitive, so even complete coding beginners can enjoy it.

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Did you know?
Some LEGO robot kits require use of a tablet rather than just a smartphone. Before you buy, make sure you have the right device on hand, since the app is essential.
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Does the kit have a motor?

If you want to build a robot that can move on its own, it will need to have a motor. Check your chosen LEGO robot kit to make sure it has a motor. Some kits contain multiple motors so you can create more complex robots.

LEGO robot kit prices

Model LEGO robot kits start at less than $20, but depending on the theme and the complexity of the model, some kits cost well over $100.

Interested in a programmable LEGO robot kit? These products start around $150 for Boost kits and around $350 for full Mindstorms kits.

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Children at the younger end of the recommended age range may need some assistance building and coding their LEGO robots, depending on their skill level.

FAQ

Q. Will a LEGO robot kit help my child learn to code?

A. Yes, a programmable LEGO robot kit will absolutely help your child learn to code. LEGO Boost kits are designed for younger children, so they teach only the most basic rules of coding using drag-and-drop icons. However, with LEGO Mindstorms kits, there's a more complex programming option. The user can learn a lot about coding while creating robots that perform a wide range of tasks.

Q. Can adults use LEGO robot kits?

A. There's no reason why adults can't use LEGO robot kits. In fact, the entire LEGO line of products has many adult fans. That said, anyone with even basic computer programming skills might find the coding aspect of Boost kits very simplistic. The Mindstorms theme has much more scope, so adults might find that line of robot kits more challenging and satisfying.

Q. What exactly can you do with a LEGO robot kit?

A. At the time of this writing, the LEGO Boost kit allows you to build and program five models: Vernie the Robot, the Multi-Tooled Rover 4, the Guitar4000, Frankie the Cat, and the AutoBuilder. Mindstorms kits allow you to do much more due to the powerful EV3 Brick at their heart. The limit is your imagination (and your coding skills), but people have created robots that solve Rubik’s Cubes, play musical instruments, knit sweaters, and play chess, to name just a few incredible projects.