Buying guide for best mini claw machines
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With a mini claw machine, you can bring the excitement of the arcade into your own home and allow your children to not only develop better hand-eye coordination but be rewarded for it.
The best mini claw machines are durable and accommodate a variety of prizes from toys to candy. You may also want a fun design with flashing lights and sound for a stimulating and immersive experience. Additionally, a mini claw machine that accepts tokens or real coins is often the most fun for kids because it most closely mimics an arcade claw machine.
For all you need to know before you purchase a mini claw machine, our guide has you covered – including tips on how to actually win that prize you have your eye on.
Editors’ picks
KFFKFF Mini Claw Crane Machine
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 11.8” D x 11.4” W x 31.5” H | Power Source: AC | Weight: 55 lb | Prizes Included: None
The KFFKFF Mini Claw Crane Machine is a delightful activity for all children’s events. It’s a fun way for kids to get candy or toys, and it has a user-friendly design that’s suitable even for younger children. It features a powder-coated iron case for superior durability and a transparent window, allowing kids to target the toys or candy they want easily.
The intelligent coin device features adjustable money-insert modes and includes tokens and a key. The control bar has seven colorful flashing lights, and the claw offers self-adjusting grabbing power. There are six prize-winning modes, along with dynamic music, making this a staple for any hotel, arcade or home entertainment center.
Its durable build and adjustable features make this a customer favorite. Lights and sound effects help create an arcade or carnival-like vibe, making this mini claw machine a fun addition to any party or recreational setting.
Etna Electronic Arcade Claw Machine
Great Value
Dimensions: 8” x 7.7” x 4” | Power Source: 3x D batteries | Weight: 3 lb | Prizes Included: None
The Etna Electronic Arcade Claw Machine is an affordable mini claw machine that’s excellent for birthday parties and other fun events. It’s more compact than other models, making it easy to carry around, and it runs on batteries, giving users portable convenience.
It plays fun music while you try to collect your prize, and a large interior allows you to stuff more toys and goodies inside. It’s easy to open the case to reload it with toys and candy, and it comes with 30 reusable tokens. Plus, the levers can move in various directions, making it more manageable to target the items you want.
It’s surprisingly durable given its compact build, and its low price makes it a must-buy for anyone who wants an affordable claw machine for their next event. Plus, the ample space means you can load it with plenty of candy, small toys and mini plushes.
Marlrin Claw Machine for Kids
Includes Prizes
Dimensions: 7.4” W x 7.1” D x 13.5” H | Power Source: Battery or USB | Weight: 2.14 lb | Prizes Included: 20 mini plushes
The Marlrin Claw Machine is one of the best options for younger kids to experience an arcade-like game right at home. The neat thing about this machine compared to others is that it includes prizes. It comes with 20 random mini plushes of hearts and animals.
Featuring a classic arcade design with a unicorn theme and vibrant colors, it’s particularly enjoyable for younger children. The claw game features a 60-second time limit, and the controls help kids develop hand-eye coordination. It also features cheerful carnival music, and you can power it with batteries or a USB cable. However, according to customer reviews, it’s not as robust as other mini claw machines.
That said, its carnival-like features, including plushes and easy control, make it super fun for anyone who wants to win a prize. Plus, when it runs out, you can always open it to fill it with more toys or candy.
How we analyzed
The best mini claw machines have a durable build and controls that are easy for adults and children to operate. We also considered some “extras” such as lights and sound effects for a true arcade-like experience. Additionally, we thought about the interior space and how easily each machine can be loaded with goodies.
Key considerations
Mini claw machines can be a hit with the kids (and the adults), but only if you pay attention to what you are buying and get a model that includes all the features that make this game so much fun.
Age range
Mini claw machines are designed for children. However, many come with small parts. Be sure to check the recommended age range before purchasing if you intend to let a young child play with the machine.
Size
The best mini claw machines are about 13 inches tall and have a base that’s roughly eight inches by 10 inches. This is a good sturdy size that doesn’t take up too much room in the toy closet. However, some of the lower-end models might be considerably smaller. Always check the dimensions before purchasing because it can be impossible to judge a mini claw machine’s actual size from a photograph.
Power
Mini claw machines are the most fun to play with when they are battery-powered. Powered models are just like the big claw machines in stores and arcades. That’s not to say children won’t be momentarily amused by a manually powered mini claw machine, but chances are their interest will fade more quickly.
Controls
There are two types of controls generally found on battery-powered mini claw machines. The first is a single joystick, which moves the claw to the right, left, front, or back. This type of machine also features a button that drops the claw into the prizes. Other mini claw machines have three joysticks. One joystick moves the claw right or left, a second moves it forward or backward, and the third moves it up or down.
Single-joystick mini claw machines more closely resemble arcade play, while three-joystick models offer players a little more precision.
Features
Easy refill
If it’s unnecessarily complicated to refill the mini claw machine, parents might be put off adding more toys and other prizes. Eventually, the unit will be placed on a shelf and forgotten. However, if it’s too easy to open the mini claw machine, a frustrated child might be tempted to pop open the casing to snatch a prize. The best mini claw machines are easy to refill but not obviously easy to open.
Included toys
If you want convenience, purchase a mini claw machine that comes with a set of prizes. That said, it’s often wiser to purchase the machine and the prizes separately so the quality of each can be better assured.
Tokens
Mini claw machines that allow you to deposit tokens or coins add a little more excitement to the gameplay. If the machine takes both, it’s usually best to use real coins because plastic tokens can sometimes get stuck.
Design
Whether you want a mini claw machine that looks like it came straight out of Pizza Planet, one with hungry sharks instead of claws, or one with a red-and-white striped design that looks like it would fit right in at a carnival, the choice is yours. It’s best to look for a machine that appeals to your child in some way.
Lights
To add even more excitement, look for a mini claw machine with flashing lights.
Music and sound effects
The most engaging mini claw machines feature music that plays during gameplay. The best machines also feature sound effects. If you want a crowd of people to cheer whenever you successfully snatch up a prize, look for a model that can do exactly that.
Mini claw machine prices
Mini claw machines are easily divided into three main price categories.
Inexpensive
If you want to spend less than $20, you’ll get a plastic mechanical toy that may not be very durable and can only pick up very small or specific items.
Mid-range
In the $25 to $40 range, you will find smaller battery-powered novelty units that might also function as clocks. These mini claw machines might accept plastic tokens or real coins to simulate arcade-style playing.
Expensive
As you move into the $45 and up range, you’ll find more durable play and more bells and whistles, such as lights and music, and a wider variety of prizes that the claw is capable of picking up.
Tips
After practicing on your home mini claw, your kids might be ready to take their game to the arcade. Here are some prize-winning tips for arcade play:
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It’s harder to win if an arcade claw machine has plush toys that have been packed tightly inside.
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Pay attention to other players. If a claw machine seems to drop all the prizes, there might not be enough tension in the claw to actually win.
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When watching other players, also pay attention to machines that jiggle, have claws that open prematurely, or have any other kind of undesirable characteristics.
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If the machine features a claw with only two prongs, it is almost impossible to win anything. Play the three-pronged claw machines.
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Choose an obtainable prize. Don’t target the prize you most want. Instead, snatch the prize that is the easiest to get.
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Take a test drive. Consider playing a round where you focus on how the controls on the claw machine work instead of getting the prize.
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Sometimes winning might involve rearranging the playing field. Move the object that is giving you grief so you can get to the obtainable prize.
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Smaller arcades may feature claw machines that are easier to win.
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Play claw machines at the front of the arcade. Sometimes larger arcades put the easier machines up front to entice more players to enter.
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If you’re frustrated, playing rounds in rapid succession, or just spending too much money, cut your losses and walk away from the claw machine.
FAQ
Q. How are mini claw machines powered?
A. The lower-end models are manual machines. Mini claw machines that feature push buttons or joystick operation use batteries. Because of the power needed to operate the claw and lift toys, most often a unit will use three D batteries. Machines that run on AA batteries may not be as enjoyable.
Q. What can I put in my mini claw machine as prizes?
A. Mini claw machines are extremely versatile. They are safe for wrapped candy and small toys. Be careful of using toys that can get caught or tangled with other toys or any of the machinery, however, as this might cause a jam that breaks the machine.
Q. Are there any concerns for younger children using mini claw machines?
A. The primary concern with a mini claw machine is choking. Many of the models only accommodate tiny toys that are one to three inches in size, so care must be taken to only allow children who are above the recommended age to play with the mini claw machine.
