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.

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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.

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.

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.

We give special consideration to advanced LEGO robot kits that can be programmed, giving users a good introduction to the skill.

Some of the best LEGO robot kits we evaluate have motors that allow them to move across flat surfaces and manipulate objects.

When investigating LEGO robot kits, we take a special interest in products with recognizable characters that kids will enjoy building and programming.

We look at LEGO robot kits that young children can handle on their own as well as kits with smaller parts and a more complicated process that are meant for both kids and adults.

The programmable LEGO robot kits we recommend include motors and sensors and are compatible with a wide range of computers and mobile devices.

When researching products, we distinguish between model robot kits and programmable robot kits. The former are not programmable, but they may have moving parts.

Our search for the best LEGO robot kits includes researching options as affordable as $20 and premium kits that cost a few hundred dollars.

While evaluating the top LEGO robot kits, we learned that the Boost line uses an intuitive control app that’s entirely icon-based, making it a great choice for the youngest budding engineers.

The Mindstorms family offers some of the best LEGO robot kits we recommend and allows for a diverse range of programming opportunities.

When researching LEGO robot kits, we find out approximately how much time a kit would take to put together. This information may help consumers narrow down their choices.

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.

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.

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.