Makeblock mBot vs Sphero BOLT

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mBot compared with BOLT

	MakeblockmBot	SpheroBOLT
Overview
Released
Released	–	–
Task and control
Form
Form	Wheeled	Wheeled
Use
Use	Education	Education
User programming
User programming	Yes	Yes
Phone app
Phone app	Yes	Yes
User programming
User programming	Block programming and Arduino C/C++.	Sphero Edu drawing, blocks, JavaScript and Python.
Regional availability
Regional availability	Blue P1050017 and Pink 90107 variants orderable on 3 October 2026. Orderable on the maker store on 3 October 2026; maker states delivery to the contiguous United States only.	Single BOLT SKU K002ROWFFP orderable on the maker store on 3 October 2026.
Release details
Release details	Exact first-sale date not established from the maker evidence read.	Exact first-sale date not established from the maker evidence read.
Hardware
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Yes	–
Processing
Processing	mCore controller at 16 MHz.	–
Sensors
Sensors	Light and ultrasonic sensors, infrared emitter and line-following module.	Magnetometer for orientation and infrared communication between BOLT robots.
Display
Display	–	8 × 8 programmable LED matrix.
Durability
Durability	–	Maker describes the shell as waterproof; no ingress-protection rating published on the page read.
Audio
Audio	Buzzer.	–
Connections
Connections	Maker lists USB, Bluetooth and a 2.4 GHz radio option; the radio option is not described as Wi-Fi.	–
Accessories
Accessories	mBot2 is a separate selectable product on this store page; its photographs and specifications are excluded.	–
Battery
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	–	Maker describes all-day battery life without a numeric runtime
Charging
Charging	–	Inductive charging base.
Battery
Battery	Four AA batteries or an optional 3.7 V 1800 mAh lithium-polymer pack. Capacity is not assigned to AA configurations.	–
Runtime conditions
Runtime conditions	Maker lists approximately 1 hour runtime and 3–4 hours charging alongside its rechargeable-pack option; these are not an AA-battery guarantee.	–