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
Movement
Movement	–	Rolling spherical robot inside a transparent polycarbonate shell.
User programming
User programming	Block programming and Arduino C/C++.	Sphero Edu supports drawing, blocks, JavaScript and Python. The maker provides free lesson resources.
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.	The individual robot (SKU 920-0600) is orderable from the maker US store on 3 October 2026; classroom packs are separate SKUs.
Release details
Release details	Exact first-sale date not established from the maker evidence read.	Announced on 18 June 2024 as a preorder shipping later that summer. The first retail-sale date was not established, so no release date is assigned.
Hardware
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Display
Display	–	128 × 128-pixel colour LCD; maker announcement lists more than 650 graphics and animations.
Durability
Durability	–	Maker describes the polycarbonate shell as waterproof; no IP classification is given on the product page.
Processing
Processing	mCore controller at 16 MHz.	–
Sensors
Sensors	Light and ultrasonic sensors, infrared emitter and line-following module.	–
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.	Individual robot and classroom multi-robot kits are sold separately. Gallery Power Pack images show the optional classroom case, not the individual package.
Battery
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	–	All-day classroom use (maker claim; hours unpublished)
Charging
Charging	–	Qi wireless charging; shake the robot to wake it.
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.	–