Makeblock mBot vs Sphero Mini

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

mBot compared with Mini

	MakeblockmBot	SpheroMini
Overview
Released
Released	–	2017
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	–	Motor-driven rolling ball; the interchangeable outer shell encloses the drive mechanism.
User programming
User programming	Block programming and Arduino C/C++.	Sphero Edu supports drawing, blocks and JavaScript; Sphero Play provides driving and game controls.
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 maker US store lists individual blue, green and red robots as orderable on 3 October 2026; availability is regional.
Release details
Release details	Exact first-sale date not established from the maker evidence read.	Contemporary MacRumors coverage records sale from 29 September 2017. Year precision is retained because a maker first-sale notice was not located.
Hardware
Height
Height	–	39.878 mm
Width
Width	–	39.878 mm
Depth
Depth	–	39.878 mm
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Processing
Processing	mCore controller at 16 MHz.	–
Sensors
Sensors	Light and ultrasonic sensors, infrared emitter and line-following module.	Gyroscope, accelerometer and motor encoders; RGB LED.
Size and weight
Size and weight	–	Maker diameter: 1.57 inches (39.878 mm).
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.	Three mini traffic cones and six mini bowling pins included. Blue, green and red shells offered on the current maker page.
Battery
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	–	45 minutes of play
Charging
Charging	–	Micro-USB charging cable included; remove the shell to access the charging port.
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.	–