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Top 9 Affordable Alternatives to Lego Mindstorms in 2024

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Top 9 Affordable Alternatives to Lego Mindstorms in 2024

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Lego Mindstorms is a very popular kit. Many schools use it because it’s easy to teach and widely recognized. However, the Lego Group declared in October 2022 that Mindstorms would shut down at the end of 2024. So if you’re looking for different ways to incorporate STEM or robotics in your school, you might be looking for alternatives. So are you seeking Mindstorms alternatives? What is replacing LEGO Mindstorms? What is the best LEGO alternative? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll show you the top 9 Lego Mindstorms alternatives you can buy for your kids and yourself!

Cover Photo:lego.com

How about Lego Mindstorms?

Lego Mindstorms is a hardware and software structure which develops programmable robots based on Lego building blocks. Each version includes computer Lego bricks, a set of modular sensors and motors, and Lego parts from the Technic line to create the mechanical systems. The system is controlled by the Lego bricks.

While originally conceptualized and launched as a tool for supporting educational constructivism, Mindstorms has become the first home robotics kit available to a wide audience. It has developed a community of adult hobbyists and hackers following the product's launch in 1998.

In October 2022, The Lego Group announced Lego Mindstorms will be discontinued at the end of 2024.

Why is Lego So Expensive?

The short answer you are paying for a brand, licencing and retail mark up. You are also paying for hours of set creation when it comes to Lego kits. Supply and demand also come into play with pricing toys that include Lego.

Why Choose Lego Alternatives?

For many, one of the main reasons to look at LEGO alternatives or knockoffs is the price. LEGO sets can be expensive, so your options are quite limited if you’re on a tight budget. Other brands can offer you more pieces and bigger builds for less than LEGO.
The other main reason to go with a knockoff is simply for more options. A knockoff may produce sets LEGO never would (or hasn’t gotten around to).

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Top 9 Alternatives to Lego Mindstorms in 2024

1.VEX iQ

Price: from $199.99 @ VEX Robotics

Source:vexrobotics.com

VEX Robotics is an educational robotics for the entire family. VEX solutions are accessible, scalable, and affordable at all levels of formal and informal education if you’re looking for a kit that’s most similar to Lego Mindstorms.

It is designed for students in elementary and middle school. Annually, robotics teams can compete in its Competition (VIQC). VEX EDR is a popular robotics platform.

The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation is hosting the VIQ Challenge, which offers elementary and middle school students engaging, open-ended robotics and research project challenges that develop their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills through experiential, student-centred learning.

Review:

Pros

Cons

It is built with plastic snap-together pieces that are designed to create highly functional robots needed to help your kid in STEM learning.
Students can easily build their first robot, and a large number of additional parts allows them to build anything they can imagine as they keep learning.
Every kit includes a hand tool to make assembly and disassembly for small hands easier.
Use of VEX IQ (and EDR) is possible with ROBOTC. This will enable students to learn C programming rather than using the exclusive drag-and-drop method used by Lego.

The robot does not drive straight
Robot freezes when it can’t complete the tasks
The battery is low even when it isn’t
Robot behaving randomly

2.Arduino Uno Kits (Sensors & Robot Cars)

Price: from $34.20 @ Arduino

Source:store-usa.arduino.cc

Many people might be a little biased when it comes to Arduino, but their kits are certainly a great alternative to Lego Mindstorms. Arduino is a very popular open-sourced electronic prototyping platform. Say that five times fast!

We come from a Robotics Engineering background, and we can confidently say that learning Arduino has helped us many times in career. For starters, students will learn how to program in C, which is a great precursor to professional languages such as C++ and Python.

If you’re looking for a great High School (or advanced Middle School) platform, Arduino is by far ourfavorite route to go. The possibilities are limitless, and the pricing is by far the most affordable!

Review:

Pros

Cons

With the Sensor Kit’s components, you can build so many fun apps such as display interfaces, sound detection, alarm systems, light detection, temperature sensing, and much more.
Although a robot can be built from the ground up, a starter kit is easier to use and ensures compatibility with all attachments.
Robots can be built with microcontroller units (MCUs) with great success. The excellent compatibility of Arduino boards with a variety of devices, including servos, LEDs, and through-holes makes them ideal for robotics applications.
An Arduino kit can serve as a starting point for your own customizations. They are accessible, inexpensive, and well-researched.

Some well-known languages, such as Java, Python, and JavaScript, are not supported.
Comes with limited memory storage
There is no debugger included to test scripts.
There is no knowledge of the AVR microcontroller.
Sketches and shields are difficult to modify.

3.Yahboom Raspberry Pi 4WD Smart Robot

Price: from $79.99 @ Amazon

Source:amazon.com

Yahboom Raspberry Pi 4WD Smart Robot is another best-selling Robot Kit, specially designed for educators, students, and Raspberry Pi enthusiasts. Similar to other smart robots, most of the components are connected with screws, copper pillar, and anti-reverse socket.

You can gain two degrees of freedom with the latest Raspberry Pi 4B board as the core controller and HD Camera and set up the real-time transmission of HD video through the 5G WIFI network. You can create plenty of possibilities with the robot by adding various sensor modules, communication modules, and even a mouse and keyboard to form a microcomputer. Users can learn about the robot car and the Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+ development board from the resources provided with the robot kit.

The super starter kit comes with aluminum alloy chassis (the upper layer is acrylic sheet), strong four-wheel drive, metal motor brackets, high-quality battery, and expansion boards that are compatible with Raspberry Pi, UNO R3, STMA32, and 51 microcontrollers.

Review:

Pros	Cons
A 8MP camera with face tracking Two photo resistors for light tracking Infrared sensors for line tracking Automatic obstacle avoidance with an ultrasonic module Color LEDs on the chassis that you can control Work with two Lithium Batteries, not included The price point is excellent, almost the cheapest model in this list for the “high-end” robot kits.	Instructions are not very clear.

4.Dexter Industries GoPiGo Starter Kit

Price: $199 @Dexter Industries

Source:dexterindustries.com

The GoPiGo is a complete kit perfect for schools, maker spaces, camps, and robotics enthusiasts! It lets you learn to code with Bloxter or Scratch, visual coding languages, or use Interactive Python for advanced programming capabilities.

It’s a full robot chassis and is compatible with Raspberry Pi Models A, B, B+, 2, and 3. You can customize your GoPiGo by adding additional servos, a Raspberry Pi camera, or other sensors, giving you a unique hardware and software experience. Motors on the GoPiGo3 have built-in encoders to provide a precise and accurate motor control. This robot drives straight every time.

Starter Kit includes wheels, programmable LEDs, five sensor ports, two servo attachments, Raspberry Pi 3, microSD card with DexterOS, USB drive, Ethernet cable, and distance sensor with mount.

Review:

Pros	Cons
Even if you’re not a student or a teacher, it’s a great robot kit. The built-in encoders make it more accurate than other robots, and there are plenty of holes on the board for adding your own custom equipment. Aside from the integrated lessons and programming environment, it’s a sturdy build.	A little expensive.

5.Meet Edison Robot

Price:$59.99 @ Amazon

Source:amazon.com

We recommend the Meet Edison Robot to those who want to offer robotics but are on a smaller budget.

You’ll be able to learn electronics and programming without the hassle of a construction kit. Meet Edison is very versatile. You can use it with a variety of programming languages including Scratch and Python.

The body of the robot is compatible with Lego bricks, so students can build contraptions and inventions over the top of the robot. There is a bit of a learning curve with the Meet Edison robots, but they’re an overall good pick if you’re looking for a kit that’s user-friendly and affordable.

Review:

Pros

Cons

React to light and sounds.
Follow lines and avoid obstacles.
Read programs from barcodes
Communicate with other Edison robots!

It's connection to the computer is not wireless but wired with a cable.
You need the edcomm cable just to TRANSFER the code from the computer to Edison Robot

6.Makeblock Robot & Airblock Drone Kits

Price:from $79.99 @ Amazon

Source:amazon.com

Makeblock has a variety of robotics kits for STEM education. They’re a lot more affordable than Lego Mindstorm kits and they provide a very similar experience.

Students will be able to build and program inventions using the components in this kit. The platform is Arduino-compatible, which makes it really nice for younger students.

You can build everything from mobile robots to robot arms, to water vehicles. It’s a great way to introduce a variety of STEM topics within a single kit.If you’re planning to use Arduino in your High School, Makeblock kits could be a great precursor for Elementary and Middle School students. Pretty awesome!

Review:

Pros

Cons

Pretty great performance
Lightweight and Small in size
Beginner-Friendly
Portable and Easy to Store
Modular Design and Great Price

Not Robust
No upgrades
Limited Range

7.Cubit STEAM Kits

Price:$176.59 @ School Specialty

Source:schoolspecialty.com

Cubit Kits include real electronic hardware enclosed in casings. That way you can work with motors and sensors similar to what engineers would use in industry.

The kits allow you to build everything from Earthquake Shake Tables to Robot Rovers. Cubit is comparable in price to Lego Mindstorms, but you won’t be limited to just robotics. We have teachers using kits to demonstrate the Butterfly Life Cycle, topics in Earth Science, and the environment.

Review:

Pros	Cons
Cubit’s modular Smartware design, simple user interface, and robust sensor suite provide students with the freedom to discover their surroundings. It provides students with instruments that scientists and engineers use to measure magnetism and spatial position. Cubit’s variable-speed precision motors enable students to imagine and put their creations into motion.	Comes with 1 rechargeable battery. Temperature sensors might not be accurate sometimes. Ultrasonic sensor not functioning properly.

8.KEYESTUDIO Mini Tank Robot V2 Smart Car Kit

Price:$69.99 @ Amazon

Source:amazon.com

For kids with a basic programming foundation or electronic enthusiasts, advanced learners and Arduino engineering enthusiasts, this is a good tool for learning and exploring.It contains a control board, two motors, two tracks, a photocell sensor, an ultrasonic module, an infrared receiver module, an 8*16 LED panel and a Bluetooth module, etc.

This kit does not include batteries, you need to bring your own 2 18650 batteries.The KEYESTUDIO Building Smart Robotic Tank Car Starter Kit is a small, inexpensive robot platform which provides you with the basic tools needed to experiment with robot and arduino-based programming.

Before starting any project, you need to get your Arduino talking to your computer. This allows you to write and compile code for the Arduino to execute, as well as providing a way for your Arduino to work alongside your computer.Children without programming experience may require parents' guidance.

Review:

Pros	Cons
easy to assemble (even without instructions) you have alternative for all the electronic parts	the battery holder is 2×3.7V instead 4AA batteries which are more common in the DIY zone one tank tread was larger than the other (maybe a defect of the kit that was not intended) no tools to mount the kit

9.UBTECH Jimu Cosmos Kit

Price: from $47.50 @ Walmart

Source:amazon.com

Fly into space with the newest Cosmo Kit from the AstroBot Series. With this kit, you can construct the AstroBot, Rover, or Astron or create your own alien JIMU Robot. But again, There are so many options from the UBTECH Jimu range (including a robot unicorn!), you’ll be able to find something to suit anyone.

The Blocky coding platform adds to the fun by giving kids the opportunity to code and build these robots to perform countless programs and tricks!

JIMU robots are educational in nature because they can be programmed to help students build their STEM skills at school and at home.This kit does a better job of implementing programming language than others and produces an exceptionally cute robot.

Review:

Pros

Cons

Supports programming languages such as Arduino C/C++ programming and block programming, allowing it to develop with your child’s skill level
There is a large online user community, so there are many projects to look at and be inspired by and also view the comments of other users.
The robot set is affordable (under $100) and simple to assemble.
The mBot App allows you to control a robot from your smartphone or tablet, and it comes with a remote control for demonstrations or fun.
It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, and Android and includes a light sensor, infrared receiver, ultrasonic sensor, and a line-following sensor

Does not come with a battery for the remote control or robot
The remote control looks cheap
mBot design looks simple and unattractive

Now you know about the best 9 Lego Mindstorms alternatives after reading this article. Over time, Mindstorm sets and components have been used to make some incredibly powerful creations.

Note: although the alternative kits do identical tasks, the choice ultimately depends on the budget, the activities, and the target age range.

FAQs

1.Does LEGO Mindstorm use Scratch?

You can create interactive robotic creations using the motors and sensors included in the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 invention kit. The possibilities increase when you connect it: you may create your own musical instruments, game controllers, robotic puppets, and anything else you can think of.

2.Why is LEGO MINDSTORMS retiring?

“We have decided to redirect our MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor team and their expertise into different areas of the business,” the LEGO Group said in a statement.

3.Can I still use Lego Mindstorms EV3?

At the end of June 2021, the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programmer app will no longer be available in the existing app stores. You may find Labview, the retired LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition for Mac and PC, further down.

4.What is better than Lego Mindstorms?

Makeblock offers a wide range of robotics kits for STEM education. They are significantly less expensive than Lego Mindstorm kits and provide a very similar experience.

5.What programming language does Lego Mindstorms use?

RobotC is a C-based program that supports numerous platforms and features a fully integrated software debugger. There is extensive online assistance and documentation accessible to interested parties.

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