Makeblock mBot2 Review: A Coding Robot for Kids That Grows With Them

If you’ve ever tried to bring coding and robotics into your classroom (or your home), you know the struggle. Either the tools are too simple, and kids get bored, or they’re so complex that everyone gets frustrated.

In this Makeblock mBot2 review, I’m sharing what it’s actually like to use this coding robot with a real student. After testing it out with my 12-year-old, I found that it sits in a really useful middle ground—it’s accessible for beginners but still challenging enough to keep older students engaged.

This isn’t just a “take it out of the box and press a button” type of activity. Students build it, troubleshoot it, and then figure out how to make it work, which is exactly what we want in a strong STEM experience.

We were given this Makeblock mBot 2 to explore, and I wanted to share with you how my 12-year-old son put it together and figured out its programming.  

What is the Makeblock mBot2? 

The Makeblock mBot2 is a buildable coding robot that teaches students programming and robotics through hands-on learning. As highlighted in this Makeblock mBot2 review, students assemble the robot and then use coding platforms like Scratch and Python to control its actions.

It combines physical construction with digital problem-solving, making it a strong fit for STEM learning.

Who is the mBot2 designed for? 

From a classroom perspective, this Makeblock mBot2 review shows that the robot works well in a variety of settings:

• Elementary and middle school classrooms introducing coding and robotics
• Homeschool environments are looking for hands-on STEM tools
• Coding clubs or STEM enrichment programs
• Students are ready to move from block coding to text-based coding

It’s flexible enough to grow with students instead of being a one-year tool that gets shelved.

Our Experience Putting It Together

One thing I always look for in any Makeblock mBot2 review is how manageable the build process is, and this one was surprisingly smooth.

The directions are visual, very similar to LEGO-style instructions, which makes a big difference for kids working independently. My son built the entire robot on his own. He made one mistake (installed a piece upside down), but the visuals helped him catch and fix it without frustration.

Everything needed for assembly is included, even the tools, which makes setup simple.

Design and Build Quality

A big takeaway from this Makeblock mBot2 review is how durable the robot feels compared to others we’ve tried.

• The frame is metal, not plastic
• The edges are rounded (helpful when it inevitably bumps into furniture)
• The main electronics are housed in a protective casing

It feels like something that can actually last through repeated classroom use.

Expandable 

Another highlight in this Makeblock mBot2 review is how customizable the robot is.

Students can:

• Add attachments
• Use additional Makeblock components
• Incorporate third-party parts

That flexibility means students can keep modifying and redesigning instead of getting bored after a week.

Our Experience Figuring Out the Functionality

A key part of this Makeblock mBot2 review is what happens after the build, since that’s where many tools fall short.

We started with the basic Makeblock app to test simple features such as driving the robot, changing colors, and running pre-built actions, making it an easy entry point for beginners.

After that, we moved into the coding platform, and that’s where things became much more engaging for my son as he began creating and testing his own programs.

Because it offers both programming options, it’s a good fit for younger learners and older kids who want more of a challenge. This flexibility allows children to start with block-based coding and advance to more complex text-based programming as they gain confidence. 

My son is not an experienced programmer.  He has done some programming with Osmo blocks, so the Scratch option was a great fit for him. He created some easy scripts for the robot, adjusted for miscues, and successfully executed them. 

Features of the Robot

As expected in a strong Makeblock mBot2 review, the built-in sensors are what make this robot more than just a toy.

• Ultrasonic sensor (distance and obstacles)
• Line-following sensor
• Light sensor

These features allow students to program how the robot reacts to its environment.

Follow the Line

One feature that stood out during this Makeblock mBot2 review was the line-following function.

It didn’t work perfectly at first, which turned into a great learning moment. After some troubleshooting, we realized it needed calibration.

That small challenge turned into a problem-solving opportunity—exactly what you want in a STEM activity.

Educational Value

A strong point in this Makeblock mBot2 review is the level of real learning involved.

Students aren’t just playing—they’re:

• Building
• Testing
• Debugging
• Adjusting

They’re practicing real problem-solving skills while learning coding concepts.

It supports both:

• Scratch (block coding) for beginners
• Python (text-based coding) for more advanced students

That progression makes it useful across multiple grade levels.

Basic Lessons

Another aspect worth mentioning in this Makeblock mBot2 review is the available lesson plans. My son loves to figure things out on his own rather than follow a set of instructions, but there is a limit to what is “figure-out-able” without guidance. This is one of those instances where having the lesson would be helpful for him.

The lessons are written for teachers or older kids who can read and interpret more text-heavy directions.  They are true lesson plans with a warm-up, hands-on activities, and a wrap-up. While I can guide him on which parts of the lesson plan to look at, these lessons are ones we would need to do together.

These lessons include:

• Warm-ups
• Guided activities
• Wrap-ups

They’re written more like full classroom lessons, which is helpful but may require adult guidance for younger students. Going through the lessons will help my son get to know the robot and how it interacts with the software and programming languages. 

If your goal is deeper learning, the lessons are worth using.

Video of the mBot2

Key Features of the mBot2

Here are some of the Key features of the mBot2 that make it different from other robots like it:

Hardware

As seen throughout this Makeblock mBot2 review, the hardware is one of its strengths.

• CyberPi: The mBot2 is powered by CyberPi, a powerful microcontroller with multiple sensors and a color screen. CyberPi supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it suitable for various applications, including IoT (Internet of Things) projects.
• AI and IoT Capabilities: With its advanced microcontroller, the mBot2 can support artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT functionalities, offering a more comprehensive learning experience.

Multiple Sensors

This Makeblock mBot2 review wouldn’t be complete without highlighting the sensor variety:

• Ultrasonic Sensor: For distance measurement and obstacle avoidance
• Line-following Sensor: This allows the robot to follow lines on the ground, which is useful for path-following tasks.
• Light Sensor: Detects ambient light levels, enabling the robot to respond to changes in light conditions

Coding Platforms

Makeblock’s proprietary software supports block-based and text-based coding, providing a seamless transition from beginner to advanced levels. It can easily grow with your child.

• Scratch: A visual, block-based coding language perfect for beginners.
• Python: For more advanced learners who want to delve into text-based programming.

Would you like $10 off your purchase? 

MakeBot is offering a $10 code for anyone interested in purchasing a robot from their website.  Use the code save10 for $10 off your first order. 

Overall Reflection on the mBot2

Thanks to its easy assembly and mostly intuitive software, the mBot2 has been a great experience for users. My 12-year-old could put it together without my help and figure out how to use the apps to make it move and follow the line. We will need to use the basic lessons to dig deeper into the functionality and coding. 

The Makeblock mBot2 Coding Robot is a fantastic investment for parents and educators looking to introduce children to coding and robotics. 

Its user-friendly design, extensive functionality, and educational value make it a standout choice in the educational robot market. Despite minor connectivity issues, the overall experience is highly positive, making it a highly recommended tool for young learners.