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Home / Family & Kids / STEM Kits for Kids / LEGO Education SPIKE Essential
8.0 Tested Aug 20, 2026 by Team RankingRight

LEGO Education SPIKE Essential (Set 45345) review 2026

The classroom LEGO robotics set for ages 6–10: motors, sensors, a hub and story-based coding lessons

PriceFrom $299.95 · checked Sep 11, 2026
Ages6–10
Hours of activity12

Is the LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Worth It?

Best engineering and coding set for younger kids. SPIKE Essential logged the most hours of any kit and taught both children something — building and coding in one — but the price puts it at the bottom on value. Schools buy it; a family with LEGO-mad kids might.

LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Real motors, colour sensor and a hub with the LEGO you already own
  • Story-based lessons made coding make sense to our 7-year-old
  • Icon blocks for younger kids, word blocks for older
  • Built to survive a classroom
Cons
  • $300 — the most expensive kit here
  • Sold through education channels; Amazon stock varies
  • Needs a device for the app

LEGO Education SPIKE Essential at a Glance

8.0 Editor Score
Learning valueWhat the child could explain about the science or code afterwards, and whether the kit teaches or just entertains.
26/30
EngagementWhether the child returned to it unprompted and how long a session held attention.
20/20
Build quality & safetyComponent quality, missing parts, small-part and chemical safety, age accuracy.
15/15
Parent effortSetup time and how much adult help each activity needed at the stated age.
12/15
ValuePrice per hour of activity, and whether it keeps giving after the first use.
7/20
Reader ratingNo reader ratings yet — not part of the score
–
Own one? Rate it:

Rubric v1: Learning value 30 · Engagement 20 · Build quality & safety 15 · Parent effort 15 · Value 20. Score = Σ ÷ 10, locked Sep 11, 2026. How we rank.

Where to buy — prices checked Sep 11, 2026

Amazon — $299.95

Best priceSee Price

LEGO Education — $299.95

Also sold atSee Price

LEGO Education SPIKE Essential specifications

Ages6–10
SubjectEngineering, coding
FormatRobotics set
Price$299.95 list
Needs a screenYes (tablet or computer app)
Projects / experiments449 pieces; dozens of lessons
ReusableYes

Why it scored 8

SPIKE Essential logged the most hours of any kit and taught both children something — building and coding in one — but the price puts it at the bottom on value. Schools buy it; a family with LEGO-mad kids might.

Where it loses

Value — $300.

Still the right pick for

Families who will use it for years.

LEGO Education SPIKE Essential8.0 · $299.95
See Price