Choosing the right coding robot for your child or classroom can feel like a big decision, but it’s also an exciting one! Wonder Workshop’s Dash Roboter and the Sphero Bolt+ are both excellent options that have earned their place on STEM toy lists year after year, helping kids explore the world of coding in fun and meaningful ways.
Dash’s engaging personality and beginner-friendly design make it a favorite for sparking curiosity and building a lasting love of learning in younger kids. On the other hand, Bolt+ can help older learners who already feel invested in coding.
Not sure which one is the best fit? Keep reading for an in-depth comparison and to see why Dash stands out as most multi-functional robot
Dash vs. Sphero Bolt+ Comparison
Dash
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Sphero Bolt+
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|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 (includes everything needed to learn and play) | $199.00 |
| Recommended Age | 6+ years old; suitable for beginners and advanced coders | 8+ years old; fewer beginner-friendly features |
| Fun and Engagement | Hands-on, interactive coding and robotics challenges that promote creativity and learning through play by combining lights, sounds, and movement | Engages kids through coding tasks, but lacks creative or playful animations |
| Setup | Ready to go out of the box; assembled and charged on arrival | Requires charging and app setup; may feel technical for parents and kids |
| Learning Benefits | Teaches coding, robotics, and creative problem-solving in a fun, hands-on ways | Great for learning coding, but lacks variety in educational focus |
Where Coding Meets Connection
Dash’s value extends beyond being just a “learn to code” robot — it’s a learning companion that makes STEM personal, engaging, and exciting. Research shows that kids learn best through play, especially when that play is meaningful, joyful, and interactive. And what better learning companion than a robot with a playful personality?
Dash’s personality, lights, sounds, and lifelike movements help create an emotional connection to learning. Dash responds to kids’ commands with spirited actions and replies, providing an interactive experience that fosters excitement and curiosity. This connection is key for learners of all ages and plays an important role in fostering a sincere love of STEM.
In contrast, while the Bolt+ is a solid tool for older learners, its design lacks the same emotional appeal, making it less relatable for young students who benefit from engaging tools that spark a connection.
A Seamless Start
Dash is designed with kids of all ages in mind and offers a seamless entry into coding. Dash arrives fully assembled, charged, and is easy to pair with Wonder Workshop’s suite of free apps. Within minutes of unboxing, kids can start exploring and coding with Dash.
Sphero Bolt+ also arrives assembled, but requires time to charge. Reviews also note that setup and app pairing can be technical and needs parental support and troubleshooting before kids can begin.
Accessible Pathway from Beginner to Advanced
From the very first interaction, Dash makes coding feel accessible and fun. Wonder Workshop’s intuitive apps are designed to grow with kids, including beginners, allowing them to solve puzzles, program sequences, and engage in creative challenges, right from the get go. The accessibility of the interface encourages kids to experiment and learn through hands-on experiences. By pairing Dash with Wonder Workshop’s free apps and online resources, anyone can learn to code.
The Blockly app introduces kids to essential coding concepts like sequencing and loops through interactive puzzles and continues to challenge kids’ STEM skills as they grow; supporting their progress by providing coding and robotics puzzles ranging from beginner to advanced. For even more challenges, the Wonder app offers over 300 activities designed to grow alongside your child’s skills. And don’t forget about play.makewonder.com—Wonder Workshop’s kid-friendly website full of guidance to help young learners navigate these challenges with ease.
Both Wonder Workshop and Sphero offer block coding and text-based coding options. Wonder Workshop’s Blockly Pro (also free) on Chrome and iOs, allows kids to toggle between block code and JavaScript to create programs for Dash. With Bolt+, kids can code by drawing, dragging and dropping blocks, and with JavaScript text.
While Bolt+ offers powerful features and great coding challenges, its interface is more suited for those who are already familiar with coding concepts and can navigate through more complex programming tools. Dash is designed to support kids wherever they are in their coding journey.
Versatility and Lifetime Value
Dash is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for kids of all ages and coding levels – whether they’re learning at home or in the classroom. Wonder Workshop’s simple app interfaces make it easy for parents and teachers to support children’s learning no matter their own experience with coding, and Dash’s inviting design motivates both collaborative and independent exploration.
Sphero Bolt+ also boasts in-classroom and at-home learning and, like Dash, is an all-in-one option. Bolt+ has robust technology and updated features that challenge older children who already have a connection to STEM.
While the Bolt+ is the latest in a line of updated Bolt robots, Dash’s innovative design has stood the test of time. Dash’s friendly personality, including and engaging voice and humorous movements, remains timeless. App updates ensure that Dash’s technology stays relevant, so there is never the need to replace your robot for a newer model. Buy Dash once, and your child has a STEM learning companion for life.
There’s no question that both robots offer great value; however, this value comes with different price tags. The Sphero Bolt+ comes out to $199, while Dash offers a more affordable investment at $179.99.
The Verdict
Both Dash and the Sphero Bolt+ are exceptional tools for at home and in school learning, but Dash’s seamless integration, playful personality, and accessible design make it the standout option for introducing younger children to the exciting world of STEM und providing advanced opportunities to keep kids engaged and challenged as they grow.
Get Dash for $158.99 for a limited time. Sale ends Dec. 16.
Order by Dec. 17 to get it in time for Christmas in the US.
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