Sphero BOLT review

Sphero BOLT is a clear robot ball, 2.87 inches across, with motors, sensors and a programmable 8x8 LED matrix inside. Children code it three ways in the free Sphero Edu app: drawing a path on screen, dragging blocks, or writing JavaScript or Python, so the same robot serves a beginner and a teenager. Sphero describes the shell as durable and waterproof and the battery as lasting all day, and it charges on an inductive base. The box also includes a 360-degree protractor, stickers and a quick start guide. Sphero Edu runs on Chrome, Mac, PC, iOS, Android and Kindle, and the Sphero Play app adds Block Drive for home play. Sphero lists 1000s of activities. At $179 it is one of the pricier picks, and the product page now flags a newer BOLT+. Every activity needs a device, so it is the least screen-free robot here.

Who it is for

children who want a fast robot they can code from drawing to JavaScript

Price

$179 on sphero.com.

BOLT Coding Robot SKU: K002ROWFFP $179
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Programmable 8x8 LED matrix and sensors
• Three ways to code: Draw, Blocks and text in JavaScript or Python
• Durable, waterproof shell
• Inductive charging base with USB cable
• Sphero Edu app on Chrome, Mac, PC, iOS, Android and Kindle; Sphero Play app for home

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Widest coding range here, from drawing a path to text code
• Strength: Waterproof design
• Strength: Sphero Edu lists 1000s of activities
• Weakness: $179 for one robot
• Weakness: Sphero now offers a newer BOLT+
• Weakness: Needs a phone, tablet or computer for every activity

Key facts

• Size: 2.87 x 2.87 x 2.87 in
• Coding: Draw, Blocks, JavaScript, Python
• Display: 8x8 LED matrix
• Charging: Inductive base
• Water: Waterproof

Where it ranks

Sphero BOLT is No. 7 in our Best STEM Toys verdict.