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CrunchLabs review
Mark Rober's monthly build, with the video to match.
Ranked #3 of 8
Weighted across 7 dimensions. How we score
What it actually is
Founded by former NASA engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober, CrunchLabs sends a monthly box containing the parts, tools and illustrated instructions to build one specific thing, with an exclusive companion video in which Rober explains the engineering behind it. It runs as three separate subscriptions by age: Creative Kit for 6-10, which is craft-led and story-driven; Build Box for 8-13, the mechanical toys the brand is known for; and Hack Pack for 14 and up, which adds real electronics and code. Creative Kit and Build Box are the same price; Hack Pack costs more than double.
The verdict in one line
Superb on the month it lands, and Mark Rober's video is the best content anyone here produces. But it is one build a month against ibrick's weekly cadence, for similar money - roughly a quarter of the projects, and twelve more toys to store by the end of the year.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Mark Rober's videos are genuinely excellent and do a lot of the motivational work for you
- The finished toys are durable and fun to keep playing with, not display pieces
- Strong on real mechanical principles rather than novelty science
What to know first
- One fixed project per box - there is no open-ended or alternative build
- A brand-new mechanical toy every month adds up to real storage pressure
- Monthly cadence means long gaps between new things to do
- Three separate subscriptions means working out which line fits before you buy
How it scores, dimension by dimension
Percentages show how much each dimension contributes to the overall score.
- Replay value7/10(18% weight)
Can the same parts become something new, or is it built once and shelved?
- STEM depth10/10(18% weight)
Is there real science underneath, or a craft project with a science label?
- Novelty cadence7/10(14% weight)
How often does something genuinely new arrive? Weekly beats monthly.
- Wow factor10/10(14% weight)
Does the finished thing actually do something? Motors, motion, reactions.
- Value for money9/10(14% weight)
Cost per hour of genuine engagement, not cost per box.
- Builds independently9/10(12% weight)
Can your child do this alone, or are you the unpaid teaching assistant?
- Clutter control7/10(10% weight)
What does your living room look like after twelve months of this?
Best for
A 6-13 year old who already loves Mark Rober and wants the thing from the video.
Not for you if
Under-6s, or anyone short on storage.
Is CrunchLabs actually the right one for your child?
Five quick questions and two minutes, and you'll know whether this is the one.
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CrunchLabs head to head
Same company, same videos, two different products
CrunchLabs vs ibrickFour builds a month against one very good one
CrunchLabs vs KiwiCoOne great mechanical build against monthly subject variety
CrunchLabs vs MEL ScienceMechanical engineering against real chemistry
CrunchLabs vs Little PassportsMechanical toys against travel stories
CrunchLabs vs Green KidCrunchLabs leads on wow factor
Where it sits in the field
| Kit | Score | Ages | New content | Reuses parts | Needs a parent | From | Visit brand site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ibrickOur pick | 9.6 | 5-12 | Weekly | Yes | Rarely | $27.99/mo | Visit |
 MEL Science | 8.7 | 5-16 | Monthly | Partly | Usually | $37.50/mo | Visit |
| CrunchLabs | 8.5 | 6-13 | Monthly | Partly | Rarely | $27.45/mo | Visit |
| CrunchLabs Hack PackCrunchLabs Hack Pack | 8.5 | 14-18 | Monthly | Yes | Rarely | $66.65/mo | Visit |
 KiwiCo | 8.2 | 0-16 | Monthly | Partly | Rarely | $23.95/mo | Visit |
 Little Passports | 7.9 | 3-10 | Monthly | No | Rarely | $24.95/mo | Visit |
 Green Kid Crafts | 7.8 | 2-10 | Monthly | No | Rarely | $19.95/mo | Visit |
 Lovevery | 7.7 | 0-5 | Monthly | Partly | Rarely | $36.00/mo | Visit |
Common questions
Who is CrunchLabs best for?
A 6-13 year old who already loves Mark Rober and wants the thing from the video.
Who should avoid CrunchLabs?
Under-6s, or anyone short on storage.
How much does CrunchLabs cost?
From $27.45/mo on an annual plan, for both Creative Kit and Build Box. Hack Pack (14+) is a separate product and subscription, scored on its own page, and starts at $66.65/mo. Prepaid plans are cheaper per month than month-to-month.
What ages is CrunchLabs for?
The stated range is 6-13. In our view the genuine sweet spot is 8-12 on Build Box, which is the line the brand is built around.