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CrunchLabs Hack Pack review
Build the machine, then rewrite the code that runs it.
Ranked #4 of 8
Weighted across 7 dimensions. How we score
What it actually is
Hack Pack is CrunchLabs' line for teenagers, and a different product from the Build Box the brand is known for. Each month brings a servo-driven build - a safe-cracking box, a dart turret, a sorting machine - that is assembled mechanically and then programmed. The code ships open and editable rather than locked, so the project does not end when the build does: the intended path is to finish it and then change what it does. Mark Rober's companion videos run alongside it the same way they do for the Build Box.
The verdict in one line
The strongest thing on this site for a fourteen-year-old, and the hardest to justify on price. The editable code is what separates it from every other subscription here — it is the only one where the build is the beginning rather than the end. But it costs Build Box money twice over for the same monthly cadence, so it earns its price only if the code actually gets opened.
Pros and cons
What we like
- The code ships open and editable, so finishing the build is where the project starts
- Properly aimed at 14+ — nothing about it is packaged as a children's toy
- Real servos and electronics, which is a transferable skill rather than a mechanism demo
- Mark Rober's videos, which are the best content anyone in this line-up produces
What to know first
- $66.65/mo is more than double the Build Box and the most expensive subscription we score
- Still one build a month, so the same long gaps between projects
- The headline price needs the annual plan; shorter terms cost noticeably more
- Poor value for a teenager who will build it and never open the code
How it scores, dimension by dimension
Percentages show how much each dimension contributes to the overall score.
- Replay value9/10(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 money6/10(14% weight)
Cost per hour of genuine engagement, not cost per box.
- Builds independently10/10(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 14-18 year old who wants to program the thing they just built, not only build it.
Not for you if
Under-14s, and anyone who wants a build kit rather than a coding project — the Build Box does that for a third of the price.
Is Hack Pack 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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Hack Pack head to head
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 Hack Pack best for?
A 14-18 year old who wants to program the thing they just built, not only build it.
Who should avoid CrunchLabs Hack Pack?
Under-14s, and anyone who wants a build kit rather than a coding project — the Build Box does that for a third of the price.
How much does CrunchLabs Hack Pack cost?
From $66.65/mo on an annual plan — more than double the CrunchLabs Build Box, which is the honest headline here. Shorter terms cost more per month.
What ages is CrunchLabs Hack Pack for?
The stated range is 14-18. In our view the genuine sweet spot is 14-17, and specifically a teenager who already writes some code or wants to.