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Mechanical engineering against real chemistry
Your CrunchLabs Christmas offer
2 free boxes with an annual subscription
Worth $60, plus free shipping. Applied automatically through our link — no code needed.
Your MEL Science Christmas offers
50% off your first box
All countries, all products. Enter the code at checkout.
Code: SAVE50
5 free boxes on an annual subscription
US and UK only, on orders over $250, and not valid on MEL Med. Enter the code at checkout.
Code: 5BOXES
A subject choice more than a product choice. CrunchLabs is physics you can hold; MEL Science is chemistry you have to supervise.
What it really comes down to
CrunchLabs can largely be handed to a 9+ child with the video. MEL Science expects a parent at the table because the reagents are real. That difference decides it for most families before subject preference does.
| Dimension | CrunchLabs | MEL Science |
|---|---|---|
| Replay value18% | 7 | 7 |
| STEM depth18% | 10 | 10 |
| Novelty cadence14% | 7 | 9 |
| Wow factor14% | 10 | 10 |
| Value for money14% | 9 | 9 |
| Builds independently12% | 9 | 7 |
| Clutter control10% | 7 | 9 |
| Overall | 8.5 | 8.7 |
Different subjects, different time commitments. CrunchLabs for mechanisms and independence; MEL Science for chemistry and depth, if you are prepared to be there for it.
Five quick questions and two minutes, and you'll have an answer.
Start the quizFree · No email required · No account
MEL Science is more rigorous. CrunchLabs is more likely to actually get done, which for many families matters more.
| 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 |
Not sure which kit fits?
5 questions · 2 minutes · no email