Robot dinosaur toys: The best of 2022
In this guide, we’ll look at the very best dinosaur robots released to date – not just those that are commercially available, but also those that have long been discontinued and are only available on the aftermarket.
We decided to do it this way as frankly, there haven’t been that many great dinosaur robots released in recent years – with the 2010s being the golden era of these toys, with heavy hitters like the Miposaur, Roboraptor Blue, Zoomer Dino, and PLEO rb, all being released in the previous decade.
Sure, there have been a few exceptions – most notably the Jurassic World Training Alpha Blue robot, released in 2018 by Mattel – for the best part, the last couple of years has seen a lesser quality of dinosaur robot, primarily from manufacturers located in mainland China.
That’s not to say these readily available, low-cost dinosaur robots aren’t worth your time – some of them are great fun, especially for younger kids – it’s just disappointing that there have been very few, if any, strides towards bigger and better robots.
Best dinosaur robots on Amazon under $100
As a parent myself, I can appreciate that many of you who ended up here aren’t robotics enthusiasts, and are instead just looking for an affordable, functionality dinosaur robot for your kids to play with.
So, before we do anything else, let’s answer the question – what are the best dinosaur robots on Amazon for $100 or less? Well, there are only really 3 options – the “Intelligent Dinosaur Velociraptor” from SBEGO, “Squeakee the Balloon Dino” from Moose Toys, and the “K9 Intelligent Dinosaur Robot”.
How I review
For my reviews and ratings, I took four main factors into account: Interactivity, Replayability, Affordability, and Availability.
Interactivity: From a robot, I’m looking for more than a remote control. Sensors that enable interaction with touch, sound, and hand gestures, ability to roam autonomously, and if they can be programmed by the end user.
Replayability: Nobody wants a robot toy that’s played with for a couple of hours, just to go back into the box before day’s end. I’m looking for features, functions, and abilities that capture interest and keep bringing you back for more.
Affordability: Robots can vary in price tremendously – as can be seen from my list, with options included being priced from $900 to $10. But it’s not just their dollar amounts that matter, it’s also a question of value – which is something I’ve also factored in.
Availability: As already stated, many of the products that made it to my round-up have long been discontinued – which can make finding them a challenge. I’ll consider whether they’re still commercially available, as new from major retailers, or if it’s only possible to pick them up used on eBay, as well as how easily they can be found in the wild.
I’ve scored every robot here in each of the above criteria – providing both an individual rating for each, as well as an aggregated, overall rating, to give you a good idea of how well each product does and what it has to offer at a glance.
Best robot dinosaur toys: our picks
| # | Image | Product | Rating | Price | Buy now |
| 1. | | PLEO (Ugobe) / PLEO rb | $150+ | eBay | PLEOWorld | |
| 2. |  | WowWee Miposaur | $30+ | eBay | |
| 3. |  | Jurassic World Alpha Training Raptor Blue | $300+ | eBay | |
| 4. |  | WowWee Roboraptor Blue | $25+ | eBay | |
| 5. |  | SBEGO Intelligent Dinosaur Velociraptor | $49+ | Amazon | AliExpress | |
| 6. |  | Zoomer Dino Boomer | $40+ | eBay | |
| 7. |  | Squeakee The Balloon Dino | $63+ | Amazon | |
| 8. |  | K9 Intelligent Dinosaur Robot | $55+ | Amazon | AliExpress | |
| 9. |  | Meccano Meccasaur | $75+ | eBay | |
| 10. |  | Tekno/Teksta T-Rex | $10+ | eBay |
1. PLEO (Ugobe) / PLEO rb – best for Artificial Intelligence enthusiasts
In the box: 1 x PLEO rb, 1x ID card, 1x training leaf, 1x mint leaf, 1x conifer leaf, 1x bow learning stone, 1x tug of war, 1x rock salt, 1x Li-Polymer rechargeable battery, 1x charging cradle, 1x universal power adapter, 1 x quick start guide | Battery (robot): 2800 mAh Li rechargeable battery | Battery (controller): N/A | Programmable: Yes | Recommended age: 12+ years
When it comes to hardware, PLEO is a powerhouse, having 2 x 32-bit ARM7 processors, 4 x 8-bit microcontrollers, and 14 x servos, 14 x force-feedback sensors. It’s also packed full of sensors and input devices, with 12 x capacitive touch sensors, 2 x microphones, an accelerometer, a color camera for vision, and an IR transmitter for object detection and two-way communication with other PLEOs.
Whilst the later PLEO rb remains mostly unchanged, it does include additional sensors and an improved camera. These make it capable of detecting colors and patterns, hearing and responding to sound, detecting temperature, awareness of time, and the ability to differentiate between different food accessories.
To jump into programming the PLEO (Ugobe), you’re going to need MySkit and YAPT (Yet Another Pleo Tool). With these tools, you’re able to create custom animations – called skits – and attach them to sensory inputs, creating triggers. For more advanced users, there’s also Dino-MITE, with which you can return and update servo positions and internal state variables, giving you direct control over the robot’s hardware. Using these tools requires an original PLEO with firmware v1.1 or earlier – they’re not compatible with the later PLEO rb model.
What I like
- PLEO is the AIBO for dinosaur fans – if you’re into robotics and all things prehistoric, this is as good as it gets!
- They offer buckets of interactivity, being packed fulled of sensors, proper programming tools, and can even interact with each other.
- Despite first coming out all the way back in 2007, you can still by these new direct from Innvo Labs.
What I don’t
- Innvo Labs provide no support for original Ugobe models – that means no replacement batteries or skins – which is a big problem, given how old they are.
- Battery life is a little short. These robots will run for up to an hour from a 3-4 hour charge. That said, if you pick up a recell for the Ugobe model, these often have a higher capacity than the original batteries.
Summing it up
PLEO is as close as it gets to an AIBO for dinosaur fans – SONY’s high-tech robotic dog, which first released back in 1999. No other dinosaur robot comes close, despite the core tech and hardware behind the PLEO nearing 15+ years old at this point. It’s quite an impressive run – although, it’s a little disappointing that nothing more advanced has reached store, given all the time that’s past.
Before you rush off and pick up an old PLEO (Ugobe) off eBay, ask yourself how you’re going to use it. If you want one to tinker with and are competent enough to carry out your own maintenance, then go for it. The original is arguably better for programming, with its suite of community-made tools and easy-to-access SD card slot and serial port.
If instead you’re looking for PLEO as more of a pet, you’re better off with a brand new PLEO rb. They come in a variety of different colors, offer more out-of-the-box functionality, and benefit from manufacturer support – so you won’t need to become an electrical engineer just to keep your PLEO going.
There’s a big difference in price between both options. You can find a PLEO (Ugobe) in reasonable condition from $150-200 on eBay, while a brand new PLEO rb from Innvo Labs will set you back $518. Ultimately, it comes down to how you’ll use it – figure this out, and go for the model that makes most sense.
Buy it (new “PLEO rb”): From $518, PLEOworld.com
Buy it (used “PLEO (Ugobe)”): From $150, eBay.com
2. WowWee Miposaur – best bang for your buck
In the box: 1 x MiPosaur, 1 x trackball, 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): 4 x AA 1.5V batteries (not included) | Battery (controller): N/A | Programmable: Yes | Recommended age: 8+ years
An oldie, but a goodie, the Miposaur from WowWee is hands-down the best robot dinosaur toy for anyone looking for something more autonomous. Although not new, being released a few years back, this toy is still one of the best dino bots around. It’s built on the company’s MiP platform – a self-balancing, low-cost robot popular with robotics hobbyists.
Interacting with the MiPosaur is done in four different ways – hand gestures, sound, touch, and with the trackball. There are 18 different commands, the output of which depends on the mood that the dinosaur is in, whether “excited”, “curious”, or “annoyed”. It’s ambitious, and when it works it’s great – but at times it feels a little hit and miss.
It also includes a trackball with six modes, giving a numerous ways to interact with this robot.
In addition to the ways you and your child can interact with it, the Miposaur can also interact with other Miposaurs and MiP robots, making it great if you’ve already got one of the little self-balancing robots.
It also comes with a compatible mobile app – the WowWee MiPosaur app. Using the app, you can interact with the robot in several ways, driving, dancing, feeding, or drawing paths for it to follow. There’s also Battle mode, which lets you fight it out with other MiP robots.
One thing we’d liked to have seen from the app is a programming feature or mode like that found in WowWee’s RoboRemote app – but it doesn’t have this. That said, there is an official SDK, so with a little bit of technical know-how and a Bluetooth LE USB dongle, you can write and execute code, transmitting instructions to the MiPosaur from a mac or PC.
What I like
- I love it’s sleek, futuristic black design – this thing really looks like a robot!
- This robot offers a ton of interactivity – with support for hand gestures, sound, touch, and even a trackball. It’s pretty impressive, given it’s low price point.
- The MiPosaur can also interact with other robots from the WowWee MiP family, being about to roam together or battle.
- There is plenty here for programmers, as there are official SDKs for this robot from the manufacturer – making it a great for coders and tinkerers.
What I don’t
- The tail is known to be flimsy and can come off, although it’s easy enough to pop back on.
- It would be better if it was rechargeable, instead of using AA batteries. That said, it’s compatible with rechargeable batteries, so it’s not that bad.
- I’d have liked to have seen some programming function in the MiPosaur app – like the “macros” section of WowWee’s RoboRemote app.
Summing it up
While the MiPosaur isn’t the best robot on this list from a technology perspective, it is the best value, offering a balance between functionality and affordability. These robots are also still easy to find brand new despite being released back in 2015, making them a great option for parents looking to gift a robot to their kids.
You can pick up a used MiPosaur on eBay for less than $30 unboxed, or around $50-70 boxed – I actually got mine for $40 + shipping, boxed. If you’d rather get one brand new, they’re typically available from for $80-100.
Buy it (new): From $80, eBay.com
Buy it (used): From $30, eBay.com
3. Jurassic World Alpha Training Raptor Blue – Best for Jurassic World fans
In the box: 1 x Alpha Training Blue, 1 x controller, 1x USD charging cable, 1x power adapter, 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): 1100 mAh 6.6V rechargable lithium ion battery (included) | Battery (controller): 450 mAh 3.7V LiPo rechargeable battery (included) | Programmable: No | Recommended age: 8+ years
What I like
- SOMETHING
What I don’t
- SOMETHING
Summing it up
Buy it (new): From $900, eBay.com
Buy it (used): From $300, eBay.com
4. WowWee Roboraptor Blue – best for nostalgia
In the box: 1 x Roboraptor Blue, 1 x remote control, 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): 6 x AA 1.5V batteries (not included) | Battery (controller): 3 x AAA 1.5V batteries (not included) | Programmable: Yes |Recommended age: 8+ years
The original WowWee Roboraptor was way ahead of its time, being the must-have toy of Christmas 2005. For anyone old enough to remember, this dinosaur robot will cause nostalgia overload, immediately transporting them back to their childhood – as these things were so popular that everyone had one!
Roboraptor Blue – as indicated by its name – builds on the functionality of the original Roboraptor by adding Bluetooth LE support, enabling connectivity with smart devices. Released in late 2015, the Roboraptor Blue works with WowWee’s RoboRemote app – which enables control and basic programming – and for more experienced programmers, even has an official SDK.
Programming using the RoboRemote app enables you to create and save routines, which you can then run later. These are referred to as “Macros” in the app, being accessed from this item in the main menu of the app. It works well and is a great way of introducing kids to programming.
Another major improvement between the Roboraptor Blue and the original Roboraptor is its ability to accept voice commands, using the RoboRemote app – it’s the only robot in our round-up that can. And adds yet another way of controlling the robot in addition to its physical remote control and the virtual equivalent found in the app.
Besides the functionality made possible with the Bluetooth and the RoboRemote app – the core technology of the Roboraptor Blue remain mostly unchanged from the original. It features the same set of sensors – 3 x touch sensors, in its mouth, chin, and tail, sonic sensors in its head to respond to environmental sound, and infra-red vision for basic object detection. It also comes with the familiar Roboraptor remote control we all remember.
Roboraptor Blue It’s also the same size as the original – measuring 32” from nose to tail – and benefits from the same range of motion and features of the original Roboraptor. This means it can turn its head and neck, whip its tail, and has the same three mood settings – “hunter”, “cautious”, and “playful”.
One of the biggest drawbacks of this robot is that it isn’t rechargeable, especially given how power-hungry it is, requiring a total of 9 batteries – 6 x AA batteries for the Roboraptor, and 3 x AAA for the remote control. It does however work perfectly fine with rechargeable batteries, which we’d highly recommend investing in if you don’t have any already.
It’s also worth noting that another version – Roboraptor X – was released around the same time, which doesn’t support Bluetooth. Instead, the Roboraptor X shipped with an infrared dongle accessory that plugged into the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is pretty useless now, given most smartphones don’t have this jack anymore. This means that if, like me, you’re interested in programming with the Roboraptor, the “Blue” is the only option – don’t make the mistake of buying the Roboraptor X.
What I like
- Builds on the original RoboRaptor with Bluetooth LE support, enabling smart device connectivity in addition to the controller.
- Features a range of sensors – 3x touch sensors, sonic sensors, and infra-red vision – offering plenty of interactivity.
- This robot has an autonomous mode, being able to roam it’s surrounding area independently – something that’s particularly nice for AI enthusiasts, like myself.
What I don’t
- It would be better if it was rechargeable, instead of using AA batteries. That said, it’s compatible with rechargeable batteries, so it’s not that bad.
- While original RoboRaptors are a dime a dozen, the RoboRaptor Blue is getting much harder to to find in the wild on sites like eBay.
Summing it up
Overall, this robot is a great choice. For any parents lucky enough to have the original Roboraptor first time around, it has nostalgia value, a wealth of modes, features, and functionality, all of which make it one of the best all-around dino robots on the market.
You can find a Roboraptor Blue used on eBay starting from $25 unboxed – you’re not likely to find one boxed, used or otherwise – and if you do, expect to pay well over the odds for it. They’ll occasionally pop up on the site for sale new in-box, priced upward of $200 – which frankly, doesn’t offer great value for money.
Buy it (new): From $200, eBay.com
Buy it (used): From $25, eBay.com
5. SBEGO Intelligent Dinosaur Velociraptor – affordable Alpha Training Raptor Blue alternative
In the box: 1 x Velociraptor robot, 1 x controller, 1 x USB charging cable, 1 x water bottle, 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): 1200mAh 3.7v rechargeable battery | Battery (controller): 2 x AAA 1.5V batteries (Not Included | Programmable: No | Recommended age: 8+ years
This robot ships with the tail detached, so the first thing you’ll need to do is attach it. Putting the tail on is easy and takes less than a minute – simply press and hold in the button found on the tail before pushing it into place. Once attached, give it a bit of a shake and wiggle to check that it’s on properly and won’t easily pop off while playing with it.
It doesn’t like carpet much, struggling to move and often tipping over, and it’s designed for indoor use only. You’re going to want to use it hardwood floors or other similar surfaces. My apartment is mostly carpeted, so I use mine on the large coffee table in my living room, which works pretty well.
Hands-down the worst thing about this robot is that it talks – and there’s no way to turn it off! It’s not limited to specific modes either, whenever you don’t play with it for a while or interact with the touch sensors on its head or chin, it will talk – spouting off dinosaur facts, or asking you not to touch it, in a lady’s voice. It’s the weirdest thing, and something that’ll be a deal breaker for some.
If you can see past the talking – this robot sounds great, with it’s realistic roars and other sound effects. It even has a mist function which together really ups the realism. When I got this robot up and running, my 3-year-old was terrified the first time she saw it, stomping towards her, roaring, and blowing out steam.
What I like
- Offers some educational value – with “words” and “popular science” modes – which help build vocabulary and dinosaur knowledge.
What I don’t
- It talks! And not just in specific modes, like singing, words, or popular science – it talks whenever you take a break from playing or interact with its touch sensors.
- While the box looks great – the quality of the packaging inside is super poor, and probably some of the worst we’ve seen.
Summing it up
Buy it (new): From $73, Amazon.com
Buy it (new): From $49, AliExpress.com
6. Zoomer Dino Boomer – best for school-aged kids
In the box: 1 x Zoomer Dino Boomer, 1 x control pod, 1 x USB charging cable, 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): 450mAh LiPo rechargeable battery | Battery (controller): 3 x AAA 1.5V batteries | Programmable: No | Recommended age: 5+ years
I’m a big fan of the Zoomer toy line-up from Spin Master. In fact, there’s a Zoomer Playful Pup – the last, and most sophisticated robot released from the now defunct brand – under the tree for my daughter this Christmas. The Zoomer brand has brought to market some of the most affordable, innovative robot toys, with it all starting with 2013’s original Zoomer interactive robot dog.
Besides the original “Boomer” model, there were a load of others to choose from, each with basically the same functionality. These included “Bonekruncher” (green), “Krimson” (red), “Snaptail” (blue/white), “Sparky” (purple), “Jester” (blue/green), “Onyx” (black/red), a “Gold” limited edition, and even a Jurassic World-themed model – the Zoomer Dino Indominus Rex.
What I like
- SOMETHING
What I don’t
- SOMETHING
Summing it up
While this toy is on the pricier side, retailing at $160, this toy is excellent for anyone interested in artificial intelligence, thanks to its free roam mode and is best suited for big kids. It’s reasonably well-rated, with a 4-star average rating from 40+ verified customer reviews.
Buy it (new): From $150, eBay.com
Buy it (used): From $40, eBay.com
7. Squeakee The Balloon Dino –
In the box: 1 x Squeakee Dino robot, 1 x headphones accessory, 1 x bone squeaker toy accessory, 1 x instruction booklet | Battery (robot): 6 x AA 1.5V batteries (not included) | Battery (controller): N/A | Programmable: No | Recommended age: 5+ years
What I like
- SOMETHING
What I don’t
- SOMETHING
How I rate it: (/5)
Interactivity: (/5)
SOMETHING
Replayability: (/5)
SOMETHING
Affordability: (/5)
SOMETHING
Availability: (/5)
SOMETHING.
Summing it up
Buy it (new): From $63, Amazon.com
8. K9 Intelligent Dinosaur Robot – best for younger kids
In the box: 1 x Dinosaur robot, 1 x 2.4Ghz Controller, 1 x USB charger, 1 x screwdriver, 5 x darts, 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): Rechargeable 3.7V li-ion battery | Battery (controller): 2 x 1.5V AAA batteries (not included) | Programmable: Yes | Recommended age: 3+ years
The Fistone RC robot dinosaur is arguably the best brand-new dinosaur bots this year. When it comes to features and the ability to program, this robot offers a lot, making it one of the more full-featured, impressive interactive dinosaur toys of this year.
When it comes to features – where to begin, this robot has several different interfaces, including remote control, touch, and voice, giving you near-endless ways of interacting with it. It has both pre-programmed modes, including combat fighting mode, three different dance modes, and a mode for programming and storage for up to 50 programmed actions. It includes a rechargeable 3.7v battery and charger in the box; however, you’ll need to pick up batteries to operate the remote.
Something we were pretty disappointed by with this RC dinosaur – and something that parents with a couple of kids will no doubt agree with – is that it’s unfortunate that you can’t use more than one of these toys together. This is because the controller operates on a fixed, single-channel – meaning that if you try to give commands to one of them, you’ll send the same order to both – preventing any epic robot dinosaur battles or dance-offs. We’d hope that the manufacturer does something about this in the future, as picking up a pair of these toys is something I think that most parents would be keen on.
What I like
- Has three different dance modes, each with a different style of dance and music, with everything from dance and techno to K-Pop.
What I don’t
- Too easy to put it into program mode – something that can easily frustrate younger kids.
- Unfortunately, you can’t use two of these robots together, as the control operates on a single channel.
- The screws that secure the battery and remote covers can be a little fiddly, falling inside and being near impossible to get out – so be careful when setting it up.
Summing it up
Overall, offered at a price of just $80, and with a broad, impressive range of features and functionality, this dinosaur RC robot from Fistone is an excellent buy. It offers a lot in the way of value, will keep your child entertained for hours and hours, and comes highly-rated, with 4.5 stars from over 550 customer reviews.
Buy it (new): From $80, Amazon.comBuy it (new): From $55, AliExpress.com
9. Meccano Meccasaur – best robot building kit
In the box: 715 x pieces, 1 x motorized Meccasaur module, 1 x light-up LED module, 1 x Meccasaur brain, 2 x hand tools, 1 x user guide | Battery (robot): 4 x C 1.5V batteries (not included) | Battery (controller): N/A | Programmable: Yes | Recommended age: 10+ years
Most robots need a charge or a few batteries before being ready to go – but not the Meccasaur from Meccano. This robot needs to be built first, making it an excellent pick for builders and older kids looking for more of a challenge.
The Meccasaur is put together in 126 steps, taking around 9-10 hours, maybe slightly longer for less experienced builders – and is made up of 715 pieces, 519 of which are screws and nuts. It’s recommended for 10+ years, but don’t expect kids to put it together on their own, as the build can be a little tricky – and if you leave them to it, they’ll throw in the towel early on, as it can be frustrating at times.
I expected the Meccasaur to be bigger. It measures 3 feet from head to tail – standing at 21” tall. I made the mistake of confusing the length with height in the marketing – and I’m sure I’m not the only one. That said, it isn’t small – and will be a fairly impressive, large addition to any kids bedroom or playroom once it’s put together.
There are a few errors with the manual – with the screw reference image being wrong a few times, and even the wires for the neck and main motor were wrong in the illustration. That said, it’s no where near as bad as some of the Amazon reviews on this set would have you believe – sure, there are errors, but they’re few and far between. The diagrams are also not bad either – the only issues I had with these were my own human error.
Lots of people recommend sorting the various screws and nuts before you start, but I didn’t – and it didn’t make things any more difficult. The only issue you might have is with screws S2 (9.5mm) and S3 (12mm) – but there are 1:1 reference images on each step to check you have the right screw. That said, I came across at least one diagram with the wrong reference image – on step 102, where it confused an S2 reference image with an S3 screw.
I had an issue with the legs early on, as I noticed that piece M026 was in two different colors – grey and black – so I had to backtrack, switching these out. This was my fault though, and not that of the instructions, I should have paid closer attention.
The biggest problem I had was a fault neck motor. I had to crack open the leg and neck motor assembly (M916) to access the faulty motor, open it up, and realign the drive gear. Thankfully it was an easy fix.
It took about 10-12 hours to build. This included taking it apart fix the neck motor and putting it back together again. If you exclude that, the build was closer to the average 9-10 hours build time.
The Meccasaur is powered by 4 x C 1.5V batteries (not included) and only works with non-rechargeable batteries – which would be a major drawback if there was enough here to bring you back to play with it again and again. Spoiler alert – there isn’t, with the first set of batteries most people put in will be the last – but we’ll get to that shortly.
The stupidest thing about this robot is its battery compartment, which you screw shut as part of the built-in step 69 – which you’ll need to unscrew again, once you realise you’ve forgotten to put the batteries in. These screws can be tricky to get out, given their length and placement – it’s incredibly annoying, and a very poor design choice.
It promises a lot as a robot, but seriously fails to deliver. I didn’t get much of an autonomous mode – it also didn’t respond well to petting or audio, as the manual and marketing would have you believe. In fact, the only thing that really worked for me was programming – and even then, I couldn’t get the voice recording to work, and it’s so limited that I used it for maybe a handful of attempts before moving on.
It’s also useless on carpet. My living room carpet is pretty thin, and it still couldn’t walk on it at all. You’re going to want to use it on hard surfaces, like wood floors or tabletops. I got the best result using it on my coffee table.
I had a lot of fun putting this one together. Sure, it was frustrating in places, but in all honesty, this frustration didn’t last for long. Completing it give me a much greater sense of accomplishment and felling that I’d actually built something, than I’d get from a LEGO set – no matter how big or complex.
I also can’t stress enough that the Meccasaur is all about the build – being building kit first, and robot second. While it’s fun and rewarding to build, as a robot, it lacks the functionality to keep you coming back for more, fast becoming nothing more than room décor once the first set of batteries die on you.
What I like
- Building the Meccasaur will keep you busy for at least 9-10 hours.
- The build is great fun! It’s challenging, and can frustrate at times – but on the whole, I had a lot of fun with it.
- It’s big! This robot measures just under 3 feet head-to-tail, and about 21″ tall when fully built.
- There are 4 modes – “programming (record/play)”, “8-ball”, “room guard”, and “autonomous”.
- Programming is basic, but easy to use and understand.
What I don’t
- Instructions could be better. There are a handful of errors, but it’s not the end of the world.
- This set is all about the build. As a robot, it’s functionality is weak, lacking any real replayability.
- Can only be used with non-rechargeable alkaline batteries.
Summing it up
The Meccasaur is building kit first and robot second – all the fun is to be had in putting it together, not it’s features once you’ve built it. If, like me, you’re a fan of construction toys, you’re going to love the Meccasaur – however, if you’re in this for a finished robot, there are much better options out there.
One thing this pick offers in spades is value. It retails these days for around $80-100 – although if you can hold out for a clearance sale, you can often find it for close to half that – and will take around 9-10 hours to put together, keeping you and your kids well entertained for a few nights.
Keep in mind that this product has been discontinued by the manufacturer, so it can be a little more difficult to find, and if you’re unlucky enough to find a kit with missing pieces or faulty motors – as mine had – you’re going to need to be able to improvise, sourcing parts or carrying out fixes on your own, without any help from Meccano.
We had a great time building the Meccasaur – and definitely recommend this kit as a fun, challenging build that is a must-have for dinosaur-loving construction toy fans.
Buy it (new): From $75, Amazon.com
10. Tekno/Teksta T-Rex – one for collectors
In the box: 1 x Teksta T-Rex, 1 x bone accessory 1 x user manual | Battery (robot): 4 x AA 1.5V batteries (not included) | Battery (controller): N/A | Programmable: Yes | Recommended age: 5+ years
There were two versions of this robot released – the first being the more common red/white one, which we have – and the second, the less common black/red model. Beyond the different colors there’s no real difference between the two – other than the black version being much harder to find.
Programming on this thing is complicated. It’s all done using the “Tekno/Teksta TRex app” – an app that has since been removed from the Google Play store. It’s no use installing it from another source either, as it requires a download as part of the installation which has since been taken down. This means that today you can only use this thing with an iPad.
I managed to get the app downloaded and installed on my daughters iPad mini without any issues, after giving up on Android. It’s something worth keeping in mind before you go out and pick one of these up, as not everyone has an iPad at home – and it’s definitely not worth investing in one just for this.
Once you’ve got past that hurdle, the first thing you’ll notice is the app telling you to crank your devices volume up to 11 – this is because communication between your device and the robot is done using audio.
It’s an odd choice, giving that this thing came out in 2014 – when everyone already had Bluetooth. But it’s not just odd, it’s also a terrible way to send commands for a couple of obvious reasons. First, you have to stay really close to the robot to get it to work – the manual recommends staying within 18” – and second, you need to keep background noise to an absolute minimum.
What I like
- It features a cutesy aesthetic that will appeal to younger kids – my daughter loved the look of this robot.
- Has an impressive range of sensors for a toy of it’s age and price point.
- Comes with a programming mode and a mobile app.
What I don’t
- Can only be used with non-rechargeable alkaline batteries.
- Mobile app seems to have been removed from Google Play, had to download it elsewhere, and install manually.
- Programming is limited, needlessly complicated, and commands are send using audio – it’s not great.
Summing it up
Buy it (used): From $10, eBay.com
Buying guide for robot dinosaur toys
The various robot dino toys that we have delineated above have their respective pros and cons. However, we would like to give you some guidelines so as to help you make a well-informed buying decision. These are some of the main factors you should consider when choosing your kid’s robot dino:
Sensors, interactivity, and autonomy
What sets robots apart from remote controlled toys is how you can interact with them using touch, sound, voice, or hand gestures – and how some can even interact with the world around them.
Most robots have some touch capability. Even the K9 Intelligent Dinosaur Robot – the least impressive in terms of sensors and interactivity – responds to touch on its head. More sophisticated robots go a step further, having sensors that make interaction with hand gestures possible. Some of the most impressive examples of this technology include the Zoomer Dino’s training mode, the Miposaur, and more recently, the Jurassic World Alpha Training Blue from Mattel.
Some robots can even interact with other objects, each other, or roam around autonomously. The MiPosaur is a great example, coming with a trackball and being able to interact with other robots from the MiP family, battling or exploring together autonomously. Other robots are even fully-autonomous, having no other modes – the best example being the PLEO/PLEO rb.
Programmable vs. non-programmable
Most robots have some form of programming mode, but not all. And of those that do, the level of programming capabilities offered differs substantially, depending on the robot.
The simplest is more like a record mode, letting users record and playback a series of actions with the controller. Robots like the K9 Intelligent Dinosaur Robot and Zoomer Dino only offer this, making them best for giving younger kids their first taste of programming.
More complex robots have visual drag-and-drop editors, where actions can be put into sequence, recorded, and later executed to animate the robot. These editors tend to be mobile apps, being great for beginners using a smartphone or tablet. Examples include WowWee’s MiPosaur, Roboraptor Blue, and Meccano’s Meccasaur.
Experienced programmers should again look at the WowWee robot family – as the MiPosaur and Roboraptor Blue have official SDKs available at the WowWeeLabs Github repo. You’ll need to invest in a USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy adapter to get started if you don’t already have one.
Rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable
The general rule is that if you’re spending more than $50 on a robot, you can expect it to be rechargeable. There are some notable exceptions – with those from WowWee and the Meccano Meccasur requiring batteries. This makes it important not to assume – instead, check the manufacturers description first to avoid any disappointment when opening it.
Even if a robot is rechargeable, it’s unlikely that its controller will be – so expect to need a couple of AA or AAA batteries. Replacing disposable batteries can be expensive and bad for the environment. We’d recommend using rechargeable Nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) batteries instead. If you don’t already have some, you can get a charger with batteries for $40.
Final thoughts
Unfortunately for dino fans there have been a real lack of new dinosaur robots to make on to store shelves in recent the years. You only need to look at our round-up to find this out – with 7 of the 10 robots listed being discontinued, and one of them having first been released 14+ years ago. It’s a real shame, and something I can only hope changes in the future.