LEGO^® BOOST was released in 2017,  joining MINDSTORMS and WeDo in the LEGO robotics line-up. Unlike those two products, BOOST was designed solely for the retail market. BOOST has received rave reviews and a number of awards.

Even though it is not designed for educational settings, does BOOST have anything to offer educators? The answer is a qualified yes.

First, the pros:

• BOOST has an easy-to-learn block-style programming environment.
• The set is brick-based, making it easier for novices to get started building than the beam-and-peg environment of MINDSTORMS.
• BOOST is geared towards an older audience than WeDo, making it more appealing for use with upper-elementary and middle-school students.
• BOOST comes with three motors, two of them built into the hub, making it more powerful than the WeDo set, which has only one motor.
• A BOOST set costs less than either a MINDSTORMS set or a WeDo set, making it attractive for those on a tight budget.

And the cons:

• The BOOST software is tablet-based; it does not work on laptops or Chromebooks.
• The building and programming activities included with the BOOST set are designed for an individual user. They are appealing but highly structured and time-consuming—well suited for a single child, but not a good fit for classroom or club use.
• The LEGO pieces come in one large box; there is no storage tray.

My verdict: Although LEGO BOOST is a great set for home use, it is not a good fit for a formal classroom. If, however, you're running a makerspaces or an afterschool club, you may find it suits your needs well.