Cube Combo vs Buying Parts Separately: Cost and Build Value
By Circuit Cubes | Tenka Inc. | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Buying Guides
Compare the Cube Combo bundle with buying Circuit Cubes parts separately. See what you get, how much you save, and which choice fits your next build.
Quick answer
If you need a power source and a motor for your first or next Circuit Cubes build, the Cube Combo delivers both at a lower price than buying the Battery Cube and Geared Motor Cube separately. It saves you roughly 30% off the combined catalog price, making it the better value for most makers. However, if you already own a Battery Cube or need only a motor, buying just the missing part is more cost-effective.
What is inside the Cube Combo?
The Cube Combo includes two essential cubes: the classic Battery Cube and the Geared Motor Cube. The Battery Cube is the power source for your circuits, with a positive and a negative terminal. When you turn on the power switch, it delivers approximately 3.7 - 4.2 volts DC to your circuit. The Geared Motor Cube rotates at more than 1,000 RPM, but the tiny gears attached reduce that speed to a more useful level for robotics and moving builds.
Together, these two cubes form the core of many Circuit Cubes creations. You can power a simple spinning project, or combine them with other cubes like the RGB LED Cube or Potentiometer Cube to add light and speed control.
Comparing cost: combo vs separate parts
At the catalog price, the Cube Combo costs USD 15.39, while the catalog comparison price is USD 21.99. That comparison price likely represents the combined price of buying the Battery Cube and Geared Motor Cube separately. The actual separate prices are not listed in the store, but the discount suggests you save about 30% by choosing the combo.
If you already own a Battery Cube from a previous kit, buying just a Geared Motor Cube (if sold separately) would be cheaper than the combo. Similarly, if you only need a power source, a single Battery Cube would suffice. The combo makes sense when you need both cubes and don't already have them.
Build value: what the combo enables
The Cube Combo gives you the two most fundamental building blocks for any motorized Circuit Cubes project. With the Battery Cube and Geared Motor Cube, you can create a basic spinning top, a fan, or the drive system for a simple robot. Add an RGB LED Cube to light up your build, or a Potentiometer Cube to control speed and brightness.
For beginners, starting with the combo is a low-risk way to learn how circuits work. You get the power and motion components in one purchase, and you can expand later with additional cubes or parts.
Decision rules for combo vs separate parts
- Need both a battery and a motor?: If you don't already own a Battery Cube or a Geared Motor Cube, the Cube Combo is the most cost-effective way to get both. The bundle price is lower than the combined catalog comparison price. Choose the combo if you need both components.
- Already have a Battery Cube?: If you already own a Battery Cube from a kit or previous purchase, buying just a Geared Motor Cube (if available separately) would be cheaper than the combo. You avoid paying for a duplicate power source. Buy only the missing part.
- Building a simple motorized project?: For a first build or a simple spinning project, the combo gives you everything you need to start. You can expand later with an RGB LED Cube or Potentiometer Cube. The combo is a solid starting point.
- Budget for expansion?: If you plan to add lights or speed control, the combo leaves room in your budget for additional cubes. The savings from the bundle can offset the cost of an RGB LED Cube or Potentiometer Cube. Use the combo savings to fund your next cube.
Product facts at a glance
- Cube Combo: The Cube Combo includes our classic Battery Cube, which is the power source for your circuits. It has a positive and a negative terminal. When you turn on the power switch, it delivers approximately 3.7 - 4.2 volts DC to your circuit. Also included is our Geared Motor Cube, which rotates at more than 1,000 RPM, but the tiny gears attached reduce the output speed. This combo provides the essential power and motion components in one package, saving you money compared to buying them separately and ensuring you have the core cubes for most builds.
- RGB LED Cube: The RGB LED Cube has three different LEDs in one bulb. Use the small switches to turn on each of the different LEDs, and control the red, green, and blue lights. Try mixing the colors together to get different combinations for purple, teal, and yellow lights. Adding this cube to your combo lets you customize the look of your build with color mixing, making it a fun and inexpensive expansion for light-up projects.
Which option fits you?
Best for
- Beginners who need both a power source and a motor to start building
- Makers who want the core cubes at a lower price than buying separately
Not for
- Builders who already own a Battery Cube and only need a motor
- Those who need only a power source and already have a motor
