Brandwave

MEL Science vs Smithsonian Mega Science Lab:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, MEL Science had more branded searches than Smithsonian Mega Science Lab among science kits worldwide. MEL Science had about 3,600 branded searches, while Smithsonian Mega Science Lab had 320. MEL Science made up 0.44% of all science kit searches we track, and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab accounted for 0.04%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about science kits, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab appeared in two of the five answers and MEL Science in one. Smithsonian Mega Science Lab was mentioned before MEL Science in two out of three answers that named either.

Among science kits worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

MEL Science, about 11 searches for every 1 for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab

MEL Science 3.6K searchesSmithsonian Mega Science Lab 320 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Smithsonian Mega Science Lab, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, MEL Science in 1

Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in 2 of 5MEL Science in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Smithsonian Mega Science Lab, named ahead of MEL Science in 2 of 3 answers

Smithsonian Mega Science Lab first in 2MEL Science first in 1

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Top science kits in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. MEL Science was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Smithsonian Mega Science Lab was listed before MEL Science in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. National Geographic1st
  2. Snap Circuits2nd
  3. Thames & Kosmos3rd
  4. Smithsonian Mega Science Lab4th
  5. KiwiCo5th
  6. MEL Science6th
  7. Little Passports–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Thames & Kosmos5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • National Geographic4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Snap Circuits3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • KiwiCo2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Smithsonian Mega Science Lab2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • MEL Science1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Little Passports0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about science kits

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is MEL Science or Smithsonian Mega Science Lab more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for MEL Science and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven science kits we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

MEL Science and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab among science kits worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for MEL Science, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNational GeographicKiwiCoSnap CircuitsThames & KosmosLittle PassportsMEL ScienceSmithsonian Mega Science Lab
Oct 202586.4%9.5%2.9%0.41%0.47%0.38%0.01%
Nov 202577.6%15.6%4.7%0.81%0.77%0.51%0.02%
Dec 202572.9%17.8%6.6%1.1%0.88%0.72%0.04%
Jan 202687.7%7.9%2.9%0.51%0.58%0.39%0.01%
Feb 202689.8%6.6%2.4%0.35%0.4%0.32%0.02%
Mar 202689.9%6.7%2.4%0.28%0.32%0.4%0.02%
Apr 202686.4%9.5%2.8%0.41%0.38%0.46%0.03%
May 202686.4%9.5%2.8%0.4%0.38%0.38%0.06%
Jun 202683.7%11.3%3.4%0.59%0.44%0.55%0.06%
Jul 202680.9%13.3%4%0.69%0.65%0.43%0.06%
Aug 202680.6%13.3%4%0.83%0.79%0.53%0.07%
Sep 202683.1%11.2%4.1%0.58%0.54%0.44%0.04%

How has the MEL Science and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for science kits worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab worldwide rose 128.6% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 320 in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for MEL Science worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 4.4K to 3.6K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MEL Science’s and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

MEL Science

1 branded search term

  • mel science

Smithsonian Mega Science Lab

1 branded search term

  • smithsonian mega science lab

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among science kits

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