Smithsonian Mega Science Lab vs Thames & Kosmos:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Thames & Kosmos had more branded searches than Smithsonian Mega Science Lab among science kits worldwide. Thames & Kosmos had about 4,720 branded searches, while Smithsonian Mega Science Lab had 320. Thames & Kosmos made up 0.58% 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, Thames & Kosmos appeared in all five answers and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in two. Thames & Kosmos was mentioned before Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Thames & Kosmos, about 15 searches for every 1 for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab
Who does AI mention more?
Thames & Kosmos, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Thames & Kosmos, named ahead of Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in 3 of 5 answers
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Top science kits in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Thames & Kosmos appeared in all five answers. 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. Thames & Kosmos was listed before Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which science kit should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best science kit brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best science kit for hands-on learning?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“science kits”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“kids science kit”
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 Smithsonian Mega Science Lab or Thames & Kosmos more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab and Thames & Kosmos 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.
Share of searches by month for Thames & Kosmos, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | National Geographic | KiwiCo | Snap Circuits | Thames & Kosmos | Little Passports | MEL Science | Smithsonian Mega Science Lab |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 86.4% | 9.5% | 2.9% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.38% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 77.6% | 15.6% | 4.7% | 0.81% | 0.77% | 0.51% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 72.9% | 17.8% | 6.6% | 1.1% | 0.88% | 0.72% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 87.7% | 7.9% | 2.9% | 0.51% | 0.58% | 0.39% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 89.8% | 6.6% | 2.4% | 0.35% | 0.4% | 0.32% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 89.9% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 0.28% | 0.32% | 0.4% | 0.02% |
| Apr 2026 | 86.4% | 9.5% | 2.8% | 0.41% | 0.38% | 0.46% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 86.4% | 9.5% | 2.8% | 0.4% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 83.7% | 11.3% | 3.4% | 0.59% | 0.44% | 0.55% | 0.06% |
| Jul 2026 | 80.9% | 13.3% | 4% | 0.69% | 0.65% | 0.43% | 0.06% |
| Aug 2026 | 80.6% | 13.3% | 4% | 0.83% | 0.79% | 0.53% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 83.1% | 11.2% | 4.1% | 0.58% | 0.54% | 0.44% | 0.04% |
How has the Smithsonian Mega Science Lab and Thames & Kosmos comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Thames & Kosmos was ahead of Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab’s share of searches among science kits worldwide moved from 0.01% to 0.04%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 320.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thames & Kosmos’ share of searches among science kits worldwide moved from 0.41% to 0.58%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.8K to 4.7K.
How did search popularity change for science kits worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab worldwide rose 128.6% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 320 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Smithsonian Mega Science Lab’s and Thames & Kosmos’ 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.
Smithsonian Mega Science Lab
1 branded search term
- smithsonian mega science lab
Thames & Kosmos
2 branded search terms
- thames and kosmos
- thames kosmos
Other head-to-heads among science kits

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