Watchly Safety Review

Lasers vs Lightning- Which Is More Powerful?

Mark Rober

28:18 · 61.0M views · November 16, 2024

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Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

6Minor Flags

5No Issues

This science experiment showdown is genuinely entertaining and educational, making it safe for most kids aged 8 and up — the playful destruction is clearly staged and framed around real physics concepts. The video's biggest strength is how it sneaks in legitimate science lessons (laser optics, electrical resistance, thermodynamics) through competitive fun, though parents should note two product promotion segments for CrunchLabs mid-video.

Content Breakdown · 11 Categories

Strong & Crude LanguageNot present

Realistic Violence, Threats & WeaponsA little

Several high-powered devices are used (military-grade laser, 100,000-amp capacitor, crossbow-style golf club firearm, 170ft drop), but all are framed as controlled science experiments with safety precautions explicitly mentioned. No threats against people are made.

See evidence (4)

“A golf club described as 'actually a firearm' is used to shoot a crystal ball”

“A crossbow is used to puncture a lipo battery”

“A 100,000-amp capacitor described as having 'as much energy as a 50 caliber sniper rifle' is discharged”

“A safe is dropped from 170 feet”

Bullying, Cruelty & DiscriminationNot present

Playful trash talk between competitors ('You're doomed both', 'Lightning beats everything') is present but is clearly good-natured competitive banter with no hostility, cruelty, or identity-based attacks.

See evidence (2)

“'You're doomed both' - said in jest by Mehdi”

“'Lightning beats everything' - competitive trash talk”

Hidden Advertising & Sponsored ContentA little

CrunchLabs is promoted multiple times but is transparently disclosed as the host's own toy company and is clearly labeled as a sponsorship/promotion, not hidden advertising; the video description also includes explicit sponsor links.

See evidence (2)

“Now's the perfect time to mention that if you want a Christmas morning reaction like this... then a CrunchLabs Build Box subscription is the answer”

“I started a toy company called CrunchLabs”

Materialism & Wealth FlexingA little

A safe full of cash is used as a prop for destruction rather than as a wealth flex; the money is destroyed or blown away rather than displayed as a status symbol.

See evidence (1)

“Safe full of cash used as a destruction target - money ends up burned or blown away”

Gambling Mechanics in GamesNot present

The 'platinum ticket' mentioned in the CrunchLabs promotion is a random prize inside subscription boxes, which has a minor loot-box quality, but it is incidental to a disclosed subscription product rather than a core gambling mechanic.

See evidence (1)

“Each month, your box has a chance to contain the platinum ticket”

Parasocial & Emotional ManipulationA little

The CrunchLabs promotion uses warm, inclusive language ('right there in the trenches, building, learning and succeeding together') but stops short of guilt-tripping or manufactured emotional dependency; it reads as standard enthusiastic marketing.

See evidence (1)

“'We're right there in the trenches, building, learning and succeeding together'”

Toxic Behavior ModelingNot present

Engagement Baiting & Manipulative CTAsNot present

Low-Quality, Extreme & Stunt ContentA little

The video is structured around destroying household objects for entertainment (CD, ice block, lipo battery, crystal ball, watermelon, vault), which fits the 'destruction for views' stunt format, though it is elevated by genuine scientific explanation and educational framing.

See evidence (4)

“Destroying a CD with a military-grade laser”

“Dropping a safe from 170 feet”

“Exploding a watermelon with liquid nitrogen”

“Discharging a 100,000-amp capacitor into a crystal ball”

Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

The entire video is built around competitive destruction of inanimate objects using lasers, lightning, and other forces, framed as a fun science competition with trash talk and scoring — clearly stylized and consequence-free for people.

See evidence (5)

“Laser incinerates a CD ('It's like the end of Avengers')”

“Tesla coil used to burn patterns into a CD”

“Crystal ball destroyed by 100,000-amp capacitor discharge”

“Watermelon exploded with liquid nitrogen”

“Safe dropped from 170 feet and cracked open”

What Parents Need to Know

This video features three science communicators — including a former teacher and a credentialed electrical engineer — competing to destroy household objects using lasers, lightning (Tesla coils and capacitors), and creative X-factor methods. The destruction is entirely playful and framed around scientific principles, with the hosts explicitly warning kids not to try experiments at home. Kids will genuinely learn about how lasers interact with different materials, electrical resistance, thermodynamics, and gravitational potential energy — the science explanations are accurate and age-appropriate. There are no language concerns, no violence against people, and no inappropriate content. The main things to flag are two mid-video sponsor segments promoting CrunchLabs subscription boxes, and a few moments where the electrical engineer character humorously shocks himself — which is played for laughs but is accompanied by clear 'don't try this at home' messaging.

Talk to Your Kids About

1Why do you think the laser passed straight through the ice at first? What had to change before it could melt a hole?
2Mehdi is a real electrical engineer with a master's degree — why do you think it's important to have that kind of training before working with high-voltage electricity?
3The hosts kept warning 'don't try this at home' — what makes these experiments dangerous, and what safety equipment did you notice them using?
4If you could add an 8th round to the competition, what object would you choose and which element — laser, lightning, or something else — do you think would win?

Lasers vs Lightning- Which Is More Powerful?

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

Ya love to see that kind of ending for the whole “vs“ trilogy.… Have fun learning to be resilient with CrunchLabs and get 2 FREE boxes at: https://crunchlabs.com/LaserLightning Get your CrunchLabs box today: Build Box for kids click here: https://crunchlabs.com/LaserLightning Hack Pack for teens and adults click here: https://crunchlabs.com/LaserLightningHP Check out ElectroBoom for shocking himself for science! @ElectroBOOM Thanks to these folks for providing some of the music in the video: Ponder - @Pondermusic Laura Shigihara - @supershigi Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie Blue Wednesday - https://soundcloud.com/bluewednesday Danijel Zambo - https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/1ZD9ri2wmZZPL4qs92sXZX?si=iI7jkn-qSY-6NKo931314Q PLATINUM TICKET INSTANT WIN GAME NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Promotion starts on 06/1/2024 & ends on 05/31/25, subject to monthly entry deadlines. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. 1 prize per month: each month is its own separate promotion. For the first 2-3 months, winner may be notified via phone call instead of winning game piece. If a monthly prize is unclaimed/forfeited, it will be awarded via 2nd chance drawing. See Official Rules at crunchlabs.com/sweepstakes for full details on eligibility requirements, how to enter, free method of entry, prize claim procedure, prize description and limitations. Void where prohibited. PLATINUM DIPLOMA SWEEPSTAKES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 4/30/25, Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 14+. Visit https://www.crunchlabs.com/pages/crunchlabs-hack-pack-platinum-diploma-sweepstakes for Official Rules including full details on eligibility requirements, how to enter, entry periods, free method of entry, entry limits, prize claim procedure, prize description and limitations. Void where prohibited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this video appropriate for?

This video is recommended for ages 8 and up. The content is playful and educational with no language or mature themes, but some of the electrical and high-energy destruction sequences may be overstimulating or confusing for younger children without the science context to frame them.

Is it safe for kids to watch people getting shocked and using high-voltage equipment?

Yes, in this context. The electrical engineer, Mehdi, does humorously shock himself a couple of times, but the video explicitly notes he has a master's degree in electrical engineering and knows what he's doing. The hosts repeatedly tell viewers not to attempt anything at home, which models responsible messaging around dangerous equipment.

Does the video contain any advertising or sponsored content?

Yes, there are two mid-video promotional segments for CrunchLabs, a STEM subscription box company owned by the host Mark Rober. They are clearly identifiable as promotions and are not disguised as content, but parents should be aware their child may ask about the product afterward.

Is the science in this video accurate and educational?

Yes, the video includes genuine and accurate explanations of physics concepts including laser optics, electrical resistance, thermodynamics, and gravitational potential energy. The hosts explain why experiments succeed or fail in real scientific terms, making it a legitimately educational watch alongside the entertainment.

Is there any dangerous behavior kids might want to imitate?

The experiments involve lasers, Tesla coils, large capacitors, and dropping a safe from height — all of which are explicitly flagged as dangerous and not for home replication. The 'don't try this at home' warnings are consistent and clear throughout the video, reducing the risk of imitation.

Who are the people in this video and are they credible?

The video features Mark Rober (a former NASA engineer and popular science YouTuber), Science Bob Pflugfelder (a former middle school science teacher and science communicator), and Mehdi Sadaghdar (an electrical engineer with a master's degree known as ElectroBOOM). All three have strong science credentials and established, family-friendly YouTube channels.