The 11 Best Chemistry Sets for Adults

When you want a chemistry kit that gives you a lot of value, the Thames & Kosmos C2000 set is an excellent choice. With over 250 possible experiments using a variety of chemicals and materials (most of which are included in the kit), you can perform much more advanced tests than with other consumer chemistry kits.

The C2000 comes with an alcohol burner and professional-grade lab equipment so you can even try your hand at chemistry experiments that require heat. This can be difficult to do at home with other sets.

The kit comes with 50 pieces total and 12 different chemicals. Some experiments also require other household objects that are not included. So for more chemical reactions, make sure to have things like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and citric acid at hand.

You also get a 128-page full-color lab manual that gives step-by-step instructions for each experiment. You can use it to find background information on the science behind all chemical reactions.

Overall, this is the best chemistry set for the beginner to intermediate user who wants to try their hand at serious experimentation.

If you’re looking for a cheaper introductory chemistry set for adults to get started, the Chem C500 kit is the perfect balance between versatility and affordability. With 28 possible chemistry experiments, you can delve into learning chemistry with ease.

The kit includes a full-color manual that covers science basics, the scientific method, basic laboratory procedures, and detailed instructions for each experiment. While the information is thorough and educational, it is written in a way that is easy to understand regardless of your previous chemistry knowledge.

The Chem C500 science kit is best for beginner users who want to explore chemistry without spending a lot of money. Experiments included in the kit are designed to be safe and easy to perform, making this a great choice for those new to chemistry.

One of the basic tenets of chemistry is the understanding of molecules and their atomic structures. The Happy Atoms modeling kit is a fun and dynamic way to learn molecular structures through flexible magnetic model parts that let you build your own molecules. You can then scan your creations inside their proprietary app and discover what sort of molecule you created.

The educational value of this Happy Atoms science kit is significant. Most chemistry classes require some type of molecule modeling set, but they are usually fundamental compared to the Happy Atoms kit. Not only do their rubbery and magnetic pieces let you create a wider variety of molecules than your average modeling set, but you can also learn about the molecules as you create them inside the app.

The model pieces stay stored in a drawstring bag when not in use which also works as a scanning pad when using the app. It also comes with a poster (that also works as a scanning mat), a full-color manual, and references for several different molecules. This is enough content and chemical reactions to appeal to budding scientists and seasoned chemists alike.

For a more beginner-friendly alternative to some of the more robust science kits on our list, the 4M Crystal Growing Kit is a basic chemistry set that is perfect for the novice scientist. It lets you grow seven beautiful crystals by submerging rocks into the chemical solutions provided in the kit.

It provides all the necessary supplies and equipment, including PPE like safety glasses and basic tools and utensils for use in the experiments. The included experiment manual not only provides you with a wealth of knowledge on crystals and the science behind their formation, but it also provides clear step-by-step instructions for making the crystal solutions.

The crystal-making process itself is fairly easy and consists of mixing boiling water with the included supplies in a high-sided dish. You then add a plain rock to the mixture and let it sit in a cool, dark place for several weeks, checking on the progress of your crystals every few days.

The 4M crystal growing kit also provides cases for once your crystals have fully formed. This is a great way to display and protect your crystals and makes for a wonderful science gift for adults that can be enjoyed by all.

For someone looking to seriously study the concepts of chemistry, they need complete chemistry set like the Thames & Kosmos Chem C3000. The kit consists of all the equipment and supplies (minus a few common household items) needed to conduct an impressive 333 different chemistry experiments.

The 192-page full-color experiment manual is a fantastic resource to help you learn chemistry. It covers the basic science of chemistry, explains how to use all the equipment, and details the different experimental procedures for all the experiments included in the kit.

The Thames & Kosmos Chem C3000 kit is easily one of the best chemistry sets around and includes everything needed for a budding scientist to start their home lab. All the equipment is student-quality similar to what high school students would use in their school labs. The kit includes advanced tools an alcohol burner and a tripod, making it possible to conduct advanced experiments front the comfort of your home.

The only drawback of this kit is its price. It costs significantly more than most of the other chemistry sets for adults on our list, but the quality of the equipment and the breadth of experiments possible with this set make it well worth the investment.

Another kids’ science kit, Mindware Ultimate Chemistry Lab includes everything you need to try 12+ fun experiments like making color-changing liquids, a baking soda balloon, and more. The chemistry kit is the first to include only safe, non-toxic ingredients so kids 8+ can safely follow along. If you’re looking for something you can do together with your kids, this is the best chemistry set to keep everyone safe and entertained.

The kit comes with a colorful lab station to keep all the supplies and equipment together and organized. It also features a detailed full-color experiment manual that helps you learn chemistry basics with ease, follow along with the 12+ experiments, and record your findings all in one place.

The Mindware Ultimate Chemistry Lab is the best chemistry set for adults and kids who want to learn together. It’s also a great gift for anyone who loves science.

For more advanced experimentation and lab work, the Cherish XT Home Distiller Kit is a steam distiller meant for making things like essential oils, moonshine, and other products. While this one is marketed for home use, it is made from quality materials that can easily handle laboratory conditions.

The distiller itself is made from durable borosilicate glass made to withstand prolonged contact with an open flame. The kit comes with a tripod and alcohol burner in place of the bunsen burner that would traditionally be used in a laboratory setting.

While this kit is made with essential oil production in mind (it even comes with essential oil bottles), this is a tool that any adult can use for advanced experiments that you will likely come across as you are learning chemistry.

Yet another excellent chemistry kit from Thames & Kosmos, the Chem C1000 is a beginner-level science kit geared toward a 10+ age group. While it is technically a kids’ science kit, it has plenty of fun experiments and interesting facts that make it an interesting and helpful resource for kids and adults alike.

With the equipment and supplies for 125 possible experiments, the C1000 lets you experiment in all sorts of ways—including in the kitchen! Test different household items and foods like honey, sugar, starch, eggs, and more to see how they react when introduced to other compounds and chemicals.

The 80-page full-color manual not only walks you through the experiments, but it also teaches the basic chemistry concepts and the historical scientists who helped shape the field of chemistry into what it is today.

All in all, the Thames & Kosmos Chem C1000 Kit is a great way to learn about chemistry in a fun and engaging way—whether you’re 10 years old or 100.

One of the more unique chemistry sets on the list, the Test Tube Chemistry Lab focuses on environmental science and green chemistry to let you experiment with gases, generating electricity, making things like a test tube lava lamp, and more. This chemistry kit comes with everything you need to get started on 50+ possible chemistry experiments.

The kit comes with its own lab station to keep everything organized and tidy while not in use. This chemistry set is rated for kids 8 and up, but it includes enough interesting content to keep adults engaged in hours of learning as well.

The full-color instruction manual teaches you the basics of chemistry and the science behind each experiment in a way that is easy to understand. This product is the best chemistry set for novice users and casual learners thanks to its easy storage and thorough lessons.

Another chemistry kit designed for kids and adults alike, the Ben Franklin Toys Chemistry Lab Pad is a fully-stocked chemistry kit with over 50 pieces included. Everything is designed to fit on the included easy-to-clean pad to keep messes contained and work surfaces protected.

This chemistry set includes supplies for 12+ experiments with easy-to-follow experiment cards and a dry-erase checklist of action steps. It also comes with high-quality lab equipment like test tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks, pipettes, and more.

The Lab Pad is rated for ages 5 and up, making it the most accessible option on our list. While it is designed with kids in mind, it is still a great chemistry set for adults who are looking to learn the basics in a fun and accessible way.