Cheap robot dogs: the best under €2,000
Owning a real robot dog no longer requires a corporate budget: the affordable models start at about €1,470 list price and stay under €2,000, and they do things unthinkable a few years ago — they walk, avoid obstacles, follow you and respond to commands. The best in this bracket is the Unitree Go2 Air (~€1,470) on price and the solidity of its ecosystem; the Dobot Rover X1 (~€1,840) is the most useful at home, because it carries up to 7 kg and follows you. Here is the complete guide to spending well.
⚠️ Don't confuse the two: "robot dog" means two different things. The robots in this guide are real technological quadrupeds. The "robot dogs" for a few euros or tens of euros you find in toy comparison sites are children's toys, a completely different category (we cover them in the guide to robots for kids and the home).
The best cheap robot dogs (table)
| Model | Price | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Unitree Go2 Air | ~€1,470 | The cheapest full-size model, most widespread ecosystem, 4D LiDAR |
| Xiaomi CyberDog 2 | ~€1,650 (China list price; ~€2,800 via importers) | Design and content (sold only in China) |
| Dobot Rover X1 | ~€1,840 | Wheel-legs: carries up to 7 kg and follows you |
Official list price converted to euros (USD × 0.92), checked on 18 September 2026. From a European reseller, incl. VAT, prices go up: Go2 Air about €2,620, Rover X1 €2,639.
1. Dobot Rover X1 — the most useful at home (~€1,840)
Launched in China in November 2025 at 7,499 CNY (about €950) and sold outside China at $1,999 (about €1,840), it is a wheel-leg hybrid designed for the home and outings. It walks at up to 1.8 m/s, carries 3 to 7 kg, follows you, clears steps up to 16 cm and keeps watch over the house. It doesn't have the power of a Unitree and costs more than the Go2 Air, but it is the only model in the bracket built to carry things.
Ideal for: home use, those who want a robot that carries the shopping and follows them.
2. Unitree Go2 Air — the best ecosystem (~€1,470)
It is the base version of the most widespread robot dog in the world (according to Unitree's IPO prospectus, over 60% of the quadrupeds sold worldwide). It weighs 15 kg, carries the 360° 4D LiDAR, avoids obstacles, reaches 2.5 m/s and carries up to 7 kg. The advantage is not just the robot itself, but Unitree's huge community: tutorials, accessories, updates and spare parts. It costs less than the Dobot and you enter the most solid and best-supported ecosystem; the warranty, however, is 6 months (12 on the Pro).
Ideal for: first purchase, those who want a leading brand and room to grow.
3. Xiaomi CyberDog 2 — the best-looking (~€1,650, China only)
At the top end of the budget bracket, it is the most refined aesthetically: light (8.9 kg), biomimetic, capable of backflips. Perfect if looks and content matter to you. Xiaomi sells it officially only in China at 12,999 CNY: in Europe it arrives through importers at about €2,800, often out of stock. (Read the full review.)
What to expect from a cheap robot dog
To be honest, here are the compromises of the entry bracket:
- Limited battery life (1–2 real hours): plan for a spare battery if you use it for long stretches.
- Stairs: they handle low steps, not whole flights of stairs.
- Advanced features: voice commands, 4G and advanced AI are often in the higher versions (e.g. Go2 Pro, ~€2,580).
That said, to discover this world, have fun and use it at home, a model under €2,000 is more than enough.
Watch the real landed cost
The foreign list price is not the final one: importing means adding import VAT (22% in Italy), duty (1.7–4.7% in the EU) and shipping. Buying from a European reseller costs more but includes warranty and support. Always work out the real cost before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest robot dog? Among full-size quadrupeds, the Unitree Go2 Air, about €1,470 list price. The Dobot Rover X1 costs 7,499 CNY in China (about €950), but outside China it sells for $1,999 (about €1,840).
Can you find a real robot dog under €1,000? Not a full-size one: below that figure there are only the small educational quadrupeds — Petoi Bittle X (~€295) and MangDang Mini Pupper 2 (~€600) — and robotic toys for children.
Is a cheap robot dog worth it? Yes, to get started, have fun and use it at home. For professional use or development you need to move up a bracket.
Want to spend even less? On Robolero's used market you find models like the Unitree Go2 below the new price, with the deal rating telling you right away whether it is a good price. Also take the advisor test to find the right model for your budget.