Fun robots · Top list
Best robot pets and companion robots of 2026
Our verdict
For most people the Casio Moflin ($429 on casio.com) is the robot pet to get: a soft, quiet lap companion with no camera, no subscription listed and data kept on the device, per Casio. For kids who want to play, KEYi Loona ($429, was $529) moves around the house, chases and talks. On a budget, Eilik ($139.99) is a cute desk toy. Sony aibo ($3,199.99) is the most lifelike robot dog, but it is final sale and its cloud plan costs $300 a year after three years. Based on spec sheets, brand pages and owner reports, not hands-on tests.
Which one should you buy?
1Best robot pet for most people
Casio Moflin
Best for: Adults who want a soft, quiet companion to hold
$429 at casio.com, seen Oct 29, 2026Silver PE-M10SR shown; Casio also lists pink and gold versions.
Our pick. Moflin is a furry, palm-sized robot that moves, makes soft sounds and responds to how you hold and stroke it, and Casio says its personality develops over time. It has no camera listed, and Casio says the data it uses is processed on the device and it does not understand or record speech. At $429 it is pricey for its size, and owners say it takes patience to bond with.
Buy it if
- You want something to hold and stroke, not a robot that roams
- You want no camera in the room
- You are fine with a pet that grows its personality slowly
Skip it if
- You want conversation or tricks
- You expect lots of variety in the first weeks
- You want something sturdy for small children
Key specs
| Movement | 2-axis head and body movement (company claim) |
|---|---|
| Sensors | Touch, light, sound, accelerometer and gyro; no camera listed |
| Weight | About 260 g |
| Battery (company claim) | Up to 5 hours of use, about 3.5 hours to charge |
| Emotions (company claim) | "4 million" possible emotional states, simulated |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Maker figures are company claims.
What owners say
Owners like: Several owners say it was worth the money, that it reacts to touch and voice in a way that feels alive, and that it became part of their routine. Owners complain: It is small and pricey for what it is, takes time before it shows much personality, and some owners find its reactions and the app journal repetitive. A few mention fussy charging and audible motor noise.
Summarized from: r/Moflin: Is the Moflin worth the expense? · r/Moflin: Is the Moflin worth it? · r/Moflin: emotions are not varied
2Best for kids and families
KEYi Loona Petbot
Best for: Families with kids who want a robot that plays
$429 at keyirobot.com, seen Oct 29, 2026Loona Petbot Premium; KEYi lists it at $429, down from $529.
The most playful pet here. Loona drives around the house, follows people, plays games and chats, and KEYi says it recognizes faces and objects with its camera and supports Google Blockly coding. $429 is $100 off its $529 list. Owners' kids love it, but owners also report voice wake-up misses, docking trouble and gear failures, so buy where returns are easy.
Buy it if
- Your kids want a pet that moves, plays and talks
- You like the idea of block coding as a bonus
- You have mostly open hard floors
Skip it if
- You want something quiet to hold
- A camera robot roaming the house bothers you
- You can't handle a repair or replacement claim
Key specs
| Camera | Yes, for face, object and gesture recognition (company claim) |
|---|---|
| Conversation (company claim) | ChatGPT-style voice chat |
| Coding | Google Blockly in the app (company claim) |
| Extras (company claim) | Remote monitoring from the app, AI drawing |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Maker figures are company claims.
What owners say
Owners like: Owners say kids love talking to it and that it is genuinely entertaining as a playmate. Owners complain: Voice wake-up can be spotty, it does not always find its dock, and follow mode is unreliable. Several owners report broken ear or hip gears and grinding noises; support experiences are mixed, though some got replacements. Battery runs about two hours by owner accounts. Most detailed threads are from 2023 and 2024.
Summarized from: r/loona_robot: my review and experience with Loona · r/loona_robot: my Loona is broken · r/loona_robot: good idea?
3Best plush AI companion
Ropet KAMOMO Pro
Best for: Anyone who wants a warm, huggable pet that can also chat
$279.99 at ropetai.com, seen Oct 29, 2026KAMOMO Pro with charging base; regular price $349. Ships to the 48 contiguous states and DC.
A soft, round plush companion with a camera and screen eyes that Ropet says recognizes you and reacts to touch, with the basic behaviors running offline. Ropet says GPT conversations unlock after 7 days of care and are free with no usage limit (company claim). At $279.99 (regular $349) with the charging base it costs less than Moflin, but it is newer and owner reports are thin.
Buy it if
- You want a plush pet that can also talk
- You want core behaviors that work without Wi-Fi
- You want a 30-day return window
Skip it if
- You live in Alaska or Hawaii (Ropet ships to the 48 contiguous states and DC)
- You don't want a camera or microphone in the room
- You want long-term owner reports before you buy
Key specs
| Battery (company claim) | 2.5 to 3.5 hours, about 1 hour to charge |
|---|---|
| Camera and mic | Yes |
| Offline (company claim) | Behaviors and recognition work offline; AI chat and drawing use the cloud |
| Returns and warranty | 30-day returns, 1-year warranty (US) |
Maker figures are company claims.
What owners say
Owners like: An early owner describes it as tactile, warm and responsive in a way that feels pet-like. Owners complain: The same owner found it did not clearly respond to its name. Detailed long-term owner reports are scarce so far.
Summarized from: Robots Around The House forum: Ropet unboxing and first impressions
4Best desk pet
Living AI EMO
Best for: A desk or bedside companion with personality
$279 at living.ai, seen Oct 29, 2026Standard EMO; Living AI says it ships in about 2 weeks. EMO White is $289.
EMO is a small desktop robot with a screen face that dances, plays games, tells you the weather and sets alarms, and Living AI says it learns and reacts with on-board AI (company claim). At $279 it comes with headphones, a skateboard and a smart light. Owners say it is fun and low effort, but repetitive once the novelty wears off, and the battery fades over the years.
Buy it if
- You want a desk buddy that reacts and plays
- You like small screen-face robots
- You'd use the alarm and weather features
Skip it if
- You want a robot that roams the house
- You want deep conversation
- You want a robot that stays useful without updates from the maker
Key specs
| Size | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Camera | Yes |
| Included (company claim) | Headphones, skateboard and a free Smart Light |
| Features (company claim) | Alarms, weather, games, dances |
| Shipping | About 2 weeks, per Living AI |
Maker figures are company claims.
What owners say
Owners like: Long-term owners say it is still a cute, low-effort companion years later and that updates have added behaviors. Owners complain: Many find it repetitive after the first months, voice recognition can be hit or miss, and battery life drops with age; one owner reports about an hour of walking after three years.
Summarized from: r/LivingAI: several years with EMO · r/emopet: EMO battery life after three years
5Best under $150
Energize Lab Eilik
Best for: A cheap, cute desk toy or first robot gift
$139.99 at store.energizelab.com, seen Oct 29, 2026Blue or pink; compare-at price $149.99.
The budget pick. Eilik is a tiny desk robot that reacts to touch with expressions, sounds and little dances, works without Wi-Fi, and interacts with other Eiliks nearby (company claims). It does not hold conversations unless you add the separately sold AI Station. At $139.99 it is the easiest way to try a robot pet; expect short play sessions and a loud default volume.
Buy it if
- You want a robot pet gift under $150
- You want something that works without Wi-Fi or an account
- You'd like several that interact with each other
Skip it if
- You want a pet that talks back out of the box
- You need it quiet in a shared office
- You want long sessions between charges
Key specs
| Battery (company claim) | 450 mAh, about 1.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Weight | 230 g |
| Screen | 1.54-inch OLED face |
| Wi-Fi | Not required (company claim) |
| Warranty | 90 days |
Maker figures are company claims.
What owners say
Owners like: Owners describe it as charming, low-maintenance and good for a quick mood lift at a desk. Owners complain: The default sound is loud, motors are noisy during energetic moves and some report speaker popping; one owner found it too distracting at work. Battery life is short and behaviors repeat.
Summarized from: r/Sosofia: Eilik robot pet review · r/Eilik: loud volume
6Best premium robot dog
Sony aibo ERS-1000
Best for: Dog lovers who want the most lifelike robot dog and can afford it
$3,199.99 at electronics.sony.com, seen Oct 29, 2026White shown; Sony lists five colors. Final sale. Sony does not sell it in Illinois or Baltimore, MD.
aibo is the most dog-like robot you can buy: it walks, sits, plays with its toy bone, recognizes family faces and, Sony says, develops a personality over time (company claim). It costs $3,199.99 on Sony's store with a 3-year AI Cloud Plan included, then $300 a year, and owners say much of the app and updates stop without the plan. It is final sale with no returns. Buy it only if you are sure.
Buy it if
- You want the most lifelike robot dog
- You are fine with $300 a year after the included three years
- You have room for it to walk around
Skip it if
- You might want to return it (Sony lists it as final sale)
- You live in Illinois or Baltimore, MD, where Sony does not sell it
- You don't want an ongoing fee
Key specs
| Cloud plan | 3-year AI Cloud Plan included; renewal $300 a year, non-refundable |
|---|---|
| Camera | Yes, for face and object recognition |
| Colors | White, Espresso, Kinako, Black Sesame, Strawberry Milk |
| Returns | Final sale |
Maker figures are company claims.
What owners say
Owners like: Owners describe a strong bond and lifelike behavior that keeps developing. Owners complain: Without the cloud plan you lose the app, photo features, updates and some behaviors, so the yearly fee is close to required. Owners also discuss repair costs and joint or hardware issues on some ERS-1000 units.
Summarized from: r/AIBO: is the subscription necessary? · r/AIBO: how problematic are ERS-1000s?
How do the picks compare side by side?
| Casio Moflin | Best robot pet for most people | $429 |
|---|---|---|
| KEYi Loona Petbot | Best for kids and families | $429 |
| Ropet KAMOMO Pro | Best plush AI companion | $279.99 |
| Living AI EMO | Best desk pet | $279 |
| Energize Lab Eilik | Best under $150 | $139.99 |
| Sony aibo ERS-1000 | Best premium robot dog | $3,199.99 |
The Casio Moflin is our robot pet for most people, KEYi Loona is the pick for kids, and Eilik is the budget gift. Sony aibo is the premium robot dog if a yearly fee and a no-returns sale don't put you off.
No affiliate links: price links on this page go to brand stores, and we earn nothing from them.
These picks are based on spec sheets, brand pages and owner reports; see our methodology. We have not tested them. Prices are from brand stores, seen Oct. 29, 2026. Robot pets simulate emotions; when a brand says its robot "feels" or "learns," that is a company claim.
How much does a robot pet cost in 2026?
Eilik is $139.99, EMO $279 and KAMOMO Pro $279.99. Moflin and Loona are both $429. Sony aibo is $3,199.99 with three years of its cloud plan, then $300 a year, so five years of aibo costs about $3,800 before repairs.
Which robot pets are best for privacy?
Moflin is the most private on paper: Casio lists no camera and says its data is processed on the device and that it does not record speech (company claims). Eilik works without Wi-Fi. Loona, KAMOMO, EMO and aibo all have cameras and use cloud services for some features. Read each maker's privacy policy before you put one in a child's room.
Are robot pets good gifts?
Yes, if you match the pet to the person. Pick Moflin or KAMOMO for someone who wants something to hold, Loona for a kid who wants a playmate, and Eilik for a desk toy under $150. For more gift ideas by budget, see our robot gift guide.
Related: Home humanoid release tracker · Fun robots hub
Frequently asked questions
What is the best robot pet in 2026?
For most adults, the Casio Moflin ($429 on casio.com, seen Oct. 29, 2026). It is soft, quiet, has no camera and lists no subscription. For kids who want an active robot that moves around and plays, KEYi Loona ($429).
Which robot pets need a subscription?
Sony aibo: the ERS-1000 includes a 3-year AI Cloud Plan, then Sony charges $300 a year, and owners say the app, photos and updates stop without it. Casio, KEYi, Ropet, Living AI and Energize Lab list no required subscription on the product pages we read on Oct. 29, 2026. Ropet says its GPT conversations are free with no usage limit (company claim).
Do robot pets have cameras?
Most do. Loona, KAMOMO, EMO and aibo have cameras for face and object recognition. Casio lists no camera on the Moflin; it uses touch, light, sound and motion sensors. Eilik uses touch sensors. If a camera in a bedroom or a child's room bothers you, start with Moflin or Eilik.
Is a robot pet good for an older relative?
A soft, quiet one can be. Moflin and KAMOMO are built to be held and stroked, need no floor space and run for hours on a charge (company claims: Moflin up to 5 hours, KAMOMO 2.5 to 3.5 hours). Skip the floor robots like Loona and aibo for anyone unsteady on their feet; they move around underfoot.
Is a robot pet a good gift for a child?
Loona suits kids who want to play, and it has block coding (company claim). Eilik is a cheaper desk toy at $139.99. Read the owner complaints first: Loona owners report gear and docking problems, and Eilik owners say it is loud by default.
Can robot pets still be sold in the US under the FCC robot rule?
Models already authorized by the FCC can still be sold and used, per the FCC. The rule affects new authorizations for some foreign-produced robots. See our FCC robot rule explainer and the US availability check.
Sources
- Casio US store: Moflin PE-M10SR (silver) (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/Moflin: Is the Moflin worth the expense? (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/Moflin: Is the Moflin worth it? (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/Moflin: emotions are not varied, app journal entries are generic (seen 2026-10-29)
- KEYi Tech store: Loona Petbot (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/loona_robot: my review and experience with Loona (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/loona_robot: my Loona is broken (seen 2026-10-29)
- Ropet US store: KAMOMO AI comfort companion (seen 2026-10-29)
- Robots Around The House forum: Ropet unboxing and first impressions (owner) (seen 2026-10-29)
- Living AI store: EMO (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/LivingAI: several years with EMO (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/emopet: EMO battery life after three years (seen 2026-10-29)
- Energize Lab store: Eilik (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/Sosofia: Eilik robot pet review (owner) (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/Eilik: loud volume (seen 2026-10-29)
- Sony US store: aibo ERS-1000 (seen 2026-10-29)
- Sony aibo: AI Cloud Plan (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/AIBO: is the subscription necessary? (seen 2026-10-29)
- r/AIBO: how problematic are ERS-1000s? (seen 2026-10-29)