# Sony aibo ERS-1000 review

Sony's four legged robot dog with a growing personality

- Our score: not scored yet
- Price: $3,200 (checked Oct 25, 2026)
- Status: on sale
- Best for: robot fans who want the most lifelike dog
- Skip if: you balk at $3,200 plus a yearly cloud fee
- HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/robot/sony-aibo-ers-1000/

## Verdict

aibo is the most lifelike robot dog you can buy in the US, with real legs, a personality that grows over years and Sony's support behind it. It is for devoted fans and households that can absorb a $3,200 final sale price plus $300 a year after the third year. Everyone else, especially families wanting a durable toy for kids, should skip it.

## Pros

- Four legged movement with 22 degrees of freedom
- Personality develops over months and years
- Self charging on its mat
- Three years of cloud plan included

## Cons

- $3,199.99 and sold as final sale with no returns
- Cloud plan costs $300 a year after year 3
- About 2 hours per charge; Tom's Guide got about 70 minutes
- Not sold in Illinois or Baltimore, Maryland

## Specs

- type: Robot dog with OLED eyes and 22 degrees of freedom
- interaction: Voice commands, touch sensors on head, chin and back, paw pads, face recognition, My aibo app (phone and web)
- ai features: Cloud AI through the aibo AI Cloud Plan stores memories and develops personality; learns tricks, recognizes people and can take photos
- camera: Yes, a front camera and a SLAM camera for mapping; photos viewable in the My aibo app; no physical shutter published
- mobility: Four legs; indoor use only, operating range 41 to 95 F
- battery runtime: About 2 hours in standard mode (Sony); walks back to its charger
- charge time: About 3 hours (Sony)
- size weight: About 7.1 x 11.5 x 12.0 in (W x H x D), about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb)
- subscription: Required: aibo AI Cloud Plan, 3 years included, then $300 per 12 month renewal on the Sony US store
- age range: Not published

## Safety

- recalls: No recall found as of 2026-10-25 (web search of cpsc.gov)
- fcc: Not checked
- company status: Active
- fcc note: Sony's grantee code is AK8, but no FCC ID page for the ERS-1000 was found in our search of fccid.io
- company note: Sony announced on 2026-06-25 that it will stop selling aibo in Japan once stock runs out; reports say US sales continue and Sony keeps parts, repairs and cloud plans running

## Questions buyers ask

### Does aibo need a subscription?

Yes. The aibo AI Cloud Plan is required for the full experience. Three years are included, then Sony charges $300 per 12 month renewal.

### Is Sony discontinuing aibo?

Sony said in June 2026 it will stop selling aibo in Japan once stock runs out. It is still listed for sale on the Sony US store, and Sony says support and cloud plans continue.

### Can I return aibo if it is not for me?

No. Sony sells aibo as final sale with no returns, so read the terms before buying.

## Sources

1. [Sony Electronics US: aibo Companion Robot ERS1000](https://electronics.sony.com/more/aibo/p/ers1000)
2. [Sony Electronics US: aibo and accessories (cloud plan renewal price)](https://electronics.sony.com/more/c/aibo)
3. [aibo US: AI Cloud Plan](https://us.aibo.com/feature/ai.html)
4. [Sony help guide: aibo ERS-1000 specifications](https://helpguide.sony.net/aibo/ers1000/v1/en-us/contents/TP0001970140.html)
5. [The Star (AFP): Sony discontinues Japan sales of aibo](https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/06/26/sony-discontinues-japan-sales-of-robot-puppy-039aibo039)
6. [Science Japan: Sony to end aibo sales in Japan](https://sj.jst.go.jp/news/202607/n0703-01n.html)
7. [Engadget: Sony Aibo review](https://www.engadget.com/2019-02-27-sony-aibo-review-just-get-a-puppy.html)
8. [Tom's Guide: Sony Aibo review](https://www.tomsguide.com/us/sony-aibo,review-6349.html)