Energize Lab Eilik vs Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 12, 2026
As of Nov 12, 2026, the Energize Lab Eilik costs $140 and the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi costs $130, so the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi is $10 cheaper. The Energize Lab Eilik has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi is not scored yet. Pick the Energize Lab Eilik for a cheap, private desk toy. Pick the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi for budget Raspberry Pi tinkering. They split the points we can measure, 1 each.
Who wins, point by point
They split the points we can measure, 1 each. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Eilik | Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $140 | $130 | Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi |
| Runtime | 90 min | 3 min | Eilik |
- You care most about runtime (90 min vs 3 min)
- Best for a cheap, private desk toy
- You want to spend less (saves $10)
- Best for budget Raspberry Pi tinkering
- Type
- Desk buddy
- Interaction
- Touch
- Subscription
- None
Tiny offline desk buddy that reacts to touch, no app or plan
Full Energize Lab Eilik review, pros and cons →- Type
- Build it yourself robot
- Interaction
- Freenove app
- Subscription
- None
Budget Raspberry Pi robot dog kit with camera and Python code
Full Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Energize Lab Eilik | Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 | $130 |
| 3 year cost | $140 | $130 |
| Our score | 8.4/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Companions | #1 | #8 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 90 days, plus a 14 day money back guarantee (Energize Lab store) | Not published on the store page; Freenove lists free technical support |
| Type | Stationary desktop companion with an OLED face and moving head and arms | Build it yourself robot dog kit (FNK0050); Raspberry Pi, batteries and charger not included |
| Interaction | Touch sensors on head, belly and base; reacts to being moved or shaken; plays with other Eiliks; no voice control on the standard model | Freenove app for Android 5.0+ and iOS 10+, or a client on Windows, macOS or Raspberry Pi OS |
| Ai features | On device behaviors only; works without WiFi or internet. Optional AI Station ($99, sold separately) adds AI chat, gesture games and face greetings over a network | Face recognition and ball tracing through the camera (Freenove); one reviewer could not get ball following or face recognition working out of the box (Engineered.at) |
| Camera | No camera on Eilik itself; the optional AI Station adds one | Yes, Raspberry Pi camera module; resolution not published |
| Mobility | Stationary; four servos move its head, body and arms | Four legs on 12 leg servos plus 1 head servo (Freenove docs); walking and self balancing with an MPU6050 motion sensor |
| Battery runtime | About 1.5 hours (450 mAh) | Uses 2 x 3.7V 18650 cells, sold separately; runtime not published. RaspberryTips found the motors needed rest after about 3 minutes of continuous use |
| Charge time | About 1 hour over USB Type C (5 V, 1 A) | Not published; RaspberryTips found in robot USB C charging unreliable and used an external charger |
| Size weight | 108 by 105 by 133 mm, 230 g | Not published |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Age range | Not published | Not stated by Freenove |
| Compatible boards | n/a | Raspberry Pi 5, 4B, 3B+, 3B and 3A+ recommended; Zero and older boards need extra parts (Freenove) |
| Coding | n/a | Python, with complete source code and online tutorials (Freenove) |
| Sensors | n/a | Ultrasonic distance module, MPU6050 motion sensor, LED module, buzzer (Freenove docs) |
| Best for | a cheap, private desk toy | budget Raspberry Pi tinkering |
| Skip if | you want voice chat or a mobile robot | it is your first robot kit |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Energize Lab Eilik
- Goally (4/5): Hands on use with games, jokes and dance parties lifted the reviewer's mood for as long as the roughly 90 minute battery lasted; reviewer was skeptical of emotional claims. Note that Goally sells a competing kids tablet. Source
- Gagadget: Named Best Desk Toy in a five robot roundup for its touch responses and multi robot play; drawbacks were no voice control and recharging about every 1.5 hours. Source
Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi
- RaspberryTips: Build took about 5 to 6 hours on a Pi 3A+; tricks, sensors, app and tutorials worked, but calibration had to be redone, two servos and the camera failed and were replaced by Freenove, USB C charging was unreliable, and motors needed rest after about 3 minutes. Source
- Engineered.at: Reached a working state after tinkering, but advertised red ball following and face recognition did not work out of the box, a picamera2 update broke video until the repo was fixed, and video control over VNC had noticeable WiFi lag. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Energize Lab Eilik or the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi?
The Energize Lab Eilik has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi is not scored yet. Pick the Energize Lab Eilik for a cheap, private desk toy. Pick the Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi for budget Raspberry Pi tinkering.
Which is cheaper?
The Freenove Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi at $130, versus $140 for the Energize Lab Eilik, checked Nov 12, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $140 vs $130.
What is the difference between the Eilik and the Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi?
Type: Stationary desktop companion with an OLED face and moving head and arms on the Eilik, Build it yourself robot dog kit (FNK0050); Raspberry Pi, batteries and charger not… on the Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi. Interaction: Touch sensors on head, belly and base; reacts to being moved or shaken; plays with other… on the Eilik, Freenove app for Android 5.0+ and iOS 10+, or a client on Windows, macOS or Raspberry Pi… on the Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi. Ai features: On device behaviors only; works without WiFi or internet. Optional AI Station ($99, sold… on the Eilik, Face recognition and ball tracing through the camera (Freenove); one reviewer could not… on the Robot Dog Kit for Raspberry Pi.
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All robot pets and companions, ranked
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