Energize Lab Eilik vs Sphero Mini
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Energize Lab Eilik costs $140 and the Sphero Mini costs $50, so the Sphero Mini is $90 cheaper. The Energize Lab Eilik has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Sphero Mini is not scored yet. Pick the Energize Lab Eilik for a cheap, private desk toy. Pick the Sphero Mini for low cost intro to coding. 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 | Mini | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $140 | $50 | Mini |
| Runtime | 90 min | 45 min (tested) | Eilik |
- You care most about runtime (90 min vs 45 min (tested))
- Best for a cheap, private desk toy
- You want to spend less (saves $90)
- Best for low cost intro to coding
- 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
- Small app controlled
- Interaction
- Phone or tablet app
- Subscription
- None
Ping pong ball sized coding robot you drive and program by app
Full Sphero Mini review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Energize Lab Eilik | Sphero Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 | $50 |
| 3 year cost | $140 | $50 |
| Our score | 8.5/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Companions | #1 | #6 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 90 days, plus a 14 day money back guarantee (Energize Lab store) | n/a |
| Type | Stationary desktop companion with an OLED face and moving head and arms | Small app controlled robot ball with colored LED and swappable colored shells |
| 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 | Phone or tablet app with Joystick, Tilt, Slingshot and Face Drive modes, games, and block coding or JavaScript in the Sphero Edu app |
| 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 | None (Mozilla Privacy Not Included); Face Drive reads your expressions through the phone's camera |
| Camera | No camera on Eilik itself; the optional AI Station adds one | No camera, microphone or location tracking on the robot; the app can use the phone's camera, mic and location (Mozilla) |
| Mobility | Stationary; four servos move its head, body and arms | Rolls inside its shell; motor encoders, gyroscope and accelerometer (Mozilla); not waterproof (TechCrunch) |
| Battery runtime | About 1.5 hours (450 mAh) | About 45 minutes; TechRadar measured a little under 45 minutes and found it lost most of its charge overnight when idle |
| Charge time | About 1 hour over USB Type C (5 V, 1 A) | Just over an hour by Micro USB (TechRadar) |
| Size weight | 108 by 105 by 133 mm, 230 g | 42 mm, 46 g (TechCrunch) |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Age range | Not published | Not published in the sources we fetched |
| Best for | a cheap, private desk toy | low cost intro to coding |
| Skip if | you want voice chat or a mobile robot | you want long battery life or a rugged toy |
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
Sphero Mini
- TechRadar: Called it a brilliant toy and highly recommended it, but play time ran a little under 45 minutes after just over an hour of charging, and a full battery could be almost empty the next day without use. Source
- TechCrunch: Hands on at launch: 42 mm and 46 g at $49.99, about half the price of Sphero 2.0, but drops waterproofing and wireless charging and is less durable; Face Drive was both fun and unnerving. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Energize Lab Eilik or the Sphero Mini?
The Energize Lab Eilik has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Sphero Mini is not scored yet. Pick the Energize Lab Eilik for a cheap, private desk toy. Pick the Sphero Mini for low cost intro to coding.
Which is cheaper?
The Sphero Mini at $50, versus $140 for the Energize Lab Eilik, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $140 vs $50.
What is the difference between the Eilik and the Mini?
Type: Stationary desktop companion with an OLED face and moving head and arms on the Eilik, Small app controlled robot ball with colored LED and swappable colored shells on the Mini. Interaction: Touch sensors on head, belly and base; reacts to being moved or shaken; plays with other… on the Eilik, Phone or tablet app with Joystick, Tilt, Slingshot and Face Drive modes, games, and… on the Mini. Ai features: On device behaviors only; works without WiFi or internet. Optional AI Station ($99, sold… on the Eilik, None (Mozilla Privacy Not Included); Face Drive reads your expressions through the… on the Mini.
Also consider at this price
See all ranked →More comparisons
All robot pets and companions, ranked
See the ranking →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure