# Sony aibo ERS-1000 vs Unitree Go2

As of Oct 26, 2026, the Sony aibo ERS-1000 costs $3,200 and the Unitree Go2 costs $1,600, so the Unitree Go2 is $1,600 cheaper. The Unitree Go2 has a published review score and ranks #3 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Sony aibo ERS-1000 is not scored yet. Pick the Sony aibo ERS-1000 for robot fans who want the most lifelike dog. Pick the Unitree Go2 for adult tech enthusiasts and STEM tinkering.

Prices checked Oct 26, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/vs/sony-aibo-ers-1000-vs-unitree-go2/

## Side by side

| | Sony aibo ERS-1000 | Unitree Go2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,200 | $1,600 |
| 3 year cost | $3,200 | $1,600 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | 5.8/10 |
| Rank in Companions | #16 | #3 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | Not published on the Unitree US store; US dealer Maverick Drone lists 1 year |
| Type | Robot dog with OLED eyes and 22 degrees of freedom | Four legged robot dog; consumer Air and Pro versions (Pro listed at $2,800) |
| Interaction | Voice commands, touch sensors on head, chin and back, paw pads, face recognition, My aibo app (phone and web) | Phone app, optional handheld controller, voice commands on Pro, follow mode |
| Ai features | Cloud AI through the aibo AI Cloud Plan stores memories and develops personality; learns tricks, recognizes people and can take photos | Cloud LLM chat on Pro: spoken commands answered by ChatGPT in a synthesized voice; no two way live audio (New Atlas). Air has no voice function (RobotShop) |
| Camera | Yes, a front camera and a SLAM camera for mapping; photos viewable in the My aibo app; no physical shutter published | Yes, HD wide angle camera plus 4D LiDAR L2 for mapping; privacy controls not published |
| Mobility | Four legs; indoor use only, operating range 41 to 95 F | Four legs; stairs and uneven ground; top speed 2.5 m/s on Air, 3.5 m/s on Pro |
| Battery runtime | About 2 hours in standard mode (Sony); walks back to its charger | About 1 to 2 hours on the 8,000 mAh pack; optional 15,000 mAh pack |
| Charge time | About 3 hours (Sony) | Not published |
| Size weight | About 7.1 x 11.5 x 12.0 in (W x H x D), about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb) | 70 by 31 by 40 cm standing, about 15 kg with battery |
| Subscription | Required: aibo AI Cloud Plan, 3 years included, then $300 per 12 month renewal on the Sony US store | None published |
| Age range | Not published | 18+; Unitree says it is not a toy and should be kept away from children |
| Best for | robot fans who want the most lifelike dog | adult tech enthusiasts and STEM tinkering |
| Skip if | you balk at $3,200 plus a yearly cloud fee | you have young kids or privacy worries |

## What reviewers found

### Sony aibo ERS-1000

- Engadget: Impressive sensors and cloud AI, but setup and the mobile app were slow, it struggled with floor transitions, its servos were loud at night and it took about two weeks to show personality. Concluded a shelter dog is a better choice for most people. [Source](https://www.engadget.com/2019-02-27-sony-aibo-review-just-get-a-puppy.html)
- Tom's Guide: Adorable and fun with a personality that grows, but the reviewer got about 1 hour 10 minutes of continuous activity, the app was sluggish and it often ignored commands during training. [Source](https://www.tomsguide.com/us/sony-aibo,review-6349.html)

### Unitree Go2

- New Atlas: Go2 Pro handled curbs and uneven ground and offered ChatGPT voice commands, but needed a flat surface to start, once fell down front steps, struggled to start on grass or sand, and its purpose beyond novelty was unclear; got 1 to 2 hours per charge. [Source](https://newatlas.com/robotics/review-unitree-go2-pro-quadruped-robot/)
- Fauxhammer (4/5): Impressive movement and terrain handling with useful lidar mapping, about 2 hours of battery, but inconsistent voice recognition, overcautious obstacle avoidance and limited practical use. [Source](https://www.fauxhammer.com/reviews/unitree-go-2-pro-review-whats-the-point-of-a-robot-dog-really/)
- iFixit: Teardown found a hand removable battery built from standard 18650 cells and separately connected motors, but parts are sold only by contact form and stair testing cracked the neck. [Source](https://www.ifixit.com/News/109048/unitree-go2-is-an-impressively-affordable-robot-dog-but-is-it-repairable)

## Questions buyers ask

### Which is better, the Sony aibo ERS-1000 or the Unitree Go2?

The Unitree Go2 has a published review score and ranks #3 in our robot pets and companions ranking; the Sony aibo ERS-1000 is not scored yet. Pick the Sony aibo ERS-1000 for robot fans who want the most lifelike dog. Pick the Unitree Go2 for adult tech enthusiasts and STEM tinkering.

### Which is cheaper?

The Unitree Go2 at $1,600, versus $3,200 for the Sony aibo ERS-1000, checked Oct 26, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $3,200 vs $1,600.

### What is the difference between the aibo ERS-1000 and the Go2?

Type: Robot dog with OLED eyes and 22 degrees of freedom on the aibo ERS-1000, Four legged robot dog; consumer Air and Pro versions (Pro listed at $2,800) on the Go2. Interaction: Voice commands, touch sensors on head, chin and back, paw pads, face recognition, My… on the aibo ERS-1000, Phone app, optional handheld controller, voice commands on Pro, follow mode on the Go2. Ai features: Cloud AI through the aibo AI Cloud Plan stores memories and develops personality; learns… on the aibo ERS-1000, Cloud LLM chat on Pro: spoken commands answered by ChatGPT in a synthesized voice; no… on the Go2.

Full reviews: [Sony aibo ERS-1000](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/sony-aibo-ers-1000/index.md), [Unitree Go2](https://robotsforthat.com/robot/unitree-go2/index.md)