Two years ago a walking humanoid robot cost as much as a house deposit. In 2026 the cheapest models cost about the same as a used car, and a few are below €7,000. That does not make them household helpers yet, but it does make them realistic purchases for schools, makers, small labs and companies that want to experiment.
This list ranks the cheapest humanoid robots with a public list price in the Robots catalogue, checked on 16 October 2026, and explains what you give up at each price level.
Contents
Cheapest humanoid robots in 2026
| Rank | Model | Size | List price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noetix BUMI | Small (child size) | €5,501 |
| 2 | Unitree R1 Air | Mid-size | €6,304 |
| 3 | Booster K1 Geek | Small | €6,882 |
| 4 | Unitree R1 Basic | Mid-size | €9,167 |
| 5 | Booster K1 EDU | Small | €9,176 |
| 6 | Casbot Mini | Small | €13,707 |
| 7 | Noetix N2 | Mid-size | €13,713 |
| 8 | Unitree G1 Basic | Mid-size | €18,381 |
| 9 | SoftBank NAO V6 | Small | €18,385 |
| 10 | EngineAI PM01 | Mid-size | €23,901 |
What you get at each price level
1Under €7,000
Small or entry mid-size humanoids such as Noetix BUMI (€5,501), Unitree R1 Air (€6,304) and Booster K1 Geek (€6,882). They walk, dance, wave and respond to voice. Programming access is limited on the cheapest versions, so check what the SDK allows.
2€9,000 to €15,000
Better sensors, more motion control and, on EDU versions, developer access. Booster K1 EDU (€9,176) is popular for robot football and teaching, and Noetix N2 (€13,713) is a larger athletic platform.
3€18,000 to €25,000
The level where research-grade humanoids start: Unitree G1 (€18,381), NAO V6 (€18,385) with its long education track record, and EngineAI PM01 (€23,901).
Our picks by use
| If you want to… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spend as little as possible on a walking humanoid | Noetix BUMI | Lowest list price |
| Get a mid-size humanoid for demos | Unitree R1 Air | Bigger presence, strong brand, active updates |
| Teach programming in a school or club | Booster K1 EDU or NAO V6 | Developer access and teaching material |
| Start real humanoid research | Unitree G1 | Widely used in labs, large community |
| Explore a second brand | EngineAI PM01 | Alternative platform with research focus |
Compare humanoid robots and versions with current prices in your region.
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Hidden costs
- Software access: the cheapest version often cannot be programmed freely. Upgrading to an EDU version later can cost more than buying it first. See R1 Basic vs R1 EDU.
- Batteries and chargers: one to two hours of use per battery means a spare is useful for events and classes.
- Hands: cheap humanoids often have simple or fixed hands. Dexterous hands are sold separately and cost thousands; see dexterous robot hands.
- Shipping and taxes: check VAT, duties and battery shipping. See buying a robot in Europe.
- Repairs: falls happen. Ask about spare parts and repair times before you order.
Humanoids you cannot buy cheaply yet
Tesla Optimus, Figure 03 and Boston Dynamics Atlas get the headlines but are not on general sale. 1X NEO is taking pre-orders for home use in limited regions. If you need a humanoid now, the models above are what is actually available. For the full picture, read what is a humanoid robot and humanoid robots for sale.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest humanoid robot?
Among walking humanoids with a public price, Noetix BUMI is the lowest at about €5,500, followed by Unitree R1 Air at about €6,300 and Booster K1 Geek at about €6,900 (Robots list prices, October 2026).
Can I buy a humanoid robot for under €10,000?
Yes. Noetix BUMI, Unitree R1 Air, Booster K1 Geek, Unitree R1 Basic and Booster K1 EDU all have list prices under €10,000.
Is Unitree R1 cheaper than G1?
Yes. R1 Air starts at about €6,300 while G1 Basic starts at about €18,400. G1 is more capable and more common in research labs.
Can a cheap humanoid robot do housework?
No. Affordable humanoids are for demos, education and research. Reliable household chores are still beyond today’s humanoid robots.
How much does Tesla Optimus cost?
Tesla has not opened general sales of Optimus. Elon Musk has talked about a future price of about USD 20,000 to 30,000, but no official retail price exists yet.
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Related guides on Dijipedya
Sources: Robots Europa product catalogue and price list (16 October 2026); manufacturer pages for Noetix, Unitree, Booster Robotics, Casbot, SoftBank Robotics and EngineAI.
