How to read this table
The cheapest way into a real humanoid today is Unitree's R1 AIR at $4,900 direct from the manufacturer — but that price excludes shipping, customs (you handle clearance on direct orders), and carries a roughly one-hour battery life. US resellers charge more for the same machine and add US-based support and warranty handling; that premium is real and sometimes worth it.
Developer (EDU) editions cost several times the consumer price because SDK access — the ability to actually program the robot — is gated to those tiers on Unitree's lineup. If you plan to develop, price the EDU tier from the start.
The 1X NEO is the one home humanoid you can preorder today: $20,000 to own or $499/month, with a $200 refundable deposit. Tesla Optimus is not purchasable, and no verified public price exists — anyone quoting one is guessing.
Changelog
- 2026-07-05 — Initial publication. All prices verified against live manufacturer and reseller pages.