For most people the honest answer in 2026 is “wait,” and this guide helps you decide if you’re the exception. Researchers, developers, and early adopters with a specific use case have real options. Everyone else is mostly paying for a promise.
Go through the questions in order: what job, what budget, how much risk, and how much setup you’re willing to do yourself.
Buying criteria
- A specific job you need done, not “help around the house”
- How much you can afford to lose if delivery slips or the company folds
- Developer access (SDK, ROS support) if you plan to build on it
- Space, floor type, and stairs in your home
- Safety features and any certifications the maker states
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