Alpha 1E vs Mini
Side-by-side comparison of Alpha 1E (UBTECH Robotics Corp Ltd.) and Mini (Sphero) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Last-Mile Delivery buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- Alpha 1EChina
- MiniUnited States
Year First Available
- Alpha 1E—
- Mini2017
Verified Deployments
- Alpha 1E0 Deployments
- Mini0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- Alpha 1E$850 USD
- Mini$130 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Alpha 1E1 hrs
- Mini1 hrs
Availability Status
- Alpha 1EACTIVE
- MiniACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Payload Capacity
- Alpha 1E—
- Mini20 kg
Reach
- Alpha 1E—
- Mini1,700 mm
Max Speed
- Alpha 1E—
- Mini1 m/s
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | China | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | — | 2017 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $850 USD | $130 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) | 1 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload Capacity (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | — | 20 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | — | 1,700 mm |
| Max Speed (values differ) | — | 1 m/s |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: IP Rating, Autonomy Level
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Alpha 1E and Mini?
Alpha 1E is made by UBTECH Robotics Corp Ltd., based in CN. Mini is made by Sphero, based in US.
How much does Alpha 1E cost compared to Mini?
Alpha 1E is listed at $850. Mini is listed at $130.
How do Alpha 1E and Mini compare on the Robo Index?
Alpha 1E grades BBB on the Robo Index. Mini grades AA. The Robo Index is a credibility grade (AAA … C) that blends commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Alpha 1E and Mini in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Education on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Alpha 1E and Mini?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags
10 min readEducation Robots
A 90-Day Classroom Robotics Rollout Playbook
9 min readEducation Robots
Decision Framework: Matching Robots to Grade Band and Learning Goals
10 min readEducation Robots
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
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About this comparison
Alpha 1E vs Mini compares two robots in the education category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Index is calculated.