Cozmo vs Root
Side-by-side comparison of Cozmo (Anki) and Root (iRobot Corporation (Amazon subsidiary)) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Manufacturing buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- CozmoUnited States
- RootUnited States
Year First Available
- Cozmo2016
- Root2018
Verified Deployments
- Cozmo0 Deployments
- Root0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Cozmo$400 USD
- Root$199 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Cozmo0.4 hrs
- Root—
Availability Status
- CozmoACTIVE
- RootACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Payload Capacity
- Cozmo0.1 kg
- Root—
Max Speed
- Cozmo—
- Root0.1 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Cozmo—
- Rootsemi-autonomous
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2016 | 2018 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $400 USD | $199 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 0.4 hrs | — |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload Capacity (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 0.1 kg | — |
| Max Speed (values differ) | — | 0.1 m/s |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | — | semi-autonomous |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Reach, IP Rating
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | Cozmo | Root |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $400 | $199 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,600 | $249,801 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +62402% | +125528% |
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Cozmo and Root?
Cozmo is made by Anki, based in US. Root is made by iRobot Corporation (Amazon subsidiary), based in US.
When were Cozmo and Root launched?
Cozmo launched in 2016. Root launched in 2018.
How much does Cozmo cost compared to Root?
Cozmo is listed at $400. Root is listed at $199.
How do Cozmo and Root compare on the Robo Index?
Cozmo grades BB on the Robo Index. Root 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 Cozmo and Root 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 Cozmo and Root?
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
Cozmo vs Root 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.