Cubelets vs Sphero Mini
Side-by-side comparison of Cubelets (Modular Robotics) and Sphero Mini (Sphero) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Hospitality & F&B buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- Cubelets—
- Sphero MiniUnited States
Year First Available
- Cubelets2012
- Sphero Mini2017
Verified Deployments
- Cubelets0 Deployments
- Sphero Mini0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Cubelets$140 USD
- Sphero Mini$50 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Cubelets6 hrs
- Sphero Mini1 hrs
Availability Status
- CubeletsACTIVE
- Sphero MiniACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Max Speed
- Cubelets0.3 m/s
- Sphero Mini1 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Cubeletspartially autonomous
- Sphero Mini—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | — | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2012 | 2017 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $140 USD | $50 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) (values differ) | 6 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Max Speed (values differ) | 0.3 m/s | 1 m/s |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | partially autonomous | — |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload Capacity, 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 | Cubelets | Sphero Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $140 | $50 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,860 | $249,950 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +178471% | +499900% |
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 Cubelets and Sphero Mini?
Cubelets is made by Modular Robotics. Sphero Mini is made by Sphero, based in US.
When were Cubelets and Sphero Mini launched?
Cubelets launched in 2012. Sphero Mini launched in 2017.
How much does Cubelets cost compared to Sphero Mini?
Cubelets is listed at $140. Sphero Mini is listed at $50.
How do Cubelets and Sphero Mini compare on the Robo Index?
Cubelets grades A on the Robo Index. Sphero Mini grades A. 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 Cubelets and Sphero 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 Cubelets and Sphero 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
Cubelets vs Sphero 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.