Professor Einstein vs Sphero Mini
Side-by-side comparison of Professor Einstein (Hanson Robotics) and Sphero Mini (Sphero) — specs, pricing, Robo Score, 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
- Professor EinsteinHong Kong
- Sphero MiniUnited States
Year First Available
- Professor Einstein2017
- Sphero Mini2017
Verified Deployments
- Professor Einstein0 Deployments
- Sphero Mini0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Professor Einstein$249 USD
- Sphero Mini$50 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Professor Einstein3.5 hrs
- Sphero Mini1 hrs
Availability Status
- Professor EinsteinACTIVE
- Sphero MiniACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Payload Capacity
- Professor Einstein0.1 kg
- Sphero Mini—
Reach
- Professor Einstein1,400 mm
- Sphero Mini—
Max Speed
- Professor Einstein—
- Sphero Mini1 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Professor Einsteinsemi-autonomous
- Sphero Mini—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Hong Kong | United States |
| Year First Available | 2017 | 2017 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $249 USD | $50 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | 3.5 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload Capacity (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | 0.1 kg | — |
| Reach (values differ) | 1,400 mm | — |
| Max Speed (values differ) | — | 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: 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 | Professor Einstein | Sphero Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $249 | $50 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,751 | $249,950 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +100302% | +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 Professor Einstein and Sphero Mini?
Professor Einstein is made by Hanson Robotics, based in HK. Sphero Mini is made by Sphero, based in US.
When were Professor Einstein and Sphero Mini launched?
Professor Einstein launched in 2017. Sphero Mini launched in 2017.
How much does Professor Einstein cost compared to Sphero Mini?
Professor Einstein is listed at $249. Sphero Mini is listed at $50.
How do Professor Einstein and Sphero Mini compare on the Robo Score?
Professor Einstein scores 60.6 on the Robo Score. Sphero Mini scores 58.5. The Robo Score is a 0–100 credibility figure blending commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Professor Einstein 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 Professor Einstein 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
Professor Einstein 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 Score is calculated.