RoboMaster S1 vs Sphero Mini
Side-by-side comparison of RoboMaster S1 (DJI) and Sphero Mini (Sphero) — specs, pricing, Robo Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Cleaning & Facilities buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- RoboMaster S1China
- Sphero MiniUnited States
Year First Available
- RoboMaster S12019
- Sphero Mini2017
Verified Deployments
- RoboMaster S10 Deployments
- Sphero Mini0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- RoboMaster S1Up to $549 USD
- Sphero Mini$50 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- RoboMaster S10.6 hrs
- Sphero Mini1 hrs
Availability Status
- RoboMaster S1ACTIVE
- Sphero MiniACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Payload Capacity
- RoboMaster S11 kg
- Sphero Mini—
Max Speed
- RoboMaster S13.5 m/s
- Sphero Mini1 m/s
Autonomy Level
- RoboMaster S1semi-autonomous
- Sphero Mini—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | China | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2019 | 2017 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | Up to $549 USD | $50 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 0.6 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload Capacity (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 1 kg | — |
| Max Speed (values differ) | 3.5 m/s | 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 | RoboMaster S1 | Sphero Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $549 | $50 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,451 | $249,950 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +45437% | +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 RoboMaster S1 and Sphero Mini?
RoboMaster S1 is made by DJI, based in CN. Sphero Mini is made by Sphero, based in US.
When were RoboMaster S1 and Sphero Mini launched?
RoboMaster S1 launched in 2019. Sphero Mini launched in 2017.
How do RoboMaster S1 and Sphero Mini compare on the Robo Score?
RoboMaster S1 scores 61.6 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 RoboMaster S1 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 RoboMaster S1 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
RoboMaster S1 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.