Root vs RVR+
Side-by-side comparison of Root (iRobot Corporation (Amazon subsidiary)) and RVR+ (Sphero) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- RootUnited States
- RVR+United States
Year First Available
- Root2018
- RVR+2019
Verified Deployments
- Root0 Deployments
- RVR+0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Root$199 USD
- RVR+$339 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Root—
- RVR+2 hrs
Availability Status
- RootACTIVE
- RVR+ACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Reach
- Root—
- RVR+850 mm
Payload Capacity
- Root—
- RVR+5 kg
Max Speed
- Root0.1 m/s
- RVR+2 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Rootsemi-autonomous
- RVR+semi-autonomous
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2018 | 2019 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $199 USD | $339 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | — | 2 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Reach (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | — | 850 mm |
| Payload Capacity (values differ) | — | 5 kg |
| Max Speed (values differ) | 0.1 m/s | 2 m/s |
| Autonomy Level | semi-autonomous | 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 | Root | RVR+ |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $199 | $339 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,801 | $249,661 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +125528% | +73646% |
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 Root and RVR+?
Root is made by iRobot Corporation (Amazon subsidiary), based in US. RVR+ is made by Sphero, based in US.
When were Root and RVR+ launched?
Root launched in 2018. RVR+ launched in 2019.
How much does Root cost compared to RVR+?
Root is listed at $199. RVR+ is listed at $339.
How do Root and RVR+ compare on the Robo Index?
Root grades AA on the Robo Index. RVR+ 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 Root and RVR+ 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 Root and RVR+?
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
Root vs RVR+ 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.