1X NEO vs Unitree H2: Which $20-30k Home Humanoid Should You Pre-Order? [2026]

Two humanoid robots. Two very different philosophies. One shared goal: bringing automation into your home. The 1X NEO ($20,000) and Unitree H2 ($29,900) represent the first generation of humanoid robots actually priced for consumer pre-order—and both are shipping in 2026.

If you've been waiting for the "buy now" button on a home humanoid, it's finally here. But which robot deserves your deposit? This comprehensive 1X NEO vs Unitree H2 comparison breaks down everything: price, size, capabilities, design philosophy, and which robot fits your specific needs.

Key Takeaways

• 1X NEO is the safer, more affordable option at $20,000 (or $499/month)—built specifically for home environments with a revolutionary soft-bodied design.
• Unitree H2 is the more versatile, full-size humanoid at $29,900—capable of both home tasks and light commercial applications.
• NEO wins on price, safety, and home optimization. H2 wins on size, versatility, and physical capability.
• Both robots ship in 2026, accept refundable deposits, and promise OTA software updates to expand capabilities over time.

1X NEO vs Unitree H2: Head-to-Head Comparison

1X NEO: The Safety-First Home Robot ($20,000)

1X Technologies (formerly Halodi Robotics) designed the NEO from the ground up for one thing: living safely with humans. Unlike every other humanoid robot on the market, NEO uses a soft-bodied, tendon-driven design inspired by human muscle and ligament structure.

Design Philosophy

Where most humanoids are rigid metal skeletons with exposed joints and hard surfaces, NEO is soft. Its "muscles" are artificial tendons that give it compliant, human-like movement. If you bump into NEO—or if it bumps into you, your furniture, or your kids—it yields like a person would, not like a metal cabinet falling over.

This isn't just marketing. It's the fundamental engineering decision that makes NEO viable for home use. Traditional industrial robots require safety cages. NEO can hand you a cup of coffee without risk of cracking your ribs.

Pricing Options

1X offers two ways to own NEO:

• Purchase: $20,000 one-time payment
• Subscription: $499/month ($5,988/year)

The subscription model is interesting. At $499/month, you'd pay off the $20,000 purchase price in 40 months (3.3 years). If you're uncertain about the technology or expect rapid hardware improvements, subscribing makes sense. If you're committed long-term, buying saves money.

The deposit is only $200 and fully refundable—the lowest commitment of any humanoid robot on the market.

What NEO Can Do (2026 Launch)

NEO ships with "basic autonomy"—1X's term for foundational home navigation and simple task completion. The company has been transparent that capabilities will expand significantly through over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

Expected launch capabilities include:

• Home navigation and mapping
• Basic object manipulation (picking up, carrying, placing)
• Following simple commands
• Safe human interaction

Unitree H2: The Full-Size Workhorse ($29,900)

Unitree—the Chinese robotics company famous for the $13,500 G1 humanoid and ultra-affordable quadruped robots—launched the H2 at CES 2026 with a clear message: this is the cheapest full-size humanoid robot ever sold.

Design Philosophy

At 182cm (6'0") and 70kg (154 lbs), the H2 is built to human adult specifications. It can reach the same shelves you can, use the same tools you use, and operate in environments designed for people without modification.

The trade-off: H2 uses traditional rigid robotics construction. It's stronger and more capable than NEO, but also harder and less forgiving in collisions. This isn't a robot you want falling on your toddler.

Technical Specifications

The H2 packs serious hardware into its frame:

• 31 degrees of freedom: Full-body articulation for complex movements
• 180cm height: Full adult human scale
• 70kg weight: Substantial but mobile
• Industrial-grade actuators: Higher payload and strength than consumer robots

Pricing and Availability

The H2 is priced at $29,900—approximately $10,000 more than NEO, but dramatically cheaper than any comparable full-size humanoid. The Unitree G1 (smaller model) starts at $13,500, making the H2's per-capability value remarkable.

Pre-orders require a $2,500 deposit through ToborLife, the exclusive North American distributor. Use code TOBORBOTINFO200 for $200 off.

Delivery is targeted for April 2026 in North America.

Category-by-Category Comparison

1. Price and Value

Winner: 1X NEO

At $20,000 vs $29,900, NEO costs roughly 33% less than H2. The subscription option ($499/month) drops the entry barrier even further. NEO's $200 refundable deposit vs H2's $2,500 makes testing the waters dramatically easier.

However, value depends on your use case. If you need a full-size humanoid's capabilities, the H2's $29,900 is still historic—full-size humanoids from Figure, Boston Dynamics, and others cost $50,000-$250,000+.

2. Safety and Home Integration

Winner: 1X NEO

NEO's soft-bodied design is purpose-built for homes with children, pets, and fragile furniture. The tendon-driven actuators provide inherent compliance—if something goes wrong, the robot yields rather than pushes through.

H2 is a traditional industrial robot. It's safe by industrial standards (which require extensive risk assessment), but it's not designed with the assumption that a 3-year-old might grab its leg mid-stride.

3. Physical Capabilities

Winner: Unitree H2

The H2's larger frame, 31 DOF, and industrial actuators give it strictly superior physical capabilities. It can reach higher, carry more, and perform more complex movements than NEO's compact form allows.

If you need a robot that can help with garage work, reach top shelves, or handle heavier loads, H2 is the clear choice.

4. Versatility

Winner: Unitree H2

NEO is designed exclusively for home consumers. H2 targets both home and light commercial applications. If you're a small business owner considering a robot for both home and shop, H2 can do double duty.

Unitree also offers an "H2 EDU" variant for educational institutions, signaling broader SDK and developer support.

5. Software Ecosystem

Winner: Tie

Both robots promise OTA updates to expand capabilities over time. Unitree has a longer track record shipping consumer robotics (their Go1/Go2 quadrupeds have active developer communities), while 1X has focused more on commercial deployments with their EVE robot.

Neither company has published detailed SDK documentation for their consumer humanoids yet. This is a "wait and see" category.

6. Delivery Timeline

Winner: Tie (slight edge to H2)

H2 has a specific target: April 2026 for North America. NEO's timeline is "2026 for US orders" without a specific month. Unitree's track record with the G1 launch suggests they can hit aggressive timelines; 1X is newer to consumer delivery.

Which Should You Choose?

Buy the 1X NEO if you:

• Have children or pets: NEO's soft-bodied design makes it the only safe choice for homes with small kids or animals that might collide with or grab the robot.
• Want the lowest financial risk: $200 refundable deposit and $499/month subscription option let you test the technology without major commitment.
• Prioritize aesthetics: NEO's soft, rounded design and color options (Tan, Gray, Dark Brown) look more like furniture than factory equipment.
• Need a dedicated home robot: If your use case is purely domestic—laundry, dishes, tidying—NEO is optimized for exactly this.

Buy the Unitree H2 if you:

• Need full-size reach and strength: At 180cm, H2 can access everything in your home designed for adult humans—no compromises.
• Want commercial versatility: Small business, workshop, or retail applications alongside home use.
• Plan to develop custom applications: Unitree's developer ecosystem and SDK support are more mature.
• Value proven hardware execution: Unitree has shipped tens of thousands of consumer robots; their manufacturing is battle-tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 1X NEO better than Unitree H2?

Neither is objectively "better"—they serve different needs. NEO is safer and more affordable for home-only use. H2 is more capable and versatile for mixed home/commercial applications. If you have children, NEO's soft-bodied design is the responsible choice.

How much does NEO cost vs H2?

NEO costs $20,000 (or $499/month subscription) with a $200 deposit. H2 costs $29,900 with a $2,500 deposit. NEO is 33% cheaper with a 12x lower deposit requirement.

When will these robots ship?

Both target 2026. H2 has a specific April 2026 target for North America. NEO says "2026 for US orders" without specifying a month.

Can I cancel my pre-order?

Yes. NEO's $200 deposit is fully refundable. H2's $2,500 deposit terms vary—check with ToborLife for current cancellation policy.

Which robot is safer around children?

NEO, by a significant margin. Its soft-bodied, tendon-driven design was specifically engineered for safe human coexistence. H2 uses traditional rigid construction that requires more caution around vulnerable family members.

Will these robots improve over time?

Yes. Both companies commit to OTA (over-the-air) software updates that will expand capabilities post-purchase. This is the new standard for humanoid robots—you're buying a platform, not a fixed product.

Final Verdict: 1X NEO vs Unitree H2

For most home buyers, the 1X NEO is the better choice. Its safety-first design, lower price, minimal deposit, and subscription option make it the lower-risk entry point into home humanoid robotics. If you're buying a robot to help around the house and you have family members who might interact with it unpredictably, NEO is the responsible pick.

However, the Unitree H2 wins if you need serious capability. Its full adult-size frame, 31 DOF, and industrial-grade construction mean it can tackle tasks NEO simply cannot. If you're a power user, developer, or small business owner who needs maximum versatility, H2 delivers more robot for the premium.

Both robots represent a historic moment: the first humanoids priced for real consumers, shipping in 2026. The wait is almost over.

Ready to pre-order? See 1X NEO on Robozaps | See Unitree H2 on Robozaps | Compare all humanoid robots

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Last updated: February 20, 2026. Specifications sourced from 1X Technologies and Unitree official announcements. Robozaps is a humanoid robot marketplace — we maintain comprehensive product databases and may earn referral fees from qualifying purchases.