Unitree R1 vs Booster K1
Verdict
Two cheap Chinese research platforms on sale. The Booster K1 is smaller and lighter (95 cm, 19.5 kg) with 22 degrees of freedom, aimed at research and education; the Unitree R1 is taller (123 cm, 27 kg) with a similar joint count (26). Facts vs hype: the K1 is the more compact machine, often associated with robot football, while the R1 offers a larger frame and Unitree's backing.
Spec comparison
| Unitree R1 | Booster K1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Unitree R1 | Booster K1 |
| Manufacturer | unitree | booster-robotics |
| Country | CN | CN |
| Status | On sale | On sale |
| Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Height | 123 cm | 95 cm |
| Weight | 27 kg | 19.5 kg |
| DOF | 26 | 22 |
| Payload | — | — |
| Speed | — | 0.4 m/s |
| Price from | 5,900 USD | 5,000 USD |
When to choose which
Unitree R1
Pick the R1 if you want the larger frame and the wider Unitree ecosystem.
Booster K1
Pick the Booster K1 if a small, nimble platform is enough for research, teaching and robot competitions.