Unitree robots
Hacker ApprovedThe most recommended of 3 humanoid robots
People recommend it for capable hardware, low prices and an open SDK. Critics say demos are prerecorded and raise security and safety concerns.
People recommend it for capable hardware, low prices and an open SDK. Critics say demos are prerecorded and raise security and safety concerns.
14 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 11
- criticize it
- 3
- approval share
- 79%
Recommended in 7 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: recommended
- February 2026: recommended
- March 2026: recommended
- April 2026: recommended
- May 2026: recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it carries the badge
- 11 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
- 3.7 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 7 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Hardware rivals Boston Dynamics
“Unitree and Boston Dynamics are pretty much there in terms of solving the hardware problem”
Comment from 29 Jan 2026 in “Tesla ending Models S and X production” “Makes Boston Dynamics look obsolete.”
Comment from 29 Jul 2026 in “Trump administration to ban new Chinese humanoid robots” Impressive and improving capabilities
“Cheaper Unitree robots that starts at 4,900 USD are impressive in comparison.”
Comment from 1 Jul 2026 in “Weave Robotics launches Isaac 1, a $7,999 home robot with fall 2026 deliveries” “Unitree is not a joke. They're pulling off some crazy stuff.”
Comment from 25 Sep 2026 in “The AI Build-Out Is Becoming the Biggest Economic Bet in U.S. History” “They are beginning to get very good.”
Comment from 1 Apr 2026 in “Inside the 'self-driving' lab revolution”
Other humanoid robots people recommend
The two most recommended other humanoid robots, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitree robotsThis page | 11 | 3 | 79% | 7 | — | Approved |
| Nori Robotics humanoid robot | 10 | 5 | 67% | 1 | — | — |
| Figure 03 humanoid robot | 9 | 7 | 56% | 4 | — | — |
What people said
14 of the 15 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“Unitree is not a joke. They're pulling off some crazy stuff.”
“Makes Boston Dynamics look obsolete.”
“Cheaper Unitree robots that starts at 4,900 USD are impressive in comparison.”
“Unitree has already won. Selling hardware, keeping software and SDK open.”
“I've bought at least three Unitree products and they are great”
“What about unitree? What about their demo at the Spring Festival Gala?”
“Their progress is almost nought.”
“They are beginning to get very good.”
“The Unitree demos are prerecorded movements with no real adaptability.”
“actively go out of their way to help the PLA”
“unitree is motor driven from day one”
“without a physical safety barrier between the robots and the humans”
“finding significant security issues with the Chinese-made Unitree robots”
“Unitree and Boston Dynamics are pretty much there in terms of solving the hardware problem”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.