Summary
On the children’s toy market, interactive products are at the top of the podium, and for good reason: good for early learning but above all much more fun than static toys that end up tiring the child’s imagination, these intelligent toys are unanimously acclaimed by 5-12 year olds!
Today, Max2kdo offers you to zoom in on the star toy in this category: the robot dog, the real star of domestic robots, widely appreciated by children as a Christmas or birthday present. They come in all levels of the range, of all sizes, with a more or less complete pedigree in terms of functionalities, suitable for both indoor and outdoor games. Follow our comparison guide to choose the best robotic playmate for your child!
🏆 Promotions and best sales of the moment:
A robot dog for my child
Are you looking for an automaton companion for your child? If our beloved toddlers are becoming more and more crazy about robot dogs, it’s not without reason: what could be more fun than a toy with a cute little face that talks and moves? If imitation games are still in use, the immobile cuddly toys of our childhood have had their day and today, a good playmate is defined by his options!
The endearing robot dog stimulates the child’s need for interaction and imagination and gives him the impression of having a real companion to play with: the toy is no longer just passive but an active element in the sphere of fun for the little ones who become all the more attached to it.
What’s in it for the parents? If the four-legged robot adopts the postures and reactions that our real four-legged pets do, it doesn’t require cleaning, doesn’t need to be taken out several times a day or be looked after by the neighbours when you go on holiday, and there’s no food budget to worry about: your child wants a pet? Make him happy without committing to 15 years or changing your daily life! But which robot toy to choose?
Best robot dogs: our Top 3
Choosing the right robot dog
It’s not easy to find your way through all the offers on the Internet! Of course, there are robot dogs at all price points, so how do you know if the one you buy is the best value for money?
First of all, not all robot dogs offer the same level of performance: while some, perfect for a first robot, will stop at 3 options (barking, wagging the tail and walking for example), others are designed to be “trained”, with an integrated learning and customization program, to go much further in the interaction with the child and get closer to the one he would have with a real dog. These robotic doggies then benefit from more advanced artificial intelligence technology. In general, the degree of sophistication of the functionality of the robot dog toy depends on the target age group.
Also, it is important to choose the interactive toy according to your child’s age: a toddler may not need the most complete product on the market in terms of options. Conversely, a 10-year-old child will get bored faster if the robot dog is too limited in dynamism and interaction: it’s all a question of adaptation. Although the manufacturer often indicates the age range for which the product is intended on the packaging, this is sometimes too broad. However, from 5 to 12 years old, children’s tastes and desires change rapidly. So don’t hesitate to read the detailed description of the options to choose the robot dog that best suits your son or daughter’s expectations. In addition, consider the lifespan of the robot dog: the cheapest ones are obviously the least durable, and have a longer learning time (since their technology is less advanced) which can be frustrating for the older ones.
Then, it’s all about finding common ground with your child to find the robot dog that will come closest to his or her wishes while staying within the budget you’ve set.
Comparison of the best robot dogs on the market in 2019
Electronic dog Harry
SilverLit – Interactive dog robot
SilverLit – Duke the interactive puppy
Zoom in – Dalmatian 2.0 interactive
Splash Toys – Teskta Puppy 360 New version
Splash Toys – Teksta Puppy 5G Voice Recognition
The Max2kdo report: the opinion of our team of testers
Harry: Toddlers’ best friend
With his endearing face, his design more cartoon than connected and its ultra simple operation, Harry is undoubtedly the robot dog best suited to the youngest. Intended for an audience of 12 to 18 months, it plays, runs and changes direction when it detects an obstacle. Moreover, it can speak both French and English: it is an ideal toy to familiarize your child with the basics and sounds of this language. In addition, it is equipped with tactile sensors to react, sing and dance when touched at different points on the head and back. There is a feminine version of Harry called Helen, with a decidedly girly design that will delight little girls!
| The plusses | The – |
|
|
Our opinion: the rated criteria
| Level of functionality | 2.5 / 5 stars |
| Behaviour | 3.5 / 5 stars |
| Design | 4 / 5 stars |
| Awards | 5 / 5 stars |
| Security | 5 / 5 stars |
| Additional services (Pack, app, accessories…) | 3.5 / 5 stars |
Discover in pictures
Splash Toys Teksta Puppy 5G: the most reliable
With its advanced artificial intelligence program, this Teksta robot dog is perfectly suited for children a little older: capable of being affectionate, crying, showing off, barking, squeaking… And the list goes on and on! Designed to be strong and resistant, it is not afraid of the accidental shocks that children can cause, which is an undeniable asset and justifies its price among the highest on the market.
Its evolving LED eyes change shape and colour to indicate mood. There’s no need to deny it: its manufacturer has pulled off a tour de force by making it so adorable with such a technological design. We want to take him everywhere!
Moreover, it is possible to control it remotely via an application available on Android and iOS: very practical for parents!
On the other hand, don’t expect to take a nap when he’s in the same room as you. Also, don’t forget to turn it off at night, as it snores in its sleep, which can be as much fun during the day as it is annoying at night.
See on Amazon
| The plusses | The – |
|
|
Our opinion: the rated criteria
| Level of functionality | 4 / 5 stars |
| Behaviour | 4 / 5 stars |
| Design | 4 / 5 stars |
| Awards | 1 / 5 stars |
| Security | 5 / 5 stars |
| Additional services (Pack, app, accessories…) | 4.5 / 5 stars |
Discover in pictures
Splash Toys – Teksta Puppy 360 New Version: Most connected
More compact than the Puppy 5G, the Teksta Puppy 360 is easy to transport. Also more evolved, this robot dog is able to have new reactions, to make a 360° turn while jumping or to moan when it needs attention for example: the consideration of the context and the environment is stronger in him, which makes his behaviour closer to that of a real doggie. In addition, there is an augmented reality application that goes with this interactive toy: it is possible to take care of the robot dog virtually via this app.
| The plusses | The – |
|
|
Our opinion: the rated criteria
| Level of functionality | 4.5 / 5 stars |
| Behaviour | 4 / 5 stars |
| Design | 3.5 / 5 stars |
| Awards | 3 / 5 stars |
| Security | 4.5 / 5 stars |
| Additional services (Pack, app, accessories…) | 4 / 5 stars |
Discover in pictures
Zoom in on Dalmatian 2.0: the most realistic
This robot dog is simply bluffing! It is undoubtedly the one whose behaviour is closest to that of a real dog, especially when the independent mode is activated: it does not need interaction to function and acts like a real dog left to itself. He wags his tail, rolls on the floor, barks, plays and likes to have his belly scratched.
Very playful and cute, this robot dog is one of the most sophisticated on the market: it is even capable of being affectionate or on the contrary of sulking when it lacks attention and momentarily forget all the rules of education you have given it! His eyes change according to his mood, displaying hearts, question marks… His little extra: the secret voice and manual commands to discover for even more reactions and tricks to discover.
See on Amazon
| The plusses | The – |
|
|
Our opinion: the rated criteria
| Level of functionality | 5 / 5 stars |
| Behaviour | 5 / 5 stars |
| Design | 4.5 / 5 stars |
| Awards | 2 / 5 stars |
| Security | 4 / 5 stars |
| Additional services (Pack, app, accessories…) | 4 / 5 stars |
Discover in pictures
Silverlit – Duke the interactive little dog: ideal for 5-8 years old
Duke, an adorable little interactive singing and dancing puppy, is aimed at an audience a little older than Harry, partly because he has small parts like his smart bone that can be swallowed by children under 36 months. The manufacturer therefore indicates: 5 to 10 years. Although this robot dog, equipped with enough artificial intelligence to be personalised and able to record up to 11 commands, will be perfectly suitable for a child aged 5 to 8 years, it is highly likely that from the age of 9-10 years, the child’s interest in this toy will not last long and that he will get tired of it after just a few weeks.
| The plusses | The – |
|
|
Our opinion: the rated criteria
| Level of functionality | 2.5 / 5 stars |
| Behaviour | 3.5 / 5 stars |
| Design | 4 / 5 stars |
| Awards | 4 / 5 stars |
| Security | 4.5 / 5 stars |
| Additional services (Pack, app, accessories…) | 3 / 5 stars |
Discover in pictures
Silverlit – Blue Pupbo: the futuristic version of Duke
The Blue Pupbo is the fully robotic version of Duke in terms of design. It all depends on your child’s tastes, as this robot dog has about the same functionality as its French bulldog-looking counterpart.
| The plusses | The – |
|
|
Our opinion: the rated criteria
| Level of functionality | 2.5 / 5 stars |
| Behaviour | 3.5 / 5 stars |
| Design | 2.5 / 5 stars |
| Awards | 5 / 5 stars |
| Security | 4.5 / 5 stars |
| Additional services (Pack, app, accessories…) | 3 / 5 stars |
Discover in pictures
Our selection of robot dogs: technical characteristics
We offer what you want, Harry
- Mini robot toy dog
- Dedicated to toddlers (12-18 months) toddlers (first age)
- 3AA batteries included
- Obstacle detection with automatic change of direction
Splash Toys Testka Puppy 5G
- 4 LR06 batteries not included and 3 LR44 batteries included
- Voice recognition
- Advanced Artificial Intelligence Program
- Interactive battery-powered bone
- Small play ball supplied with the robot dog
- Works without or with Android / iOS application for control
- Languages: French, German and Dutch
Splash Toys – Teksta Puppy 360 New Version
- Intelligent dog
- 4 LR03 batteries not included
- To be avoided under 3 years
- Languages: French, German and Dutch
- Connected robot
- Free augmented reality application included
- Voice recognition
- Programmable: state-of-the-art artificial intelligence
- Enhanced agility
Zoom Dalmatian 2.0
- USB Charging
- Understands English and French
- Independent mode available
- Voice recognition
- Object detection and trajectory adaptation
Silverlit – Duke the interactive little dog
- Tactile sensor
- Voice recognition (give an order, up to 11 different interactions to be programmed)
- Smart Bone: allows to customize the name of the robot dog
- Barking, songs
- Possibility to change its name
- 4 AA batteries not included
Silverlit – Pupbo blue
- Voice recognition (up to 12 commands to be recorded)
- 10 different actions
- Tactile sensor
- 4 AA batteries not included
- Smart Bone
- Possibility to change its name
To go further
If the robot dog remains for the moment the undisputed star of intelligent toys, manufacturers have started to diversify their range: today there are many robot cats if your child is more fond of felines than canines, robot dinosaurs, and even a Teksta toucan, developed by Slash Toy!
Did our comparison of the best robot dogs in 2019 help you? It’s up to you!
Best robot dog: why trust us?
Thank you for reading our comparison guide! Because we know that it is not always easy to make the best choice without trying, each of our recommendations is the result of a long analysis of consumer opinions on flagship and little-known products on the market, of price and technical characteristics comparisons, but also and above all of tests by a team of men and women constantly renewed in order to maintain real objectivity.
All the purchasing criteria are scrutinized for the realization of our comparative guides: budget, level of range, functional and practical aspects, design, pack and accessories, safety… All this in order to help you choose the products best suited to your needs, desires and constraints on a daily basis, at the best price!
