Tesla Optimus: price, when it goes on sale and what alternatives exist today
What Tesla has confirmed about Optimus as of October 2026, and the humanoids your company can have this year.
Tesla Optimus is not yet for sale: it has no official price, pre-sale or order page. Elon Musk is aiming for a price of US$20,000 to US$30,000 once it is manufactured at large scale. In October 2026 Tesla began early production at its Fremont plant and expects to deliver the first robots to outside companies around late 2027, starting with industrial customers; sales to households would come later and there is no date for Chile or Mexico. Anyone who needs a humanoid today can buy the Unitree G1, from US$13,500 at the factory, with delivery in about 5 to 8 weeks.
How much does Tesla's robot cost?
Tesla has not published a price for Optimus. The only reference is from Elon Musk, who has been repeating for years that the robot should cost between US$20,000 and US$30,000 once produced in high volumes. It is a long-term goal, not a sale price: the first units for companies will probably cost more and will be negotiated case by case.
Delivered in Chile or Mexico, that value would need to be increased by freight, insurance, taxes and customs: in Chile, 19% VAT; in Mexico, IGI, DTA and 16% VAT.
When will Tesla Optimus be available to buy?
| Milestone | Status as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Production | Early production started in Fremont, on a line designed for 1 million robots per year |
| Optimus V3 (Gen 3) | No public presentation; Tesla announced a demo video for the coming weeks |
| First customers | External companies, toward the end of 2027, starting with industry |
| Household sales | After the industrial stage, no date |
| Chile and Mexico | No announced date or sales channel |
Musk has said that the production ramp-up will be slow at first and that reaching 20,000 robots per week will take at least a year. Optimus dates have slipped several times, so they should be treated as targets.
Beware of sites that "sell" Optimus
Tesla has not opened pre-sales for Optimus. Pages, marketplace listings or ads that currently accept reservations or payments for a Tesla Optimus are not affiliated with Tesla. If you see one, don't pay deposits: Tesla would announce an official sale through its own channels.
Alternatives you can acquire today
| Robot | Reference price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Unitree G1 | From US$13,500 at the factory | Events (Pro version), universities (EDU), and reception |
| Unitree R1 | US$5,900 at the factory | Teaching and entry-level display |
| Unitree H2 | Quoted on request | Adult-size humanoid for research |
| AgiBot X2 | Quoted on request | Public service, events, and teaching |
| UBTECH Walker S2 | Quoted on request | Industrial and research pilots |
| 1X NEO | US$20,000 or monthly subscription | Home use; deliveries in the United States only |
Unitree G1 vs. Tesla Optimus
| Unitree G1 | Tesla Optimus | |
|---|---|---|
| Can it be bought? | Yes, in Chile and Mexico | No; first deliveries to companies toward the end of 2027 |
| Price | From US$13,500 at the factory | No official price; target of US$20,000 to 30,000 |
| Height | About 1.30 m | Adult size, about 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Versions | Basic, Pro, EDU, EDU with hands, and EDU with reception | Not announced |
| Delivery lead time | 5 to 8 weeks by air | No date for Latin America |
If your project has a date in 2026 or 2027 (an activation, a lab, a customer service pilot), the G1 is the humanoid you can have running now. If you're looking for adult size, the Unitree H2 is the closest alternative to Optimus available today.
Is it worth waiting for Optimus?
It depends on your project's timeline. If it is a plan for 2028 or later, it makes sense to follow Tesla closely. If you need a humanoid this year, waiting means at least 12 to 18 months without a robot and without the experience your team would gain by using one. Many companies start with a G1 to learn how to work with humanoids and evaluate Optimus when it reaches the region.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Tesla Optimus robot cost?
Tesla has not published a price. Elon Musk is aiming for US$20,000 to US$30,000 once produced at large scale.
Can you buy Tesla Optimus yet?
No. Tesla began early production in October 2026 and expects to deliver the first robots to outside companies toward the end of 2027.
When does Tesla Optimus arrive in Chile or Mexico?
No date or sales channel has been announced for Latin America.
Which humanoid robot can you buy today instead of Optimus?
The Unitree G1, from US$13,500 at the factory, reaches Chile and Mexico in about 5 to 8 weeks. For adult size, the Unitree H2.
Are the sites that sell Optimus trustworthy?
No. Tesla has not opened pre-orders; the Optimus offers circulating today are not linked to Tesla.