Every year, many people struggle to decide what to give parents or grandparents who live far away.
More families are now choosing robots that can talk with them or offer comfort through touch. But robot prices range from about 10,000 yen to nearly 600,000 yen, and some charge a monthly fee. A few decisions made in advance help you avoid a gift that does not fit.
This article compares six robots that are often considered as gifts for older family members: LOVOT, NICOBO, Moflin, BOCCO emo, Qoobo and Mia. We do not pick a single winner. Instead, the goal is to help you choose based on the person who will receive it.
Key Points
- Decide three things first: your budget, whether you want the robot to talk or to comfort through touch, and how much monthly cost and setup you can accept
- Prices range from about 10,000 yen to nearly 600,000 yen, and monthly fees from zero to 9,800 yen or more
- For parents who live far away, robots that greet them at set times or deliver family voice messages are a good fit
- If touch and comfort matter most, soft, furry robots are a good fit
- Robots are used more often when the giver helps with setup and placement
- None of these robots guarantees medical or health benefits
Three Things to Decide Before Giving a Robot
1. Set a budget
Robot gifts vary widely in price. Think about the monthly fee and the total over five years, not just the purchase price, so your parents are not left with an ongoing cost.
2. Talking, or comfort through touch?
Robots broadly lean one of two ways:
- Voice-centered: daily greetings, weather and schedule reminders, messages from family
- Touch-centered: reacting when stroked, soft fur, enjoying movement and sounds
Which one fits depends on your parents' personality and daily life. Think about whether they enjoy chatting, spend long quiet hours alone, or used to keep a pet.
3. Monthly fees and setup effort
Whether a robot needs a smartphone app, Wi-Fi or a monthly fee differs by model. If your parents are not comfortable with setup, it is safest to set it up yourself before giving it.
Comparing the Six Robots
Price and monthly fees
Most of these robots are sold mainly in Japan, so prices are Japanese retail prices including tax.
| Product | Price (tax incl.) | Monthly fee | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOVOT | 599,500 yen (3.0), 449,900 yen (2.0) | From 9,800 yen | High |
| NICOBO | 60,500 yen (regular) | 1,100 yen | Mid |
| Moflin | 59,400 yen | Check official site | Mid |
| BOCCO emo | 59,400 yen | Check official site | Mid |
| Petit Qoobo | 14,300 yen | Check official site | Affordable |
| Mia | US$149 in the English store (from 9,800 yen in Japan); Conversation Model US$199 | Standard model: none (Conversation mode US$2/month) | Affordable |
What each robot can do
| Product | Greets you on its own | Two-way conversation | Touch and comfort | Delivers family messages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOVOT | No | No (does not speak words) | Excellent: hugging, movement, warmth | No |
| NICOBO | Limited (occasional mumbling) | No (baby talk and its own language) | Good: knit body, tail | No |
| Moflin | No | No (does not speak words) | Excellent: soft fur, reacts to stroking | No |
| BOCCO emo | Limited (notifications) | No | No | Excellent: reads out family messages |
| Petit Qoobo | No | No (does not speak words) | Good: tail reacts | No |
| Mia | Excellent: at set times, in dialects | Good: Conversation Model only | Limited: mainly voice and expressions | Good: voices recorded in the app |
Quick guide by recipient
| Recipient | Suitable type | Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| A parent far away who would enjoy daily greetings | Greeting and message type | Mia, BOCCO emo |
| A parent living alone who wants someone to talk to | Two-way conversation type | Mia (Conversation Model) |
| A parent who used to have a pet and enjoys touch | Touch and comfort type | Moflin, NICOBO, Qoobo |
| A larger budget, for movement and warmth over the long term | Family-style robot | LOVOT |
| You want them to try a robot at an affordable price first | Affordable range | Mia, Petit Qoobo |
Figures and features are based on our review articles for each model and official information. Prices and campaigns change, so always check the official site before buying.
The Six Robots, One by One
LOVOT: a family robot you can hug and feel warm
Source: GROOVE X official site
LOVOT is warm to hold and moves around the house. It does not speak words, but it shows feelings through its eyes and movement. Prices start at 449,900 yen (2.0) with a monthly fee from 9,800 yen, the highest of the six. It suits people who want to enjoy movement and warmth over the long term.
NICOBO: Panasonic's gently responsive companion
Source: Panasonic official site
NICOBO has a round knit body and a tail. It mumbles in baby talk and its own language, but it is not designed for free conversation. The regular price is 60,500 yen plus a monthly fee of 1,100 yen. It needs a smartphone and Wi-Fi to set up.
Moflin: comfort from soft fur
Source: CASIO official site
Moflin is a small, furry robot. It does not speak words, but it reacts with sounds and movement when you stroke or hold it. The price is 59,400 yen. It suits people who value how it feels to touch.
BOCCO emo: delivering messages from family far away
Source: Yukai Engineering official site
BOCCO emo reads out messages that family members send from their smartphones. It suits families who want to stay in touch more often. The price is 59,400 yen.
Qoobo / Petit Qoobo: a cushion with a wagging tail
Source: Yukai Engineering official site
Qoobo is a cushion-like robot that wags its tail when you stroke it. It does not speak words. The smaller Petit Qoobo costs 14,300 yen, an easy price for a gift.
Mia: a palm-sized cat robot that greets you in dialects
Mia is a palm-sized cat-shaped robot. It speaks 47 Japanese regional dialects and has 15 English-speaking characters. It greets you at set times, and tells you the weather and your schedule. It can connect to Google Calendar, and its basic features work without Wi-Fi. The standard model is US$149 in the English store with no monthly fee. The Conversation Model (US$199) supports two-way conversation, and conversation mode costs US$2 a month.
Choosing by How the Recipient Lives
Parents far away who would enjoy daily greetings
If daily greetings and family voices matter most, a voice-centered robot is a good fit. BOCCO emo reads out messages sent by family members. Mia greets your parents at set times and can also play family voices recorded in the app.
A parent living alone who wants someone to talk to
If they want replies when they speak, choose a robot that supports two-way conversation. With Mia, the Conversation Model supports it. Conversation mode has a monthly fee, so check that the cost is easy to keep up.
When touch and comfort matter most
For people who used to keep a pet or enjoy touch, soft robots like Moflin and NICOBO, or Qoobo with its wagging tail, may be a better match. LOVOT costs more, but suits those who want to enjoy movement and warmth for a long time.
No pet allowed, but no extra care either
Robots that need a lot of care can become a burden. Check how often each model needs charging and maintenance.
How to Think About Winter Discounts
Panasonic runs a winter discount on NICOBO. In 2025, from November 28 to December 25, the price was 11,000 yen off at 49,500 yen (tax included). The regular price is 60,500 yen (tax included), with a separate monthly fee of 1,100 yen.
Source: Panasonic "NICOBO winter campaign" (Japanese)
Whether a similar campaign will run in winter 2026 has not been announced. Check the official site for timing and conditions, and compare calmly.
When Mia Fits, and When It Does Not
| Mia fits when | Mia may not fit when |
|---|---|
| You want your parents to try a robot on a modest budget | Soft, huggable touch is the top priority |
| You want more daily greetings in a friendly voice | You expect free conversation from the standard model (two-way conversation needs the Conversation Model) |
| You want a way to deliver family voices | You want a robot that moves around the room |
| You do not want to add care tasks or monthly costs |
Five Things to Check Before Giving a Robot
- Will they be happy to receive it? Rather than a surprise, mention it beforehand so they know what to expect
- Placement: think about a shelf or table where they will see it every day
- Power and charging: for Mia, the rechargeable type and the power adapter are options you choose at purchase
- Setup: if a model needs an app or network setup, set it up yourself before giving it
- Delivery time: shipping can take a while. International shipping from the English store is a flat US$15 per order, shown at checkout. If you want it to arrive by Christmas, order early
Details on sales terms are on our Act on Specified Commercial Transactions page.
A Note on Health
Some people talk about robots helping with loneliness or daily rhythm, but none of these robots is guaranteed to prevent or treat any illness. If you are concerned about physical or mental health, please consult a medical professional.
Summary
Choosing a Christmas robot is less about price and more about whether it fits your parents' daily life. Do you want it to talk, or to comfort through touch? Can they keep up with the monthly cost and setup? Deciding these three points first makes the choice much easier.
If you are unsure, one approach is to start with an affordable robot and see how it goes.
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