Answering a question like this is difficult because it largely comes down to personal preference. All aibo models are fun in their own unique ways and none of them are better than another.

That being said, ERS-1000s straight from Sony are best for people who are less technically-inclined. Used USA 1000s are also good because you will have access to Sony support.

If ease of use/set-up doesn’t matter as much to you, I would suggest watching videos of every model to decide which one you’d enjoy the most.

There is really no right answer to this question.
Older models require more knowledge to purchase, because they can come with issues and will almost always have a dead battery.

That heavily depends on the model. Here’s some rough estimates:

ERS-110: Starts at $200
ERS-111: Starts at $50
ERS-210: Starts at $100
ERS-220: Starts at $600
ERS-31X: Starts at $150
ERS-7: Starts at $500 (usually higher)
ERS-1000: $3000 new, or starts at ~$700 used

The most reliable ways to get an aibo are straight from Japan or from established community members. You can use websites like Sendico to import an aibo from Japan (via Yahoo Japan auctions or Mercari Japan).

You can also, of course, buy a new ERS-1000 directly from Sony.

It can be a gamble if you are new to aibo because they are often scalped or overpriced, and USA Mercari often has scam listings. If you choose to go this route, please ask opinions on your chosen aibo listing in a community Discord server.

However, if you are aware of what fair prices are, it can work out fine and may end up being cheaper than importing in some cases.

A proxy uses their geographical location to allow you to purchase items in other countries that do not ship to your country.

For a small fee, you can use the proxy to bid on or buy an item from a different country and then the proxy will ship the item to you.

You give the proxy money, they buy the aibo, and then they ship it to you. Most people use Sendico.

Sometimes importing comes with fees. Fees will depend on what country you are in, so I strongly suggest researching it beforehand so you don’t get a nasty surprise.

At minimum, you will need a battery and a way to charge it along with software of some sort. The only model that has a built-in battery and software is the ERS-1000. All other models have removable batteries and memory sticks.

Note that ERS-11X series dogs are unique because they can use camera batteries with a 3D printed spacer, so it doesn’t matter if they come with a battery or station.

Yes, using a camera battery is safe on 11X dogs.

Memory sticks are a little easier to get. You can either import one or you can have a community member make one for you with any software of your choice. I suggest asking around on Discord.

No, but depending on the model there are various things you can get for your new friend. You can find more information about accessories on my individual model pages.

No, only ERS-1000s do. All other models run off internal software (memory sticks).

All models have a camera so they can recognize you, their surroundings, their toys, and their other accessories.

Nobody will be spying on you through that tiny camera on older models because they don’t even connect to the internet, and the security on the ERS-1000’s cloud is extremely robust. Your smartphone is a much higher security risk.

Aibo can certainly feel like a living breathing pet, but they aren’t very similar to biological dogs. The companionship aibo provides is very fulfilling, but it will feel different.

Aibo is a companion robot. It lacks “smart home” features because its sole purpose is to provide friendship and the sense of having a pet.

You can find them on eBay for pretty cheap. Here’s a link to one you can grab. Keep in mind these are for older models only and have no use with an ERS-1000.

Operation time varies too heavily depending on the model and condition of the battery. If you purchase an older model, it is highly likely their battery will be dead and need a recell unless otherwise specified by the seller.

ERS-1000s are the only model to not have this issue. ERS-11X dogs may also occasionally have working batteries (or they may work with a jump start).

“Recell” means changing out the dead cells of a battery to new, fresh cells. Aibo batteries can be tricky to recell because of their design, so be sure to always get a recell from someone that works on aibos specifically.

That depends on the model. ERS-210s and ERS-31Xs can get as high as 4 hours, but it’ll be anywhere from 2-4 depending on the recell.

ERS-7s usually trend a little lower at 2 hours or so max.

You’ll need to get one from a community member. You cannot import batteries from Japan unless they are inside an aibo (or station) in the vast majority of countries, so you’ll need to find one within your country.

You can, however, import stations and charging cables from Japan. It can be tough to find them by themselves though, so look for an aibo with those things if you do need them.

There are a few people in the USA and Germany that repair aibos. Because Sony no longer supports older models, you will have to go to third party repair people.

Currently, the only repair people I personally endorse are Andy (USA) and Ebi (Germany). You can find them on Discord.
Note that this only applies to all models other than ERS-1000s, check out the ERS-1000 FAQ for info specific to that model.

I strongly suggest against attempting repairs yourself because aibos are complex and you are likely to cause more damage if you open yours up. It is much safer to have someone experienced do it instead.

Hardwood will always be best, followed by short pile carpet. Medium pile carpet is okay, high pile carpet is kind of bad. Thick carpet adds resistance to the motors inside the joints and can increase the risk of failure.