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Amazon Astro Review: The Home Monitoring Robot, Tested on Specs (2026)
Quick Verdict
The Amazon Astro ($1,599) is Amazon's household robot for home monitoring: it maps your floor plan with Visual SLAM, patrols it autonomously on a schedule, recognises household members, and streams live video from a 5MP camera on a 10-inch display you can drive from your phone. Alexa comes built in, and the 2-hour battery covers several patrol runs between dock visits. It is the most complete mobile home-security-and-check-in robot available — not a cleaner, and not a toy — but you can only buy it by invitation, in the US (see price & availability).
Performance Metrics
Complete Technical Specifications
| Name | Amazon Astro |
|---|---|
| Brand | Amazon |
| Category | companion |
| Price | $1,599.99 (last listed price) |
| Year | 2021 (launched by invitation) |
| Primary Function | Home monitoring + companion |
| Screen Size Inches | 10 |
| Camera Megapixels | 5 |
| Microphone Array | Beamforming |
| Speaker Type | Stereo |
| Navigation | Visual SLAM + sensors |
| Autonomous Patrol | Yes |
| Person Recognition | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa |
| Video Call | Yes |
| Height Cm | 42 |
| Weight Kg | 9.5 |
| Battery Hours | 2 |
| Warranty Years | 1 |
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- Autonomous patrol mode enables scheduled home monitoring
- Person recognition distinguishes family members from visitors
Limitations
- 1-year warranty shorter than premium competitors
- Invite-only and US-only: you have to request an invitation from Amazon
- Patrols and event investigation need a paid Ring plan after the 30-day trial
- No Alexa+ support yet
Best For
Amazon Astro for Home Monitoring & Security
Home monitoring is what Astro is actually for, and three specifications do the work. Autonomous patrol sends it around a saved map on a schedule rather than waiting for you to drive it. Person recognition lets it tell family members from unknown visitors, so alerts mean something. And its 42 cm height puts the 5MP camera roughly at coffee-table level — far more useful than a floor-level robot camera when you want to check a worktop, a window latch or a pet on the sofa.
Add live video check-in and two-way audio through the Alexa app and you get something no fixed camera can do: a viewpoint that moves to wherever the question is. Sending Astro to look at the back door beats installing a fifth camera.
What Astro Cannot Do
- It cannot climb stairs. One robot covers one floor; a second storey still needs its own coverage.
- It sees nothing while docked. With a 2-hour battery, patrol is scheduled sweeps, not continuous surveillance.
- It is not an alarm system. Astro supplements door and window sensors rather than replacing them.
- It is a camera and microphone that roams your home. Check how recordings are stored and who in the household can drive it before you deploy one.
If home monitoring is the reason you're here, compare Astro against the other patrol robots in our best home monitoring robots guide — the $899 Enabot EBO X doubles the battery for half the money, and temi puts a 13MP camera at standing height.
Compare With Similar Models
The Amazon Astro competes directly with these models in the companion robots category:
- Enabot EBO X - $899
- Anki Vector 2.0 - $299
- temi Personal Robot - $2999
Related Robots
These comparable models are commonly evaluated alongside this one:
Frequently Asked Questions
What can the Amazon Astro do?
The Amazon Astro is designed for home monitoring + companion. It can autonomously patrol your home on scheduled routes for security monitoring. The 5MP camera and 10-inch display enable video calling and remote check-ins. Person recognition distinguishes family members from unknown visitors.
How does the Amazon Astro navigate?
The Amazon Astro uses Visual SLAM + sensors to move autonomously around your home. Camera-based navigation creates visual maps and can recognize specific rooms and locations.
What is the battery life of the Amazon Astro?
The battery provides 2 hours of continuous operation. This is sufficient for typical daily use, though you may need to recharge during extended sessions. It automatically returns to its charging dock when battery runs low.
Can I use the Amazon Astro for home security?
Yes, the Amazon Astro includes autonomous patrol mode. You can schedule regular patrols or manually send it to check specific areas of your home. Person recognition can alert you to unfamiliar faces. The 5MP camera streams live video to your phone.
What voice assistants work with the Amazon Astro?
The Amazon Astro is compatible with Alexa. You can use voice commands to control movement, start video calls, set reminders, or ask questions. It integrates with Alexa smart home routines. Amazon's newer Alexa+ assistant does not yet run on Astro.
Can you still buy the Amazon Astro?
Yes, but only by invitation in the US. Astro is sold through Amazon's Day 1 Editions program: you click "Request an invitation" on the Amazon product page and Amazon emails you if you are selected. It is not on open sale, and we found no sign of it being sold outside the US. Astro for Business, the separate office version, was discontinued in 2024.
Does the Amazon Astro need a subscription?
Not for basic use: driving it, live view, video calls and Alexa work without one. Autonomous patrols, investigating detected events and saving clips to the cloud need a paid Ring plan. Astro ships with a 30-day Ring Home trial, and Amazon's listing names Ring Home Premium as the plan to subscribe to afterwards.
Price & Availability: How to Buy Amazon Astro
Amazon Astro is still invite-only. It is sold through Amazon's Day 1 Editions program in the US: open the Astro product page, click Request an invitation, and Amazon emails you if you are selected. You cannot add it to a cart without an invitation, and we found no sign of sales outside the US. Astro listings from other sellers are typically resale units.
Price: Astro launched in 2021 at an introductory $999.99, with a planned regular price of $1,449.99. Its last widely reported list price is $1,599.99. Amazon does not show a price until you are invited, so check the listing for the current figure.
Running costs: basic use is free, but autonomous patrols, event investigation (for example glass-break or smoke-alarm sounds) and cloud video need a paid Ring plan once the included 30-day Ring Home trial ends. Amazon's listing names Ring Home Premium as that plan. Ring renamed its plans in January 2026, so confirm the current name and price with Ring before you buy.
Is it being discontinued? Amazon discontinued Astro for Business in 2024 to focus on the home model. The home Astro is still listed and still gets software updates, but it has not had a new generation, and it does not yet support Alexa+.
Data Accuracy: All specifications verified from manufacturer datasheets and official Amazon product documentation as of 2024, with price and availability re-checked on 2026-10-01. Firmware updates may change capabilities over time.