Optimus Gen 3 vs Iron: which robot wins?
Tesla's Optimus Gen 3 against XPeng's Iron — price, capability, availability, and a verdict you can act on.
| Optimus Gen 3 | Iron | |
|---|---|---|
| EST. PRICE | $25,000* | Not yet priced |
| HEIGHT | 5"-8"- / 173 cm | ~5′8″ / 173 cm |
| WEIGHT | ~57 kg | ~70 kg* |
| PAYLOAD | 20 kg | Factory task class* |
| RUNTIME | ~8 hrs | Undisclosed |
| DEXTERITY | 28+ DOF (11 per hand) | ~60+ total DOF; humanlike gait* |
| AVAILABILITY | Waitlist | Coming |
| WHICHBOT SCORE | 8.1 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
| OUR TAKE | The volume play. Tesla is converting car production lines to build it - if any robot hits mass-market pricing first, it's this one. | China’s answer to Optimus — an EV maker converting its car-factory muscle into humanoids, starting on its own production lines. |
* Prices are estimates from public statements and filings. Availability changes weekly.
Detailed comparison: Optimus Gen 3 vs Iron
Optimus Gen 3 scores 8.1/10 in our independent evaluation; Iron scores 7.5/10. That 0.5999999999999996-point gap reflects real differences in capability or value, but Iron may still win if its strengths match your priorities.
Optimus Gen 3 is best for: Buyers who want to bet on the biggest ecosystem and can wait for a consumer launch. Iron is best for: Tracking whether the Tesla playbook works twice — this time from Guangzhou.
Our scoring weighs five factors: autonomous capability, independent verification (third-party evidence scores higher than manufacturer claims), commercial deployment scale, price-to-capability ratio, and real-world availability today. Neither robot here is scored on marketing alone. Optimus Gen 3 and Iron are both worth evaluating — the right call depends on which robot's documented strengths match your actual workflow.
CHOOSE THE OPTIMUS GEN 3 IF…
- Buyers who want to bet on the biggest ecosystem and can wait for a consumer launch.
- Manufacturing scale nobody else can match
- Tesla's AI/data flywheel from its vehicle fleet
CHOOSE THE IRON IF…
- Tracking whether the Tesla playbook works twice — this time from Guangzhou.
- EV-manufacturer scale and supply chain behind it
- Notably humanlike gait and hands in public demos