Sphero 1-Year vs 3-Year Replacement Plans: Which Saves More?

Quick answer

For most classrooms, the 1-year replacement plan under $40 is the more cost-effective choice if your robots are likely to be lost or damaged within the first year. Choose the 3-year repair plan under $5,000 if you want long-term coverage for higher-value robots and are willing to pay a higher upfront cost.

Which plan saves more?

• 1-Year Replacement Plan (under $40): Best for accessories and prepaid items that are likely to be lost or broken within the first year. At $4.82, it's a minimal expense that can save you from frequent small replacements. If you have many low-cost accessories, this plan can be a budget-friendly safety net.
• 3-Year Repair Plan (under $5,000): Best for high-value robots that you expect to use for multiple years. The $267.66 cost is justified if a single repair would cost more than the plan price. Consider the replacement cost of your robot; if it's over $300, this plan may pay for itself with one repair.
• Cost-per-year comparison: The 1-year plan costs $4.82 per year, while the 3-year plan costs about $89.22 per year. The 3-year plan is 18.5 times more expensive annually. Only choose the 3-year plan if your robot's value and risk of damage justify the higher annual cost.

Plan details at a glance

• 1 Year Product Replacement under $40.00 (ACC + PREPAID): This plan provides a 1-year product replacement for eligible Sphero accessories and prepaid items priced under $40.00. It's a low-cost way to replace a lost or damaged accessory without a big budget hit.

  

• 3 Year Product Repair under $5,000.00 (ACC + PREPAID): This service plan provides repair coverage for your Sphero product for three years, with coverage limits under $5,000.00 and includes Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH). It offers long-term protection for higher-value robots, covering accidental damage that can happen in a busy classroom.

  

Who should choose which plan?

Best for

• Classrooms with mostly low-cost accessories and prepaid items that need affordable replacement coverage for a single year.
• Schools with high-value robots like Sphero BOLT or RVR that are used heavily and need long-term protection against accidental damage.

Not for

• Classrooms that only need coverage for a single year and have no high-value robots; the 3-year plan would be overkill.
• Schools on a tight budget that cannot afford the upfront $267.66 cost of the 3-year plan.