This is the craziest pet camera I’ve ever tested (spoiler: it’s an AI robot)

Why we love the Enabot ROLA PetPal

The Enabot ROLA PetPal is one of the best pet cameras we've ever tested (and the first one that doubles up as a toy!) Here's everything I love about it:

1. The remote-control steering

Perhaps the biggest selling point of this robot is the remote steering, which you can control through an app on your phone. It features a 360-degree joystick, a speed adjuster, and the ability to program it to move in specific patterns, like a figure eight or a circle.

2. The camera

Obviously, the 2.5K resolution isn't as impressive as the iPhone cameras we're all used to, but it's very good for a pet camera and a lot better than the average one, which has a resolution of 1080p. It picks up all the details you need, and after months of testing, I haven't experienced any delays or issues.

The camera is positioned at the same level as your pet, allowing you to observe their reactions. It’s so much fun to see what they get up to, and the 135-degree lens provides a great view of the surroundings.

You can replay footage and save it to your device, but keep in mind that saving to the app's Cloud storage requires a subscription plan, starting at $6 per month. That said, you can definitely get by without it.

3. The two-way audio

The two-way audio is another fun feature that lets you talk to your pet from another room or play pre-recorded sounds. It's also handy for those lazy moments when you need something from the other room!

4. The AI features

One of the coolest features of this device is its ability to recognize your pet and dispense treats specifically for them (you can buy the attachment on Amazon).

It can record videos of your pet throughout the day and edit them into a 'day in their life-style movie, which is then sent to your phone (with a subscription). There's also a smart reminder page, where you can set alerts for everything from deworming your pet to waking up in the morning (see second photo in gallery).

Additionally, the PetPal slows down when it detects an object in its path and alerts you to any unusual activity in your home that could pose a security concern.

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5. The treat dispenser

I initially thought the treat dispenser would be tricky to set up, but to my surprise, it was incredibly easy and up and running within minutes. This feature is especially handy if you’re out of the house and want to give your pet a snack, though it’s a shame the attachment costs an additional $49.

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Enabot ROLA PetPal: Specs

Enabot ROLA PetPal: User experience

Enabot ROLA PetPal Set-up

Setting up the Enabot ROLA PetPal was pretty easy – even for someone like me who hates reading instructions! I got it working in about 10 minutes and found lots of helpful videos online to guide me through.

At times, it takes a little while for the device to connect to the app, and I need to manually switch the robot on and off again, but this could be a Wi-Fi issue on my end. However, this would defeat the object if you're on vacation and can't physically do anything.

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Enabot ROLA PetPal: Value for money

While $229 is a lot of money, this is not your standard security camera, and there are very few products like it on the market. Its competitor, the Rocki Robot, costs $20 less but doesn’t offer as good a camera. Enabot also has a more affordable mini robot for $149, but for the sake of $80, I think it’s worth paying a bit more to get all the cool features.

Yes, you can grab a 2K resolution security camera for under $100 (like this one we also tested from Amazon), but it doesn't have the remote control element.

My only hunch with the PetPal is that you have to pay extra for the treat dispenser and toy attachments, which I think should be included in this price.

Enabot ROLA PetPal: Design

The design is sturdy and I have every confidence that it wouldn't topple over if a pet wanted to play with it, but it's easy enough for a human to pick up and move around if needed. Steering takes a bit of getting used to, but this is probably due to my poor coordination more than anything else.

The app interface is user-friendly, and you can rotate your screen to landscape mode for a larger view of your pet. I think most people would find it easy to get the hang of, and there aren't too many buttons to get confused about.

This is more of a personal preference, but I don't love the charging dock and would much rather a plug-in lead. However, the auto self-charge feature is pretty convenient and saves you from having to remember to plug it in.

Enabot ROLA PetPal: Verdict

The Enabot ROLA PetPal is a great way to get up close and personal with your pets and check in on what they’re doing remotely throughout the day. I’ve had a lot of fun trying out this robot, and seeing my cat’s reaction on the camera has been hilarious and priceless – especially when I used the two-way talk feature!

I think the treat dispenser attachment is incredibly useful, but it’s a shame you have to pay extra for it when the device is already quite expensive. I also think the subscription-blocked features should be free, but that being said, you definitely don't need them.

Enabot ROLA PetPal alternatives

Enabot ROLA Mini Pet Monitor | Amazon

If the PetPal is out of your budget, you might want to consider Enabot's Mini Pet Monitor instead. While it doesn't have a treat dispensing option, it offers remote control steering, a 2K camera, two-way talk, and motion detection. You can also clip on toy attachments for playtime.

View Deal

EBO X-AI Family Companion Robot | Amazon

This premium robot features an impressive 4K camera, capable of capturing crisp footage of your pets while you're away. It also functions as a smart home companion, offering features like distress alerts, elderly fall detection, no-trespassing alerts, and smart tracking. Additionally, it includes two-way talk and can be remotely steered around your house, similar to the PetPal.

View Deal

Rocki Robot | Amazon

The Rocki Robot has remote control steering and a 1080p camera, letting you check on your pets from wherever you are in the world. It can climb up to 25mm, has a mount where you can attach toys, and can dispense treats for your fur friend to snack on.

View Deal

Feeling indecisive? Read our review on the Furbo Dog Camera, which also features a treat dispenser.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Megan Milstead

Megan has been Staff Writer on PetsRadar since December 2023, where she gets to try and review all kinds of pet products. She's tested a range of tech, from cameras and self-cleaning litter boxes to automatic feeders and water fountains. She used the Enabot ROLA PetPal for seven months, with the help of her two cats, Chilli and Nala. To learn more about our review process, check out our page on how we test.

Edited by Alexis de Leaver and Georgia Guerin.