Leasing vs buying a cleaning robot: which model suits you?
Three paths to the same goal
Once you have decided to invest in autonomous cleaning robots, an important question remains: how will you finance it? The three most common options are rental, leasing, and purchase. The choice depends on your organisation's size, accounting preferences, and how flexible you want to be.
Option 1: Rental (operating cost)
How it works
You pay a fixed monthly fee that includes everything: robot, installation, training, service, and support. You never own the robot; you rent it during the contract period.
Advantages
- No initial investment: ideal for organisations with limited capital headroom
- All-inclusive: no unexpected costs for repair or maintenance
- Flexibility: option to swap model or scale up at renewal
- Simple budgeting: the same cost every month
Disadvantages
- Higher total cost than purchase over the long term
- You don't own the equipment
Best fit
Small and mid-sized businesses, the public sector, organisations that want to try the technology without taking on much risk.
Option 2: Leasing (financial or operational)
How it works
Similar to rental but with more formal contracts and often with an option to buy the equipment at the end. Can be structured as operational leasing (off balance sheet) or financial leasing.
Advantages
- Tax deductible: the lease fee can be expensed
- Residual value guarantee: limits your risk
- Lower monthly cost on longer contracts compared with rental
- Option to own at contract end
Disadvantages
- Longer commitment period (typically 24-60 months)
- Service and maintenance may be optional add-ons
- Administratively more complex
Best fit
Larger organisations, companies with in-house finance teams, operations that want to optimise their tax position.
Option 3: Purchase (investment)
How it works
You buy the robot and own it outright. Installation and training are usually included; service and maintenance come as optional add-ons.
Advantages
- Lowest total cost over the robot's lifetime (5-8 years)
- Full ownership: no commitment after purchase
- Depreciable asset on your books
- Resale value if you choose to sell on
Disadvantages
- Requires up-front capital
- Risk of unexpected service costs (can be mitigated with service packages)
- Technology evolution may make the model outdated
Best fit
Organisations with capital expenditure budgets, property companies that want to own their equipment, operations with a long planning horizon.
Comparison: 3-year calculation
Based on a CC1 for a 2,000 m² office space
| Rental | Leasing | Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | SEK 0 | SEK 0 | ~SEK 200,000 |
| Monthly cost | ~SEK 8,000 | ~SEK 6,500 | SEK 0 (+ service ~SEK 2,000) |
| 3-year total | ~SEK 288,000 | ~SEK 234,000 | ~SEK 272,000 |
| Service included | Yes | Optional | Optional |
| Upgrade | At renewal | At new contract | New investment |
Numbers are estimates and vary by contract and terms.
Our recommendation
- Start with rental if you're new to autonomous cleaning, it minimises risk and gives full flexibility
- Choose leasing if you want to optimise your tax position and have a longer planning horizon
- Buy if you have capital expenditure budget and want the lowest total cost over time
Whichever model you choose, installation, mapping, and training are always included.
Not sure which model suits you best? Visit our financing page or contact us for advice.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free demonstration and see how our autonomous cleaning robots can make a difference in your facility.
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