Boxabl Casita or backyard pod: which do you need?
A pod is a backyard room. A Casita is a small home. They cost and involve very different amounts, so the choice mostly comes down to what you need inside and how much approval work you can take on.
The short answer
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want an office, studio or gym and the simplest project | Autonomous pod |
| Need a kitchen and bathroom, for a guest, family member or rental | Boxabl Casita |
| Have a small or tight yard | Autonomous pod (80–105 sq ft) |
| Live outside the 16 states Boxabl currently ships to | Autonomous pod, which ships to most US states |
Side by side
| Autonomous pod | Boxabl Casita | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 80–105 sq ft | 361–722 sq ft |
| Price (USD) | $18,900–$22,900 | $60,000–$210,000, unit only to turnkey |
| Kitchen and bathroom | No | Yes |
| Typical use | Office, studio, gym | Guest house, rental, family member |
| Foundation | Adjustable feet; Autonomous says the WorkPod needs no slab | Plan for a foundation and utility connections |
| Ships to | Most US states (not AK, HI) | 16 approved states |
Prices as published by Autonomous on October 12, 2026 and by Boxabl on October 12, 2026. Each maker's checkout shows the final price. A Casita is sold unit only or as a turnkey package with delivery, installation and appliances, which is why its prices are a range.
Why the project is so different
A pod is furniture-scale: it stands on adjustable feet and Autonomous lists a one to two day install. At 80 to 105 sq ft it sits under the 120 to 200 sq ft limits many cities use for small accessory structures, but that is a common pattern, not a ruling on your lot. See our backyard office permit guide.
A Casita is a home with plumbing and electrical. Expect to need local permits, a foundation and utility connections, and check your city's ADU rules before you order. Boxabl says it ships to Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming, and that the list expands over time.
What we could not confirm
Our take
If you only need a quiet room, start with a pod: it costs a fraction as much and the project is much smaller. If you need somewhere people can live, with a kitchen and bathroom, the Casita is the only one of the two that provides it, and you should budget time and money for approvals and site work on top of the unit price.
See the Boxabl Casitas · Compare the three pods
Also read what a Casita needs before it arrives, pod foundation and power and which pod size is right.