UFACTORY 850 vs FAIRINO FR5: 5 kg Cobot Comparison of Price, Specs and Applications
The UFACTORY 850 and the FAIRINO FR5 are two of the most affordable 5 kg collaborative robots sold in the United States. Both repeat to ±0.02 mm and cost less than $10,000 with a controller. The UFACTORY 850 has a light carbon-fiber arm, ±360° base and wrist joints and an open browser-based programming environment. The FR5 offers more reach, a 7 kg maximum payload, an optional IP65 version and a lower price.
This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and published U.S. prices to show where each robot is stronger and which projects suit each one.
Quick verdict. The FAIRINO FR5 is the stronger value choice for light industrial work, with 72 mm more reach, a 7 kg maximum payload, optional IP65, an 18-month warranty and a price about 19% lower. The UFACTORY 850 is the stronger choice for labs, research and compact cells that benefit from a lighter arm, ±360° joints, cleanroom rating and open programming.
UFACTORY 850 and FAIRINO FR5 at a glance
The UFACTORY 850 is UFACTORY's industrial 5 kg cobot. It reaches 850 mm, weighs 20 kg and is programmed through UFACTORY Studio in a web browser or with Python and C++ SDKs.
The FR5 is FAIRINO's main 5 kg cobot. It reaches 922 mm, weighs about 22 kg and is sold directly in the United States by FAIRINO USA with an 18-month warranty and 5-year U.S.-based support.
Main specification comparison
Specification | UFACTORY 850 | FAIRINO FR5 |
Robot type | 6-axis collaborative robot | 6-axis collaborative robot |
Published price (U.S.) | $9,899 (control box included) | $7,999 |
Rated payload | 5 kg | 5 kg (7 kg maximum) |
Reach | 850 mm | 922 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.02 mm (ISO 9283) |
Speed | 1 m/s maximum TCP speed | 1 m/s typical TCP speed |
Joint speed | 180°/s | 180°/s |
Joint range | J1, J4, J6 ±360°; J2 ±132°; J3 −242° to 3.5°; J5 ±124° | Base ±175°; shoulder +85°/−265°; elbow ±160°; wrist 1 +85°/−265°; wrist 2 ±175°; wrist 3 ±175° (±360° optional) |
Arm weight | 20 kg | About 22 kg |
Footprint | Ø190 mm | Ø149 mm |
Materials | Aluminum and carbon fiber | Not specified in manufacturer data |
Protection rating | Not specified in manufacturer data | IP54, IP65 optional |
Cleanroom | ISO Class 5 | Not specified in manufacturer data |
Operating temperature | 0–50 °C | 0–45 °C |
Noise | Not specified in manufacturer data | Below 65 dB |
Power | 240 W typical, 1,000 W maximum | Not specified in manufacturer data |
Tool I/O | 2 DI, 2 DO, 2 AI, RS485 (Modbus RTU) | 24 V, 1.5 A tool power with digital and analog I/O |
Controller I/O | 16 DI, 16 DO, 2 AI, 2 AO | 16 DI, 16 DO, 2 AI, 2 AO, 2 high-speed pulse inputs |
Communication | Ethernet, RS485, Python/C++ SDK, ROS/ROS2 | TCP/IP and Modbus TCP/RTU; Python, C++ and C# SDKs, ROS/ROS2 |
Programming | UFACTORY Studio in a web browser | 10.1-inch teach pendant or browser-based web app |
Control box options | AC box or compact DC box | Standard controller |
Warranty | 1 year | 18 months |
Best overall advantage | Light arm, ±360° joints, cleanroom rating, open programming | Price, reach, payload headroom, IP65 option |
Price comparison
UFACTORY lists the 850 at $9,899 with the control box included. RobotShop lists a DC control box version at $10,258.86. FAIRINO USA lists the FR5 at $7,999.
UFACTORY 850: $9,899
FAIRINO FR5: $7,999
Difference: $1,900
The FR5 costs roughly 19% less
At this price level the gap is small compared with the cost of a gripper, vision, guarding and integration. Warranty length, local support and the software environment can matter as much as the hardware price.
Payload
Both robots are rated for 5 kg. FAIRINO also publishes a 7 kg maximum for the FR5, which gives headroom for heavier grippers or parts in favorable poses. Payload curves should be checked against the real tool and center of gravity.
Reach and working envelope
The FR5 reaches 922 mm, 72 mm more than the UFACTORY 850's 850 mm. That is about 8% more reach, which helps with wider fixtures and larger machine doors.
The UFACTORY 850 rotates ±360° on the base and two wrist joints, while its shoulder, elbow and wrist 2 have narrower ranges. The FR5 uses ±175° on the base and wrists, with ±360° available on wrist 3 as an option.
Precision and speed
Both robots publish ±0.02 mm repeatability, which suits small-part assembly, electronics handling and lab automation. Both list 180°/s joint speed and about 1 m/s tool speed, so cycle time differences are more likely to come from path planning, payload and safety settings than from the arm itself.
Weight, footprint and mounting
The UFACTORY 850 arm weighs 20 kg, about 2 kg less than the FR5, thanks to its aluminum and carbon-fiber construction. The FR5 has the smaller base at Ø149 mm against Ø190 mm, which helps on crowded benches and narrow machine frames. The UFACTORY 850 can be mounted in any orientation.
Protection and environment
FAIRINO rates the FR5 IP54 as standard and offers an IP65 version for wet or dusty areas. UFACTORY rates the 850 for ISO Class 5 cleanroom use but does not publish an IP rating. The 850 is rated for 0–50 °C and the FR5 for 0–45 °C.
Controller, programming and connectivity
UFACTORY 850
The 850 is programmed in UFACTORY Studio, which runs in a web browser and supports blockly-style programming, plus Python and C++ SDKs and ROS/ROS2. The controller provides 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 2 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs, with Ethernet and RS485 communication. Buyers can choose an AC control box or a compact DC box for mobile platforms.
FAIRINO FR5
The FR5 is programmed from a 10.1-inch teach pendant or a browser-based web app, with Python, C++ and C# SDKs and ROS/ROS2 support. The controller provides 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 2 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs and 2 high-speed pulse inputs, with TCP/IP and Modbus TCP/RTU.
Best applications for the UFACTORY 850
University labs and research projects
Cleanroom and laboratory automation
Mobile manipulators with the DC control box
Light pick-and-place and small-part assembly
Teams that want browser-based and SDK programming
Best applications for the FAIRINO FR5
Light CNC and injection machine tending
Small-part assembly and screwdriving
Inspection and testing cells
Wet or dusty areas with the IP65 option
Budget-sensitive multi-cell deployments
UFACTORY 850 advantages
20 kg carbon-fiber arm
±360° on the base and two wrist joints
ISO Class 5 cleanroom rating
Open browser-based programming and SDKs
AC or DC control box options
0–50 °C operating range
UFACTORY 850 limitations
About $1,900 more than the FR5
850 mm reach
No published IP rating
1-year warranty
FAIRINO FR5 advantages
Listed at $7,999 in the U.S.
922 mm reach
7 kg maximum payload
Optional IP65 protection
Ø149 mm base
18-month warranty with U.S.-based support
FAIRINO FR5 limitations
Slightly heavier arm at about 22 kg
±360° wrist 3 only as an option
0–45 °C operating range
Final verdict
Choose the FAIRINO FR5 for light industrial work where reach, payload headroom, IP65 availability and warranty matter. Its $7,999 price and 922 mm reach make it a strong option for machine tending and small-part assembly.
Choose the UFACTORY 850 for research, education, cleanroom and mobile projects that benefit from a lighter arm, ±360° joints, a DC control box and open browser-based programming.
Both robots repeat to ±0.02 mm and cost less than $10,000. The decision mostly comes down to environment, software preference and support terms.
Read our full UFACTORY 850 review and FAIRINO FR5 review, or compare the UR5e vs FAIRINO FR5.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, the UFACTORY 850 or the FAIRINO FR5?
FAIRINO USA lists the FR5 at $7,999. UFACTORY lists the 850 at $9,899 with the control box included.
Do both robots have the same payload?
Both are rated for 5 kg. FAIRINO publishes a 7 kg maximum payload for the FR5.
Which robot has the longer reach?
The FR5 reaches 922 mm, 72 mm more than the UFACTORY 850's 850 mm.
Which robot is more precise?
Both publish ±0.02 mm repeatability.
Which robot is lighter?
The UFACTORY 850 arm weighs 20 kg and the FR5 about 22 kg.
Which robot is better for research and education?
The UFACTORY 850 is popular in labs thanks to browser-based programming, SDKs, ROS support and a DC control box option. The FR5 also offers SDKs and ROS support.
Which robot has better environmental protection?
The FR5 is IP54 as standard with an optional IP65 version. The UFACTORY 850 is rated for ISO Class 5 cleanrooms but has no published IP rating.
Which robot should I buy?
Choose the FR5 for lower cost, longer reach, IP65 availability and a longer warranty. Choose the UFACTORY 850 for a lighter arm, ±360° joints, cleanroom use and open programming.
