UR16e vs FAIRINO FR16: 16 kg Cobot Comparison of Price, Specs and Applications
The Universal Robots UR16e and the FAIRINO FR16 are 16 kg collaborative robots for machine tending, packaging, screwdriving with heavy tools and light palletizing. The UR16e is a compact, well-established heavy-payload arm with built-in force sensing. The FR16 offers more reach, tighter published repeatability and a listed price well below the UR16e.
This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and publicly listed U.S. prices to show where each robot is stronger and which projects suit each one.
Quick verdict. The UR16e is the stronger choice when speed, built-in force sensing, certified safety functions and the UR ecosystem matter most. The FAIRINO FR16 is the stronger value choice, with 134 mm more reach, ±0.03 mm repeatability, a 20 kg maximum payload, an optional IP65 rating and a listed price under a quarter of the UR16e's.
UR16e and FAIRINO FR16 at a glance
The UR16e is Universal Robots' compact 16 kg arm. It reaches 900 mm from an Ø190 mm base, weighs 33.1 kg and includes a six-axis force/torque sensor at the tool flange.
The FR16 is FAIRINO's 16 kg arm. It reaches 1034 mm from the same Ø190 mm footprint, weighs about 40 kg and is sold directly in the United States by FAIRINO USA with an 18-month warranty.
Main specification comparison
Specification | Universal Robots UR16e | FAIRINO FR16 |
Robot type | 6-axis collaborative robot | 6-axis collaborative robot |
Published price (U.S.) | $51,979 (with control box and teach pendant) | $11,699 |
Rated payload | 16 kg | 16 kg nominal, 20 kg maximum |
Reach | 900 mm | 1034 mm |
Pose repeatability | ±0.05 mm (ISO 9283) | ±0.03 mm (ISO 9283) |
Speed | 3 m/s maximum TCP speed | 2 m/s typical TCP speed |
Joint speed | Base and shoulder 120°/s; elbow and wrists 180°/s | Base, shoulder and elbow 120°/s; wrists 180°/s |
Joint range | ±360° on all six joints | Base ±175°; shoulder +85°/−265°; elbow ±160°; wrist 1 +85°/−265°; wrists 2–3 ±175° |
Arm weight | 33.1 kg (including cable) | About 40 kg |
Footprint | Ø190 mm | Ø190 mm |
Protection rating | Arm IP54, control box IP44 | IP54, IP65 optional |
Operating temperature | 0–50 °C | 0–45 °C |
Noise | Below 65 dB(A) | Below 70 dB |
Power | 585 W maximum | Not specified in manufacturer data |
Force sensing | Built-in 6-axis force/torque sensor (±160 N, ±10 Nm) | Optional external force/torque sensor |
Safety | 23 configurable safety functions; EN ISO 13849-1 PLd Cat. 3; EN ISO 10218-1 | Collaborative safety functions with collision detection; confirm declarations for the ordered configuration |
Tool I/O | 2 DI, 2 DO, 2 AI or 1 AI + RS485; 12/24 V, up to 2 A | 2 DI, 2 DO, 1 AI, 1 AO, 2 high-speed pulse inputs; 24 V, 1.5 A |
Controller I/O | 16 DI, 16 DO, 2 AI, 2 AO, 4 quadrature inputs | 16 DI, 16 DO, 2 AI, 2 AO |
Industrial protocols | Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET with PROFIsafe, ROS/ROS2 | Modbus TCP/RTU; PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link available; ROS/ROS2 |
Programming | 12-inch teach pendant with PolyScope | 10.1-inch teach pendant or browser-based web app; Python, C++ and C# SDKs |
Warranty | Confirm with the selling distributor | 18 months |
Best overall advantage | Speed, force sensing, certified safety, ecosystem | Price, reach, repeatability, payload headroom |
Price comparison
Universal Robots sells through distributors and does not publish a global list price. Vention, a U.S. automation supplier, lists the UR16e at $51,979, shipped with its matching control box and teach pendant, with a four-week shipping time. FAIRINO USA lists the FR16 at $11,699.
UR16e: $51,979
FAIRINO FR16: $11,699
Difference: $40,280
The UR16e listing is about 4.4 times the FR16 price
The FR16 costs roughly 77% less
These are hardware prices and exclude grippers, guarding, integration and shipping. The UR16e price includes a built-in force/torque sensor, PLd Category 3 safety functions and native PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, which the FR16 offers as optional additions or does not publish. Even after adding those items, the difference remains large.
Payload
Both robots are rated for 16 kg. FAIRINO also publishes a 20 kg maximum payload for the FR16, which provides headroom for occasional heavier parts or tools.
Heavy grippers, dual grippers and tool changers can consume several kilograms, so the usable part weight depends on the full tool package and the center of gravity. Each manufacturer's payload curve should be checked against the real tool.
Reach and workspace
The FR16 reaches 1034 mm, 134 mm more than the UR16e's 900 mm. That is about 15% more reach, which helps when a robot tends two machines, reaches deeper into a CNC enclosure or covers a larger pallet area.
The UR16e answers with ±360° on every joint, which simplifies posture planning and cable routing. The FR16 uses narrower joint ranges on most axes. Both share an Ø190 mm base.
Repeatability and precision
The FR16 publishes ±0.03 mm repeatability and the UR16e ±0.05 mm, both to ISO 9283. Both are more than adequate for machine tending, packaging and palletizing, and the FR16's tighter figure can help in assembly with heavier tools.
Speed and cycle time
Universal Robots publishes a 3 m/s maximum tool speed for the UR16e. FAIRINO publishes a 2 m/s typical TCP speed for the FR16. These are different measures, but the UR16e has the higher published speed ceiling. Joint speeds are similar, with both reaching 180°/s on the wrist joints.
In collaborative operation, the risk assessment usually sets the practical speed limit. Cycle-time trials with the real payload give the most reliable comparison.
Safety and force sensing
The UR16e publishes 23 configurable safety functions certified to EN ISO 13849-1, PLd Category 3, and complies with EN ISO 10218-1. Its built-in force/torque sensor (±160 N, ±10 Nm) supports force-controlled insertion, sanding and payload checks without extra hardware.
The FR16 provides collaborative safety functions with collision detection and hand-guided teaching. Force-controlled work requires an optional sensor. Buyers who need a documented performance level should request the safety declarations for the exact configuration.
Protection and environment
Both arms are IP54 as standard. FAIRINO offers an IP65 FR16 option for dusty areas and coolant mist. The UR16e is rated for 0–50 °C and the FR16 for 0–45 °C.
Controller, programming and connectivity
Universal Robots UR16e
The UR16e uses a 12-inch teach pendant running PolyScope. The control box provides 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 2 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs and 4 quadrature inputs, with Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET with PROFIsafe and ROS/ROS2.
FAIRINO FR16
The FR16 can be 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 and 2 analog outputs. Modbus TCP/RTU is standard, and PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link are available.
Best applications for the UR16e
Machine tending with heavy grippers in compact cells
Force-controlled sanding, polishing and insertion
Heavy screwdriving and nutrunning
Lines that rely on PROFINET with PROFIsafe
Projects that benefit from UR+ accessories and integrators
Best applications for the FAIRINO FR16
CNC machine tending that needs extra reach
Packaging and light palletizing
Welding and material handling cells
Dusty or coolant-mist areas with the IP65 option
Multi-robot deployments where hardware cost drives the decision
UR16e advantages
3 m/s maximum tool speed
Built-in six-axis force/torque sensor
23 safety functions certified to PLd Category 3
±360° on every joint
6.9 kg lighter arm
Native PROFINET with PROFIsafe
Large UR+ ecosystem and integrator network
UR16e limitations
About 4.4 times the listed price of the FR16
900 mm reach
Looser published repeatability (±0.05 mm)
Four-week shipping listed by Vention
FAIRINO FR16 advantages
Listed at $11,699 in the U.S.
1034 mm reach
±0.03 mm published repeatability
20 kg maximum payload
Optional IP65 protection
18-month warranty with U.S.-based support
FAIRINO FR16 limitations
Lower published speed figure
Heavier arm at about 40 kg
Force sensing and some fieldbus options are add-ons
Narrower joint ranges on most axes
Final verdict
Choose the UR16e when cycle time, built-in force sensing, documented PLd Category 3 safety or plug-and-play PLC connectivity justify a higher investment. It fits compact heavy-payload cells and force-controlled applications well.
Choose the FAIRINO FR16 when reach, repeatability and budget are the priorities. Its 1034 mm reach, 20 kg maximum payload, optional IP65 rating and 18-month warranty make it a strong value option for machine tending, packaging and multi-robot projects.
For many 16 kg applications both robots will do the job. The decision mostly comes down to speed, force sensing and ecosystem against a hardware saving of about $40,000 per robot.
Read our full UR16e review and FAIRINO FR16 review, or compare the UR5e vs FAIRINO FR5.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, the UR16e or the FAIRINO FR16?
FAIRINO USA lists the FR16 at $11,699. Vention lists the UR16e at $51,979 in the U.S., including the control box and teach pendant.
Do both robots have the same payload?
Both are rated for 16 kg. FAIRINO also publishes a 20 kg maximum payload for the FR16.
Which robot has the longer reach?
The FR16 reaches 1034 mm, 134 mm more than the UR16e's 900 mm.
Which robot is more repeatable?
The FR16 publishes ±0.03 mm and the UR16e ±0.05 mm, both to ISO 9283.
Which robot is faster?
The UR16e publishes a 3 m/s maximum tool speed. The FR16 publishes a 2 m/s typical TCP speed.
Does either robot have built-in force sensing?
The UR16e has a built-in six-axis force/torque sensor. The FR16 uses an optional external sensor.
Which robot has better environmental protection?
Both are IP54 as standard. FAIRINO offers an optional IP65 version of the FR16.
Which robot has the longer warranty?
FAIRINO USA publishes an 18-month warranty for the FR16. UR warranty terms are set by the selling distributor.
Which robot should I buy?
Choose the UR16e for speed, force sensing, certified safety and ecosystem support. Choose the FR16 for lower cost, longer reach, tighter repeatability and payload headroom.
