UR3e vs FANUC CRX-5iA: 3–5 kg Cobot Comparison of Reach, Weight and Price
Updated: 2 days ago
The Universal Robots UR3e and the FANUC CRX-5iA both target light parts, but the work areas they cover are very different. The UR3e is a compact benchtop arm with a 500 mm reach. The CRX-5iA carries 2 kg more and reaches almost twice as far.
Quick verdict. The UR3e is the better choice for benchtop and in-machine cells, with an 11.2 kg arm, built-in force sensing and a listed price about 22% lower. The FANUC CRX-5iA is the better choice when the robot must cover a wider area, with a 5 kg payload and 994 mm reach.
UR3e and FANUC CRX-5iA at a glance
The UR3e carries 3 kg over 500 mm, weighs 11.2 kg and sits on a Ø128 mm base. Its final wrist joint can rotate continuously.
The CRX-5iA carries 5 kg over 994 mm, weighs 25 kg and runs on the R-30iB Mini Plus controller. Both robots repeat to ±0.03 mm.
Main specification comparison
Specification | Universal Robots UR3e | FANUC CRX-5iA |
Brand | Universal Robots | FANUC |
Listed price | $33,800 | $43,200 |
Payload | 3 kg | 5 kg |
Reach | 500 mm | 994 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.03 mm | ±0.03 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Speed | 3 m/s maximum TCP speed | 1000 mm/s (collaborative mode); 2000 mm/s (high-speed mode) |
Arm weight | 11.2 kg | 25 kg |
IP rating | IP54 | IP67 |
Controller | UR control box CB 5.5 / CB 5.6 | R-30iB Mini Plus |
Price comparison
UR3e: listed from $33,800
FANUC CRX-5iA: listed from $43,200
Difference: $9,400
The UR3e costs roughly 22% less
Payload and reach
The CRX-5iA carries 5 kg against 3 kg and reaches 994 mm against 500 mm, almost twice as far. Machine tending, packaging and light palletizing usually need the CRX-5iA's reach. Benchtop assembly and testing rarely do.
Precision
Both robots publish ±0.03 mm repeatability, so precision is not a deciding factor in this pair.
Weight and mounting
The UR3e weighs 11.2 kg, about 14 kg less than the CRX-5iA's 25 kg. It can be mounted on a bench, a wall or inside a machine. The CRX-5iA installs on the floor, upside-down or at an angle.
Force sensing and programming
The UR3e has a built-in ±30 N / ±10 Nm force/torque sensor and a 3 m/s maximum tool speed. It runs PolyScope and supports PROFINET with PROFIsafe, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP and ROS/ROS2.
The CRX-5iA supports hand guiding and drag-and-drop programming on a tablet teach pendant, with ROBOGUIDE for offline simulation and a broad list of fieldbuses including EtherCAT, CC-Link and OPC UA.
Best applications for the UR3e
Benchtop assembly and screwdriving
Lab automation and device testing
Robots inside machines or on light frames
Best applications for the FANUC CRX-5iA
Machine tending with wider reach
Packaging and light palletizing up to 5 kg
FANUC-standard production cells
UR3e advantages
About $9,400 lower listed price
11.2 kg arm and Ø128 mm base
Built-in force/torque sensor
UR3e limitations
3 kg payload and 500 mm reach
FANUC CRX-5iA advantages
5 kg payload and 994 mm reach
Tablet drag-and-drop programming
Broad fieldbus support
FANUC CRX-5iA limitations
Higher listed price
25 kg arm
Final verdict
Choose the UR3e for compact benchtop and in-machine cells at a lower cost. Choose the FANUC CRX-5iA when the task needs more payload and almost twice the reach.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, the UR3e or the FANUC CRX-5iA?
The UR3e is listed from $33,800 and the CRX-5iA from $43,200, a difference of $9,400.
Which robot carries more?
The CRX-5iA carries 5 kg and the UR3e 3 kg.
Which robot has the longer reach?
The CRX-5iA reaches 994 mm, almost twice the UR3e's 500 mm.
Are they equally precise?
Yes. Both publish ±0.03 mm repeatability.
Which robot is lighter?
The UR3e weighs 11.2 kg and the CRX-5iA 25 kg.
Which robot should I buy?
Choose the UR3e for compact benchtop work. Choose the CRX-5iA for more payload and reach.
