UR5e vs FAIRINO FR5: UR7e (Formerly UR5e) Compared on Price, Specs and Applications
The UR5e is one of the most widely deployed collaborative robots, and Universal Robots now sells the same 850 mm arm as the UR7e, with the rated payload raised to 7.5 kg. The FAIRINO FR5 competes in the same class with a 5 kg nominal payload, a 7 kg maximum payload, a longer 922 mm reach and a published U.S. price under $8,000.
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 UR7e (formerly UR5e) leads on rated payload, top speed, built-in force sensing, certified safety functions and ecosystem depth. The FAIRINO FR5 leads on price, reach, published repeatability, optional IP65 protection and warranty length, at about a fifth of the UR7e's listed price.
UR5e, UR7e and the FAIRINO FR5 at a glance
New UR5e units are now offered as the UR7e, which Universal Robots describes as the next evolution of the UR5e. The arm keeps the 850 mm reach, ±0.03 mm repeatability, 20.6 kg weight and ±360° joints, while the rated payload rises from 5 kg to 7.5 kg.
The FAIRINO FR5 is a six-axis cobot with a 5 kg nominal payload, a 7 kg maximum payload and 922 mm of reach. FAIRINO USA sells it directly in the United States with an 18-month warranty and U.S.-based support.
Main specification comparison
Specification | Universal Robots UR7e (formerly UR5e) | FAIRINO FR5 |
Robot type | 6-axis collaborative robot | 6-axis collaborative robot |
Published price (U.S.) | $38,363 (with control box and teach pendant) | $7,999 |
Rated payload | 7.5 kg | 5 kg nominal, 7 kg maximum |
Reach | 850 mm | 922 mm |
Pose repeatability | ±0.03 mm (ISO 9283) | ±0.02 mm (ISO 9283) |
Speed | 4 m/s maximum TCP speed | 1 m/s typical TCP speed |
Joint speed | ±180°/s on all joints | 180°/s on all joints |
Joint range | ±360° on all six joints | J1 ±175°; J2 +85°/−265°; J3 ±160°; J4 +85°/−265°; J5 ±175°; J6 ±175° (±360° optional) |
Arm weight | 20.6 kg (including cable) | About 22 kg |
Footprint | Ø151 mm | Ø149 mm |
Materials | Aluminum, plastic, steel | Aluminum, steel |
Protection rating | Arm IP54, control box IP44 | IP54, IP65 optional |
Operating temperature | 0–50 °C | 0–45 °C |
Noise | Below 65 dB(A) | Below 65 dB |
Power | 570 W maximum | 276 W typical average, 410 W typical peak |
Force sensing | Built-in 6-axis force/torque sensor at the tool flange | Optional external force/torque sensor |
Safety | 23 configurable safety functions; EN ISO 13849-1 PLd Cat. 3; EN ISO 10218-1 | Collision detection with adjustable sensitivity, safety planes, dual-circuit stop inputs |
Tool I/O | 2 DI, 2 DO, 2 AI or 1 RS485; 12/24 V, up to 1.5 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 standard; PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link and EtherCAT via optional boards; ROS/ROS2 |
Programming | 12-inch teach pendant with PolyScope | 10.1-inch teach pendant or browser-based web app; Python, C++ and C# SDKs |
Mounting | Any orientation | Any orientation |
Warranty | Confirm with the selling distributor | 18 months |
Best overall advantage | Payload, speed, certified safety, ecosystem | Price, reach, repeatability, warranty |
Price comparison
Price is the clearest difference between these robots.
Universal Robots sells through distributors and does not publish a global list price. Vention, a U.S. automation supplier, lists the UR7e at $38,363, shipped with its matching control box and teach pendant. FAIRINO USA lists the FR5 at $7,999 on its own website, and U.S. reseller Top 3D Shop lists the FR5 at $6,999.
UR7e (formerly UR5e): $38,363
FAIRINO FR5: $7,999
Difference: $30,364
The UR7e listing is about 4.8 times the FR5 price
The FAIRINO FR5 costs roughly 79% less
These are hardware prices and do not include grippers, vision, guarding, integration, training or shipping. Itemized quotations are still the right way to compare final project cost. Even so, the difference is large enough that a buyer could equip four or more FR5 cells for the price of one UR7e.
The UR7e price includes features that would cost extra elsewhere: a built-in force/torque sensor, PLd Category 3 safety functions and native PROFINET and EtherNet/IP. On the FR5, a force/torque sensor and fieldbus boards for PROFINET or EtherNet/IP are optional add-ons, which narrows the gap for projects that need them.
Payload
The UR7e carries a rated payload of 7.5 kg. The FR5 publishes a 5 kg nominal payload and a 7 kg maximum payload.
For tasks below 5 kg, including the gripper, the two robots are closely matched. For heavier grippers, dual grippers or tools such as sanders and dispensers, the UR7e's 7.5 kg rating provides more margin. The FR5's 7 kg maximum gives some headroom, but projects that run continuously near that value should be checked against the payload curve and duty cycle rather than the headline number.
Reach and workspace
The FR5 offers 922 mm of reach, 72 mm more than the UR7e's 850 mm. That is about 8.5% more reach, which can help when a robot serves two machines, a wider conveyor or deeper fixtures.
The UR7e answers with ±360° rotation on every joint, which gives more freedom in posture and cable routing. The FR5 publishes narrower ranges on most joints, with ±360° available as an option on the last wrist joint. Both use a compact base of about 150 mm diameter.
Repeatability and precision
The FR5 publishes ±0.02 mm repeatability and the UR7e ±0.03 mm, both to the ISO 9283 method. On paper the FR5 is the tighter specification.
Both values exceed what most pick-and-place, packaging and machine-tending tasks need. Real-world accuracy depends on fixtures, tool stiffness, calibration, temperature and payload, so precision-critical applications should be validated with the actual tool.
Speed and cycle time
Universal Robots publishes a maximum tool speed of 4 m/s for the UR7e. FAIRINO publishes a typical TCP speed of 1 m/s for the FR5. These are different measures, so they are not a direct like-for-like comparison, but the UR7e has the higher published speed ceiling. Both robots list 180°/s joint speeds.
In collaborative operation the risk assessment usually caps speed near people, which reduces the practical gap. In guarded cells and long moves the UR7e is likely to achieve shorter cycle times, and trials with the real payload are the best way to confirm it.
Safety and force sensing
The UR7e publishes 23 configurable safety functions certified to EN ISO 13849-1, PLd Category 3, and compliance with EN ISO 10218-1. A built-in six-axis force/torque sensor at the tool flange supports force-controlled tasks without extra hardware.
The FR5 provides collision detection with adjustable sensitivity on each axis, configurable safety planes, safe stop modes and dual-circuit emergency and protective stop inputs. Reseller documentation lists CE marking and design to ISO 10218, ISO 13849 and ISO/TS 15066. Buyers who need a documented performance level for the safety controller should request the declarations for the exact configuration. Force-controlled work on the FR5 uses an optional force/torque sensor.
Neither robot is automatically safe in every application. The complete cell, including tooling and parts, still needs a risk assessment.
Protection and environment
Both arms are rated IP54 as standard. FAIRINO also offers an IP65 FR5 configuration, which is useful in dusty areas, near coolant mist or where frequent cleaning is required. The UR7e is rated for 0–50 °C and the FR5 for 0–45 °C, so the UR7e has a little more margin in hot environments.
Controller, programming and connectivity
Universal Robots UR7e
The UR7e uses a 12-inch teach pendant running PolyScope, one of the most widely taught cobot interfaces. The control box offers 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 supported as standard.
FAIRINO FR5
The FR5 can be programmed from a 10.1-inch teach pendant or through a browser-based web app on a tablet or computer, and supports hand-guided teaching. Python, C++ and C# SDKs and ROS/ROS2 support make it accessible to developers. The controller provides 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 2 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs. Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU are standard, and PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link and EtherCAT are available through optional communication boards.
Warranty, support and availability
FAIRINO USA publishes an 18-month warranty for the FR5 and provides U.S.-based support from San Diego, California. Universal Robots warranties and service terms are provided through its distributors, so buyers should confirm the coverage, response time and spare-parts availability with the selling partner.
Universal Robots has the largest cobot accessory ecosystem, with UR+ certified grippers, vision systems and software, and an extensive integrator network. Vention lists the UR7e as shipping the next day.
Best applications for the UR7e (formerly UR5e)
Machine tending with heavier parts or dual grippers
Packaging and case packing near the payload limit
Force-controlled polishing, sanding and insertion
Assembly where certified safety functions are required
Factories that rely on PROFINET or EtherNet/IP PLC integration
Projects that benefit from UR+ accessories and integrator support
Best applications for the FAIRINO FR5
Cost-sensitive pick-and-place and machine tending
Cells that need extra reach to serve two stations
Welding, dispensing and screwdriving cells
Dusty or wash-down-adjacent areas with the IP65 option
Education, research and developer-driven projects
Multi-robot deployments where hardware budget drives the decision
UR7e (formerly UR5e) advantages
7.5 kg rated payload
4 m/s maximum tool speed
23 safety functions certified to PLd Category 3
Built-in six-axis force/torque sensor
±360° on every joint
Native PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP
Large UR+ ecosystem and integrator network
Higher maximum operating temperature
UR7e (formerly UR5e) limitations
About 4.8 times the listed price of the FR5
72 mm less reach
Looser published repeatability (±0.03 mm)
Warranty terms vary by distributor
FAIRINO FR5 advantages
Listed at $7,999 in the U.S.
922 mm reach
±0.02 mm published repeatability
7 kg maximum payload
Optional IP65 protection
18-month warranty with U.S.-based support
Web app programming and Python, C++ and C# SDKs
FAIRINO FR5 limitations
5 kg nominal payload
Lower published speed figure
Force sensing and some fieldbus options are add-ons
Narrower joint ranges on most axes
Smaller third-party accessory ecosystem
Final verdict
Choose the UR7e (formerly UR5e) when the project needs more continuous payload, higher speed, built-in force sensing, certified safety functions or plug-and-play PLC connectivity. Its price is easier to justify in production cells where integrator support and the UR+ ecosystem save engineering time.
Choose the FAIRINO FR5 when budget, reach and repeatability are the priorities. Its 922 mm reach, ±0.02 mm repeatability, optional IP65 rating and 18-month warranty make it a strong value option for pick-and-place, machine tending, welding and multi-robot projects.
For many light-payload applications both robots will do the job well. The decision mainly comes down to how much the project values the UR ecosystem and certified safety package against a saving of about $30,000 per robot.
Read our full UR5e review and FAIRINO FR5 review, or compare the UR5e vs UFACTORY 850.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the UR5e still available?
Universal Robots now offers the UR5e platform as the UR7e, which it describes as the next evolution of the UR5e. The UR7e keeps the 850 mm reach and ±0.03 mm repeatability and raises the rated payload to 7.5 kg.
Which is cheaper, the UR5e/UR7e or the FAIRINO FR5?
FAIRINO USA lists the FR5 at $7,999. Vention lists the UR7e at $38,363 in the U.S., including the control box and teach pendant.
Which robot has the longer reach?
The FAIRINO FR5 reaches 922 mm, 72 mm more than the UR7e's 850 mm.
Which robot has the higher payload?
The UR7e is rated at 7.5 kg. The FR5 publishes a 5 kg nominal payload and a 7 kg maximum payload.
Which robot is more repeatable?
The FR5 publishes ±0.02 mm and the UR7e ±0.03 mm, both to ISO 9283.
Which robot is faster?
The UR7e publishes a 4 m/s maximum tool speed. The FR5 publishes a 1 m/s typical TCP speed. Both list 180°/s joint speeds.
Do both robots have force sensing?
The UR7e has a built-in six-axis force/torque sensor. The FR5 uses an optional external force/torque sensor.
Which robot has better environmental protection?
Both are IP54 as standard. FAIRINO offers an optional IP65 version of the FR5.
Which robot has the longer warranty?
FAIRINO USA publishes an 18-month warranty for the FR5. UR warranty terms are set by the selling distributor.
Does the FR5 support PROFINET and EtherNet/IP?
Yes, through optional communication boards. Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU are standard.
Which robot should I buy?
Choose the UR7e for payload, speed, built-in force sensing and certified safety. Choose the FR5 for lower cost, longer reach, tighter published repeatability and a longer warranty.
