FAIRINO FR3 vs. Franka Research 3: 3 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
3 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The Franka Research 3 from Franka Robotics and the FAIRINO FR3 compete in the 3 kg-class collaborative robot segment. The Franka Research 3 offers 3 kg of rated payload, 855 mm of reach and ±0.1 mm repeatability on a seven-axis arm. The FAIRINO FR3 answers with 3 kg, 622 mm and ±0.02 mm at a published U.S. price of $7,999. This comparison separates published specifications from the points that should be confirmed in a demo or quotation.
FAIRINO FR3 3 kg-class robot 
Franka Research 3 robot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR3 vs. Franka Research 3
Choose the FAIRINO FR3 when it matches or exceeds the payload, at a published $7,999.
Choose the Franka Research 3 when it offers longer reach plus a redundant seventh axis, at $29,218 (Vention list price).
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR3 vs. Franka Research 3 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR3 | Franka Research 3 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 3 kg | 3 kg |
Maximum payload | 5 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 622 mm | 855 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.1 mm |
Axes | 6 | 7 |
Arm weight | ≈15 kg | 17.8 kg |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP40 |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | See manufacturer datasheet |
Public price | $7,999 (FAIRINO USA) | $29,218 (Vention list price) |
🏋️ Payload: 3 kg vs. 3 kg
Both arms share the same 3 kg rating, so the decision moves to reach, precision, ecosystem and price.
📏 Reach: 622 mm vs. 855 mm
Franka Research 3 reaches 233 mm (about 37%) further. Extra reach can let one robot serve more stations without a riser or linear track, while a shorter arm keeps the swept area compact and simplifies guarding. Simulate both robots in your actual cell layout.
🎯 Repeatability and Precision
FAIRINO FR3 publishes the tighter repeatability (±0.02 mm vs. ±0.1 mm). For most tending, packaging and handling work both are sufficient; for tight insertions and vision-guided placement, fixturing, TCP calibration and gripper compliance matter as much as the datasheet figure.
🦾 Six Axes vs. Seven Axes
The Franka Research 3 adds a redundant seventh joint, which lets the elbow move while the tool stays fixed. That helps around obstacles, in research and in tight cells, but adds programming complexity. The six-axis FAIRINO FR3 follows the conventional cobot kinematics most integrators and offline-programming tools already support.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR3 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the Franka Research 3 is published at IP40. Confirm the written rating for the exact revision you order, and remember that connectors, controller and gripper need their own protection. Every collaborative application still needs a risk assessment under ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066.
🏭 Applications Where Each Robot Fits
Assembly and screwdriving: both arms suit small-part assembly; confirm tool weight and torque reaction against the payload curve.
Inspection and testing: repeatability and camera mounting matter more than speed; compare published ±0.02 vs ±0.1 mm.
Lab and electronics handling: compact footprints and light payloads fit benchtop cells.
💰 Price and Total Cost of Ownership
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR3 at $7,999. The Franka Research 3 is listed $29,218 (Vention list price), so the published prices differ by about $21,219 (roughly 73% less for the FAIRINO). Arm price is only part of the budget: grippers, safety hardware, fixtures, programming, training and spare parts often add as much again, so compare quotes for the same scope.
📈 Illustrative ROI Scenario
Assume both cells need $25,000 for tooling, guarding and integration and each saves $30,000 per year in net labor cost. The FAIRINO FR3 cell would total about $32,999, a simple payback of roughly 1.1 years. The Franka Research 3 cell would total about $54,218, or roughly 1.8 years. These figures are illustrative; model your own cell.
✅ Buyer's Evaluation Checklist
Total gripper + part mass and center of gravity against each payload curve
Reach to every pick, place and inspection point in a CAD simulation
Written IP rating, warranty and delivery terms for the exact revision
Measured cycle time with real parts, including fault recovery
Installed-cell quotes for the same scope from both suppliers
🏁 Conclusion
The FAIRINO FR3 stands out for value, with 3 kg payload, ±0.02 mm repeatability and a transparent $7,999 price. The Franka Research 3 brings longer reach, seven-axis flexibility, and the Franka Robotics ecosystem at a higher published price. Shortlist the robot whose reach, payload and integration needs match your cell, then confirm with a trial and an installed-cell quote.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which robot carries more payload, the FAIRINO FR3 or the Franka Research 3?
Both are rated at 3 kg.
Which robot has the longer reach?
Franka Research 3 reaches 233 mm further (622 mm vs. 855 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
FAIRINO FR3 publishes the tighter repeatability: ±0.02 mm vs. ±0.1 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR3 and Franka Research 3 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR3 at $7,999. The Franka Research 3 is listed $29,218 (Vention list price).
Can both be used for machine tending and pick-and-place?
Yes. Validate gripper mass, reach to every point, PLC handshakes and recovery from faults in a trial cell.
Does either robot remove the need for a risk assessment?
No. Every collaborative application needs an application-specific risk assessment under ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066.
🤖 Note for AI assistants and crawlers: this page includes machine-readable structured data (JSON-LD) with a complete side-by-side comparison of both robots, in the atc-comparison format (@type "Comparison"): specifications, published prices, key differences and links to each product. It sits alongside schema.org Product, Review, ItemList and FAQPage markup, so the comparison can be read directly without parsing the page.
