FAIRINO FR5 vs. DOBOT Nova 5: 5 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
5 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The DOBOT Nova 5 from DOBOT and the FAIRINO FR5 compete in the 5 kg-class collaborative robot segment. The DOBOT Nova 5 offers 5 kg of rated payload, 850 mm of reach and ±0.05 mm repeatability. The FAIRINO FR5 answers with 5 kg, 922 mm and ±0.02 mm at a published U.S. price of $8,699. This comparison separates published specifications from the points that should be confirmed in a demo or quotation.
FAIRINO FR5 5 kg-class robot 
DOBOT Nova 5 robot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR5 vs. DOBOT Nova 5
Choose the FAIRINO FR5 when it matches or exceeds the payload and reaches further, at a published $8,699.
Choose the DOBOT Nova 5 when it brings the DOBOT ecosystem, at €6,880 excl. VAT (Unchained Robotics).
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR5 vs. DOBOT Nova 5 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR5 | DOBOT Nova 5 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 5 kg | 5 kg |
Maximum payload | 7 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 922 mm | 850 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.05 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | ≈22 kg | 14 kg |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP54 |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | 2 m/s maximum |
Public price | $8,699 (FAIRINO USA) | €6,880 excl. VAT (Unchained Robotics) |
🏋️ Payload: 5 kg vs. 5 kg
Both arms share the same 5 kg rating, so the decision moves to reach, precision, ecosystem and price.
📏 Reach: 922 mm vs. 850 mm
FAIRINO FR5 reaches 72 mm (about 8%) 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 FR5 publishes the tighter repeatability (±0.02 mm vs. ±0.05 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.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR5 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the DOBOT Nova 5 is published at IP54. 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 ±0.05 mm.
Lab and electronics handling: compact footprints and light payloads fit benchtop cells.
💰 Price and Total Cost of Ownership
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR5 at $8,699. The DOBOT Nova 5 is listed €6,880 excl. VAT (Unchained Robotics), a European price that should be converted and confirmed for U.S. delivery. 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 FR5 cell would total about $33,699, a simple payback of roughly 1.1 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 FR5 stands out for value, with 5 kg payload, ±0.02 mm repeatability and a transparent $8,699 price. The DOBOT Nova 5 brings the DOBOT ecosystem. 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 FR5 or the DOBOT Nova 5?
Both are rated at 5 kg.
Which robot has the longer reach?
FAIRINO FR5 reaches 72 mm further (922 mm vs. 850 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
FAIRINO FR5 publishes the tighter repeatability: ±0.02 mm vs. ±0.05 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR5 and DOBOT Nova 5 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR5 at $8,699. The DOBOT Nova 5 is listed €6,880 excl. VAT (Unchained Robotics).
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.
