FAIRINO FR5 vs. Elite Robots EC63: 5 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
5 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: Buyers who need headroom beyond a 3 kg arm often compare the Elite EC63 from Elite Robots with the larger FAIRINO FR5. The Elite Robots EC63 offers 3 kg of rated payload, 624 mm of reach and ±0.02 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 cobot 
Elite Robots EC63 cobot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR5 vs. Elite Robots EC63
Choose the FAIRINO FR5 when it matches or exceeds the payload and reaches further, at a published $8,699.
Choose the Elite Robots EC63 when it fits an existing Elite Robots ecosystem, from $16,700 (indicative list price).
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR5 vs. Elite EC63 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR5 | Elite Robots EC63 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 5 kg | 3 kg |
Maximum payload | 7 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 922 mm | 624 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.02 mm | ±0.02 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | ≈22 kg | 13 kg |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP54 |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | See manufacturer datasheet |
Public price | $8,699 (FAIRINO USA) | From $16,700 (indicative list price) |
🏋️ Payload: 5 kg vs. 3 kg
FAIRINO FR5 carries 2 kg more rated payload. In practice, payload includes the gripper, adapter plate, sensors and cabling, so the tool consumes a large share of either rating. Ask both suppliers for the payload curve at your tool offset and orientation.
📏 Reach: 922 mm vs. 624 mm
FAIRINO FR5 reaches 298 mm (about 48%) further. Extra reach can let one robot serve a machine, an infeed and an inspection station 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
Both publish ±0.02 mm, which is sufficient for most handling and assembly tasks.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR5 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the Elite Robots EC63 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 ±0.02 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 Elite Robots EC63 is listed from $16,700 (indicative list price), so the published arm prices differ by about $8,001 (roughly 48% 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 FR5 cell would total about $33,699, a simple payback of roughly 1.1 years. The Elite Robots EC63 cell would total about $41,700, or roughly 1.4 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 Elite Robots EC63 brings the Elite Robots ecosystem at a higher published price. Shortlist the arm whose reach, payload and integration needs match your cell, then confirm with a trial and an installed-cell quote.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which cobot carries more payload, the FAIRINO FR5 or the Elite Robots EC63?
FAIRINO FR5 has the higher rated payload: 5 kg for the FAIRINO FR5 vs. 3 kg for the Elite Robots EC63.
Which robot has the longer reach?
FAIRINO FR5 reaches 298 mm further (922 mm vs. 624 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
Both publish ±0.02 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR5 and Elite Robots EC63 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR5 at $8,699. The Elite Robots EC63 is listed from $16,700 (indicative list price).
Why compare robots from different payload classes?
Buyers often ask whether stepping up to the FAIRINO FR5 is worth it compared with a smaller arm. The extra payload headroom helps with heavier grippers and future parts, often at a similar or lower price.
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.
