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Robot battle · Sourced specifications

UR5e vs FANUC CRX-5iA

Both are 5 kg, six-axis collaborative arms with the same published ±0.03 mm repeatability. CRX-5iA reaches further (994 mm against 850 mm) and is rated IP67; UR5e is lighter, publishes a higher maximum TCP speed and a tool-flange force/torque sensor.

The two manufacturers publish joint travel, speed, power and noise differently. Each row shows the published value, its source and, where it matters, why it is not a like-for-like comparison.

Editorial source check: 9 October 2026. Specialist technical review: not yet performed. Why we say this

At a glance

Universal Robots

UR5e

Maximum payload
5 kg
Reach
850 mm
Repeatability
±0.03 mm (ISO 9283)
Degrees of freedom
6 rotating joints
TCP speed
4 m/s

FANUC

CRX-5iA

Maximum payload
5 kg
Reach
994 mm
Repeatability
±0.03 mm
Degrees of freedom
6 axes
TCP speed
1,000 mm/s in collaborative mode; 2,000 mm/s in high-speed mode

Specification by specification

Source on every row
SpecificationUniversal Robots UR5eFANUC CRX-5iA
Maximum payloadWhat is this?5 kg [1]Usable payload falls as the tool's centre of gravity moves away from the flange; the PDF datasheet includes a payload-versus-offset chart.5 kg [7]
ReachWhat is this?Neither manufacturer's cited document states the reference point for this figure.850 mm [1]994 mm [7]
RepeatabilityWhat is this?±0.03 mm (ISO 9283) [1]±0.03 mm [7]FANUC America does not name the test standard on its product page; FANUC Europe's datasheet references ISO 9283.
Degrees of freedomWhat is this?6 rotating joints [1]6 axes [7]
TCP speedWhat is this?Maximum speed against mode-specific speeds; the risk assessment sets the usable speed.4 m/s [1]1,000 mm/s in collaborative mode; 2,000 mm/s in high-speed mode [7]FANUC Europe's datasheet describes these as maximum linear speeds of the tool centre point.
Joint working rangesWhat is this?± limits against total travel: ±360° equals 720°.±360° on all six joints [1]J1 380°, J2 360°, J3 380°, J4 380°, J5 360°, J6 450° [7]FANUC publishes each axis's total travel. Universal Robots and ABB publish ± limits, so ±360° equals 720° of travel.
Maximum joint speeds±180°/s on all six joints [1]Unknown: not published in the documents cited
Allowable wrist moment / inertiaWhat is this?Unknown: not published in the documents citedJ4 19 Nm / 0.77 kg·m²; J5 15.4 Nm / 0.5 kg·m²; J6 6.7 Nm / 0.1 kg·m² [7]
Robot weight20.7 kg [1]25 kg [7]
MountingAny orientation [1]Floor, angle or inverted [7]
Ingress protectionIP54 [1]IP67 (body, wrist and J3 arm) [7]FANUC Europe's datasheet notes that IP67 does not apply with the food-grade option.
Ambient operating temperature0–50 °C [1]The SW 10.12 manual adds that above 35 °C the robot may operate at reduced speed and performance.0–45 °C [8]
NoisedB(A) against dB with no stated weighting.< 67 dB(A) [1]< 70 dB [8]
Maximum power consumption570 W [1]Unknown: not published in the documents cited
Average power consumptionUnknown: not published in the documents cited0.3 kW [8]
Force range at the tool flange±50.0 N [1]Unknown: not published in the documents cited
Tool flangeWhat is this?EN ISO 9409-1-50-4-M6 [1]Unknown: not published in the documents cited
Controllere-Series control box (OEM version also available) [1]R-30iB Plus [7]

Where UR5e leads on published figures

  • Higher published maximum TCP speed: 4 m/s against 2,000 mm/s in FANUC's high-speed mode.
  • Lighter published arm: 20.7 kg including cable against a 25 kg mechanical weight.
  • More joint travel: ±360° (720°) on every joint, against 360°–450° of total travel per axis.
  • Wider published ambient temperature range: 0–50 °C against 0–45 °C.
  • A tool-flange force/torque sensor with published range, precision and accuracy.

Where CRX-5iA leads on published figures

  • Longer published reach: 994 mm against 850 mm.
  • Higher ingress protection: IP67 against IP54.
  • Published allowable wrist moments and inertias for J4–J6.
  • A food-grade variant, CRX-5iA Food, listed by FANUC Europe.

What cannot fairly be compared

  • Joint travel: FANUC publishes total travel per axis (for example 380°); Universal Robots publishes ± limits, so ±360° means 720° of travel.
  • Speed: Universal Robots publishes a maximum TCP speed; FANUC publishes TCP speeds for its collaborative and high-speed modes. In a collaborative cell the risk assessment sets the usable speed for both.
  • Power: Universal Robots publishes maximum power; FANUC Europe publishes average consumption. The two figures measure different things.
  • Noise: Universal Robots states dB(A); FANUC Europe's datasheet gives < 70 dB without naming the weighting.
  • Weight: Universal Robots' figure includes the arm cable; FANUC's mechanical weight does not say whether it does.

Questions to answer before choosing

  1. What is the heaviest tool plus part, and how far is its centre of gravity from the flange? FANUC's wrist moment limits and Universal Robots' payload chart both apply.
  2. Does the environment need IP67, washdown or a food-grade option?
  3. Will the cell run collaboratively, fenced, or switch between modes? That decides the usable speed.
  4. Which controller, fieldbus and programming tools does the site already support, and who will service the arm locally?
  5. Does the layout need more reach than the shortlisted arm publishes, measured to the reference point your tool uses?

This comparison uses manufacturer documentation only. RoboMag has not tested either arm, and the published figures are not a performance ranking.

UR5e full specifications CRX-5iA full specifications Compare other machines

Sources for every value

  1. [1] UR5e technical specification (online datasheet)Universal Robots · Updated September 2026 · accessed 8 October 2026
  2. [2] UR5e technical specifications, user manual appendixUniversal Robots · Online user manual, SW 10.12 edition · accessed 8 October 2026
  3. [3] UR5e e-Series datasheet (PDF)Universal Robots · Dated 08/2023, updated December 2024 · accessed 8 October 2026
  4. [4] DH parameters for calculations of kinematics and dynamicsUniversal Robots · Support article; UR5e/UR7e table · accessed 8 October 2026
  5. [5] Service Handbook, e-SeriesUniversal Robots · PolyScope 5.26 / PolyScope X 10.12 · accessed 8 October 2026
  6. [6] Inspection plan, e-Series service manualUniversal Robots · SW 5.26 edition · accessed 8 October 2026
  7. [7] CRX-5iA specificationsFANUC America · Product page specification table · accessed 9 October 2026
  8. [8] CRX-5iA datasheetFANUC Europe · MDS-04892, V1, 12/2023 · accessed 9 October 2026
  9. [9] CRX-5iA product pageFANUC Europe · accessed 9 October 2026
  10. [10] CRX collaborative robot seriesFANUC Europe · Series page listing standard, food-grade and paint models · accessed 9 October 2026