11 Cobot Brands Compared by Payload, Price & ROI
The best cobot brand is the one that can do your job reliably, with support your team can use and a complete cost the work can repay. Compare specific models, not brand-wide maximums. Check the tool and part load, usable reach, programming, safety, and local service before you compare prices or calculate return on investment (ROI).
How Do These 11 Cobot Brands Compare?
A cobot is a robot designed with capabilities for collaborative applications. That does not mean every tool or job can run beside a person without safeguards. For buying purposes, treat the arm as one part of a complete workcell.
The table uses one named model from each brand so the payload and reach belong together. These are specification examples, not equivalent-size competitors, a full portfolio list, or a first-to-last ranking. Figures come from the linked manufacturers; final selection still needs the exact load diagram and application test.
| Brand / example model | Rated payload | Published reach | What to compare next | Official specification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Robots UR20 | 20 kg; 25 kg with manual-defined conditions | 1,750 mm | Compatible tools and application software; load conditions at the required posture | UR20 |
| FANUC CRX-30iA | 30 kg or 25 kg, depending on mode | 1,756 mm at 30 kg; 1,889 mm in 25 kg mode | Payload mode, complete cycle, controller options and local service | CRX brochure, p. 3 |
| ABB GoFa 12 | 12 kg; up to 14 kg wrist-down | 1,270 mm to wrist; 1,370 mm to flange | Required accuracy, software options and permitted wrist orientation | GoFa variants |
| Doosan Robotics H2017 | 20 kg | 1,700 mm | Tool load, force-sensing needs and the local integration package | Doosan comparison |
| Techman Robot TM30S | 30 kg; up to 35 kg for specified palletizing use | 1,702 mm | Vision performance, software scope and palletizing restrictions | TM30S |
| KUKA LBR iisy 15 R930 | 15 kg rated | 930 mm | Reach versus load: the iisy 11 R1300 is a different 11 kg, 1,300 mm model | LBR iisy models |
| Yaskawa Motoman HC20DTP | 20 kg | 1,700 mm horizontal | Machine interface, process package, robot path and support | HC Series |
| Franka Robotics Franka Research 3 | 3 kg | 855 mm | Research controls and force-sensitive manipulation; 7 axes | Franka Research 3 |
| Kassow Robots KR1410 | 10 kg | 1,400 mm | Whether 7-axis posture freedom solves the actual access problem | KR Series |
| Productive Robotics OB7 Max 8 | 8 kg | 1,700 mm | Demonstration-based teaching and a complete tending package; 7 axes | OB7 Max 8 |
| AUBO Robotics AUBO-i10 | 10 kg | 1,350 mm working radius | Exact controller, interfaces, local commissioning and spare-parts support | AUBO-i10 datasheet |
Specifications checked September 10, 2026. Reach definitions and special payload modes differ. A longer advertised reach does not prove that the robot can carry your tool through every required position. On a phone, swipe the table horizontally.
A real example of a misleading comparison: listing the FANUC CRX-30iA as simply “30 kg / 1,889 mm” combines two operating modes. Its brochure pairs 30 kg with 1,756 mm and 25 kg with the expanded 1,889 mm reach. Carry that distinction into the layout and quotation, not just a footnote.
Which Cobot Brands Belong on Your Shortlist?
Use these profiles to decide which suppliers to test. The buying guidance is an application-based interpretation of their published features, not a claim that one brand is cheaper, more reliable, or more accurate in every job.
Universal Robots: Tool and Application Choice
Consider UR when you want to build around its programming platform and choose from compatible grippers, vision products, or process packages. Its marketplace is a useful place to identify available integration options.
Ask for proof: name the exact robot, controller software, tool and application version. A compatible accessory can simplify a connection; it does not prove the whole cell meets your quality or cycle target.
FANUC: Existing Controls and Heavier Handling
Put FANUC on the list when your plant already has staff and service arrangements for its equipment, or when a CRX model fits the handling load. Its CRX interface supports hand guidance and tablet-based teaching.
Ask for proof: run the load in the selected payload mode. Include the required controller functions, machine communications and safety-limited cycle in the quote.
ABB: Process Paths and RobotStudio Workflows
GoFa is worth comparing for assembly, dispensing, inspection and other work where the tool path matters. ABB provides RobotStudio support, Wizard programming and an optional Ultra Accuracy feature.
Ask for proof: test the actual path and tolerance with the quoted options. Position repeatability, absolute position accuracy and path accuracy describe different things; none alone proves a good weld, seal or measurement.
Doosan Robotics: Load and Reach Options
Doosan offers several payload-and-reach combinations. The H2017 example is a 20 kg, 1,700 mm arm; a shorter or lighter model may be a better match for a compact job.
Ask for proof: have the supplier compare models on your tool load and complete path. Confirm which force-sensing and application features are included, along with training and regional support.
Techman Robot: Vision-Guided Work
Techman combines TMflow programming with vision features. Compare it when the job involves part location, alignment or inspection and you want to evaluate the robot and vision workflow together.
Ask for proof: test real surface finishes, lighting, part variation and failed detections. Confirm the camera configuration and software licenses. Integrated vision does not eliminate lighting, calibration or validation work.
KUKA: Established Plant Standards
The LBR iisy range is a sensible candidate when KUKA experience, tooling conventions and local support already exist in the factory. Choose the exact model before treating its payload and reach as a matched pair.
Ask for proof: verify controller and software compatibility with your plant. A 15 kg iisy and a 1,300 mm iisy are not automatically the same robot.
Yaskawa Motoman: Tending and Process Integration
The HC family and Smart Pendant deserve a look when your team works with Motoman systems or a local integrator has a suitable tending or welding package.
Ask for proof: demonstrate machine handshakes, part loading, process start and fault recovery as one sequence. Controls familiarity can reduce learning effort, but it does not make every machine interface plug-and-play.
Franka Robotics: Research and Force-Sensitive Tasks
Franka Research 3 is aimed at robotics and AI research, with seven axes, torque sensing and low-level control access. Compare it for experiments or delicate manipulation that need those capabilities.
Ask for proof: if the goal is production, verify the intended use, safety setup, support and operating environment separately. A research platform is not a substitute for a heavy palletizing arm.
Kassow Robots: Access Around Obstructions
Kassow uses seven axes. That extra joint gives more freedom to change the elbow position while keeping the tool where it is needed, which can help around machine doors or tight fixtures.
Ask for proof: simulate and run the approach, work and retreat paths with the real tool. An extra axis is useful only if it solves a layout or movement problem.
Productive Robotics: Demonstration-Based Teaching
The seven-axis OB7 family teaches jobs through physical demonstration. Compare its machine-tending packages when your operators need a practical way to learn, change and restart recurring jobs.
Ask for proof: test staging, door operation, gripping, chip handling and exception recovery. Easy teaching is valuable, but tooling and a repeatable process still determine whether unattended cycles work.
AUBO Robotics: An Additional Model-Level Comparison
AUBO is another candidate when its model dimensions and control options fit the task. The i10 example has a 10 kg payload and a 1,350 mm working radius. Compare the actual regional offer rather than assuming its purchase price from the brand name.
Ask for proof: specify the controller, licensed interfaces, documentation language, commissioning responsibility, spare-parts availability and response time. A lower arm quote is useful only if the remaining integration and support costs are understood.
How Do You Choose the Right Payload and Reach?
Size the robot for everything it moves, not just the workpiece. The end-effector is the gripper, torch or other tool at the end of the arm. Its mass and position can determine the robot size before the part does.
Illustrative load calculation
10 kg part + 4 kg gripper + 1 kg adapter = 15 kg
A 10 kg robot is already too small for this load. A 15 kg robot is only a starting candidate: the center of gravity, wrist moment, inertia and motion still need approval against its load limits. Include all other attached items and account for cable or hose forces in the way the manufacturer specifies.
Check the Tool Offset, Not Only Kilograms
The center of gravity is the load's balance point. Moving it farther from the wrist increases the turning load on the joints. Large vacuum frames, long torches and dual grippers can therefore be limiting even when their total mass looks acceptable.
Give the integrator the tool drawing, maximum load, center of gravity and relevant inertia data. Do not replace the manufacturer's load analysis with a universal “add 20%” rule. See the cobot payload guide for a closer look at these terms.
Test Every Position in the Real Layout
Check pickup, approach, processing, unloading and fault-recovery positions. Include the open machine door, fixtures, hoses, neighboring equipment and access for maintenance. A point inside the maximum reach circle may still be unusable because of tool orientation, elbow clearance or a restricted joint position.
How Should You Compare Programming and Local Support?
Ask the people who will run the cell to try the same small job on each shortlisted system. A polished sales demonstration shows what an expert can do. It does not show how your team will handle a new part, a missed pick or a restart after an interruption.
- Teach and change a job: add positions, adjust the tool and edit the sequence.
- Handle an exception: recover from a missing part or a machine that is not ready.
- Connect the real equipment: confirm input/output signals, industrial network options and safety interfaces.
- Back up and restore: check access to programs, passwords, software licenses and recovery files.
- Get support: name the party responsible for the arm, tool, process equipment and complete cell.
For mixed production, record changeover time as well as cycle time. In a simple example, a 20-minute setup adds one minute per part to a 20-part batch, but only six seconds per part to a 200-part batch. The same robot can be attractive for one batch size and disappointing for the other.
Before purchase, request training scope, support hours, travel charges, spare-parts lead times and what happens when a fault spans two suppliers. “Local support available” is less useful than a named service contact and written responsibilities.
How Much Will the Complete Cobot Cell Cost?
Compare complete, matched quotations instead of assigning each brand a cheap-or-premium label. The product pages linked here do not provide a consistent, comparable price list. Model, region, controller, options, tooling and integration scope can all change the quote.
Request a robot-only subtotal and a production-ready total. For a hardware-only purchase, clearly assign responsibility for the design, integration and validation that remain. For turnkey work, define the part, quality result, cycle and acceptance test before comparing totals.
| Matched project cost item | Illustrative offer A | Illustrative offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Arm, controller and required software | $35,000 | $42,000 |
| Gripper, fixtures and part staging | $15,000 | $14,000 |
| Safeguards and cell safety hardware | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Engineering, installation, validation and training | $20,000 | $14,000 |
| Budget allowance for project uncertainty | $10,000 | $6,000 |
| Illustrative project investment | $90,000 | $86,000 |
Hypothetical USD figures for a handling project, not manufacturer quotations or market-average prices. An actual budget must include applicable taxes, freight, site work and all required process equipment. The different allowances must be justified by documented project uncertainty, not chosen to favor a supplier.
In this example, B's arm package costs $7,000 more, but the total is $4,000 lower. That only matters if both offers deliver the same working result. A low total that leaves out guarding, validation or a necessary gripper is not the cheaper equivalent.
Separate Startup Cost from Recurring Cost
Operating costs may include electricity, compressed air, gripper wear, process consumables, maintenance, software subscriptions, support and remaining operator work. Use the change from the current process, and do not count the same cost twice. For cost categories beyond this brand comparison, read how much cobots really cost.
What Makes a Cobot ROI Estimate Credible?
Base the estimate on useful production and a real change in cash flow. Faster movement or less manual effort can be valuable, but neither automatically means lower payroll or more profit.
Count Only Benefits You Can Explain
Labor savings may come from reduced overtime, temporary labor or an avoided hire. If a worker is reassigned and payroll stays the same, record the released time as capacity. Count its financial value only when you can show how the new work earns extra contribution or avoids a cost.
For extra output, use additional contribution after the costs of making and selling those parts, not gross sales. Verify demand and the next production bottleneck. Count scrap savings from an actual baseline, and avoid also including the same saved material or labor in another benefit line.
Annual net cash benefit = realized labor savings + other non-overlapping cash benefits − incremental recurring costs.
Simple payback, months = installed investment ÷ positive annual net cash benefit × 12.
Three-year simple ROI = (3 × annual net cash benefit − investment) ÷ investment × 100%.
Check a Lower-Utilization Case
For a hypothetical $90,000 cell, six paid person-hours avoided per day at $32 per hour over 250 days gives $48,000 in annual labor savings. Subtract $8,000 in incremental annual costs and the net benefit is $40,000: 27 months simple payback.
If only three paid person-hours are avoided per day, the net benefit falls to $16,000 and payback becomes 67.5 months. Nothing about the robot's purchase price changed. The difference is how much benefit the process can actually realize.
These examples assume a full year at the stated output. A launch delay or slow ramp-up pushes calendar payback later. Financing, taxes, discounting and residual value are outside this simple model; add them when preparing the final investment case.
Calculate Cobot Payback with Your Own Inputs
Use this tool to see how investment, realized labor savings and recurring costs affect the result. The starting values are the hypothetical example above. They are not a forecast for any brand. Inputs stay in your browser.
The example has a positive annual net cash benefit. This is a planning calculation, not a guaranteed return.
- Annual realized labor savings
- $48,000
- Annual net cash benefit
- $40,000
- Three-year simple ROI
- 33.3%
- Three-year net gain after investment
- $30,000
Assumes a constant annual benefit for three years. Excludes ramp-up, financing, tax, discounting and resale value. Zero or negative net benefit gives no simple payback.
For a more detailed scenario, use the Cobot ROI & Payback Calculator. Apply the same rules on realized benefits and double counting.
Which Cobot Should You Choose for Welding or Laser Processing?
Choose a tested process package, not an arm with a “welding-ready” label alone. The selected robot must work with the welding or laser source, head, feeder if used, fixture and control system. A handling demonstration does not prove stable processing on your parts.
- Tool and routing: include the torch or laser head, adapters and cable or hose effects. Check bend limits and clearance throughout the path.
- Process movement: test path quality, working distance, travel speed and corner behavior under the actual load.
- Parts and fixtures: include realistic joint gaps, surface condition, dimensional variation and access.
- Controls: verify ready, start, stop, fault and safe-restart behavior across the complete system.
- Quality: agree on weld, cleaning or marking acceptance criteria and the inspection method before timing output.
Do not assume an existing handheld laser tool can simply be clamped to a robot. Confirm that the source, head, controls and interlocks are intended and supported for the proposed automated setup. For a narrower comparison, see cobot arms for welding.
Robot contact detection is not laser-beam protection. Class 4 laser radiation can injure eyes and skin through direct or reflected exposure. The beam path, enclosure or controlled area, interlocks and fume control need their own assessment. The FDA's laser hazard classification explains why the process hazard remains even when the arm has collaborative features.
What Should You Require Before Placing an Order?
Ask the shortlisted supplier or integrator to demonstrate the complete job and write down what will be delivered. The ISO 10218-2:2025 scope covers industrial robot applications and cells; a robot's own safety features do not amount to approval of the finished application.
- A defined part family: drawings, weight, tool configuration, variation and required quality.
- A realistic layout and load check: every working position, operator access, maintenance access and cable routing.
- A production-like test: real parts, complete cycle timing, changeovers, remaining labor, rejected parts and restarts.
- The intended safety configuration: include any guarding, scanners, separation or speed limits in the timed test. For the fencing question, use the cobot safety-fence guide.
- Written delivery and support scope: software, tooling, installation, training, acceptance, warranty, spare parts and service responsibilities.
A factory acceptance test checks the agreed system before shipment. Site acceptance checks it after installation with your utilities, equipment and workflow. Define both where relevant. A hardware-only sale and a turnkey production cell need different acceptance scopes.
Final choice: shortlist the brands that meet the task and have credible local support. Then compare the exact model, complete delivered scope and a conservative cash-benefit case. Do not buy extra payload, an extra axis or an attractive brand name unless it solves a documented requirement.
Sources and Specification Boundaries
The model links in the comparison table are the primary specification sources. These additional references explain payload conditions, available integration tools and safety scope. Manufacturer data are not an independent head-to-head performance test.
- UR20 technical specifications — extended payload requires the manual's boundary conditions.
- Universal Robots marketplace — examples of available tools and application solutions.
- FANUC 2026 CRX brochure — matched CRX-30iA payload and reach modes, plus interface information.
- ISO 10218-2:2025 — the scope of industrial robot application and cell safety requirements.
- FDA laser products and instruments — laser classes and exposure hazards.
Planning a Cobot Laser Welding, Cleaning or Marking Cell?
Share the part drawings or photos, material, thickness, tool and part weights, target result, current cycle and available layout with Oceanplayer Laser. Include the production mix and any robot platform your team already supports, so the discussion starts with the process requirements.