When you're shopping for industrial robotics cobots, the first fork in the road is often whether to buy the whole robot arm or just the gripper that attaches to one. Both approaches are on the table here: a complete Universal Robots UR5e cobot with a 5 kg payload, and a PIAB piCOBOT collaborative gripper designed specifically for Universal Robots. The price spread is substantial-USD 21,000.00 for the full arm versus USD 1,169.95 for the gripper-so your decision will likely hinge on what you already have in your facility and what task you need to automate.
Quick Verdict
If you're starting from scratch with no existing cobot and need to handle a variety of medium-duty tasks like machine tending, pick-and-place, assembly, or quality inspection, the Universal Robots UR5e is the complete solution. It's a used unit, but it's the full 6-axis arm with a 5 kg payload, 850 mm reach, and ±0.03 mm repeatability. If you already own a Universal Robots cobot and need a reliable end-of-arm tool, the PIAB piCOBOT gripper is a compact, new open-box option that gets you gripping capability without buying a second arm.
Comparison Table
| Product | Listed Price (USD) | Price Bar | Condition | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Robots UR5e Collaborative Robot (Cobot) - 5 kg Payload, Low Hours | 21,000.00 | Used | Full automation arm with 6-axis motion | |
| New! piab piCOBOT Collaborative Robot Gripper for Universal Robots | 1,169.95 | New - Open box | Precision gripper for an existing UR cobot |
Where Each Product Wins
- Universal Robots UR5e wins if you need a complete robot arm. It offers 6 rotating joints, a 5 kg payload, and an 850 mm reach, making it suitable for tasks like machine tending, assembly, and laboratory automation. The integrated force/torque sensor in the e-Series enables force-sensitive applications.
- PIAB piCOBOT wins if you're looking for a dedicated gripper. It's a robotic claw clamper/gripper made in Germany, with a model number that suggests it's engineered for Universal Robots integration. The new open-box condition offers a fresh end-of-arm tool at a fraction of the total robot cost.
Product Notes
Universal Robots UR5e Collaborative Robot (Cobot) - 5 kg Payload, Low Hours
This is the full cobot system, built in Denmark and listed as a used unit with low hours. It's a 6-axis robot with rotating joints, constructed from aluminium, plastic, and steel, and it's designed for a wide range of disciplines including biological, dental, medical, microbiological, and physical laboratories. The 5 kg payload and 850 mm reach give you room to handle medium-duty tasks, while the ±0.03 mm repeatability and integrated force/torque sensor support precision work like insertion and polishing. The noise level is listed as less than 65 dB(A), and it operates in temperatures from 0 to 50 °C. At USD 21,000.00, this is a significant investment, but you're getting a complete cobot rather than a component. The main limitation is the used condition-you're not purchasing a brand-new unit, and the compatibility with your specific application needs to be judged against your existing tooling and safety setup.
New! piab piCOBOT Collaborative Robot Gripper for Universal Robots
This is a new open-box gripper made in Germany, specifically designed for Universal Robots. It's a robotic claw clamper/gripper, classified under handling construction, and it carries the model PCO.U1.M01.T.MC2.S221PA.X.6.CC.A.XXX with MPN 9938239. At USD 1,169.95, it's a low-cost way to add gripping capability to a cobot you already have. The gripper is built for handling tasks and should integrate with UR cobots given its design intent, though the listing doesn't specify payload or grip force details. The limitation here is that it's only a gripper-it can't move on its own. You'll need a compatible robot arm, and without additional specs from the listing, you'll want to confirm the gripper's dimensions and mounting compatibility for your specific UR model.
Final Choice by Use Case
- Buy the Universal Robots UR5e if you need a complete 6-axis cobot for medium-duty automation and you're comfortable with a used unit. It gives you the full range of motion and payload for tasks that require more than just gripping.
- Buy the PIAB piCOBOT gripper if you already have a Universal Robots arm and need a new end-of-arm tool. It's a cost-effective addition that turns an existing cobot into a handling solution.
The decision comes down to whether you're building a robot cell from the ground up or upgrading an existing one. The UR5e is the whole system; the piCOBOT is the part that grips. Choose accordingly.
