UFactory xArm: The Complete Guide to Every Model
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
Most robotic arms cost $40,000–$80,000 before you've bought a single end effector. The UFactory xArm starts at $6,000. Same six-axis motion, same industrial-grade construction, same capability for pick and place, machine tending, and assembly, at a fraction of what most manufacturers expect to pay.
That price gap is why the xArm series has become one of the most widely deployed cobot platforms in the world, running in production facilities, research labs, and automation cells across more than 50 countries. This guide covers every xArm model, how they compare, what they're best for, and the exact price for each, no "request a quote" required.
What Is the UFactory xArm?
The UFactory xArm is a line of collaborative robot arms designed for industrial automation, research, and education. Every model in the series shares the same core architecture: carbon fiber construction, harmonic drive joints, 17-bit multi-turn absolute encoders, and built-in collision detection, the same drivetrain technology found in robots costing several times more.
All xArm models run on UFACTORY Studio, a web-based software platform that runs inside the control box. No software installation required, connect a computer, open a browser, and you're programming. Hand-guided teaching lets operators record positions by physically moving the arm. Full Python, C++, and ROS2 SDKs are available for custom integration.
Every purchase includes the control box, 1.5m cables, and a one-year manufacturer warranty. Setup takes under an hour.
Every UFactory xArm Model, Compared
Blue Sky Robotics carries the full xArm lineup. Here's exactly what each model costs and what it's built for.
UFactory xArm 5 — $6,000
The entry point into the xArm series. Five axes of freedom, 3 kg payload, 700 mm reach, and ±0.1 mm repeatability. The xArm 5 is purpose-built for simpler, high-repetition tasks, pick and place, machine tending, sorting, where you don't need the full dexterity of a six-axis arm and want to keep costs as low as possible.
At $6,000, it's one of the most affordable capable cobots on the market for light manufacturing and research. If your application is straightforward and volume is high, the xArm 5 is the right starting point.
Best for: Simple pick and place, machine tending, education, entry-level automation budgets. Shop the UFactory xArm 5 →
UFactory xArm 6 — $9,500
The workhorse of the lineup and the most popular xArm model. Six axes of freedom, 5 kg payload, 700 mm reach, and ±0.1 mm repeatability. The step up from the xArm 5 buys you an additional axis of freedom and nearly double the payload, which means more end effector options and more application flexibility.
Pick and place, machine tending, kitting, screw driving, light assembly, and packaging are all comfortably within range. The xArm 6 supports ROS2, Python, and C++ for custom integration and works with UFACTORY's full ecosystem of grippers, vacuum tools, and force/torque sensors.
Best for: First production deployment, pick and place, machine tending, kitting lines, general automation. Shop the UFactory xArm 6 →
UFactory xArm 7 — $11,000
Add a seventh axis and you change what the robot can physically reach. The xArm 7 has the same 700 mm reach as the xArm 6, but the extra joint allows it to approach the same point in space from multiple orientations. This matters when working around fixtures, in confined workspaces, or on multi-face parts where the robot needs to reposition without moving its base.
Payload is 3.5 kg, slightly less than the xArm 6, so it's not the right choice if you need to lift heavier end effectors. But for applications where dexterity and obstacle clearance are the constraint, the xArm 7 is worth the premium.
Best for: Confined workspaces, multi-face assembly, complex path applications, advanced research. Shop the UFactory xArm 7 →
UFactory xArm 850 — $10,500
The xArm 850 is a six-axis arm built around one key advantage: reach. At 850 mm versus 700 mm on the standard xArm 6, it covers a meaningfully larger workspace, useful for wider conveyor spans, larger part footprints, or workstations where the robot needs to stretch further.
It also brings significantly tighter precision: ±0.02 mm repeatability versus ±0.1 mm on the xArm 6. That spec matters for surface finishing, precision assembly, and any application where the robot needs to hit a consistent exact position cycle after cycle. Payload is 5 kg, the same as the xArm 6.
Best for: Wider workstations, precision assembly, surface finishing, long-reach applications requiring tight tolerances. Shop the UFactory xArm 850 →
UFactory Lite 6 — $3,500
The Lite 6 is a compact desktop cobot with 600g payload and 440 mm reach. It's not designed for production manufacturing, it's designed for research labs, universities, and engineers who need an affordable, capable platform for prototyping, algorithm development, and proof-of-concept work.
Because it runs the same UFACTORY Studio software and Python/C++ SDKs as the full xArm series, anything built on the Lite 6 can be ported to a production xArm with minimal code changes. The Lite 6 Kit ($4,200) adds a direct-drive gripper and accessories for a ready-to-run package.
Best for: Research, education, prototyping, light demonstration applications. Shop the UFactory Lite 6 →
xArm Specs at a Glance
Model | DoF | Payload | Reach | Repeatability | BSR Price |
Lite 6 | 6 | 0.6 kg | 440 mm | ±0.1 mm | $3,500 |
xArm 5 | 5 | 3 kg | 700 mm | ±0.1 mm | $6,000 |
xArm 6 | 6 | 5 kg | 700 mm | ±0.1 mm | $9,500 |
xArm 850 | 6 | 5 kg | 850 mm | ±0.02 mm | $10,500 |
xArm 7 | 7 | 3.5 kg | 700 mm | ±0.1 mm | $11,000 |
Prices exclude sales tax. All models include control box and 1.5m cables.
What Makes the xArm Series Worth Buying
The price is the headline, but the build quality is the reason. The xArm series uses harmonic drive joints and brushless servo motors, the same components found in industrial cobots priced at $40,000+. This isn't a hobbyist robot scaled up; it's an industrial platform priced to be accessible. UFACTORY stress-tests every arm for a minimum of three years of full-time use.
Open ecosystem. Full Python and C++ SDKs, ROS/ROS2 packages, and example code are published on GitHub. If your application requires custom integration with a vision system, PLC, conveyor, or third-party gripper, you can build it yourself without waiting for vendor support. Blue Sky Robotics' automation software adds computer vision and no-code mission building on top of the hardware.
Quick to deploy. UFACTORY Studio runs inside the control box, no installation, no license fees. Connect a laptop, open a browser, and you're running programs the same day the robot arrives. Hand-guided teaching means experienced operators can record new programs without writing a line of code.
A full accessory ecosystem. UFACTORY offers a two-finger gripper, vacuum gripper, BIO gripper for soft or irregular objects, a 6-axis force/torque sensor ($3,500) for compliant tasks like polishing and press-fitting, and a Direct-Drive Linear Motor add-on for the xArm 6 ($13,649) that extends the working envelope along a linear track.
Which xArm Is Right for You?
If you need a simple decision framework:
Start with the xArm 5 ($6,000)Â if your application is straightforward pick and place and budget is the primary constraint. Move to the xArm 6 ($9,500)Â for most production applications, it's the right robot for the majority of light manufacturing use cases. Choose the xArm 850 ($10,500)Â when you need longer reach or tighter precision. Choose the xArm 7 ($11,000)Â when dexterity and obstacle clearance matter more than payload.
Not sure which model fits your specific application? The Blue Sky Robotics Cobot Selector walks through the decision based on your payload, reach, and process requirements. Or use the Automation Analysis Tool to estimate ROI before you commit to anything.
Blue Sky Robotics sells and supports the full UFactory xArm lineup from our team in Chapel Hill, NC. All models ship with US pricing, no hidden fees, and direct access to our team for application support.
