Used UR10e vs Used FANUC CRX-10iA: UK Cobot Comparison 2026

> QuickAnswer: The used UR10e (£15,000-£22,000) is the flexible choice for UK SMEs and new cobot adopters: the largest integrator ecosystem, the most widely known programming interface, and the most liquid secondhand market. The used FANUC CRX-10iA (£18,000-£28,000) is the right choice for organisations that already operate FANUC industrial robots and want cobots that integrate into their existing FANUC infrastructure and support relationships.

Overview

The 10 kg payload cobot handles a broad range of UK manufacturing applications: arc welding, machine tending, palletising, assembly, and quality inspection. Two robots dominate this weight class in UK facilities: the Universal Robots UR10e and the FANUC CRX-10iA.

The UR10e is Universal Robots' 10 kg offering and the natural step up from the UR5e in the UR range. The CRX-10iA is FANUC's entry into collaborative robotics -- designed to bring the world's largest industrial robot manufacturer into the cobot market with a platform that integrates with FANUC's existing automation ecosystem.

Choosing between them requires understanding not just the specifications but the ecosystems, support infrastructures, and strategic fit with your manufacturing environment.

For the 5 kg cobot category, see our used UR5e vs Dobot CR5 guide. For the full cobot picture, see the used cobot and industrial robot UK buyers guide.

Comparison Table

Price: New and Used

UR10e

The UR10e retails new for approximately £25,000-£30,000 for the robot arm and controller. Complete cell costs with tooling, safety equipment, and integration services typically reach £40,000-£65,000 depending on application complexity.

On the used market, the UR10e is one of the most actively traded used cobots in the UK. A 2020-2022 UR10e in good condition with a well-maintained controller typically sells for £15,000-£22,000. The large UK installed base creates consistent secondary market demand, which supports pricing.

FANUC CRX-10iA

The CRX-10iA retails new for approximately £35,000-£45,000. FANUC's pricing reflects its premium industrial positioning -- FANUC does not compete on price with the same approach as Universal Robots.

Used CRX-10iA units command £18,000-£28,000. Supply is lower than for the UR10e -- fewer CRX units have been installed in the UK, so fewer appear on the secondary market. Demand from existing FANUC infrastructure users keeps prices firm.

Specifications in Depth

Payload

The UR10e is rated for 12.5 kg payload -- 25% more than the CRX-10iA's 10 kg. For applications operating near the weight boundary, the UR10e has a meaningful margin advantage.

For most 10 kg class applications -- grippers, cameras, light welding torches -- both robots have sufficient payload. The practical difference only emerges in heavier tooling configurations.

Reach

The CRX-10iA has a reach advantage: 1,418 mm versus the UR10e's 1,300 mm. The additional 118 mm reach matters in applications where the robot needs to extend over large workpieces, reach into deep fixtures, or cover a wide work envelope from a single mounting position.

Before selecting based on reach, map your specific application geometry. Use the manufacturer's published reach envelope diagrams. A robot that requires the arm to operate near the edge of its reach envelope is less accurate and more susceptible to singularity issues than one operating comfortably within it.

Repeatability

The CRX-10iA's specified repeatability of ±0.02 mm is better than the UR10e's ±0.05 mm. Both are excellent for the vast majority of collaborative robot applications. The CRX's superior repeatability reflects FANUC's heritage in high-precision industrial robots.

For precision assembly, electronics manufacturing, or applications requiring tight tolerances, the CRX-10iA's repeatability specification is a genuine differentiator. For welding, machine tending, or general assembly, ±0.05 mm is entirely adequate.

Weight and Footprint

The CRX-10iA weighs 55 kg, substantially more than the UR10e's 33.5 kg. This affects both transport logistics and mounting requirements. For ceiling or wall mounting, the CRX-10iA requires more robust mounting structures. For table-top or pedestal mounting, the weight difference affects the pedestal specification.

Programming: PolyScope vs CRX App

PolyScope (UR10e)

PolyScope has been refined through five major versions and is the global standard for collaborative robot programming. The current PolyScope X is a significant improvement over earlier versions and provides an accessible graphical interface for creating robot programs.

The ecosystem around PolyScope is the world's largest for collaborative robots. The UR+ marketplace provides hundreds of certified accessories with pre-built PolyScope integration. HIVE training is widely available and industry-respected. Application notes, tutorials, and community resources are abundant.

For an organisation with no prior cobot experience, learning PolyScope is well-supported. For one with existing cobot experience, the probability of staff already knowing PolyScope is high.

CRX App

The CRX App is FANUC's purpose-built collaborative robot programming interface, designed from scratch for tablet and touchscreen use rather than adapted from an industrial robot teach pendant. Lead-through programming -- physically moving the robot arm to teach positions -- is a core feature and is widely praised for accessibility.

The CRX App is not PolyScope. It has a different interaction model, different workflow, and different third-party integrations. For an organisation that has no FANUC industrial robot experience, the CRX App represents a fresh learning investment.

For an organisation already using FANUC industrial robots and FANUC's iRVision vision system, the CRX App represents a coherent extension of a familiar ecosystem rather than a new platform. FANUC's offline simulation and programming tools (FANUC ROBOGUIDE) support the CRX alongside the wider FANUC portfolio.

Ecosystem Integration

This is the most important dimension for many UK buyers, and where the robots diverge most significantly.

Universal Robots: Open UR+ Ecosystem

Universal Robots has built UR+ into the world's largest cobot accessory marketplace. Grippers from Robotiq, OnRobot, and Schunk; vision systems from Cognex, Keyence, and SICK; conveyors, welding torches, tool changers, and safety systems -- virtually every major accessory manufacturer has a UR+ certified product.

This openness means that when specifying a UR10e cell, you are not locked into Universal Robots' supply chain. You can select best-in-class accessories and know they will work together.

FANUC: Integrated Factory Automation

FANUC's advantage is different and reflects FANUC's position as a manufacturer of CNCs, servo motors, machine tools, and industrial robots alongside cobots. An organisation running FANUC CNCs and FANUC R-2000 or M-20 series industrial robots can integrate the CRX-10iA into the same FANUC ecosystem -- same teach pendant knowledge, same iRVision platform, same service relationships, same spare parts infrastructure.

For automotive suppliers, precision engineering companies, and manufacturing operations with substantial FANUC installed bases, this integration value is real and significant. The engineering team already knows FANUC. The service engineers know FANUC. The IT/OT infrastructure is already set up for FANUC. Adding CRX to that environment is a natural extension.

For a manufacturer with no FANUC infrastructure, this advantage is irrelevant and the UR10e's more open ecosystem is preferable.

UK Integrators and Support

Universal Robots UK

Universal Robots operates a UK office in Milton Keynes with direct support capabilities. Over 100 certified UR+ integrators are active in the UK across all major manufacturing regions. Lead times for integrator engagement are typically short due to the density of available partners.

For UK SMEs deploying their first cobot, the density and accessibility of Universal Robots' UK partner network is a practical advantage. Finding an integrator with relevant experience in your industry sector is straightforward.

FANUC UK

FANUC UK is based in Ansty, Coventry, with a substantial UK operation covering CNC, servo, and robot support. FANUC's UK service network is one of the strongest in UK manufacturing automation. For CRX, FANUC's industrial robot service capability extends naturally to the cobot range.

The difference is that FANUC's UK integrator network, while large for industrial robots, has fewer CRX specialists relative to Universal Robots' UR10e specialist count. This is changing as CRX adoption grows, but as of 2026 it remains easier to find a UR10e integrator than a CRX integrator in most UK regions.

Resale Value and Market Liquidity

The UR10e benefits from higher secondary market liquidity. More units have been installed, more appear for sale, and buyers are more common because the UR base is larger. A UR10e in good condition typically sells within 4-8 weeks through active channels.

The FANUC CRX-10iA has lower secondary market volume but steady demand from within the FANUC ecosystem. Used CRX units are not always easy to sell quickly, but when they do sell they command good prices.

If portfolio liquidity matters to your procurement strategy, the UR10e's larger secondary market is a practical advantage.

Who Should Buy Each Robot

Choose a Used UR10e If:

• You are deploying your first cobot or expanding a cobot fleet outside a FANUC environment
• Your team has PolyScope experience from previous UR or compatible deployments
• You need access to the widest range of certified third-party accessories and integrators
• Secondary market liquidity is important to your equipment strategy
• Your application requires 12.5 kg payload or you want headroom above 10 kg
• Budget is a factor and the lower used price of the UR10e is meaningful

Choose a Used FANUC CRX-10iA If:

• You already operate FANUC industrial robots and want to extend your FANUC infrastructure
• Your application benefits from the CRX-10iA's longer reach (1,418 mm) or better repeatability (±0.02 mm)
• You have existing FANUC service relationships that will extend naturally to the CRX
• You want tight integration with FANUC iRVision or other FANUC automation systems
• FANUC UK's enterprise support infrastructure matches your operational support requirements

Buying Used: What to Check

For a Used UR10e

1. Controller version: Identify whether the controller is CB3 or e-Series. The UR10e uses the e-Series controller. If the robot is a UR10 (without the 'e'), it uses the older CB3 controller and may have software and accessory compatibility considerations.
2. Joint condition: Run a full-range motion test on all six joints and inspect for wear sounds or hesitation.
3. Firmware version: Ensure the controller is on a supported firmware version and PolyScope X is available.
4. Force/torque sensor calibration: The e-Series has integrated force/torque sensing. Verify it is calibrated correctly and functioning.
5. Cycle count and service history: Request the full service record. UR10e units with documented service history are preferable.

For a Used FANUC CRX-10iA

1. Controller compatibility: The CRX-10iA uses the R-30iB Mini Plus controller. Ensure the controller is included and paired correctly to the robot.
2. Tablet and CRX App: The programming interface runs on a standard tablet. Verify the tablet is included, charged, and functional with the correct CRX App version.
3. Joint condition and overload history: FANUC robots are robust but joint overloads in cobot applications can cause damage. Review alarm history in the controller for overload events.
4. FANUC support licence: Confirm software maintenance coverage status and what is included in any transfer.
5. Calibration documentation: Request the calibration certificate and verify the robot's zero-position calibration is intact.

Verdict

The used UR10e is the right choice for the majority of UK manufacturers deploying 10 kg cobots: it has the most accessible ecosystem, the highest integrator density, and the most liquid secondhand market. The lower used price compared to the CRX-10iA means the UR10e offers better value for organisations not already invested in the FANUC ecosystem.

The used FANUC CRX-10iA is the right choice for organisations with existing FANUC infrastructure. The integration with FANUC's broader ecosystem, the superior repeatability, and the longer reach are genuine advantages for the right application. FANUC's UK support infrastructure is world-class. But these advantages are only relevant to a subset of UK manufacturers -- specifically, those already in the FANUC ecosystem.

If you have no FANUC infrastructure, start with the UR10e. If you already run FANUC, the CRX-10iA is worth the premium.

Browse current listings on Robot AutoTrader or explore the robot database for full specifications on both platforms.

FAQ

Can the FANUC CRX-10iA run the same programs as FANUC's industrial robots? Not directly -- the CRX-10iA uses the CRX App and FANUC's TP language for collaborative applications, which differs from conventional FANUC TP programs. However, the underlying FANUC ecosystem -- iRVision integration, ROBOGUIDE simulation, service infrastructure -- is shared, which is where the integration value lies.

Is the UR10e suitable for welding applications? Yes. The UR10e is used widely in arc welding applications with certified welding packages from Fronius, Lincoln Electric, and Miller. UR+ includes certified welding system integrations. The UR10e is one of the most common collaborative welding robots in UK manufacturing.

What is the minimum safe distance for operation near the UR10e versus CRX-10iA? Both robots are designed for collaborative operation, but safe operating parameters must be determined through a site-specific risk assessment per ISO 10218-2 and TS 15066. The robot's speed, payload, and operating environment all affect safe operating parameters. Do not assume collaborative means unrestricted human contact is safe without conducting the required assessment.

How long does integration typically take for a used UR10e in the UK? A straightforward machine-tending or assembly application can be integrated and operational within 4-8 weeks with an experienced UK UR+ integrator. Complex applications with vision, multiple grippers, or integration with plant systems take longer. Availability of a qualified integrator is typically not the bottleneck for UR10e -- partner density in the UK is high.

Are spare parts readily available for both robots in the UK? Both manufacturers maintain UK parts availability through their service networks. Universal Robots spare parts are available through UR and UR+ partners. FANUC spare parts are available through FANUC UK's extensive service infrastructure. FANUC's parts availability is typically excellent given FANUC's emphasis on long-term support commitments.

Prices quoted are approximate secondhand market values for the UK in October 2026. Check the Robot AutoTrader resale index for current data. For further cobot comparisons, see used UR5e vs Dobot CR5 and the used cobot industrial robot UK buyers guide.