Which Industrial Cobot Fits Your Cell? Sawyer, Omron TM5-700, or piCOBOT Gripper

Choosing an industrial cobot comes down to reach, payload, programming flexibility, and whether you need a complete arm or just a gripper. Compare Rethink Sawyer systems at $5,595 and $6,995, the Omron TM5-700 at $16,500, and the PIAB piCOBOT gripper at $1,169.95.

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Choosing an industrial cobot for machine tending, pick-and-place, or research usually starts with a budget question: should you buy a complete arm, a lower-cost used system, or just the end effector? The four options in this comparison cover that entire range, from a dedicated gripper for a Universal Robots arm to a new 6kg Omron cobot. Your real decision hinges on how much payload and reach you need, whether you already own an arm, and how comfortable you are buying used equipment.

Quick take

If a complete, gripper-equipped cobot is the goal, the Rethink Sawyer listed with New Bios is the self-contained option. If you want the same Sawyer capabilities with a lower-hour used arm and are willing to source tooling yourself, the other Sawyer system covers the core components. If you already run a Universal Robots arm, the PIAB piCOBOT gives you a purpose-built gripper without adding an entire robot. If you need more payload from a new, unopened unit, the Omron TM5-700 offers 6kg capacity and integrated vision in a 700mm-reach package.

Listed price comparison

Here is how the listed prices stack up.

Product	Listed Price	Price Bar
Rethink Sawyer - New Bios (gripper included)	USD 6,995.00
Rethink Sawyer - Under 1,400 runtime hours	USD 5,595.00
PIAB piCOBOT for Universal Robots	USD 1,169.95
Omron TM5-700	USD 16,500.00

Decision matrix

Match the system to your situation rather than looking for a single winner.

For CNC tending, assembly, or education with a gripper ready to use: Rethink Sawyer with New Bios.
For a lower-cost Sawyer arm when you already have end-of-arm tooling: Rethink Sawyer with under 1,400 runtime hours.
For an existing Universal Robots arm that needs a handling gripper: PIAB piCOBOT.
For a new, higher-payload cobot with vision-guided control: Omron TM5-700.

Product notes

Rethink Sawyer - New Bios (gripper included)

Listed at $6,995, this used Sawyer arm is the only option in this group that includes the electric parallel gripper with the robot. For a CNC tending or machine-tending cell where you need to pick and place parts immediately, that can save you from sourcing an end effector separately. The 900mm reach and 4kg payload are useful for assembly and inspection tasks, and the seven-axis design with force sensing in each joint plus built-in vision gives you a flexible base. It also runs Intera 5.3 or can be programmed in SDK mode with ROS. The limitation is that this is a used unit, so the listed condition is worth factoring into your integration plan.

Rethink Sawyer - Under 1,400 runtime hours

At $5,595, this Sawyer package is the lower-priced complete arm in the lineup. It includes the robot arm, controller box, pedestal, cables, and E-stop, and the runtime of under 1,400 hours gives you a sense of the unit's history. It shares the same 900mm reach and 4kg payload as the other Sawyer, and it also has seven axes, joint force sensing, built-in vision, and Intera 5.3 or ROS SDK programming. The trade-off is that the listed component set is more focused on the arm and controller, so you will need to think through your end effector and tooling separately. Used condition is the other trade-off, but this is a good way to get Sawyer-level capability at a lower entry point.

PIAB piCOBOT Collaborative Robot Gripper for Universal Robots

At $1,169.95, the PIAB piCOBOT is the least expensive item in this comparison, but it is not a full robot arm. It is a robotic claw clamp/gripper designed for Universal Robots, so it only makes sense as an addition to a UR-based cell. The gripper is made in Germany, is listed as New - Open box, and has a handling construction type, which points to assembly, packaging, or logistics use. For anyone who already owns a Universal Robots arm and needs a precise clamping end effector, this is the direct, low-cost add-on. The limitation is scope: a gripper cannot provide reach, payload, or motion, so it shouldn't be treated as an alternative to a complete cobot.

Omron Collaborative Robot - TM5-700 - #RT6-0007021; NEW UNOPENED BOX

Listed at $16,500, this Omron TM5-700 is the only new, unopened robot in the group, and it brings the highest payload at 6kg. Its 700mm reach is shorter than the Sawyer arms, but the built-in vision-based robot control gives it strong positioning for assembly, packaging, inspection, and logistics tasks. It also supports EtherNet/IP, MODBUS, PROFINET, and Ethernet TCP/IP communication, which makes it easier to fit into existing industrial networks. The clear limitation is price: this is a significant step above the other options. If you need a new robot with more carrying capacity and vision-guided automation, the Omron is the one to budget for.

Final recommendation

For CNC and machine tending with a gripper ready to work: the Rethink Sawyer with New Bios is the practical pick. For a lower-cost Sawyer arm when you have your own end effector: the under-1,400-hour Sawyer delivers the same reach and payload. For a Universal Robots arm that needs a clamp/gripper: the PIAB piCOBOT is the direct add-on. For a new arm with a higher payload and built-in vision: the Omron TM5-700 fits that use case.

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