Sawyer vs Spark
Side-by-side comparison of Sawyer (Rethink Robotics) and Spark (Standard Bots) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Agriculture buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- SawyerUnited States
- SparkUnited States
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Year First Available
- Sawyer2015
- Spark—
Verified Deployments
- Sawyer0 Deployments
- Spark0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Sawyer$34,900 USD
- Spark$29,500 USD
Availability Status
- SawyerACTIVE
- SparkACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
IP Rating
- SawyerIP54
- SparkIP69K
Payload
- Sawyer4 kg
- Spark7 kg
Max TCP Speed
- Sawyer1.5 m/s
- Spark4 m/s
Reach
- Sawyer1,260 mm
- Spark900 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- Sawyer7
- Spark6
Repeatability
- Sawyer±0.01 mm
- Spark±0.025 mm
Robot Weight
- Sawyer19 kg
- Spark79 kg
Mounting Options
- Sawyerfloor, ceiling, wall
- Sparkfloor
Safety
Safety Rating
- SawyerCat3 PLd
- SparkISO/TS 15066
Force/Torque Sensing
- Sawyerjoint level all
- Sparknone
TCP Speed (Collaborative)
- Sawyer0.5 m/s
- Spark—
Power/Force Limiting
- Sawyer150 N
- Spark—
Safety I/O Pairs
- Sawyer2
- Spark—
Duty Cycle
- Sawyer24 7 continuous
- Spark—
Ease of Use
Setup Time
- Sawyer2 hrs
- Spark—
Time to Redeploy
- Sawyer10 min
- Spark—
No-Code Capable
- SawyerYes
- SparkYes
Offline Programming
- SawyerYes
- SparkNo
Programming Interface
- Sawyerteach_pendant, drag_and_drop, code_python, code_ros
- Sparkno-code app
End-Effector
Tool Flange Standard
- Sawyeriso 9283 compatible
- Spark—
Tool Changer Support
- Sawyerautomatic
- Spark—
Integrated F/T Sensor
- SawyerYes
- Spark—
Wrist Power Supply
- Sawyer24V DC + 6 bar pneumatic
- Spark—
Software & Connectivity
SDK Languages
- SawyerPython, C++, FANUC KAREL, .NET
- Spark—
ROS Compatible
- SawyerYes
- SparkNo
Fieldbus Protocols
- SawyerModbus TCP, TCP/IP
- SparkEthernet/IP
Digital Twin Support
- SawyerYes
- Spark—
Reliability
MTBF
- Sawyer90,000 hrs
- Spark—
Path Accuracy
- Sawyer±0.02 mm
- Spark—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Sawyer$34,900 USD
- Spark$29,500 USD
Warranty
- Sawyer3 yrs
- Spark—
Lead Time
- Sawyer6 wks
- Spark—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2015 | — |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $34,900 USD | $29,500 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| IP Rating (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | IP54 | IP69K |
| Payload (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | 4 kg | 7 kg |
| Max TCP Speed (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | 1.5 m/s | 4 m/s |
| Reach (values differ) | 1,260 mm | 900 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | 7 | 6 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | ±0.01 mm | ±0.025 mm |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 19 kg | 79 kg |
| Mounting Options (values differ) | floor, ceiling, wall | floor |
| Safety | ||
| Safety Rating (values differ) | Cat3 PLd | ISO/TS 15066 |
| Force/Torque Sensing (values differ) | joint level all | none |
| TCP Speed (Collaborative) (values differ) | 0.5 m/s | — |
| Power/Force Limiting (values differ) | 150 N | — |
| Safety I/O Pairs (values differ) | 2 | — |
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | 24 7 continuous | — |
| Ease of Use | ||
| Setup Time (values differ) | 2 hrs | — |
| Time to Redeploy (values differ) | 10 min | — |
| No-Code Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | Yes | No |
| Programming Interface (values differ) | teach_pendant, drag_and_drop, code_python, code_ros | no-code app |
| End-Effector | ||
| Tool Flange Standard (values differ) | iso 9283 compatible | — |
| Tool Changer Support (values differ) | automatic | — |
| Integrated F/T Sensor (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Wrist Power Supply (values differ) | 24V DC + 6 bar pneumatic | — |
| Software & Connectivity | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | Python, C++, FANUC KAREL, .NET | — |
| ROS Compatible (values differ) | Yes | No |
| Fieldbus Protocols (values differ) | Modbus TCP, TCP/IP | Ethernet/IP |
| Digital Twin Support (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Reliability | ||
| MTBF (values differ) | 90,000 hrs | — |
| Path Accuracy (values differ) | ±0.02 mm | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $34,900 USD | $29,500 USD |
| Warranty (values differ) | 3 yrs | — |
| Lead Time (values differ) | 6 wks | — |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, CaaS / Month
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | Sawyer | Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $34,900 | $29,500 |
| Payback period | 8.4 mo | 7.1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $215,100 | $220,500 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +616% | +747% |
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Sawyer and Spark?
Sawyer is made by Rethink Robotics, based in US. Spark is made by Standard Bots, based in US.
How much does Sawyer cost compared to Spark?
Sawyer is listed at $34,900. Spark is listed at $29,500.
How do Sawyer and Spark compare on the Robo Index?
Sawyer grades AA on the Robo Index. Spark grades A. The Robo Index is a credibility grade (AAA … C) that blends commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
How does the reach of Sawyer compare to Spark?
Sawyer has a reach of 1260 mm. Spark has a reach of 1300 mm.
Are Sawyer and Spark in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Cobot on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Cobot robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Cobot TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: Cobot TCO and Payback Math: Hardware, EOAT, and Zero-Fencing Savings.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Sawyer and Spark?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Cobot Vendor Red Flags: Questions That Filter Out the Marketing.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
Cobot TCO and Payback Math: Hardware, EOAT, and Zero-Fencing Savings
6 min readCollaborative Robots
Cobot Vendor Red Flags: Questions That Filter Out the Marketing
9 min readCollaborative Robots
Running a Cobot Pilot in a Manual Production Line
9 min readCollaborative Robots
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
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About this comparison
Sawyer vs Spark compares two robots in the cobot category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Index is calculated.