In the last two decades, robot arms have migrated from industrial tools to household tools, toys, and DIY projects. Here we list a few of the best robot arms that you can buy or 3D print to extend your workshop or just use for fun!

There are many different styles of the robot arm, but most operate on the same general principles of motion. Robot arms, unlike Cartesian machines such as 3D printers, utilize the polar coordinate system for movement and have an arc-shaped working area. Robot arms are unique in that they are not restricted by their footprint, and as such take up very little space in comparison to other machines with similar functionality.

Robot arms are usually referred to in terms of degrees of freedom (DOF). This term is used to indicate the number of rotational joints or axes on a particular arm, for instance, a 4DOF arm can rotate at four separate joints.

Robot arms vary in use, but most are capable of pick-and-place operation, while some are equipped for CNC work, laser engraving, and even 3D printing, all in one machine.

Since there are hundreds of great designs and projects to sift through when deciding on a good robot arm to buy or print, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 of the best, most popular arms that are available today.

6 DOF Robot Arm

RBX1 Remix by Roboteurs

The RBX1 (aka Remix) is a 3D Printed 6 Axis Robot Arm. The robot is built using only a 3D printer with no machined components. In addition to sourcing components yourself, Roboteurs offers a full kit of parts with a proprietary stepper driver to get your RBX1 running, all you need is a Raspberry Pi and a 3D printer. An external computer is not required.

You can find the entire BOM and the kit of parts on the Roboteurs product page.

3D Printable Robot Arm by Andreas Hoelldorfer

The robot arm is inspired by well-known industry robots, but printable. Industrial robots are expensive and dangerous and are not suitable for use at home or at schools. With a 6DOF design, this arm should lift about 2 kg enough to perform everyday tasks. Currently, robot arms are expensive or small and weak, or clumpy.

The goal is to develop an open-source robot arm to use in private or small businesses and make robot development available for everyone. A cheap 3D printed robot arm could be used by disabled persons to manage their daily needs better and more independent.

To find the print files and full BOM, visit the project page.

5 DOF Robot Arm

Robotic Arm by Zortrax

A 5 DOF design, the Zortrax Robot Arm isn’t necessarily the strongest for its size, with only a 100-gram maximum payload, but it has a very impressive fully 3D printed design that makes it worth mentioning. It is unique in that only three axes are powered, while the others are positioned by hand.

The model presented here has a mounted grasper on its end, but it can be replaced by other tips, like sucker, electromagnet or a drill, according to desired purposes, allowing it to hand you a screwdriver or even just give you a fist bump — whatever you feel like having it do. 5 DOF allows the Robotic Arm to move on five different directions and guarantee that the device will reach the parts that are to be picked.

To find the full list of part files, check out the project page.

4 DOF Robot Arm

uArm by UFactory

The uArm is probably one of the most versatile of all the robot arms on this list, now on its third set of commercially available variations, the uArm Swift and the more advanced Swift Pro.

This robot arm is open-source and completely compatible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Seeed Studio Grove kits. It’s unique in that the Swift Pro is able to Laser Engrave and 3D print — when equipped with the proper tool heads — and can “learn” movements without the need for a computer.

With its 0.2mm repeatability, the uArm is capable of picking and placing objects up to 500g. The metallic gripper enhances the uArm with 4 DOF, so you can use the uArm in any open source projects or even in standard light-industrial applications.

You can find more details and where to buy one on UFactory’s product page.

Moveo by BCN3D

The BCN3D Moveo is a very impressive 4DOF arm controlled by an Arduino. It is fully 3D printed and fully open source and has been well tested as an educational tool, with many already in operation in schools. Adaptable by the students and low cost reproducible, could take several educational itineraries: mechanical design, automatism, industrial programming, etc.

Being open-source, it’s not limited to its intended use, and as such can be modified to complete all sorts of tasks for anyone from a dedicated DIYer to a robotics specialist.

The BCN3D Moveo files have been uploaded onto Github and are available for everyone. With all the necessary information, anyone can assemble his own BCN3D Moveo at home.

For more relevant information, visit BCN3D’s Moveo webpage.

LittleArm by Slant Concepts

Developed by Slant Concepts on Hackaday.io, the LittleArm is the simplest arm on this list. The arm can be 3D printed on the majority of printers (largest piece 7.5 inches long). Once printed it’s 4 micro servos are controlled by an Arduino Uno.

Beginners can just download the software and then start using it. The LittleArm GUI lets the user train the arm just by recording a few waypoints and then playing them back.

It is very easy to assemble that the creators even developed an easy interface app for computers to use in conjunction with the arm.

The LittleArm started as a garage Arduino project by Slant founder, Gabe Bentz. There simply were no good and affordable Arduino robot arms out there. So Gabe made a prototype with his 3D printer.

You can find full documentation on the LittleArm project page.

Robotic Arm Edge by OWI

OWI has made robotic arm technology more affordable without compromising quality. With Robotic Arm Edge, command the gripper to open and close, wrist motion of 120 degrees, an extensive elbow range of 300 degrees, base rotation of 270 degrees, base motion of 180 degrees, vertical reach of 15 inches, horizontal reach of 12.6 inches, and lifting capacity of 100g. WOW!

Powered by DC motors with no encoders, precision is limited, making this robot arm more suitable for use as a toy. We included it in this list because it’s a fantastic kit for students interested in robotics and technology, and makes for a great “desk toy” during boring lunch breaks. It can also be extensively modified to serve as a platform for Arduino projects and other DIY uses.

Some of the added features include a search light design on the gripper and a safety gear audible indicator is included on all five gear boxes to prevent any potential injury or gear breakage during operation. How does this equate to fun?

You can purchase it through the OWI website or at Amazon.