Robot arms vary in use, but most are capable of pick-and-place tasks, while some are equipped for CNC work, laser engraving, and even 3D printing. Robotic arms are used in a wide range of applications and various fields, from performing precise surgeries and carrying out industrial operations to having a fun toy for learning and interacting.
Among the different options to get a robot arm of your own, you can simply buy one or, with a 3D printer, you can easily design and build one yourself. These DIY arms can be customized and modified while being cost-effective.
Since there are hundreds of great designs and projects to sift through when deciding on a suitable robot arm to buy or print, we’ve narrowed the list down to 12 of the best and most popular arms that are available today. These include robot arms you can purchase and arms you can DIY.
Before we jump into the options, let’s look at a few important terms to be aware of.
What You Need to Know
There are different robot arm styles, but most operate on the same general principles of motion. Unlike Cartesian machines such as 3D printers, robot arms utilize the polar coordinate system for movement and have an arc-shaped working area. Robot arms are unique because their footprint doesn’t restrict them and they take up very little space compared to other machines with similar functionality.
We can see the various envelopes for a robot arm in the image above. The robot’s maximum envelope is the area it can traverse. The restricted envelope denotes the area in which the robot can work, and it’s limited by the number, range, and types (linear or angular) of joints. Finally, the operating envelope is the area where the robot will be in operation, and it can be limited by, for example, a limit switch.
In addition to Cartesian robot arms, there are several more robot arm configurations, such as Cylindrical, Spherical, Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm (SCARA), and Delta (or Parallel) robots.
Robot arms are usually referred to by their degrees of freedom (DOF). This term indicates the number of rotational joints or axes on a particular arm; for instance, a 4-DOF arm can rotate at four separate joints. The more DOF, the more range of movement possible.
To DIY
These first projects are fully DIY, and all require access to a 3D printer for some of the components. If you don’t have a printer of your own, try Craftcloud by All3DP to have the parts you need shipped straight to your door!
Eezybotarm Mk2
The Eezybotarm Mk2 is an exemplary example of a 4-DOF arm and is entirely 3D printed with outstanding assembly instructions. This robot arm has won multiple contests and is probably one of the most straightforward arm designs to build. There’s also an Mk3 in progress.
This project aims to let the user play around with different control methods. You can use your computer to control this robot arm to execute various actions, and a sequence of the servo position can be stored for later playback, either once or in a loop. You don’t even need a computer for this; you can program it to play when you push a button.
This project is meant to be educational, and, with over 127 makes and 50 remixes on Thingiverse, it shows it’s replicable and customizable. A great project to get started combining robotics and 3D printing.
- Degrees of freedom: 4
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Project pages: Eezyrobots, Thingiverse, Instructables
MeArm
The MeArm is one of the most popular robot arm designs around, and for good reason. It’s made of simple parts that can be laser cut or 3D printed and it has a robust yet straightforward 4-DOF design. Since the first release of the project, the group behind the MeArm design has released a steady stream of updates with the most recent update being version 3.0.
This popular design has 18 makes and 13 remixes on Thingiverse, as well as 24 shared projects on Instructables – all of which highlight its replicability. Powered by four servos and either an Arduino Uno, Raspberry Pi, or custom PCB that supports a BBC Micro:bit controller, this arm is available in several different colors as a kit – or you can build it yourself. On their GitHub, MeArm also houses repositories of stable code that supports multiple languages and platforms.
- Degrees of Freedom: 6
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Project pages: MeArm, GitHub, Instructables, Hackaday, Thingiverse
Kauda
The Kauda robotic arm has a simple design and intuitive and straightforward documentation. The components are entirely open-source and the parts are 3D printable, making it affordable. As a result, it’s among the best robotics projects for beginners.
This 5-DOF arm houses three stepper motors and two servo motors. When combined with an Arduino controller, it lets you achieve swift and controlled movements. The robot’s base is designed to enclose an Arduino Mega with a CNC shield. You can make the project more interesting by using some optional components, such as an optocoupler, LEDs, and a 12-V signal lamp. Since its initial release, the maker has redesigned the gripper to support the common SG90 servo, and the updated designs are available on their website.
The designer’s website is a good resource for the redesigned gripper with additional notes about the design, but the information on Instructables (plus a few tips from the Comments section) might be enough to recreate the initial release version of this robotic arm.
- Degrees of Freedom: 5
- Difficulty level: Intermediate
- Project pages: Instructables (previous version), DIY Tech
Arduino Robot Arm
This project is ideal if you want a robotic arm controlled wirelessly via an app. Using a custom Android app that can be found in the guide for download, you can manage and program this Arduino-powered robotic arm from your phone’s screen.
This Android app was built using the MIT App Inventor. Sliders in the app help move the servos at the joints of the robot arm. A separate slider can control the speed of the robot arm’s motions. Finally, you can include a “Save” button that lets you record the arm’s position and replay it to perform actions.
- Degrees of freedom: 5
- Difficulty level: Intermediate
- Project pages: How To Mechatronics
Build Some Stuff
This robot arm from the YouTuber Kelton from Build Some Stuff is another excellent easy robot arm build. It features 26 parts to 3D print, and the designer has recommended PLA with supports and 0.2-mm layer height. The infill percentage, however, is up to you. In addition to the printed parts, you’ll need to source an , a PWM control shield, and other hardware.
Once you’ve collected all of the necessary components, this build is supported by a thorough YouTube video series that details assembly and use of the robot arm. In the video, the designer also includes a helpful code explanation to enable you to copy that code or write your own to control the robot arm.
- Degrees of Freedom: 4
- Difficulty level: Intermediate
- Project pages: YouTube, Thingiverse
BCN3D Moveo
The BCN3D Moveo is an impressive 4-DOF arm controlled by an Arduino. It’s fully 3D printed and open-source and has been tested as an educational tool, with many already operating in schools.
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. And with 11 makes and 15 remixes, this robot arm is clearly replicable and customizable.
- Degrees of freedom: 4
- Difficulty level: Difficult
- Project pages: GitHub, Thingiverse
Thor
This project’s primary objective was to create a robot that could be used in schools and colleges to educate students about robotics. Developed by Hackaday makers AngelLM, Dan Royer, and dannyvandenheuvel, this arm is fully open-source and 3D printable.
It’s a 6-DOF arm that can carry a maximum load of 750 g, and it has a unique setup that allows for great flexibility. The Arduino Mega serves as the main control board for the robot. In addition, the developers have created a shield for the stepper motors. Most of the hardware components used in this project are the kind you would find in a DIY 3D printer.
- Degrees of freedom: 6
- Difficulty level: Difficult
- Project pages: Hackaday, GitHub, Thingiverse
To Buy
Next up we have some kits for those who want to build their own robot but don’t want to spend time sourcing all the parts! These kits come with everything you need to create a fully functioning robot arm, including full build instructions.
Arctos
If you’re ready to tackle a more advanced robot arm project, this build is a great entry point to more advanced builds. There’s an active community on the company’s forum, plus Arctos provides helpful documentation for the build.
A lot of helpful printing tips can be found in the community – for example, printing parts in PLA or PETG with a 0.2-mm layer height and optional supports. Some users report requiring up to 50 hours to print. In addition to the 100 parts that need to be printed or ordered, you’ll need to source almost 80 other components such as servos and fastener hardware. Check out the forum for helpful information about where to source the needed parts.
This build also supports a range of firmware options loaded on an Arduino Mega. The site points you toward open-source versions of popular firmware, such as GRBL, RoboDK, ROS, and Simulink. Because the system doesn’t currently support a UI, you’ll need to code any functions you want the robot to perform yourself. The system also requires a CNC shield to drive the servos in the project, and the Arctos site gives tips on which shield to purchase.
- Degrees of Freedom: 6
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Buy: Arctos Robotics
- Price: ~$50 for CAD files, starting at ~$200 for hardware kits, ~$360 for 3D printed parts kit
OWI Edge – Wireless
Another 4-DOF design, the OWI Robotic Arm Edge is a simple arm meant for educational purposes. It’s only available as a kit, but an additional CPU interface can be bought, allowing limited programming action. This comes in the form of a USB interface that includes a CD and an electrical board.
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 it 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.
- Degrees of freedom: 4
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Buy: Amazon
- Price: ~$45
Adeept
Adeept’s robot arm is a great entry-level robot arm on the market. It was developed using Arduino, so it’s entirely open-source. Additionally, the Adeept robot arm is able to record motions and then carry them out on its own. The arm houses an OLED display showing the robot’s current position and the number of steps remaining.
The arm can be operated both manually and remotely. On the driver board, a potentiometer allows for manual control of the arm’s movement. Alternatively, PC software can be used to implement the same controls. You can create your own Adeept arm PC control GUI application with the help of tutorials available on its website.
- Degrees of freedom: 5
- Difficulty level: Intermediate
- Buy: Amazon
- Price: ~$70
LewanSoul xArm
This robot arm by LewanSoul with a metal body offers precise controls with a wide range of actions. This is achievable with serial bus servo motors, which also monitor the system’s voltage, temperature, and angle.
With its sturdy build, it has a payload-carrying capacity of 250 g. The xArm kit comes with a controller, although if you choose to, you can accomplish the same objective using a PC mouse and software. It also has wireless modules that work with Android and Apple devices so that you can control it from afar.
- Degrees of freedom: 6
- Difficulty level: Intermediate
- Buy: Amazon
- Price: ~$200
Parol6
This project is the most ambitious and expensive on this list. The BOM is expansive. It includes 60 parts to source and another 40 to print, with the longest print time being around 8 hours. Each 3D printed part has unique recommended print settings, but the designer recommends printing all of them with PETG.
The arm requires custom, closed-source firmware and a custom control board. Although the designs are closed source, the advantage is the support for a UI. The UI significantly eases the task of writing code to control the robot arm.
The project is well documented on their GitHub, including firmware documentation and hardware documentation. The Source Robotics team is active on YouTube, where they post tutorials and updates.
- Degrees of Freedom: 6
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Buy: Source Robotics, GitHub
- Price: Donation for download of the STLs and BOM, ~$3,900 (fully assembled robot)
Bonus: PincherX 100
This robot arm isn’t one that you can build yourself, but it does include 3D printed parts and is a great educational tool for those who don’t have the time to mess about with assembly. It comes with instructional videos and demos so you can have it working in under an hour!
The PincherX 100 ships fully assembled, but in a nod to the other items on our list, some of the arm’s components are 3D printed using ABS. The use of this material ensures that it’s both light and strong, weighing less than a kilogram. The robot has a working payload of about 50 g with a repeatability of 5 mm.
While the robot doesn’t have a large payload-carrying capacity, it’s great for applications such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. This robotic arm comes with a plethora of open-source demos and packages to help you further build your skills.
- Degrees of freedom: 4
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Buy: Trossen Robotics
- Price: ~$700
License: The text of "The Best DIY & 3D Printed Robot Arms in 2024" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.