Lely Astronaut A5 vs GEA DairyRobot R9500
Side-by-side comparison of the Lely Astronaut A5 ($150K – $250K) and GEA DairyRobot R9500 ($150K – $230K). Specs, price breakdown, ROI economics, and expert buying guidance for dairy growers.
Lely Astronaut A5
$150K – $250K
GEA DairyRobot R9500
$150K – $230K
Lely Astronaut A5 coverage
60-70 cows per unit
GEA DairyRobot R9500 coverage
—
The Lely Astronaut A5 is priced at $150K – $250K while the GEA DairyRobot R9500 comes in at $150K – $230K — both occupy a similar capital tier, so the decision turns on operational fit rather than budget alone. The Lely Astronaut A5 is built by Lely (Netherlands) and the GEA DairyRobot R9500 by GEA Group (Germany), which affects parts availability, dealer coverage, and import regulations depending on your region.
Price Comparison
Lely
Lely Astronaut A5
$150K – $250K
~48mo payback
unknown
GEA Group
GEA DairyRobot R9500
$150K – $230K
estimate
Specifications
| Spec | Lely Astronaut A5 | GEA DairyRobot R9500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | $150K – $250K | $150K – $230K |
| Coverage | 60-70 cows per unit | — |
| Labor reduction | 75% | — |
| Availability | commercial | commercial |
| Crops | — | dairy |
| Capacity | 60-70 cows | — |
| Cleaning | Automatic | — |
| Milk Sensors | Color, conductivity, temperature | Real-time quality monitoring |
| Milkings/day | 2.5-3 per cow | — |
| Milking Type | — | Voluntary (VMS) |
| Herd Capacity | — | 50–70 cows/unit |
| Teat Detection | — | 3D camera guidance |
| Milking Control | — | Per-quarter individual |
ROI & Economics
Lely Astronaut A5
- Payback period
- ~48 months
- Labor reduction
- 75%
- Coverage
- 60-70 cows per unit
Use the Monday Robotics ROI Calculator to estimate payback for your specific operation size, labor costs, and crop mix.
Which Should You Choose?
Guidance based on actual spec differences between these two robots.
Growers of dairy
GEA DairyRobot R9500's crop tags include dairy, which is not listed for Lely Astronaut A5. Confirm support for your crop and row layout before buying.
→ GEA DairyRobot R9500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price difference between the Lely Astronaut A5 and the GEA DairyRobot R9500?
The Lely Astronaut A5 is priced at $150K – $250K, while the GEA DairyRobot R9500 is priced at $150K – $230K. The Lely Astronaut A5 is the less expensive option, with a mid-point price difference of approximately $10K.
Who makes the Lely Astronaut A5 and the GEA DairyRobot R9500?
The Lely Astronaut A5 is made by Lely, headquartered in Maassluis, Netherlands. The GEA DairyRobot R9500 is made by GEA Group, headquartered in Germany.
