Arcade1Up claw machine vs Fitsu
We sell the Fitsu, so weigh this accordingly. We've tried to be fair, including where the Arcade1Up comes out ahead.
Short version: the Arcade1Up is a tall, floor-standing cabinet that you put together yourself and play for free. The Fitsu is a smaller, metal-framed coin-op machine that arrives assembled and can take tokens, quarters or free play. If you want the full-size arcade look and can find one on sale, the Arcade1Up is good value. If you want real coins, a sturdier build or something that fits on a side table, look at the Fitsu.
Side by side
| Arcade1Up Claw Machine | Fitsu Home Claw Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Floor-standing, 61.25" tall, 22" × 22.5" footprint | 32" tall, 17" × 23" footprint. Sits on the floor or on a side table |
| Arrives | Flat-packed, you assemble it | Fully assembled, plug in and play |
| Coins | No coin mechanism, free play only | Tokens included, can be set to take quarters, or free play. You pick coins per game |
| Difficulty | 3 levels, including a hard "Scam Mode" | Full settings menu: claw grip at each stage, how often a strong grab comes, free play. See the manual |
| Build | Wood-composite cabinet with printed graphics, light-up marquee | Metal frame, clear acrylic panels, steel claw, LED lighting |
| Security | Numeric lock on the refill door | Locking coin box and front door with keys, tilt sensor |
| In the box | 12 plastic capsules | Tokens, 2 keys, 6-player scoreboard and markers |
| Price | Launched at $499.99. We've seen it from $275 on clearance to about $540 | $499, free shipping to the lower 48 |
What Arcade1Up owners say
We asked Arcade1Up claw machine owners on Reddit how theirs is holding up. The answers were better than the reviews suggest:
- Most of the owners who answered say theirs still works fine, one since launch day and one after a full year.
- It's the most popular machine in the house when kids come over. One family lets every kid keep one prize and reload the rest; another has a "play all you want, take home one" rule.
- One owner is modifying theirs to take cards that store play credits, because it's only fun for the kids "if they don't get unlimited tries."
- One owner's claw stopped dropping when the button is pressed.
- One owner said that when it eventually dies, they'd likely save up for a more commercial machine that holds up better.
Retail reviews tell a rougher story: Wayfair's review summary flags the claw failing soon after use or arriving broken. One shopper who chose a smaller machine instead said the Arcade1Up was too bulky for their space.
Where the Arcade1Up wins
- The full-size look. At over five feet tall with a light-up marquee, it looks like it came out of an arcade.
- Price on sale. If you catch a clearance or a used one, it's hard to beat.
- Big-box returns. It's sold through large retailers with their own return policies. Ours: unopened machines can come back within 7 days, and if it arrives damaged or doesn't work we replace or refund it. Details on our shipping and returns page.
Where the Fitsu wins
- Real coins. As one Arcade1Up owner put it, it's only fun for the kids if the tries aren't unlimited. A coin slot and a jar of tokens does that out of the box, and you set how many tokens a play costs.
- Built like the commercial ones. Metal frame and acrylic instead of a composite cabinet.
- Smaller. 32" tall, so it fits in an apartment, a kids' room or on a counter.
- No assembly. It comes out of the box ready to plug in.
- You control everything. Not just three levels: grip strength at each stage, how often a strong grab comes, play time. Easy for little kids, hard for game night.
See the Fitsu home claw machine
Curious how arcade claw machines decide when you win? Are claw machines rigged?
Arcade1Up is a trademark of its owner. Fitsu Play isn't affiliated with Arcade1Up. Arcade1Up details come from its retail listings and owner reviews, and prices vary by retailer.