Head to head

GentleMax Pro vs Excel HR (2026)

Compare purchase costs, running costs and the evidence behind each device.

Read the comparison overview

Purchase cost: Catalog new-price ranges: GentleMax Pro, $69,950; Excel HR, $95k–$135k. Check the source notes and request current quotes.
Practice fit: GentleMax Pro: dual-wavelength platform. Excel HR: dual-wavelength laser. Check each model’s US regulatory status and labeled indications for your intended use.

Device A

Dual-wavelength platform

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Device B

Dual-wavelength laser

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Price comparison

Price comparison: Candela GentleMax Pro vs Cutera Excel HR
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro	Cutera Excel HR
New price range	$69,950Reported source: Dealer quote · Aug 30, 2026	$95k–$135kSource not documented
Used asking range	$28,975-$67k (core cluster $37,700-$57,500)Reported source: Used listing · Aug 30, 2026	$40k–$70kSource not documented
Payback calculator	View ROI calculator	View ROI calculator
Next step	Explore this model’s specs and owner reviews. For new-equipment inquiries, browse current models. Browse current models

New price range

Candela GentleMax Pro: $69,950Reported source: Dealer quote · Aug 30, 2026
Cutera Excel HR: $95k–$135kSource not documented

Used asking range

Candela GentleMax Pro: $28,975-$67k (core cluster $37,700-$57,500)Reported source: Used listing · Aug 30, 2026
Cutera Excel HR: $40k–$70kSource not documented

Payback calculator

Candela GentleMax Pro: View ROI calculator
Cutera Excel HR: View ROI calculator

Next step

Candela GentleMax Pro

Explore this model’s specs and owner reviews. For new-equipment inquiries, browse current models.

Browse current models

Cutera Excel HR

Consumable economics

Consumable economics: Candela GentleMax Pro vs Cutera Excel HR
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro	Cutera Excel HR
Consumable cost / lock-in	Not consumable-free — the DCD cryogen is a true per-treatment consumable, the exception in its category. Not published — Candela does not publish US cryogen, distance-gauge or flashlamp list pricing, and cryogen consumption per treatment is not published by any source, so no per-treatment figure is published here. — no published lock — no electronic gating documented	Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote.
Service cost	Not published	Not published

Consumable cost / lock-in

Candela GentleMax Pro: Not consumable-free — the DCD cryogen is a true per-treatment consumable, the exception in its category. Not published — Candela does not publish US cryogen, distance-gauge or flashlamp list pricing, and cryogen consumption per treatment is not published by any source, so no per-treatment figure is published here. — no published lock — no electronic gating documented
Cutera Excel HR: Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote.

Service cost

Candela GentleMax Pro: Not published
Cutera Excel HR: Not published

FDA clearance

FDA clearance: Candela GentleMax Pro vs Cutera Excel HR
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro	Cutera Excel HR
FDA status & indication	FDA ClearedK140122, K201111 Read FDA indication wording “The GentleMAX Family of Laser Systems is indicated for the following at the specified wavelength: 7S5nm Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction isdefined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. On all skin types (Fitzpatrick [- VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles. The photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions (such as pant-wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias) 1064nm Removal of unwanted hair, for stable long term or permanent hair reduction and for treatment of PFB. Permanent hair reduction isdefined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. The lasers are indicated on all skin types Fitzpatrick I-VI including tanned skin. Photocoagulation and hemostasis of pigmented and vascular lesions such as but not limited to port wine stains, hemangioma, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins and spider veins. Coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue. Benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafd au ]ait macules, seborrheic keratosis, nevi, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratosis, tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos) and plaques. The laser is indicated for pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser treatments. Reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar. Treatment of wrinkles. 1064nm Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., derniatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and for yeast Candida Albicans, etc.)”	FDA ClearedK132185 Read FDA indication wording “Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers The Cutera Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is intended for use in surgical and aesthetic applications in the medical specialties of dermatology and general and plastic surgery. 755 nm: The Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is indicated for temporary and permanent hair reduction on all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI), including tanned skin. Permanent hair reduction is defined as tong-term, stable reduction in hair counts observed atS6, 9,and 12 months after the end of a treatment regime. The Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is also indicated for: o treatment of benign pigmented lesions o treatment of wrinkles ol photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas and telangiectasias 1064 nm: Dermatology: The Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasias, rossosa, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as, but not limited to, warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The lasers are also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age soots), solar lentigos (sun spots), caf4 au lait macules, seborrheic keratoses, nevi, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratoses, tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue/black tattoos) and plaques. Additionally, the lasers are indicated for pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser treatments.”

FDA status & indication

Candela GentleMax Pro: FDA ClearedK140122, K201111
Read FDA indication wording
“The GentleMAX Family of Laser Systems is indicated for the following at the specified wavelength: 7S5nm Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction isdefined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. On all skin types (Fitzpatrick [- VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles. The photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions (such as pant-wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias) 1064nm Removal of unwanted hair, for stable long term or permanent hair reduction and for treatment of PFB. Permanent hair reduction isdefined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. The lasers are indicated on all skin types Fitzpatrick I-VI including tanned skin. Photocoagulation and hemostasis of pigmented and vascular lesions such as but not limited to port wine stains, hemangioma, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins and spider veins. Coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue. Benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafd au ]ait macules, seborrheic keratosis, nevi, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratosis, tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos) and plaques. The laser is indicated for pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser treatments. Reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar. Treatment of wrinkles. 1064nm Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., derniatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and for yeast Candida Albicans, etc.)”
Cutera Excel HR: FDA ClearedK132185
Read FDA indication wording
“Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers The Cutera Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is intended for use in surgical and aesthetic applications in the medical specialties of dermatology and general and plastic surgery. 755 nm: The Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is indicated for temporary and permanent hair reduction on all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI), including tanned skin. Permanent hair reduction is defined as tong-term, stable reduction in hair counts observed atS6, 9,and 12 months after the end of a treatment regime. The Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is also indicated for: o treatment of benign pigmented lesions o treatment of wrinkles ol photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas and telangiectasias 1064 nm: Dermatology: The Family of CoolGlide Aesthetic Lasers is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasias, rossosa, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as, but not limited to, warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The lasers are also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age soots), solar lentigos (sun spots), caf4 au lait macules, seborrheic keratoses, nevi, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratoses, tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue/black tattoos) and plaques. Additionally, the lasers are indicated for pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser treatments.”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Candela GentleMax Pro vs Cutera Excel HR
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro	Cutera Excel HR
Chain adoption	3 recorded pairings	0 recorded pairings
Chains using it	Milan Laser Hair Removal(Confirmed) SEV Laser(Confirmed) Body Details(Confirmed)	—
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Candela GentleMax Pro: 3 recorded pairings
Cutera Excel HR: 0 recorded pairings

Chains using it

Candela GentleMax Pro: Milan Laser Hair Removal(Confirmed)
SEV Laser(Confirmed)
Body Details(Confirmed)
Cutera Excel HR: —

Approved reviews

Candela GentleMax Pro: 0
Cutera Excel HR: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Candela GentleMax Pro vs Cutera Excel HR
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro	Cutera Excel HR
Manufacturer	Candela	Cutera
Built by (OEM)	Candela Corporation	Cutera Inc.
Category	Dual-wavelength platform	Dual-wavelength laser
Technology	755nm alex + 1064nm Nd:YAG (Nd:YAG)	755nm alex + 1064nm Nd:YAG (Nd:YAG)
Launch year	2013	2015
Status	Discontinued	Current
Manufacturer source record	No linked source on file.	No linked source on file.

Manufacturer

Candela GentleMax Pro: Candela
Cutera Excel HR: Cutera

Built by (OEM)

Candela GentleMax Pro: Candela Corporation
Cutera Excel HR: Cutera Inc.

Current alternatives

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