Head to head

enlighten III vs StarWalker PQX (2026)

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

Read the comparison overview

Purchase cost: Catalog new-price ranges: enlighten III, $90k–$130k; StarWalker PQX, $100k–$150k. Check the source notes and request current quotes.
Technology: enlighten III: Picosecond. StarWalker PQX: Nd:YAG.
Practice fit: Both are listed under picosecond tattoo/pigment. Check each model’s US regulatory status and labeled indications for your intended use.

Device A

Picosecond Tattoo/Pigment

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Device B

Picosecond Tattoo/Pigment

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Price comparison

Price comparison: Cutera enlighten III vs Fotona StarWalker PQX
Attribute	Cutera enlighten III	Fotona StarWalker PQX
New price range	$90k–$130kSource not documented	$100k–$150kSource not documented
Used asking range	$40k–$65kSource not documented	$60k–$90kSource not documented
Payback calculator	View ROI calculator	View ROI calculator
Next step

New price range

Cutera enlighten III: $90k–$130kSource not documented
Fotona StarWalker PQX: $100k–$150kSource not documented

Used asking range

Cutera enlighten III: $40k–$65kSource not documented
Fotona StarWalker PQX: $60k–$90kSource not documented

Payback calculator

Cutera enlighten III: View ROI calculator
Fotona StarWalker PQX: View ROI calculator

Next step

Cutera enlighten III

Fotona StarWalker PQX

Consumable economics

Consumable economics: Cutera enlighten III vs Fotona StarWalker PQX
Attribute	Cutera enlighten III	Fotona StarWalker PQX
Consumable cost / lock-in	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

Cutera enlighten III: Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote.
Fotona StarWalker PQX: —

Service cost

Cutera enlighten III: Not published
Fotona StarWalker PQX: Not published

FDA clearance

FDA clearance: Cutera enlighten III vs Fotona StarWalker PQX
Attribute	Cutera enlighten III	Fotona StarWalker PQX
FDA status & indication	FDA ClearedK160488, K172077, K182997 Read FDA indication wording “The enlighten III laser system is intended for use in surgical and aesthetic applications in the medical specialties of dermatology and general and plastic surgery. 1064 nm: The 1064 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for: • treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) • tattoo removal for dark colored tattoo inks and for multicolored tattoos containing dark colored tattoo inks on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) 532 nm: The 532 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for: • treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III • tattoo removal for lighter colored tattoo inks, including red and yellow inks, on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III 670 nm: The 670 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III.”	FDA ClearedK171227, K202172 Read FDA indication wording “The Fotona StarWalker Laser System Family, and its accessories, are intended for: 1064 nm wavelength in Q-switched mode: • Removal of dark (black, blue, brown) tattoo ink • Treatment of nevus of ota • Treatment of common nevi • Removal and lightening of unwanted hair • Skin resurfacing procedures for the treatment of acne scars and wrinkles. 1064 nm wavelength in long pulse mode: • Removal of unwanted hair, for stable long term or permanent hair reduction and for treatment of PFB. The laser is indicated for all skin types, Fitzpatrick I-VI, including tanned skin • Photocoagulation and hemostasis of benign pigmented and benign vascular lesions, such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomae, warts, telangiectasiae, rosacea, venous lake, leg veins and spider veins • Coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue • Treatment of wrinkles • Treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. 532 nm wavelength in Q-switched mode (nominal delivered energy of 585 nm and 650 nm with the optional 585 nm and 650 nm dye converter handpieces): • Red, tan, purple and orange tattoo ink removal • Sky blue (light) tattoo ink removal […]”

FDA status & indication

Cutera enlighten III: FDA ClearedK160488, K172077, K182997
Read FDA indication wording
“The enlighten III laser system is intended for use in surgical and aesthetic applications in the medical specialties of dermatology and general and plastic surgery. 1064 nm: The 1064 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for: • treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) • tattoo removal for dark colored tattoo inks and for multicolored tattoos containing dark colored tattoo inks on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) 532 nm: The 532 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for: • treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III • tattoo removal for lighter colored tattoo inks, including red and yellow inks, on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III 670 nm: The 670 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III.”
Fotona StarWalker PQX: FDA ClearedK171227, K202172
Read FDA indication wording
“The Fotona StarWalker Laser System Family, and its accessories, are intended for: 1064 nm wavelength in Q-switched mode: • Removal of dark (black, blue, brown) tattoo ink • Treatment of nevus of ota • Treatment of common nevi • Removal and lightening of unwanted hair • Skin resurfacing procedures for the treatment of acne scars and wrinkles. 1064 nm wavelength in long pulse mode: • Removal of unwanted hair, for stable long term or permanent hair reduction and for treatment of PFB. The laser is indicated for all skin types, Fitzpatrick I-VI, including tanned skin • Photocoagulation and hemostasis of benign pigmented and benign vascular lesions, such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomae, warts, telangiectasiae, rosacea, venous lake, leg veins and spider veins • Coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue • Treatment of wrinkles • Treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. 532 nm wavelength in Q-switched mode (nominal delivered energy of 585 nm and 650 nm with the optional 585 nm and 650 nm dye converter handpieces): • Red, tan, purple and orange tattoo ink removal • Sky blue (light) tattoo ink removal […]”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Cutera enlighten III vs Fotona StarWalker PQX
Attribute	Cutera enlighten III	Fotona StarWalker PQX
Chain adoption	0 recorded pairings	0 recorded pairings
Chains using it	—	—
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Cutera enlighten III: 0 recorded pairings
Fotona StarWalker PQX: 0 recorded pairings

Chains using it

Cutera enlighten III: —
Fotona StarWalker PQX: —

Approved reviews

Cutera enlighten III: 0
Fotona StarWalker PQX: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Cutera enlighten III vs Fotona StarWalker PQX
Attribute	Cutera enlighten III	Fotona StarWalker PQX
Manufacturer	Cutera	Fotona
Built by (OEM)	Cutera Inc.	Fotona d.o.o.
Category	Picosecond Tattoo/Pigment	Picosecond Tattoo/Pigment
Technology	532/670/1064nm pico+nano (Picosecond)	Pico/nano adaptive QS Nd:YAG (Nd:YAG)
Launch year	2017	2020
Status	Current	Current
Manufacturer source record	No linked source on file.	No linked source on file.

Manufacturer

Cutera enlighten III: Cutera
Fotona StarWalker PQX: Fotona

Built by (OEM)

Cutera enlighten III: Cutera Inc.
Fotona StarWalker PQX: Fotona d.o.o.

Current alternatives

Current catalog models in related categories. Confirm availability and configuration with the supplier.

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Candela PicoWay

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WONTECH PicoCare 450

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Rohrer Aesthetics PicoLazer

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New: $99,995 (Rohrer-advertised price)

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