Head to head

Excel HR vs Apogee Elite (2026)

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

Read the comparison overview

Purchase cost: Catalog new-price ranges: Excel HR, $95k–$135k; Apogee Elite, $59,950. Check the source notes and request current quotes.
Practice fit: Excel HR: dual-wavelength laser. Apogee Elite: dual-wavelength platform. Check each model’s US regulatory status and labeled indications for your intended use.

Device A

Dual-wavelength laser

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Device B

Dual-wavelength platform

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Price comparison

Price comparison: Cutera Excel HR vs Cynosure Apogee Elite
Attribute	Cutera Excel HR	Cynosure Apogee Elite
New price range	$95k–$135kSource not documented	$59,950Reported source: Dealer quote · Aug 30, 2026
Used asking range	$40k–$70kSource not documented	$12k-$42k (core cluster $22k-$38k)Reported source: Used listing · Aug 30, 2026
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

Cutera Excel HR: $95k–$135kSource not documented
Cynosure Apogee Elite: $59,950Reported source: Dealer quote · Aug 30, 2026

Used asking range

Cutera Excel HR: $40k–$70kSource not documented
Cynosure Apogee Elite: $12k-$42k (core cluster $22k-$38k)Reported source: Used listing · Aug 30, 2026

Payback calculator

Cutera Excel HR: View ROI calculator
Cynosure Apogee Elite: View ROI calculator

Next step

Cutera Excel HR

Cynosure Apogee Elite

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

Browse current models

Consumable economics

Consumable economics: Cutera Excel HR vs Cynosure Apogee Elite
Attribute	Cutera Excel HR	Cynosure Apogee Elite
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 Excel HR: Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote.
Cynosure Apogee Elite: —

Service cost

Cutera Excel HR: Not published
Cynosure Apogee Elite: Not published

FDA clearance

FDA clearance: Cutera Excel HR vs Cynosure Apogee Elite
Attribute	Cutera Excel HR	Cynosure Apogee Elite
FDA status & indication	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 ClearedK034030 Read FDA indication wording “755 nm: The Cynosure Apogee Elite Dermatological Laser is indicated for stable long-term, or permanent hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hair regrowth after a treatment regime. It is used for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I - VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064 nm: The Cynosure Apogee Elite Dermatological laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiornas, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The laser is also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafr' 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. The laser is also indicated for the treatment of wrinkles such as, but not limited to, periocular and perioral wrinkles. Additionally, the laser is indicated for the removal of unwanted hair, for the stable long term, or permanent, hair reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles, and for the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).”

FDA status & indication

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.”
Cynosure Apogee Elite: FDA ClearedK034030
Read FDA indication wording
“755 nm: The Cynosure Apogee Elite Dermatological Laser is indicated for stable long-term, or permanent hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hair regrowth after a treatment regime. It is used for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I - VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064 nm: The Cynosure Apogee Elite Dermatological laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiornas, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The laser is also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafr' 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. The laser is also indicated for the treatment of wrinkles such as, but not limited to, periocular and perioral wrinkles. Additionally, the laser is indicated for the removal of unwanted hair, for the stable long term, or permanent, hair reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles, and for the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Cutera Excel HR vs Cynosure Apogee Elite
Attribute	Cutera Excel HR	Cynosure Apogee Elite
Chain adoption	0 recorded pairings	1 recorded pairing
Chains using it	—	LaserAway(Confirmed)
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Cutera Excel HR: 0 recorded pairings
Cynosure Apogee Elite: 1 recorded pairing

Chains using it

Cutera Excel HR: —
Cynosure Apogee Elite: LaserAway(Confirmed)

Approved reviews

Cutera Excel HR: 0
Cynosure Apogee Elite: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Cutera Excel HR vs Cynosure Apogee Elite
Attribute	Cutera Excel HR	Cynosure Apogee Elite
Manufacturer	Cutera	Cynosure
Built by (OEM)	Cutera Inc.	Cynosure LLC
Category	Dual-wavelength laser	Dual-wavelength platform
Technology	755nm alex + 1064nm Nd:YAG (Nd:YAG)	755nm alex + 1064nm Nd:YAG (Nd:YAG)
Launch year	2015	2003
Status	Current	Legacy-used-market
Manufacturer source record	No linked source on file.	No linked source on file.

Manufacturer

Cutera Excel HR: Cutera
Cynosure Apogee Elite: Cynosure

Built by (OEM)

Cutera Excel HR: Cutera Inc.
Cynosure Apogee Elite: Cynosure LLC

Current alternatives

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

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Quanta System Thunder (MT)

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