Head to head

Elite iQ vs GentleMax Pro Plus (2026)

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

Read the comparison overview

Purchase cost: No new-price range is on file for either Elite iQ or GentleMax Pro Plus. Request current quotes to compare purchase costs.
Practice fit: Elite iQ: dual-wavelength platform. GentleMax Pro Plus: alexandrite + nd:yag. 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

Alexandrite + Nd:YAG

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Price comparison

Price comparison: Cynosure Elite iQ vs Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Attribute	Cynosure Elite iQ	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
New price range	Not published	Not published
Used price reference	$45k–$70kSource not documented	Not published
Payback calculator	View ROI calculator	View cost details
Next step

New price range

Cynosure Elite iQ: Not published
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Not published

Used price reference

Cynosure Elite iQ: $45k–$70kSource not documented
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Not published

Payback calculator

Cynosure Elite iQ: View ROI calculator
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: View cost details

Next step

Cynosure Elite iQ

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus

Supplies & running costs

Supplies & running costs: Cynosure Elite iQ vs Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Attribute	Cynosure Elite iQ	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Supplies & restrictions	Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote. View running-cost details	Read supply costs & requirements DCD cooling uses replacement cryogen containers. Candela also offers an optional Air Cooling Compatible (ACC) delivery system. Ask for a supply and replacement-parts quote for your exact handpiece and cooling configuration. Per-treatment and annual supply costs have not been verified here. Manufacturer-provided · Sep 19, 2026 View running-cost details

Supplies & restrictions

Cynosure Elite iQ: Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote.
View running-cost details
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Read supply costs & requirements
DCD cooling uses replacement cryogen containers. Candela also offers an optional Air Cooling Compatible (ACC) delivery system. Ask for a supply and replacement-parts quote for your exact handpiece and cooling configuration. Per-treatment and annual supply costs have not been verified here.
Manufacturer-provided · Sep 19, 2026
View running-cost details

FDA status & indications

FDA status & indications: Cynosure Elite iQ vs Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Attribute	Cynosure Elite iQ	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
FDA status & indication	FDA record cited — see scopeK193426, K240396 Record scope: K193426 names Elite iQ. K240396 separately names Elite iQ PRO (M122K1); it should not be assigned indiscriminately to an original Elite iQ. Indications are wavelength-specific and Skintel measures melanin to set a test-spot starting fluence, not a guarantee of safe settings. Read FDA indication wording “755nm: The Elite iQ 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 hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9 or 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. It is used for skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064nm: The Elite iQ laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venous lakes, 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, lentigines (age spots), solar lentigines (sunspots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic keratoses, nevi, chloasma, 755 nm: The Cynosure Elite+ 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 hairs regrowting when measured 6, 9, or 12 months after the completion of 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 Elite+ Laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangectasia, 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), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic 755mn laser: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent hair reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. 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 I - VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles.”	FDA record cited — see scopeK201111, K112715, K133283 Record scope: Temporary improvement in clear nail is not an indication for curing nail fungus. Follow wavelength-specific labeling; later GLX accessories are not automatically established by this record. Read FDA indication wording “755nm: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined 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 I-VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles. The photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions (such as port-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 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. 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, venous 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), cafe au lait 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. Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeast Candida Albicans, etc.)”

FDA status & indication

Cynosure Elite iQ: FDA record cited — see scopeK193426, K240396
Record scope: K193426 names Elite iQ. K240396 separately names Elite iQ PRO (M122K1); it should not be assigned indiscriminately to an original Elite iQ. Indications are wavelength-specific and Skintel measures melanin to set a test-spot starting fluence, not a guarantee of safe settings.
Read FDA indication wording
“755nm: The Elite iQ 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 hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9 or 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. It is used for skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064nm: The Elite iQ laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venous lakes, 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, lentigines (age spots), solar lentigines (sunspots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic keratoses, nevi, chloasma, 755 nm: The Cynosure Elite+ 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 hairs regrowting when measured 6, 9, or 12 months after the completion of 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 Elite+ Laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangectasia, 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), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic 755mn laser: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent hair reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. 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 I - VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles.”
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: FDA record cited — see scopeK201111, K112715, K133283
Record scope: Temporary improvement in clear nail is not an indication for curing nail fungus. Follow wavelength-specific labeling; later GLX accessories are not automatically established by this record.
Read FDA indication wording
“755nm: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined 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 I-VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles. The photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions (such as port-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 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. 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, venous 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), cafe au lait 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. Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeast Candida Albicans, etc.)”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Cynosure Elite iQ vs Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Attribute	Cynosure Elite iQ	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Chain adoption	2 recorded pairings	3 recorded pairings
Chains using it	SEV Laser(Confirmed) Foxy Box Laser + Wax Bar(Confirmed)	Ideal Image(Confirmed) SEV Laser(Reported) European Wax Center(Confirmed)
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Cynosure Elite iQ: 2 recorded pairings
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: 3 recorded pairings

Chains using it

Cynosure Elite iQ: SEV Laser(Confirmed)
Foxy Box Laser + Wax Bar(Confirmed)
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Ideal Image(Confirmed)
SEV Laser(Reported)
European Wax Center(Confirmed)

Approved reviews

Cynosure Elite iQ: 0
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Cynosure Elite iQ vs Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Attribute	Cynosure Elite iQ	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus
Manufacturer	Cynosure	Candela
Built by (OEM)	Cynosure LLC	Candela Corporation
Category	Dual-wavelength platform	Alexandrite + Nd:YAG
Technology	755/1064nm + Skintel melanin reader (Alexandrite)	Dual 755nm alexandrite + 1064nm Nd:YAG (Alexandrite)
Launch year	2020	2021
Status	Current	Current
Manufacturing relationship evidence	No separate manufacturing-relationship record linked.	No separate manufacturing-relationship record linked.

Manufacturer

Cynosure Elite iQ: Cynosure
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Candela

Built by (OEM)

Cynosure Elite iQ: Cynosure LLC
Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Candela Corporation

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