Hologic DEXA Machines: Models, Prices & Where to Buy
Horizon and Discovery lineups compared — pricing new and used, the body-composition licensing gotcha, and real ownership costs.
Hologic is the US market leader in DEXA, and every current model is fan-beam. The active line is the Horizon series (A, W, C, Ci) at roughly $65,000–$100,000+ new; used Horizons trade at $25,000–$45,000 and legacy Discovery units at $12,000–$25,000 (verified July 2026). The single most important line item on any Hologic quote: whether the body-composition software license is included.
Hologic DEXA Model Lineup
| Model | Status | Beam | Body Comp | New | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon A | Current flagship | Fan-beam | Yes (licensed) | $85,000–$100,000+ | $32,000–$45,000 |
| Horizon W | Current | Fan-beam | Yes (licensed) | $75,000–$90,000 | $28,000–$40,000 |
| Horizon C / Ci | Current (compact) | Fan-beam | Limited | $65,000–$80,000 | $25,000–$35,000 |
| Discovery A / W | Discontinued | Fan-beam | Yes (licensed) | — | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Discovery C / Ci | Discontinued | Fan-beam | Limited | — | $10,000–$18,000 |
Indicative ranges, last verified July 2026. Configuration, tube life, and licensed options move individual units substantially.
Horizon vs Discovery: What Changed
The Horizon (introduced 2014) replaced the Discovery with a faster detector array, shorter scan times, updated advanced applications, and current-generation APEX software. Clinically both produce excellent bone density; for body-composition businesses the Horizon's reporting and speed are a genuine upgrade.
Used Discoveries are cheap for a reason that has nothing to do with quality: the line is discontinued, OEM parts support is winding down, and buyers price in that horizon. A Discovery with a healthy tube and transferred licenses remains a rational budget buy for a startup scanning business — just buy it knowing third-party service (not Hologic) will carry it from here, and resale value will keep stepping down.
Body Composition on Hologic: The #1 Gotcha
Hologic's Advanced Body Composition capability is a separately licensed software option, not a standard feature. A used Horizon or Discovery whose console happens to show body-comp screens does not mean you own the license — and on resale, licenses must be formally transferred through Hologic. Gym and longevity buyers get burned here more than anywhere else in the market: the "bargain" machine that needs a four-figure re-license (when it's available at all) to do the one thing the business was built on.
Before paying for any Hologic unit: get the licensed-options list on the invoice, written confirmation the body-comp license transfers to you, and the software version (APEX 4.x+ for current reporting). Our used-machine inspection checklist covers the rest.
Service & Ownership Costs
- Service contracts: roughly $6,000–$12,000/year from Hologic; independent service organizations typically 30–50% less. Horizon units still qualify for OEM contracts; Discovery coverage is increasingly ISO-only.
- Parts: abundant for Horizon; Discovery parts now flow mostly through the salvage/third-party market — fine today, thinner every year.
- License transfers on used units: budget time (weeks, not days) and possibly money for the Hologic license-transfer process. A dealer who handles this paperwork for you is earning their margin.
- Everything else — install, physicist survey, state registration — is brand-independent; the cost guide itemizes it.
Hologic Machines for Sale
Typical availability: refurbished Horizon W ($28,000–$40,000) and Horizon A ($32,000–$45,000) with warranty and license transfer handled; used Discovery A/W ($12,000–$25,000) for budget builds. New Horizon quotes are configured to order.
See current listings →Looking to get a DEXA scan instead of buying a machine? A professional DEXA scan costs $100–$250 (from $99 at many partner clinics), takes about 10 minutes, and requires no referral.
Find a DEXA Scan Near You →Hologic FAQ
How much does a Hologic DEXA machine cost?
New Hologic Horizon systems run roughly $65,000–$100,000+ depending on model tier (Ci, C, W, A) and options. Used Horizons trade at $25,000–$45,000, and legacy Discovery units at $12,000–$25,000. Add $2,000–$8,000 for logistics/installation and $5,000–$12,000/year for a service contract. Verify whether body-composition software is included — it's often a separate license.
What's the difference between Horizon A and W?
Both are full-size fan-beam systems. The Horizon A is the flagship — fastest scan modes and the full advanced application set (including instant vertebral assessment); the W is the high-throughput clinical workhorse with a slightly reduced application set; the C/Ci are compact, budget-tier versions with smaller tables and fewer scan modes. For body-composition-focused facilities, the W is usually the sweet spot.
Does Hologic sell to non-medical facilities?
Yes — gyms, longevity clinics, and wellness studios buy Hologic units new and used. The constraint isn't the seller but state regulation: the buyer must register the device with the state radiation program and meet operator/supervision rules. Dealers routinely handle non-hospital buyers; compliance paperwork is on you.
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