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.
Get Hologic Pricing
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll match you with current inventory and pricing. No obligation.
Comparing Hologic vs GE? See GE Lunar DEXA machines · All manufacturers · Part of the DEXA machine buyer's guide.