Exion vs EmFace: Which BTL Machine to Buy?

BTL's Exion is the cheaper and more flexible machine, and the EmFace is the dearer, single-purpose one. Per our machine page figures, the Exion lists at about €95,000 new and the EmFace at about €130,000, but the EmFace's used range (€15,000 to €150,000) is so wide that it tells you very little.

What does each machine do?

The BTL Exion is a fractional RF and RF microneedling platform with AI-controlled tissue monitoring, aimed at skin tightening, texture and body applications from one console. Our page says it is marketed to clinics that want a non-surgical tightening offer without a separate microneedling device.

The BTL EmFace is a needle-free facial platform combining synchronised RF with HIFES muscle stimulation, positioned as a non-injectable lift. Four twenty-minute sessions is the standard protocol, per our page.

If your patients want skin quality and tightening across face and body, the Exion is the broader tool. If your offer is a needle-free facial lift, the EmFace is purpose-built for it.

How do the figures compare?

All from our machine page figures.

Can you trust the used price ranges?

Both used ranges are very wide, and the EmFace's top figure (€150,000) is higher than its own new list price (€130,000). Our EmFace page explains part of this: the machine is recent enough that the used market is thin and resale pricing is not well established. A figure above list should not be used as a benchmark; it may reflect a bundle, a different configuration or a seller's hope.

The Exion's range is also wide, with a top end close to 77% of list and a bottom end under 10%. Wide spreads like this usually mean very different condition, age, applicator inventory and remaining cover. Do not assume the midpoint is "fair".

Our pages note that warranty transfer needs BTL's agreement for both machines, so confirm it directly with BTL before any private purchase.

How many treatments to pay back each machine?

Using only the figures above, before staff, rent, marketing and finance:

• Exion: about €350 charged less about €60 cost leaves about €290 per treatment. A new unit at €95,000 needs about 328 treatments to cover its price; a used unit at €9,000 needs about 32.
• EmFace: about €500 less about €90 leaves about €410. A new unit at €130,000 needs about 318 treatments, and at €15,000 about 37.

Note that the EmFace's standard protocol is four sessions per patient, so one patient represents four treatments. The EmFace's higher margin per treatment roughly cancels out its higher price, which means on our figures the two machines take a similar number of treatments to pay back new. The difference is the cheaper Exion has a lower hurdle to start, and is more flexible if demand for one treatment fades.

Our pages note that Exion applicator tips are single-use and proprietary and that EmFace applicators are consumable and are the dominant running cost. Confirm applicator supply and pricing in writing before you buy either.

Which should you buy?

• Exion if you want a versatile tightening and texture platform, a lower entry price and one console for face and body.
• EmFace if you want to build a needle-free, non-injectable facial lift offer and your clientele will commit to a course.
• Both only if you have the patient volume to keep two BTL platforms busy.

See also Exion machine price guide, EmFace machine price guide and EmFace vs Morpheus8 if you are weighing microneedling RF as well.

What should you check on a used BTL unit?

1. Applicator inventory, wear and how many treatments remain.
2. BTL's written confirmation on warranty and support transfer.
3. Service history, from BTL where possible.
4. Whether training certification is held by your team, which our pages say BTL requires.
5. Insurance and regulatory requirements. Check with the HPRA and your insurer.

Where can you browse or list used units?

The used market for both is thin, so look at what is actually advertised. Browse used radiofrequency listings to compare units against the ranges above. If you are replacing one, you can list it free with no commission, or read the seller guide.

Prices vary and change quickly, so always get written quotes and inspect any used unit before you pay.

Sources and notes

• FDA safety communication on RF microneedling: how RF microneedling works, reported injuries, Class II status.
• Derm Digest on EmFace FDA clearance for TMJ: how EmFace combines RF and HIFES, and the cleared indications.

Machine figures are Aesthetic Machines Ireland researched ranges, not completed-sale data.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Exion and EmFace?

The Exion is a fractional RF and RF microneedling platform for tightening and texture, per our machine page. The EmFace is needle-free and pairs RF with muscle stimulation for a facial lift.

How does RF microneedling work, as on the Exion?

Small electrode needles enter the skin and deliver radiofrequency energy at set depths, creating tiny zones of intense heat at each tip, according to the FDA. Those devices are Class II and cleared via the 510(k) route.

Is RF microneedling safe for patients?

The FDA's October 2025 communication reports burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement and nerve damage from certain uses, and says the review is ongoing (FDA). Ask the manufacturer for current guidance and check cover with your insurer before offering it.

How does the EmFace work?

It heats the dermis with synchronised radiofrequency while high-intensity focused electrical stimulation (HIFES) contracts facial muscles at the same time, as Derm Digest describes it. Our page gives four twenty-minute sessions as the standard protocol.

How much does an EmFace cost compared with an Exion?

About €130,000 new for the EmFace against about €95,000 for the Exion, on our machine page figures. Used prices for both vary too widely to quote an average, so compare real listings.

Do I need training to run an Exion or EmFace?

Our pages say BTL certification is required for the EmFace and on the Exion applicators you use. Also ask your insurer and the HPRA what they expect in your setting.

Which BTL machine pays back faster?

On our figures they are close, at roughly 328 treatments for a new Exion and 318 for a new EmFace before overheads. Your own pricing and how many patients complete a course will decide it.

Where can I find a used Exion or EmFace?

You can browse our classifieds, which are free for buyers and sellers with no commission.