In the fast-paced world of digital dentistry, Medit has been one of the market leaders for some time.
With the launch of the i900, their intraoral scanner lineup now consists of five scanners.
This latest addition joins a family of scanners that each impacted the market differently over the years - from the low-cost i500 to the runaway success of the i700. The i900 represents a significant step in Medit's journey in digital impressions.
Just today the company announced new prices for all their scanners. There has been a notable drop in the cost of each scanner which is very interesting. So in that light, lets cover them all!
Let's take a quick look at Medit's scanner evolution:
- 2018: Medit i500 - The low-cost option that put Medit on the map - now largely phased out.
- 2021: Medit i700 - A significant leap forward in speed and accuracy + single cord application.
- 2022: Medit i600 - Bringing advanced scanning to a more accessible price point
- 2022: Medit i700 Wireless - Introducing wireless to the Medit scanners.
- 2024: Medit i900 - The new flagship Medit scanner. Wired, very lightweight, and with a very large scanner tip.
In just six years, Medit has transformed from a newcomer to one of the leaders in the intraoral scanner market. Each new release has brought improvements, with the i900 culminating in Medit's rapid innovation cycle.
The Medit i900 promises enhanced speed, accuracy, and features that set a new standard in the industry. But how does it compare to its predecessors?
And more importantly, which Medit scanner is the right fit for your practice in 2024?
With five distinct scanners in their lineup, the differences between models have become more nuanced, but we'll provide you with an easy-to-understand comparison.
We previously compared the Medit scanner range in 2022, so we thought it was time for an update. We'll see how the newest Medit i900 and i700 Wireless compare against the Medit i700 wired, the Medit i600, and the original Medit i500.
So, whether you're considering your first intraoral scanner or looking to upgrade your existing equipment, this article will provide you with the insights you need to make an informed choice.
Let's go over the entire Medit's scanner lineup, tracing the evolution from the i500 to the latest i900 and everything in between.
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Medit i900 Intraoral Scanner
The Medit i900, launched in early 2024, represents a shift in Medit's intraoral scanner technology. This new flagship model builds upon the success of the i700 series but deviates away from wireless technology and instead offers a super slim scanner body and lightweight. The i900 boasts arguably the fastest scanning speed in Medit's lineup thanks to the large scanning tip and wide field of view.
On a standard spec laptop is averages 65-70 FPS, similar to the i700, i600 etc.
Medit i900
Medit i900 Price
As Medit's flagship offering, the i900 is priced at the higher end of their price range. The RRP was originally $24,500 USD. But the i900 saw a price reduction just recently. The new price of the i900 is as follows:
- I900 with laptop = $20,999
- I900 without laptop = $18,999
This change is very interesting. Last year Medit priced it in the range of other flagship scanners, like the TRIOS 5. But now it is 5,000+ USD cheaper than other flagship scanners.
The i900 remains a decent option compared to other high-end scanners thanks to its excellent software. It offers great value for practices looking to get the latest release from Medit.
Medit i900 Specifications
The Medit i900 sets a new standard in Medit's lineup. Notably it is the most lightweight Medit scanner ever released by a large margin and has the smallest body.
One of the biigest upgrades in the i900 is that it features the widest field of view of any Medit scanner at 22 x 20 mm, 30% wider than the i700 series. The scanning tip is huge compared to all other Medit scanners, and most other scanners on the market now.
When using the Medit i900, you notice this straight away. It allows for faster full-arch scans, reducing the number of stitched images. The i900 captures larger areas in a single scan, reducing overall scan time.
Medit i900 scanner tips
The larger scan tips also make it much better for scanning edentulous arches - something that was somewhat tricky with the previous generation Medit scanners. If edentulous scanning is important for you - get the i900, no doubt.
The i900 also boasts the most advanced AI features in the Medit range, including enhanced shade matching and automatic removal of soft tissue artifacts.
While it's not wireless, Medit has trimmed the weight significantly of the i900, making it one of the most lightweight scanners on the entire market at 165 grams. The scanner also features a redesigned ergonomic shape.
All Medit scanners. i900 is markedly smaller.
Medit i700 Wireless Intraoral Scanner
The Medit i700 Wireless was launched on April 20th, 2022. We’ve used this IOS plenty of times within the clinic and can confirm that it’s still a great scanner. It’s everything you love about the i700, but - as the name would suggest - it is now wireless.
The company has communicated that despite going wireless, the performance and functionality of the i700 will not be compromised compared to the normal i700.
The Medit i700 wireless features all-day scanning with a single battery. It can be used for 60 minutes continuously or 8 hours in sleep mode. Intelligent power management technology detects when the scanner is not in use and puts it in sleep mode.
The i700 Wireless is the heaviest scanner in the lineup. Weighing 328 grams with the battery, you will definitely feel the difference when comparing it to the i900.
Besides that, it’s the same scanner you know and love - just wireless.
Medit i700 Wireless Price
In 2024, the Medit i700 Wireless priced around $20,000 USD, now with their updated pricing of the i900, the i700 wireless has a new price of $15,500 (no laptop).
The wireless i700 costs $2,000 more than the standard i700. While it would improve functionality and ease of use, you, as an individual, should decide if wireless capabilities are worth an additional $2,000.
Medit i700 Wireless Specifications
The Medit 1700 Wireless is the same as the wired iteration without requiring a 2-meter cable. It has the same scanning capabilities as the i700, yet it is heavier.
Scanning tips in the i700 wireless and i900 can be autoclaved up to 150 times, unlike the i700 and i600, which can only be autoclaved up to 100 times.
Like the wired i700, the i700 Wireless features a remote control mode and UV-C disinfection of the internals of the scanner. Something that was discontinued in the i900, so I doubt we will see this feature again.
Medit i700 Intraoral Scanner
Released in April 2021, Medit capitalized on the success of the industry-disrupting i500 and doubled down with a new scanner - the Medit i700.
The i700 is an impressive scanner to this day. It’s a fast and smooth scanner that provides a scan experience that rivals some of the top scanners in the market.
The Medit i700 is a massive improvement on the Medit i500 in many ways. It’s much lighter, the scanning window is larger, and instead of requiring a power box and power cable, the Medit i700 directly connects to a computer with one USB C cable for both power and data.
Overall, it surpasses the Medit i500 in terms of functionality and usability. It has been improved in every way, and there’s little downside when compared to the predecessor.
Medit i700 Price
As with the i500, the i700 is a competitively priced scanner that competes with the major manufacturers' scanners for only a fraction of the price.
You can get a new Medit i700 now for $13,500. Prior the scanner was sold for $18,000 USD.
Remember that the price doesn’t include the laptop or PC required to use the scanner. Expect to spend another 2k USD or so.
Regardless, at a price of $13,500 this makes the i700 very competitive in today's market. The scanner prices continue to drop.
The only downside of the i700 is that you’ll need a more powerful computer than the i500.
Medit i700 Specifications
Below are the technical specifications of the Medit i700 wired scanner.
Download the Full PDF and find the Ideal Match for Your Practice
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Medit i600 Intraoral Scanner
The Medit i600 was introduced as a surprise alongside the i700 Wireless and represented Medit's effort to provide a more affordable entry point into its scanner lineup.
Positioned as a successor to the i500, the i600 offers many features in the higher-end i700 series, with some omissions to maintain a competitive price point, such as the removal of the remote button. Which is no big deal, really.
It served as an excellent middle ground for practices looking to step into digital dentistry with a modern, capable scanner without the premium cost of the i700 series.
To me, if the i600 is available in your region, you should not consider buying an i500 at all. This would be the low-cost Medit scanner to pick up.
Medit i600 Price
With Medit's effort to continue the i600 as a entry-level offering IOS, the i600 is now priced at $10,500 USD. Prior it was $13,500 USD.
This price point is very competitive in the current market. i600 offers an appealing entry into digital dentistry for practices primarily looking to scan and send to the lab.
Other scanners at this price point have typically much lesser software than the Medit scanners.
Medit i600 Specifications
Unlike the i700, the Medit i600 is limited to 35 frames per second when scanning (compared to 70 FPS on the i700). However, its scanning capabilities are solid, and you likely won't notice the difference.
This is entirely software throttling. The Medit i600 looks and is essentially the same scanner as the i700 but with some minor omissions: a remote button, lower FPS, and no HD mode in the software.
While it lacks some other features like remote control mode and UV-C disinfection in the i700 series, the i600 maintains core functionalities that make it a capable scanner.
This is no doubt the go-to Medit scanner for clinics on a budget.
Medit i500 Intraoral Scanner
The Medit i500 was the scanner that put Medit on the map in the intraoral scanning market. Launched in 2018, it is starting to show its age, and generally, with the launch of the i600, I cannot recommend buying an i500 anymore.
The i500 does offer reliable performance at an attractive price point, as it features Medit's core scanning technology. However, it just lacks many of the quality-of-life improvements we have come to expect in 2024. Notably, there is no power cable and bigger scanning heads.
Medit i500 Price
As Medit's most affordable offering and the first scanner they ever created is only available in a few emerging markets now. The company has stopped producing new i500s for NA, LATAM, and EMEA.
While exact pricing can vary by region and dealer, the i500 is typically priced under $10,000 USD.
I would just spend the little bit extra and get a Medit i600.
You wont regret it.
Medit i500 Specifications
The Medit i500 captures 40 frames per second when scanning and overall feels slower than its newer counterparts.
The i500 is relatively lightweight at 280g and the scanner tips can be autoclaved up to 50 times.
Medit i700 (top) and Medit i500 (bottom)
Medit Cloud Storage Plans
Medit revealed significant changes to their cloud storage offerings, effective October 17, 2024. The existing Medit Membership subscription will be rebranded as the 'Medit Cloud Storage Plan' with some notable updates.
Good news for Medit users - the free cloud storage allocation is doubling from 1GB to 2GB. This means you can now store approximately 500 half-arch scan cases without paying a cent. The scanner and all its features will continue to work as normal with this free tier.
Changes to 10TB Plan
The 10TB storage plan is seeing a price adjustment, increasing from $0.99 to $9.99 per month. This optional upgrade is available for users who need more than the 2GB free allocation.
What This Means for Current Users
If you're currently using more than 2GB of storage on the free plan, you'll need to either:
- Back up your existing data and free up cloud space
- Upgrade to the 10TB plan
Medit has stated they will be contacting existing 10TB plan subscribers separately regarding these changes.
Managing Your Storage
For those looking to optimize their cloud storage usage, Medit provides several tools:
- Case Converting Tool for managing case file sizes
- Storage Management features for organizing your data
The company emphasizes that these changes are being implemented to maintain high-quality service for Medit Link users. Scanner functionality remains unaffected regardless of which storage plan you choose.
For those interested in exploring these tools or learning more about data management in Medit Link, you can find resources on case conversion and storage management in the Medit Link software.
PC and Operating System (OS) Requirements for Medit Intraoral Scanners
Either a desktop or laptop will work. Both will allow you to operate the Medit intraoral scanner using the scan image acquisition software called “Scan for Clinics” which is launched via the Medit Link software.
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro is recommended. The Medit Link application and the scan image acquisition program are developed and tested based on the latest version of Windows 10 Pro.
Medit recommends purchasing a dedicated PC for your Medit scanner - whether that be an i600, i700, or i900, as background apps could impact your overall scanning performance.
Mac OS Specifications
Medit pioneered scanning software for Mac OS, and as of this article's writing, it is one of only two companies that offers Mac compatibility.
Medit recently made its Medit Link software available for macOS. This development, announced in late 2023, marks a significant expansion of Medit's ecosystem, allowing Mac users to fully integrate Medit scanners into their workflow without needing a separate Windows machine.
Medit has ensured that the macOS version offers the same core functionality as its Windows counterpart, including scan processing, case management, and access to Medit's suite of dental apps.
The macOS version of Medit Link is compatible with all current Medit scanner models, including the new i900, i700 Wireless, i700, i600, and i500.
All Medit Scanners have the following requirements for Mac OS (RAM 24G):
- M1 Pro/M2 Pro: 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU
- M2: 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
It's worth noting that while Medit Link is now available for macOS, some third-party CAD software used in conjunction with Medit scanners may still require Windows.
However, performing scanning, post-processing, and case management directly on a Mac represents a significant step forward in flexibility for dental professionals.
Medit i900 System Requirements
The below Medit i900 system requirements have been obtained from Medit's website.
Despite its advanced features, the i900 maintains Medit's philosophy of providing high-performance scanning without requiring the most powerful computer systems.
This can save your overall setup cost compared to some competing high-end scanners.
Medit i700 Wireless/i700/i600 System Requirements
The below Medit i700 Wireless system requirements have been obtained from Medit's website.
Medit i500 System Requirements
Medit's i500 system requirements are relatively modest compared to some competitors, allowing you to achieve high-quality scans without needing the latest and most powerful computer systems.
Medit Intraoral Scanner Tips
With the launch of the Medit i900, the company has improved the scanner tips for all their other models (excluding the i500 - slowly phasing out).
The new tip is autoclavable for up to 150 cycles and priced the same as the previous tip. A box of four scanning tips costs $300 USD, which makes each patient scan cost approximately $2 USD.
Medit is phasing out the 100 autoclavable tips as inventory depletes, in favor of the new 150 autoclavable tips. New purchases of the i900 and i700 Wireless scanners will receive these tips in the box, while the i700 and i600 will transition to the new tips as stock of the 100-cycle tips is depleted.
Medit i900 scanner tips (S, M, L).
Medit i700 Wireless/i700/i600 scanner tips.
Medit Scanner Platform Architecture
Medit's approach to scanner technology continues to set them apart in the market. Their scanners are essentially image-capturing devices that rely on powerful computers and AI to do the heavy lifting of data processing.
This contrasts with many other scanners in the market, which are more like mini-computers that do more onboard processing.
This architecture allows Medit to:
- Create high-performing scanners at a more competitive price point
- Continuously improve scanner performance through software and firmware updates
- Rapidly innovate and introduce new features across their scanner lineup
The introduction of the i900, with its newer AI features and improved processing capabilities, further demonstrates Medit's commitment to this approach.
For a more in-depth look at how this technology is shaping the future of digital dentistry, check out our article on Medit's Modern Platform Architecture.
TL;DR - Comparing all Medit Intraoral Scanners
It's more challenging than ever to recommend a single scanner as the best choice in this market, as it always depends on the individual dentist's needs, budget, and preferences.
However, we can provide some guidance for Medit scanners based on different scenarios:
- The i500 remains OK as an entry point for those starting their digital dentistry journey or on a tight budget. But as we mentioned, just spend a little bit more and you can pick up the i600 which is vastly better. Also the i500 is no longer being made for NA, LATAM, and EMEA.
- The i600 is an excellent option for those new to digital dentistry and who are seeking the most affordable Medit scanner money can buy. At $10,500 it is a great entry-level scanner.
- The i700 (wireless and wired) is in the cross roads now between the i600 which is cheaper and the i900 which is argubably better. Right now the main reason I see to get a i700 is because you want wireless technology. Otherwise if you cannot afford the i900, get the i600.
- The new i900 is the flagship and is genuinely the best Medit scanner money can buy. The main advantage of the i900 over all other Medit scanners is the large scanner tip and weight. The large FOV actually makes a huge difference in day to day use. It offers the fastest scan speeds and most advanced features.
One of Medit's strengths in this market is its software architecture, which is the same software used by all of their scanners. Medit Link and all its apps are accessible regardless of what Medit scanner you buy. We've included a comprehensive comparison table below to easily compare all the current Medit scanners.
Comprehensive Comparison Table of All Medit Scanners - i900, i700 Wireless, i700, i600, and i500
*Prices are relative and may vary by region and dealer. Please check with your local Medit reseller for current pricing.
Remember, the best scanner for you is the one that fits your specific needs and helps you deliver excellent patient care. We recommend trying out different models, if possible, before making your final decision.
The new pricing by Medit in 2025 is very interesting. It is going to be fascinating watching the market this year.
Thanks for reading.
