ARTAS robotic hair transplant costs $6 to $10 per graft in the United States, which is a significant premium over manual FUE at $4 to $6 per graft. A typical 2,000-graft ARTAS session runs $12,000 to $20,000, compared to $8,000 to $12,000 for the same graft count with manual FUE. The higher price reflects the cost of the robotic system itself, ongoing licensing, and specialized training.
This guide breaks down every cost component, compares ARTAS pricing to other methods, and identifies where you can find better value.
ARTAS Cost by Graft Count
The total cost of your ARTAS procedure depends primarily on how many grafts you need, which correlates directly with your Norwood stage and the area you want to cover.
| Graft Count | ARTAS Cost (US) | Manual FUE Cost (US) | Premium You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $6,000-$10,000 | $4,000-$6,000 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| 1,500 | $9,000-$15,000 | $6,000-$9,000 | $3,000-$6,000 |
| 2,000 | $12,000-$20,000 | $8,000-$12,000 | $4,000-$8,000 |
| 2,500 | $15,000-$25,000 | $10,000-$15,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| 3,000 | $18,000-$30,000 | $12,000-$18,000 | $6,000-$12,000 |
ARTAS sessions typically cap at 3,000 grafts. If your hair loss requires more grafts, you will need either a second session (adding the full cost again) or should consider manual FUE, which can handle up to 5,000 grafts in a single session.
Cost by Norwood Stage
| Norwood Stage | Typical Grafts Needed | ARTAS Cost Range (US) | Sessions Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800-1,500 | $5,000-$15,000 | 1 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500-2,500 | $9,000-$25,000 | 1 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,000-3,000 | $12,000-$30,000 | 1 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000-4,500 | $18,000-$45,000 | 1-2 |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000-6,000 | $24,000-$60,000 | 2 |
| Norwood 7 | 5,000-7,000+ | $30,000-$70,000+ | 2-3 |
For Norwood 5 and above, the cost advantage of manual FUE becomes substantial because you avoid paying the ARTAS premium across multiple sessions.
Why ARTAS Costs More Than Manual FUE
The price difference between ARTAS and manual FUE is not primarily about better results. Both achieve 90-95% graft survival rates. The premium covers several fixed costs that clinics must recoup.
Equipment and Licensing
The ARTAS system costs approximately $300,000 to $500,000 to purchase. Most clinics lease the equipment, paying monthly fees that must be recovered through procedure pricing. Annual maintenance contracts, software updates, and replacement parts add ongoing expenses.
Training and Staffing
Operating the ARTAS system requires specialized training. Clinics invest in surgeon certification programs and technician training. The learning curve for the system means clinics perform fewer procedures per surgeon during the initial adoption period.
Procedure Time
While ARTAS extractions are consistent, the system does not necessarily save time. Setup, calibration, and the methodical robotic extraction process can match or exceed the duration of a manual session. The robot's speed is approximately 800 to 1,200 grafts per hour, comparable to a skilled manual FUE surgeon.
Limited Competition
Fewer clinics offer ARTAS compared to manual FUE. Limited supply gives ARTAS clinics less competitive pressure to lower prices. In any given US metro area, you might find 20+ clinics offering manual FUE but only 2 to 3 with ARTAS capability.
ARTAS vs Other Methods: Complete Cost Comparison
| Method | Cost Per Graft (US) | Cost Per Graft (Turkey) | Max Grafts/Session | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTAS Robotic FUE | $6-10 | $3-5 (limited) | 3,000 | Patients wanting robotic precision |
| Manual FUE | $4-6 | $1-2 | 5,000 | Most patients, best value |
| Sapphire FUE | $5-8 | $1.50-2.50 | 5,000 | Smaller incisions, faster healing |
| DHI (Choi pen) | $5-8 | $1.50-3 | 3,500 | Dense packing, no-shave options |
| FUT (Strip) | $3-5 | $0.80-1.50 | 4,000 | Maximum grafts, lowest cost |
| NEOGRAFT | $5-8 | N/A | 4,000 | Semi-automated FUE alternative |
Manual FUE offers the best balance of cost and results for most patients. ARTAS makes sense primarily when you want the consistency of robotic extraction and your case requires 1,500 to 2,500 grafts, where the per-graft premium is most justified.
For a detailed comparison of US and international pricing, see our guide on Turkey vs USA hair transplant cost.
What is Included in the ARTAS Price
Understanding what your quoted price covers helps you compare clinics accurately. Most ARTAS clinics include the following in their per-graft quote:
Typically Included
- Pre-operative consultation and hair analysis
- The ARTAS extraction procedure
- Manual graft placement (the robot only handles extraction in most protocols)
- Local anesthesia
- Post-operative care kit (shampoo, medications, wound care supplies)
- One or two follow-up appointments
Often Extra
- Pre-operative blood work ($100-$300)
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment ($500-$1,500 per session)
- Prescription medications (finasteride, minoxidil, antibiotics, pain medication: $50-$200)
- Additional follow-up visits beyond the included number
- Touch-up procedures for thin spots
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Some clinics advertise a low per-graft rate but add fees elsewhere:
- Facility fees: $500-$2,000 charged separately from the per-graft rate
- Anesthesia fees: $300-$800 if not bundled
- Graft count inflation: Some clinics count individual hairs rather than follicular units, making prices appear lower per "graft"
- Mandatory PRP packages: Bundled into the total but inflating the effective per-graft cost
Always ask for an all-inclusive quote that specifies the total cost for a defined number of follicular units.
Financing Your ARTAS Procedure
Most ARTAS clinics offer financing because the total cost is substantial. Common options include:
Medical Financing
Companies like CareCredit, Prosper Healthcare Lending, and Alpheon Credit offer medical loans with promotional periods:
- 0% APR for 12-24 months: Available for patients with good credit (700+)
- Extended plans (36-60 months): Interest rates typically 9-15% APR
- Monthly payments: A $20,000 ARTAS procedure on a 24-month plan runs approximately $833/month at 0% APR
Clinic Payment Plans
Some clinics offer in-house financing with a 20-50% deposit and the balance spread over 6 to 12 months. Interest rates vary, and terms are less standardized than third-party lending.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Hair transplants are classified as cosmetic procedures and are generally not eligible for HSA or FSA funds. Some patients have successfully used these accounts when a physician documents the procedure as treatment for a medical condition, but this is uncommon and not guaranteed.
Is ARTAS Worth the Premium?
The ARTAS premium of $2,000 to $12,000 over manual FUE buys you three things:
- Lower transection rates: 3-7% vs 5-15%, meaning slightly more viable grafts per extraction
- Consistent extraction quality: No degradation from surgeon fatigue over multi-hour sessions
- Digital donor mapping: AI-guided extraction planning that preserves donor area aesthetics
Whether these advantages justify the premium depends on your situation. For patients needing 1,500 to 2,500 grafts with straight, dark hair (ARTAS's ideal profile), the technology is well-suited. For patients needing more than 3,000 grafts, requiring body hair extraction, or with curly/light hair, manual FUE may deliver equal or better results at lower cost.
When ARTAS is Worth It
- Your case requires 1,500-2,500 grafts (one session)
- You have straight, dark hair on a light scalp
- Consistency of extraction is your top priority
- You want AI-guided donor area preservation
- Budget is a secondary concern
When Manual FUE is the Better Value
- You need more than 3,000 grafts
- You require body hair (beard, chest) as a supplemental donor source
- You have curly, fine, or very light hair
- Cost is a significant factor in your decision
- You want access to more experienced surgeons with larger case volumes
For a comprehensive overview of the ARTAS system and how it works, see the ARTAS overview guide.
Get Your Cost Estimate
Not sure how many grafts you need or what your ARTAS procedure will cost? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai for an AI-powered assessment of your hair loss stage and estimated graft requirements.
FAQ
How much does an ARTAS hair transplant cost?
ARTAS robotic hair transplant costs $6-10 per graft in the US, with total procedure costs ranging from $9,000 for small sessions (1,500 grafts) to $30,000 or more for large sessions (3,000 grafts). This represents a 50-100% premium over manual FUE, which averages $4-6 per graft.
Why is ARTAS more expensive than manual FUE?
ARTAS costs more because clinics must purchase or lease the robotic system (approximately $300,000-$500,000), pay ongoing maintenance and licensing fees, and train staff to operate it. These overhead costs are passed on to patients. The technology premium also reflects lower transection rates and more consistent extraction quality.
Is ARTAS available in Turkey at lower cost?
ARTAS availability in Turkey is extremely limited. Very few Turkish clinics operate ARTAS systems, and those that do charge $3-5 per graft, which is significantly more than standard Turkish FUE at $1-2 per graft. Most patients seeking affordable hair transplants in Turkey opt for manual FUE or Sapphire FUE instead.