MRI Scanner Comparison by Magnetic Strength (0.2T to 11.7T): Complete Brand & Model Breakdown

0.2 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Budget imaging, claustrophobic patients, orthopedic scans
Top Brands & Models:

  • GE Healthcare: Signa Profile
  • Hitachi Medical: AIRIS II
  • Fonar: Stand-Up MRI
  • ESAOTE: G-scan Brio (0.2T version)
0.3 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Basic diagnostics, open MRI configurations
Top Brands & Models:

  • Hitachi Medical: AIRIS Vento, Oasis 0.3T
  • Siemens Healthineers: Magnetom C! 0.3T
  • ESAOTE: G-scan Brio 0.3T
  • Paramed: MRP-4000 0.3T
0.35 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Open MRI applications, pediatric imaging
Top Brands & Models:

  • GE Healthcare: Signa Ovation 0.35T
  • Philips Healthcare: Panorama HFO 0.35T
  • Hitachi Medical: Oasis 0.35T, Echelon 0.35T
  • Fonar: Upright MRI 0.35T
0.4 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Specialty clinics, orthopedic imaging
Top Brands & Models:

  • ESAOTE: G-scan 0.4T
  • Paramed: MRP-7000ACT 0.4T
  • AllTech Medical: AMR400 0.4T
0.5 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: General imaging with better resolution than lower-field systems
Top Brands & Models:

  • GE Healthcare: Signa Profile 0.5T
  • Siemens Healthineers: Magnetom Concerto 0.5T
  • Philips Healthcare: Gyroscan T5 0.5T
  • Hitachi Medical: AIRIS Vento 0.5T
0.7 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Cost-effective mid-range imaging
Top Brands & Models:

  • Siemens Healthineers: Magnetom Concerto 0.7T
  • Philips Healthcare: Intera 0.7T
  • Toshiba (Canon Medical): Vantage Excelart 0.7T
1.0 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Balanced performance for general radiology
Top Brands & Models:

  • GE Healthcare: Signa Explorer 1.0T
  • Siemens Healthineers: Magnetom Harmony 1.0T
  • Philips Healthcare: Intera 1.0T, Panorama HFO 1.0T
  • Toshiba (Canon Medical): Vantage Titan 1.0T
1.2 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Advanced imaging with open configurations
Top Brands & Models:

  • Siemens Healthineers: Magnetom Espree 1.2T, Magnetom Avanto 1.2T
  • GE Healthcare: Signa HDxt 1.2T
  • Hitachi Medical: Echelon Vega 1.2T
1.5 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Clinical gold standard – neurology, cardiology, oncology
Top Brands & Models:

  • GE Healthcare:
    • Signa Creator 1.5T
    • Signa Voyager 1.5T
    • Optima MR450w 1.5T
    • Discovery MR450 1.5T
  • Siemens Healthineers:
    • Magnetom Aera 1.5T
    • Magnetom Sola 1.5T
    • Magnetom Avanto Fit 1.5T
  • Philips Healthcare:
    • Ingenia 1.5T
    • Achieva 1.5T
    • Multiva 1.5T
  • Canon Medical:
    • Vantage Galan 1.5T
    • Vantage Orian 1.5T
  • Hitachi Medical: Echelon Oval 1.5T
3.0 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: High-resolution neuroimaging, advanced research
Top Brands & Models:

  • GE Healthcare:
    • Signa Premier 3.0T
    • Signa Architect 3.0T
    • Discovery MR750w 3.0T
    • Revolution Apex 3.0T
  • Siemens Healthineers:
    • Magnetom Skyra 3.0T
    • Magnetom Prisma 3.0T
    • Magnetom Vida 3.0T
    • Magnetom Lumina 3.0T
  • Philips Healthcare:
    • Ingenia Elition 3.0T
    • Achieva TX 3.0T
    • Ingenia Ambition 3.0T (BlueSeal magnet)
  • Canon Medical:
    • Vantage Titan 3.0T
    • Vantage Galan X 3.0T
  • United Imaging: uMR 790 3.0T
4.0 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Research applications
Top Brands & Models:

  • Bruker: BioSpec 94/20 (preclinical)
  • Siemens Healthineers: Custom research systems
  • Agilent/Varian: Research systems
7.0 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Cutting-edge neuroscience research
Top Brands & Models:

  • Siemens Healthineers: Magnetom Terra 7.0T
  • GE Healthcare: Signa 7.0T (research)
  • Philips Healthcare: Achieva 7.0T (research)
  • Bruker: BioSpec 70/30 (preclinical)
10.5 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Ultra-high-field research
Top Brands & Models:

  • Bruker: BioSpec 110 (preclinical)
  • Siemens Healthineers: Research systems (limited installations)
11.7 Tesla MRI Machines

Best for: Advanced molecular imaging research
Top Brands & Models:

  • Siemens Healthineers: Research systems (NIH, CEA France)
  • Bruker: BioSpec 120 (preclinical)
Specialty MRI Systems
Open MRI Machines
  • 0.35T:
    • GE Signa Ovation
    • Hitachi Oasis
  • 0.6T:
    • Fonar Upright MRI
  • 1.2T:
    • Siemens Magnetom Espree
Extremity MRI
  • 1.5T:
    • GE Optima MR430s
    • Siemens Magnetom C!
Portable MRI
  • 0.064T:
    • Hyperfine Swoop
  • 0.55T:
    • Siemens Magnetom Free.Max
Q: What’s the difference between 1.5T and 3T MRI machines?

1.5T scanners offer excellent clinical imaging at lower cost, while 3T machines provide higher resolution for advanced neuro and musculoskeletal imaging but are more expensive to purchase and maintain.

Q: Which brand makes the best open MRI machines?

Hitachi (Oasis), GE (Signa Ovation), and Fonar (Upright MRI) are leaders in open MRI technology, offering systems from 0.3T to 1.2T for claustrophobic patients.

Are portable MRI machines any good?

Portable MRI like Hyperfine Swoop (0.064T) are revolutionary for point-of-care imaging but have lower resolution than traditional systems. They’re ideal for stroke detection in emergency settings.

Why would a hospital choose a 0.35T MRI?

Lower-field 0.35T systems are more affordable, quieter, and better suited for claustrophobic or pediatric patients, though they sacrifice some image quality compared to 1.5T+ machines.

Q: What’s the most powerful MRI machine available?

Currently the 11.7T systems by Siemens (human research) and Bruker (preclinical) are the strongest, used only in specialized research facilities for advanced neuroscience studies.
Would you like me to tailor these further for specific clinical applications or geographic markets? I can also add more technical specifications to the FAQs if needed.