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UP3D vs DEPRAG vs iMES iCORE: dental milling machines compared for 2026

Three brands stocked at USDD, UP3D (Asian value), DEPRAG (German workhorse), iMES iCORE (German premium automation). We carry, install, and service all three. Here's how to pick.

3
Brands compared
All
Stocked U.S.
5-axis
All models
1 number
To call for service
USDD's pick

DEPRAG W5 Pro

The all-around recommendation for most labs
DEPRAG W5 Pro, USDD's most-recommended mill
Why featured: Best balance of price, capability and parts availability
Materials: Everything, zirconia to titanium
Audience: 70% of labs we sell to
By brand

UP3D, DEPRAG and iMES iCORE milling: three brands compared head-to-head

Each card below is the brand's most-popular hero. Click through to the dedicated landing page for the full lineup.

UP3D P55D

UP3D P55D

UP3D's flagship, Asian value pricing, solid 5-axis, popular in growing clinics.
Brand: UP3D (CN)
Position: Value tier
Price band: $$
Request pricing
DEPRAG W5 Pro

DEPRAG W5 Pro

USDD's most-recommended mill. German engineering, wet/dry, all materials. The 'just buy this' option.
Brand: DEPRAG (DE)
Position: Workhorse premium
Price band: $$$
Request pricing
CORiTEC 250i Loader PRO

CORiTEC 250i Loader PRO

iMES iCORE's automation flagship, 100k rpm spindle, 7-blank loader. Top-shelf German precision.
Brand: iMES iCORE (DE)
Position: Premium automation
Price band: $$$$
Request pricing

Need help picking the right model?

Specs side by side

UP3D P55D vs DEPRAG W5 Pro vs CORiTEC 250i: Dental Mill Specs Compared

Featured column is the DEPRAG W5 Pro, USDD's all-purpose recommendation.

UP3D P55DDEPRAG W5 ProCORiTEC 250i Loader PRO
OriginChinaGermanyGermany
Axes5-axis simultaneous5-axis simultaneous5-axis simultaneous
Spindle~60,000 rpm60,000 rpm, 1 kW100,000 rpm
TypeDry / hybridWet & dryWet & dry + loader
Blank changer, , 7-pos auto
MaterialsZirconia, PMMAAll incl. titaniumAll incl. titanium
Price band$$$$$$$$$
USDD pick forBudget-first labsMost labs24/7 automation labs

Still not sure which brand fits? Get a 30-min remote consult with our milling team.

Honest trade-offs

UP3D vs DEPRAG vs iMES iCORE Pros and Trade-offs

What you actually get with each brand, from USDD techs who service all three in the field.

UP3D

Pros
  • Lowest acquisition cost of the three
  • Solid 5-axis for the price
  • Good ROI for budget-first labs
Trade-offs
  • Parts lead times longer if not USDD-stocked
  • Less material breadth than DEPRAG/iMES
  • Software ecosystem less mature

DEPRAG

Pros
  • Best price-to-capability balance
  • U.S. parts inventory at USDD
  • Mills literally every dental material
  • 16-position tool changer standard
Trade-offs
  • German pricing, premium vs Asian alternatives
  • No factory automation on W5 Pro (need W5 Max)
  • Wet/dry switching takes ~10 min

iMES iCORE

Pros
  • Top spindle speed in the comparison (100k rpm)
  • Factory automation built-in (7-blank loader)
  • Lowest-vibration mono-block construction
  • iCAM HD CAM software is best-in-class
Trade-offs
  • Highest acquisition cost
  • iCAM has a steeper learning curve
  • Justification only if volume supports the price
By scenario

Which Mill Brand Should You Buy? 6 Common Scenarios

Real picks based on the practice profiles we see most often.

Budget-first solo lab
Zirconia only, occasional PMMA
UP3D delivers 5-axis at the lowest entry. Skip wet capability you won't use.
→ UP3D P55D
Growing 5-15 case/day lab
Mixed materials, no automation needed yet
DEPRAG W5 Pro is the sweet spot, buy this if you're not sure.
→ DEPRAG W5 Pro
Multi-material premium lab
Titanium abutments, glass ceramics, zirconia
100k rpm spindle on titanium + mono-block stability on glass ceramics = CORiTEC.
→ CORiTEC 250i Loader PRO
24/7 production lab
Lights-out milling, 25+ cases/day
Automation pays back fast at this volume. CORiTEC 250i Loader PRO or DEPRAG W5 Max.
→ CORiTEC 250i Loader PRO
Chairside / single chair
Same-day crowns, footprint matters
Smallest viable: DEPRAG W4 desktop or CORiTEC One. Skip the big mills.
→ DEPRAG W4
DSO standardizing across offices
Same workflow, parts, training across N locations
DEPRAG W5 Pro across all locations, same operator training, same USDD service number.
→ DEPRAG W5 Pro fleet
USDD advantage

Why Buy Dental Milling from US Dental Depot

U.S. stock, U.S. support, U.S. service, plus financing, training and parts inventory under one roof.

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All 3 brands stocked U.S.

USDD warehouses UP3D, DEPRAG and iMES iCORE in Florida. 2-3 week installs, no overseas wait.

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One number for service

Service techs trained on all three brands. One phone call regardless of which mill needs attention.

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Honest brand-neutral advice

USDD sells all three, so we recommend based on your actual fit, not on which brand we're trying to push that month.

Ready to pick your milling brand?

Send us your case volume, material mix and budget, we'll recommend the right brand and model.