The best 3D scanner overall right now is the Revopoint POP 3. 

In our hands-on tests, the POP 3 outperformed all other 3D scanners in its price range, and overall it’s one of the most portable, versatile, and accurate 3D scanners under $1,000.

For a super budget scanner, you can go either for the older Revopoint POP 2, or the Creality CR Scan Ferret.

Super budget pick	Best under $1000 overall	Premium pick
Creality Scan Ferret	Revopoint POP 3	EinScan Pro HD
$329.00	$659	$8,000-$10,000
3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:
3DSourced Rating: 4.2	3DSourced Rating: 4.7	3DSourced Rating: 4.6
Precision: 0.1 mm	Precision: 0.05 mm	Precision: Up to 0.4 mm
Point Distance Resolution: 0.016 mm	Point Distance Resolution: 0.05 mm	Point Distance Resolution: 0.2 - 3 mm
Scan Speed: 30 FPS	Scan Speed: 12-18 FPS	Scan Speed: Up to 30 FPS
Minimum Scan Volume: 50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm	Minimum Scan Volume: 20 mm x 20 mm x 20 mm	Minimum Scan Volume: 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm
Single Capture Range: 560 x 820 @ 700 mm	Single Capture Range: 225 mm x 125 mm	Single Capture Range: 209 x 160 mm minimum; 310 x 240 mm maximum
Working Distance: 150 mm - 700 mm	Working Distance: 150 mm - 400 mm	Working Distance: 510 mm
Creality here	Revopoint here	Dynamism here

Super budget pick

Creality Scan Ferret

$329.00

3DSourced Rating:

3DSourced Rating:

4.2

Precision:

0.1 mm

Point Distance Resolution:

0.016 mm

Scan Speed:

30 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume:

50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm

Single Capture Range:

560 x 820 @ 700 mm

Working Distance:

150 mm - 700 mm

Creality here

Best under $1000 overall

Revopoint POP 3

$659

3DSourced Rating:

3DSourced Rating:

4.7

Precision:

0.05 mm

Point Distance Resolution:

0.05 mm

Scan Speed:

12-18 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume:

20 mm x 20 mm x 20 mm

Single Capture Range:

225 mm x 125 mm

Working Distance:

150 mm - 400 mm

Revopoint here

Premium pick

EinScan Pro HD

$8,000-$10,000

3DSourced Rating:

3DSourced Rating:

4.6

Precision:

Up to 0.4 mm

Point Distance Resolution:

0.2 - 3 mm

Scan Speed:

Up to 30 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume:

100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm

Single Capture Range:

209 x 160 mm minimum; 310 x 240 mm maximum

Working Distance:

510 mm

Dynamism here

For a higher quality scanner:

• For around $1,000 the top pick is the Shining 3D Einstar. 
• The EinScan SP is the best in the $2,000 range.
• And the EinScan Pro HD is the best in the $5K-$10K range.

We have separated our reviews into three main price categories:

• Budget 3D scanners (Under $1,000)
• Professional 3D scanners ($1,000 to $10,000)
• Industrial 3D scanners ($10,000+)

Full Comparison

Budget 3D Scanners (Under $1,000)

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1. Revopoint POP 3: Top Pick Overall

• Price: Check latest price at Revopoint here
• Precision: 0.05 mm
• Point Distance Resolution: 0.05 mm
• Scan Speed: 12-18 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 20 mm x 20 mm x 20 mm
• Single Capture Range: 225 mm x 125 mm
• Working Distance: 150 mm – 400 mm

The Revopoint POP 3 is an upgrade on the excellent POP 2, our previous budget pick based on our hands-on POP 2 test. It balances performance and price to bring quality 3D scanning capabilities to lower budget users.

For the low price, it has a 0.05 mm single-frame precision, 0.05 mm point distance resolution, full-color scanning, and up to 18 FPS capture, all powered by a dual-camera infrared structured light setup. These specifics make it a versatile general-purpose scanner useful for 3D printing modeling, digital media, conservation, design, and AR/VR. 

However, professionals and businesses will find that the performance of the POP 3 is somewhat lacking for precise, low-tolerance applications. This focus on catering to many applications means that the POP 3 tends to tail off when it comes to small objects with intricate details such as jewelry. For that, you’re better served elsewhere with a dedicated small object 3D scanner like the Revopoint MINI.

Baked into the Revopoint POP 3 is ease of use, with a sleek, refined workflow from the actual scanning process all the way to seamless WiFI 6-enabled data transfer then processing and editing a scan in the Revo Scan software. You also get two modes, handheld and static, with all the accessories needed to juggle both depending on your needs.

Virtually every aspect of the POP 2 has been improved for the POP 3, including capture speed, brightness, and color capture, so if you want the best Revopoint has to offer the choice is clear. 

However, if you’re after a budget alternative, the POP 2 is a steal, especially if you’re 3D scanning for a hobby. And, if you want to scan smaller objects, such as jewelry, then go with the Revopoint MINI.

Revopoint POP 3

Scanner Features:

Single-frame precision of up to 0.05mm 

Fast scanning speeds of up to 18 fps

An RGB camera with 30% larger aperture

Better color accuracy

9-axis IMU for a better tracking and frame stitching

Single capture range: 244 x 180mm

Revopoint here

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2. CR-Scan Ferret: Best Budget 3D Scanner For 3D Printing

• Price: Check latest price at Creality here
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Point Distance Resolution: 0.016 mm
• Scan Speed: 30 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm
• Single Capture Range: 560 x 820 @ 700 mm
• Working Distance: 150 mm – 700 mm

An upgrade on the CR-Scan 01, the CR-Scan Ferret is Creality’s newest affordable 3D scanner for 3D printing enthusiasts. The CR-Scan Ferret is the real deal, with an affordable $329 price tag for hobbyists on a tighter budget.

Despite the price, it’s pretty versatile. The CR-Scan Ferret has a high-accuracy mode to capture small and medium objects like minis and figurines, powered by a 0.1 mm accuracy and 0.16 mm precision for improved dimensional accuracy.

There’s also the wide-range mode, with a roomy 560 x 820 mm single capture range. This is useful for scanning medium to large objects such as statues, furniture, and body scans. If there’s something in the real world you want to 3D print, the CR-Scan Ferret can stitch it into a 3D model.

However, compared to pricier alternatives like the Revopoint POP 3, there’s a noticeable drop in scan quality, and the CR-Scan Ferret’s scan positioning can be a little difficult to master. But, for the price, the quality is higher than what you’d expect, with full-color scanning, a compact handheld design, included tripod, speedy 30 FPS capture, and bright sunlight outdoor scanning capabilities.

If you want a better scanner, consider upgrading to the Scan Ferret Pro. It has Wi-Fi 6 transfers, a slightly crisper 0.1 precision, and anti-shake technology to improve scan results. The Ferret Pro is a solid option for dabbling in AR, e-commerce, basic design, and digital archiving.

Creality Scan Ferret

Creality here

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3. SOL 3D Scanner by Scan Dimension

• 3D scanner price: Check latest price at Amazon here
• Accuracy: up to 0.1 mm
• Scan volume: up to 170 x 170 mm
• Scan speed: 10 min in Turbo mode, 20 min normally

SOL is a desktop laser scanner designed for scanning small yet detailed items, with good accuracy for the price.

The actual scanner itself weighs just 7 pounds, and can scan objects that weigh up to 2kg. This light weight makes it a perfect portable 3D scanner if you’re on the move.

It has two different modes depending on what you’re scanning:

• Near mode: for scanning objects of up to 100 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height.
• Far mode: for scanning objects up to 170 mm in diameter and 170 mm in height.

The SOL boasts an accuracy of around 0.1 mm, extremely good for the price range. You scan objects with their included SOL 3D software, and can then easily export your scans as OBJ or STL files and import them into a 3D slicer for 3D printing.

Danish company Scan Dimension promotes this impressive 3D visualizer not only for makers or hobbyists, but also for entrepreneurs. They sell the SOL 3D scanning camera as a way for entrepreneurs to show their products off with a 360-degree view, with easy ways to share these scans on Facebook.

Additionally, Scan Dimension say the scanner is also perfectly suited for education, for teaching students STEM education through scanning and editing structures.

Overall, it’s well suited as both a 3D scanner for businesses and as a home 3D scanner for hobbyists.

4. Matter and Form V2 MFS1V2: Portable Scanner Under $1,000

• 3D scanner cost: Check latest price at Amazon here / Matterhackers here
• Scan volume: 250 x 180 mm
• Accuracy: within 0.1 mm
• Scan speed: up to 65 seconds

The Matter & Form V2 is an updated version of the original M&F desktop 3D scanner. It uses 2 lasers and an HD-CMOS sensor to produce high-resolution, full-color 3D scans. A main selling point is its portability – all you have to do is fold it up and transport it.

The Matter & Form V2 scans objects in sizes up to 25 cm tall and 18 cm in diameter. It’s compatible with every major OS, so Mac users needn’t worry. It’s accurate up to around 0.1mm, and is easily connectable to your computer through USB to transfer over your scans.

However, it is only a stationary scanner, and can’t be used as a handheld body or face scanner like the Revopoint POP 3 for example can.
For editing scans, the Matter and Form scanner comes with specialized Mfstudio, and Quickscan which boosts scan speed to up to 65 seconds. You can then export the STL files and print them with your 3D printer.

5. Revopoint MINI: Best For Jewelry & Small Objects

• Price: Check latest price at Revopoint here
• Accuracy: 0.05 mm
• Point Distance Resolution: 0.02 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 10 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm
• Single Capture Range: 40 x 50 @ 100 mm minimum; 118 x 100 @ 200 mm maximum
• Working Distance: 100 – 200 mm

The Revopoint MINI is designed exclusively for scanning small, detail-rich, and intricate objects. Applications include jewelry replication, design, and repair, scanning miniatures for 3D printing, reverse engineering small mechanical parts, and conservation of small artifacts and other historical objects.

This ability to capture small objects with excellent dimensional accuracy and true-to-life details is down to a combination of a 0.5 mm single-frame accuracy, 0.2 mm point distance resolution, and 0.2 mm single-frame precision. 

These are specs rarely seen in this price range. It can scan objects as small as 10 x 10 x 10 mm, for example, small rings and gemstones. When I tested the Revopoint POP 2, and the POP 3, neither could scan objects this small with any kind of detail. This makes the MINI all the more impressive.

However, the Revopoint MINI performs poorly when scanning medium-sized objects, so I still recommend a more general scanner like the POP 3 if you want to scan different-sized objects.

If you’re a small business, jeweler, or enthusiast with a decent budget dabbling in areas where the Revopoint MINI shines, I recommend it as one of the best 3D scanners for small objects and jewelry.

Revopoint Mini

$799

Revopoint here

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Professional 3D Scanners ($1,000 to $10,000)

6. Shining 3D EinScan SE: Best Under $2,000

• Price: Check latest price at Amazon here / Dynamism here
• Scan accuracy: within 0.1 mm for single shots
• Scan range: single scan = 200 x 150 mm, maximum scan range = 700 x 700 mm
• Scan speed: a single shot is under 8 seconds

Shining 3D have made a name for themselves in the medium-range 3D scanning sector, with cheaper options such as the EinScan-SE as well as more expensive scanners like the EinScan Pro 2X Plus.

The EinScan SE is one of the best 3D object scanners in its price range. It scans in around 8 seconds (versus 4 seconds for the EinScan SP) and can complete a whole 360-degree scan in its Automatic Scan mode in around 2 minutes.

It can scan objects up to around 200 mm wide and 150 mm tall, with a single shot accuracy of within 0.1 mm — making it one of the best 3D scanners under $2000. For a fixed scan without the turntable, max scan volume increases up to 700 x 700 mm.

Overall, this 3D model scanner is accurate, reliable, and makes it easy to quickly scan stationary objects and 3D print them with ease. The EinScan SP — described in more detail further in this guide — is more precise, but costs more. Therefore, it’s a matter of your budget and how important this additional quality is for you personally.

7. Shining 3D EinScan Pro HD: Best Under $10,000

• Price: Check latest price at Dynamism here
• Accuracy: Up to 0.4 mm
• Point Distance Resolution: 0.2 – 3 mm
• Scan Speed: Up to 30 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm
• Single Capture Range: 209 x 160 mm minimum; 310 x 240 mm maximum
• Working Distance: 510 mm

The EinScan Pro HD is a professional industrial-grade 3D scanner that offers both handheld and static modes to capture high-resolution 3D models of objects of all sizes. 

Whether you’re looking to reverse engineer a car part or scan an ornate historical artifact, the EinScan Pro HD produces superb quality scans that are both accurate and richly detailed. For example, scanning a human face delivers a 3D model that captures every wrinkle, blemish, and subtle feature, something that simply isn’t possible on low-cost scanners.

It achieves this by balancing a 0.4 mm accuracy and 0.2 point distance resolution, which means highly accurate scans regardless of scan volume and the target object’s size. Capture speed is also impressive given the level of detail on offer, with up to 30 FPS in handheld mode and less than 0.5 seconds per single frame in Fixed Scan Mode.

Thanks to some clever positioning work, the EinScan Pro HD makes scanning easy, allowing the user to move both the scanner and object during the scanning process without any negative effect on the model’s quality. It also includes lighting projection hardware and software to scan dark and reflective surfaces, typically an area where many scanners struggle.

All this versatility makes the EinScan Pro HD suitable for a wide range of applications including reverse engineering, demanding and low tolerance design, conservation, AR/VR, digital archiving, rapid prototyping, architecture, and much more. For businesses looking for a no-compromises option and with the budget to spare, it’s hard to go wrong with EinScan Pro HD.

EinScan Pro HD

Dynamism here

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8. Scantech 3D iReal M3

• Price: $6,980 – Check here on iReal 3D
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.1 mm
• Max Field of View: 580 x 550 mm
• Scanning Distance: 280 – 1000 mm
• Scanning Rate: 60 FPS
• Technology: Dual-infrared lasers (parallel laser & structured light)

The iReal M3 is a new professional-grade 3D scanner that uses 2 invisible infrared light sources – parallel laser, and structured light. This allows for fast and accurate data scanning across various applications, whether you’re scanning humans or objects, or whether you’re inside, or outside in natural light.

The iReal M3 balances high-quality scanning at a cost-effective price. Using new scanning modes harnessing 7 infrared parallel laser lines, you can scan dark, shiny, and reflective mechanical parts without needing to treat the surface. 

With a resolution of up to 0.1 mm, the scanner can reconstruct high-precision geometric structures and capture fine details of edges, easily handling scanning tasks for objects over 5cm.

The infrared VCSEL structured light is designed for human body scanning and art, and invokes a wide field of view and flexible working distance. 

Beyond this, you can also do:

• Full body or medium and large-sized object scanning
• Algorithmic optimization on human body scanning
• Invisible-light scanning
• Human hair 3D scanning
• Markers-free scanning for objects featuring continuous, non-repetitive, and richly varied geometric/textural features
• Hybrid alignment modes

Although priced at $6,980, iReal M3 falls roughly in the affordable range and is a versatile tool suited for industrial design, art design, medical design, human body digitization, etc.

9. Shining 3D EinScan SP: Best in the $2,000 Range

• Price: Check latest price at Amazon here / Dynamism here
• Scan range: single scan = 200 x 150 mm, max scan range = 1200mm³
• Accuracy: within 0.05 mm for single shots
• Speed: single shot speed of under 4 seconds

The EinScan SP is a mid-range stationary 3D scanner. It costs more than the EinScan SE, but this comes with better accuracy of up to 0.05 mm (vs the EinScan SE’s 0.1 mm), and scans in half the time (4s vs 8s).

To save you time: it’s double the price, offers double the accuracy, and scans in half the time.

The scanner uses white light scanning technologies to make very accurate scans of objects as small as 30 x 30 x 30 mm. This is ideal for intricate object scanning such as of jewelry and small figurines.

Full objects are typically scanned in less than a minute, and images in less than four seconds.

The 0.05mm scan quality is excellent, and it is competitive with scanner costing far more than the $2,000 price range it sells for. Overall, it’s a great and versatile mid-range professional 3D scanner.

Industrial 3D Scanners ($10,000+)

10. Artec EVA: Powerful Handheld 3D Scanner

• Price: $19,800
• Accuracy: up to 0.1 mm + 0.3mm/m
• Resolution: up to 0.2 mm
• Speed: captures up to 16fps in HD and full-color
• Working distance: 0.4m – 1m

The Artec Eva is one of the world’s most popular industrial 3D scanners. The Eva is a handheld, industrial 3D object scanner, and an excellent solution for medium-sized objects ranging from motorcycle wheels to car exhaust systems, human busts, and facial close-ups.

Light, quick, and versatile, Artec Eva captures precise measurements in high resolution, while structured light scanning technology makes the scanner safe to use in any situation. Even difficult-to-scan surfaces such as black or shiny surfaces are effectively captured by Eva.

Ideal for use in industries including product design, heritage preservation, healthcare, and reverse engineering, this market leader can accurately scan full-color objects at a range of up to 100cm with color and texture, making it a great solution for fast and accurate 3D models.

11. Scantech SIMSCAN: Hand-Sized Portable 3D Scanner

• Accuracy: up to 0.020 mm
• Resolution: up to 0.025 mm
• Scanning area: up to 410 x 400 mm

Scantech’s SIMSCAN consists of two sets of industrial black & white cameras, a laser projector with 30 laser lines, and a set of multifunctional buttons. Its high-quality components ensure fast and stable 3D scanning.

It features three scanning modes: ultra-fast, hyperfine, and deep hole scanning optimized for different scanning situations. With its intelligent auxiliary lights, it can even scan darkly lit objects.

Powered by a robust algorithm, SIMSCAN’s measurement rate can be up to 2.02 million measurements/s with an accuracy of up to 0.020 mm. It has a field of view of up to 410 x 400 mm.

With a net weight of 570g, SIMSCAN can be among the top list of the most lightweight and portable 3D scanners in the market. It is designed for both beginners and professionals to conduct 3D scanning regardless of ambient conditions. Thanks to its compact size and portability, SIMSCAN enables on-site and efficient 3D scanning, and it suits well for scanning hard-to-reach areas.

Made from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, Scantech’s SIMSCAN scanner is sturdy and durable and performs well in heat dissipation. Its material ensures a prolonged use of the 3D scanner. With an anti-slip shell and a hand strap, you can orient this scanner in any way you choose to suit your 3D scanning needs.

12. Scantech KSCAN-Magic: Industrial Handheld 3D Scanner

• Resolution: 0.010 mm
• Scanning rate: 1,350,000 measurements/second
• Scanning area: 1440 x 860 mm

The software will take time to get used to.

Esteemed 3D scanner company Scantech have announced the launch of their latest KSCAN 3D scanner, with 5 five different modes for all types of scanning. These include a large area scanning mode, fast scanning mode, photogrammetry, as well as a fine scanning mode. Featuring both infrared lasers and blue laser technologies allows the KSCAN-Magic to accomplish a wide range of scanning functions effectively.

It scans accurately, quickly, can handle small and large objects, and is designed to accelerate time-to-market. The 41 equipped laser lines can handle an incredible 1.35 million measurements per second, creating detailed scans in record time.

If you are looking for leading-edge 3D solutions for your business, KSCAN definitely surpasses expectations with its resourcefulness and precision.

Buyer’s Guide – Factors To Consider When Buying A 3D Scanner

• Budget: 3D scanners cost from $300 to over $100,000. Entry-level scanners cost less than $1,000, but more robust machines for professional scanning sell for $5,000 and up. For more information, read our article on how much 3D scanners cost.
• Speed: 3D scanners record speed in points per second or frames per second (FPS). If you’re buying a professional 3D scanner, where productivity is critical, we recommend frame rates of around 20 FPS or higher.
• Resolution and Accuracy: For a budget 3D scanner, 0.1-0.2 mm is a solid reference point, while much more expensive industry scanners can reach accuracies of 0.009 mm. Though similar to accuracy, resolution refers to the smallest possible distance between points on a 3D scan.
• Use case: If you’re just looking to 3D scan objects to 3D print fun projects at home, you’ll just need an entry-level 3D scanner. If you want to scan larger models such as people, rooms, or other large objects, we recommend a handheld 3D scanner with a larger max scan volume. For small objects or jewelry scanning, pick a very accurate stationary 3D scanner, ideally with a turntable, tripod, and an optimized alignment algorithm.

Types of 3D Scanners

The main types of 3D scanners include:

• Laser triangulation 3D scanners
• Structured light 3D scanning
• Photogrammetry
• LIDAR (time-of-flight)
• Metrology 3D scanners
• Intraoral 3D scanners for dentistry
• 3D body scanners

The two most-used technologies are structured light scanning and laser triangulation.

Structured Light Scanning

Structured light scanning is often used in handheld 3D scanners. It works by projecting a pattern of light onto an object. This pattern is typically captured by two cameras positioned on either side of the light projector. These cameras record how the light pattern deforms when it strikes the surface of the object.

The key to structured light scanning lies in the measurement of these deformations. By analyzing the light pattern from multiple angles, and triangulating data points across the different images taken by each camera, you can precisely calculate the object’s dimensions at every point within their field of view.

This method is particularly valued for its portability and accuracy, making it a popular choice in various applications. For example, in dentistry, structured light scanning is used to create detailed models of patients’ mouths for the production of dental implants and other prosthetics.

The technique has also found use in fields beyond healthcare. Architects and historians use structured light scanning to create digital archives of historical monuments, and space exploration agencies like NASA use it for mapping terrains of other planets for interplanetary research.

However, structured light scanning does have its limitations, particularly in its sensitivity to ambient lighting conditions. Since it relies on projecting and measuring light patterns, external light sources can affect the accuracy of the scan. This makes it less effective in outdoor environments, or other settings where the lighting conditions can vary.

Laser Triangulation

Laser triangulation involves projecting a laser beam onto an object’s surface and then using sensors to detect the reflected light from the laser. These sensors are positioned at a known angle and distance from the laser source and detect the light reflected.

When the laser light reflects off the object, the sensors capture the reflection at a specific angle. The scanner then determines the distance between the scanner and various points on the object’s surface using trigonometry. This data is then used to reconstruct the 3D shape of the object, including textures and surface features.

However, there are some limitations to laser triangulation. Laser scanners can struggle with shiny or reflective surfaces, as they can scatter or reflect the laser beam in unpredictable ways, leading to inaccuracies in the data. Transparent materials also create issues because they do not reflect the laser light effectively, making it difficult to capture accurate measurements.

For these reasons, laser triangulation is often less accurate and does not offer as high resolution as structured light scanning. Structured light scanning also generally scans objects with less noise (unwanted extras in the scan).

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) 3D Scanning:

LiDAR technology is used in advanced applications, and the latest iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max include LiDAR sensors. It works by emitting laser beams towards an object or surface and then measuring the time it takes for each beam to bounce back to the sensor. 

This time measurement, combined with the speed of light, lets the LiDAR system calculate the distance to various points on the object or surface, which is used to create the point cloud for a 3D model.

LiDAR is particularly effective for capturing large-scale environments. It’s widely used for topographical mapping, forestry, and urban planning, as well as in autonomous vehicle technology for real-time navigation and obstacle detection.

Time of Flight (ToF) 3D Scanning:

Time of Flight (sometimes called ToF) 3D scanning is a broader category that includes LiDAR, but also encompasses other 3D scanning technologies. 

While LiDAR is specifically emitting lasers, ToF scanners can use various kinds of light sources and are not limited to lasers. 

Handheld 3D Scanners

Portable and versatile by design, handheld scanners allow you to efficiently and freely scan large objects, narrow spaces, or all the details of a human subject, for example.

Stationary 3D Scanners

Fixed scanners are a solid option if you plan to scan small objects and want the device to do most of the heavy lifting. They generally come with a stand or tripod and turntable. Automated scanning is also typically part of the deal here, with different modes of alignment to choose from.

3D Body Scanners

3D body scanners are specialized devices designed to capture a complete 3D representation of the human body. They’re used in various fields, such as:

• Health and Fitness: 3D body scanners are used for body shape analysis, posture assessment, and tracking changes in the body over time.
• Fashion and Apparel: These scanners are used in custom clothing design, ensuring a perfect fit by capturing accurate body measurements.
• Entertainment and Animation: 3D body scanners are used to create lifelike digital doubles for use in movies, video games, and VR.

These scanners work by using different scanning technologies, such as structured light scanning, laser scanning, or photogrammetry, to capture the shape and size of the body from multiple angles. The data collected is then processed to create a detailed 3D model of the body.

What’s Changed?

The first edition of our best 3D scanner buyer’s guide was published back in 2018. Since then, we’ve kept this article updated for over 5 years with our latest recommendations.

In November 2023 we overhauled this article with the following changes:

• We replaced the Revopoint POP 2 with the POP 3. However, we still recommend the POP 2 as a budget option.
• We removed the SOL 3D scanner, and EinScan SE. The Einstar, and the Revopoint POP 3, perform most of their uses but at a cheaper price.
• Removed the BQ Ciclop. It’s been a great run for this DIY 3D scanner, but over the last 5 years it has become outdated.
• Added the Creality CR-Scan Ferret. It’s a great super cheap 3D scanner under $350.
• Added the Shining 3D Einstar. It’s one of the best 3D scanners under $1,000 and a top pick for us.
• Replaced the Shining 3D EinScan Pro 2X with the newer EinScan Pro HD

Jan 2024 updates:

• We updated pricing information across the site now in 2024.

The best cheap 3D scanner is the Revopoint POP 3. 

The POP 3 is ideal for 3D printing, digital media, and e-commerce 360-degree object scans. It’s an all-rounder capable of impressive quality scans thanks to a 0.05 mm point distance resolution, plenty of in-the-box goodies, and a seamless scan-to-model workflow. 

Super Budget Pick	Best Overall	Premium Pick
Creality Scan Ferret	Revopoint POP 3	Einstar Portable Handheld 3D Scanner
3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:
Primary Rating: 4.3	Primary Rating: 4.7	Primary Rating: 4.6
$329.00	$659.00	$959.00
Resolution: 0.16 mm	Resolution: 0.05 mm	Resolution: 0.1 mm
Max Scan Volume: 560 x 820 x 700 mm	Max Scan Volume: 2500 x 2500 x 2500 mm	Max Scan Volume: 434 x 379 x 400 mm
Technology: Dual-camera infrared structured light	Technology: Dual-camera infrared structured light	Technology: Structured light scanning
Speed/Frame Rate: 30 FPS	Speed/Frame Rate: 12-18 FPS	Speed/Frame Rate: 14 FPS
Export File Format: OBJ, STL, and PLY	Export File Format: PLY, OBJ, and STL	Export File Format: OBJ, STL, PLY, P3, and 3MF
Creality here	Revopoint here	Einstar here

Super Budget Pick

Creality Scan Ferret

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.3

$329.00

Resolution:

0.16 mm

Max Scan Volume:

560 x 820 x 700 mm

Technology:

Dual-camera infrared structured light

Speed/Frame Rate:

30 FPS

Export File Format:

OBJ, STL, and PLY

Creality here

Best Overall

Revopoint POP 3

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.7

$659.00

Resolution:

0.05 mm

Max Scan Volume:

2500 x 2500 x 2500 mm

Technology:

Dual-camera infrared structured light

Speed/Frame Rate:

12-18 FPS

Export File Format:

PLY, OBJ, and STL

Revopoint here

Premium Pick

Einstar Portable Handheld 3D Scanner

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.6

$959.00

Resolution:

0.1 mm

Max Scan Volume:

434 x 379 x 400 mm

Technology:

Structured light scanning

Speed/Frame Rate:

14 FPS

Export File Format:

OBJ, STL, PLY, P3, and 3MF

Einstar here

However, if you’re looking for a super cheap 3D scanner, I recommend the Creality Scan Ferret. It’s by far the best under $400, but still offers a 0.16 mm resolution, speedy 30 FPS capture, and user-friendly scanning process. 

If you have the money, the Shining3D Einstar is the best premium option. It’s a mid-range scanner for under $1,000 that bundles in advanced features like smart tracking, a 0.1 mm resolution, and impressive color accuracy ideal for digital archiving, light reverse engineering, body and face scans, VR/AR, and design projects.

1. Revopoint POP 3 – Best Overall

• Price: $659 – Available at Revopoint here
• Resolution: 0.05 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 2500 x 2500 x 2500 mm
• Technology: Dual-camera infrared structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 12-18 FPS
• Export File Format: PLY, OBJ, and STL

The Revopoint POP 3 is the best cheap 3D scanner overall. It’s not a premium scanner, but it’s also far better quality than other entry-level scanners.

It’s a generalist scanner suitable for everything from sneakers and ornaments to digital media and models for 3D printing. It employs a dual-camera infrared structured light technology that can still scan up to a 2500 x 2500 x 2500 mm max scan volume, a solid 0.05 mm point distance resolution, and smooth 18 FPS capture.

What makes the Revopoint POP 3 unique however is the frictionless workflow. The scanning process is effortless, and the POP 3 is very versatile, offering handheld scanning or stationary scanning using the tripod. Then when you’re done scanning, you can manually edit your scan to remove noise, or have the AI tools within the Revo Scan software remove artifacts and scanning oddities.

We were impressed with the POP 2 when we tested it out for review, and the POP 3 has significantly upgraded on the POP 2. The POP 3 has upgraded color date, brightness, capture speed, and more.

Though, if you want to save a few hundred dollars, the POP 2 is still a good budget alternative. And, if your scanning use cases revolve around smaller objects, such as jewelry, then go with the Revopoint MINI. It’s the cheapest specialist jewelry 3D scanner around. There’s also the Revopoint INSPIRE, which is the cheapest and worst-quality scanner, but it still performed adequately when we tested it.

However, for even more savings, there’s also the Creality Scan Ferret. Though the quality isn’t as good as the POP 3, it’s respectable for the price, especially if you just want a starter scanner.

And, if you have a few extra hundred dollars to spare, the Shining3D Einstar is a more powerful 3D scanner overall. It’s better for quality digital duplications, enthusiast reverse engineering, and scanning for 3D printing.

Revopoint POP 3

Scanner Features:

Single-frame precision of up to 0.05mm 

Fast scanning speeds of up to 18 fps

An RGB camera with 30% larger aperture

Better color accuracy

9-axis IMU for a better tracking and frame stitching

Single capture range: 244 x 180mm

Revopoint here

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2. Creality Scan Ferret – Best Budget Pick

• Price: $329.00 – Available at Creality here
• Resolution: 0.16 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 560 x 820 x 700 mm
• Technology: Dual-camera infrared structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 30 FPS
• Export File Format: OBJ, STL, and PLY

Creality’s take on the budget scanner, the Creality Scan Ferret, is ideal if you’re put off by the higher prices of the Revopoint POP 3 and Shining3D Einstar. 

The Creality Scan Ferret is noticeably worse in scanning quality than the POP 3 and Einstar, but the results are good enough for hobbyist projects, especially if you’re willing to be patient and put in the work to tame the Ferret’s sometimes obtuse scan positioning. 

With a 0.16 mm resolution, small footprint, provided tripod, handheld mode, and 560 x 820 x 700 mm max scan volume, the Scan Ferret works well for on-the-go scanning for 3D printing. 

With 30 FPS capture, it’s also quite a bit faster than our other cheap 3D scanner picks. This makes for a pleasant scanning experience when paired with the no-nonsense, user-friendly Creality Scan software. 

At under $350, it’s an affordable first scanner to get a sense of the technology’s capabilities. Just don’t expect to be reverse engineering or doing true-to-life conservation work. You’ll need a more expensive scanner for this.

For an extra $100, you can upgrade to the Creality Scan Ferret Pro, which has anti-shake technology to improve scan quality, a sharper 0.1 mm accuracy, full-color scanning, and Wi-Fi 6 transfer to speed up the scanning workflow. This version will suit you if you want better performance for e-commerce product scanning, basic AR work, some light digital archiving, and other forms of digital media.

Creality Scan Ferret

Creality here

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3. Shining3D Einstar – Best Premium Pick

• Price: $959 – Available at Einstar store here
• Resolution: 0.1 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 434 x 379 x 400 mm
• Technology: Structured light scanning
• Speed/Frame Rate: 14 FPS
• Export File Format: OBJ, STL, PLY, P3, and 3MF

Shining 3D is better known for professional 3D scanners, but also entered the budget scanner market with the Einstar.

What’s most interesting here is that they’ve ported over many of the features from their high-precision industrial and dental scanners to produce by far the best scan quality of any low-cost 3D scanner under $1,000.

The Shining3D Einstar captures significantly better quality scans than the POP 3 and Creality Scan Ferret. This comes from better quality of captured features, positioning quality, higher-density point cloud data, and color fidelity. There’s also smart tracking and auto-alignment to speed up your scanning workflow.

This makes the Einstar suitable for a wider range of applications, including 3D printing modeling, digital archiving, body and face scans, VR and AR, light reverse engineering, design work, and e-commerce. 

However, the Shining3D Einstar is by no means an industrial scanner, so don’t expect premium scan results like those produced by Shining3D’s EinScan H range, or EinScan SP. 

If you have the budget for even higher quality, consider the desktop EinScan SE scanner, or the EinScan SP. These are more premium and expensive Shining 3D scanners, costing over $1,000, but they’re better for small object scanning, and medium-size scans for reverse engineering and design work.

Einstar Portable Handheld 3D Scanner

Einstar here

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4. BQ Ciclop – DIY Pick For Under $200

• Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
• Resolution: 0.5mm
• Scan time: 2-8 mins
• Maximum scan volume: 200 x 200 x 205 mm

The BQ Ciclop is a completely open-source 3D scanner that you can either build yourself at home if you prefer a DIY project, or buy it pre-assembled online.

This nifty budget 3D scanner has a good up to 250 x 205 mm scanning volume. It utilizes laser triangulation technology, so you don’t need to hold the scanner and move it around the object.

And since it’s open-source, you can modify it however you want — following the RepRap 3D printer philosophy. It’s a great cheap laser scanner, and one of the best value 3D scanners out there.

In terms of specs, it’s actually very good for the price — with resolutions between 0.3-0.5mm. You can easily scan to a free 3D software tool (the BQ Ciclop comes with Horus) via Bluetooth or USB, though experienced makers may prefer to work in a more professional 3D software package.

However, do keep in mind that we first included this on our budget 3D scanner recommendations back in 2018. In those 5 years since, the technology has improved greatly, and the Ciclop scanners are not cutting edge anymore. The scan times of 2-8 minutes were normal back then, but are insanely slow now.

Now in 2023 and beyond, we recommend picking up a scanner like the Revopoint POP 3 or MINI, for much faster and more accurate scanning.

Though, the Ciclop is a great DIY project for anyone who wants to build their own DIY 3D scanner. If you are going to embark on this DIY journey however, keep in mind that it isn’t the easiest scanner to assemble, and so you may want to buy it pre-assembled for a few dollars more.

Factors To Consider When Buying

• Portability: A handheld and portable scanner gives you more freedom of movement to capture scans of all shapes and sizes, even those located in hard-to-reach places.  A lightweight scanner also makes scanning more manageable and less of a strain on your arm when capturing an object from multiple angles.
• Versatility: A scanner with both stationary and handheld modes offers the best of both worlds.
• Resolution: Even on a budget, expect under 1mm scan accuracy. Aim for 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm minimum to get good results even if you’re on a budget. The Revopoint POP 3, for example, offers 0.05mm precision for under $800.
• Scan volume: Lean towards 3D scanners with large scan volumes if you plan to make full-body scans, as these reduce the number of angles you’ll need for a complete scan. If you’re scanning small objects like jewelry, go for a scanner like the Revopoint MINI with a small scan volume but high precision.
• Ease of use: Look for scanners with one-touch scanning, multiple optimized modes, and user-friendly accompanying software. From testing several Revopoint 3D scanners, I personally recommend these as the most user-friendly, with the Revo Scan software letting you one-click edit your scans right after scanning.
• Export file formats: Good cheap scanners offer the ability to export scans to file formats compatible with all CAD software. STL, OBJ, and PLY are generally available on most budget 3D scanners, but check beforehand if you need a less common file format.

Here’s what you can (and can’t) do with budget 3D scanners

Unfortunately, you can’t expect the world if you’re paying under $1,000 for a 3D scanner. Expect lower-quality scans, longer scan times, and a less effective workflow. 

In the same vein, you can’t expect to reverse engineer complex parts, scan both entire rooms and tiny objects with perfect detail, or scan extremely quickly. 

However, here are some use cases most low-cost scanners can manage:

• Education and Schools – For developing 3D CAD modeling skills, design lessons, and general STEM education where high quality is not essential.
• 3D Printing – Scan real-world objects and convert them into 3D printed objects. Especially useful for those that don’t want to create 3D models from scratch in CAD software.
• Design – Rough, rapid prototypes based on real-world objects.
• 3D Room Scans – Renovation, digital real estate house viewings, interior design. Only scanners with larger scan volumes can do this however.
• AR and Animation – basic scans for game development, app development, and digital art.

What’s Changed?

In November 2023, we made a number of updates to this article:

• Replaced the Revopoint POP and POP 2 with the newer POP 3. However, we still recommend the POP 2 as a budget alternative to the POP 3.
• Removed the SOL 3D scanner, XYZ Handheld 2.0, Matter & Form V2 3D scanner, and Shining 3D SE and SP scanners. Some we felt were now out of date, and we also felt the Einstar was now a better budget alternative to the Shining 3D EinScan SE.
• Added the Shining 3D Einstar as the premium option among sub-$1,000 3D scanners.
• Added the Creality Scan Ferret as our new budget recommendation.

Jan 2024:

• Updated pricing information for 2024.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Professional 3D scanners buyer’s guide
• DIY 3D scanner kits you can build at home
• The best 3D scanners – ranked
• Top 3D scanner apps (for iOS and Android)

The Revopoint MINI is the best budget jewelry scanner under $1000. It offers high precision and detailed scans thanks to 0.05mm accuracy and 0.02mm resolution powered by dual camera blue light technology. It’s perfect for hobbyists or small jewelry businesses.

For professional jewelers, the $20,000+ Artec Micro 2 leads the pack with exceptional 5-micron accuracy and 2-micron resolution from 4 built-in 12MP cameras. Its automated scanning mode also delivers efficiency.

Other top options include the desktop B9 Scan 500, which is designed exclusively for all jewelry applications, from bespoke designs to repairs and replication. It mostly matches the Artec Micro 2’s accuracy – but at half the cost. The $6,000 D3D-s Jewelry Scanner also impresses with clever space-saving design, 5MP camera, and 0.010mm resolution.

The Best Jewelry 3D Scanners in 2023 – Reviews

1. Revopoint MINI: Best Budget Jewelry Scanner

• Price: $799 – Available at Revopoint here
• Accuracy: 0.05 mm
• Resolution: 0.02 mm
• Scan speed: 10 FPS
• Max Scan Volume: 500 x 500 x 500 mm
• Technology: Dual-camera blue structured light

At a fraction of the cost of the other options on our list, the Revopoint MINI brings reliable, precise jewelry scanning to those of a much tighter budget, making the technology accessible to hobbyists and smaller businesses.

Revopoint is best known for its POP range of 3D scanners, and the MINI borrows many of the POP range’s best features. However, the Revopoint MINI is specifically focused towards capturing small, complex, and intricate objects, from rings to pendants by way of heirlooms and earrings. 

It even works well for conservation of small, high-detail artifacts like coins or small animal skeletons.

The MINI achieves these precise scans through a combination of 0.05 mm accuracy, 0.02 mm resolution, and an industrial-grade blue light setup that provides better dimensional accuracy than any other 3D scanner under $1,000.

With the Revopoint MINI, you can scan high-precision models, rich with tiny details suitable for both amateur jewelry making, a small bespoke professional design and restoration business, or even prototyping new designs.

However, the drop in price compared to other jewelry scanners does come with some sacrifices. 

The main loss is in automation and efficiency: the Revopoint MINI scan process is very hands on. You are expected to pivot and move the scanner to capture an object in handheld mode, or set up the mini turntable for static scanning. This is very different to the automated chambers found on advanced jewelry scanners like the Aurum LT, or Shining3D AutoScan Sparkle.

You also have to accept a loss in scan quality if you choose the MINI over a more professional jewelry 3D scanner. Though scans captured with the MINI are excellent, you can’t expect the same results as on a $30K scanner. Although, for the price, the Revopoint MINI has some of the best scan quality around for jewelry projects.

Revopoint Mini

$799

Revopoint here

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2. Artec Micro 2: Best Professional Jewelry 3D Scanner

• Price: $20,000-$35,000
• Accuracy: 5 microns
• Resolution: 2 microns
• Max Scan Volume: 200 × 200 × 150 mm
• Technology: Structured light

The Artec Micro 2 is a professional, fully automated desktop-sized 3D scanner engineered to capture high-quality scans of objects up to 20 cm in size, making it a perfect match for even medium-size jewelry scanning.

It achieves this mainly due to a metrology-grade point accuracy of 5 microns and a capture speed of 140 million image points per second. The heavy lifting is done by four high-resolution full-color 12 MP cameras suited to scanning the sharp edges and intricate, minuscule details of jewelry such as rings.

It improves several aspects of the original Artec Micro, which was already one of the best 3D scanners for jewelry. It retains the compact, semi-enclosed shell design but adds key improvements with a larger field of view, improved accuracy and precision, and double the number of cameras for even better quality digitization of the smallest objects.

The excellent fully automatic mode returns, which zeroes in on the optimal scanning path and frame count to balance out scan times and quality. 

The Micro 2 is still powered by the excellent Artec Studio software that delivers a seamless workflow suited to a professional jeweler. This includes features for editing, repairing, refitting, and replicating based on professional-grade digitizations of everything from heirlooms and bracelets to rings and earrings.

3. B9 Scan 500

• Price: $14,955.00
• Accuracy: 5 microns
• Max Scan Volume: 90 x 80 x 55mm
• Technology: Structured light

In line with its predecessor, the B9 Scan 350, the B9 Scan 500 is specifically for accurately 3D scanning jewelry with a high degree of accuracy for replication and repair, to banding and bespoke design.

It achieves this thanks to a 5-micron accuracy enabled by a powerful 1.3 MP camera and blue LED 100 ANSI-lumen structured light to capture every last detail, facet, or cut. The accuracy equals much pricier alternatives such as the Artec Micro 2.

All this is housed in a desktop-sized format with a fully enclosed design. The scanning process is intuitive and efficient, and can capture a piece of jewelry as intricate as a heirloom ring in minutes thanks to in-built automatic, but fully customizable, scanning. 

It can even scan individual gemstones for bezel and mounting work. However, due to its smaller turnable size, it will struggle to scan larger pieces of jewelry such as necklaces.

It’s easy to use, and the Leios 2 scanning software is intuitive. And, the fact that the B9 Scan 500 works as a standalone device with its onboard computer with a 1 TB SSD to store a huge volume of scans and no more than a monitor and mouse/keyboard to function, is very handy.

4. D3D-s 3D Jewelry Scanner

• Price: $6,000-$8,000
• Resolution: 0.010 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 100 x 130 mm
• Technology: Structured light

Born of a successful Kickstarter campaign, the D3D-s 3D Jewelry Scanner is one of the most affordable jewelry 3D scanners available.

D3D-s offers such a low price by producing in small batches to keep costs down without sacrificing the quality of the scanned models.

Instead of the industry-standard light pattern scanning method, the D3D-s Jewelry Scanner uses LED-line technology to create a more uniform capture.

The scanner has six degrees of freedom, meaning it can tilt and rotate to capture every aspect of an object for a complete scan with next to no user input.

It features a 5 MP camera capable of a 0.010 mm resolution, a roomy 100 x 130 mm scan area, and compatibility with in-house D3D-s-developed software that allows export to popular CAD suites like Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and many others.

How To Pick A Jewelry Scanner

When choosing a jewelry 3D scanner, consider:

• Scan quality: both accuracy and resolution are essential. These largely determine what jewelry you can scan, and the quality and precision of these scans. We recommend at least a 0.01 mm accuracy and 0.2 mm resolution for good results.
• Workflow: the best jewelry scanners have efficient workflows, with automations to speed up the scanning process, and editing (they often have their own software).
• Price: expect to pay anywhere from $8,000 for the lowest cost professional jewelry 3D scanner to $30,000 for the most advanced, high-precision options. However, there are now $1,000 options, though you sacrifice efficiency and some scan quality.

Uses of 3D Jewelry Scanning

• Replication: Jewelry scanners can quickly create a digital replica model of an antique, custom, or heirloom piece. This is done both as insurance for precious items, as well as to create a copy for customers to wear while the original remains under lock and key for safekeeping.
• Repairs: A modifiable 3D model of a broken piece of jewelry lets jewelers create modified, custom molds to cast a replacement. With a 3D model, jewelers can also quickly understand what needs repairing without dismantling the piece.
• Design: With the ability to scan objects from the world around them, jewelers can quickly create new designs and ideas. From personalized pieces for specific customers to radically new designs, jewelry 3D scanners blow the creative possibilities wide open.
• Setting: By scanning stones, jewelers can create settings, rings, and designs perfectly sized and shaped to fit. Similarly, 3D scanning existing engagement rings to capture fit and design details greatly simplifies the creation of matching wedding bands.

• Quality Inspection: 3D scanning pieces or even molds to obtain exact measurements helps jewelers pick up on discrepancies or faults before committing to an entire production run, saving time and money.
• Archiving: 3D scanning jewelry is a cost-effective way to create a digital archive for valuation, insurance, or the conservation of degraded old pieces prone to decay.

FAQs

What’s Changed?

This article was majorly overhauled in November 2023, updating it from the original content published in 2021:

• Replaced the Artec Micro with the Micro 2. This advanced, updated version is more relevant in 2023 and 2024.
• Removed the Shining 3D AutoScan Sparkle, Open Technologies Aurum LT
• Replaced the B9 Scan 350 with the newer B9 Scan 500.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The Revopoint POP 2 hands-on review
• The best cheap 3D scanners
• DIY 3D scanners and 3D printable 3D scanners reviewed
• The best 3D scanner apps
• The best professional 3D scanners

For unmatched scan quality from a mid-range handheld 3D scanner, the EinScan Pro and Pro HD series offer up to 0.04mm accuracy, leveraging versatile hybrid structured light and infrared scanning.

However, the $16,000 Artec Eva remains the most popular and best professional 3D scanner for its balance of 0.1mm resolution, 18 FPS speed, and automated workflows ideal for medium objects across manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. Its versatile full-color scans excel from reverse engineering to quality control, CGI, and heritage preservation applications.

Best Professional 3D Scanners in 2023 – Reviews

1. Shining 3D EinScan SP – Most Affordable

• Price: $2,300
• Accuracy: 0.05 mm
• Resolution: 0.2 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 200×150 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 4 secs/scan

Leading industrial 3D scanner manufacturer Shining 3D offers affordability with good precision and accuracy with the EinScan SP. A stationary scanner, the EinScan SP offers 0.05 mm accuracy and 0.2 mm resolution, delivering a level of detail and precision you’d expect to pay much more for.

The EinScan SP captures a single scan in four seconds, and a full 360° scan in around a minute. The Auto Scan mode takes care of all aspects of scanning, with effortless, one-click scanning of small to medium-sized objects. 

A compact footprint and solid post-processing software are further benefits. We also like that the scanner can be mounted either onto the provided turntable or paired with a tripod, offering a helpful degree of flexibility.

Suitable applications include reverse engineering, product design, animation, CGI, virtual reality, and digital archiving.

2. Einscan Pro & Pro HD

• Price: $5,000/$12,000/$8,500
• Accuracy: 0.05 mm/0.04 mm/0.045 mm
• Resolution: 0.25 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 420 x440 mm/310 x 240 mm
• Technology: Hybrid Structured light and infrared
• Speed/Frame Rate: 1,200,000points/s, 20FPS/3,000,000 points/s, 10 FPS

The EinScan H, HX, and Pro professional 3D scanners distinguish themselves from the competition as industrial-grade handheld solutions, but at a lower price range than those by Artec and other commercial 3D scanner manufacturers.

The EinScan ranges 3D scan using a hybrid technology featuring LED structured light and infrared technology. This makes them ideal for capturing trickier surfaces and outdoor objects via infrared, as well as standard scans thanks to the structured light scanning.

Depending on the model, accuracy wavers between 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm. This is good enough for demanding applications like reverse engineering, quality control, and straight design work. Thanks to a 0.25 mm resolution, these scanners perform well when capturing human faces, pieces of art, and intricate mechanical parts.

3. SIMSCAN

• Price: Available for quote here
• Accuracy: 0.020 mm
• Resolution: 0.020 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 700 x 600 mm
• Technology: Laser Triangulation 
• Speed/Frame Rate: 2,800,000 measurements/s

SIMSCAN is a palm-sized portable 3D scanner specially designed for 3D scanning narrow and hard-to-reach areas and edges.

With its built-in HD cameras and carefully tuned scanning algorithm, it offers high-precision scanning with an accuracy of up to 0.020 mm, as well as a resolution of up to 0.020 mm. This is significantly more accurate than Scantech’s iReal M3 scanner (though the M3 is cheaper), with the SIMSCAN targeted towards industries where you need to quickly create extremely accurate 3D scans.

What’s more, the SIMSCAN portable 3D scanner is light and compact, weighing only 570g and measuring 203 × 80 × 44 mm. You can easily scan with one hand while holding it steady without issue. It’s handy and portable, and easily fits in your palm.

Because of the accuracy and resolution, the SIMSCAN scanner is very versatile: you could use it for inspection, product development, reverse engineering, and many other uses across the aerospace, automotive, and energy industries.

4. Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307

• Price: $18,000-$20,000
• Accuracy: 0.040 mm
• Resolution: 0.1 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 275 x 250 mm
• Technology: Laser Triangulation
• Speed/Frame Rate: 480,000 points/s

Equipped with metrology-grade, patented technology, the Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 is a handheld 3D scanner designed to tackle even the most demanding applications.

It offers a 0.040 mm accuracy and 0.1 resolution to reliably scan complex objects with various surface types. It’s versatile and can handle small objects as well as medium-sized objects within the 275 x 250 mm maximum scan volume.

However, with an $18,000-$20,000 price tag, the Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 doesn’t come cheap. 

Still, its sleek and ergonomic design, and excellent specs make it ideal for engineering fields, product development, and manufacturing applications.

5. Artec Eva

• Price: $16,000-$17,000
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.2 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 536 × 371 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 18,000,000 points/s, 16 FPS

Artec’s bestselling handheld Artec Eva professional 3D scanner is a powerful solution for scanning medium-sized objects.

The Artec Eva is among the most popular and sought-after industrial 3D scanners. Much of its appeal comes from its ability to deliver highly accurate, full-color scans of medium-sized objects suitable for applications like reverse engineering, health care, and manufacturing at a roughly mid-table price of $16,000-$17,000.

Quick and efficient, the Artec Eva delivers high-quality results with up to a 0.1 mm accuracy and 0.2 mm resolution. It has full-color scanning features, and a lightweight design for easy, portable scanning.

The Artec Eva’s versatility is a main reason why it’s so popular in industry. The Eva is heavily used across aerospace, orthopedics, industrial design, reverse engineering, archeology, CGI, prosthetics, plastic surgery, rapid prototyping, and custom hearing aids.

6. Zeiss Gom Scan 1

• Price: $26,000-$27,000
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.037 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 400 x 250 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 6,000,000 points/s, 16 FPS

Through blue light technology, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1 adapts to different conditions by filtering out interfering ambient light for quality scans every time. Though technically a stationary scanner, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1’s compact shape and low weight still allow for scanning flexibility, even in tight spaces.

Under the hood, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1 offers a resolution up to an impressive 0.037 mm. This makes it one of the most accurate 3D scanners on the market, for complete surface detail scans. It’s best for smaller objects with fine details, though it can scan larger objects up to 400 x 250 mm in size.
The powerful GOM Inspect Suite 3D scanning software is a nice extra and saves time within your workflow. Within the software, you can quickly and intuitively refine your 3D scans and export them in all common file formats.

7. eviXscan Optima+ M

• Price: $30,000
• Accuracy: 0.009 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 320 x 190 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 1.2 secs/scan

With an ultra-fine resolution of 0.009 mm, the eviXscan Optima+ M offers a level of detail few other industrial 3D scanners can match. This precision makes it ideal for low-tolerance reverse engineering, non-contact quality control, and rapid prototyping for manufacturing, automotive, and general design.

Aside from this main appeal, the eviXscan Optima+ M uses a duo of high-speed 7 MP cameras and keeps scan time down to 1.2 seconds while maintaining excellent quality. Lightweight and compact, the eviXscan Optima+ M is usable as a stationary scanner mounted on a tripod, or paired with a robotic arm.

How To Pick a Commercial 3D Scanner

• Resolution and accuracy: we recommend a minimum of 0.1mm for both resolution and accuracy for most commercial scanning uses. Some industrial scanners can reach below 0.01mm for extremely fine object scanning. 
• Price: the most advanced models cost in excess of $30,000, though there are a growing number of good-quality low-cost scanners under $2,000. 
• Use case: the specs you need (and the price) depend on what you want to scan, and the tolerances you require. 
• Speed: some scanners scan much faster, with a small drop in scan quality. Consider whether you prioritize speed or precision and pick based on your priority

Uses

Industrial 3D scanners are used specifically for applications where lower-cost scanners are not accurate or robust enough. These uses include:

• Preserving artifacts and heritage
• Manufacturing and engineering precision parts
• Architecture
• Quality control in manufacturing
• Medical aids
• CGI and VR
• Jewelry 3D scanning
• Classic car restoration
• Custom orthotics and implants
• Dental 3D modeling
• Game development
• Crime scene documentation

What’s Changed?

In November 2023, we updated this article significantly from when it was first published in 2021:

• Removed the Polyga S1 Compact, and the Peel 3D Peel 2, as they are not as relevant in the sub-$10K 3D scanner category in 2023.
• Updated the EinScan SP section for the V2 version which has replaced the original version.
• Updated information on the EinScan H models, as newer versions have since released which we recommend over the originals.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The best 3D scanners buyer’s guide
• Best low-cost 3D scanners
• Best DIY 3D scanner kits
• Photogrammetry software
• Best 3D scanner apps

Unlike a few years back, you’d be surprised at just how affordable they’ve become, opening up a world of design, manufacturing, and prototyping possibilities to businesses from a range of industries.

But, spoiled for choice and with plenty of perplexing jargon to wade through, finding the best handheld 3D scanner for your business or project can be quite the undertaking.

To help, we’ve tried and tested, compared and contrasted, loved and hated, all to bring you a comprehensive list of the very best options on the market today.

3DSourced is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

How Do Handheld 3D Scanners Work?

Stripped down to its most basic function, a handheld 3D scanner captures data from a real-world object, subject, or environment and then translates it into an accurate digital model. 

The captured data consists of an object’s shape, texture, surface, and position within a defined visual field, which is then processed into a mesh or point cloud. The collected data is then imported to 3D modeling CAD software for editing and manipulation to suit a vast range of applications.

Different 3D scanning technologies exist.

In the case of handheld 3D scanners, there are two dominant ones. These are laser triangulation and structured light, both roughly based on the core concept of triangulation using an infrared laser or a pattern of light projected onto an object.

The 3D scanner measures how the object deforms, distorts, and reflects the trajectory of the light emitted by the laser or light pattern to determine the distance to an integrated camera and then creates a 3D model.

As the name implies, 3D scanners are untethered, handheld devices that require the user to scan an object from multiple angles to capture an accurate 3D model.

That stands in contrast to hands-off stationary 3D scanners equipped with fixed sensors, cameras, and, often, a turntable to rotate the object automatically.

Benefits of Handheld 3D Scanners

Portability and Versatility – Handheld 3D scanners can easily be moved around a busy workshop, manufacturing plant, design studio, or even used outdoors, or to scan tough-to-reach objects located in tight spaces.

Additionally, they can scan much larger objects than most stationary scanners.

User-Friendly – By design, handheld 3D scanners are much easier to use. Using the scanner generally comes down to pressing a trigger and moving about an object with minimal setup or prep work.

Some handheld 3D scanners emit visible light onto an object to give users a clear sense of what they are scanning at any given moment, which is helpful to capture a complete scan of an object or space.

Fast Scanning and Processing – Highly accurate, handheld 3D scanners offer solid scans the first time around, saving time and effort. Additionally, by scanning segments of an object at once instead of a specific point, the scanning process is speedy, crucial for fast-paced professional settings.

Affordability – Cost is always relative, but handheld 3D scanners require a much smaller investment, making them accessible to smaller businesses limited by a tight budget compared to industrial-grade stationary scanners.

Best Handheld 3D Scanners

Creality CR-Scan 01

• Price: $650-$750 — Available at Creality here / Check price on Amazon here
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.5 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 536 x 378 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 10 FPS

Priced at around $750, the Creality CR-Scan 01 lowers the threshold of entry to 3D scanning without sacrificing too much in the way of scan quality.

Better yet, it melds together a handheld and turntable mode to scan objects of all sizes.

Pushing a respectable 0.5 mm resolution and equally good 0.1 mm accuracy, the Creality CR-Scan 01 doesn’t err too far from what we’ve come to expect from 3D scanners twice its price.

It’s fast, too, with a 536 x 378 mm max scan area that allows users to capture large portions of a scan in one go at a distance of 400-900 mm. It also weaves in sleek 24-bit high-fidelity color mapping to capture all the rich color detail of an object.

Usability is also a significant feature here.

The pick-and-scan design won’t overwhelm first-timers or hamper productivity in a professional setting.

EinScan H

• Price: $5,000 — Check here on Dynamism
• Accuracy: 0.05 mm
• Resolution: 0.25 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 420 x 440
• Technology: Hybrid structured light and infrared
• Speed/Frame Rate: 1,200,000 points/s, 20 FPS

A strong pick for a vast range of applications, the EinScan H is a mid-range professional handheld 3D scanner that employs an infrared and structured light hybrid light source.

The infrared is tuned to capture intricate details, including tricky reflections and darker colors, and the structured light for general rapid scanning.

With a 0.25 mm resolution and 0.05 mm accuracy, the EinScan H can capture fine details such as hair on a human subject and even color, thanks to full-color reproduction.

Weighing a feathery 703g and capable of capturing a dizzying 1,200,00 points per second in a 420 x 440 scan area, it makes easy work of scanning large objects.

While we’d expect all this to cost a hefty sum, EinScan has done well to inject substantial value here with an affordable $5,000 price tag. A solid choice for forensics, art conservation, and health care applications.

EinScan Pro HD

• Price: $8,000-$9,000 — Check here on Dynamism
• Accuracy: 0.045 mm
• Resolution: 0.2 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 310 x 204 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 3,000,000 points/s, 30 FPS

Moving up yet another rung in the EinScan scanner range, we have the EinScan Pro HD.

The focus here is on delivering high-quality scans suitable for 3D modeling, emphasizing fine details that match the quality of stationary scanners.

The scanner achieves this with a sharp 0.045 mm accuracy sided by a 0.2 mm resolution, all for under $10,000. Compact and relatively light, the EinScan Pro HD captures up to 310 x 204 mm in one go at a speed of 3,000,000 points/s.

The EinScan Pro HD also stands out for its ability to accurately capture shaded, black, and metal surfaces. We see it as a potent tool for automotive, engineering, and manufacturing.

Scantech 3D iReal M3

• Price: $6,980 – Check here on iReal 3D
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.1 mm
• Max Field of View: 580 x 550 mm
• Scanning Distance: 280 – 1000 mm
• Scanning Rate: 60FPS
• Technology: Dual-infrared lasers (parallel laser & structured light)

With the iReal M3, you get a professional-grade scanner at a more cost-effective price. It uses two different infrared light sources, both parallel lasers and structured light, offering faster and more accurate scanning for objects varying from 5cm to 4m in size.

This makes it useful for human body and face scanning, or for large or small stationary object scanning. The dual light sources also help with scanning outside in natural light, so it works well both inside and outside. You can also scan dark, shiny, and reflective mechanical parts without needing to treat the surface. 

Offering resolutions up to 0.1mm precision, you can scan fine details and intricate edges of objects, as long as the object is larger than 5cm.

As a result, the iReal M3 is commonly used for human and human hair scanning, art and sculptures, industrial design, medical applications, and many other professional-grade uses.

EinScan HX

• Price: $10,000-$12,000 — Check here on Dynamism
• Accuracy: 0.04 mm
• Resolution: 0.05 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 420 x 440 mm
• Technology: Hybrid structured light and infrared
• Speed/Frame Rate: 1,200,000 points/s, 20 FPS/480,000 points/s, 55 FPS

Billed as an enhanced counterpart to the EinScan H, the EinScan HX borrows the same hybrid scanning tech but dials in higher overall accuracy and scan quality.

Accuracy jumps to 0.04 mm, while resolution shifts to 0.05 mm, ideal for demanding industrial applications with a low margin of error, such as quality control and reverse engineering.

Though an industrial-grade product with a steep $10,000+ price tag, the EinScan H requires very little expertise with a user-friendly design.

It has a 420 x 440 mm scan area and a scan speed of up to 1,200,000 points in rapid scan mode, perfect specifications for capturing all types of objects within minutes.

Peel 3D Peel 2

• Price: $8,000
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.5 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 380 x 380 mm
• Technology: Structured
• Speed/Frame Rate: 550,000 points/s

Eschewing the typical two-camera scanner design, the Peel 3D Peel 2 drafts in a third to capture geometry and color data.

The Peel 2 shines when scanning larger objects, notably color-rich art pieces, fabrics, and bodies.

Compact, affordable, and easy to use, the Peel 3D Peel 2’s 0.1 mm accuracy, 0.5 mm resolution, and decent 380 x 380 mm scan area bring it all together.

These specifications aren’t particularly suited to small objects or applications requiring high-detail, low-tolerance scans. But, the color texturing is nothing short of impressive for the price.

For us, applications that benefit most from the Peel 2 capabilities include game development, art, conservation, and interior design.

Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307

• Price: $18,000-$20,000
• Accuracy: 0.040 mm
• Resolution: 0.1 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 275 x 250 mm
• Technology: Laser Triangulation
• Speed/Frame Rate: 480,000 points/s

The Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 is a metrology-grade handheld 3D scanner designed to produce accurate and repeatable scans of even the most complex surfaces for feature-rich and precise 3D models.

Creaform uses patented technology to ensure accurate scans even while the scanner and object are in motion.

It boasts 0.040 mm accuracy, 0.1 mm resolution and can scan up to 480,000 points/s.

The tight 275 x 250 mm scan area lets down the offering a tad, but with so many other positives, it’s hard to fault the ever so slightly longer scan time for larger objects.

Although expensive, the Creaform HandScan Silver 307 is user-friendly and produces stellar results, whatever the object’s characteristics, whether that’s color, size, or material.

Artec Eva

• Price: $16,000-$17,000
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.2 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 536 × 371 mm
• Technology: Structured
• Speed/Frame Rate: 18,000,000 points/s, 16 FPS

With a solid reputation as one of the top 3D scanner manufacturers, Artec hits our list with the industrial-grade Artec Eva.

A workhorse, the Artec Eva is all about marrying versatility to portability, suitable for a range of applications such as forensics, aerospace, CGI, and prosthetics.

It can competently and quickly create highly-accurate, texture-rich 3D models of anything from mechanical parts to engines to human faces, hitting its stride scanning medium-sized objects, including those with dark and shiny surfaces.

As far as specifications go, the Artec Eva delivers a 0.1 mm accuracy, 0.2 mm resolution, 536 × 371 mm scan area, and a massive 18,000,000 points/s.

In other words, a highly accurate and fast handheld 3D scanner.

Buyers’ Guide – Things to Consider

Resolution

Much like resolution in monitors and TVs, 3D scanner resolution refers to the overall visual quality, smoothness, and detail of a scan determined by the distance between data and mesh points.

Resolution is generally expressed in mm (and sometimes in points per scan), ranging from 0.25-0.5 mm to 0.1 mm on handheld 3D scanners.

For general scanning of larger objects, works of art, or faces, 0.5 mm offers a solid resolution, while lower resolutions are better suited to low-tolerance applications such as quality control and reverse engineering.

Accuracy

Accuracy refers to a 3D scanner’s ability to match the exact measurements of an object.

Handheld 3D scanners commonly range from an accuracy of around 100-200 microns down to as low as 20 microns.

In general, the higher the accuracy, the better the quality of the scan, so for low tolerance applications where even small divergences are problematic, we recommend higher accuracy scanners.

Speed

Scanning speed refers to how long it takes a 3D scanner to capture an object.

The most common measurements are points per second, numbered in the millions for the best handheld 3D scanners, along with frames per second, ranging anywhere from 8 to 55 FPS.

Budget

Entry-level scanners cost anywhere from $400 to $1000, but as expected, the trade-off is a drop in overall performance and scan quality.

Professional and industrial-grade scanners push prices upwards of $5,000, swelling to $100,000 or more for the most performance-oriented options brimming with bleeding edge technology.

Use Case

It’s worth thinking about your use case and how you plan to use a 3D scanner.

For amateurs or businesses requiring only the occasional scan, we’d strongly consider 3D scanning services instead, as these will generally work out cheaper than buying a handheld 3D scanner outright.

If daily use is on the cards, a handheld 3D scanner is a wise investment that rapidly pays for itself.

Handheld 3D Scanner Applications

Medical: disability aids, prosthetics, plastic surgery, body scans for training, orthopedics.

Art and Design: product development, design, CGI assets for film and TV.

Hobbyist 3D Printing: models, miniatures, toys, functional parts, household items.

Virtual Reality and Game Design: scan real-world environments, objects, and bodies for animation, modeling, virtual reality, and augmented reality.

Engineering: infrastructure maintenance/building/monitoring, quality control, prototyping, data analysis, design, and modeling.

Reverse Engineering and Repairs: aerospace, aviation, naval, restoration, and design.

Archeology and Conservation: scanning of artifacts and remains for heritage conservation and research.

Architecture: surveying, design, and reverse engineering of older buildings for restoration. 

Forensics: crime scene documentation, bullet trajectories, reconstructions, crashes, bloodstains, shoe prints.

FAQs

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The Revopoint POP 2 hands-on review
• The best cheap 3D scanners
• DIY 3D scanners and 3D printable 3D scanners reviewed
• The best 3D scanner apps

DIY projects are underrated as accurate and precise 3D scanners. In fact, there are some very accurate DIY 3D scanners on our list, you just need to assemble them yourself.

The best part: they’re almost free if you 3D print the parts — your only costs are the camera/parts.

However, don’t be fooled – you won’t get $20,000-quality scans from these kits.

And, it takes focus and skill to build such a technical piece of kit – hence we’ve included a couple of easy-assemble kits which cost more, but let you get right down to scanning.

Best DIY 3D Scanner Kit Under $200	Best 3D Scanner Under $1000
HE3D Open Source Ciclop DIY 3D Systems Scanner Kit for 3D Printer	Revopoint POP 2 3D High-Precision Scanner with 0.05mm Accuracy
Description: Yes, you'll get better quality if you spend more on a scanner like the Revopoint POP range, but with this you get to build your own 3D scanner from the parts for several hundred dollars less.	Description: You'll see just how accurate this scanner is when you try it (I've tested it to confirm a 0.07mm accuracy in my hands-on review) - there's nothing better for under $1000.
3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:
Primary Rating: 4.1	Primary Rating: 5.0
$99.00	$719.00
Amazon here	Revopoint here
	Amazon here

Best DIY 3D Scanner Kit Under $200

HE3D Open Source Ciclop DIY 3D Systems Scanner Kit for 3D Printer

Description:

Yes, you'll get better quality if you spend more on a scanner like the Revopoint POP range, but with this you get to build your own 3D scanner from the parts for several hundred dollars less.

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.1

$99.00

Amazon here

Best 3D Scanner Under $1000

Revopoint POP 2 3D High-Precision Scanner with 0.05mm Accuracy

Description:

You'll see just how accurate this scanner is when you try it (I've tested it to confirm a 0.07mm accuracy in my hands-on review) - there's nothing better for under $1000.

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

5.0

$719.00

Revopoint here

Amazon here

For the DIY kits, we’ve included download links and links to documentation to get you started.

The Best 3D Printable 3D Scanner Kits

1. Ciclop DIY 3D scanners

Many of the best DIY scanner kits are based on the original Ciclop open-source files. Massive companies like BQ have created their version, as well as tweaked versions such as CowTech Engineering’s take.

We’ve included them all here, as each option are some of the most DIY accurate 3D scanner options for this price range. For a pre-assembled scanner with the same quality, you’d likely need to spend double this.

BQ Ciclop

• Price: depends if 3D printing yourself — The Kit is Available on Amazon here
• Resolution: 0.3-0.5mm
• DIY 3D scanner technology: laser triangulation

BQ are a Spanish technology giant who are well-known across Europe for their smartphones, tablets, and 3D printers. They’ve also developed their Ciclop DIY 3D scanner, which scans a volume up to 250 x 205 mm, based on laser triangulation technology.

An important feature of the BQ Ciclop is that it’s a completely open source 3D scanner. You’re free to modify it as you wish, following the RepRap philosophy. It’s easily accessible via USB or Bluetooth, and can 3D scan with a resolution of between 0.3-0.5mm.

• We also have a ranking of the best open source 3D printers.

Another great addition to this DIY 3D scanner is that it works with Horus open source 3D scanning suite which BQ also developed. This makes scanning much easier with the compatible program. You can buy just the electronics (includes an Arduino, webcam etc) and print the parts yourself for $115, or buy the whole kit for $240. Not bad.

However, it is worthy of note that the BQ Ciclop is difficult to assemble. Other DIY 3D scanners are quicker and simpler to build, though the Ciclop is still a fantastic DIY 3D digitizer.

Best DIY 3D Scanner Kit Under $200

HE3D Open Source Ciclop DIY 3D Systems Scanner Kit for 3D Printer

$99.00

Yes, you'll get better quality if you spend more on a scanner like the Revopoint POP range, but with this you get to build your own 3D scanner from the parts for several hundred dollars less.

Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/16/2025 11:01 am GMT

Murobo Atlas — Great Raspberry Pi 3D Scanner

• Price: depends on if 3D printing — Available on Amazon worldwide here
• Resolution: 0.25mm
• DIY 3D scanner technology: laser triangulation technology

Another homemade 3D scanner, the Atlas has the highest quality specs of any DIY 3D scanner we researched. It includes a 3D printed body made from PLA and ABS filaments, which can be purchased online. If you’re a serious DIY fanatic, you can print the parts yourself via the download link here.

Depending on if you already own a Raspberry Pi or not, you can save money on the build. This is because the Atlas DIY 3D scanner uses a Raspberry Pi camera to take detailed 3D scans with an accuracy of 0.25mm. Depending on your choice, the Atlas is likely to cost between $200 and $250, which is far less than most professional 3D scanners.

Moreover, Murobo has made considerable efforts to make sure that the Atlas DIY 3D scanner is convenient and simple to use. To achieve this, the Atlas comes with FreeLSS free 3D software which enables you to easily take 3D scans. In addition, you can access your Atlas via your computer’s browser through WiFi, as well as via SD card.

Overall, this DIY 3D scanner Raspberry Pi collaboration is a really interesting and creative way of combining several different innovative technologies to create a scanning device. If you’re an Arduino fan instead, you may be able to make it work for you too.

CowTech Ciclop

• Price: depends on whether you’re 3D printing the parts or not — Available on Amazon here
• Resolution: 0.5 mm
• Maximum scan volume: 200 x 200 x 205 mm

BQ formed the foundations of the DIY 3D scanner kit, and remains one of the best DIY 3D scanner on tight budget options. Then back in 2015, CowTech Engineering used the foundations led by BQ, putting their unique spin on an updated model.

True to the open source movement, Cowtech started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to put their version of the original, the CowTech Ciclop, into production. The team set the lofty goal to raise $10,000, and were met with surprise when the community rallies to raise $183,000. The CowTech Ciclop DIY 3D scanner kit was born.

So what are the differences between CowTech’s version and BQ’s DIY 3D scanner?

The CowTech Ciclop still uses the Horus 3D software program as it does a fantastic shop for 3D scanning objects. Differences however include a slightly different design, which the team spent days designing so that the parts could be 3D printed on any FDM 3D printer. Some desktop 3D printers only have a small build volume, so CowTech designed parts that can be printed on any printer with a build volume of 115 x 110 x 65 mm, which almost all 3D printers have.

Additionally, CowTech’s Ciclop has adjustable laser holders, and whereas the BQ Ciclop uses threaded rods, CowTech’s DIY 3D scanner uses laser-cut acrylic. This isn’t anything drastic and the scanners still look fairly similar, but CowTech only intended to improve the existing design, not reform it. CowTech sell the Ciclop, ready-to-scan, for $159 on their website. Overall, this is a great cheap DIY 3D scanner, and very effective for laser triangulation 3D scanning.

2. OpenScan Classic and OpenScan Mini

• Max Scan Volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm / 80 x 80 x 80 mm
• Accuracy: Up to 50 microns
• DIY 3D scanner technology: Photogrammetry
• Price: Starting at $100.00 up to $200.00 for a complete kit with 3D printed parts and electronic

The Mini and Classic are two low-cost but high-quality 3D printed DIY scanner projects designed by German company OpenScan. In action, the OpenScan uses a stepper motor mounted to a 3D printed frame to rotate an object to capture images from various angles. These are then compiled into a high-quality 3D model using open-source software or OpenScanCloud, ready for 3D printing.

Where the OpenScan Classic and Mini differ from one another is max scan volume and camera/SBC options. The Mini features an 80 x 80 x 80 mm scan volume, while the Classic more than doubles the scan volume to a roomy 180 x 180 x 180 mm, perfect for scanning larger objects.

The OpenScan Mini is tied to a Raspberry Pi and only works with either a Pi Camera or Arducam IMX 519 and includes one-click easy scanning. This allows the completed scanner to rotate not just the object but also the camera for a more detailed point cloud. 

On the other hand, the OpenScan Classic is also compatible with Smartphones and DSLR cameras, which generally means better quality photos and, as a result, higher-quality models. It’s the tinkerer’s option and better suited for those that want to customize the scanner to their needs.

OpenScan offers a solution for all DIY skill levels and budgets, whichever model you decide on. You can customize kits based on your needs or order a complete kit that includes all the electronics and 3D printed parts.

The full assembly guide is here.

3. AAScan Open Source 3D Scanner Based on Arduino and Android

AAScan is a very recent (February 2020) DIY open source 3D scanner that’s fully automated in taking photos and moving the object around on the scan plate. All the files are on Thingiverse, which we’ve linked below. Interestingly, the creator stresses that the AAScan is intended to be a purposefully minimalist machine, able to scan but not filled with extra features beyond this primary capacity.

All the instructions for how to build, print and assemble the AAScan are on the Thingiverse page, requiring an Arduino, some electronics, and either a 3D printer to print the plastic parts or someone else to print them for you — such as from a 3D printing service.

You can view the DIY scanner on Thingiverse here.

4. FabScan Pi

• DIY 3D scanner technology: laser triangulation
• Price: $100-200 depending on which version

The original FabScan was a DIY 3D scanner built by Francis Engelmann as part of his Bachelor’s thesis back in 2010. Since then, there have been numerous improvements made in new iterations up to the newest model, the FabScan Pi. This new model uses a Raspberry Pi camera along with the new design to offer higher quality 3D scans.

Based on laser triangulation technology, the FabScan Pi is one of the best DIY 3D scanner options for those who are into doing it themselves. Depending on if you go for one of the older models or the latest, the price can vary between $100 and around $200 to completely create the 3D scanner. Overall, it’s a really cool kit and thesis which you can make at home.

If you want to create your own FabScan, you can follow the assembly guide here.

5. DIY Standalone 3D Scanner by Jun Takeda

• DIY 3D scanner technology: Photogrammetry
• Price: $200.00

The DIY Standalone 3D Scanner is an excellent option for those that want a hands-on project that results in a reasonably accurate and easy-to-use stationary 3D scanner. 

By combining a Mbed board with a camera and OpenCV libraries, the scanning process is largely automated with just a single button push. The scanner captures multiple images of an object to create a 3D model that’s then output as an STL file written to an SD Card.

To complete the project, you’ll need a GR-LYCHEE as a centerpiece sided by smaller electronic parts, plastic sheets to create the housing, and various nuts and wiring to piece it all together. 

As the name implies, it’s very much a DIY project and, as such, would best suit those happy to troubleshoot any potential hurdles with little hand-holding. Though there are instructions, you’re responsible for designing the housing, wiring the board, and calibrating the camera.

6. Arduino-Controlled Photogrammetry 3D Scanner by Brian Brocken

• DIY 3D scanner technology: Photogrammetry
• Price: ~$100

The Arduino-Controlled Photogrammetry 3D Scanner is a 3D printable 3D scanner DIY project that leverages the camera on any run-of-the-mill Smartphone and a cheap Arduino UNO SBC to keep costs low.

The core idea is to assemble a turntable consisting of 3D printed mechanical parts, including a print-in-place bearing. A Bluetooth-connected Smartphone does the actual scanning via the normal photogrammetry process. As for electronic components, you’ll need a servo motor, LCD screen, Arduino Uno, PCB, stepper motor, Bluetooth remote, regulator, and a small joystick module.

Once assembled, the Arduino-Controlled Photogrammetry 3D Scanner can capture anywhere from 2 to 200 photos in a single 360° rotation for reasonably detailed scans. The images are then sent to photogrammetry software such as AutoDesk Recap Photo to assemble a 3D model.

Aside from the cost of filament, expect to pay no more than $100 for all the parts and the STL files to 3D print the turntable.

Semi-assembled DIY scanners

7. Revopoint POP 2

• Price: $500-700 — Available at Revopoint store here
• Accuracy: 0.3 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 200 x 300 x 300 mm
• Scan Speed: Up to 8 FPS
• DIY 3D scanner technology: Structured light

Though not technically a DIY scanner, I’m still mentinioning the Revopoint POP 2 as a cheat option if you want to save time but cutting down assembly time.

The POP 2 comes semi-assembled. You’ll just need to attach the tripod, connect the USB and the turntable, add the sticker markers for better scan tracking, and optionally build and attach the larger turntable. It took me just 5 minutes to get started!

The catch? At over $500, the Revopoint POP 2 is more expensive than most 3D scanner kits.

Still, I would personally rather pay this premium for a scanner that takes just 5 minutes to assemble, and is capable of faster and higher-quality scans. it may be worth paying the premium for the convenience and reliability.

The Revopoint POP 2 offers within 0.1 mm accuracy, and has automatic alignment technology, making for more detailed and smooth full-color 3D models than DIY scanners. It can capture 360° scans of objects up to 200 x 300 x 300 mm, besting most DIY options.

The main benefit of all this is high accuracy scans that are just about ready for 3D printing with very little post-processing needed to iron out imperfections and poor surface details.

Ease of use also extends to the intuitive software, which works with Smartphones for on-the-go scanning and features exports to STL and OBJ formats.

Alongside, it bundles in best-of both-worlds handheld and stationary modes. Five different scanning profiles allow you to tune the POP 2 to each scan with face, body, feature, mark, and dark mode. For more detail, you can also read my full Revopoint POP 2 review.

Best 3D Scanner Under $1000

Revopoint POP 2 3D High-Precision Scanner with 0.05mm Accuracy

$719.00

You'll see just how accurate this scanner is when you try it (I've tested it to confirm a 0.07mm accuracy in my hands-on review) - there's nothing better for under $1000.

Revopoint here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

What Makes a Good DIY Kit?

• Price-performance ratio: for the price, how good are scans?
• Resolution: how crisp is scan quality
• Accessibility: you may be able to print most of the 3D scanner, but are the rest of the parts easy to buy?
• Ease of assembly and use: quick and easy builds are always better. The best 3D scanner projects can be built by anyone, newbie or expert.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The best 3D scanners
• The best low-cost 3D scanners
• Top 3D scanner apps for iOS and Android
• The best photogrammetry software
• 3D body scanners: a guide
• Industrial 3D scanners