3D surface scanners

Best 3D Scanner - The Top 10 3D Scanners for 2023 [Reviews]

Much like a regular scanner, laser scanning 3D uses various methods to analyze a physical object and then relay that data to a computer to create digital 3D models. The 3D digitizer process might be automatic or users might need to complete the model to their requirements by using software. The aim is usually to get an accurate model to the right standard and format, ready for 3D printing, for virtual reality applications or other purposes.

Such scanners are used in many professional industries, but with advances in home 3D printing, there are now also a good variety of home options. They are sometimes called portable 3D scanners or handheld scanners if they’re designed as such. These allow you to easily scan small to medium-sized objects for 3D printing.

Some come completely assembled while others, like 3D printers themselves, you’ll have to put them together by yourself. The benefit for those that are good with that type of thing is it reduces the price and allows for easier upgrades and modifications.

Scanning is typically done using laser triangulation or various forms of structured light to surround the object and measure its 3D dimensions or ‘geometry’. High-quality 3D scanner camera lenses also capture the color and surface texture of the object. Using accompanying or third-party software, the model can then be scaled up or down, or completely modified.

It’s never been easier to scan 3D objects!

How Do 3D Scanners Work?

So, how do you scan 3D objects into a computer? Whether it’s on an industrial scale, at a small business, or on a desk at home, 3D scanners all share similar characteristics in the way they work.

The majority use laser and/or white light technology and cameras. The physical object is placed in a bed, tray, or suitable location. Electromagnetic light bounces off the object, measuring its circumference, full dimensions, and all its finer details.

Depending on the scanner it may use multiple light sources, cameras, and other tech to aid this process. The collected data is called a point cloud, which refers to the number of points captured by the laser.

The more points collected the more accurate the scan. A high-resolution scanner can capture hundreds of thousands of points in seconds and reach millions overall. The whole process only takes a few minutes.

While the light tends to be a measure of the object’s geometry, HD cameras tend to capture the surface detail and color.

The data recorded can then be fed into a computer-aided design program or similar software for inspection and manipulation. E.g. if you’re planning to use it for 3D printing, the model might need scaling up or down, hollowing, have added support structures, be re-colored or have brightness/contrast changes, etc.

There are, of course, different types of 3D scanner and scanning technology. So, let’s take a closer look at each one:

Types of 3D Scanners

There are several 3D scanner types. Before making your decision check out the section below:

Handheld vs Stationary

Handheld and stationary 3D scanners often use the same technology and can overlap in their functions. The difference lies mainly in the design.

A handheld scanner has a grip and lets the user move around the object themselves to capture it at every angle.

A stationary scanner has to be positioned in front of the object, which is typically placed on a rotating plate and captures it as it spins 360 degrees. The user may have to reposition the object several times to capture every angle.

Newer designs are becoming smaller and more easily portable.

Laser Triangulation

The most common technology used in 3D scanning is laser trigonometric triangulation. It records millions of different points on the surface of the object to build an accurate overall polygon mesh. These are common in handheld options and industrial-grade scanner machines. They can also work long-range and for laser-tracking objects.

Structured-Light 3D Scanners

Similar and often used interchangeably with laser triangulation, structured light or ‘white light’ projects itself in a grid-like pattern over an object. It can then measure the structure of that grid as it applies to the object by using sensors/3D scanner cameras and triangulation.

Long Range

Longer range scanners use phase shift or pulse technology that can capture millions of points while rotating 360 degrees with the aid of mirrors. This is more commonly used to scan large objects like cars or buildings.

They might also use ‘time of flight’ technology that measures the distance of an object in relation to the speed of light and the time it takes for it to return to a sensor.

This is less relevant for everyday 3D scanning and printing.

3D Scanning Applications

There are many different applications for 3D laser scanning - from those for 3D printing at home, to prototyping, industrial scale medical supply production and even architecture.

Hobbyist 3D printing

Cheaper 3D scanners are typically used by home users for scanning simple objects and 3D printing them for fun.

Medical

The medical field and dentistry commonly use 3D scanning to create implants and aids to serve their patients’ needs. For example, scanning people’s feet with a high-quality 3D scanner allows for the creation of orthotics (shoe inserts). It is also used in the creation of prosthetics.

Virtual Engineering

Industrial 3D scanners are used both in the creation and quality control of cars, planes, and even aerospace. It ensures existing parts are as accurate as their original models and that new viable parts are made.

Reverse Engineering and Repairs

From the home computer desk to the manufacturing floor, 3D scanning allows users to reverse engineer or copy existing objects. Saved models also allow for the reconstruction of damaged objects.

Virtual Reality

From creating realistic 3D worlds to the people that occupy them, 3D scanning devices are integral to the growing virtual reality industry. This ranges from AAA video games, virtual cinematography, and computer-generated imagery (CGI), to virtual tours and office meetings. It is also a side industry to motion capture.

Forensics

CSI has come a long way. Forensic experts nowadays don’t just have to rely on memory, photos, and evidence of a crime scene. They can capture the entire location in a full 3D model for closer inspection and for running through different scenarios.

Archeology and Archiving

From museums to libraries, 3D scanning is being used to log and preserve everything from artifacts to digitizing books. This also gives experts and the public remote access.

Architecture

3D scanning can also help architects map the areas they will be designing their buildings in, take inspiration from existing architecture, and aid in building miniatures/prototypes.

What Should I Know Before Buying a 3D Scanner?

Before you buy a 3D scanner, there are several things to consider:

your budget
what you’ll actually be using it for
it’s speed and accuracy
the device’s other features.

3D Scanner Cost

3D laser scanner price ranges vary greatly. On the cheaper end, you may be able to pick one up for home for just shy of $300, like the XYZprinting 3D Scanner 1.0 A. However, if you want the highest overall quality and the ability to scan small and large objects. Or, if you’re a professional and need a 3D part scanner in a field like medical implants or automotive parts, you’re looking at anywhere between $3,000 and $35,000.

Typically, it’s best to look for 3D scanners for sale online where you can find the best selection and prices.

3D Printing

While a dual 3D printer scanner combo is rare, if you want to scan models for 3D printing, you will need to make sure it has good accuracy and resolution. The software also must be able to export to a usable format. You will need to check your 3D printer and its own software to see what file types it accepts and then choose your scanner accordingly.

Fortunately, almost all of our 3D scanner reviews include devices that can export in common file types like OBJ and STL.

It’s typically only the more expensive scanners that are good for other applications, like VR, full-body scanning, architecture, and engineering.

Handheld vs Stationary

We already explained the difference, but basically, a handheld scanner is mobile, while the stationary one will require you to move and adjust the object. Neither is necessarily better than the other, it’s all down to your needs.

Speed

How fast is the scanner? Do you have a lot of spare time or require the job to be done as fast as possible? All 3D scanners will take a few minutes to complete, while many scanning complex objects in high resolution can talk half an hour or longer.

Accuracy and Resolution

Accuracy refers to how close to the object being scanned your digitized model will be, measured in millimeters. Therefore, the smaller the better. The term resolution may be used interchangeably with accuracy or refer to the resolution of any cameras being used as part of the scanning process.

Generally, the lower the millimeter, the better. Other factors also play a role in overall quality, such as lighting conditions, color, and depth.

Object Size and Space

Some types of 3D scanners excel at scanning small objects while others are better at medium to large. Others are all-rounders. Before buying a scanner, you should decide the general size of the items you will be scanning.

You will also need to make room for the scanner. Although all the products on our list are small and relatively portable, stationary scanners at least need a table to work from. Likewise, there will be a minimum and maximum distance the scanner must be in relation to the object being scanned.

You’ll need more room when scanning larger objects in full.

Connected Devices

All 3D scanners need to be connected to a computer or device to help monitor the process and for saving the digital model. This is usually done via a USB or HDMI cable. You will need to check that your computer or laptop meets the minimum requirements for the scanning and modeling software. Also, make sure that you have a tablet to make real-time monitoring easier.

Software

Your device will either come with its own software or a popular third-party program to aid the process and to help touch-up the model once it’s scanned. Different 3D printing software is better suited to different skill levels. Some programs have a lot of features for experienced users and others do most of the basic tasks automatically. Check our 3D scanner reviews to see the software each device comes with and how advanced and easy to use it is.

Best 3D scanner 2023 - Expert selections for every need

What is the best 3D scanner?

Many different types of 3D scanners exist, from desktop 3D scanners to handheld 3D scanners and advanced metrology systems. 3D scanners serve an extremely wide range of applications, from reverse engineering to 3D body scanning or even forensic investigations.

However, given the low number of reliable 3D scanner reviews, it can be challenging to find the best 3D scanner. It can also be complex to know what kind of 3D scanner to get based on your application. A $2,000 3D scanner won’t be sufficient for part inspection, and a $60,000 3D scanner would be overkill if you don’t need the precision.

With that in mind, our goal is to offer an overview of the best 3D scanners in different categories. We broke down our best 3D scanner picks into actionable selections:

Professional: A mix of the best desktop and handheld options for professionals
Affordable: Entry-level 3D scanners for makers with prices starting at around $400
Metrology: High-precision 3D scanners for demanding use cases
Handheld: Portative devices that can access hard-to-reach places
SLAM and iMMS: Mobile laser 3D scanners for BIM and other large-scale applications
TLS: Terrestrial LiDAR scanners
Dental (desktop): Stationary 3D scanners for the dental labs
Jewelry: Closed, high-precision 3D scanners for jewelers
3D body scanners: Booths and handheld color 3D scanners

Note that there can be some overlap between categories. For example, some handheld 3D scanners are precise enough for metrology or can capture colors and work for 3D body scanning.

Tip: Use the table of contents to the top left of your screen to easily navigate between our selections.

We also run through different 3D scanning applications (reverse engineering, 3D inspection, architecture, etc.) and provide concise explanations of the various 3D scanning technologies that exist.

Professional 3D scanner selection

This category groups some of the best professional 3D scanners. Our selection spans a wide price spectrum and includes both desktop scanners and handheld 3D scanners. These 3D scanners can cover most professional use cases.

Brand	Product	Accuracy	Country	Price Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary by region, over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
SCANTECH (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD This brand is a certified partner from our network.	iReal 2E	0.1 mm0.003937 in	China	$ 3,9803 980 €3,299 £536,377 ¥	Quote
Shining 3D This brand is a certified partner from our network.	EinScan H	0.05 mm0.001969 in	China	$ 4,9994 999 €4,144 £673,705 ¥	Contact
Shining 3D This brand is a certified partner from our network.	EinScan HX This product has been reviewed by our team.	0.04 mm0.001575 in	China	$ 12,00012 000 €9,947 £1,617,216 ¥	Quote
Medit	Solutionix C500	0.01 mm0.000394 in	South Korea	$ 40,00036 500 €33,156 £5,390,720 ¥	Quote
Creaform	HandySCAN BLACK Elite This product has been reviewed by our team.	0.025 mm0.000984 in	Canada	$ 65,00057 000 €53,879 £8,759,920 ¥	Quote
GOM	ATOS Q This product has been reviewed by our team.	–	Germany	upon request	Quote
GOM	GOM Scan 1 This product has been reviewed by our team.	–	Germany	upon request	Quote
SCANTECH (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD This brand is a certified partner from our network.	SIMSCAN This product has been reviewed by our team.	0.02 mm0.000787 in	China	upon request	Quote

Expand to see more specs

The products in the table are ranked by price (low to high).

Brand	Product	Technology	Category	Country	Price Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary by region, over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
SCANTECH (HANGZHOU) CO. , LTD This brand is a certified partner from our network.	iReal 2E	Structured light	Mobile > Handheld	China	$ 3,9803 980 €3,299 £536,377 ¥	Get a quote
Shining 3D This brand is a certified partner from our network.	EinScan H	Hybrid	Mobile > Handheld	China	$ 4,9994 999 €4,144 £673,705 ¥	Contact manufacturer
Shining 3D This brand is a certified partner from our network.	EinScan HX This product has been reviewed by our team.	Structured light	Mobile > Handheld	China	$ 12,00012 000 €9,947 £1,617,216 ¥	Get a quote
Medit	Solutionix C500	Structured light	Stationary > Desktop	South Korea	$ 40,00036 500 €33,156 £5,390,720 ¥	Get a quote
Creaform	HandySCAN BLACK Elite This product has been reviewed by our team.	Laser triangulation	Mobile > Handheld	Canada	$ 65,00057 000 €53,879 £8,759,920 ¥	Get a quote
GOM	ATOS Q This product has been reviewed by our team.	Structured light	Stationary > Industrial	Germany	upon request	Get a quote
GOM	GOM Scan 1 This product has been reviewed by our team.	Structured light	Stationary > Desktop	Germany	upon request	Get a quote
SCANTECH (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD This brand is a certified partner from our network.	SIMSCAN This product has been reviewed by our team.	Laser triangulation	Mobile > Handheld	China	upon request	Get a quote

Overview of the best professional 3D scanners

The iReal 2E is another versatile 3D scanning option in the entry-level price range. It uses VCEL structured light to capture medium- to large-sized objects. Like infrared light, VCEL light is invisible to the human eye and is therefore also particularly adapted to face and body 3D scanning.

Scantech has reported diverse use cases for the iReal 2E 3D scanner, namely in forensic investigations, healthcare, and even culture preservation. In the latter, Scantech’s customer 3D scanned a woman performing different Tai Chi movements– an interesting and uncommon application!