These four contenders aim to furnish the budget portion with 3D scanners capable of satisfying the needs of both DIY makers and businesses on a tighter budget, but which one rises above the rest? We explain all in our Revopoint vs Creality 3D scanner comparison.

In this article, we’ve compared and contrasted, scanned and captured, all to bring you the low down on the Revopoint POP 2, MINI, Creality CR-Scan 01, and Creality CR-Scan Lizard and help you choose the right 3D scanner for your needs.

Read more: we tested and reviewed the Revopoint POP 2 3D scanner

Revopoint 3D Scanner vs Creality: Quick Summary

OVERALL TOP PICK

Revopoint MINI

Precision: 0.02mm

Scan Speed: 10 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume: 10 x 10 x 10 mm

Single Capture Range: 64 x 118 mm

Working Distance: 100 – 200 mm

Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.05 mm

Available at:

Revopoint here

CONSISTENT PICK

Creality CR-Scan Lizard

Precision: 0.05mm

Scan Speed: 10 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume: 15 x 15 mm

Single Capture Range: 200 x 100 mm

Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm

Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.1 – 0.2 mm

Available at:

Creality here Amazon here

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

Revopoint POP 2

• Price: $699.00 – Available at Revopoint here / Check price on Amazon here
• Precision: 0.05 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 20 x 20 x 20 mm
• Single Capture Range: 210 x 130 mm
• Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.15 mm

The Revopoint POP 2 is an upgraded and improved version of the original Revopoint POP. The focus here on Revopoint’s part was to take the solid foundations of the POP and enhance precisions, better the color capture performance, and deliver a smoother overall experience for the user. 

We were lucky enough to trial the POP 2, and we were rather taken by everything it had to offer, not least the many improvements over the original.

The Revopoint POP 2 is designed chiefly for more demanding 3D applications such as design, 3D printing, reverse engineering, and modeling. This is possible thanks to a 0.15 mm point cloud distance, which equates to excellent precision for medium-sized scanning of objects, including face and body models, with top-tier accuracy. 

Elsewhere, it also has a 20 x 20 x20 mm minimum scan distance geared towards smaller objects, while the 150 mm allows versatility for larger model scanning. At 10 FPS scan speed, it gets through captures quicker than before, while a 6 Dof Gyroscope also helps deliver neater point cloud stitching and accurate spatial positioning for true-to-life scans. 

It also offers more accurate color reproduction courtesy of clever communication between the camera and the RGB exposure sensor built into the scanner.

We also like the Revopoint POP 2 for the stripped-down, functional approach. It works with little fuss, pivoting from stationary to handheld mode seamlessly. And everything runs off a simple USB connection. 

We recommend the Revopoint POP 2 to makers and businesses that want that sweet spot between price and functionality. It has enough advanced features for professional applications but keeps the cost under $700.

Revopoint MINI

• Price: $769.00 – Available at Revopoint here
• Precision: 0.02 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 10 x 10 x 10 mm
• Single Capture Range: 64 x 118 mm
• Working Distance: 100 – 200 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.05 mm

Launched after the Revopoint POP and POP 2, the Revopoint MINI, unlike its siblings, which take aim at versatility, is designed to capture small objects. This makes it a solid option for those looking for a quality scanner for fields such as jewelry making, intricate reverse engineering, industrial part design, demanding quality control, small artifact archiving, measurements, and healthcare applications.

With a shift to producing more precise and intricate scans, Revopoint has upped the cost, but the MINI comes with plenty of features to justify this. The Revopoint MINI offers a 0.05 mm precision allied to a 0.02 mm point cloud distance. These two specifications work in tandem to deliver high accuracy on smaller objects. 

In tow, we also see the minimum scan distance drop to 10 x 10 x 10 mm and the single capture range to 64 x 118 mm. From the numbers alone, it’s clear Revopoint has pulled out all the stops to allow users to capture small, feature-rich items and objects.

The MINI employs high-resolution structured blue light technology, different from the straight camera/infrared combo of the POPs, to help with the ever-present issue of ambient light spoiling and distorting the scanning process. Much like the POPs, the MINI doubles as both a stationary and handheld device, with a sleek turntable to improve workflow available in the premium bundle. The 10 FPS scan speed also carries over from the POP family.

In keeping with its name, the Revopoint MINI is also a compact device, comes with USB plug-and-play, weighs a feathery 160g, and has a bundle of easy-to-use software that covers everything from scanning to model editing through to calibrating the scanner. 

You can also buy a handheld stabilizer, detachable tripod kit, and the aforementioned turntable should your scanning plan require these.

Creality CR-Scan 01

• Price: $739.00 – Available at Creality here / Check price on Amazon here
• Scan Resolution: 0.5 mm
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Single Capture Range: 536 x 378 mm
• Working Distance: 400 – 500 mm

Creality, a 3D printing heavyweight and ever-reliable peddler of value, was bound to jump onto the 3D scanner wagon at some point. It did just that with the Creality CR-T, followed closely by the Creality CR-Scan 01, one of the most affordable scanners on the market.

The Creality CR-Scan 01 features a 0.1 mm accuracy powered by the popular budget tech, structured light scanning, and a scan resolution of 0.5 mm. These aren’t the most striking stats out there, but given the price, they are serviceable if a little missuited to smaller objects. 

With this in mind, the Creality CR-Scan 01 slots in alongside the Revopoint POP 2 as a good option for medium objects. To that end, it has a scanning range of 400 to 500 mm and a total scanning area of 536 x 378 mm, again great value for the price and quite a lot more on offer here than what’s on the cards over at Revopoint.

Behind the specifications, the Creality CR-Scan 01 runs on a sleek alignment algorithm that ensures automatic calibration, stitching, and grid alignment without the need for makers, a positive for anyone that’s dabbled with those tiny dots. Elsewhere, the scanner features a handheld and turntable mode for on-the-fly and more targeted scanning. There’s also easy one-click scanning, 24-bit true color scanning, and a solid 10 FPS scan speed.

With all this in mind, the Creality CR-Scan 01 is an option for those who want the ability to scan large objects. Applications like complete body scanning, large artifact archiving, 3D design and modeling, and general 3D printing spring to mind.

Creality CR-Scan Lizard

• Price: $599.00 – Available at Creality here / Check price on Amazon here
• Precision: 0.05 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 15 x 15 mm
• Single Capture Range: 200 x 100 mm
• Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm
• Point Distance: 0.1 – 0.2 mm

A fresh 2022 addition to Creality’s 3D scanner line-up, the CR-Scan Lizard emerged after a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, but a copyright claim from Artec, a manufacturer of high-end professional scanners, soured proceedings. 

Creality and Shenzhen Jimuyida Technology, a second company involved in developing the Lizard, had allegedly pillaged the code from Artec’s Studio software and recycled it to make CR Studio, the software shipped alongside the Lizard. Months later, the lawsuit remains in legal limbo, yet the Creality CR-Scan Lizard is on the market and available to buy.

Legal proceeding aside, the Creality CR-Scan Lizard is an exciting proposition: cheaper than the CR-Scan 01, improved accuracy, a more compact design, and vastly better light adaptability suited to outdoor and direct sunlight scanning.

The Creality CR-Scan Lizard has a 0.05 mm accuracy, positioning as a scanner suited to small objects and able to capture all their details down to a 15 x 15 x 15 mm minimum scan volume. Elsewhere, it can scan anywhere from a distance of 150 to 400 mm at 10 FPS, courtesy of a combined LED and NIR scanning technology and marker-less stitching.

Two modes exist alongside one another: turntable for 15 to 300 mm objects, and handheld for objects anywhere from 500 to 1500 mm, and a combination mode for 300 to 500 mm objects mixing the flexibility of handheld and the precision of stationary scanning. The scanner also offers true color thanks to some clever software wizardry that allows you to snap a high-quality image of the object with a phone/DSLR and map it to the scanned data for one-click color restoration.

There’s plenty to pique the interest here, with Creality aiming to package professional features and accuracy into an affordable package suited to ambitious makers and small businesses. Applications such as prototyping, design, modeling, and 3D printing spring to mind.

Revopoint POP 2, MINI, Creality CR-Scan 01, and Lizard Head-to-Head Comparison

Precision and Accuracy

The Revopoint POP 2 delivers precision up to 0.05 mm and a 0.15 mm point cloud distance. The Revopoint MINI has a precision of 0.02 mm alongside a point cloud distance of 0.05 mm.

Over to Creality, the CR-Scan 01 offers 0.5 mm precision and accuracy of 0.1 mm, while the CR-Scan Lizard features a precision of 0.05 mm and 0.1 mm point distance.

Different definitions and naming conventions for specifications can confuse when looking at the numbers alone, so let’s break down where each scanner is best suited. 

The Revopoint POP 2 and Creality CR-Scan 01 are general use scanners suitable for capturing a broad range of items, but the richness of detail tends to tail off for smaller objects. This makes them ideal for face and body scans, for example. 

On the other hand, the Revopoint MINI and Creality CR-Scan Lizard are geared towards small objects almost exclusively, thanks to their professional-grade precision and accuracy.

Cameras

The Revopoint POP 2 employs two IR sensors, a Class 1 laser projector, and a high-resolution RGB sensor for dual camera infrared structured light scanning. The Revopoint MINI uses dual camera blue structured light technology provided by two IR sensors, a Class 1 blue light projector, and an RGB sensor.

The Creality CR-Scan 01 also relies on structured light scanning technology using an LED white light. Finally, the Creality CR-Scan Lizard includes binocular cameras and LED with near-infrared.

The scanning technology used across all four devices is identical for all intents and purposes. There are subtle differences, such as the MINI and Lizard’s ability to capture scans outdoors and in full sunlight. The Lizard is also designed to capture black surfaces and objects, which the others struggle to do.

Elsewhere, the Revopoint scanners feature in-built RGB sensors, which allow them to capture color texture detail during the scanning process, while the Creality Lizard relies on post-processing high-fidelity software color restoration, or at least that’s the plan.

Color Scanning

As mentioned above, both the Revopoint POP 2 and MINI offer color scanning courtesy of high-precision color texture capture, but the POP 2 edges slightly ahead of the MINI with better color accuracy thanks to a higher-quality high-resolution global RGB exposure sensor.

Over to the Creality, and we have a mixed bag. The Creality CR-Scan 01 matches Revopoint with 24-bit high-fidelity color reproduction achieved by snapping color images of the object and slapping them onto the scanned data.

The Creality CR-Scan Lizard is expected to include hybrid full-color scans in the future. Creality explains that users will be able to capture photos using either a smartphone or DSLR camera, then map those colors to the scanned models through one-click automated software color restoration. There’s no word on when the feature is set to become available.

Scan Speed

The Revopoint POP 2, MINI, Creality CR-Scan 01, and CR-Scan Lizard all four offer 10 FPS scan speed. Therefore, nothing to set them apart here, and 10 FPS is standard for sub-$1000 scanners.

Scan Modes

The Revopoint POP 2 includes a variety of modes: stationary, handheld, markers, features, face, body dark/hair, and head scanning. Outdoor scanning isn’t possible here as direct sunlight can distort the capture process.

The Revopoint MINI features both a handheld mode and a stationary mode, the latter via a dual-axis stationary turntable with a 30° pitch that ships with the scanner and is said to improve stitching by capturing a more complete scan of an item or object. The MINI is suited to outdoor and sunlight scanning.

The Creality CR-Scan 01 has both a stationary turntable and handheld mode. Much like the Revopoint POP 2, it isn’t designed for outdoor use.

The Creality CR-Scan Lizard features a turntable mode, a handheld mode, and a hybrid turntable/handheld mode combining the hands-on movement of a turntable with the flexibility of handheld scanning.

In terms of flexibility, the four scanners are on equal footing, though the hybrid mode on the Lizard offers an extra bit of versatility. The additional modes on the Revopoint POP 2 are great if you’ll use them but may be an unneeded nicety for many.

Software and File Compatibility

The Revopoint POP 2 comes bundled with the Revo Scan scanning program and Revo Studio modeling program. Output formats are PLY, OBJ, and STL.

The Revopoint MINI ships with three different software applications: Revo scan (scanning application), Revo Studio (professional-grade model editing software), and Revo Calibration (simple and easy-to-use calibration suite). The Revopoint exports to PLY, OBJ, and STL.

The Creality CR-Scan 01 ships with Creality’s in-house CR Studio app, which covers scanning and one-click post-processing optimization with noise removal, auto-alignment, auto-hole filling, and more functions. Output formats include OBJ and STL.

The Creality CR-Scan Lizard uses CR Studio 2.0, the very software at the heart of the Artec dispute. It features a wealth of optimization features, an improved visual tracking algorithm, in-built tutorials, and cloud storage. Supported output formats included OBJ, STL, and PLY.

Price

• Revopoint POP 2: $699.00 – Available at Revopoint here / Check price on Amazon here
• Revopoint MINI: $769.00 – Available at Revopoint here
• Creality CR-Scan 01: $739.00 – Available at Creality here / Check price on Amazon here
• Creality CR-Scan Lizard: $599.00 – Available at Creality here / Check price on Amazon here

Compared to professional-grade 3D scanners priced in the thousands of dollars, all four scanners scream affordability. Both Revopoint and Creality’s respective scanners offer substantial value if we consider the features, scan quality, and asking price.

Between them, the Revopoint MINI is priced the highest but is arguably the best of the four for high-precision, small object scanning, and it warrants the extra cost. We can’t help circling back to the $600 Creality CR-Scan Lizard for pure value. 

Legal dispute aside, it’s astounding what Creality has managed to squeeze into that low price. There’s no doubt that the POP 2 offers more value for larger scans: it’s cheaper and trumps the CR-Scan 01 for features.

Revopoint POP 2, MINI, Creality CR-Scan 01, and Lizard – The Bottom Line

The Revopoint POP 2 is a solid option for makers and businesses looking for an affordable and compact 3D scanner to capture larger objects and items. The added modes are also excellent additions, making it the best option out of the four for body/face scanning.

Those needing a scanner capable of capturing the subtle textures and intricacies of small objects like jewelry should strongly consider the Revopoint MINI. It’s accurate, reliable, and has the added benefit of working outdoors. It’s a great pick for quality control, measurements, archiving, and jewelry applications.

For more Revopoint comparison: Revopoint POP vs POP 2 vs MINI compared

While a solid statement of Creality’s intentions in the 3D scanner space, the CR-Scan 01 is bested by the Revopoint devices and the newer Lizard. Unless available on sale, we’d suggest the Revopoint POP 2 as a more value-packed alternative.

Lastly, the Creality CR-Scan Lizard rivals the Revopoint MINI for the high precision scanning of small objects but $150 cheaper. The legal dispute with Artec does sour the offering here, but there’s no doubt it’s a quality budget scanner suited to a broad range of applications.

OVERALL TOP PICK

Revopoint MINI

Precision: 0.02mm

Scan Speed: 10 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume: 10 x 10 x 10 mm

Single Capture Range: 64 x 118 mm

Working Distance: 100 – 200 mm

Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.05 mm

Available at:

Revopoint here

CONSISTENT PICK

Creality CR-Scan Lizard

Precision: 0.05mm

Scan Speed: 10 FPS

Minimum Scan Volume: 15 x 15 mm

Single Capture Range: 200 x 100 mm

Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm

Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.1 – 0.2 mm

Available at:

Creality here Amazon here

Related Articles:

• Best Handheld 3D Scanners
• Best Jewelry 3D Scanners
• Best Cheap 3D Scanners
• Best Professional 3D Scanners
• Best 3D Scanner Apps for iOS & Android
• Full 3D Body Scanners

Revopoint’s small but powerful scanners have been turning heads since launch. What’s not to like about them? They are affordable, compact, accurate, and pump out quality scans suitable for everyone from DIY makers all the way to professional engineers.

Best for Scanning Small Objects	Best Overall
Revopoint Mini	Revopoint POP 2
4.5	4.6
$799	$699
Revopoint here	Revopoint here
	Amazon here

Best for Scanning Small Objects

Revopoint Mini

4.5

$799

Revopoint here

Best Overall

Revopoint POP 2

4.6

$699

Revopoint here

Amazon here

To help you tell your POPs apart, we’ve pieced together this comparison guide to explore what makes them different from one another and offer our recommendations on which of Revopoint POP, POP 2, and MINI is best for you.

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

The Revopoint 3D Scanners Compared

Revopoint POP

• Price: Check price at Revopoint here / Amazon here
• Precision: 0.3 mm
• Scan Speed: 8 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 30 x 30 x 30 mm
• Single Capture Range: 210 x 130 mm
• Working Distance: 275 mm ± 100 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.2 – 0.5 mm

Various features make the original Revopoint POP one of the best affordably-priced portable 3D scanners available today. It features a single-frame accuracy of 0.2 mm to create highly accurate scans in both precision and texturing scanning modes, a 30 x 30 x 30 mm minimum scan volume to capture small objects, and precision up to 0.03 mm.

Ease of use and seamless functionality are also baked in. The Revopoint POP works as a handheld scanner but doubles as a stationary scanner thanks to the included tripod. You can also pay extra for a premium package that includes a turntable. Automatic alignment technology ensures that whichever mode you use, scans offer a complete capture of the targeted model.

Better yet, the Revopoint POP is suitable for various applications, from subjects as large as the human face to small as figurines and models. It’s also suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.

With all these features in mind, the Revopoint POP is an excellent option for hobbyists, DIY makers, and professionals in design fields looking to capture medium to large objects. At $499.00, the Revopoint POP requires a decent stack of cash, but by 3D scanner standards, it’s by no means expensive, offering plenty of value for the price.

Revopoint POP 2

• Price: Check latest price at Revopoint here / Amazon here
• Precision: 0.05 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 20 x 20 x 20 mm
• Single Capture Range: 210 x 130 mm
• Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.15 mm

The Revopoint POP 2 takes the blueprint established with the Revopoint POP and improves it with better precision, improved color capture, and smoother operation. Something that was apparent when we got some hands-on time with the POP for our review.

It expands the Revopoint POP’s application options even further in fields like 3D design, 3D printing, 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and more.

The specifications match this goal. The Revopoint POP 2 features an improved 0.15 mm point cloud distance, or in simple terms, precision. Alongside, it shifts the minimum scan volume down to 20 x 20 x 20 mm to allow the capture of the detail and features of smaller 3D objects. Lastly, the working distance has been improved to work at 150 mm in line with the better all-around precision.

The Revopoint POP 2 retains the user-friendly functionality of the original, borrowing the same dual handheld and stationary modes, while also upping the scan speed to 10 FPS to improve for better point cloud stitching and improved color accuracy thanks to synchronization between the camera and to a high-resolution global RGB exposure sensor.

Like the POP, you can pay a little extra for the premium package and get yourself a useful turntable to make stationary objects even more straightforward.

As for who’ll get the most out of the Revopoint POP 2, the more advanced set of features and scan quality makes it an excellent option for DIY makers who want to level up their 3D scanning. The Revopoint POP 2 should also suit small businesses looking for an affordable and compact scanner to prototype or develop products.

Read the full review: Revopoint POP 2 review

Revopoint MINI

• Price: Check latest price at Revopoint here
• Precision: 0.02 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 10 x 10 x 10 mm
• Single Capture Range: 64 x 118 mm
• Working Distance: 100 – 200 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.05 mm

The most recent of the Revopoint scanners, the Revopoint MINI shifts focus to the capture of smaller objects with intricate details for professional applications. The price follows these aims, and the Revopoint MINI is the most expensive scanner from the company yet.

That jump in prices comes with some major benefits over the POP duo. A precision of 0.05 mm combined with a 0.02 mm point cloud distance allows the MINI to scan much smaller objects with higher accuracy. The minimum scan distance shrinks accordingly to 10 x 10 x 10 mm, as does the single capture range to 64 x 118 mm.

Elsewhere, the MINI pivots to high-resolution structured blue light technology, which helps mitigate ambient light distorting scans. The dual handheld/stationary modes make a return, as does the 10 FPS scan speed from the Revopoint POP scanners. The premium package also comes with a turntable to simplify scanning small objects and speed up workflow.

With such a focus on delivering high-quality scans of small objects, the Revopoint MINI is best viewed as a portable industrial-grade scanner ideal for applications such as jewelry design, reverse engineering, industrial part design, 3D measurements, quality control, artifact archiving, coin archiving, and healthcare applications like medical analysis and data gathering.

Revopoint POP vs POP 2 vs MINI Head-to-Head Comparison

Precision and Accuracy

The Revopoint POP offers a precision of 0.03 mm coupled with a point cloud distance of 0.2 mm. The Revopoint POP 2 features precision up to 0.05 mm alongside a 0.15 mm point cloud distance. The Revopoint MINI’s precision hit 0.02 mm, while the point cloud distance is 0.05 mm.

Numbers are great, but let’s translate what each one does best. The Revopoint POP and POP 2 are all about versatility with the ability to scan small to medium-sized objects, with the POP 2 taking the lead for overall accuracy and face/body modeling. On the other hand, the Revopoint MINI’s specifications make it suitable for capturing small objects with higher accuracy.

Cameras

The Revopoint POP leans on dual camera infrared structured light to produce scans. The camera setup consists of a Class 1 laser projector, two infrared sensors, and an RGB sensor.

The Revopoint POP 2 features two IR sensors, a Class 1 laser projector, and a high-resolution RGB sensor to deliver dual camera infrared structured light scanning.

The Revopoint MINI employs dual camera blue structured light technology consisting of two IR sensors, a Class 1 blue light projector, and an RGB sensor.

The underlying technology is identical on all three devices, though the MINI opts for a blue light projector for its ability to resist ambient light. It’s also eye and skin safe.

Color Scanning

All three Revopoint scanners offer color scanning through high-precision color texture capture, but the Revopoint POP 2 pushes the envelope a little further than its siblings with improved color accuracy.

It features a high-resolution global RGB exposure sensor that synchronizes with the depth data captured by the IR camera to match the real-world color details of an object. The algorithm also works to align scan images based on color as well as markers and features to improve object color fidelity further.

Scan Speed

• Revopoint POP: 8 FPS
• Revopoint POP 2: 10 FPS
• Revopoint MINI: 10 FPS

The Revopoint POP can scan up to a speed of 8 frames per second, while both the Revopoint POP 2 and MINI boost this to 10 frames per second. The difference is more or less marginal. You may see slightly shorter scan times on larger objects, but on small to medium objects, expect to carve off a few seconds here and there.

The difference is too small to select one or the other as unconditionally better than the other, but if you want a slightly faster scanning, opt for the Revopoint POP 2 or MINI.

Scan Modes

The Revopoint POP offers handheld scanning, stationary scanning (tripod included), and human scanning modes, all of which work both indoors or outdoors, with the best results obtained by avoiding direct sunlight, ideally one hour before sunset.

The Revopoint POP 2 includes handheld, stationary (tripod included), features, markers, body, face, dark/hair, and head scanning modes. It isn’t as well-suited for outdoor scanning as the original Revopoint POP because direct sunlight can interfere with the scanning process. Revopoint suggests using a cover to avoid intense light interference.

Lastly, the Revopoint MINI can be used both handheld and in stationary mode mounted on a provided dual-axis stationary scanner with a 30° pitch. The turntable is considerably better than on the POP devices, which helps reduce incomplete scan data and stitching issues by offering a more thorough capture of an object.

Handheld and stationary modes are available on all three, so there is no difference other than the MINI’s improved turntable. The utility of extra, more granular scanning modes, such as face and hair, depends on your needs. If you’ll make use of these, then the Revopoint POP 2 outclasses its sibling for versatility.

Software and File Compatibility

The Revopoint MINI ships with a trio of software applications. First, Revo scan, the application used for the scanning. Then, Revo studio, a professional-grade model editing program, perfect for more advanced applications. Lastly, Revo Calibration is designed to make calibrating the scanner simple and straightforward. As for file formats, the Revopoint exports to PLY, OBJ, and STL.

The Revopoint POP 2 comes with the Revo Scan scanning program and Revo Studio modeling program. Output formats are PLY, OBJ, and STL.

Lastly, the Revopoint POP ships exclusively with Revopoint’s scanning app, which is more than sufficient for hobbyists and small businesses. The familiar output formats of the more expensive Revopoint scanners return – PLY, OBJ, and STL.

Price

• Revopoint POP: $499 — Available here
• Revopoint POP 2: $699 — Available here
• Revopoint MINI: $769 — Available here

Considering that most commercial-grade 3D scanners cost anywhere from $1,500 upwards, the Revopoint line-up is well-priced across the board. Within the context of 3D scanners, all make a strong claim for affordability given the quality of the scans produced.

That said, there’s a sizable gap between the three. For makers, the Revopoint POP is likely the better option as it’s the lowest cost option of the three. The Revopoint POP 2 is well worth the extra $200 if you’ll make use of the added precision and improved colors.

Finally, at $769.00, the Revopoint MINI warrants its price tag, but only if you’ll make use of its ability to produce high-quality scans of small, intricate objects.

Revopoint POP vs POP 2 vs MINI – The Bottom Line

Due to their similarities and the fact they’re all three based on the same design and structured light technology, it’s challenging to select a clear winner. They are all three excellent choices suitable for a different set of users and applications.

The Revopoint POP is an excellent 3D scanner for makers and small businesses in need of an affordable, cost-effective scanner that’s compact, versatile, and can produce scans of objects both large and small.

The Revopoint POP 2 is a better option for more ambitious makers and businesses who need the added precision and color accuracy offered by its improved feature set. Think prototyping, product development, 3D modeling, and 3D design.

Finally, the Revopoint MINI shines brightest when scanning small, feature-rich objects. It produces superb scans, full of detail suitable for applications such as demanding quality control, measurements, reverse engineering, healthcare solutions, and archiving.

Read more: we also have an article comparing Revopoint vs Creality 3D scanners (featuring both company’s entire 3D scanner range)

Related posts:

• Best Cheap 3D Scanners
• Revopoint POP 2 Hands-On Review
• Best DIY 3D Scanners

Fast, efficient, and incredibly easy to use, they are arguably one of the most critical advancements in the industry in recent years.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking to level up your jewelry service with some bleeding-edge technological help. This guide will highlight a curated selection of the best jewelry 3D scanners currently available. 

We’ve covered a range of price points to suit both solo jewelers and larger setups with cash to throw around, but all these are strong picks regardless of their price tag.

Why 3D Scan Jewelry

Jewelers can obtain highly-accurate, quick, and relatively cheap digital models of existing jewelry pieces and gemstones thanks to a 3D scanner.

This digitization of jewelry has many benefits and uses for jewelers, chiefly replication, adjustments, design, and repairs, or to fast track the creation of high-resolution resin, silicone, or wax molds for traditional molding and casting.

Uses of 3D Scanning Jewelry

Replication/Duplication: Using a jewelry 3D scanner to create a digital model of an antique, custom, or heirloom piece allows a jeweler to quickly and easily create a duplicate.

This can be done both as insurance for precious items or to create a copy for customers to wear while the original remains under lock and key for safekeeping.

Repairs: An editable and modifiable 3D model of a broken piece of jewelry allows jewelers to create modified, custom molds to cast a replacement.

With a 3D model, jewelers can also quickly take stock of what needs repairing without dismantling the piece.

Design: 3D scanning opens new opportunities in the jewelry design phase. With the ability to scan objects from the world around them, jewelers can quickly and cheaply experiment and prototype 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 allows jewelers to pick up on discrepancies or faults and implement adjustments 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.

How Jewelry 3D Scanners Work

Jewelry 3D scanners employ structured light technology, much like traditional 3D scanners.

The scanner beams a light pattern, usually an LED, onto the object’s surface. A rotating turntable ensures the light hits the object from all angles.

A set of cameras record how the object distorts, deforms, and reflects the light, translating it into a 3D model matching the object’s dimensions and shape via software.

Aside from placing the object on the turntable and triggering the scan, the process is often completely automated.

Jewelers can then edit and modify that 3D model in design software such as a CAD suite for replication, repairs, 3D printing, wax/resin castable models, etc.

Best Jewelry 3D Scanners

Artec Micro

• Price: $29,000-$30,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Resolution: 0.029 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 90 × 60 × 60 mm
• Technology: Structured light

The Artec Micro is a professional, fully-automated desktop-sized 3D scanner with usability and precision at its core.

The Artec delivers pristine models up to 0.01 mm accuracy and a sharp, detailed 0.029 mm resolution with one simple click.

The Artec Micro comes housed in a single all-in-one semi-enclosed shell, fitted with a height-adjustable dual-axis turntable that both pitches and rotates to capture an object’s intricacies.

There are two dual-color cameras, and a blue LED light source capable of scanning in full color.

The Artec Micro has an automatic mode that chooses the optimum scanning path and frame count to keep both scan times and 3D model file sizes to a minimum.

Artec Studio, the software suite that comes with the Micro, offers useful functions such as real-time in-progress scan preview and easy model exporting to all the most popular CAD software.

Though the Artec Micro is suited to various applications, it hits its stride with jewelry thanks to the ability to take an intricate piece such as a brooch, ring, or single gemstone and create a high-precision digital equivalent in minutes.

From there, jewelers can tinker and modify the 3D model for repairs, replication, refitting, and more.

Medit Solutionix D700

• Price: $24,000-$25,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Resolution: 0.029 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 90 x 60 x 60 mm
• Technology: Structured light

Designed and manufactured by Medit, the Solutionix D700 is a professional-grade semi-enclosed 3D scanner particularly well suited to jewelry.

It specializes in the scanning of small objects with complex geometries.

The Medit Solutionix D700 excels at capturing the surface intricacies of a gemstone, fine details and all, at the high level of precision required by jewelry applications.

It does this thanks to a crisp 0.029 mm resolution allied to a 0.01 mm accuracy, powered by a duo of 6.4 MP cameras and a blue LED light source.

Like the Artec Micro, the Medit Solutionix D700 aims to deliver effortless scanning. Firing up a scan is as hands-off as it gets, requiring you to position the object on the turntable and click once to start scanning.

The scanner automates the rest of the process, scanning objects from multiple angles to create a complete triangle mesh with vivid color texture, exportable to CAD software.

Other notable features include automatic calibration, a scanning path generation tool, and active synchronization.

B9 Scan 350

• Price: $13,000-$15,000
• Accuracy: 0.015 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 90 x 80 x 55 mm
• Technology: Structured light

With the B9 Scan 350, B9 Creations are solely focused on providing a 3D scanner suited from the ground up for jewelry.

It’s a desktop-sized option that ships in a compact, fully-enclosed body designed to provide the perfect environment to capture every facet and angle of a piece in great detail.

On the technology side, the B9 Scan 350 combines a blue LED 100 ANSI-lumen structured light, dual 1.3 MP cameras, and a two-axis turntable for 360° scans.

The machine pushes a 0.015 mm accuracy – a bargain considering it costs nearly half the price of market-leading options like the Artec Micro.

It requires minimal setup and the bundled Leios 2 software works a treat, processing high-quality scans in minutes.

Whether you’re reproducing heirloom jewelry, scanning gemstones, or repairing, the B9 Scan 350 is a solid and relatively affordable choice.

Shining 3D AutoScan Sparkle

• Price: $13,000-$14,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 100 x 100 x 75 mm
• Technology: Structured light

Another scanner designed exclusively to capture the intricacies and detail of jewelry, the AutoScan Sparkle comes from Shining 3D, one of the leading brands of industry-grade handheld scanners.

With that know-how transferred to the AutoScan Sparkle, the company has created a compact desktop machine that, through a combination of AI scanning algorithms, one-click scanning, and powerful JewelScan software, makes easy work of creating digitized versions of even the most complex jewelry pieces.

The AutoScan Sparkle features a three-axis multi-angle scanning turntable, blue LED light source, dual 5.0 MP cameras, 0.01 mm metrology-grade accuracy, and, unusually for jewelry 3D scanners, an above-average 100 x 100 x 75 mm scannable area.

A sleek, compact design with a hinged front panel sees it meld seamlessly into any jewelry workshop or design studio.

Like the B9 Scan 350, the AutoScan Sparkle hits a price point that’s appealing to jewelers on a tight budget, especially considering you won’t find a three-axis turntable on those pricier alternatives.

Aurum LT

• Price: $17,000-$18,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Resolution: 0.086 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 110 x 95 mm
• Technology: Structured light

With a focus on capturing highly-detailed scans of small, complex objects such as jewelry, Open Technologies’ Aurum LT is another jewelry 3D scanner well worth adding to your shortlist.

It easily captures all the fine detail of even the most complex gemstones.

The Aurum LT boasts one of the largest scannable areas on the market, hitting a roomy 110 x 95 mm.

While not the best out there, the 0.086 mm resolution is sufficient for producing detail-rich scans of everything from bands to odd-shaped gemstones.

It also features a 360° turntable, two 2.62 MP cameras, one-click scan triggering, and the Open Technologies’ Optical RevEng software, which is stacked with mesh repair options, alignment profiles, and exportable formats for CAD editing.

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.

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

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.

Scantech 3D iReal 2E

• Price: $3,980 – Check here on iReal 3D
• Technology: Infrared VCSEL structured light
• Field of View: 580 x 550 mm
• Effective Scanning Distance: 280 – 1000 mm
• Accuracy: 0.1 mm
• Resolution: 0.2 mm
• Speed/Frame Rate: 1,500,000 points/s

Scantech 3D iReal 2E is a professional-grade color 3D scanner designed for human body scanning, as well as for scanning both medium and large-sized objects larger than 30cm. 

This ability to work without sticking markers is advantageous when scanning the human body and items with rich geometric/textural features (such as cultural relics, etc).

While using the iReal 2E, if you’re ever uncomfortable from the direct glare while having your body scanned, you can easily turn on the LED-OFF mode. This option uses invisible light and makes the scanning experience more user-friendly for the scanned person.

Adopting infrared structured light technology, the scanner’s adaptability is improved for scanning more materials under difficult conditions. Not only can it scan darker and more black materials, but also has better adaptability to the light environment to directly capture 3D scan data whether in a dark room or in the outdoors in sunlight.

Its large field of view and depth of field make the iReal 2E easy to use. Even if you haven’t used a 3D scanner before, you can get started with it quickly and easily.

Companies in the art and design, medical rehabilitation, cultural relics and archaeology, VR/AR, digital humans, and reverse engineering sectors have adopted the iReal 2E already. Overall, it’s a good mid-range handheld 3D scanner for low light conditions and with a wide field of view.

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.

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

It was accurate when scanning stationary objects like toys, household appliances and other parts, and we also used it to scan parts to 3D print, and to scan faces (but read on for our tips for face scanning!). Our calibration test confirmed the accuracy of 0.07mm, so it’s great for the price – but still, don’t expect industrial-level quality.

For more beginner hobbyist makers who want to scan things to 3D print, you’ll have no problem setting it up and starting your 3D scanning adventure in just 5-10 minutes.

However, the software needs tweaking and improving. Some of the English doesn’t read completely intuitively in the software, and it could generally be improved and optimized.

For example, if you want to export an STL file, if you select where you want to export it to, but press the enter button on your keyboard instead of the “ok” button on the menu, it doesn’t export, but exits out of the export process as if you had. (This happened on Mac, I don’t know if this is also a Windows problem.)

But overall, while the software is just adequate, the Revopoint POP 2 hardware offers great quality for the price, and more than makes up for it.

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Setup

We received the Revopoint POP 2 Premium Edition, which comes in a flattering grey case containing the neatly-packed 3D scanner, turntable, and various accessories.

While the Revopoint POP 2 comes mostly pre-assembled, there is a short 5 minute assembly process to get the scanner up and running.

If you’re connecting it to your computer or laptop, there are cables for both Mac and Windows. We tested it using an M1 Macbook, and Revopoint package the POP 2 with a USB C cable, as well as a USB A 3.0, so you won’t have any trouble connecting or have to use an adaptor. However, the turntable cable only uses a default USB, so if you’re a Mac owner like us, you’ll need to pay a couple of bucks for an adaptor.

Once you’ve connected the cable via the Micro B 3.0 to the Revopoint 3D scanner, and then to your computer, load up RevoScan software. You can download it for free on Revopoint’s site. It automatically previews both the RGB camera and IR depth camera views, as well as the scanner data benign captured so you can adjust to the ideal scanning position.

THE REVIEW

Revopoint POP 2

Available at:

Revopoint 3D here

Revopoint POP 2 Review & Test

First Scan

Revopoint ship the POP 2 with a statue object to use as your first 3D scan. Resembling a Roman marble statue the likes of Michelangelo would have chipped away at, we first tried 3D scanning the statue to check the quality.

To create a scan quality comparison, we used just the standard turnstile without any markers, and without the black sheet to cover the background. 

Then move the object far enough away from the scanner that the distance is measured as “Excellent” and click New Scan.

If you’re in a rush, you can select Fast Scan – but be prepared to suffer a slight loss in quality. For the best results, go for High Accuracy Scan. You can also pick what type of object you’re scanning, for example to focus on faces, heads, bodies, or standard objects, and you can also opt for a color scan or a no color scan.

Simply have the turntable on and turning, and start scanning (spacebar key is a shortcut) and you’ll start generating the point cloud.

When the model is scanned, simply stop the scan, name it and export it. You can choose between PLY, OBJ and STL file formats, but we chose STL to import into Cura and 3D print.

You can also turn the model on its side during the same scan to capture any difficult-to-scan areas, such as the top or within any overhangs. 

You can see the areas on the top of the head (there are other areas under the nose that also didn’t capture) missing because of the single scan position, and Revopoint’s RevoScan software will recognize and combine the two differently-located scans into one cohesive model automatically. 

The first scan was good – you can clearly make out the face and features, and the texture of the statue’s hair. This wasn’t a human face but a faux-marble statue, so the features were never as sharp to begin with – yet still, we wanted to sharpen up the scan by using the improved turnstile, background, and by optimizing our capture settings.

We switched from Feature mode to Marker mode – using the markers on the larger turntable (and adding many more on) to compare the quality with this mode.

We also used RevoScan’s intelligent detection features to combine two scans together: we scanned the model normally, paused then scan, put the model on its back, and then resumed scanning – it recognized the model and put the two viewpoints together.

We then 3D printed it using our Ender 3 S1 Pro:

Other Scans

We tried scanning multiple views of the same object, to then put them together in Revo Studio, Revopoint’s post-scan editing and optimizing suite. 

We tried a model of Latios, a Pokemon toy, scanning both the standard view, and with it upside down to capture the underneath.

Once we had captured these, we imported the two models into Revo Studio and merged the two together.

This gave us a fully filled-in model – and considering this is done automatically (you can tweak things manually if you’re technical, but we’d prefer to show you the automatic merge for newer hobbyists) it was accurate. There was a slight misalignment on the wings, but overall it recognized the areas and positions of the model well – and this can be fixed.

We also tried a few other objects, including another toy with some more precise insides, and a mug, to see how they captured.

For the toy (Firestorm from the original Robot Wars series) we set RevoScan to automatically fill any holes, so by the time we imported it into Revo Studio, it was a solid mesh. For the mug, we didn’t select this option, hence the model isn’t solid – the noise around the outside would have likely caused the shape to be distorted if we had selected this option. For the best results, use Marker Mode.

You do get occasional alignment problems, and there’s no going back once you’ve started a scan – you just have to cancel it and start again. Occasionally this leads to comical Frankenstein’s monsters scans – such as this three-handled mug that might have just reinvented haute couture design. 

These errors aren’t common though, and overall we found the Revopoint POP 2 to be very reliable and consistent.

Color 3D Scanning

You can also scan in color with the Revopoint POP 2, which we were very interested in trying out. We’d read online that you needed to select the fast scan option rather than high-quality scan mode to try this, so we chose that option – but it may be the case that you can use the high-quality option, we should have tried that (and will update this when we have!).

We first tried a 4×4 Rubik’s cube, to see how it would capture the bold and bright neon colors on the cube. Obviously, the cube surface and shape is easy to capture, but we were more focused on the actual colors, rather than torture testing the scanner on intricate shapes.

Strangely, it captured the black turnstile here, as well as the cube. So, in this case we would need to remove that black growth on the bottom of the cube in editing, a minor annoyance. You can select the clip plane option in the software to prevent this happening in your scans.

The yellows, oranges and greens were really bright and clear – I wasn’t expecting the colors to be captured so vividly. 

However, there wasn’t any black in this model, with black a notoriously difficult-to-capture color (bordering on impossible) as these sensors use light to capture the texture and whereabouts of an object. 

We then tried it on a toy model with black parts, a replica of a robot that competed on Robot Wars (the UK version of Battlebots), as well as on a shiny silver ring to see if it could capture both the intricate details on a small shiny object.

As expected, we couldn’t capture the black parts – but there are ways to get around this.

To make black surfaces show up, you need to spray them with a matting spray that coats them. It’s a similar story with shiny objects: you need a dulling spray to make them opaque to capture them.

These sprays are fairly cheap, but some things, such as human eyes, obviously can’t be sprayed, so you’ll have to make those changes in post-production, unfortunately.

Another issue was the shiny ring was too small: Revopoint say the minimum object size you can scan with the POP 2 is 20 x 20 x 20 mm, and perhaps the ring fell just below that.

But, clever tinkerers online have found workarounds for this by placing the small object on top of the larger object and scanning both, such as a white mug. Then you just remove the mug in post-processing.

Revopoint POP 2 Accuracy and Calibration

Much discussion has centered around how accurate these scanners actually are, and whether they’re as accurate as they say they are. The original Revopoint POP was advertised as accurate to 0.3mm, with this upgraded Revopoint POP 2 said to be accurate to within 0.1mm. 

So, we loaded up Revo Calibration, Revopoint’s software for re-calibrating your scanner as well as testing accuracy, and tested this. The results were an accuracy of 0.07mm – very impressive.

Face Scanning

A major part of desktop 3D scanning questions are around scanning bodies and faces, so this was something we will further update this article on in the future. We haven’t tried this as much as we would like – focusing instead on stationary objects. 

We will add more face scans we have more experience (we’re hesitant to make a judgment on how good it is for these without having really got to grips with it), but from our testing, we have one main tip: avoid using the auto fill in holes opinion in Revo Scan if you’re scanning faces.

Naturally, when scanning faces with other things around you (and the scanner sometimes loses its calibration with the face if you move it out of the optimal scan distance) you’ll pick up bits of noise. While these aren’t a problem and can easily be removed in post-processing, if you have autofill on, the software can sometimes create large growths on the side of your face from a tiny speck of noise.

This was one example: it was an accurate scan until a small bit of noise turned the scan into something you might want to sneak quietly around in The Last Of Us.

We suggest you take time to learn the distances well for scanning, which can take time to get used to if you’re brand new. 

However, the actual ability of the Revopoint POP 2 to pick up details on faces was actually very impressive – this scan distinguished accurately the small nasolabial folds and other features that I wasn’t expecting it to pick up on a human face.

This model above doesn’t capture how effective the low-cost 3D scanner actually was for scanning facial details – and we will update this when we have tried this out more.

General Tips and Tricks for the Best 3D Scanning Results with the Revopoint POP 2

• Make use of the various other accessories that come with the kit — The larger circular turnstile lets you place larger objects to 3D scan (the standard turntable isn’t big enough), and the kit comes with a number of black-and-white dotted pattern marker stickers that improve model precision and detection if using marker mode. Place a lot of these on your turntable, especially on smaller objects.
• We also recommend using the black sheet on any surface you use. If you’re using a workshop table, or even any other colored surface, you’ll probably be fine, but blacking out any background noise will deliver the best results.
• Tick the Clip Plane option to ignore the turntable in scans.
• Don’t use the fill holes option in RevoScan if you are scanning faces and have picked up any noise in your scan. It will add unwanted features to your scans.
• Press the software buttons when exporting files, don’t use shortcuts or the Enter key – it can trigger bugs.

THE REVIEW

Revopoint POP 2

Available at:

Revopoint 3D here

Software – RevoScan & RevoStudio

RevoScan

You can download all of Revopoint’s software tools for free from their website. The main tool, RevoScan, lets you start new scans, pick your settings, creates meshes (if exporting as an STL, not needed for OBJ and PLY), and lets you export your scans as either an STL, OBJ or PLY file for editing or 3D printing.

You get access to all the previews and data live with RevoScan: it’ll show you the grey-view picture from the depth sensors, the color data from the RGB camera, and the mesh cloud data picked up from the main scan (and any noise, if you aren’t doing it right).

You also get a live feed of your scan’s progress, so you can see if any alignment issues have occurred (you can’t undo this – you have to just cancel and restart the scan), and see how complete your point cloud looks, to choose when to finish the scan. You’re updated with the total number of frames captured, and the total number of points, as the scan goes on.

After a scan, RevoScan takes you to the next menu – the mesh. You can choose the level of mesh noise to remove, and the level of scan smoothing you want, if you choose manual mode – otherwise RevoScan will pick your settings for you. You also have the option of filling in any holes, which for some scans are useful, while others – such as when we tried scanning a face, and a small area of noise got into the scan, which when filling the holes created a zombie growth-like thing sticking out of the head!

We found scans mesh and finish in around a minute on average, though this will depends on your scan and the number of frames.

RevoScan can be buggy, such as the pressing enter rather than clicking the export button issue we mentioned in the intro. Some translations are off – Revopoint would benefit by paying to have the software translated properly to make it more intuitive and understandable. 

Alignment issues happened occasionally (such as in the three-handled mug we showed above – but maybe we’ve just accidentally re-invented modern appliance architecture) – however, when we better set up markers on the turntable, these happened far less. The Revopoint is a powerful and reliable entry-level 3D scanner – you just need to get the settings right and learn the intricacies.

RevoStudio

You used to have to post in a forum to get a license key (though the software is free), but now Revo Studio has come out of beta, you can directly download the software on their downloads page.

The software works decently as a 3D scan editing and optimizing tool for fixing and editing STL files (and PLY and OBJ). 

We tried the merge option to merge two scans together. We used a scan we did of a plastic Latios pokemon toy, scanning facing down, and facing up.

It’s worth noting that RevoScan will notice if you are scanning the same object positioned differently in some cases, such as the statue figure facing up, and on its back – but in some cases this doesn’t work, as we found out by trying to 3D scan the statue on its front and back, accidentally creating a two-headed Roman statue thing.

There are options for filling in holes (though RevoScan also has this option) as well as a variety of other features for improving your scans and removing anything extraneous from your final design.

Others found it buggy and reported it crashing often, but RevoStudio never crashed for us.

Revopoint POP 2 vs POP: the Differences and Upgrades

The main difference between the new POP 2, and the original Revopoint POP, is the significant improvement to accuracy. Whereas the original Revopoint POP shipped with an accuracy of 0.3mm, the POP overhauls this to an accuracy of up to 0.05mm – which we tested and confirmed to be at around 0.07mm.

The Revopoint POP 2 also now features two scanning options: Fast Scan for quicker scans, and High Accuracy Scan for patient makers who want top quality.

Improvements have also been made to the smoothness of scans via higher 10fps scans (vs 8fps on the original POP), and embedded 6Dof gyroscope for better shape, marker point and color feature cloud mapping and stitching.

Read more: Revopoint POP vs POP 2 vs MINI

THE REVIEW

Revopoint POP 2

Available at:

Revopoint 3D here

Specs

• Price: $699 – Available at Revopoint 3D store here
• Accuracy: up to 0.05mm (confirmed 0.07mm in our test)
• Camera setup: 2x IR sensors, projector, RGB sensor
• Technology: dual camera infrared structured light
• Scan options: Fast Scan or High Accuracy Scan
• Scan modes: Features, Markers, Body, Face, Dark/Hair, Head
• Color: both color and no color scan modes
• Exportable file formats: PLY, OBJ, STL
• Single capture range: 210 x 130 mm
• Min scan volume: 20 x 20 x 20 mm
• Scan speed: up to 10fps
• Alignment: via feature, market, and color
• Weight: 195g
• Scanner dimensions: 154.6 x 38.2 x 25.6 mm
• CPU: Dual-core ARM Cortex-A7
• Connection type: micro USB
• Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The best 3D scanners reviewed
• The best cheap 3D scanners
• DIY 3D scanners and 3D printable 3D scanners reviewed
• The best 3D scanner apps
• Revopoint Pop 2 vs Pop vs Mini compared
• Revopoint Pop 2 vs Creality Lizard and CR-Scan 01

Just as with their previous launches, the MINI has been hugely successful, raising $1 million in the first day.

We’ve tested and reviewed the Revopoint POP 2 at 3DSourced, and were impressed with the accuracy (we tested it to 0.07mm accuracy) for the $699 price tag – but the only issue we had was with scanning very small objects. We tried to scan a small ring with the POP 2, but both the shininess (you can use a matting spray to capture it better) and the small size meant the scanner struggled to pick it up.

The MINI seeks to fill that gap, with a focus on precision and small object details, with a minimum object size of just 10 x 10 x 10 mm. The single-frame precision is improved with the MINI compared with the POP 2, at up to 0.02mm.

Here’s an example of a ring scanned on the new Revopoint MINI:

Other differences include the change to a dual blue light camera typically seen in more industrial 3D scanners, versus the POP 2’s dual infrared structured light camera, and the MINI is a purely inside scanner. It’s specialized to be effective for:

• Scanning jewelry and jewelry design
• Dental modeling and scanning
• Reverse engineering of precise parts
• Industrial measurement
• Accurate scans for professional 3D printing and rapid prototyping

Revopoint’s Revo Scan software has been overhauled to support the MINI’s extra precision and power, so you can now set the minimum point pitch to 0.02 for the best details. This is still in Beta, however.

The Kickstarter has just gone live for backers to get limited discounts on their 3D scanners – with the campaign already hitting 2,000 backers raising over $1 million in just one day.

The Revopoint MINI weighs just 160g (even less than the 196g POP 2), offers a scanning speed of 10fps, and scans depth and color with great accuracy. A major plus we found with the POP 2 is how quickly you can set it up and get scanning, so it’s portable, easy to use, and offers professional-level precision at hobbyist prices.

Revopoint’s CEO discusses the MINI’s release here:

“At Revopoint, we have a long history of innovations in the field of optical scanners. Makers and hobbyists appreciate our scanners for their ease of use and high-quality results. With our latest product, the Revopoint MINI, our goal was to do something revolutionary – to utilize the power and precision of blue light scanning so that consumers can realize the high resolution and incredible detail of this technique for their 3D modeling projects. With an accuracy of 0.02mm, Revopoint MINI is capable of advanced applications such as reverse engineering, quality control, traceable 3D measurement, relic digitalization, and medical applications. Now, everyone has an affordable, portable, and reliable option for user-friendly optical scanning.”

The full comparison with the Revopoint POP 2 is available here:

Related articles:

• Revopoint POP 2 review
• Revopoint POP vs POP 2 vs MINI
• Best 3D scanners buyer’s guide

DIY projects, especially in an area where precision is key, have an unfairly slap-dash reputation. 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
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.
HE3D Open Source Ciclop DIY 3D Systems Scanner Kit for 3D Printer	Revopoint POP 2 3D High-Precision Scanner with 0.05mm Accuracy
4.1	5.0
$159.00	$719.00
Amazon here	Revopoint here
	Amazon here

Best DIY 3D Scanner Kit Under $200

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.

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

4.1

$159.00

Amazon here

Best 3D Scanner Under $1000

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.

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

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.

But first, let’s cover what to look for in a good homemade 3D scanner:

What Makes a Good DIY 3D Scanner?

• 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.

The Best 3D Printable 3D Scanner Kits

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.

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

BQ Ciclop

• Resolution: 0.3-0.5mm
• DIY 3D scanner technology: laser triangulation
• Price: around $150 — Available on Amazon worldwide here

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

$159.00

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.

05/25/2023 05:18 am GMT

Murobo Atlas — Great Raspberry Pi 3D Scanner

• Resolution: 0.25mm
• DIY 3D scanner technology: laser triangulation technology
• Price: $200-250 — Available on Amazon worldwide here

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: $119 – $159 (depending 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Revopoint POP / 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, we thought we’d slide in the Revopoint POP as a cheat option for those that want to save time and want largely better quality scans than you’d get with a homemade alternative.

It comes semi-assembled – you 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 – so you can get started in just 5 minutes!

The catch? At around $500, the Revopoint POP is considerably pricier than a DIY scanner. Still, it may be worth paying the premium for the convenience and reliability.

The Revopoint POP offers 0.3 mm accuracy (the POP 2 offers within 0.1 mm!) and 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 to each scan with face, body, feature, mark, and dark mode.

Read more: we tested and reviewed the Revopoint POP 2

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.

FAQs

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
• Structured light 3D scanning vs laser scanning
• 3D body scanners: a guide
• Industrial 3D scanners

But, you also don’t want to break the bank.

You don’t need a $20,000 professional piece of kit designed for precise prototypes and industry, you just want an easy-to-use, accurate and affordable 3D scanner you can use to scan your favorite miniatures and other fun designs, or even to scan you and your friends/family’s faces to 3D print them!

So, we’ve put together the absolute top picks for low-cost 3D scanners that still work great, from the lowest price range of $150 (though you have to build most of it yourself), to the $500-ish price range we recommend to get a good quality scanner – our Revopoint POP scanner is this price and we’re very happy with it – and also some more premium options for precise detail scanning.

What Makes a Good Cheap 3D Scanner?

• Price-performance ratio — offering bang for their buck
• Accuracy and resolution
• Versatility — are they portable, and can they be used both handheld and stationary?
• Ease of use — from simple setup, to software compatibility

BUDGET PICK

Revopoint POP

Has a grip for holding it to scan people/bodies, and turnstile and stationary object scanning

0.3mm accuracy and 8fps scanning

Available Revopoint here

MID-RANGE PICK

Matter & Form V2

Accurate 0.1mm scan quality

Powerful stationary scanner for intricate 25x18cm objects

Available At matterhackers here Amazon here

PREMIUM PICK

Shining 3D EinScan SE

“Cheapest professional-level 3D scanner”

Scans 70x70x70cm objects to 0.1mm scan accuracy and can rotate objects

Available AT Dynamism here Amazon here

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

Cheap 3D Scanners Under $500

Revopoint POP – Best Cheap 3D Scanner

• Price: around $500 — Available at Revopoint store here
• Resolution: 0.3 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 210 x 130 mm
• Technology: Structured light & infrared scanning
• Speed/Frame Rate: 8fps

The Revopoint POP is one of the best low-cost 3D scanners around, with a single frame accuracy of up to 0.3mm, and the versatility to be used portably to scan faces, bodies and animals, as well as a stationary scanner for sculptures, prototypes and other objects.

Weighing just 200g, it’s portable and light, and can easily fit into any backpack or transporting equipment you have.

Whether you use iOS or Android, MacOS or Windows, it’s compatible with your smartphone, tablet or laptop, and connects seamlessly via USB to scan and export — and can export in STL, OBJ or PLY file formats. It comes with cables to connect to PC or Mac, as well as a portable stick that connects to your smartphone for previewing your scans in handheld mode.

For scanning faces, the infrared sensors (similar to more expensive 3D scanners like the Einscan H) makes for a zero-glare solution that doesn’t hurt your eyes, and helps with scanning darker features (though dark hair will still be a problem). 

The entire kit includes a smartphone rig, mount and grip, LED light to support scanning, mini tripod, and a turntable for scanning stationary objects. Revopoint bundle the POP 3D scanner with their own software for editing and optimizing your scans, including multiple continuous splicing, making it a great all-around affordable 3D scanner workflow.

Read more: Revopoint POP 2 3D scanner review

BQ Ciclop — Great Cheap 3D Scanner Under $200

• Resolution: 0.5mm
• Price: around $150 — Available on Amazon here
• Scan time: 2-8 mins
• Maximum scan volume: 200 x 200 x 205 mm

Most 3D printing experts will know of BQ’s 3D printer range. In addition to their printers, BQ also designed the Ciclop, an affordable 3D scanner that’s completely open-source. You can either build it yourself at home if you prefer a DIY project, or buy it pre-assembled online.

This nifty budget 3D scanner has a good scanning volume — up to 250 x 205 mm — so it’s no slouch for the price. 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.

Overall, the BQ Ciclop is a plucky, low-cost 3D scanner that’s great for new makers looking to get 3D scanning. One drawback is that it isn’t the easiest 3D scanner to assemble, so less experienced DIY-ers may opt to buy it pre-assembled online.

XYZprinting Handheld 2.0

• Price – Check price on Amazon here
• Resolution: 0.2 mm – 1.5 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 100 x 100 x 200 cm
• Technology: Stereo imaging
• Speed/Frame Rate: 40 fps

Building on the success of its first low-cost 3D scanner, XYZ is back with the new XYZprinting 3D Scanner 2.0, promising, rather grandly, 3D scanning for a new frontier. Much of the focus here is on wiping out the reliability issues of the original while also increasing the resolution substantially.

Powered by an Intel RealSense module, the XYZprinting 3D Scanner 2.0 leans on portability, fast scanning, and greater detail as its chief attributes. It employs two cameras equipped with stereo imaging technology to measure the depth, shape, and size of objects.

Housed in a light and compact shell (itself designed to fit comfortably in the hand or clip onto a laptop or PC screen) weighing a feathery 382 g are some impressive specifications. It features full-color scanning at up to 1920 x 1080p at 40 FPS and 640 x 480 at 30 FPS depth imaging. 

Resolution sits at a decent 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, far better than the original’s 1.0 to 2.5 mm. It has a 25-60 cm operating range and a scanning distance of 20-120 cm. Alongside it boasts a max scan size of 100 x 100 x 200 cm for quick scanning of relatively large objects or bodies.

Firing up the XYZprinting 3D Scanner 2.0 gives you three modes: one tuned to capture objects, one optimized for headshots and portraits, and the last designed for full-body scans. Scanning is the usual process of capturing an object from multiple angles. The scanner then creates a digital mesh model replica, exportable to STL, OBJ, PLY, and FBX file formats.

Overall, the XYZprinting Handheld 2.0 punches above its price point and is a sound investment for those that need an affordable 3D scanner. The only negative is that the scanner is tethered to a USB cable, which detracts a little from its overall portability as you’ll always need a computer to scan objects.

Low Cost 3D Scanners ($500+)

Revopoint POP 2 – Best Under $1000

• Price: $699 — Available at Revopoint Official store here
• Precision: 0.05 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 20 x 20 x 20 mm
• Single Capture Range: 210 x 130 mm
• Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.15 mm

We already feature the Revopoint POP on our affordable 3D scanner review, but the newer upgraded version, the POP 2, improves in almost every area.

It’s one of the best, if not the best 3D scanner under a thousand dollars, and works superbly for stationary scanning (it comes with a movable turntable to scan all sides), handheld scanning of objects, faces, bodies and more, as well as accurate color scanning.

If budget is important, then the standard POP is fine. But, if you want that extra quality, the POP 2 offers up to 0.05mm precision (vs 0.3mm for the POP), a faster 10fps scan speed (vs 8fps on the POP), and it can scan smaller parts, starting at 20mm³ vs the original POP’s 30mm³.

It scanned color images well when we tested it on some kids toys and a multi-color Rubik’s cube, and scanned faces accurately (but don’t select the “fill holes” setting as it will create deformed faces by creating a mesh cloud that includes background noise).

Overall, it’s probably the best cheap 3D scanners around – standard scanning, face scanning, color, or entire body scanning, it’s good for all uses.

Read the full review: Revopoint POP 2 hands-on test and review

Compare: Revopoint POP vs POP 2 and MINI

Sol 3D scanner — Low cost laser scanner

• Price: $799 — Available on Amazon here
• Resolution: up to 0.1 mm
• Scan volume: up to 170 x 170 mm
• Scan speed: 10 min in Turbo mode, 20 min normally

Costing under $1,000, the Sol 3D scanner is an affordable laser scanner capable of scanning small and medium-sized objects with strong accuracy. For small parts or objects, it has a specialized Near Mode option, and for larger objects, you can use Far Mode.

Specialized 3D scanning software comes with the Sol scanner, easily enabling you to export object scans in either STL or any other file formats, for either 3D printing in a 3D slicer, or importing into a 3D CAD software tool for editing and optimizing.

The scanner is positioned towards hobbyists as well as entrepreneurs looking to expand their product range presentation.

With Facebook now letting anyone upload 360-degree images of their products that customers and fans can view, it has never been more important to have 3D scans of your best-sellers, with the Sol perfectly suited for this.

Overall, it’s a great low cost 3D scanner for effective scanning of small and medium objects.

Matter & Form V2 3D Scanner

• Price: $749 — Available on Amazon worldwide here / Available on Matterhackers here
• Scan volume: 250 x 180 mm
• Accuracy: within 0.1 mm
• Scan speed: up to 65 seconds

Featuring very accurate scanning at up to 0.1mm due to its 2 lasers and HD-CMOS sensor, the Matter & Form V2 is up there as the most precise cheap 3D scanner under $1,000.

Like many of these desktop 3D scanners, the Matter & Form comes with its own 3D software tool for editing and transferring files, and comes with Mfstudio and Quickscan for fast 65-second scanning.

If you’re looking to 3D print your scans, you can seamlessly import them into your 3D printer software and either print remotely via WiFi, or slice and export to a USB or SD card.

The only thing that may rule it out for some people is its relatively small maximum scanning size. Because it sits stationary when scanning, it can only scan objects that fit on its scanning platform (up to 25cm tall and 18cm diameter), so those who plan on scanning people or larger objects will prefer a handheld scanner instead.

Apart from that, it’s a fantastic, very precise 3D scanner perfect for scanning intricate, small objects.

Shining 3D EinScan-SE — Best value 3D scanner

• Price: $1,199 — Available on Amazon worldwide here / Available on Dynamism Store here
• Scan accuracy: a single shot is within 0.1 mm
• Scan range: single scan – 200 x 150 mm / maximum scan range – 700 x 700 mm
• Scan speed: a single shot under 8 seconds

Proclaimed the “cheapest professional level 3D scanner” by Shining 3D, their EinScan SE model is their entry-level 3D scanner. Some of their other scanners, for example the Einscan Pro 2X can cost upwards of $7,000, though just because it’s their cheapest scanner doesn’t mean the EinScan SE isn’t impressive.

It can scan up to 70 x 70 x 70 cm, which should be enough for your printing needs unless you’re scanning entire cars, or people. Moreover, it’s accurate to 0.1mm so scan quality will absolutely not be a problem.

You can either have the object being scanned rotate, or do so yourself, the EinScan-SE supports a variety of options. Overall, it’s impressive for the price and a very strong 3D scanner.

iPhone With LiDAR Scanner

• Price: Check price on Amazon here
• Technology: LiDAR sensor
• Compatible Devices: iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPad Pro

You may already have one of the best cheap 3D scanners in your pocket right now – an iPhone. The latest additions to Apple’s iPhone lineup, namely the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro family, along with the iPad Pro, feature a LiDAR sensor integrated into the camera assembly.

Light Detection And Ranging, or in simple terms, 3D laser scanning, beams light onto an object and then measures the time it takes for the light to reach back to the sensor to capture the size, shape, and other characteristics. It does not just scan objects but also 3D spaces.

The sensor is chiefly equipped to boost the iPhone’s ability to capture crisp and clear images in less than ideal light conditions, but when paired with an appropriate app becomes a decent 3D scanner. The results aren’t quite on par with what you’d get with a dedicated 3D scanner, but they aren’t half bad for a device with a cheap LiDAR scanner you likely already own.

A growing number of apps make full use of the iPhone LiDAR sensor to scan and create 3D models, ready for export in various popular formats, which you can then edit in CAD software. Apps like Canvas, 3D Scanner, and Polycam are excellent starting points. Most are free, too, meaning you can 3D scan for no extra cost if you’re already the owner of one of the latest iPhones.

iReal 2E color 3D scanner

• Price: $3,980 – More info at Scantech store here
• Resolution: up to 0.2 mm
• Accuracy: up to 0.1 mm
• Weight: 850g

While not as cheap as some other options, Scantech’s iReal 2E is one of the most cost-effective professional handheld color 3D scanners on the market, capable of extraordinary accuracy and precise 3D object scans.

It’s specially designed for 3D scanning medium and large objects and human body scanning, equipped with four scanning modes: features, texture, markers, and mixed, giving you great flexibility for scanning different types of objects.

It features a large 580 x 550 mm field of view making it easy for beginners to operate, and a long 280 – 1000 mm scanning distance, ideal for larger items that lower-cost 3D scanners simply can’t manage.

Additionally, the iReal 2E color 3D scanner adopts infrared structured light technologies, with key advantages across invisible light scanning, environment/material adaptability (such as performing well on human hair, dark objects or under strong sunlight), and so many more.

Above all, if you are looking for a reasonably priced 3D scanner that can handle professional applications, this could be perfect for you.

It’s powerful and with the scanning modes and large field of view, it’s also very versatile. The iReal 2E is particularly useful for:

• Human body modeling — customization and re-creation of artistic portraits, film, video, game, VR, AR and other CG character modeling, medical rehabilitation, human body parts customization
• Art and design — medium and large-sized sculptures, cultural relics, college art training, clothing design, creative design, and derivative product development, etc
• Reverse engineering — castings, forgings, sanitary ware and other products with low precision requirements
• 3D printing

Shining 3D EinScan-SP

• Price: $2,599 — Available on Amazon worldwide here / Available on Dynamism Store here
• Scan range: single scan – 200 x 150 mm / max scan range – 1200mm³
• Accuracy: single-shot accuracy under 0.05 mm
• Speed: single shot speed of under 4 seconds

Having included the EinScan-SE, we had to also include its bigger brother, the EinScan-SP, as they’re both such standout 3D scanners. It’s not as cheap, and in fact, $2,500 is a lot of money, but compared to some industrial 3D scanners that can cost $50,000 plus, it’s comparatively inexpensive!

Whereas the EinScan-SE is accurate to 0.1mm, the SP is accurate to 0.05mm, an astonishing level of precision. This will result in clean, accurate and crisp 3D scans that can in turn be made into stunning 3D prints.

Additionally, it can scan larger objects, up to 120 x 120 x 120 cm, so unless you need to scan entire rooms or cars, you should definitely have enough space with the EinScan-SP.

What Makes A Good Cheap 3D Scanner – Buyer’s Guide

Portable

A handheld and portable cheap 3D scanner allows for more freedom of movement to capture scans of all shapes and sizes, even those located in hard-to-reach places. Better yet, a scanner that works in both stationary and handheld modes offers the best of both worlds. Furthermore, portability usually means lightweight, making scanning more manageable and less of a strain when capturing an object from multiple angles.

Resolution

Resolution determines the quality of the 3D model obtained after scanning an object. Around 1 mm to 2 mm is a good starting point, but go lower if possible; ideally, about 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm to give you the best possible results on a budget. You’ll find cheap 3D scanners like the Matter & Form V2 3D Scanner drop to as low as 0.1 mm, but these tend to carry a higher price tag.

Scan Volume

This determines the size of the maximum scannable area you can capture in one go. Lean towards cheap 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.

Ease of Use

Though the technology behind 3D scanners is relatively complex, the actual scanning process doesn’t have to be. Look for scanners with one-touch scanning, multiple optimized modes, and user-friendly accompanying software.

Export File Formats

A good cheap 3D scanner needs to offer the ability to export scans to file formats that will be useful to you and compatible with CAD software. STL, OBJ, and PLY are generally available on most budget 3D scanners but check beforehand if you need a less standard format.

FAQ

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)

Sometimes called 3D laser scanners, 3D model scanners or 3D object scanners, 3D scanners are integral for custom 3D printing and other fun home 3D scanner uses, for saving historical artifacts as digital models, dentistry – and so much more.

What’s more, you can now pick up powerful low-cost 3D scanners for just a few hundred dollars, and if you’re content with low-quality basic scans, you can even use your phone!

BUDGET PICK

Revopoint POP 2

Versatile and portable with handheld & stationary options and color scanning

Up to 0.05mm accuracy on a small scanner that costs under $1000

Available At revopoint here Amazon here

MID-RANGE PICK

Matter & Form V2

Accurate 0.1mm scans

Powerful stationary scanner for 25x18cm objects

Comes with specialized software

Available At matterhackers here amazon here

PREMIUM PICK

Shining 3D EinScan H

0.05mm scan accuracy and 0.25mm resolution with 1.2 million points/s

Infrared scan sensors make scanning darker colors easier

Available At Dynamism here

To rank the best 3D scanners, we considered:

• Accuracy and resolution
• Scan area (benefiting handheld scanners that can scan larger areas)
• Scan speed
• Ease of use
• Price-performance ratio
• Versatility

We also separated our 3D scanner reviews into three main price categories:

• 3D scanners under $1000
• Mid-range 3D scanners ($1,000 to $10,000)
• Industrial 3D scanners ($10,000+)

The Best 3D Scanners for All Prices Ranges

But before we get into the best scanners, here’s a quick intro to how 3D scanners work:

How Does a 3D scanner Work?

3D scanners work by creating point clouds based on images taken of a solid surface or object — basically huge numbers of data points that denote where an object is — to create a 3D model of the scanned part. Millions of individual data points make up the model, which you can then export as an STL, OBJ or other file type and import to CAD software, or 3D print via a slicer.

3D scanning includes several different technologies, such as Structured Light scanning and Laser Triangulation, while some are stationary and some are handheld.

The Best 3D Scanners 2022: Budget Picks

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Revopoint POP 2

• Price: $699 — Available at Revopoint Official store here
• Precision: 0.05 mm
• Scan Speed: 10 FPS
• Minimum Scan Volume: 20 x 20 x 20 mm
• Single Capture Range: 210 x 130 mm
• Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm
• Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0.15 mm

We were extremely impressed with the Revopoint POP 2 when we tested it recently, and overall we feel it’s the most versatile and powerful 3D scanner under $1,000. While there are some great stationary scanners like the Matter and Form V2, the Revopoint’s usability for turnstile stationary scanning, color scanning, as well as handheld scanning for faces and bodies makes it the ideal multi-use 3D scanner.

The POP 2 notably upgrades on the original POP, with precision increased from around 0.3mm to up to 0.05mm (our tests found it to be in the 0.07mm range, which is still very impressive), a slightly faster scan speed of 10fps vs 8, and a slightly smaller minimum scan volume of 20mm³ vs the original POP’s 30mm³.

It scanned color images well when we tested it on some kids toys and a multi-color Rubik’s cube, and scanned faces accurately (but you need to change some settings around to prevent any noise distorting your scanned faces).

Overall, we highly recommend it as one of the best scanners in its price range – standard scanning, face scanning, color, or entire body scanning, it’s good for all uses.

Compare the scanners: Revopoint POP vs POP 2

Creality CR-Scan 01

• Price: $650-$700 — Available at Creality Official store here / 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

With a cemented reputation for offering some of the best budget 3D printers on the market today, Creality aims to do very much the same with the affordable Creality CR-Scan 01 3D scanner. It employs structured light technology to feel out the shape, size, and texture of a 3D object to generate a digital reproduction.

Creality has fitted the CR-Scan 01 with both a handheld mode and a stationary turntable mode, each with their own set of advantages:

• In handheld mode, the scanner quickly works through larger objects, offering flexibility and on-the-fly capture.
• Switch to turntable mode, and the tripod-mounted Creality CR-Scan 01 creates an automated, higher-accuracy 360° scan as the object rotates on the turntable.

Both modes offer accuracy of 0.1 mm, a resolution of 0.5 mm, 24-bit high-fidelity color mapping, and marker-free scanning thanks to a clever alignment algorithm.

The Creality CR-Scan 01 also makes smart adjustments based on light levels, making it suitable for low-light environments. These are all excellent features for the asking price and sufficient for most hobbyist scanning needs, although somewhat lacking for high-precision scanning.

However, where the Creality CR-Scan 01 shines is a distance of 400-900 mm, which outclasses most budget 3D scanners, with a scanning area of 536 x 378 mm. In practice, you can scan medium to large objects further away with a larger frame size, which speeds up the scanning process considerably.

Finally, the bundled Creality’s CR Studio is a robust post-processing suite with all manner of editing, repair, color, and smoothing tools to polish off digital scans ready for 3D printing or other applications. It’s a solid competitor to the Revopoint scanners.

SOL 3D Scanner by Scan Dimension — Perfect desktop 3D scanner

• 3D scanner price: $699 — Available on 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, as well as a home 3D scanner for hobbyists.

BQ Ciclop — Home-made 3D scanner for technical makers

• Price: Depends if buying or DIY — Available on Amazon here
• Resolution: 0.5 mm
• Scan time: 2-8 mins
• Maximum scan volume: 200 x 200 x 205 mm
• 3D scanning technology: Laser Triangulation

Unlike many scanners, this DIY 3D scanner is open source, with all the files hosted on Thingiverse for you to download and print. The Ciclop has proven popular, with tens of thousands of downloads on Thingiverse alone.

BQ provides all of the information, software, and electronics for this 3D scanner kit which you can modify for yourself on their website, and other variations have been brought to market offering tweaks and improvements on the opensource design, such as CowTech’s version.

Read more: the other variations of Ciclop feature in our DIY 3D scanners review

The BQ Ciclop 3D scanner uses laser triangulation technology, and can scan objects in a few minutes. Moreover, the simple and well-written instructions allow anyone, no matter their skill level, to build the scanner in under an hour. BQ host downloads for all the drivers for the camera and firmware that you need, and developed a specialized 3D scanner app called Horus for scanning on your Ciclop.

It’s simple but effective. It’s made from ten 3D printed parts (download .STL files from Thingiverse), a threaded rod, a Logitech C270 webcam, two line lasers, and a turntable platform with a stepper motor, though you can edit and modify it as you wish.

The BQ Ciclop scans a volume of 250 x 205 mm and has a resolution of up to 0.5mm. It can be connected via USB or Bluetooth, making it a versatile and affordable low-cost 3D scanner for beginners.

Matter and Form V2 MFS1V2 — Portable 3D scanners under $1,000

• 3D scanner cost: $749 — Available on Amazon here / Available on Matterhackers here
• Scan volume: 250 x 180 mm
• Accuracy: within 0.1 mm
• Scan speed: up to 65 seconds

The Matter and Form V2 is an updated version of the original desktop 3D scanner made by the Canadian tech startup. This low-cost 3D scanner uses 2 lasers and an HD-CMOS sensor to produce high-resolution, full-color 3D scans.

The scanner has an accuracy of up to around 0.1mm, and is easily connectable to your computer through USB to transfer over your scans.

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 file and print them with your 3D printer.

The 3D scanner can scan objects in sizes up to 25 cm tall and 18 cm in diameter. It is compatible with every major OS, so Mac users needn’t worry. What we like most however is that it folds up, making it a perfect portable 3D scanner.

Medium Priced 3D Scanners: $1,000 to $10,000

Shining 3D EinScan SE — Best 3D scanner under $2000

• Price: $1,199 — Available on 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.

EinScan H

• Price: $5,000 — Available at Dynamism here
• Accuracy: 0.05 mm
• Resolution: 0.25 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 780 x 900 mm
• Technology: Hybrid structured light LED and infrared
• Speed/Frame Rate: 1,200,000 points/s, 20FPS

The EinScan H is a professional-grade handheld 3D scanner that combines speed, accurate reproduction, and ease of use with a particular emphasis on bringing usually tricky 3D objects to digital life.

The EinScan H combines two light sources – structured LED and invisible infrared – to cover a wide range of 3D objects, modes, and applications.

For example, the infrared light excels at capturing the detail and intricacies of darker colors, notably those of human hair and general facial scanning – with dark hair the bane of any experienced face 3D scanner.

An added benefit of the invisible light is more comfortable scanning for the subject and no on-face glare to complicate the scanning process.

Manufacturer Shining 3D has also gone to considerable lengths to merge impressive accuracy and resolution along with fast scanning speeds. The EinScan H pushes a resolution of 0.25 mm with accuracy as low as 0.05 mm, all at roughly 1,200,000 points/s at 20FPS.

The scanner also features authentic, full-color reproduction with solid texture mapping that translates to systematically excellent scan quality.

According to Shining 3D, it’s possible to scan an entire human body in fine detail in a matter of minutes. A generous 420 x 440 mm single capture range helps keep things speedy even when scanning large objects aided by an optimized alignment algorithm to keep scans crisp and precise.

Although priced at $5000, the EinScan H falls roughly in the affordable range and is a versatile tool suited for healthcare, art, forensic science, and other professional 3D modeling applications.

Scantech iReal 2E Color 3D Scanner — A complete 3D scanning solution

• Price: $3,980
• Scanning area: Up to 850 mm x 800 mm
• Accuracy: Up to 0.100 mm

iReal 2E is a professional handheld color 3D scanner manufactured by Scantech. The company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and selling intelligent visual inspection equipment and sells an entire range of 3D scanners for various applications and sectors.

The iReal 2E uses red VCSEL structured light technology to offer you a simple and safe 3D scanning experience, eliminating the issues of dazzling lights and difficulties in hair 3D scanning.

Without attaching markers, a quick and accurate texture and geometry scan can be achieved with a wide scanning area of 850 mm x 800 mm, 750 mm depth of field, 1.5 million measurements per second, and at 0.100 mm accuracy. Mixed alignment modes meet various scanning situations.

Shining 3D EinScan SP

• Price: $2,599 — Available on 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 second Shining 3D medium-range 3D scanner in our ranking, the EinScan SP is more accurate than the EinScan SE, with accuracy up to 0.05 mm rather than 0.1 mm, and scans single shots in half the time (4s vs 8s).

To save you time: double the price, double the accuracy — and half the scanning time.

The scanner uses white light scanning technologies to make very accurate scans of objects as small as 30 x 30 x 30 mm.

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

What’s more, despite its cheaper price, many buyers have reported that it can compete with scanners costing ten times as much for scan quality. It also comes with a tripod for stationary object 3D scanning.

Shining 3D EinScan-Pro 2X Plus — One of the best 3D scanners around

• Price: $5,999 (full industrial pack costs extra) — Available on Amazon here / Dynamism here
• Accuracy: up to 0.04mm in fixed scan turntable mode
• Volumetric accuracy: 0.3mm/m
• Speed: fixed scan single shot in under 0.5 seconds / up to 30fps with handheld use

The EinScan-Pro 2X Plus costs more than the EinScan SP and H, and can be used as a fixed or handheld 3D scanner to capture various-sized objects.

It uses white light 3D scanning technologies to increase accuracy and scan faster (sub 0.5-second single shot scans), creating high-quality scans in record time.

You can simply hold the scanner and point it towards the object or room you want to 3D scan, and instantly record crisp scans of your surroundings. Whereas lower-cost scanners limit you to desktop sizes, the Pro 2X Plus frees you to capture entire rooms.

You may want to 3D scan a car, your friend, or even turn it into a baby 3D scanner for a 3D memory of your child before it grows up!

You retain the accuracy however with the scan volume freedom, with accuracy up to 0.03mm for objects less than 4m away.

Industrial & Professional 3D Scanners: $10,000+

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

Creating new innovative solutions in 3D technology since 2007, Artec 3D is a global leader in handheld 3D scanners. Their most popular scanner, 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.

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 scanning, hyperfine scanning, 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.

Scantech KSCAN-Magic — industrial handheld 3D scanner

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

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.

Are 3D Scanners Worth It?

3D scanners are almost always worth the investment, but to decide which is best for you, you’ll need to consider your budget, needs, and priorities. Keep an eye on scan resolution quality and accuracy, scan speed, and price to find a 3D scanner that’s worth it for you.

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

Budget

Expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $200,000 for a 3D scanner. There are numerous options suited to all budgets dotted between those two extremes.

Entry-level hobby scanners suitable for 3D printing are available for less than $1,000, while more robust machines suited for light-professional scanning sell for around $5,000.

Should you want the cream of the crop scanners designed for the most-demanding industrial-level applications such as engineering, expect to pay more than $10,000.

Speed

When applied to 3D scanners, speed refers to the rate at which a machine captures or scans a 3D object. Consumers and most professional 3D scanners record speed in points per second or frames per second. The higher the count, the faster the scanner.

If you’re buying for a professional setting where productivity is critical, we recommend eyeing faster printers, which generally push points per second into the millions and frame rates around 20 FPS.

Resolution and Accuracy

Accuracy refers to how well the finished digital object matches its real-world counterpart. Accuracy pops up in specification sheets expressed in mm, which indicates to what degree the 3D scan sticks to the shape, size, features, etc., of the real-world object.

For a budget 3D scanner, 0.1-0.2 mm is a solid reference point, while much more expensive industry scanners can jump to as low as 0.009 mm on the most powerful devices.

Though similar to accuracy, the resolution refers to the smallest possible distance between points on a 3D scan. In layman’s terms, a higher resolution delivers finer details and more intricate, faithful features. You’ll find manufacturers refer to resolution in mm, a measure that balloons and shrinks based on the price of the 3D scanner.

Budget printers waver around 0.3-0.5 mm, while professional scanners can push resolutions as high as 0.1 mm.

Software and Connectivity

Connectivity refers to how a 3D scanner allows you to scan, export work, and interface with a PC or other device as well as the source of power. In most cases, USB is the standard, with some outliers offering Bluetooth.

If you’re looking for portability, consider handheld scanners that pair with Smartphones and power banks so you can quickly scan on the move.

Software tied to 3D scanners come in all shapes and sizes, from barebones scanning tools to advanced suites with all manner of post-processing touch-up options.

It goes without saying that software capabilities match the target audience of each scanner. Pay more for a professional scanner, and the software generally features a more robust set of tools.

Use Case

Entry-level 3D scanners are a good option for hobbyists looking to scan objects with 3D printing in mind. They are just about affordable and work well, although they lack the detail and speed of pricier models.

We recommend handheld 3D scanners for larger models. These grant a degree of freedom and movement to capture all the detail and breadth of bigger objects. A large scan area helps speed up scanning large objects, too.

For small fixed object scanning, where capturing all the rich details and texture of a model tops your list of requirements, look to stationary scanners, ideally with a turntable, tripod, and an optimized alignment algorithm.

3D Scanning to 3D Print

3D scanners are often used to create 3D printable models, with 3D scanner and 3D printer setups allowing you to replicate almost anything in front of you. Simply use the 3D scanning camera to create a digital model of your object, and then 3D print the scan.

Large objects can be scanned using handheld 3D scanners and moved around the object’s dimensions, and then sized down and 3D printed as a scale model. These 3D printer scanner combos offer almost limitless versatility.

3D Scanner Cost

Budget/entry-level

Thanks to efforts from companies like Creality and Revopoint, there’s a concerted effort to lower the cost of entry and boost accessibility to 3D scanners.

It’s now possible to buy a decent entry-level scanner for under $1,000, with ultra-budget options like the Phiz 3D scanner dropping as low as $400.

Even though the experience and features measure up to the price paid, budget 3D scanners offer everything needed to create decent quality scans suitable for hobbyist applications.

Read more: the top low-cost 3D scanners

Mid-range

Jumping up to the mid-range category, you’ll find 3D scanners priced anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. These are generally professional-grade machines with a range of tech, modes, and excellent scan quality, striking a balance between functionality and price.

Top-range/Industrial

The top-shelf 3D scanners. Expect to pay upwards of $10,000 for industrial-grade devices. These are very much no-compromise options boasting the peak in accuracy, resolution, and scan speeds for industry applications such as scientific measurements, reverse engineering, demanding 3D visualization, architecture, and rapid prototyping.

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 commonly used in handheld 3D scanners and involves projecting patterns of light at an object, with two cameras usually placed on either side of the projector to measure the light pattern from each side and calculate precise differences at every point in their field of view.

These cameras measure how the light deforms the light pattern, and by triangulating these multiple different reference points across different images of the scan from each camera view, you can accurately calculate the dimensions of the object.

As a result of its portability and accuracy, dental 3D scanners typically use structured light scanning to scan patients’ mouths and create dental implants and models. Beyond this however, architects and historians are using these types of 3D scanning to keep digital records of priceless historical monuments, and NASA even use it to map interplanetary terrains.

However, the use of projected light makes it very sensitive to the lighting conditions in the scanning environment, so working outside or in other similar environments can be difficult.

Laser triangulation

Laser scanning involves projecting a laser point on an object and then using sensors to capture the reflections to gather data on the object’s size. Based on the reflection angle from the laser’s sensors, the 3D scanner can create accurate textures and surfaces using trigonometric functions.

However, because it works off reflections it can be ineffective if scanning shiny or reflective surfaces, and won’t work well with anything transparent.

Structured light scanning is generally considered more accurate than laser scanning, with less noise in scans.

LiDAR 3D scanning and Time of Flight 3D scanning

Another form of 3D scanning, and the technology used in the latest iPhone 12 Pro, is LiDAR. Light Detection and Ranging involves shooting out light beams and calculating the object’s area — based on the speed of light — on the time taken to reflect back to the Lidar 3D scanner.

These are very similar to time-of-flight 3D scanners. These scanners shoot light pulses, calculating the time of flight for each pulse to create a 3D visualization — or point cloud. They’re commonly used to map terrains, measure real estate, and in architecture and construction.

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

As the name implies, 3D body scanners are specifically designed to capture a full 3D scan of human bodies.

Towering machines, usually priced in the tens of thousands of dollars, 3D body scanners provide a fast and accurate 3D body scan for various applications, including health, fitness, animation, and more.

Read more: our feature story on 3D body scanners.

3D Scanner FAQs

Are you looking for a reliable, professional 3D scanner to complement your design workflow but not sure where to start? We’re to help with a comprehensive guide to the best options on the market.

If you need a crash course in what 3D scanners can do, we’ll also cover the underpinning technologies, popular applications, and the top features to look out for. Let’s dive in.

What are Professional 3D Scanners?

Professional 3D scanners are pro-grade devices capable of capturing the dimensions, measurements, and features of a real-world object, space, or human in seconds to construct an equivalent, digital 3D model.

Professional 3D Scanners differ from consumer-grade scanners. They are designed to offer:

• Higher levels of accuracy
• Better resolutions
• Faster scan speeds

This makes them suitable for a range of demanding industrial applications and work environments.

Applications

Professional 3D scanners are employed in a wide variety of applications, the number growing as the technology becomes more affordable and propagates throughout more and more industries.

The best professional 3D scanners are the tools of choice for prototyping, reverse engineering, architectural and automotive restoration, heritage conservation, quality control in manufacturing, custom orthotics and implants, dental modeling, crime scene documentation, virtual reality, and game development.

Types of Professional 3D Scanners

Though all professional 3D scanners perform the same essential function of collecting data from a real-world object to create a 3D model, the technology changes depending on the device. Here’s a brief explanation of the most common types.

Laser Triangulation – Laser triangulation 3D scanners sweep a laser across the surface of an object. The scanner then measures how the laser’s trajectory deforms and reflects in relation to sensors mounted on the scanner to map the object’s measurements and shape.

Structured Light – Like laser triangulation, structured light 3D scanners project a light pattern onto an object. The scanner then analyzes deformations and reflections on the light pattern’s edges to measure an object’s size and shape based on the distance to scanner-mounted sensors.

Handheld vs Stationary – Handheld professional 3D scanners allow for more flexibility and portability, usually prized for scanning hard-to-reach places and larger objects while being easy to operate. Stationary professional 3D scanners suit smaller objects, employing a tripod and turntable setup to automate the scanning process for applications where highly-accurate and feature-rich scans are a must.

Best Professional 3D Scanners

Shining 3D EinScan SP – affordable professional 3D scanner

• 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

Affordability meets performance with yet another stellar offering from Shining 3D, one of the leading professional 3D scanner manufacturers. 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.

Einscan H/HX/Pro

• 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, Pro professional 3D scanners distinguish themselves from the competition as two-birds-one-stone industrial-grade handheld solutions.

They employ a hybrid technology featuring LED structured light and infrared technology to perform scans. In practice, the scanners are equally adept at capturing usually trickier surfaces and outdoor objects via infrared as blazing through scans thanks to the structured light scanning.

Depending on the model, accuracy wavers between 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm, both strong starting points for demanding applications like reverse engineering, quality control, and straight design work.

Thanks to a 0.25 mm resolution, they also perform well when capturing fine details and features of objects ranging from human faces, pieces of art, and intricate mechanical parts.

Peel 3D Peel 2

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

A point-and-shoot handheld professional 3D scanner from Canadian manufacturer Peel 3D, the Peel 2 excels in applications requiring accurate capture of medium to large objects, with a particular emphasis on the faithful replication of textures.

The scanner pushes a 0.1 mm accuracy and 0.5 mm resolution, ideal for human body scanning, 3D printing, design, reverse engineering, and automotive work. It doesn’t cost a fortune, either, and is touted as a complete solution with a refined workflow from scanning to software processing.

The Peel 3D Peel 2-S is also worth considering if you’re working with small objects and parts, thanks to an optimized field of view and increased 0.1 mm resolution capable of picking up finer details.

Polyga Compact S1

• Price: $6,000
• Accuracy: 0.35 mm
• Resolution: 0.07 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 115 x 100 mm
• Technology: Structured light
• Speed/Frame Rate: 2,000,000 points/s

Marketed as an entry-level stationary professional 3D scanner occupying that sweet spot between affordability and scan quality, the Polyga Compact S1 is an excellent option for dentistry, quality control, and general 3D modeling.

Put to the test, the Polyga Compact S1 produces a level of scan fidelity and quality that’s impressive for the price. It also has a stand-out 0.07 mm resolution, a specification that’s generally the first to suffer to keep costs down, but not here. The plug-and-play design means a simple setup and effortless scanning within minutes.

Polyga’s Compact range doesn’t end with the S1. With four other models, each suited to different part sizes and applications, check these out if the S1 doesn’t quite align with your needs. The large-format L6, for example, is designed to scan large objects, such as the human body and hefty automotive parts, at high resolutions.

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 geared to tackle even the most demanding applications.

It relies on a 0.040 mm accuracy and 0.1 resolution to reliably scan complex objects with various surface types. A versatile professional scanner, the Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 performs well regardless of the object size, something quite unusual in this market where manufacturers tend to focus on either small, detail-rich scan or larger ones.

With an $18,000-$20,000 price tag, the Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 doesn’t come cheap. Still, it remains one of the most accessible and usable options, with sleek usability and an ergonomic design conducive to heavy usage. It’s an ideal tool for engineering fields, product development, and manufacturing applications.

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

Within 3D scanner circles, Artec Eva’s reputation precedes it, best exemplified by its bestselling handheld Artec Eva professional 3D scanner, a powerful solution for applications focused on scanning medium-sized objects.

Quick and efficient, the Artec Eva delivers high-quality results thanks to a 0.1 mm accuracy and 0.2 mm resolution, throwing in full-color scanning and a lightweight design for easy, portable scanning.

Versatility is also a large part of what makes the Artec Eva such a popular pick. Applications include aerospace, orthopedics, industrial design, reverse engineering, archeology, CGI, prosthetics, plastic surgery, rapid prototyping, and custom aids.

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 professional 3D scanner, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1’s compact shape and low weight allow for scanning flexibility, even in tight areas or confined spaces.

Under the hood, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1 offers a resolution up to an impressive 0.037 mm, positioning it as one of the most competent 3D scanners on the market for complete surface detail scans. It fares best for smaller objects, something to keep in mind.

The powerful GOM Inspect Suite is also an impressive bonus, capable of refining 3D models and exporting them in all the most common formats.

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 professional 3D scanners can match. The eviXscan Optima+ M’s precision makes it a reliable tool for low tolerance reverse engineering, uncompromising 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 modeling. Lightweight and compact, the eviXscan Optima+ M is usable as a stationary scanner mounted on a tripod or paired with a robotic arm.

Best Professional 3D Scanners Buyer’s Guide – Things to Consider

Resolution and Accuracy

Resolution measures the detail and quality of a scan as measured by the gap between data points on a 3D model. For the most demanding applications, we recommend a resolution of 0.1 mm.

Accuracy is a little different in that it measures a professional scanner’s ability to replicate the precise measurements of a real-world object. For professional 3D scanners, 0.1 mm represents a bare minimum in our estimation, with the most advanced options offering accuracy as low as 0.009 mm.

Price

Thanks to a flurry of new options hitting the market in recent years, buying a reliable and accurate professional 3D scanner at a budget that aligns with your finances has never been easier. Depending on your needs, it’s entirely possible to pay under $2,000 for a good quality general use professional 3D scanner.

If you’re looking for the most advanced options boasting best-in-the-business accuracy, expect to pay north of $30,000.

Use Case

Finding the right 3D scanner can be quite tricky, but honing in on what you want to scan can slim down your shortlist. Consider the size of the scanned objects, your resolution/accuracy tolerances, and whether you need the convenience of a handheld professional 3D scanner or prefer the largely automated process of a stationary device.

Time For Your Project to Complete

When it comes to scanning speed, it’s worth considering whether you can take a slight downgrade in overall scan quality for a significant boost in scan speed. In other words, consider a scanner in relation to how quickly you need to complete a project. If time is on your side and you need high accuracy results, perhaps a slower but more precise option is better.

Best Professional 3D Scanners – FAQs

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
• 3D scanner software
• Best 3D scanner apps