All3DP is the number one digital manufacturer magazine, providing professional and insightful content on 3D printing , 3D scanning , CAD, laser cutting/engraving , CNC , SBC, and more. They also frequently publish authoritative global product reviews. This article introduces their list of the best 3D scanners for 2024:
There is a wide variety of 3D scanners on the market, with different sizes and functions, and prices are constantly decreasing. This is certainly a good thing, but choosing the best model can be a hassle.
Whether you're looking for the perfect entry-level scanner for students or hobbyists, a more powerful machine with improved software and workflows for accurate scanning of artifacts, or an industrial-grade 3D scanner capable of quality control and reverse engineering, you'll find the right scanner for you in this article. Each product has earned its place due to its unique features, technology, price, or overall appeal! AII3DP testing covers a wide range of devices, from ultra-affordable consumer equipment to those suitable for small businesses (and even slightly beyond)!
Whether you want to get into the world of 3D scanning without breaking the bank, or you're looking to provide something more advanced for schools or creative endeavors , these 3D scanners have you covered. Most of the 3D scanners in this section are priced under $1,000, and despite the low price, you can get some impressive scanning capabilities from a selection of budget-friendly 3D scanners!
Budget Choice
Best 3D Scanners of 2024 Revopoint POP 3
Maximum accuracy0.05 mm
Structured lighttechnology
Working distance150 – 400 mm
Revopoint has quickly become the preferred choice for a range of low-cost scanning technologies. The Pop series forms the backbone of the company's product portfolio, including the latest (September 2023) and most technologically advanced model, the Pop 3 .
The standard package includes everything you need to scan in minutes. The only setup involves familiarizing yourself with the various operating modes and connecting the scanner to your desired configuration (connected to a PC, or via Wi-Fi). You can also skip the computer entirely and use the Pop 3 with the Revo Scan app; like Scan Ferret and its Creality Scan app, you're limited to 2,000 frames on your mobile device, which is sufficient for quick, rough scans of detailed objects or scenes.
Revopoint's Revo Scan software provides a pleasant project environment that allows you to seamlessly process scans, merge multiple scans, and achieve a complete post-processing workflow through noise and overlap removal, as well as other post-processing tools you may need.
Pop 3 can perform detailed processing and produce large point clouds, but despite the advantages brought by the hardware and software, there are some drawbacks. The most obvious is the device's sensitivity to "runaway" motion, where flat and essentially featureless parts of an object are interpreted as continuous movement, causing the scan to stretch to infinity on its own. You can easily use Undo (Ctrl+Z) to delete the latest frame of the scan and remove runaway frames.
Revopoint's plugin ecosystem can also be controlled via the app or Revo Scan software, providing you with a more comprehensive scanning workflow. AII3DP describes it as a near-mid-range scanner offering excellent overall performance, but some reviews point out that the POP3 could improve on areas like powdery and uneven color textures and difficulty tracking thin objects. However, in terms of value for money, it's the most affordable option with quality exceeding its price. If you have a larger budget and want to consider a higher-quality, more precise 3D scanner, check out the following professional and industrial models !
The latest Revopoint scanner is an ultra-mini version that fits in your pocket - Inspire
Despite launching the Pop 3 only last fall, Revopoint has already released two new color-capturing 3D scanners: the Inspire 3D scanner has just arrived at the All3DP test lab.
**Note: Revopoint products are only available in Taiwan.**
Best 3D Scanners of 2024 SHINING 3D EINSTAR
Einstar benefits from Shining 3D's long-standing expertise in 3D scanning technology.
Maximum accuracyof 0.1 mm
Structured lighttechnology
Working distance160 - 1400 mm
Priced at just under $1,000, Shining 3D ’s portable Einstar scanner is the most affordable in its product line, and it “shines” with its high-quality point cloud with 0.1 mm precision and full-color RGB camera.
According to the manufacturer, this device is the perfect tool for beginners and entry-level outdoor and indoor 3D scanning applications. With 14 frames per second, intelligent tracking performance, automatic alignment, and intelligent algorithms, the AII3DP delivers a fast and smooth scanning experience, further supported by simple yet powerful software. Andbecause it's based on projected light technology rather than lasers, it's eye-friendly and suitable for face and body scanning .
Like other lower-priced 3D scanners, lighting conditions and the objects being scanned significantly impact Einstar's performance. During testing, AII3DP testers initially found it somewhat elusive in terms of optimal range and lighting; however, with consistent adjustments, Einstar's quality shines. Under suitable conditions, its functionality and marker tracking outperform other products they tested . The hybrid tracking function is also very useful, helping you cover featureless objects where tracking markers isn't worth the effort.
The ExStar software that comes with Einstar is simple, but prone to glitches: information such as scan parameters, set once at the start of a job, can be forgotten as you complete the sequential labeling workflow. It's not always obvious which stage or operation you're in during the scanning process, and which tools are available and when to use them—this can be challenging for beginners. But when a scanner can help you quickly complete detailed, full-color scans, this frustration is arguably worthwhile.
It's worth noting that this software seems to consume a lot of memory and can even clog powerful systems; you'll need to do some serious calculations to handle it.
Miraco is Revopoint's first "standalone" 3D scanner that does not connect to a computer or smartphone.
Maximum accuracy0.05 mm
Structured lighttechnology
Working distance100 - 1000 mm
AII3DP staff had hands-on experience with Revopoint's latest handheld 3D scanner, the Revopoint Miraco , though it's priced around $1,400, more than $1,000.
Miraco, touted as Revopoint's first "standalone" 3D scanner, is unique in that it is a true closed circuit that can capture and process 3D scans from point to grid, texture, and clean without a computer or smartphone.
Miraco is powered by an 8-core 2.4 GHz processor and features a large, responsive touchscreen display for showing the ongoing scan and subsequent editing viewports, enabling a computer-free workflow. The user interface and tools you use are not significantly different from the experience of an Android app—Miraco runs a Revopointified version of Android , so this is understandable.
A set of cameras, including infrared and full-color cameras, is mounted on the front of the camera body, similar to a single-lens reflex camera, to capture the structure and texture of the scanned object. These cameras have dual functionality, providing "near" and "far" modes for close- and medium-range work.
It is Revopoint'smost well-roundedscanner to date, with a close-range mode that can scan objects as small as 10 millimeters in cubic size, and a long-range mode with a maximum scanning range of 4 meters in cubic size.
As a mobile device, Miraco is more powerful than other Revopoint scanners that pair with smartphones. On smartphones, no matter how powerful the phone, the processing capacity per scan is limited to 2,000 frames. The basic Miraco, however, can handle up to 5,000 geometric scans.
Portability is its advantage, but taking it outdoors for random scanning exposes a weakness in Miraco's scanning capture method: infrared structured light. The device projects infrared light patterns onto objects to map and record deformations. There is one infrared light source that completely overshadows Miraco's projection: the sun, whether directly or diffused through clouds. Even on cloudy days, Miraco cannot be taken outdoors.
In summary, Revopoint's Miraco is a relatively low-cost scanning hardware that significantly lowers the barrier to entry for device-centric 3D scanning , and with enough patience, it can produce satisfactory results in many situations.
Professional-grade 3D scanner
3D scanning is increasingly being used by law enforcement and is increasingly being accepted in court as evidence in accidents and crimes.
Museums use them to digitize their collections, medical professionals use them to create custom orthodontic devices, law enforcement agencies use them to analyze crime scenes, and professional-grade 3D scanners offer more powerful capabilities and accuracy than ever before.
The following products are designed for use in the workplace , offering reliable accuracy, automated workflows, and robust software, starting at $1,000.
Best 3D Scanners of 2024
SHINING 3D EinScan Pro HD
Maximum accuracy0.045 mm
Structured lighttechnology
Maximum working distance: 510 mm
Released in 2020, EinScan Pro HD was designed to improve the performance of handheld devices in capturing high resolution and high precision. In fact, Pro HD can achieve almost the same handheld or stationary scan quality .
Leveraging new light projection hardware and software algorithms, the Pro HD can scan a wider range of dark or black objects, as well as cast metal surfaces, enriching the capabilities of 3D material scanning. The Pro HD is ergonomically designed and lightweight, suitable for extended use. You can easily take the scanner anywhere, and its simple plug-and-play interface allows you to perform scans without complex installation.
Shining 3D 's ExScan Pro 3D scanning software features scanning and mesh editing tools to produce high-quality 3D models. Take the scanning process even further with Solid Edge Shining 3D Edition.
If you're looking for scannerssuitable for industrial applications , from reverse engineering, prototyping and VR to quality control, digital archiving, inspection and maintenance, these machines are perfectly capable and come equipped with exceptionally powerful software.
The following two 3D surround view scanners can be widely used in industries such as real estate, hotels, defense, manufacturing, and aerospace:
up to date
Best 3D Scanners of 2024
Leica BLK2GO
Portability and state-of-the-art LiDAR technology make this scanner stand out.
Maximum accuracy20 mm
TechnologyLighttech
Working distancenot applicable
Market price:$52,590 USD
AII3DP included the new Leica BLK2Go on this list, but it 's nota scanner for objects; rather, it's a scanner for spaces (like rooms) . However, they are very excited about the technology's potential application in handheld devices.
Beneath the hood of this sleek and lightweight scanner lies state-of-the-art LiDAR scanning and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology, along with a 12-megapixel camera and three 4.8-megapixel cameras. This scanner boasts a scanning range of 0.5 to 25 meters, scanning 420,000 points per second, with a 360° horizontal and 270° vertical scanning range, enabling mobile mapping of indoor and outdoor scenes.
Compared to fixed laser scanners like the Leica BLK360 that are mounted on a tripod, the BLK2GO's high mobility and significantly reduced operating speed result in a loss of accuracy, with an accuracy of ±10 mm in indoor spaces, making it unsuitable for complex and small objects.
This scanner is powered by the BLK2GO Live app for iOS and Android, allowing for real-time previews of 2D and 3D results during scanning. The BLK2GO costs an additional $405 and includes a shipping case, three batteries, a charger, a desktop stand, and a wrist strap. Considering the price of this machine, spending a few extra dollars on protective equipment seems like a wise decision.
BLK2GO is easy to use and is primarily targeted at professionals in traditional surveying companies. Other applications include architecture, facilities management, space planning, real estate, and even Hollywood film production.
3DMART Recommended 3D Scanners
Leica BLK360 G2
The BLK360 G2 boasts unprecedented scanning speeds, making your scans faster.
As the AII3DP report mentioned above points out,compared to fixed laser scannerslike the BLK360 that are mounted on a tripod, the Leica BLK2GO's high mobility and significantly reduced operating speed lead to a loss of accuracy, making it unsuitable for complex and small objects. Furthermore, a test report from the Czech International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Science (tested bythe Department of Surveying, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague)shows thatthe Leica BLK2GO's point cloud has some systematic errors, with an average error of approximately 2.5 cm; while the Leica BLK360 has a much lower average error. If you don't want to or find it inconvenient to handhold it, a fixed 3D scanner may be more suitable.
Introducing the Leica BLK360 G2 3D Surround View (Spatial) Scanner—a new addition to the BLK360 series. Building upon the award-winning technology of the BLK360 G1, the BLK360 G2 is optimized for faster data collection than ever before. Its integrated LiDAR sensor captures point clouds at 680,000 points per second and completes a spherical image scan in 20 seconds.
The Leica BLK360 laser 3D surround view scanner boasts a compact, handheld design and high precision, scanning 680,000 points per second with a scanning range of 0.5-45 meters and a 360° x 270° field of view. Compatible with iOS and Android devices and the CYCLONE FIELD 360 software, it allows for easy remote operation and is suitable for measuring various large 3D spaces. It can also share cloud storage with the Matterport 3D surround view scanner .
Click here to learn more about the Leica BLK360 G2!
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Portability and state-of-the-art LiDAR technology make this scanner stand out.