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Electronics3D Scanning

What are the best handheld 3D scanners?

9

Options
Considered

57

User
Recs.

Dec 28, 2022

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

9 Options Considered

Best handheld 3D scanners	Price	Resolution at maximum scanning distance	File formats
-- EinScan-Pro	$5,399	0.1 mm	OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY
-- Artec Eva	$14,900	3 mm	OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB
-- Occipital Structure Sensor	$379	30.0 mm	OBJ, PLY, STL, VRML
-- iReal 2S Color 3D Scanner	Check it out	3 mm	OBJ, STL, PLY, ASC, SK
-- Fuel3D SCANIFY	$1,490	Not stated	STL, OBJ, PLY

EinScan-Pro

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Top Pro

Very light

The EinScan-Pro only weighs 0.8 kg (less than 2 lbs), allowing for an easy, smooth, and comfortable scanning process, even over long periods of time. See More

Top Con

Does not operate outside

As is the case for many optical scanners, the EinScan-Pro has difficulty dealing with very bright light. Scanning outside, during the day is difficult, if not impossible. See More

Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:0.1 mm

File formats:OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.05 m

Top Pro

Four modes can suit most scanning needs

The EinScan Pro has four modes (though two of them require an add-on), each matching a specific need. With no add-ons, the device can be used on the Handheld Rapid and HD Scan modes, which offer differing levels of accuracy and methods for stitching. With the industrial add-on pack, the EinScan-Pro can also detect color and texture, and the Automatic and Free Scan modes use a turntable for very fast, accurate scans of small objects. See More

Top Con

Does not scan color or texture by default

An additional module is required to enable the scanning of color and textures. See More

Top Pro

If enabled, free and automatic scans are incredibly fast

If one purchases the Industrial Add-on Pack, which adds a turntable and a tripod for $700, objects on the turntable can be scanned with uncanny speed: one or two 2 second scans can produce a very high-quality 3D model, even on a glossy surface: example See More

Top Con

Requires high-end hardware

EinScan recommends at least 2GB of dedicated video memory, 8GB of RAM, and an i5 processor or higher. While the processor requirements aren't too severe, the dedicated video memory minimum is quite high. However, when compared to the cost of the scanner, a computer like this may not be too much to ask. See More

Top Pro

Slick look

While not necessary to the functionality of the scanner, the EinScan-Pro has a nice, sharp look that goes well in any modern office or home. See More

Top Pro

Software can automatically stitch scans together

When multiple scans of an object are taken, to form the 3D model, there is often a step that requires the user to manually align scans to form the whole image. Some exceptions aside, the software used alongside the EinScan-Pro can do this automatically with surprising accuracy, making everything much easier. See More

Top Pro

Good cost-to-quality ratio

The EinScan-Pro boasts professional quality similar to the Artec Eva, at a third the price. While still costly for the basic tinkerer, this scanner is of sufficient quality to appeal to more advanced users. See More

Artec Eva

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Top Pro

Easy to handle

The Eva is comfortable to manipulate: the handle fits nicely on one's hand, and good weight distribution facilitates a steady scan, as long as the unit remains vertically aligned. See More

Top Con

No free software available

When you get this 3D scanner, make sure you set aside enough money to invest in software. All the available software options are quite expensive, including Artec Studio (an yearly license costs $400). See More

Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:3 mm

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.5 mm

File formats:OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB

Maximum scanning distance:1.0 m

Top Pro

Good field of view size

The field view of this scanner is 536 x 371 mm, meaning you can capture a scene with this size with just a single shot. See More

Top Con

Requires a powerful computer

The scanner itself is so powerful that a fairly high-end computer is required to process the data it outputs. An i5 processor or higher is required, as well as a whopping 12GB of RAM. Without a 1GB dedicated video card, you'll encounter many hangups during the scanning process. See More

Top Pro

Relatively quick scanning makes scanning living subjects easier

Even small movements can ruin a 3D scan when scanning a living subject. The Eva can scan a human face in about 20 seconds in ideal conditions, and extremities can take less than a minute, with only minor issues. Therefore, this scanner is very popular for full body scanning: in fact, it was used to create the first ever body scan of Barack Obama back in 2014. See More

Top Con

Annoying cables needed

The Eva requires a power cable and a USB cable to run. While both are long enough for simple use, they can be easily tangled, stepped on, or even scanned by mistake. Using the external Power Pack is a possible, albeit expensive, solution to this particular issue. See More

Top Pro

Very simple to set up

The initial setup procedure of this unit is surprisingly simple. After powering it up and connecting it to a computer, you just need to activate the scanner through the Artec Installation Center program on your computer. AIC can be installed together with Artec Studio or directly from the manufacturer’s website for free. After that, you can simply launch Artec Studio and begin scanning. See More

Top Con

Resolution levels decrease with distance

The further away from the object you go, the more the scan resolution deteriorates, which is normal for handheld scanner. At the maximum distance of scanning distance of 1.0 m, the resolution is only 3 mm. See More

Top Pro

It's possible to export directly to SolidWorks

A SolidWorks CAD plugin allows users to export newly scanned 3D objects directly to SolidWorks. However, this plugin is expensive, costing around $6,000. See More

Top Con

Very expensive

The Eva has a high price tag, it requires a fairly powerful laptop to function (due to the intense resources needed to process its scans), and the software that can be used with it is expensive. With a cost this high, many businesses may prefer to sacrifice portability and choose a high-end static device capable of achieving better results. See More

Top Pro

No object size limit

As a handheld scanner, there is theoretically no limit to scannable object size, as long as you can keep a distance between 0.4 m and 1.0 m from the object you are scanning. The Artec Eva can be successfully used to scan tiny LEGO figures, human bodies and entire minivans. See More

Top Con

The structured light sensor can be dangerous

The Artec Eva is a structured light scanner,, which projects a pattern of light onto the subject and measures distortions from multiple angles to compute the 3D surface of the model. This requires a powerful light source which can cause damage if shone directly into one's eyes. If 3D scanning a person's face, for instance, it's imperative their eyes remain closed. See More

Top Pro

Good price-performance ratio

For professionals that don't have a permanent studio set up or that need the versatility that a handheld scanner provides, the Artec Eva is a great option. The generated scans can be used for commercial-level endeavors, and easily dwarf the quality of scans of consumer-level devices. Though the price is high, the high quality can justify the price tag for high-end users. See More

Top Con

Poor selection of scanner accessories

Besides standard cables, there are barely any accessories provided by the manufacturer. The only ones available are battery packs and hard cases. For both items, the prices are only available upon request. See More

Top Pro

Can capture color and texture

The Artec Eva is capable of capturing surface features of target objects, such as color and texture details. See More

Top Pro

Impressive resolution

In terms of scan quality, this is one of the best handheld 3D scanners available. The maximum resolution of the unit is an impressive 0.5 mm at the minimum 0.4 m scanning distance. See More

Top Pro

Can scan traditionally difficult materials

Many 3D scanners have issues with reflective, dark, or low density materials. The Artec Eva is capable of scanning materials with these characteristics with good results, as shown in this review. See More

Top Pro

Can be used with Artec Studio, which is very helpful

This scanner can be used with the Artec Studio software, which is a very versatile tool. Amateurs can use this software in Autopilot mode, making the process as simple as answering a couple of simple questions about the object (shape/colour/texture) and letting the software do the rest on its own. Professionals, on the other hand, can use the “full toolbox” that allows them to manipulate and process the scanned data. These features make the software worth the hefty investment (a license costs $400 per year). There’s also a free 30-day trial version (containing all features) of this software. See More

Top Pro

Built-in light source for better scanning conditions

Because the Eva projects its own light on the target object, it tends to always get good scan results, even in less-than-favorable lighting conditions. That being said, extreme lighting conditions (such as very dim lighting or very bright background lights, such as sunlight) can still harm scan quality. See More

Top Pro

Can be used with Geomagic Design X

Geomagic Design X, a powerful software for reverse engineering and creating feature-based, editable solid models compatible with most CAD programs, is available to be used with the Artec Eva. It should be noted this powerful software costs even more than the scanner itself. See More

Top Pro

Certified accuracy

Every Artec Eva scanner comes with a certificate guaranteeing its accuracy. This certificate complies with VDI (Association of German Engineers) standards. See More

Top Pro

Good documentation available

The Artec Eva is well documented, with high quality manuals available for download from the manufacturer’s website. There are also plenty of YouTube tutorials on how to use the device. See More

Top Pro

Wide variety of output formats

The data gathered from this device can be used in almost every CAD application. The full list of supported formats is impressive: OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57 and XYZRGB. The scanned data can be used for purely geometric design operations (like editing and redesigning scanned shapes), as well as for applications involving shape, colour and texture of objects (art and design based applications). This array of file formats, which includes some that are proprietary or uncommonly used, avoids having to take annoying extra steps for converting files to the desired format. See More

Occipital Structure Sensor

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Top Pro

Dedicated app for creating room 3D models

Room Capture is another popular and freely available app for this device. It can be used to create a 3D model of an entire room. The process itself is very straightforward, just run the application and scan the room (the app will guide you through the scanning process). The program will take care of all scanning data, no prior expertise or external processing software is necessary. This feature is particularly useful for those in real estate. See More

Top Con

Scan resolution decreases dramatically with distance

As the distance from the target object increases, the scan quality drops dramatically. At the maximum distance of 3.5 m, the resolution drops to 30-35 mm, which is virtually unusable. See More

Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:30.0 mm

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.5 mm

File formats:OBJ, PLY, STL, VRML

Minimum scanning distance:0.4 m

Top Pro

No object size limit

Since this is a handheld device, theoretically there is no size limit for target objects, as long as the specified distance ranges are respected. See More

Top Con

Scanning software doesn't have many features

This device's scanning software, Structure, is very simple. Consequently, it doesn't as many features or extra options as some other scanning apps. See More

Top Pro

Decent resolution at close range

This iPad attachment has a maximum resolution of 0.5mm at 40 cm range, which is quite decent for scanning small objects at a close distance. See More

Top Con

Can't be used as a standalone device

Since this is not a standalone scanner, you’ll need to have a compatible iPad to use it. Alternatively, advanced users have the option to buy a bracketless sensor that can be attached to fixed installations, robots, iPhones or Android devices, but this requires considerable setup. There's also the option of using it with a desktop computer, but in this case the desktop software needs to be bought. See More

Top Pro

Extra export options, if using the Skanect software

If used with the paid Skanect software, scans be exported in the PLY, STL and VRML formats. It should be noted that Skanect is a desktop-based application, so it cannot be used with the iPad or other mobile devices and requires attaching the scanner to a computer. See More

Top Pro

Export format can be imported to virtually all CAD software

By default, the only export option is the OBJ format. This is enough for most cases, given that this file format can be imported into pretty much any modern CAD software. See More

Top Pro

Very affordable

This 3D scanner is quite affordable for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. Decent 3D scanning systems are hard to come by at the price the OSS costs and, while there are other, more affordable, tablet-attachable 3D scanning systems, this unit beats the competition in product quality and customer satisfaction. See More

Top Pro

Advanced desktop software available

This device also has a macOS/Windows desktop application called Skanect, which allows it to be used while connected to a computer. It extends the capabilities of the basic Structure Sensor, but the professional version of this software costs $129. See More

Top Pro

Free and easy-to-use official software

This 3D scanner's official software is available for free, which is great for hobbyists, considering that several other manufacturers sell their software licenses for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Setting everything up is quite simple, just plug in the device to your iPad and it will automatically install an app for sensor calibration (Calibrator) and an app for scanning (Structure). Both apps have simple and intuitive interfaces. See More

Fuel3D SCANIFY

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Top Pro

Scanning process is quick

It only takes a fraction of a second to capture a single scan. This is great for scanning in a dynamic environment. It also makes face scans hassle-free, since other SLS 3D scanners struggle to capture them, due to micro movements. See More

Top Con

The software is quite complicated to use

This scanner operates by combining stereoscopy (used to assess depth of an image) and photometry (used to measure brightness of light), which has the disadvantage of needing multiple scans of the same object to be arranged by the user. While not impossible to learn, you will need to take some time to read through technical documentation and watch the tutorial videos provided by Fuel3D. See More

Specs

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.35 mm

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:Not stated

File formats:STL, OBJ, PLY

Maximum scanning distance:0.45 m

Top Pro

Great scanning resolution

As a handheld 3D scanner, the 0.35mm scanning resolution gives out great results. It even beats more expensive scanners like the Artec Eva. See More

Top Con

You need to be close to the target object

The recommended distance between the scanner and the object is between 0.35 and 0.45 m, which is quite limited and as the secondary effect of limiting the maximum object dimensions. Scans made outside the specified range yields unusable data. See More

Top Con

You may end up having to pay for software

Even though there’s a free version of Fuel3D Studio, it’s very limited in features when compared to the Advanced version, which costs $190.00/month. For example, the free version only allows you to stitch up to six scans, while the Advanced version allows you to combine an unlimited amount of scans, resulting in higher resolutions and better overall scan quality. See More

Sense 3D Scanner

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Top Pro

Portable

The Sense's relatively small size makes it fairly easy to pack away safely and avoid any unfortunate mishaps in transit. It's easy to use in any place you can get a laptop set up. Barely over 7 inches at its longest dimension, it even fits snugly into most laptop bags. See More

Top Con

Difficult to create a proper scanning environment

Getting a solid, high-quality scan out of the device can require very specific criteria, such as dangling the target object from the ceiling, to fully separate it from background elements, or building a custom stabilizer. Otherwise, scans can suffer from stitching issues, undesired objects being scanned, or overall poor scan quality. See More

Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:Not stated

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:1 mm

File formats:WRL, STL, PLY, OBJ

Maximum scanning distance:1.6 m

Top Pro

Can scan relatively large objects

The maximum target object size is 2 meters, in all directions, which is a high limit. However, the scanner must stay between 0.2 m and 1.6m from the target. See More

Top Con

Can be difficult to aim

There's no simple way to ensure that the Sense is still on target while scanning, unless you can keep an eye on the computer screen. If that's too inconvenient, a possible solution is having two people manage the scan, but that creates a whole new set of issues. All this is aggravated by the USB cord his short (6 feet only). See More

Top Pro

Good scanning range

The Sense can scan objects that are as close as 0.2 m, up to those that are 1.6 m away, which is further away than some industrial-grade scanners. With a fairly wide field of view, even capturing an object as large as a person only takes a few minutes and won't require stitching multiple scans together. It should be noted, however, that scanning small objects will not wield good results with this scanner, due to its resolution specs. See More

Top Con

Has trouble with transparent and shiny objects

While reflective surfaces are a problem for many 3D scanners, this is particularly problematic for the Sense, as the its IR sensor can have difficulty resolving objects under unusual lighting, according to this review. See More

Top Pro

Good for casual use

Overall scan quality is in the lower mid-range, but this device easily serves the needs of the casual user who is simply tinkering or using scans for simple objects. See More

Top Con

Cannot be adapted for turntables

Keeping the scanner in a single position and rotating an object in front of it doesn't work with this scanner, since it relies on seeing changes on the environment surrounding the target to perform the scan. See More

Top Pro

Comes with free software

Besides its affordable price, the Sense comes with completely free software. There are also no “advanced” or “professional“ paid version upgrades, so you can use the program's full set of features for free. See More

Top Con

Very poor scanning resolution

This scanner's resolution is, at best, 1 mm. This can result in inaccurate and sparsely detailed scans, so make sure you can work with this kind of resolution on your 3D applications before purchasing this 3D scanner. See More

Top Pro

Light computer hardware requirements

Even though a computer is required to use this scanner, its hardware does not need to be high-end. An Intel Core i5 or equivalent will handle the processing, and 2GB of RAM are enough to keep things running smoothly. See More

Top Con

Cannot run unless connected to a computer

The Sense has no internal memory, and cannot be run without being connected to a computer, which makes on-the-fly scanning more difficult. See More

Top Pro

Affordable

If you want to start doing 3D scans without spending thousands of dollars, this might be an option for you, since this budget 3D scanner is quite affordable, costing even less than some accessories for professional 3D scanners. See More

Top Con

Has trouble in several lighting scenarios

The Sense uses an IR-based Structured Light system for scans, which is vulnerable to some issues: low light easily confuses the scanner, as well as uneven lighting. Bright lights in the background can often disrupt the scans entirely, and scanning in direct sunlight also renders the scanner almost unusable. The scanner works best in "studio" lighting: lots of indirect, diffused lighting will ensure high scan quality. See More

Top Pro

Exports to multiple formats

The Sense can export scans to several major formats (WRL, STL, PLY, OBJ), which makes saving and using scans in multiple frameworks much less of a hassle. See More

Top Pro

Captures color

This scanner is capable of capturing color features of target objects, which has several advantages, such as making visual review of scanned objects much simpler or facilitating use of those scans with 3D printers that allow for color printing. See More

KSCAN 3D scanner

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Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:0.050 mm

File formats:.stl, .ply, .obj, .igs, .stp, .wrl, .xyz, etc.

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.010 mm

Artec Space Spider

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Top Pro

Companion software is great

Artec Studio, the official software for this scanner, is versatile, user friendly, and very well documented. Every aspect of the software is described well on the official documentation. It’s also powerful and intuitive, making it quite worth the hefty price. See More

Top Con

Scanning distance is quite limited

In order to get maximum precision, you need to make sure the scanner stays within the 0.2 m - 0.3 m range distance from the target object. This 0.1 m margin is low for a handheld device and can be an issue, especially since it takes several minutes to complete a scan. See More

Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:0.15 mm

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.1 mm

File formats:OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB

Maximum scanning distance:0.3 m

Top Pro

Great scan resolution

The 0.1mm resolution is the best available for a handheld 3D scanner. This scanner combines the freedom and versatility of a handheld scanner with the accuracy of a stationary unit. See More

Top Con

Official software requires an extra investment

As with other Artec scanners, purchasing an Artec Studio annual license costs $400. See More

Top Con

Expensive

This device is quite expensive, making it a purely industrial product, as only medium or large companies are able to afford it. See More

Polyga H3

Specs

ACCURACY:up to 80 microns

FILE FORMATS:PLY, OBJ, STL, ASC, FBX, 3D3

SOFTWARE:FlexScan3D

SCANNING TECHNOLOGY:Structured-light, proprietary multi-imaging pattern for 3D capture

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