By Robin Owens 14 days ago, Scanners
The best 3D scanners available at an affordable prices.
The best 3D scanner comes in handy whenever you need to analyze the item in real life, its shape and appearance to achieve better 3D modeling results.
Aside from 3D modeling, top-grade 3D scanners are widely used in such spheres as industrial design, motion capture, prosthetics, etc. In fact, you can find a decent 3D scanner at a rather reasonable price.
An important thing you need to know is that an array of 3D printer scanners isn’t as vast as that of 3D printers. That’s why finding the best 3D scanner may be a troublesome task.
To simplify the process of searching for a 3D scanner, we have compiled this list of the 6 best models. Check it out and be sure that the scanner you pick will produce top-notch results!
Color: Black| Technical Specs: 3 d | Interface: USBI Item Weight: 3.77 pounds
⊕ Fast scanning (+Quickscan)
⊕ Ability to combine several scans
⊕ Saves scans in a number of handy formats
⊖ Scan quality may vary
With the V2 at your disposal, you will considerably boost your 3D printing experience. The model is compatible with all 3D printers and lets you scan, mesh and export your creations.
This accurate 3D scanner boasts up to 0.1mm precision of eye-safe red lasers. Besides, it provides support for Windows and macOS, as well as enables multiple export for 3D printing.
The scanner won’t occupy plenty of space on the desk with its foldable and minimalistic design. An in-built case guarantees the protection for the turntable and the camera. When not used, it is possible to just fold up the base.
Color: Black and gray| Technical Specs: 3 d | Interface: USB| Item Weight: 10 pounds
⊕ Reactive support from Shining 3D itself
⊕ Powerful ExScan Pro software
⊖ Meshing software may operate inaccurately sometimes
This professional 3D scanner offers 4 scanning modes with an array of optional accessories. The scanning mode defines the single-shot scan precision, which ranges from 0.04mm to 0.1mm. Other significant characteristics of the model are 1.5M points per second/30fps, the single scan range of 208 x 136 – 312 x 204 mm and a working distance of 5.1m.
EinScan Pro 2X Plus boasts enhanced software with modernized UI and upgraded operation mode. It enables setting the resolution option after scanning while the data is being processed in order to speed up the scanning process. You will find the following mesh editing capabilities: hole filling, smoothing and sharpening.
The export file formats supported by the scanner are sty, ob., ply, ask, 3MF and p3 (global markers file). To capture texture, the Color Pack option is required.
Color: Black and yellow| Technical Specs: 3 d | Interface: USB| Item Weight: 10 pounds
⊕ Remarkable scanning results
⊕ Community of users eager to share best practices
⊕ Reactive support from Shining 3D itself
⊖ Meshing software may operate inaccurately sometimes
The model is called the best 3D scanner since it manages to combine white-light technology and the laser triangulation. This contributes to the ability of the scanner to produce a resolution of 0.1 mm with a texture feature. The turntable is able to handle a maximum weight of 4.4 lbs (2 Kg).
The SOL 3D scanner is an inexpensive and intuitive device to help you transfer the real-life items to digital ones. It won’t be difficult to set up this scanner and its four pieces attachable with thumbscrews.
You will enjoy the automatic and speedy calibration, user-friendly software and the fact that you don’t have to manually mesh alignments. With the SOL 3D scanner, you can bring any idea to life, regardless of your area of expertise.
Color: Black| Technical Specs: 3 d | Interface: USB, Wi-Fi | Item Weight: 8.4 pounds
⊕ Nice price/quality ratio
⊕ Manufacturing quality
⊖ Primitive quality of generated textures
This 3D object scanner pleases users with enhanced functionality and the ability to produce precise data in no time. It excels at reversing design, animation, archiving, heritage preservation, CG & VR, etc.
The provided precision is 0.05 mm for a single scan. In case you aren’t a tech-savvy person and require a scanner for educational purposes or desktop 3D printing, you will enjoy using this model.
Color: Black| Technical Specs: 3 d | Interface: USB| Item Weight: 18.01 pounds
⊕ Portable
⊕ Qualitative
⊕ Up-to-date design
⊖ Speed is slow
This portable 3D scanner is notable for amazing speed, as well as improved structured light scanning technology. It is capturing the physical dimensions of an item, its every detail, and creates a digitized 360° 3D model with up to 0.05 mm resolution.
In no time, it is possible to capture individual scans and smoothly transfer them to 360° 3D models. The models will be compatible with widespread 3D CAD programs and file types (obj, stl, ply). With HP SLS Pro S3, you will effortlessly digitalize any real-life item. Thanks to the extra upgrades and optional accessories, the scanning process can be further sped up.
Color: Gray and red| Technical Specs: 3 d | Interface: USB| Item Weight: 13.6 ounces
⊕ Affordable
⊕ Suitable for novices
⊕ Decent scanning quality of big items
⊖ Wired connectivity only
Delivering the scanning result in real time, you will be able to see the full-color image simultaneously on the laptop screen during scanning. Thus, you can ensure that all the details are captured properly. This cheap 3D scanner boasts an operating range from 3.93 to 19.69 inches, a wide scanning object size of 2-78.74 inches, as well as a quality resolution of 640 x 480 at 30fps.
Due to the portable and lightweight design, you can bring the scanner with you anywhere you need it. You will be able to easily manipulate it around the item that requires scanning and forget about heavy, problematic equipment all along! The technical support is always eager to help you out in case you have any issues.
| Image | Name | Features | |
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Matter & Form Mfs1V2
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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EinScan Pro 2X Plus
Compact |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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SOL 3D Scanner
Modern |
CHECK PRICE → |
3D scanners have different coverage capabilities, meaning that the captured area may differ. The best 3D scanner is the one that fully meets your resolution and size needs. If you don’t require a large area, it is better not to go overboard since you have to pay more for greater coverage. Speaking of handheld 3D scanners, you can manually manipulate them around the item. Besides, such scanners aren’t as restricted in size as desktop ones.
The majority of cheap handheld scanners are capable of capturing both small items, like a ball, to larger ones, like an entire room. The range of top-grade handheld models is wider so they can scan any item that needs accurate measurement but is inappropriate for a desktop scanner in terms of size.
A handheld 3D scanner can scan the object right away. That’s why such scanners are often used to take human measurements (when the subject may be in slight motion) for ergonomics and medical purposes.
Even an inexpensive 3D scanner for 3D printer can offer decent efficiency for real-life tasks. In fact, only a number of cases require picture-perfect precision. Cheap models boast such benefits as scan size and speed, so pay attention to them when searching for a 3D scanner as well.
Inexpensive scanning systems come in three types: IR (infrared) depth-sensing cameras, photogrammetry and beginner desktop laser 3D scanners.
Such depth-sensing cameras as the Structure Sensor, Sense 3D Scanner and iPhone TrueDepth are projecting a field of dots in infrared to sample a 3D scene. These are quite user-friendly and the most affordable solutions out there.
However, their precision and resolution leave much to be desired, being larger than 1mm. Besides, they tend to skip tiny details. It is possible to scan big items with depth-scanning cameras, but the precision becomes worse as you get further away from the object and stand at steeper angles to the camera.
The price for 3D scanning may range from $100 to $1,000 or more. It all depends on the size and how complex the item for scanning is.
No, the scanners are totally safe, including the eyes.
The type of scanning defines the precision, which ranges from 1/8″ for building scanning and .0005″ for industrial ct scanning. The normal precision for an average item is approximately .005″.
It will not since 3D Laser scanning doesn’t come in contact with the item.
