What is the best handheld 3D scanner on the market?

There are hundreds of 3D scanners available on the market, from desktop 3D scanners to advanced 3D metrology systems. However, handheld 3D scanners have been gaining a lot of popularity over the past few years.

There are several key tendencies that may be behind this segment’s growth. Over the years, we’ve noticed that handheld 3D scanners and their software (which is often the most complex part of the process) are becoming much easier to use, with smoother workflows and improved design and ergonomics. New entrants – mostly from Asia– have driven prices down to overcome some of the market’s entry barriers, all while providing quality hardware and performance.

More generally speaking, handheld 3D scanners offer various benefits over other types of 3D scanners:

• Ability to access hard-to-reach places
• Relative ease of use
• Portability

Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of industries, including automobile, aerospace, engineering, and design, and some can even be used for 3D body scanning.

From affordable handheld 3D scanners to advanced, industrial-grade portable 3D scanners, the market caters to almost every need. Our goal is to showcase the best handheld 3D scanners currently available for professionals for under $30,000.

This buyer’s guide is based on a combination of our own experience, in-house 3D scanner reviews, and feedback from our partners.

Note: Not sure if handheld 3D scanning is the right fit for your use case? Take a step back and learn about other types of 3D capture solutions (metrology-grade solutions, jewelry 3D scanners, dental …) in our all-round 3D scanner buyer’s guide.

Our handheld 3D scanner selection this year (under $30K)

The table below recaps our selection of some of the best handheld 3D scanning options. The goal is to provide a quick, visual overview of the market; there are of course numerous other factors to take into account (certifications, software, customer service, …) to get the full picture for each solution and eventually make the right choice.

Overview of the best handheld 3D scanners under $30,000

In this section, we give some more context and information about each 3D scanner from our selection.

Portable 3D scanner buying guide

Before choosing a portable 3D scanner, it’s important to take certain elements into account.

Purpose: What do you need your 3D scanner for?

Today’s handheld 3D scanners are very versatile and can be used for multiple use cases in various industries. Nevertheless, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help make the right choice.

• How big or small are the parts you’re going to scan? This will determine your field of view. Some 3D scanners have multiple modes or fields of view to handle small, medium, and large parts, while some are specially designed for small pieces.

• Are you already familiar with 3D scanning? If you’re new to 3D scanning, you may want to look out for streamlined workflows. Some brands have several product generations of experience and provide more intuitive software.

• Do you need to acquire colors? Many recent handheld 3D scanners boast texture/color capture, but this feature isn’t standard. It is quite rare on 3D scanners that focus on metrology applications, as having color maps could be superfluous when you just want to inspect a part’s shape.

• Will you be 3D scanning every day? Perhaps you’d prefer a 3D scanner that’s easy and quick to set up and put away.

3D scanning can serve an amazing amount of purposes– determine yours before you choose a handheld 3D scanner.

Handheld 3D scanner specifications

Accuracy

A 3D scanner’s accuracy is its ability to obtain exact measurements. In certain industries, like quality inspection, high accuracy is of utmost importance. Entry-level handheld 3D scanners generally boast accuracies around 200 microns, while more premium products can go down to 20 microns.

Resolution

Just like with photos or screens, the level of resolution will count more or less depending on the amount of detail you need. In 3D scanning, resolution is generally measured in point-to-point distance.

Speed

The speed factor is especially important when 3D scanning large objects and landscapes (where SLAM/iMMS scanners shine), or for 3D body scanning.

Large objects take a while to scan, and some 3D scanners require you to stand still for a few seconds before moving on to the next perspective. Keep in mind that you’ll be “pointing and shooting” with your handheld 3D scanner in your hand; the longer you carry it, the heavier it feels.

Nonetheless, some 3D scanners like the Go!SCAN SPARK or the EinScan HX allow you to easily pause and resume from anywhere thanks to efficient automatic scan alignment.

Budget

Last but not least, and as is the case for so many other products, budget is definitely something to take into account. There are cheap handheld 3D scanner options for under $1,000 if you’re willing to sacrifice accuracy and performance (see our “Affordable 3D scanner” selection here).

Industrial 3D scanners are the most expensive, with advanced 3D scanning technologies and prices around $100K. Unless you need a 3D scanner for 24/7 automated quality inspection or other very specific use cases, an entry or mid-level 3D scanner will suit you.

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