The Shining 3D EinScan SP is the most affordable professional 3D scanner, with accurate 0.05mm scans and fast 4-second capture times. This makes it perfect for small businesses.
For unmatched scan quality from a mid-range handheld 3D scanner, the EinScan Pro and Pro HD series offer up to 0.04mm accuracy, leveraging versatile hybrid structured light and infrared scanning.
However, the $16,000 Artec Eva remains the most popular and best professional 3D scanner for its balance of 0.1mm resolution, 18 FPS speed, and automated workflows ideal for medium objects across manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. Its versatile full-color scans excel from reverse engineering to quality control, CGI, and heritage preservation applications.
| 3D Scanner | Price | Accuracy | Resolution | Mac Scan Volume | Technology | Speed Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shining 3D EinScan SP | $2,300 | 0.05 mm | 0.2 mm | 200×150 mm | Structured light | 4 secs/scan |
| Einscan H/HX/Pro | $5,000 $12,000 $8,500 | 0.05 mm 0.04mm 0.045mm | 0.25 mm | 420 x440 mm/310 x 240 mm | Hybrid Structured light and infrared | 1,200,000points/s 20FPS/3,000,000 points/s 10 FPS |
| SIMSCAN | Available for quote here | 0.020 mm | 0.020 mm | 700 x 600 mm | Laser Triangulation | 2,800,000 measurements/s |
| Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 | $18,000-$20,000 | 0.040 mm | 0.1 mm | 275 x 250 mm | Laser Triangulation | 480,000 points/s |
| Artec Eva | $16,000-$17,000 | 0.1 mm | 0.2 mm | 536 × 371 mm | Structured light | 18,000,000 points/s, 16 FPS |
| Zeiss Gom Scan 1 | $26,000-$27,000 | 0.1 mm | 0.037 mm | 400 x 250 mm | Structured light | 6,000,000 points/s, 16 FPS |
| eviXscan Optima+ M | $30,000 | 0.009 mm | N/A | 320 x 190 mm | Structured light | 1.2 secs/scan |
Best Professional 3D Scanners in 2023 – Reviews
1. Shining 3D EinScan SP – Most Affordable
- 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
Pros
Good detail and precision.
Captures a single scan in four seconds and a full 360° scan in around a minute.
Compact footprint and solid post-processing software.
Cons
Scan volume is limited in auto-mode.
Can’t move it around like handheld scanners
Leading industrial 3D scanner manufacturer Shining 3D offers affordability with good precision and accuracy with the EinScan SP. 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.
2. Einscan Pro & Pro HD
- 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
Pros
Captures difficult surfaces and outdoor objects well.
Performs well when capturing fine details.
Cons
Expensive for the specs
The EinScan H, HX, and Pro professional 3D scanners distinguish themselves from the competition as industrial-grade handheld solutions, but at a lower price range than those by Artec and other commercial 3D scanner manufacturers.
The EinScan ranges 3D scan using a hybrid technology featuring LED structured light and infrared technology. This makes them ideal for capturing trickier surfaces and outdoor objects via infrared, as well as standard scans thanks to the structured light scanning.
Depending on the model, accuracy wavers between 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm. This is good enough for demanding applications like reverse engineering, quality control, and straight design work. Thanks to a 0.25 mm resolution, these scanners perform well when capturing human faces, pieces of art, and intricate mechanical parts.
3. SIMSCAN
- Price: Available for quote here
- Accuracy: 0.020 mm
- Resolution: 0.020 mm
- Max Scan Volume: 700 x 600 mm
- Technology: Laser Triangulation
- Speed/Frame Rate: 2,800,000 measurements/s
Pros
Compact size
High-precision scanning
Performs well when capturing narrow spaces and hard-to-reach areas
Industrial-grade handheld 3D scanner, yet still affordably priced
Cons
It has no built-in photogrammetry
SIMSCAN is a palm-sized portable 3D scanner specially designed for 3D scanning narrow and hard-to-reach areas and edges.
With its built-in HD cameras and carefully tuned scanning algorithm, it offers high-precision scanning with an accuracy of up to 0.020 mm, as well as a resolution of up to 0.020 mm. This is significantly more accurate than Scantech’s iReal M3 scanner (though the M3 is cheaper), with the SIMSCAN targeted towards industries where you need to quickly create extremely accurate 3D scans.
What’s more, the SIMSCAN portable 3D scanner is light and compact, weighing only 570g and measuring 203 × 80 × 44 mm. You can easily scan with one hand while holding it steady without issue. It’s handy and portable, and easily fits in your palm.
Because of the accuracy and resolution, the SIMSCAN scanner is very versatile: you could use it for inspection, product development, reverse engineering, and many other uses across the aerospace, automotive, and energy industries.
4. 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
Pros
Reliably scans complex objects with various surface types.
Versatile and performs well regardless of the object size.
One of the most accessible and usable options.
Equipped with metrology-grade, patented technology, the Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 is a handheld 3D scanner designed to tackle even the most demanding applications.
It offers a 0.040 mm accuracy and 0.1 resolution to reliably scan complex objects with various surface types. It’s versatile and can handle small objects as well as medium-sized objects within the 275 x 250 mm maximum scan volume.
However, with an $18,000-$20,000 price tag, the Creaform HandySCAN Silver 307 doesn’t come cheap.
Still, its sleek and ergonomic design, and excellent specs make it ideal for engineering fields, product development, and manufacturing applications.
5. 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
Pros
A powerful solution for applications focused on scanning medium-sized objects.
Quick and efficient.
Versatile in many applications.
Cons
Not great for small objects.
Artec’s bestselling handheld Artec Eva professional 3D scanner is a powerful solution for scanning medium-sized objects.
The Artec Eva is among the most popular and sought-after industrial 3D scanners. Much of its appeal comes from its ability to deliver highly accurate, full-color scans of medium-sized objects suitable for applications like reverse engineering, health care, and manufacturing at a roughly mid-table price of $16,000-$17,000.
Quick and efficient, the Artec Eva delivers high-quality results with up to a 0.1 mm accuracy and 0.2 mm resolution. It has full-color scanning features, and a lightweight design for easy, portable scanning.
The Artec Eva’s versatility is a main reason why it’s so popular in industry. The Eva is heavily used across aerospace, orthopedics, industrial design, reverse engineering, archeology, CGI, prosthetics, plastic surgery, rapid prototyping, and custom hearing aids.
6. 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
Pros
Adapts to different conditions by filtering out interfering ambient light for quality scans every time.
Compact shape and light weight.
One of the most competent 3D scanners on the market.
Cons
The field of view is fixed.
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 scanner, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1’s compact shape and low weight still allow for scanning flexibility, even in tight spaces.
Under the hood, the Zeiss Gom Scan 1 offers a resolution up to an impressive 0.037 mm. This makes it one of the most accurate 3D scanners on the market, for complete surface detail scans. It’s best for smaller objects with fine details, though it can scan larger objects up to 400 x 250 mm in size.
The powerful GOM Inspect Suite 3D scanning software is a nice extra and saves time within your workflow. Within the software, you can quickly and intuitively refine your 3D scans and export them in all common file formats.
7. 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
Pros
Ultra-fine resolution.
Its precision makes it a reliable tool for low-tolerance reverse engineering.
Scan times are low at 1.2 seconds.
With an ultra-fine resolution of 0.009 mm, the eviXscan Optima+ M offers a level of detail few other industrial 3D scanners can match. This precision makes it ideal for low-tolerance reverse engineering, 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. Lightweight and compact, the eviXscan Optima+ M is usable as a stationary scanner mounted on a tripod, or paired with a robotic arm.
How To Pick a Commercial 3D Scanner
- Resolution and accuracy: we recommend a minimum of 0.1mm for both resolution and accuracy for most commercial scanning uses. Some industrial scanners can reach below 0.01mm for extremely fine object scanning.
- Price: the most advanced models cost in excess of $30,000, though there are a growing number of good-quality low-cost scanners under $2,000.
- Use case: the specs you need (and the price) depend on what you want to scan, and the tolerances you require.
- Speed: some scanners scan much faster, with a small drop in scan quality. Consider whether you prioritize speed or precision and pick based on your priority
Uses
Industrial 3D scanners are used specifically for applications where lower-cost scanners are not accurate or robust enough. These uses include:
- Preserving artifacts and heritage
- Manufacturing and engineering precision parts
- Architecture
- Quality control in manufacturing
- Medical aids
- CGI and VR
- Jewelry 3D scanning
- Classic car restoration
- Custom orthotics and implants
- Dental 3D modeling
- Game development
- Crime scene documentation
What’s Changed?
In November 2023, we updated this article significantly from when it was first published in 2021:
- Removed the Polyga S1 Compact, and the Peel 3D Peel 2, as they are not as relevant in the sub-$10K 3D scanner category in 2023.
- Updated the EinScan SP section for the V2 version which has replaced the original version.
- Updated information on the EinScan H models, as newer versions have since released which we recommend over the originals.
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
- Best 3D scanner apps
