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The Top Low-Cost 3D Scanners on the Market in 2024

Published on January 18, 2024 by Carlota V.
Low Cost 3D scanners

3D scanning is often used in the additive manufacturing (AM) sector to design a 3D model more easily than via modeling software. It captures data that is then transformed into a 3D model that can then be 3D printed. 3D scanners use one of two main technologies – laser triangulation and structured light – and solutions offer various levels of resolution, resulting in differing levels of preciseness for fine details. Many affordable solutions are available today (compared to professional scanners which are much more expensive), with many different cheap but still effective solutions allowing users to bring their projects to life. Whether a maker, a teacher or an industry leader, one of these low cost 3D scanners is bound to suit your needs! Easy to handle and transport, we have chosen some of the top 3D scanners that are available for under $8,000 (€7,000), sorted by increasing price. 

3D Scanner 2.0 from XYZprinting

Taiwanese manufacturer, XYZprinting, currently offers 5 scanners, though today we will focus on one of their more low cost 3D scanners, the portable and high-resolution 3D Scanner 2.0. With a wider scanning range than its younger sibling the 1.0 A, the scanner can scan objects that are 5 x 5 x 5 ~ 100 x 100 x 200 cm using an Intel® RealSense™ Camera. The scan resolution is also superior to the 1.0A, between 0.2 and 1.5 mm, with an operating range ranging from 25 to 60 cm. The manufacturer also provides XYZScan Handy, a scanning and post-editing software to edit your models after scanning. The product is lightweight, measuring 41 x 157 x 61 mm, with a weight of 238 g. It is available from €199 or $316.

low cost 3D scanners

Creality CR-Scan Ferret

You probably know the manufacturer Creality for its accessible, easy-to-use 3D printers. The brand has also developed a range of 3D scanners, some of which are very easy to use and carry. Such is the case with the CR-Scan Ferret, one of Creality’s low cost, portable 3D scanners that can be carried in a bag, thanks to its weight of only 105 grams. It offers accuracy down to 0.1 mm and 3D resolution up to 0.16 mm. Its range is 560 x 820 mm, enabling it to scan medium to large objects. At just $349, it’s a practical 3D scanner capable of exporting STL, OBJ and PLY files for 3D printing!

low cost 3D scanner from creality

Photo Credits: Creality

The Mole 3D Low Cost Scanner From 3DMakerPro

3DMakerPro, part of Chinese tech giant Shenzhen Jimuyida Technology Co., Ltd, has made a name for itself among 3D scanner manufacturers thanks to its advanced technology at a low price. In this ranking of low cost 3D scanners, we will focus specifically on its MOLE 3D scanner, a small handheld scanner with incredible accuracy and resolution of 0.05 mm and 0.1 mm respectively. In addition, its NIR light allows facial scanning without being harmful to the target’s eyes. Another advantage of this NIR light is that thanks to it, the MOLE 3D can scan in the dark without major problems. As if this were not enough, this small scanner is capable of scanning textures and colors with an impressive accuracy, being able to scan sneakers and differentiate their colors and fabrics. Finally, we would like to mention its comfortable grip and stabilizer, which allow you to scan for a long time without getting tired and without imperfections due to arm movement or trembling. You can get this impressive scanner starting at $649.

POP 3 3D Scanner From Revopoint

Revopoint is a Chinese company that specializes in producing high-precision 3D scanners at affordable prices. The POP 3 is one of the company’s newest and best-selling, low cost 3D scanners. It is a portable, rotatable, low cost 3D scanner that uses class 1 infrared structured light, a dual depth camera, and advanced algorithms to produce detailed 3D models. In detail, POP 3 is equipped with IMU, has four infrared LEDs for better marker tracking, 18 fps scanning speed, 0.05 mm accuracy, also in color, improved connectivity and an easier-to-use design than its previous versions. It can connect via USB or Wi-Fi to your compurter or phone, and can be used with Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. The price ranges from $599.00 for the standard version, up to $800 for the advanced version. Find out more in the video below, which includes more details and a tutorial for installation!

Structure Sensor Pro Medical-Grade, Low-Cost 3D Scanner

The Structure Sensor solution adds precise, medical-grade 3D vision to your iPad, enabling 3D scanning among other features. The only equipment you will need for this low cost 3D scanner solution to work is a connection to a compatible iPad, then once you have downloaded the app Skanect Pro, it will work instantly. The new version of this device is smaller than the last, 109mm x 18mm x 24mm, and weighs about 65 g. It is recommended to use it on a 0.3 m to 5m scanning range, while it has a depth resolution of 1280 x 960. Some other features on this device include indoor and outdoor mapping, numerous medical scanning apps and several structure demo programs. The Structure Sensor Pro retails for $875-$995, making it more expensive than its predecessor, but it remains a quality, lightweight peripheral device under $1k.

Photo Credits: Structure

The Einstar Low Cost 3D Scanner From SHINING 3D

When it comes to low cost 3D scanners, we would be remiss not to mention the solutions from SHINING 3D. Since 2004, the Chinese manufacturer has been known for its high-precision and accessible 3D digital products and previously we have included the EINSCAN and EINSCAN H on this list. Now, we want to draw attention to one of the newer solutions from the company, the Einstar 3D scanner, available from $959. This affordable handheld (weighing only 500g) solution has been put forth as a scanner that “makes high-quality data available to everyone.” It uses infrared VCSEL structured light and has a has a scan speed of 980,000points/s, up to 14FPS with a depth of field of 160-1400 mm. Additionally it is eye-safe under all conditions of normal use. 

The Matter and Form 3D Scanner V2

The Matter and Form 3D Scanner V2 is a desktop 3D scanning solution manufactured by Matter & Form, a company founded in 2013. This company has made it its mission to develop and distribute affordable, high-resolution 3D scanners. With the V2, it has achieved that mission: the 3D scanner is available from $750 and is capable of producing high-quality scans with an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm. It weighs 1.71 kilograms (3.77 lbs) and has a height of 35.5 cm (13.5 in) and a width of 21 cm (8.25 in). The slim and foldable design allows the device to fit on small desks. The V2 allows scanning of objects with a maximum height of 25 cm (9.8 in) and a diameter of 18 cm (7.0 in). Windows and Mac scan files are supported, with multiple export options for 3D printing as well.

Matter & Form V2

SOL 3D Scanner from Scan Dimension

Scan Dimension is a global company that was started in Denmark more than 30 years ago. This company prides itself on developing products that consumers are looking for, and with over thirty years of experience and constant advances and updates, their scanners are perfect for any user. One of their newest low cost 3D scanners is the SOL PRO 3D,which has improved upon its previous version, the SOL 3D. The main applications of this scanner are inspection, modeling and 3D printing. It has an amazing accuracy of 0.05 millimeters that ensures exceptional quality. In addition, its new software, the SOL PRO creator 2.0, makes it both easy to operate and efficient. It incorporates a “turbo” mode that allows high-speed scans, and if that’s not enough, this scanner maintains its accuracy even on dark surfaces or in dark environments. You can get it for $1,899.00.

Calibry, the Low Cost 3D Scanner From Thor3D

Thor3D is a Russian manufacturer that is behind the Calibry portable 3D scanner. Based on structured light technology, it integrates a touch screen so that the user can follow the points it captures in real time. It offers accuracy down to 0.1 mm and is capable of scanning objects from 30 cm to 10 meters long. Black and glossy surfaces can be easily scanned and exported in stl, obj, ply or WRML formats. Finally, the Calibry is fast and convenient, capable of scanning up to 3 million points per second and weighing only 900 grams. It is available from $5,790.

Polyga Compact S1 3D Scanner

The Polyga Compact S1 is an entry-level professional desktop 3D scanner. It has product dimensions of 58 x 270 x 158 mm. It is also equipped with two 2.0 megapixel cameras, which have both a monochrome and a color version. Furthermore, the Compact S1 is supported by the FlexScan3D software for 3D scanners for 3D capture and post-processing. This includes innovative post-processing and analysis functions and fast data acquisition. In the standard configuration of the Compact S1, the field of view ranges from 100 x 80 – 120 x 105 mm, in the large configuration (S1 Wide) 155 x 135 – 245 x 210 mm. The point-to-point distance is 0.085 mm in the standard configuration and 0.150 mm in the large configuration (S1 Wide). Polygas Compact S1 3D scanner is available from a price of $5,999.

Eva Lite Low-Cost 3D Scanner From Artec 3D

Artec 3D, based in Luxembourg, offers the Eva Lite as its cheapest option for 3D scanning. This professional scanner is specialized in the digitization of complex geometries, such as the human body, and is therefore increasingly used in the medical field. It works on the basis of structured light technology and, although it does not have the ability to capture colors and textures like most scanners of the brand, it has an accuracy of 0.5 mm and great functionality for educational and professional uses. Artec 3D even includes special pricing for educational packages, which includes a bundle of 20 licenses of their Artec Studio software. Artec Studio is a powerful tool for an optimized 3D scanning process. This software is able to perform, assemble and repair 3D scans. The Eva Lite is currently for sale for €6,700 (about $7310) and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Eva Lite

Any other low cost 3D printing scanners you think should be on this list? Let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages! And remember to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, to get all the latest news in 3D printing send straight to your inbox! For more 3Dnatives articles about 3D scanners, click HERE.

The 19 comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

  1. Saint_Etienne says:

    Scanify has since been discontinued…

  2. Daniel Csati says:

    Lidar scanners are just special single pixel cameras. There is one on kickstarter which plans to have lidar as one of the features.

    1. Joe Dun says:

      There have LIDAR devices on the market for a few years now, that have many pixels. The Apple iPhone 12 and 13, have this sort of camera.

  3. Nicolas says:

    Good article! I work for https://www.sidekickinteractive.com a company who develop apps with structure sensor. It’s a good device that we use in Health and in Medical field, precise enough and easy to use with an iPad! Now every company develops 3D scan without adding device, just using the lens of the smartphone. It’s even more accessible and more and more precise, so we work on it too! But adding a device to a smartphone can be the solution to have professional scanning without to much specific material.

  4. Very glad to read this post. Actually, I think 3D laser scanning works like a miracle. It can magically capture the most accurate data of an object. You can use the captured data for so many purposes, such as 3D printing, reverse engineering, 3D model, virtual reality, and more.

  5. 3D laser scanning is a surveying method used to capture accurate data of an object. This surveying method can capture the accurate of any physical object. If you want to make a 3D model of any physical object and need accurate data then you can use a 3D laser scanning service.

  6. joe says:

    Its ridiculous that the scanners costs 100 times more then the 3d printer. When will someone make a reasonable high quality scanner that costs the same as the printer ?

  7. Ace McCunty says:

    Wow $9800 really is “low cost”

  8. Thanks for this I will share it out!

  9. Tony says:

    I am looking for a 3D scanner that I can use without connecting to the internet is there a company that makes such a scanner?

    1. if you need a 3D scanner that can scan without connecting to a PC, then check out Artec Leo.

  10. samiaso says:

    thanks for these information but i have a question .
    3d scanners will giva us a 3d pic ? bcz i want to put it on my site . please help me i need 3d scanner for my site . i put my gmail address

  11. huminlian says:

    Why the most cost-effective low cost 3D scanner—Revopoint 3D scanner doesn’t list in? It can export models that comparable to professional-grade scanners.

  12. Our 3D scanner doesn’t need to connect with Internet.

  13. Frank Russell says:

    Any ubuntu linux 3d scanners

  14. Chris says:

    This list seems like a list of who has paid to be in the post and advertise

  15. James McGill says:

    You guys forgot the cheapest one: the Xbox kinect 1.0 or 2.0.

    as long as it works, you have a 3D Scanner

  16. LeGurif Digerow says:

    Shining 3D Einstar is very similar quality to the Einscan H but is like 1/5 the price… like literally less than $1000.

  17. Khalid says:

    Hi,

    How can I take a precise measurements of a transparent object using 3D scanner?

    Thanks

    Khalid

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