If you're looking to create a digital or physical 3D model based on a real-life object, then you'll need one of the best 3D scanners to help digitise whatever your heart desires. There are a variety of methods and technologies to meet the needs of various users, with different portable and affixed form factors to choose from.
We've reviewed and researched a plethora of the best 3D scanners, leveraging our experience from in-depth testing and expert reviewers to select our picks of the best 3D scanners for different needs. I've been interested in 3D scanners ever since I purchased one of the best 3D printers, and it unlocks so much potential for advanced 3D modelling (but keep in mind that these devices can be pricey).
For this guide, we've considered both professional-tier and more budget-friendly options, including devices that can handle more demanding projects. We have evaluated each model for its build quality, capability, scan size, ease of use, speed and accuracy. To complete your set-up, see our picks of the best 3D scanner software to get started creating your own 3D models.
Quick list
The Revopoint Miraco Plus is one of the first all-in-one photogrammetric metrology and scanning devices on the market, which makes it an impressive competitor in the portable 3D scanner space. It's capable of incredibly accurate scans of large objects.
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This is a budget wonder. While it's not quite as accurate as some others, it's fast, easy to use, and it's compatible with Android. Best of all, the price is among the most reasonable we've seen.
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We think this is an excellent choice as a first 3D scanner. It's well built, easy to set up and use, and the price is hard to argue with, offering great value for the quality and accuracy provided.
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The Revopoint MetroX is a hybrid 3D scanner that combines the power of a multi-line laser with a 62-line full-field blue structured light scanner. In other words, it has the power to scan shiny metal and black surfaces (though not without spray).
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No, really – ever since the iPhone 13 series, iPhones have been capable of using their LiDAR Scanners for 3D scanning, something that developers are starting to take advantage of. This could be a more cost-efficient option for many people.
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The best 3D scanners in full
The best 3D scanner overall
✅ You want flexibility: This 3D scanner can capture small, medium, and large objects.
✅ You want a scanner with a display: The Miraco Plus has a 6-inch AMOLED touch screen.
❌ You’re looking for a budget-friendly option: The Miraco Plus is £500 / $200 more expensive than the standard Miraco model, and too pricey even for enthusiasts.
🔎 Revopoint Miraco Plus is our top recommended 3D scanner, aimed at professionals and very serious hobbyists, thanks to photogrammetric metrology capabilities ★★★★½
Need to know: We found the Revopoint Miraco Plus to be an excellent all-in-one photogrammetric metrology and 3D scanning device, with excellent accuracy and a flip-out screen on a top-mounted hinge, which our reviewer found to be particularly impressive, making the scanner easier to work with.
Features: The Miraco Plus ships with a photogrammetric metrology kit (PMK), which aims to build upon the original structured infrared light system with quadruple depth cameras that was found on the standard Miraco model (which we have also reviewed). It's great for those wanting to scan larger and more complex objects.
This scanner is equally adept at capturing small/medium objects, however, which makes it a one-stop solution for those who don’t want to own different scanners for different-sized objects.
Pricing: It's certainly not for everyone at this high price ($1,979 /£1,726), and is primarily intended for professionals and very serious hobbyists wanting to scan larger objects.
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Pricing |
Expensive, and only worth it for those who need to scan more complex objects. |
★★★½ |
Features |
Included photogrammetric metrology kit for more accurate scanning. |
★★★★ |
The best budget 3D scanner
✅ You're on a budget: This is a wonderfully affordable option.
✅ You're new to the market: It's a reliable brand, good value and relatively versatile.
❌ You want single-frame accuracy: We found it to be weak in this department.
🔎 Revopoint Inspire 3D Scanner is an entry-level 3D scanner with a very attractive price. ★★★★½
Need to know: The Revopoint INSPIRE 3D Scanner isn't quite as accurate as the 3DMakerpro Seal 3D that I mentioned previously, but based on our review, we think this is the best cheap 3D scanner around and a good tester for the undecided.
Features: We found connecting either to a PC or, for true portability, an Android phone, to be straightforward, and the device offers pretty nifty capture speeds for the price at 14-18 fps, faster than the 3DMakerpro Seal 3D, which is a little more expensive.
With the lower level of precision, we did find that this option took a bit more trial and error to get the results we wanted, but if you're prepared to persevere, it offers portability and reasonable speed for a very attractive price.
Pricing: A great value pick, and a solid starter model for the undecided.
See our full Revopoint INSPIRE 3D Scanner review for more details.
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Pricing |
Great value for money. |
★★★★½ |
Features |
Some sacrifices to specs, but still solid. |
★★★★½ |
The best 3D scanner for newbies
✅ You're on a budget: For what it offers, this is a great value pick.
✅ You're a beginner or amateur: It's easy to use, accurate and robust.
❌ You're a pro: Its low FPS, optional accessories and general specs are more amateur-friendly.
🔎 3DMakerPro SEAL is an affordable option is a great choice as a first 3D scanner for beginners. ★★★★
Need to know: It makes scanning super simple, it's compatible with both Mac and Windows, and the price makes it a sensible buy for those who want to try 3D scanning for the first time.
Features: When we reviewed it, we were hugely impressed with how accurate it is for the price, with a single frame accuracy of 0.01mm and 24-bit colour capabilities. It's quite a feat to get that into an affordable consumer device. We would have liked to see the tripod and turntable included as standard, but these have been omitted to keep the scanner's price so low.
It took us a while to detect objects, but once we got used to how close we needed to be, we found it easy to use. The counter on the software interface helps assess progress. There's a high-definition camera that can capture 24-bit color, and the CMOS image sensor collects that data and applies it to the scanned data in real-time, eliminating the need for a separate texturing workflow. All in all, we rate this as a solid scanner for hobbyists and anyone looking to get started.
Pricing: This scanner retails around the £400 mark, but some retailers massively inflate the price; aim for £500 or lower, and you've got yourself a decent deal. However, it doesn't come included with the accessories you may need, making it not the best value pick.
See our full 3DMakerpro Seal 3D Scanner review for more details.
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Pricing |
Good value, hard to find at retail price. |
★★★★½ |
Features |
Great accuracy, solid specs for beginners or amateurs. |
★★★★½ |
The best hybrid 3D scanner
✅ You scan a lot of reflective objects: The MetroX can be used to scan black shiny objects, supposedly without scanning spray
✅ You want a professional-grade 3D scanner: The Revopoint MetroX delivers.
❌ You're on a budget: This model is more expensive than some of its competition.
🔎 Revopoint MetroX is best suited to professional users or more serious hobbyists, with the added benefit of being able to scan reflective small to medium objects without the need for scanning spray. ★★★★½
Need to know: Our reviewer rated the new Revopoint MetroX highly, especially due to the fact that it has a blue light scanner for working with darker and more reflective objects. While our tester felt that scanning spray was still a must with this product, he noted that this pro-level scanner can certainly produce great results.
Features: The MetroX is surprisingly robust and durable despiteits lightweight construction, and packs the power for pro-level scanning thanks to its full-field, and laser-based scanning technology.
It's a well-built and full-field structured light 3D scanner, that offers a fully featured blue laser line. These types of laser scanning modes available with the MetroX deliver accurate results, and our reviewer loved the included automated turntable for establishing an easy workflow and the guaranteed accurate results that you get.
Pricing: The MetroX retails at a high price of £959 / $1,099, making it a hefty purchase for beginners. Though at this price point, it’s still more affordable than competitors like the Creality CR-Scan Raptor.
See our full Revopoint MetroX review for more details.
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Pricing |
Very expensive, but offers unique features. |
★★★★ |
Features |
Portable, highly capable and versatile. |
★★★★½ |
The best pocket 3D scanner
✅ You're an Apple fan: If you don't already have one, here's a great excuse to upgrade.
✅ You prize versatility above all else: The iPhone 16 Pro is immensely capable as a phone, but also as a 3D scanner.
❌ You want something future-proofed: Phones don't last quite as long, especially with regular usage.
🔎 Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a smartphone with excellent 3D scanning chops. Sure, it's more expensive than some options here, but it does a whole lot more. ★★★★½
Need to know: Bit of a curveball, but the iPhone 16 Pro is an excellent 3D scanner. Yes, sometimes the best tool is the one you (may) already have.
Features: Since the release of the iPhone 13 Pro, the LiDAR Scanner has been used as part of the AR solution for creatives and as a 3D scanner.
A wide range of apps can turn your iPhone into a portable or tripod-mounted 3D scanner. While not as accurate or sophisticated as the other devices mentioned in my list, the iPhone is still a perfect stepping stone for those artists curious about 3D scanning.
And I'm not the only person saying this, don't worry – Metahuman Animator from Epic Games is a feature of Unreal Engine than can use depth footage from an iPhone to scan an actor's performance and render the mocap data into a 3D, animated model.
Pricing: Naturally, this is a far more costly option than the traditional 3D scanner route, but then I'm not recommending you buy this just as a scanner. If you need to upgrade your phone anyway, this could be a more cost-effective option than getting the phone and the scanner separately.
See our hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review for a general analysis of the phone overall.
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Pricing |
Expensive if you only want 3D scanning, cost-saver if you need a new phone anyway. |
★★★★½ |
Features |
Vast, but in terms of 3D scanning, capable and versatile. |
★★★★½ |
3D scanners we've also tested
How to choose the right 3D scanner
To choose the right 3D scanner for you, you need to consider a series of key factors. Firstly, what will you be scanning? Object size, detail level and desired accuracy will all point you towards the kind of scanner you need, and we've mentioned these details for each scanner above.
Also think about budget. 3D scanners range from budget-friendly phone attachments to high-end industrial models costing tens of thousands. Determine how much you're willing to spend and prioritise features accordingly. Another factor is ease of use. Some scanners require extensive training, while others are more user-friendly. Finally, ensure the device's software is compatible with your hardware and operating system.
How we test 3D scanners
When we review 3D scanners, we test their accuracy, reliability, and performance. Our evaluation typically involves a series of comprehensive assessments to validate the scanner's ability to capture and reproduce three-dimensional objects with precision. Initial tests focus on the scanner's calibration, verifying that it accurately interprets spatial dimensions and distances. We also evaluate resolution, examining the device's ability to capture fine details, and speed of operation.
FAQs
Are 3D scanners worth the money?
While you can create 3D scans of small objects from a phone these days, you'll soon find the resolution lacking if you need to create professional models for games or AR and VR. So a high-resolution, dedicated 3D scanner with proper software to tidy-up and refine scans is important. So yes, for the best results a 3D scanner is needed.
How much should I pay for a good 3D scanner?
While there are cheap options, a good price for a 3D scanner from a reputable brand is around $500 / £400. This can go up to around $1,000 / £1,000 if you need a more professional 3D scanner with better resolution and accuracy.
What app do I need to 3D scan on an iPhone?
I'd recommend Polycam to create 3D scans using an iPhone or iPad (read our iPad generations feature to find which is best for you). This will capture 3D scans using the LiDAR sensor and you can edit the results in your mobile or tablet.
Are 3D scanners accurate?
The accuracy of 3D scanners is generally within 0.01mm and 0.1mm. The ability to scan details to less than 0.1mm in the range of detail available can lead to dense meshes, which the software with the scanner may be able to optimise. This creates an incredibly accurate 3D model of the item you wish to scan - the best 3D scanners are not just convenient, but are also very effective.
Is photogrammetry better than 3D scanning?
Overall, photogrammetry is better for realism and for scanning large rooms and spaces. But it's expensive and requires more work to generate models, if you need quick and accurate 3D models of small objects, 3D scanning is relatively cheap, very accurate and easy.
