Top 3D Scanners (2025): Which models are leading the pack — and which one is right for you?
                     Top 3D Scanners (2025): Which models are leading the pack — 
and which one is right for you?
3D scanning has moved from niche R&D labs into manufacturing 
floors, dental and medical clinics, museums, and hobbyist 
workshops. Whether you want to reverse-engineer a mechanical 
part, digitize a sculpture, capture people for VR/AR, or feed 
perfectly scaled models into a 3D printer, there’s a scanner built 
for that job. This guide walks through the top 3D scanners (2025) 
across price and use-case brackets, explains why they stand out, 
and gives buying tips so you pick the right tool for your needs. 
Top 3D Scanners
How I organized “Top” and what criteria I used
Not all “best” lists are the same — a metrology-grade laser 
scanner’s idea of success is very different from a hobbyist’s. I 
grouped scanners by real-world use cases and scored them on:
 Accuracy & repeatability (how close scans match real-world 
dimensions)
 Workflow speed & ease (set up, registration, software)
 Portability (handheld vs tripod-mounted)
 Surface versatility (how well they handle black, shiny, hairy 
or translucent surfaces)
 Value for money (purchase price and usable output)
 Ecosystem & support (software, accessories, 
documentation)
Where possible I relied on recent hands-on reviews and 
manufacturer specs to reflect 2024–2025 developments and real 
user testing. For example, updated guides and hands-on reviews 
from expert sites helped shape category winners. 
Quick shortlist — the headline winners
 Best pro handheld (general-purpose): Artec Leo / Artec Eva 
(Artec family) — speed + texture + accuracy. 
 Best metrology / industrial-grade scanner: Creaform 
HandySCAN / Go!SCAN family — top accuracy and field 
robustness. 
 Best reality-capture / long-range LIDAR: FARO Focus series —
established in surveying and BIM. 
 Best value prosumer / small-object scanner: Revopoint POP 
series (POP 2 / POP 3 Plus, MetroX) — affordable with 
surprising accuracy for the price. 
 Best desktop / small-object (turntable) scanner: Matter and 
Form Three — high-res desktop capture, excellent for 
hobbyists and small museums. Read on for detailed profiles 
and who should buy each — plus tips for picking accessories 
and avoiding common pitfalls.
1) Artec (Eva / Leo / Point) — the go-to for high-throughput, 
textured handheld scanning
Why it’s top: Artec’s handheld scanners combine structured-light 
capture, strong color/texture capture, and a polished software 
pipeline (Artec Studio) that minimizes post-processing. The Artec 
Leo adds an onboard computer and touchscreen for untethered 
scanning; Eva is a lighter, proven workhorse for many industrial 
and cultural-heritage projects. These systems are designed for 
speed and for producing ready-to-use meshes with excellent 
texture. If you need rapid, accurate full-color scans of medium-to-
large objects and people, Artec remains a top professional choice.
Best for: Reverse engineering, heritage preservation, medical 
prosthetics, animation & VFX capture.
Limitations: Professional price point; shiny, transparent surfaces 
still need prep (matte spray or coating) for best results.
2) Creaform (HandySCAN / Go!SCAN / Go!SCAN Spark) — 
metrology-capable handhelds
Why it’s top: Creaform builds metrology-grade handheld scanners
that prioritize dimensional accuracy and robust field use. The 
HandySCAN and Go!SCAN families are popular where traceable 
accuracy and repeatable measurements matter (aerospace, 
automotive QA). Reviews highlight fast capture and strong 
registration performance even in busy industrial environments. If 
you need certified accuracy or to integrate scans into 
inspection/quality-control workflows, look here. Aniwaa
Best for: Industrial inspection, assembly verification, engineering 
reverse engineering.
Limitations: Cost is high; training and calibration are part of the 
workflow.
3) FARO Focus series — the long-range reality-capture standard
Why it’s top: FARO’s Focus scanners are staples for architecture, 
surveying, and construction. They are LIDAR-based instruments 
that capture whole environments (rooms, buildings, outdoor 
sites) with long ranges and reliable point clouds, and they 
integrate into digital-reality platforms for BIM and as-built 
documentation. If your job is scanning buildings, crime scenes, or 
outdoor industrial sites, a terrestrial laser scanner like FARO is 
often the right tool. 
Best for: Surveying, construction, forensics, large-scale heritage 
sites.
Limitations: Not for very small objects; file sizes are huge and 
require robust processing pipelines.
4) Revopoint (POP 2 / POP 3 Plus / MetroX) — best value for 
prosumers and small professionals
Why it’s top: Revopoint disrupted the market by offering sub-
millimetre accuracy at a fraction of the price of legacy systems. 
The POP 2 showed that an affordable handheld scanner can do 
useful reverse-engineering and 3D-printable models; later units 
(POP 3 Plus, MetroX) further improved optics, connectivity and 
workflow. For creators, educators and small engineering shops on
a budget, these offer the best cost-to-performance ratio. Many 
reviews and buyer guides highlight Revopoint’s strong value 
proposition. 
Best for: 3D printing, hobbyist reverse engineering, education, 
content creation.
Limitations: Software and workflow polish can lag behind pro 
vendors; very high-precision metrology tasks are still out of 
reach.
5) Shining 3D EinScan family — flexible scanners for many 
budgets
Why it’s top: Shining 3D’s EinScan series (SE/Pro/Pro 2X Plus) 
offers multiple configurations (fixed turntable, handheld) and is 
widely used for makers, dental labs, and light industrial tasks. 
The Pro 2X Plus, in particular, is a versatile workhorse — decent 
accuracy, modular accessories, and an approachable price for 
small businesses. Reviews show it’s useful across small-object 
scanning, dental, and product design workflows. 
Best for: Makerspaces, dental labs, product designers who need a
flexible, mid-range scanner. Top 3D Scanners
Limitations: Handheld scanning can require expertise to avoid 
registration artifacts; some surface types still need prep.
6) Matter and Form Three — the new gold standard for desktop 
small-object capture
Why it’s top: The Matter and Form Three desktop scanner focuses
on small objects with very high resolution and color fidelity. 
Recent hands-on reporting praises its ChromaSpec color system 
and 0.033 mm accuracy at close range — excellent for miniatures,
small artifacts, and jewelry. For desktop, turntable-style scanning
where you need fine detail and easy workflows, the Three is a 
strong pick. 
Best for: Collectors, small museums, 3D-printing hobbyists, 
jewelry and small-part digitization.
Limitations: Limited to small objects; not a handheld solution.
7) Other noteworthy picks
 Polyga Compact S1 / S2 — excellent for small-to-medium 
parts with strong detail and speed. 
 Scantech iReal series — balanced performance for color 
capture and e-commerce model generation. 
Choosing the right scanner — scenario-based advice
You want metrology-grade accuracy (sub-0.05 mm)
Choose Creaform’s higher-end HandySCAN or a metrology-
certified Artec solution and budget for calibration/maintenance. 
These integrate into QA workflows and provide traceable 
accuracy. 
You scan people, props, or textured objects quickly
Artec Leo / Eva combine speed, color capture, and comfortable 
handheld ergonomics. They’re the frequent choice in VFX, 
museums, and prosthetics work. 
You scan buildings or large outdoor sites
Go for a terrestrial LIDAR system such as FARO Focus — they’re 
made for range, registration at scale, and integration with BIM 
workflows. 
You’re on a tight budget but want useful results
Revopoint POP series or Matter & Form Three (for small objects) 
give good results without a five-figure spend; perfect for 
prototyping and hobbyist use. 
Practical buying tips & accessories
 Software matters as much as hardware. Good capture with 
poor software becomes an editing nightmare. Check 
whether the scanner includes a full scanning suite, mesh 
repair tools, and export options for CAD packages. 
 Workflow compatibility: If you need inspection reports or 
CAD-ready NURBS surfaces, confirm the scanner supports 
the export formats your downstream tools require (e.g., 
STEP, IGES, or native CAD plugins).
 Surface prep: Shiny, black, or translucent materials often 
benefit from a matte spray (temporary) or structured 
targets; plan for prep time and consumables.
 Turntable vs handheld: For small objects, a calibrated 
turntable + fixed scanner yields the most reliable geometry; 
for medium-to-large objects, handheld is faster.
 Data management: High-resolution scans create large point 
clouds. Ensure you have a machine and storage workflow 
that can handle big files.
 Try before you buy if possible: Rent or demo the scanner on 
typical parts you’ll scan (many vendors offer demo 
programs). Reviews and spec sheets are helpful — hands-on 
testing is best. 
Common misconceptions
 “All scanners give CAD-ready geometry.” Not true. Many 
scanners produce meshes that need cleaning, retopology, or
feature extraction before CAD modeling. Metrology scanners
and specialized software are required for direct inspection-
ready outputs.
 “Higher price always equals higher accuracy.” Not strictly. 
Some modern mid-range scanners (like Revopoint models) 
deliver excellent accuracy for their price thanks to improved
sensors; but certified metrology accuracy still costs more 
and includes calibration/support. 
Final recommendations — four buying personas Top 3D Scanners
1. The Industrial Buyer (QA/Engineering): Creaform HandySCAN
or high-end Artec; budget for training and calibration. 
2. The Creative Professional (VFX/Museum/Prototyping): Artec 
Leo or Artec Eva — fast, textured, polished pipeline. 
3. The Small Business / Maker: Revopoint POP 2 / POP 3 Plus or
EinScan Pro 2X Plus — best combination of cost and 
capability. 
4. The Desktop / Hobbyist: Matter and Form Three or Polyga 
Compact S1 for small, detailed objects.