Heads up: our content may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission. Read more here.3D scanners are a powerful way to turn physical objects into 3D models ready for printing, reverse engineering, or digital archiving. The right scanner for your needs depends heavily on the size of the objects you plan to capture. In this article, we focus on the best 3D scanners for medium-sized items: objects roughly in the range of 100mm to 1500mm, where you need a larger capture area, reliable tracking, and enough accuracy for practical use.
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A pioneer in 3D scanning technology, Revopoint has established itself as a trusted name in the consumer and prosumer scanning market. Their lineup for medium-format scanning covers everything from the approachable POP 3 Plus through to the versatile standalone MIRACO, the precision-focused MetroX, and the high-accuracy MetroY Pro, which adds Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and an expanded five-mode scanning system.
The MetroX is a metrological-grade scanner combining Multi-line Blue Laser and Full-field Structured Light into one device. With four flexible scanning modes and up to 7 million points per second in structured light mode, it punches well above its price bracket for reverse engineering and quality control of small to medium workpieces.
The POP 3 Plus is the go-to medium-format handheld in the Revopoint lineup. Dual-camera infrared structured light with 20% improved accuracy over the POP 3 makes it well-suited for capturing objects of all kinds, from product prototypes to props and figures. At just 190g with Wi-Fi 6, it remains one of the most portable and versatile scanners in its class.
The MIRACO is Revopoint’s standout all-in-one scanner with no PC or cables required. Its built-in 6″ AMOLED touchscreen and onboard processor handle scanning and post-processing entirely in your hand. Quad-depth cameras enable dual near and far modes, making it capable of capturing fine detail on medium objects as well as full bodies and large items. The 48MP RGB camera delivers vivid, true-to-life color models. An excellent choice for fieldwork, workshops, or anyone who wants a fully self-contained scanning experience.
The INSPIRE 2 is a significant step up from the original INSPIRE, combining infrared structured light with an 11-line IR laser in a single dual-mode scanner. The laser mode handles dark and metallic surfaces without spray, a feature normally reserved for much pricier units. Lightweight at 190g, with Wi-Fi 6 and a working range of 20-2000mm, it covers a wide range of medium-format scanning jobs at a competitive price point.
The MetroY Pro is Revopoint’s most capable blue laser scanner for medium-format precision work. It builds on the MetroX with an expanded five-mode system: 34 cross-line and 15 parallel blue laser modes for fine detail and reflective surfaces, a single-line laser mode for the tightest geometry, full-field structured light for fast volumetric capture at up to 7 million points per second, and an auto turntable mode for desktop objects. Wi-Fi 6 is included for wireless PC connectivity, and the free Revo Metro software handles the full metrology workflow. At 0.01mm precision and 0.02mm accuracy, it is the sharpest handheld scanner in the Revopoint lineup.
3DMakerpro make some of the best-selling consumer-grade 3D scanners on the market. Their Moose series is purpose-built for medium-format scanning, with AI-powered visual tracking and easy-to-use JMStudio software at a competitive price.
The Moose is 3DMakerpro’s flagship medium-format scanner, featuring blue LED structured light and AI-powered visual tracking for smooth, marker-free scanning. With 24-bit full-color capture and a 40% accuracy improvement over its predecessor, it’s ideal for makers who want smart, detailed scans with minimal effort. The JMStudio software handles auto-alignment, noise removal, and hole filling automatically.
The Moose Lite brings the same AI visual tracking and marker-free scanning as the full Moose at a more accessible price. Using a near-infrared light source with mono texture output, it’s a solid entry-level option for hobbyists and educators scanning medium-sized objects who want smart scanning without the premium cost.
Einstar is the consumer-facing brand of Shining 3D, a company with a long background in professional and industrial 3D scanning. Their Einstar lineup brings that expertise to the prosumer market, offering well-rounded scanners that are easy to use and handle a wide range of medium-sized objects.
The original Einstar is a capable prosumer scanner that covers a wide working range from 160mm to 1400mm, ideal for medium-format objects. Equipped with 3 infrared VCSEL projectors, 2 stereo depth cameras and an RGB color camera, it produces clean, detailed scans with reliable feature alignment. An affordable entry into the Einstar family.
The Einstar 2 is a major upgrade on the original, now fully wireless with a swappable battery giving up to 3 hours of cord-free scanning. It adds a dual-mode hybrid light source: 17 parallel blue laser lines for high-detail capture of small and medium objects, and an IR VCSEL rapid mode for fast, large-area scanning. At 420g it’s also noticeably lighter than the original, and can scan dark and reflective surfaces without spray.
The VEGA is Einstar’s standalone all-in-one scanner that is fully wireless, with a 6.4″ 2K OLED touchscreen, 32GB RAM, and 512GB onboard storage, so no laptop is ever required. Dual scanning technologies give it real versatility: MEMS HD mode captures fine detail at up to 0.05mm resolution, while VCSEL Fast mode handles medium to large objects at working distances up to 1500mm, and works in direct sunlight. The 48MP color camera rounds out an impressive feature set for a self-contained wireless scanner. 3dprinting.com reviewed the VEGA and was impressed by its tracking stability and outdoor capability.
Best known for their hugely popular range of 3D printers, Creality have made a strong push into 3D scanning over the past few years. Their CR-Scan Raptor brings a hybrid dual-mode scanning system to the medium-format category at a competitive price point.
The CR-Scan Otter is Creality’s most versatile all-round scanner, built around a unique four-lens dual stereo system: a long-focal pair for detail on small and medium objects, and a short-focal pair for fast capture of larger ones. With 0.02mm accuracy and a working range of 10mm to 2000mm, it genuinely handles the full spectrum of medium-format scanning tasks in one lightweight 390g device. No spray is required on dark or metallic surfaces, and the One-Shot 3D anti-shake technology keeps scans clean even with an unsteady hand.
The CR-Scan Raptor combines Blue Laser and Near-Infrared (NIR) light sources in a single handheld unit, giving it the flexibility to handle both precision work and large-area scanning. The blue laser mode tackles dark and reflective surfaces without spray, while NIR mode covers a much wider field of view for faster capture of larger objects. With scanning speeds up to 60fps and 24-bit full-color capture, it’s a strong all-rounder for medium-format scanning.