The 7 best 3D body scanners in 2021
Aniwaa helps professionals research, evaluate, and purchase additive manufacturing and 3D capture solutions.
What is a 3D body scanner?
3D body scanners are designed to capture your full body in 3D. The result is a 3D model (also called 3D avatar) of your exact body shape with accurate data such as body measurements, posture analysis, textures, …
Originally developed for the fashion industry as fast and accurate 3D measurement solutions, 3D body scanners are now used in various other fields such as healthcare, 3D figurines and 3D photos, fitness, and entertainment.
We’ve selected some of the best body 3D scanners available and listed them here in this guide. The list focuses on 3D scanning systems that are exclusively designed for 3D body scanning (no handheld 3D scanners).
Best 3D body scanners 2021: our selection
Product | Brand | Country | Price
Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portal MX | Texel | Russian Federation | $ 29,900 | Ask for a quote |
| Portal BX | Texel | Russian Federation | $ 35,650 | Ask for a quote |
| 3iosk | Mantis Vision | Israel | $ 250,000 | Ask for a quote |
| botscan NEO | botspot | Germany | $ 20,000 | Ask for a quote |
| SS20 3D Body Scanner | Size Stream | United States | $ 15,000 | Ask for a quote |
| Scanatic™ 360 Body Scanner | TG3D Studio | Taiwan | $ 15,000 | Ask for a quote |
| Proscanner | Fit3D | United States | $ 10,000 | Ask for a quote |
Overview of the best 3D full body scanners
The Texel MX can be used for the entertainment and advertising industry, for medical applications, and even as a digital fitting room.
It takes the Texel MX 30 seconds to perform a full 3D body scan, and just 60 seconds to create a digital 3D model with automatic rigging. As with the BX version, results can be directly used for 3D printing or 3D animation.
Based in Russia, Texel (or Texel Graphics) is one of the leading manufacturers of 3D body scanners. Their solutions are suitable for a wide range of applications and can be customized for specific events, stores, or environments.
The BX is able to scan up to 40 people per hour and comes with a registration tablet for users to input their names and email address. 3D avatars are directly sent to their inbox and can be shared via social media.
| Technology | Photogrammetry |
| Price
Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
| $ 250,000 |
Mantis Vision is a professional 3D scanner manufacturer from Israel that we’ve featured before, namely in our handheld 3D scanner guide.
Their body 3D scanning solution, also called 3D capture booth, is able to generate full 3D body scans but also dynamic 3D videos. The 3iosk is based on proprietary technology and VoCams (Volumetric Cameras).
| Technology | Photogrammetry |
| Price
Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
| $ 20,000 |
The botscan NEO by German manufacturer botspot features a modular design and is customizable. This system uses a combination of structured light and photogrammetry to provide accurate and colored meshes.
For an easy user experience, the NEO comes with an intuitive mobile app. Its maximum scanning volume capacity is 1000 x 1000 x 2000mm.
| Technology | Photogrammetry |
| Price
Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
| $ 15,000 |
The Size Stream SS20 3D body scanner is a versatile full body measurement system, designed to capture thousands of data points to create a 3D model of a person’s body. This 3D body scanning booth is primarily designed for 3D measurement to create custom clothing.
The Size Stream body scanner can also be used for 3D printing, measurement tracking, size surveys, and healthcare and fitness applications.
| Technology | Laser triangulation |
| Price
Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
| $ 15,000 |
The Scanatic 360 Body Scanner by TG3D is designed for the fashion industry. It is lightweight and easy to move, and can be fully integrated within a fitting room. Scans take 3 seconds, and measurement points are available in 30 seconds.
TG3D develops software and applications that are tailored for the clothing industry.
| Technology | Structured light |
| Price
Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
| $ 10,000 |
The Fit3D Proscanner is a 3D body scanner for fitness and healthcare applications. It’s designed to provide a comprehensive wellness assessment based on a detailed 3D body capture.
This body scanning system is mainly used in gyms, health clubs, and fitness studios. The Fit3D Proscanner is able to accurately 3D scan a person in 40 seconds and to provide a posture analysis as well as a body shape wellness score.
3D body scanning applications
3D printed figurines and 3D photo
Also known as 3D selfies or 3D portraits, these miniature figurines of people are typically 3D printed from a 3D body scan. If you want to learn more about this application, you can visit our article dedicated to 3D printed figurines.
Here are a few 3D body scanner options that are designed for 3D figurines:
- Artec Shapify Booth
- Doob Dooblicator
- KODAK Full Body 3D Scanner
- Picanova 3D.me
- Pics3D Cobra
- Scanologics ScanLounge v2.5
- Twindom Twinstant Mobile
Fitness and personal health
Fitness body scanners
Body scanners can be used in fitness clubs, gyms, and healthcare facilities. Fitness body scanners allow you to track the evolution of a person’s body through various 3D measurements such as body shape and posture.
Visualizing these evolutions on a 3D avatar is a strong motivational boost that can help increase gym members’ engagement and improve patient recovery processes.
Home body scanners
These 3D body scanners are consumer appliances made to monitor personal health and body shape as well as posture evolution, among other data points. Homebody scanners usually have a 360° rotating platform on which the user stands.
These 3D body scanners typically work with a smartphone app acting as a personal trainer, so users can easily track all their data and reach their fitness goals.
Fashion and apparel: made-to-measure clothing
The fashion and apparel industry was among the first to embrace 3D body scanning for several applications:
- Fast and accurate 3D measurements
- Made-to-measure clothing (custom clothing)
- Highly personalized recommendations
- Measurement surveys and anthropometric characterization
- Virtual fitting rooms
Users can obtain their own 3D avatar on their smartphone and use it to see how clothes fit without physically trying them on.
This is as useful for luxury, tailored clothing as it is for retail and e-commerce.
Healthcare
Healthcare and medical sectors are filled with opportunities for 3D body scanning. From monitoring body shape and posture during pregnancy to making custom 3D printed prosthetics and more, body scanners are increasingly used for use in the medical field.
Body scanning can also be used to accurately monitor skin recovery in the case of burns or to detect skin diseases at an early stage, thanks to specific 3D imaging systems.
How do 3D body scanners work?
To obtain a full body scan, the person holds a pose for a few seconds, which is the time it takes for the 3D scanner to capture images from all angles. The 3D software then reconstructs the final 3D model of the body by “stitching” all of the images together, generating a highly detailed 3D model. Models can have colors and textures depending on the type of body scanner that’s used.
During the 3D capture process, the subject can either stand on a rotating turntable facing a fixed 3D body scanner, or stand still while the sensors located all around the body scanning booth capture images from all angles.
Closed 3D body scanning booth (or body scanning cabin)
A body scanning booth is a closed cabin that is rigged with cameras or 3D scanners. These full body 3D scanners look a bit like regular fitting rooms.
Full body scanner with rotating platform or turntable
To use these body scanners, the person stands on a rotating table facing a 3D body scanner, typically a vertical unit. During the scanning process, the turntable rotates 360°, allowing the subject to be captured from all angles. The 3D model is generated once the full rotation is complete.