Elegoo M1 Ultra scanner tested: strong models, but several passes and a heavy PC needed

A hands-on review by Tom's Hardware rates the Elegoo M1 Ultra, the company's first 3D scanner, as a good first entry with a feature set unusual at its price. Output quality matched the best scanners the reviewer had tried, but shiny and dark objects needed several scans and the software demands a powerful computer.

Context NIR (near-infrared) structured light projects an invisible light pattern and reads its distortion with two cameras, which helps when scanning outdoors or in harsh lighting.

What does the M1 Ultra offer?

The M1 Ultra is Elegoo's first 3D scanner. It has five scanning modes: four blue laser modes (34 crossed lines for speed, 7 parallel lines for detail, a single line for deep holes, and a markerless mode) plus a NIR binocular structured light mode. Stated accuracy is up to 0.02 mm in laser mode and up to 0.05 mm per metre in NIR mode. A 3-inch colour touch screen lets the user set parameters and start scans, and a spare rechargeable battery is included. The scanner weighs 511 g with battery.

How did it perform in testing?

The reviewer found the output comparable to any scanner tested so far, but reaching it took extra work. A brushed motor with shiny surfaces needed several scans, and automatic alignment failed on its geometry, so manual alignment with markers was used. A bust test model needed three scans. In NIR mode a toy alligator scanned in two passes with accurate colour mapping, while a black stuffed toy left holes where the mane and tail absorbed the light. Exported STL files opened in Tinkercad with correct size and hole alignment.

What computer does it need?

The scanner cannot work standalone and connects by USB-C or Wi-Fi to a PC or Mac. The ElegooScan software, which resembles CrealityScan, was unusable on a laptop with 8 GB of RAM. Elegoo recommends Windows 10/11, an Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) or better, an RTX 4060 with 8 GB VRAM and 32 GB RAM or more; the Mac recommendation is macOS 14 with an Apple M4 and 32 GB. Minimums are 16 GB RAM. No turntable is included, though a hard case, calibration board, NIR filters and USB-C cable are.

What does it cost?

The review cites a current price of $1,599 at Elegoo, while its specification table lists $1,699. The release date is given as 29 October 2026. The reviewer notes that a CAD program or other design tools will usually still be needed to turn scans into finished models.

What it means

For small manufacturers, a scanner at this price shows how low the entry barrier for reverse engineering and part inspection has become. The review also shows the hidden costs: a workstation with 32 GB RAM and a capable GPU, extra scanning passes, manual alignment and CAD rework before a scan becomes a usable model. It is a desktop-class test, not an inspection-grade validation, so the stated accuracy would need checking against the tolerances of the actual parts. This continues the earlier story on the scanner's launch.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Elegoo M1 Ultra work without a computer?

No. It must be connected to a PC or Mac by USB-C cable or Wi-Fi, and the reviewer found the software needs a powerful machine. A laptop with 8 GB of RAM was not enough.

What were the weak points in the test?

The scanner often needed two or three scans to cover an object, struggled with shiny parts, and left holes on very dark surfaces. No turntable is included.

How much does the M1 Ultra cost?

The review cites $1,599 at Elegoo, while its specification table lists $1,699. The release date is given as 29 October 2026.