Handheld Imager Market By Product Type (IR Scanners, Millimeter Wave Scanners, Stud Finders, Others); By Application (Construction, Medical, Security, Industrial, Others); By Technology (CCD (Charge-Coupled Device), CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor), Infrared Sensors); By Geography, Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024-2032.

The handheld imager market in 2023 was worth USD 4.67 billion and is expected to be worth USD 12.77 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 13.4% during the forecast period.

 

The handheld imager market is propelled by the demand for imaging handheld devices in several sectors, such as security, healthcare, and other industrial inspections. These handheld thermal imagers are popular with law enforcement and military personnel due to increased global security, especially for surveillance and threat identification at night or no light conditions surveillance and threat identification. For instance, the application of thermal imaging cameras for use by the police forces has grown common and useful in functions like searching for people and controlling borders.

 

Further, in the healthcare segment, portable imagers are employed for nondestructive diagnosis, hence positively affecting early detection of ailments such as skin cancer. The rising demand for infrared imaging for industrial applications, especially in the area of predictive maintenance, in which companies utilize handheld imagers for identifying faults and overheating equipment, is also driving the market.

 

The handheld imager market is a large market that has a lot of potential and is likely to expand much more with the growing application of thermal imaging, including in health, security, and industrial applications. The global security market is growing rapidly, and handheld thermal imagers are used in border surveillance, law enforcement, and firefighting since visibility in adverse conditions is critical. For instance, portable thermal imagers are used for detecting fires and identifying hot areas to help in the fight against fire, this is because fire is on the rise in different parts of the world.

 

Further, handheld imagers are finding applications in the industrial sector for utilizing them in predictive maintenance manufacturing plants, where identifying faults in equipment that can potentially lead to a breakdown is likely to save millions of dollars each year. Healthcare is another diverse area with an increasing need for non-invasive diagnostic applications such as Handheld imagers in early cancer detection and vascular assessment.

 

 

Market Segmentation

By Product Type

• IR Scanners

• Millimeter Wave Scanners

• Stud Finders

• Others

 

By Application

• Construction

• Medical

• Security

• Industrial

• Others

 

By Technology:

• CCD (Charge-Coupled Device)

• CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor)

• Infrared Sensors

 

By Region

North America

• US

• Mexico

• Canada

• Rest of North America

 

Europe

• Switzerland

• Russia

• France

• Germany

• U.K

• Finland

• Turkey

• Netherlands

• Belgium

• Spain

• Italy

• Rest of Europe

 

Asia Pacific

• India

• China

• South Korea

• Japan

• Singapore

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• Malaysia

• Philippines

• Australia

• Rest of Asia-Pacific

 

LAMEA

• Brazil

• Argentina

• Uruguay

• Saudi Arabia

• Rest of LAMEA

 

Segment Analysis of the Handheld Imager Market

By Product Type:

Leading Segment: IR Scanners

IR scanners hold the largest market share in the handheld imager market, making up a substantial portion of the total market. These devices are widely used for temperature measurements, inspections & detecting heat-related issues. The ability to detect temperature variations in real-time has made IR scanners essential in various industries such as construction, electrical & manufacturing. Their growing popularity for preventative maintenance & energy efficiency applications drives the dominance of IR scanners. This segment is estimated to account for around 45% of the market share.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Millimeter Wave Scanners

Millimeter wave scanners are the fastest-growing segment in the handheld imager market, with a projected CAGR of 9.6% from 2025-2030. These scanners are gaining traction in security applications for detecting concealed weapons or objects beneath clothing. The increasing focus on security measures & safety protocols in airports, public places, & other high-security areas is driving the demand for millimeter wave scanners. They offer non-invasive detection methods with high precision, contributing to their rapid growth.

 

By Application:

Leading Segment: Security

The security application holds the largest market share, primarily driven by the increasing demand for handheld imagers in surveillance, threat detection & security inspections. Handheld imagers, especially IR scanners and millimeter wave scanners, are vital tools in security systems for detecting suspicious activities, objects, and temperature variations. With the rise in global security concerns, the security segment is expected to dominate the market with a share of approximately 40%. Key industries include law enforcement, defense & border security.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Industrial

The industrial application segment is the fastest-growing, with a projected CAGR of 10.2% from 2025 to 2030. Handheld imagers are becoming more popular in industrial settings for monitoring conditions, predicting maintenance needs & quality control. These devices help find problems like overheating, electrical faults, and mechanical issues, making them very useful for maintenance teams. With a growing focus on industrial automation & preventive maintenance, this segment is expected to grow quickly as industries work to reduce downtime & keep operations running smoothly.

 

By Technology:

Leading Segment: Infrared Sensors

Infrared sensors dominate the technology segment in the handheld imager market. Their ability to detect & visualize heat patterns makes them essential in applications like electrical inspections, construction & healthcare. This technology is widely used in IR scanners, which hold the largest market share in handheld imagers. The growth in demand for energy efficiency and building inspections further strengthens the dominance of infrared sensor technology. IR sensors account for nearly 50% of the market share due to their diverse and critical applications across multiple industries.

Fastest-Growing Segment: CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor)

The CMOS technology segment is the fastest-growing, with a projected CAGR of 11.4% over the next five years. CMOS sensors are becoming increasingly popular due to their low power consumption, smaller size, & high performance, particularly in compact handheld imagers. This technology is gaining adoption in medical imaging & other portable imaging applications. The growing demand for lightweight & efficient devices is driving the rapid growth of CMOS-based handheld imagers.

 

By Region:

Leading Region: North America

North America holds the largest market share in the handheld imager market, primarily driven by the strong demand for handheld imagers in security, healthcare & industrial applications. The U.S. is a key contributor, with an increasing number of government agencies & industrial sectors adopting handheld imagers for various purposes, including surveillance & predictive maintenance. This region accounts for approximately 35% of the market share, supported by the region's technological advancements and high security standards.

Fastest-Growing Region: Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, with a projected CAGR of 8.5% from 2025 to 2030. Countries like China, India, and Japan are seeing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of handheld imagers in industrial, medical, and security sectors. The growing manufacturing and construction sectors in APAC are boosting the demand for handheld imaging tools, especially for energy efficiency and maintenance. Also, increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure and security projects are helping the region grow quickly. The market is expected to experience strong demand for handheld imagers, especially in emerging economies like India and China.

 

Key Players

• FLIR Systems, Inc.

• Raytheon Company

• Fluke Corporation

• ULIS (Lynred)

• Testo SE & Co. KGaA

• Seek Thermal

• Bae Systems

• Leonardo DRS

• InfraTec GmbH

• Honeywell International Inc.

 

Handheld Imager Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2032
Market Size Value in 2023	USD 4.67 billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 12.77 billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 13.4%
Base Year for Estimation	2022
Historical Data	2017 – 2021
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2024 - 2032)
Segmentation	By Product Type, By Application, By Technology, By Region
By Product Type	IR Scanners, Millimeter Wave Scanners, Stud Finders, Others
By Application	Construction, Medical, Security, Industrial, Others
By Technology	CCD (Charge-Coupled Device), CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor), Infrared Sensors
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, LAMEA
Country Scope	US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, France, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, etc.
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.