NS800 is a portable, light-weight and compact color difference spectrophotometer for quick and precise color control. It is easily operable and ergonomic for repeated use over long periods of time. The NS800 is developed with 3NH's proprietary core technology, features separates the light according to a certain wavelength interval, and adopts groups of sensor array to perform sensitive analysis. This design ensures high - speed, accurate, stable, and consistent measurements. NS800 has a compact design, is easy to handle and quick to get to the right colour, even on uneven surfaces of objects.
Key Highlights
45/0 method (45 ring-shaped illumination, vertical viewing)
Excellent Repeatability (ΔE * AB≤0.2)
Inter - instrument Error Control (ΔE * AB≤0.04)
Spectral Value/Graph, Colorimetric Value, Color Difference Value/Graph, PASS/FAIL Result and etc
Large 3.5 Inch Touch Screen Operation, Fully Automatic Calibration
Largest 58mm integrating sphere
NS800 hand held spectrophotometer uses the principle of combination LED precision spectroscopy, separates the light according to a certain wavelength interval, and adopts groups of sensor array to perform sensitive analysis. spectrophotometers NS800 are a combination of the highest metrological standards and modern trends in the use of electronic devices. The vertical design makes the instrument light and easy to use for measuring even very difficult surfaces. NS800 spectrophotometer with higher accuracy is very sensitive to any colors. It not only can measure L*ab value and delta E value accurately, but also can display spectral reflectance curve which can realize color matching function and calculate the real parameters of various color formulas.

In the R&D process, 3nh scientists and engineers measured various color samples from dark to light, white to black, and other standard color boards provided by ISO (International Standardization Organization). The parameters of test results are integrating with international standards.
3nh also analyzed the parameters from Japan, American and Germany spectrophotometers. The differences of L*ab absolute value between them are within ±1.5. Compared the L*ab value between NS800 and Japan spectrophotometer, when measuring any color objects, the biggest L*ab difference is within ±1.0. This is a breakthrough of 3nh high technology which realizes to be fully compatible with international market.

This durable, hand-held 3nh Spectrophotometer is designed specifically for the rigors of on-site testing, with rugged components and waterproof, dustproof, chemical-resistant housings. NS800 spectrophotometer is widely used in plastic, electronic, paint, ink, textile, garment, printing and dyeing, food, medical, cosmetic, industries, scientific research institutes, schools and laboratories. It can measure reflectance spectrum and other color index precisely. NS800 spectrophotometer not only can help to perform color matching and color management studies, but also can control product quality management accurately. The instrument is equipped with high-end color management software which can connect PC to achieve more extension functions.

3nh NS800 portable spectrophotometer serves as a trusted color control tool across many industries:
✅ Plastic & electronics: raw material incoming inspection and finished product color consistency check
✅ Paint, coating & ink: color matching, batch-to-batch difference testing for solid coatings
✅ Textile & garment: fabric, yarn and textile finished goods color verification
✅ Printing & packaging: print color QC and color comparison
✅ Cosmetics, food and medical industries: color quality testing for solid samples
✅ R&D laboratories and quality departments for color formulation and documentation



NS800 works best for flat solid samples such as plastic sheets, coated panels, paper, fabric and cosmetic solids. The 45/0 geometry is not recommended for metallic pearlescent paints.
It supports CIE Lab*, LCh, ΔE, whiteness, yellowness and other common color indices.
Yes, it meets CIE No.15, ISO, ASTM and DIN standards for color measurement.
This type of spectrophotometer is engineered for precise color analysis within the coatings industry and built to comply with global industry standards. For automotive coating applications, spherical spectrophotometers with d/8° geometry or multi-angle spectrophotometers featuring 3 to 12 measurement angles are the mainstream choices. Directional 45°/0° spectrophotometers are less commonly used in this sector.
It refers to spectrophotometers dedicated to color testing, manufactured to meet ASTM, ISO and DIN international standards. Before purchase, we recommend consulting color measurement professionals to select the right instrument according to your sample types and required measurement accuracy.
Spectrophotometers typically range from $3,000 to $20,000, which is reasonable considering they are high-precision laboratory-grade instruments. Buyers should stay cautious during selection. A high price tag does not always guarantee superior quality, and low-cost options carry risks. Some suppliers may disguise simple spectrocolorimeters as full spectrophotometers. Currently, many global manufacturers source cost-effective spectrophotometers from China.
Spectrophotometers formulated for general paint applications share similar construction and functions with those used for automotive coatings. Instruments with d/8° optical geometry are most widely adopted. They can test opacity, whiteness index and gloss. Support for SCI and SCE measurement modes is also an essential feature for paint color inspection.
Fundamentally, a spectrophotometer captures spectra within a defined wavelength range. Color spectrophotometers operate in the visible light spectrum, covering 400–700 nm. All other color metrics are derived by converting the original spectral readings into colorimetric values.
With outstanding measurement accuracy and stability, the NS800 enables enterprises to strictly control product color quality, boost competitiveness and win market recognition.
| Model | NS800 |
| Illumination/observation system | 45/0 method (45 ring-shaped illumination, vertical viewing), Comply with CIE No.15,GB/T 3978 |
| Integrating sphere Size | Φ58mm |
| Light Source | combined LED sources |
| Sensor | Silicon photodiode array |
| Wavelength range | 400~700nm |
| Wavelength interval | 10nm |
| Reflectance range | 0~200% |
| Measuring Aperture | Φ8mm |
| Color Space | CIE LAB,XYZ,Yxy,LCh,CIE LUV |
| Color difference Formula | ΔE*ab,ΔE*uv,ΔE*94,ΔE*cmc(2:1),ΔE*cmc(1:1),ΔE*00,ΔE(h) |
| Other Chromaticity Data | WI(ASTM E313,CIE/ISO, AATCC, Hunter), YI(ASTM D1925,ASTM 313), Metamerism Index (Mt), Color Stain, Color Fastness, Color Strength |
| Observer | 2°/10° |
| Illuminant | D65,A,C,D50,D55,D75,F2,F6,F7,F8,F10,F11,F12 |
| Display Data | Spectral Value/Graph, Colorimetric Value, Color Difference Value/Graph, PASS/FAIL Result, Color Offset, Color Simulation |
| Measurement Time | 1.5s |
| Repeatability | Spectral Reflectance: standard deviation within 0.1%(400~700nm: within 0.2%) |
| Colorimetric Value | Standard deviation within Delta E*ab 0.04 (Measurement conditions: white calibration plate measured 30 times at 5 seconds intervals after white calibration was performed.) |
| Inter Instrument Agreement | Within Delta E*ab 0.2 (Average for 12 BCRA Series II color tiles) |
| Dimension | L*W*H=90*77*230mm |
| Weight | 600g |
| Battery | Li-ion battery. 5000 times within 8 hours |
| Lamp Life | 5 years, more than 1.6 million measurements |
| Display Screen | TFT 3.5inch, Capacitive Touch Screen |
| Interface | USB |
| Data Memory | 1000 Standards, 15000 Samples |
| Operating Temperature | 0~40℃(32~104°F) |
| Storage temperature | -20~50℃(-4~122°F) |
| Standard Accessory | Power Adapter, Built-In Li-ion Battery, User Guide, PC Software, White and Black Calibration Cavity, Dust Cover |
| Optional Accessory | Multifunctional test kit, Micro Printer, Universal Test Compon |
| Others | Provide complete spectrum reflectance curve, Input L, a, b value manually |
| Notes | The specifications are subject to change without notice |
3nh NS800 handheld spectrophotometer with 45°/0 geometry for precise industrial color measurement, color matching and ΔE testing. Ideal for plastic, paint, textile, printing QC.
FAQs About NS800 Portable Spectrophotometers
Always a pre-production sample before mass production; Always final Inspection before shipment;
The main instruments used to detect color are spectrophotometers and colorimeters (including photoelectric integrating colorimeters).
Spectrophotometer: High-precision option. It analyzes the full visible light spectrum to measure color accurately. Suitable for complex scenarios like textured surfaces, special effect colors, or batch consistency checks in industries such as paint and coatings.
Colorimeter (Photoelectric Integrating Colorimeter): Cost-effective and portable. It uses RGB filters to measure tristimulus values directly. Ideal for quick color difference detection in simple applications. Key Selection Tip Choose based on accuracy needs: use a spectrophotometer for high-precision color measurement, and a colorimeter for fast, basic color difference checks.
For premier ink quality control (CMYK, spot colors, printing density, formulation & press-side QC), these 3nh spectrophotometers / spectrodensitometers stand above the rest:
45/0 ring illumination, ISO 5-4 / ISO 13655 (M0/M1/M2/M3)
Measures density (Status T/E/A/I), dot gain, trap, print contrast
ΔE*ab ≤ 0.03, density ≤ 0.01D
Small apertures (Φ2/4/8mm) for fine print & ink dots
Ideal: packaging, label, gravure, flexo, CMYK/spot color control
d/8° sphere, SCI/SCE, UV control
ΔE*ab ≤ 0.01 (repeatability), IIA ≤ 0.1
Multi-apertures (Φ3/8/15/25mm)
Best for: R&D, ink formulation, batch consistency, fluorescent inks
d/8° (SCI/SCE), ΔE*ab ≤ 0.02
Fast, handheld, large Φ20mm aperture
Best for: press-side checks, warehouse incoming ink, on-site matching
360–780nm, UV adjustable, dual CMOS
Reflection & transmission modes
Multi-aperture (Φ4/8/15/25.4mm)
Best for: high-precision lab R&D, transparent/fluorescent inks
Best press-side / print QC: YD5050
Top lab formulation: TS8560
Best portable production: TS7700
High-end lab R&D: YS6060
When detecting color differences, the first factors to consider when selecting a light source include its stability, directionality, lifespan, and the effectiveness of the ultimately obtained spectral curve. The illuminant of a colorimeter is a fixed bulb, such as a tungsten lamp,LED light or a long-life xenon lamp. However, for the same color sample, the results displayed by the instrument vary under different light sources. This is because different light sources cause different absorption and reflection of light on the sample, leading to differences in how both the human eye and the instrument perceive the color.
In general, the D65 light source is used in the application of coil steel inks for construction. The D65 light source is equivalent to average daylight. Most coil steel inks for construction are used outdoors, and sunlight is regarded as the standard light source in outdoor environments. For household appliance coil steel inks, due to their usage characteristics, they are mostly used indoors. Therefore, the A standard light source is adopted for color measurement of samples based on indoor lighting conditions. The A light source is a carefully specified tungsten light source. Other light sources, such as fluorescent light sources, can be used in many types of applications. For example, some textile factories use fluorescent light sources. Therefore, a reasonable light source should be selected as the mutually recognized measurement method based on actual usage conditions and user requirements. Once agreed upon by both parties, color measurement must be conducted under the same conditions. This helps reduce unnecessary systematic errors and human errors, achieving the optimal consistency in color measurement.
The 3nh high-precision spectrophotometric colorimeter adopts a combined LED light source with long lifespan and low power consumption, which includes UV (ultraviolet) and UV-excluded options. This design can meet the color difference detection needs of different users and supports the selection of multiple light source modes.
Threenh Technology with excellent after sale service, Generally, Our Spectrophotometer instrument warranty is one years(Additional support period of 3 years). Within the warranty period, we can offer technique support and parts to parts change, necessarily, our engineers may go to your place for better support. Our instrument have professional After-sales Dept, if you have any technical problem or question with our goods welcome to contact us.
Discuss your project with one of our product specialists:
0086 755 26508999We respond to quote requests within 1 business day.
service@3nh.comSubmit a demo request for the product you're interested in.
Get a Demo