In general, scanners are very practical devices that give you the opportunity to digitalize your old photos, make scans for social media, etc. However, not all of them are born equal. Photo scanner is, as its name suggests, designed for scanning photos, slide scanner – for scanning slides, etc.

If you’re looking for one device that is meant for various purposes, including easy portability, today, we’ll help you find the best portable scanner for your needs.

Of course, such devices are more of a niche product and aren’t needed by everyone; nevertheless, they can be very useful, if you are constantly on the move and require an easy and practical way to scan documents, photos, etc. no matter where are you currently located.

Whether you belong to that type of users, or just want to experience a different approach to scanning, these are the characteristics you should pay your attention to, if you want to end up with the best portable scanner your money can buy.

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How to choose the best portable scanner

When deciding for the best portable scanner, pay attention to these criteria:

Scanning speed

Speed is one of the rare things that don’t demand an explanation in these modern times. Today, speed is everything and the majority of users are expecting things to happen instantly. Therefore, why would you expect anything different from your portable scanner?

Rechargeable battery

If your chosen device comes with a built-in battery, you can literally use it wherever you like it. Basically, the only limitation will be the capacity of the battery, or the number of scans that it can handle, before it drains.

Connectivity

Although it isn’t essential, good connectivity will give you much better versatility and the ability to use your scans more efficiently. Check if there is Wi-Fi and USB connectivity and if the chosen device has an SD card slot, etc.

5 Best Portable Scanners

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

A Practical, but Capable Portable Scanner

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is a small-sized portable scanner, with a decent, built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 400 scans, as well as excellent compatibility that allows for its use with PCs, Macs, iPhones, and iPads through the dedicated app.

This scanner comes fitted with integrated Wi-Fi and micro USB connectivity and a very good software package that, among others, includes the ABBYY OCR program. More importantly, this device enables you to save scans to your desktop, cloud services, as well as directly to its 8GB memory card that is included in the package.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi comes with a one-year warranty and is able to scan items, in a wide variety of formats, in both 300dpi and 600dpi resolution. It can scan a color page for about eight seconds and store up to 4000 copies in its included memory card.

More importantly, its scans are very accurate, with vivid colors; however, of only solid quality. In other words, they are more than decent for social media and similar activities; nevertheless, if you are seeking a premium quality scan, better turn to a dedicated document or photo scanner that will satisfy your needs with ease.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is an easy to use device that offers a lot for its money and altogether presents a great option for home or small office use.

Pros:

• Small size
• Ease of use
• Offers computer-free scanning
• Good quality software
• Fast performance

Cons:

• No sheet feeder

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Brother DS-640

An Affordable and Versatile Portable Scanner

If you are a fan of Brother’s scanners such as DS-740D, but seeking for a bit more simplicity, ease of use and portability, Brother DS-640 scanner is as made for you.

With this scanner, you are getting the fast performance of 16 scans per minute, good compatibility that allows for its use with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as numerous handy features such as the scan’s auto-enhance functions, fast micro USB3.0 connectivity and SD card slot.

This portable scanner delivers 1200dpi scans. However, this can only be achieved with the help of interpolation, while its native resolution is limited to 600dpi. Its capacity is only 100 scans per day; however, of great accuracy and quality.

Brother DS-640 comes together with the iPrint&Scan software that allows for scanning directly to PC, e-mail, cloud services, etc., as well as OCR and document management functions that make this device a highly versatile one, as it should be the case with the best portable scanners.

All in all, if you are after a very capable device that can be easily used on the road, Brother DS-640 is the thing for you.

Pros:

• Fast performance
• Lightweight
• Compact
• Easy to use
• Good compatibility
• Scans auto enhancement function

Cons:

• No two-sided scanning
• No Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity
• No built-in battery
• Lacks document feeder

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Epson Workforce ES-60W

A Lot of Value for the Buck

Epson Workforce ES-60W is a fast performing and lightweight portable scanner, with excellent compatibility and packed with plenty of features.

Its scans are accurate and require only four seconds to be made, while the scanner itself is capable of working along with a wide variety of devices, including ones that are run by Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Epson Workforce ES-60W comes along with Nuance OCR and robust and easy to use ScanSmart Software that allows for simple scans management, as well as scanning directly to cloud services. Moreover, this device provides USB2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity and offers great portability due to its built-in rechargeable battery.

This scanner has a daily capacity of 300 scans; it can handle items in a variety of sizes and overall offers pretty much for its size and weight that surpasses the majority of its competition (which, among others, includes Xerox Duplex Travel).

Altogether, if you appreciate a good quality product, with great overall value, Epson Workforce ES-60W is a perfect choice for you and probably the best portable scanner you can stumble upon.

Pros:

• Fast performance
• Lightweight
• Compact
• Excellent compatibility
• Simultaneous two-side scanning

Cons:

• It comes without a memory card slot
• No document feeder

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Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100

A Feature-Rich Portable Scanner Ideal for Mobile Device and Cloud Scanning

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 is an easy to use and fairly priced device, packed with plenty of features that ultimately make it one of the best document scanners available.

This scanner offers versatile connectivity, with Wi-Fi and mini USB connection, as well as good compatibility that allows for its use with both Windows and Mac-based devices. More importantly, this device provides a fast scanning performance (11 pages per minute), as well as great accuracy of the scans, which overall makes it a great deal.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 is a plug and play device that is capable of scanning in up to 600dpi resolution and fitted with the rechargeable battery that can last for about 260 scans.

One more reason why this scanner is a good buy is its high-quality ScanSnap software that allows for easy use and provides multiple functions, such as precise OCR, direct cloud scanning, etc.

To conclude, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 is an affordable and light-duty portable scanner, with plenty of “weapons” in its arsenal, which makes it a perfect choice for home and small office use.

Pros:

• Excellent software
• Fairly priced
• Fast performance
• Versatile connectivity

Cons:

• Lacks duplex scan

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Brother ADS-1700W

Excellence in a Portable Package

Top class devices are always a great deal, and Brother ADS-1700W scanner is no exception. With this scanner, you are getting a compact design and very fast scanning performance (25 pages per minute), as well as a ton of features, such as a 20-sheet automatic document feeder and excellent connectivity that includes Wi-Fi, micro USB3.0 connection and SD card slot.

Brother ADS-1700W works with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices and can deliver about 1000 scans per day. However, its crucial aspect is its ability to deliver very accurate scans that, along with its robust iPrint&Scan app, offers great versatility. With the help of its software package, you can scan directly to e-mail, OCR, cloud services, mobile devices, USB flash, and more, as well as edit you scan and enjoy every benefit of automatic scan enhancement functions.

To make a long story short, if you want the best portable scanner for Mac, Windows, or any other mainstream device, that will blow away with its performance and usability, Brother ADS-1700W is without a doubt the perfect choice.

Pros:

• Compact
• Fast performance
• Two-sided scan
• Easy to use
• Great compatibility
• It can scan directly to USB

Cons:

• Has no built-in battery

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Conclusion

If you are ready to get yourself a great portable scanner, you should have a good idea of what to go for at this point. Pay attention to the criteria that is important to you and pick your best companion – and you’re good to go.