The majority of businesses, both small and large, demand for a good quality color or monochrome printer, as well as the best document scanner that will allow for a smooth workflow and provide the resources needed for a good quality performance.

Of course, that cannot be any device, but the one that will be really beneficial for your work and finding such a device be problematic if you are not that familiar with its important aspects.

For that reason, this guide will introduce you with the criteria that should have a major impact on the document scanner’s overall quality and help you make the best purchase possible.

Top Picks

How to choose the best document scanner

In order to purchase the best document scanner possible, pay attention to the following criteria:

Speed

If you are expecting large volume scanning, the speed of the scanning itself might play a major role for you. No one wants to spend hours and hours in front of any device, if not necessary. Therefore, pay closer attention to this aspect.

Connectivity

The more connectivity there is the better overall usability and versatility of the scanner. If you can, always go for as many connectivity options as possible, including Wi-Fi, USB, etc.

Resolution

Depending on the use of the scans, their resolution might be a decisive factor for many, especially if you are into art or similar visually sensitive jobs that demand a large resolution. For that reason, choose the device that will deliver the most in this field.

8 Best Document Scanners

Canon imageFORMULA R40

An Ideal All-Around Document Scanner Intended for a Wide Variety of Uses

Canon imageFORMULA R40 is a document scanner that won’t impress you in any category. Still, when you observe it as the whole, you realize that it delivers an excellent value for the money and that, in general, it presents an excellent multipurpose scanner, with everything you need for solid office work.

There is a very good Canon CaptureOnTouch software that is compatible with Windows and Mac, as well as Readiris PDF, OCR, and Cardiris business software that are unfortunately limited only to Windows use, but altogether deliver the very positive user experience. More importantly, this device provides a solid accuracy and reliability and allows for a straightforward and simple user process.

When talking about the performance itself, you should know that Canon imageFORMULA R40 is no Speedy Gonzales, but is able to scan up to 40 pages per minute and up to 4000 scans per day, which should be more than enough for a home or a small business office.

Sadly, its connectivity relies only on a USB connection, without a mobile or network connection; however, since this is an entry-level device, some downsides must be accepted.

All in all, if you are looking for the best document scanner for a small amount of money and with tremendous potential, Canon imageFORMULA R40 is a great option for you.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Simple setup
• Reliable
• Good quality software
• A decent scanning speed

Cons:

• No network and mobile connectivity

Check Prices


 

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500

A Compact, But Highly Capable Document Scanner

There are not that many scanners that, with their build quality and level of performance, outshine the competition as it is the case with Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 document scanner, the device that has everything that you need for a trouble-free work and much more.

With this scanner, you are getting USB connectivity and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WI-Fi, excellent responsiveness, and ease of use. Moreover, this device is compatible with Mac and Windows-based systems, but more importantly, it delivers accurate scanning, with very little lag and overall quiet performance that should allow for comfortable use in small offices, not disturbing anybody’s work.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 comes fitted with an automatic document feeder that has a 50-page capacity; it can scan up to 30 pages per minute and offers a maximal resolution of up to 600dpi.

Its built-in software is robust and offers plenty of functions, while its accompanied ScanSnap Cloud software allows for direct scanning to Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud services.

This scanner has a clean and compact design; it is fitted with a responsive touchscreen and can handle a variety of paper types and sizes (up to A4). More importantly, its rollers are replaceable and the scanner comes with up to 30 pre-defined profiles that allow for an optimal workflow.

To make a long story short, if you want one of the best scanners on the market, with very few downsides, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 is the perfect choice for you.

Pros:

• Compact
• Quiet
• Fast performance
• Attractive looking
• Good quality OCR software
• Replaceable rollers

Cons:

• A bit pricey
• It demands adjustments to provide the finest quality
• No Ethernet connection

Check Prices


 

Epson FastFoto FF-680W

A Perfect Device for Scanning Your Photo Stacks

Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a high-performing photo scanner that, although expensive, will give you everything you need, including fast performance, accurate scanning, and most importantly, the ability to scan from stacks of up to 50 photos, helping you to easily digitalize your whole photo collection.

This scanner delivers a solid OCR performance and allows for good quality scanning of both documents and photos. Moreover, it has a speed of some 45 scans per minute, as well as solid connectivity that involves Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.

Epson FastFoto FF-680W can scan in 300dpi and 600dpi resolution, and allows for software enlargement at up to 1200dpi. It is pretty much photo-friendly and ideal option for small offices and home use.

In other words, the best home document scanner and the best photo scanner in one, and altogether great and highly capable device.

Pros:

• Excellent scanning quality
• Quick photo stack scanning
• Very good OCR performance
• A solid document scanning performance

Cons:

• Expensive

Check Prices


 

Brother DS-640 Mobile Scanner

A Compact and Simple to Use Document Scanner

If you are after a simple and budget-friendly document scanner that will deliver a solid overall performance and excellent usability and portability, Brother DS-640 document scanner is a great option for you.

No, this scanner won’t give you any fancy features and will deliver rather limited performance, with a maximum speed of 16 scans per minute. However, for the majority of users that are seeking an affordable and reliable document scanner, that is more than enough.

More importantly, this scanner works flawlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux-based computers and comes fitted with USB3.0 connectivity that is, unfortunately, the only way you can connect this baby.

Brother DS-640 is able to scan with the resolution of up to 600dpi and interpolate those scans at the resolution of up to 1200dpi. Also, it comes in a package with very good software solutions that include the iPrint&Scan app that can scan directly to emails, cloud services and similar, as well as programs for document management and OCR.

All in all, if you need a solid and highly portable scanner that will fulfill every task that you put in front of it and also is one of the best portable document scanners on the market, Brother DS-640 is simply the ideal choice for you.

Pros:

• Compact
• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• USB 3.0 connectivity
• Accurate
• Affordable

Cons:

• No single-pass duplex
• Lacks internal battery
• No wireless and mobile connectivity

Check Prices


 

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

An Amazing Portable Document Scanner

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is a lightweight, compact, and highly practical document scanner that can be used as an excellent portable document scanner solution, due to its physical characteristics and overall performance.

This device offers both Wi-Fi and mini USB connectivity; it is capable of working on its own (due to its built-in rechargeable battery), as well as together with PCs and assortment of Apple products, such as Mac, iPhone, iPad, etc. Also, due to its highly intuitive software, it is pretty simple to use, while its internal 500MB storage, along with an 8GB SD card that comes in the package, provides great autonomy and ability to scan a vast number of documents, without even turning on your computer.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is capable of scanning in 300dpi or 600dpi resolution; however, its scanning speed (seven pages per minute) is nowhere near impressive, but luckily, it will do the job for most users. On the other hand, if you are into a stack scanning, the lack of a sheet feeder will certainly be a deal-breaker.

In other words, if you are seeking the best document scanner for Mac and excellent portability in one product, and absence of sheet feeder is acceptable for you, Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is simply your only choice.

Pros:

• Tiny
• Easy to use
• Portable
• Good compatibility
• It can work without the computer
• SD card reader

Cons:

• Not the best Wi-Fi connection
• No sheet feeder

Check Prices


 

Canon CanoScan Lide 400

The Best Entry-Level Document Scanner There Is

Buying a basic, highly affordable scanner, with excellent accuracy and solid overall performance, such as Canon CanoScan Lide 400, might be the optimal solution for a large base of users that need an occasional, not everyday heavy-duty scanning. Yes, truth is that by buying such a product, you will be forced to accept certain compromises, but on the other hand, you may be sure you will get an excellent value for your money and a reliable scanner that will stay with you for a long time.

In other words, you will get solid compatibility and ability to use it along with PCs and Macs, a solid scanning speed of 15 pages per minute, as well as a highly capable software, with multiple predefined profiles and more than a decent OCR program.

Unfortunately, this scanner offers only USB connectivity and is incapable of delivering stacked scans; nevertheless, it delivers very accurate scans, with vibrant colors and the ability to be used upright, due to kickstand.

Canon CanoScan Lide 400 provides a maximum scanning resolution of 4800 by 4800dpi and very good overall quality, but more importantly, it presents one of the best scanners for less than $100 and altogether an excellent product for its class.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Great software package
• Very good scan quality
• Lightweight

Cons:

• No wireless and mobile connectivity

Check Prices


 

Epson WorkForce ES-50

A Basic, but High-Performing Document Scanner

Epson WorkForce ES-50 is an affordable document scanner, revoked of advanced features; however, it has excellent performance that will satisfy the majority of users.

This device is easy to use, lightweight, and with rather small dimensions that make it a great portable scanner. More importantly, this piece of hardware offers compatibility with Windows and Mac-based systems, accurate scanning, as well as a decent scanning speed of 11 pages per minute.

It is fitted with robust software, including the Nuance OCR software and it provides you with the ability to scan directly to the cloud services.

Unfortunately, its connectivity is limited only to USB connection and lacks any other connection type, which sort of limits its potential. Nevertheless, considering its price and overall performance quality, Epson WorkForce ES-50 is pretty much the best scanner you can get in this class and for less than $100, which ultimately makes it a great choice.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Portable
• Lightweight
• Very good software
• Affordable

Cons:

• It has only a USB connection

Check Prices


 

Brother ADS-1700W Scanner

A Document Scanner Ideal for High-Volume Users

If you are after a high-quality scanner, with numerous handy features and, before anything else, great performance, Brother ADS-1700W is an exceptional option for you.

This scanner is fast and will allow you to scan up to 25 pages per minute, as well as up to 1000 scans per day, which is more than enough even for heavy users.

Brother ADS-1700W comes fitted with a 2.8” color touchscreen; it offers Wi-Fi and micro USB3.0 connection and it comes in a package with a great software suit that involves both OCR software and document management and will allow you to scan directly into OCR software, emails, mobile devices, etc.

With this device, you will get an ease of use, as well as compact design, but more importantly, excellent scanning accuracy that makes this device one of the best scanners out there. All in all, if you respect true quality when you see it and want only the best, Brother ADS-1700W is the scanner you must buy.

Pros:

• Compact
• Easy to use
• Accurate
• Very good software

Cons:

• A bit heavy
• No battery

Check Prices


 

Summary

Document scanning is something we all need at least occasionally. If you’ve decided to buy a great document scanner, we’re sure that this guide offered some useful tips and great choices. Good luck!