Deciding on the perfect scanner in your particular day-to-day scanning wants is difficult. Most flatbed and sheetfed scanners in the present day are geared towards on a regular basis workplace duties or picture picture seize, however they arrive in numerous varieties and sizes, some fine-tuned for various sorts of scanning. Doc, picture, receipt, and movie scanners: That record is only a begin, and we’re right here to assist. PCMag specialists have been reviewing scanners for many years, and we have outlined right here the highest scanners we’ve got examined by class and consumer state of affairs. Our greatest total photo scanner for most individuals is the Epson Perfection V39 II (a flatbed mannequin), and for doc scanning, it is the Ricoh SnapScan ix1600 (a sheetfed), however we stand behind all our suggestions. “Scan” our decide record for the form of work you do, then learn on for a deeper dive into scanner specs and the way to decide on the precise mannequin for what, precisely, you scan.
Deeper Dive: Our Prime Examined Picks
Greatest Flatbed Photograph Scanner
Epson Perfection V39 II
- Excessive-quality picture scans
- Absolutely computerized mode for straightforward scanning
- Separates out particular person photographs
- Scans to editable textual content in a searchable PDF
- Comes with kickstand for upright positioning
- Cannot scan movie
- Lacks bundled purposes
Most nonprofessional photographers cannot afford a devoted picture scanner. That is why the flatbed Epson Perfection V39 II doubles properly at scanning doc pages and turning them into editable textual content, though to be trustworthy you will desire a higher-priced scanner with an computerized doc feeder (ADF) for dealing with greater than occasional multipage jobs. The V39 II saves desk area with a vertical kickstand and comes with spectacular picture scanning and touch-up software program. It might probably even sew collectively a number of scans of photographs too large for its scanning space.
The V39 II captures vibrant colour and crisp element and ably serves a single small-office PC linked by way of USB. (It lacks wired networking or Wi-Fi for cellular gadgets.) Contemplating its reasonably priced value, it is an ideal answer for light-duty photo-quality scanning.
Most Optical Decision
4800 pixels
Mechanical Decision
4800 pixels
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 11.7″
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Greatest Desktop Doc Scanner (Houses and Small Places of work)
Ricoh ScanSnap iX1600
- Complete ScanSnap software program
- Easy to be taught and use
- Correct OCR
- Versatile connectivity choices, together with cellular
- 6,000-scan every day responsibility cycle score
It does not have Ethernet, as a result of it is not constructed for a company community—only for connection to a single PC or handheld in a small workplace by way of USB or Wi-Fi—however in any other case the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 is just about a mannequin desktop doc scanner. This sheetfed unit presents an easy-to-use colour contact display, a 50-page computerized doc feeder, and a hefty 6,000-scan every day responsibility cycle. (To overwork it, you’d need to load the ADF to capability greater than 120 occasions a day.) Better of all, it comes with first-class scanning, workflow-profile, and optical character recognition (OCR) software program.
In case you juggle a wide range of pages, the iX1600 robotically acknowledges and organizes paperwork, receipts, and enterprise playing cards—and even gadgets with totally different orientations and colour settings—in the identical batch. It is a very good approach for a house workplace or small workplace to get a deal with on piles of papers.
Most Optical Decision
1200 ppi
Mechanical Decision
600 ppi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 14″
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Greatest Desktop Doc Scanner (Excessive-Quantity, for Places of work)
Brother ADS-4900W
- Deep doc administration options
- Quick scanning and dependable feeding
- Correct OCR
- Can scan to USB reminiscence gadgets with out a pc
- Versatile connectivity and robust cellular gadget assist
- Giant contact display management panel
Brother’s scanners maintain up properly in a extremely aggressive, crowded market. That reality is greater than sufficient to render the ADS-4900W our present favourite mid- to high-volume sheetfed doc scanner for small to medium-size workplaces, workgroups, and enterprises. It stands out not due to any ground-breaking options or firsts, however as a result of this can be a terrific, rock-solid machine.
A whopping 9,000-scan every day responsibility cycle means you will need to have a very decided paper-feeding particular person (and a few actually large jobs) to emphasize this scanner out. It is correct, environment friendly, and fairly priced (properly below a grand) for what it’s.
For medium- to heavy-volume scanning in all however the largest workplaces, the Brother ADS-4900W serves as an industrial-strength desktop possibility. Some opponents from the likes of Raven function by way of large contact screens, however in case you simply want dependable, primary bulk doc digitization for your small business, this mannequin is a superb possibility.
Most Optical Decision
1200 dpi
Mechanical Decision
1200 dpi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ X 197″
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Greatest Desktop Enterprise Scanner (for Oversize Paperwork)
Epson DS-30000
- Quick and correct scanning and textual content conversion
- Excessive quantity score, together with massive ADF
- Scans paperwork as much as 12 by 17 inches
- Versatile scanner-interface software program
- Average-size footprint
- Lacks wi-fi or cellular connectivity
- USB interface solely; no networking possibility obtainable
- Lacks business-card scanning and archiving software program
The Epson DS-30000 laughs at your mere letter- and legal-size pages—this enterprise-class doc supervisor and archiver can deal with tabloid (11-by-17-inch) sheets, regardless of taking little extra room than a normal sheetfed desktop scanner. Its computerized doc feeder holds as much as 120 letter- or 60 A3-size pages, and its every day responsibility cycle is a juggernaut 30,000 scans. Epson backs it with a three-year guarantee with next-business-day substitute and bundles it with state-of-the-art document-management and scanner-interface software program. The latter not solely scans to a plethora of file codecs and cloud and archiving websites, however it presents pleasant Residence, Workplace, and Skilled modes for various ranges of consumer experience.
It’s miles from low cost at $2,499, however the DS-30000 is just half the price of a number of the copy-machine-size company scanners it competes with. After all, it is overkill for a small and even midsize workplace, however it stands virtually alone as a high-volume, large-format desktop doc scanner.
Most Optical Decision
1200 ppi
Mechanical Decision
1200 ppi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 220″
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Greatest Flatbed/Sheetfed Combo Scanner
HP ScanJet Professional 3600 f1
- Compact design
- Comparatively quick, extremely correct OCR
- Glorious HP Scan Professional interface
- Respectable doc archiving
- Scans to flash and different USB drives with no PC required
- Considerably costly
- No Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or gadget assist
Compact, simple to make use of, and correct at OCR, the ScanJet Professional 3600 f1 is a profitable hybrid flatbed/sheetfed design. As a flatbed, it could actually digitize photographs, e-book or journal pages, or fragile gadgets that may not survive a visit by a sheet feeder; with its roomy 60-page auto-duplexing ADF, it is able to course of prolonged paperwork lickety-split. You should utilize it and management it from a PC, or scan straight to flash drives or different USB drives with out one.
Physician’s workplaces, actual property or journey companies, banks, and different small organizations and workgroups that want to remain on high of the ebb, move, and occasional tidal wave of paper will discover the ScanJet invaluable. Plus, its assist for scan profiles and workflows makes repetitive scan duties simple.
Most Optical Decision
600 pixels
Mechanical Decision
1200 pixels
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 120″
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Greatest Excessive-Pace Snapshot Scanner
Epson FastFoto FF-680W
- Rapidly scans stacks of picture prints.
- Respectable as a doc scanner.
- Scans to searchable PDF.
- Stable OCR efficiency.
- Considerably expensive.
- Slower at picture scanning than its predecessor.
The FastFoto has been in the marketplace for a while, however this speedy, compact unit continues to be one among a sort. When you’ve got stacks of outdated household snapshots, or comparable card-size gadgets to be scanned in bulk, the FastFoto can course of them with velocity and care. It is light on photographs and may even scan each side of a print with out flipping it over, capturing attainable date knowledge or back-scrawled notations with the picture. It might probably additionally pinch-hit as a superbly workable doc scanner for digitizing payments and people outdated tax information.
Scrapbookers, household archivists, or people seeking to reproduce or digitize picture albums to the cloud will discover the FastFoto a godsend. It might probably course of a stack of snaps in mere minutes, and even tweak them on the fly and title them based on filename sequences that you simply specify within the software program. It might not be low cost, however it should pay for itself in time financial savings many occasions over for large scan jobs.
Most Optical Decision
600 ppi
Mechanical Decision
1200 ppi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ (vast)
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Greatest Transportable Doc Scanner
Brother DSmobile DS-940DW
- Small and light-weight.
- Quick scanning and processing.
- Correct OCR.
- Stable software program bundle.
- Simple to make use of.
- Autonomous scanning to microSD card.
- Wi-Fi and USB 3.0 connectivity.
- No computerized doc feeder.
- MicroSD card not included.
With no computerized doc feeder, the Brother DSmobile DS-940DW obliges you to feed pages manually, so it is higher suited to one- or two-page paperwork as a substitute of prolonged reviews or stacks of sheets. However in any other case, it is the very mannequin of helpful scanning on the highway, full with a chargeable battery and the flexibility to scan to a microSD card for later switch to a PC, so you do not even must deliver your laptop computer—simply throw the 1.5-pound scanner into your briefcase and also you’re all set. The Brother is rated for 100 scans a day and comes with software program for well managing enterprise playing cards and receipts.
It is clearly not a high-volume, heavy-duty doc supervisor, however the DSmobile DS-940DW’s comfort, velocity, and accuracy make it a standout in a crowded area of single-sheet moveable scanners. Do not depart the workplace with out it.
Most Optical Decision
1200 ppi
Mechanical Decision
600 ppi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 72″
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Greatest Entrance-Desk Doc and Card Scanner
Fujitsu fi-800R
- Quick and compact.
- Correct OCR.
- Strong software program bundle.
- Excessive every day quantity score.
- Properly-suited to front-desk purposes.
- Costly.
- Connectivity restricted to USB.
A cross between a desktop and a transportable sheetfed doc scanner, the Fujitsu fi-800R takes solely about 12 by 4 inches of desk area however delivers sturdy efficiency due to distinctive Return Scan and U-Flip Scan applied sciences that transfer paperwork out and in with out requiring a number of slots or paper trays. Its Lively Skew Correction enables you to be careless about inserting paperwork within the feeder, and its velocity and 4,500-scan every day responsibility cycle are nearer to its desktop than moveable rivals (although its 20-sheet ADF is on the skimpy facet).
The fi-800R is a little bit expensive contemplating it helps solely a USB as a substitute of community connection and lacks a battery for moveable scanning, however it fills a nifty area of interest as a front-desk doc supervisor for dealing with buyer and shopper paperwork. Its PaperStream Seize software program is simply the ticket for digitizing IDs, passports, and miscellaneous pages.
Most Optical Decision
600 ppi
Mechanical Decision
1200 ppi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 14″
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Greatest Receipt Scanner
Epson RapidReceipt RR-600W
- Quick
- Correct OCR
- Robust software program bundle, together with ScanSmart Accounting Version
- Enormous 4.3-inch colour contact display
- 100-sheet ADF
- Strong cellular gadget and USB thumb drive assist
- Low value for what you get
- ScanSmart not supported on cellular gadgets
The Epson RapidReceipt RR-600W is a strong desktop doc scanner with an computerized doc feeder (ADF) that permits you to seize as much as 100 two-sided paperwork in a single batch; it helps USB and Wi-Fi, and has a port for scanning on to USB flash drives. Plus, its 4.3-inch graphical contact display makes it simple to entry scanning choices or workflow profiles. However you are not going to purchase a tool named RapidReceipt for general-purpose scanning—you are going to make the most of its ScanSmart Accounting Version software program that will get extra clever as you utilize it, studying to determine recurring knowledge like vendor names and month-to-month bills. The app acknowledges data, saves it to the suitable fields in its built-in database, and exports to QuickBooks, TurboTax, or Excel-compatible CSV information.
As we mentioned, the RR-600W is a positive alternative for any form of workplace doc administration, with respectable velocity, spectacular accuracy, and a strong 4,000-scan every day responsibility cycle. But when receipts and invoices are your organization’s bread and butter, it is a greater than positive alternative.
Most Optical Decision
1200 ppi
Mechanical Decision
600 ppi
Most Scan Space
8.5″ x 240″
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Greatest Overhead Ebook and Journal Scanner
CZUR ET24 Professional
- Automated focus and page-turn detection
- Can function by way of a desk button or a foot pedal
- HDMI video output
- Enterprise-card archiving
- Correct OCR
- No wi-fi connectivity or assist for handheld gadgets
- Lacks networking
- No battery for off-plug operation
Overhead scanners are specialised gadgets with elevated cameras for scanning e-book or journal pages. The CZUR ET24 Professional comes with a foot pedal or desk button that frees your palms for turning e-book pages or inserting new content material (as much as tabloid dimension) on the scan platform. It additionally options computerized focus and page-turn detection, and you’ll even use the gadget in a Visible Presenter mode, with an HDMI port for enjoying video captured by the CZUR on to displays or HDTVs or livestreaming.
In some ways, the CZUR ET24 Professional and its ilk resemble old school overhead projectors. Capturing e-book and journal pages, nonetheless, is only one of many attainable makes use of, starting from capturing objects for displays to classroom or on-line instructing. Its on a regular basis e-book or journal scanning velocity relies upon extra in your placement and page-turning hustle than its {hardware}, however the ET24 Professional is good for small and midsize workplaces, presenters, lecturers, and others in want of its very particular abilities.
Most Optical Decision
320 pixels
Mechanical Decision
320 pixels
Most Scan Space
11″ x 17″
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The Greatest Scanners for 2025
Evaluate Specs
Shopping for Information: The Greatest Scanners for 2025
Step one in scanner shopping for comes right down to a easy factor: what type or sorts of media you will be scanning. Understanding what (and the way usually) you count on to scan will let you know every part it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the options you will want.
Photographs, unbound paperwork, receipts, and enterprise playing cards are the obvious issues to scan, however you may also must scan certain books, magazines, movie (slides and negatives), or simply broken originals like postage stamps. Considerably much less widespread are objects resembling cash or flowers.
You must also take into account particulars resembling the utmost dimension of the originals and whether or not you will must scan each side of doc pages. This may let you know the form of scanner you need to be : a basic flatbed, a mannequin with a sheet feeder, or one thing else.
Do You Want a Flatbed Scanner, or an Overhead Scanner?
For photographs or different simply broken originals, certain materials, and 3D objects, you want a flatbed scanner, which has a big glass platen on which you place the paperwork, photographs, books, or gadgets. (After we discuss scanning objects, right here we’re speaking about scanning three-dimensional objects to two-dimensional photos. 3D scanners—which digitize objects to particular 3D information for show or printing on a 3D printer—are a distinct beast completely.)
Books, magazines, and objects thicker than a sheet of paper or driver’s license are good candidates for an overhead scanner, which resembles an old school overhead projector with an illuminated scanning head that appears down on a flat floor. These work like cameras, snapping footage of things and feeding them to acceptable software program for optical character recognition (changing photos to editable textual content) or flattening the curve close to the backbone of a e-book.
Delicate originals resembling photographs and stamps can undergo a sheet feeder, however you danger damaging them. If it’s worthwhile to scan this kind of unique solely occasionally, you might be able to get by with a sheetfed scanner that comes with a plastic service to guard the originals. Take into account, nonetheless, that even brand-new, unscratched plastic carriers can degrade scan high quality considerably. Direct-to-glass is all the time higher.
(Credit score: Xerox)
Scanner fashions have a tendency to remain in the marketplace for a very long time between iterations, and that is very true of flatbed photo scanners. We commonly replace our Greatest Scanners roundup, so must you encounter an “oldie however goodie,” it merely signifies that no comparable mannequin that we have reviewed has but surpassed it.
Does Your Scanner Want a Sheet Feeder?
In case your major scanning want is scanning paperwork frequently—significantly these longer than one or two pages—you virtually definitely desire a document-centric scanner geared up with a sheet feeder. Having to open a flatbed lid and put a web page on the glass is a minor chore, however having to repeat the method 10 occasions for a 10-page doc is tiresome. Some sheetfed scanners can even deal with thick originals resembling ID playing cards.
(Credit score: Fujitsu)
In case you’ll primarily be scanning one or two pages at a time, a guide sheet feeder might be all you want, or you will get by simply positive with the scanning functionality of an all-in-one (AIO) printer. In case you’ll be scanning longer paperwork frequently, nonetheless, you will need an computerized doc feeder (ADF) that may scan a whole stack of pages unattended. Decide an ADF capability based mostly on the variety of pages within the typical doc you count on to scan. In case you sometimes have a doc that’s extra pages than the ADF capability, you may add extra pages through the scan because the feeder processes them. Some ADFs can even deal with stacks of enterprise playing cards simply.
Do You Want Duplex (Two-Sided) Scanning?
Duplex scanning means scanning each side of a web page. In case you usually count on to scan paperwork which might be printed on each side, you will desire a duplexing scanner, a duplexing ADF, or a scanner with a driver that features a manual-duplex characteristic.
One of the best, swiftest duplexing scanners have two scan parts, to allow them to scan each side of a web page on the similar time. A design like this can be quicker than a scanner with a easy duplexing ADF, however it should probably additionally price extra. A extra peculiar duplexing ADF will simply scan one facet, flip the web page over mechanically, after which scan the opposite.
In distinction, a scanner with a driver that helps guide duplexing will allow you to scan one facet of a stack after which prompts you to flip and re-feed the stack to scan the opposite facet, with the scanner driver robotically interfiling the pages. Handbook duplexing within the driver is essentially the most economical different, and it’s a good selection in case you do not scan two-sided paperwork fairly often otherwise you’re on a good price range.
What is the Proper Decision for Your Scanner?
For many scanning, having a excessive sufficient decision at your disposal for the job at hand is not a problem. For, say, tax documents, even a 200-pixel-per-inch (ppi) scan gives you ok high quality for many functions. A 300ppi scanning decision is nearly all the time adequate, and it is exhausting to discover a scanner in the present day that maxes out at lower than 600ppi. For photographs, until you propose to zoom in on a small a part of the picture or print the picture at a bigger dimension than the unique, 600ppi is greater than sufficient.
(Credit score: Canon)
Some sorts of originals, nonetheless, require greater decision. In case you’re scanning 35mm slides or negatives, or one thing small and finely detailed like a postage stamp, you will want a scanner that claims an optical decision of at the very least 4,800ppi.
Then there’s the problem of the utmost scan dimension you may take. Selecting a scanner that may deal with the dimensions of the originals it’s worthwhile to scan looks like an apparent level, however it’s simple to miss. For instance, most flatbeds have a letter-size platen, which can be an issue in case you sometimes must scan legal-size pages. Most flatbeds with ADFs will scan legal-size pages by way of the ADF, however not all do, so remember to test. You can even discover scanners with bigger flatbeds, however they’ll, after all, take up extra desk area.
What Software program Will You Use?
Most scanners include primary scanning software program. Relying on what you propose to scan, a number of the options to search for embrace optical character recognition (OCR), textual content indexing, picture enhancing, and the flexibility to create searchable PDF paperwork. The times of platform-specific scanners are over; any fashionable scanner will work seamlessly with each macOS and Home windows, and plenty of of them can even scan to your cellphone or a cloud drive.
Specialised scanners have software program with specialised capabilities. Receipt scanners include accounting software program for organizing your monetary knowledge. Scanners that deal with enterprise playing cards can often extract the cardboard knowledge right into a contact database (assuming the playing cards aren’t too ornately designed for the OCR software program to learn).
In case you’re planning to scan photographs or different photos after which edit them in a program resembling Adobe Photoshop, search for a scanner with TWAIN drivers that may scan straight into your picture enhancing app.
Do You Want a Particular-Objective Scanner?
Lastly, take into account whether or not you want a special-purpose scanner. Among the many most typical special-purpose selections are scanners for enterprise playing cards (small and extremely moveable) and receipts (small and geared up with specialised software program). Specialised slide scanners are smaller than flatbed scanners, however they’re no higher at scanning slides than flatbed scanners with equal options.
(Credit score: Epson)
In case you journey usually, you may want a portable scanner that is sufficiently small to slot in your laptop computer bag, or a handheld scanner that you simply maintain and hint over textual content. Some moveable fashions can function with out a pc connected, scanning to a reminiscence card or smartphone. You can even discover some that operate as each moveable and desktop doc scanners by combining a transportable scanner with a docking station that features an ADF.
Relying on what it’s worthwhile to scan, any one among these could also be a sensible choice, both as your solely scanner or as a complement to a general-purpose scanner. We have highlighted a couple of of our favourite particular scanners within the picks above.
Able to Purchase the Proper Scanner for You?
We belief our recommendation and product picks have clarified your potential buy choice. All-in-one or multifunction printers have built-in scanners, practically all geared up with a flatbed and plenty of with ADFs. That could be adequate for mild scanning wants. Nevertheless, you will in all probability need to get a single-function scanner to get essentially the most out of your scanning. The fashions listed below are the perfect we have examined, however for extra centered recommendation, take a look at our roundup of the top scanners for photos, in addition to our information to the best all-in-one printers, if having a scanner connected to your printer is extra interesting. (Lastly, after you have digitized all that paper, take a look at the best shredders we’ve tested.)