Best Document Scanners of 2026
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Document scanners are essential tools for businesses and individuals who need to digitize physical documents. These devices allow users to quickly and easily scan documents, receipts, and photos, and convert them into digital files that can be stored, shared, and edited. Document scanners come in a variety of sizes and types, from compact portable models to high-speed desktop scanners. Some models also offer additional features such as automatic document feeders, duplex scanning, and optical character recognition (OCR) software. With the increasing importance of digital document management, a document scanner is a must-have tool for anyone looking to streamline their workflow and reduce paper clutter.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Document Scanners
Brother DS-640
The Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner is a versatile and portable scanning solution for all your document needs. With fast scanning speeds of up to 16ppm, you can quickly and efficiently scan both color and black and white documents without any slowdown. Its ultra-compact design makes it easy to carry around, weighing only about 1.5lbs. You can take it with you anywhere, whether it's in a bag, purse, or even a pocket. The scanner is powered via a micro USB 3.0 cable, allowing you to use it even when there is no outlet available. Simply plug it into your PC or laptop and you're ready to scan. The Brother DS-640 works your way, supporting multiple "Scan-to" destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email, and OCR through the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app. It also comes with software that allows you to optimize images and text, with features such as automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation, bleed-through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, and color drop to enhance scans.
Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless Scanner
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless Scanner is the world's fastest personal photo scanner that can scan thousands of photos at a speed of 1 photo per second. It can restore, organize, protect, and share photos with features like auto enhancement, color restoration, red-eye reduction, and de-skew. The scanner can handle multiple sizes in one batch, and the Epson FastFoto app allows users to add voice and text over photos or create slideshows. The scanner can scan documents up to 240" with a scan speed of up to 45 ppm/90 ipm. It includes USB and wireless connectivity options, and SafeTouch Technology allows for worry-free scanning of delicate photos.
Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner
The Epson WorkForce ES-50 is the fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed document scanner in its class. It features fast speeds, scanning a single page in as fast as 5.5 seconds. This small, portable scanner accommodates extra-long pages, ID cards and more. It is USB powered, Windows and Mac compatible, and includes Nuance OCR software to create searchable PDFs and editable Word and Excel files.
Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner
The Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner is a great choice for home or office use. It is lightweight and small in size, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. It can handle various media types, including receipts, business cards, plastic or embossed cards, reports, legal documents, and more. It scans both sides of a document at the same time, in color or black-and-white, at up to 12 pages-per-minute, and with a 20 sheet automatic feeder. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices, and the powerful scanning software is already built-in, requires no installation, and updates automatically. It also leverages the same technology used in Canon's camera products, so you can save great-looking output in color, black-and-white, or grayscale.
Epson ES-400 II Document Scanner
The Epson ES-400 II Document Scanner is a versatile and efficient desktop scanner that helps you stay organized. With its Single-Step Technology, you can scan both sides of a document in one pass, saving you time and effort. The robust 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder easily accommodates multiple paper types and sizes, allowing you to quickly scan stacks of paper. The included Epson ScanSmart Software makes scanning easy, with features like previewing, emailing, and uploading to the cloud. You can also create searchable PDFs and convert scanned documents to editable Word and Excel files. With intelligent color and image adjustments, Ultrasonic Double Feed Detection, and Paper Protection, this scanner ensures reliable and accurate scanning. Optional flatbed dock allows for scanning photos or thicker media. Stay organized and efficient with the Epson ES-400 II Document Scanner.
Epson Workforce ES-580W Wireless Color Duplex Desktop Document Scanner
The Epson Workforce ES-580W is a powerful desktop document scanner that offers wireless connectivity, a 100-sheet Auto Document Feeder, and intuitive 4.3" touchscreen. It can scan up to 35 ppm/70 ipm and create searchable PDFs with Optical Character Recognition (OCR). It also features a reliable paper feeding system, auto crop, blank page deletion, background removal, and more. Customers appreciate its fast and accurate scanning, easy sharing and collaboration, and simplified file management.
ScanSnap iX2500 Document Scanner
The ScanSnap iX2500 Scanner offers a large touchscreen that makes it easy for you to select personalized scanning profiles, speeding up your workflow. With fast double-sided scanning at 45 pages per minute and a 100-sheet automatic feeder, you can quickly handle large batches of documents without constant attention. It connects seamlessly through Wi-Fi 6 or USB-C, giving you flexible options to scan directly to your computer, mobile devices, or cloud services. Plus, it helps keep your files organized by automatically optimizing and sorting scanned documents, receipts, photos, and business cards, saving you time on managing your digital files.
Canon imageFORMULA R40 Office Document Scanner
The Canon imageFORMULA R40 Office Document Scanner is a fast and efficient scanner that can handle many different document types, including receipts, photos, business cards, reports, contracts, and more. It features a 60-sheet automatic feeder, one-touch operation, and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. It also comes with easy-to-use Canon CaptureOnTouch scanning software, Readiris PDF and OCR software, and Cardiris business card software.
Brother DS-740D Mobile Document Scanner
The Brother DS-740D Scanner lets you quickly scan both sides of your documents in one go, saving you time whether you're handling black and white or color pages. Its compact size means you can easily carry it in a bag or fit it on a small desk, making it perfect for work on the move or tight spaces. Powered through a USB cable, you don’t need a power outlet, so you can scan anywhere with just your laptop or PC. Plus, it works smoothly with multiple operating systems and offers versatile scanning options, making it easy for you to save and share your documents however you prefer.
Epson Workforce ES-500W II Wireless Color Duplex Desktop Document Scanner
The Epson Workforce ES-500W II is a versatile wireless color duplex desktop document scanner that allows you to scan up to 35 ppm/70 ipm with Single-Step Technology. It features a 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder that can accommodate various paper types and sizes in one batch. The scanner comes with powerful software, including the intuitive Epson ScanSmart Software, and allows for easy sharing and collaboration through email or cloud storage services. Additionally, it includes Optical Character Recognition to create searchable PDFs and convert scanned documents to editable Word and Excel files. The scanner also features Epson Image Processing Technology for intelligent color and image adjustments, Ultrasonic Double Feed Detection, and the ability to scan extra-long pages and business/ID cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is best to scan a lot of documents quickly?
For quick bulk scanning of documents, you should use production-grade scanners with high-volume output. These scanners have large automatic document feeders (ADFs) that can hold over 100 sheets and offer rapid scanning speeds of over one page per second.
2. What is the difference between a document scanner and a flatbed scanner?
Document scanners are smaller and more compact than flatbed scanners. With document scanners, documents are fed into the scanner's automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning, rather than placing them on the scanner's platen one at a time. While document scanners save desktop space, they may have slightly lower resolution compared to flatbed scanners.
3. What software can I use to scan documents?
There are several software options available for scanning documents, including Laserfiche, HP JetAdvantage, FineReader PDF, MyQ X, DocuWare, OpenText Capture Center, Pocket Scanner, and GoFileRoom. These software options offer various features for document scanning and management.
4. Are document scanners worth it?
Yes, document scanners are worth it, especially if you need secure storage for sensitive records. Having a document scanner allows you to scan your documents into digital format, which can then be securely stored in the cloud or on external media with encryption if desired. This provides a convenient and secure way to store and access your documents.
5. How do I scan a large amount of documents?
For scanning a large number of documents, a scanner with an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is recommended. Flatbed scanners require manual page flipping, which can be time-consuming. A scanner with an ADF allows for efficient scanning of multi-page documents without the need for manual intervention.
6. Are flatbed scanners obsolete?
Flatbed scanners are becoming obsolete and less relevant. They are being replaced by smartphones and specialized applications that offer similar functionality to desktop devices. These alternatives provide convenience and ease of use for scanning documents.
7. Does Windows 10 have a scanning program?
Yes, Windows 10 has a built-in scanning program called Windows Scan. You can download the app from the Microsoft Store. Simply ensure that your scanner is turned on, then type 'Windows Scan' in the search box on the taskbar and select the app to start scanning.
During our document scanner research, we found 24 document scanner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 121,449 customer reviews through our big data system to write the document scanners list. We found that most customers choose document scanners with an average price of $261.17.
The document scanners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of document scanners, including Brother, Epson, Canon, ScanSnap. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.
Document Scanners Comparison Table
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| Brand | Brother | Epson | Epson | Canon | Epson | Epson | ScanSnap | Canon | Brother | Epson |
| Item Weight | 1.03 pounds | 8.2 pounds | 9.4 ounces | 2.2 pounds | 8.14 pounds | 8.14 pounds | 7.7 pounds | 6.17 pounds | 2.24 pounds | 8.1 pounds |
| Scanner Type | Business Card, Document | Document, Photo | Document | Document | Document | Document | Business Card, Document | Business Card, Document | Business Card, Document | Document |
| Model Name | Compact | FastFoto FF-680W | Epson ES-50 | Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner with Scanning Software | B11B261201 | Epson WorkForce ES-580W | ScanSnap iX2500 | Canon imageFORMULA R40 Office Document Scanner | Duplex Compact | B11B263201 |
| Connectivity Technology | USB | Wi-Fi | USB | USB | USB | Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi | USB | USB | Wi-Fi |
| Resolution | 300 | 600 dpi | 1200 | 600 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 600 dpi | 600 | 300 | 300 |
| Color Depth | 48, 24 | 24 bpp | 16 bpp | 24 bits | 8 bpp | 30 bits | 24 Bits | 8 bpp | 48, 24 | 8 bpp |
| Standard Sheet Capacity | 1 | 10 | 1 | 20 | 50 | 100 | 100 | 60 | 25 | 50 |
| Wattage | 2.5 watts | 680 watts | 2.1 watts | 2.5 | - | 580 watts | 17 watts | 22 watts | 3.3 watts | 11 watts |
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