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10 Best Scanners

From leading brands and best sellers available on the web.

Buying Guide for the Best Scanners

Picking the right scanner involves understanding what you want to scan and how often you'll use the device. Some people want to digitize photos, others need to handle stacks of documents for work, while some may require scanning books or receipts for personal organization. Reflect on your main purpose and think about the kinds of items (photos, documents, artwork, books) you'll feed into your scanner most often. This way, you can home in on features that truly matter to you, ensuring the scanner will fit perfectly with your everyday tasks.
Resolution (DPI)Resolution, measured in DPI (dots per inch), tells you how clear or detailed your scanned images will be. Higher DPI is essential if you plan to scan photos or detailed graphics, as it captures finer details. For scanning text documents or standard receipts, a mid-range DPI will suffice and keep file sizes manageable. If your main goal is archiving photos or images, look for higher DPI values; for everyday paperwork, a basic DPI setting will be adequate.
Scan SpeedScan speed indicates how quickly a scanner can process pages, usually measured in pages per minute (PPM). A faster speed is a real benefit if you often scan a lot of pages, like for office paperwork or student projects. If you only occasionally scan individual pages or photos, slower speeds will not be a problem. Pick a speed that matches how frequently and how much you’ll scan in each session.
Scanner TypeThere are several types of scanners, including flatbed, sheet-fed, and portable. Flatbed scanners are best for scanning books, photos, and anything fragile or thick, while sheet-fed scanners quickly process stacks of individual pages and are ideal for offices or bulk scanning needs. Portable scanners are lightweight and good for scanning on-the-go, like receipts or documents outside of home. The right type depends on whether you need flexibility with objects and quality (flatbed), speed for paper stacks (sheet-fed), or mobility (portable).
Color DepthColor depth determines how accurately a scanner can capture the nuances of color or shades of gray in your original material, measured in bits. Higher color depth is important for photos or artworks as it produces richer, more life-like images. For scanning standard paperwork, lower color depth is enough since only text and simple graphics are involved. Choose a scanner with higher color depth if your primary use is for archiving or reproducing visual content.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity refers to how the scanner links to your computer or other devices, such as via USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. USB is reliable and standard for most home or office set-ups, while wireless options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are useful for sharing the scanner among multiple users or using it with mobile devices. Your ideal choice will depend on your workflow: if you value simplicity and a dedicated station, USB works well; if you’d like to scan from multiple computers or devices, look for wireless capabilities.
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) allows you to scan multiple pages automatically, rather than placing each page manually on the scanner glass. This feature is crucial if you often scan multi-page documents, saving you considerable time. If your needs mostly involve single pages or photos, you may not need an ADF. Consider whether batch scanning is a regular part of your routine before prioritizing this feature.
Supported Media SizesSupported media sizes tell you the maximum and minimum document sizes the scanner can handle efficiently. Most scanners are designed for standard letter or A4 pages, but if you need to scan larger artwork, books, or very small items like business cards, check that the scanner accommodates those sizes. Think about the main types of documents you'll scan, and ensure the scanner's capabilities fit those needs without frustration.