7 Best Canon Scanners in 2024

By Robin Owens 11 days ago, Scanners

Great Сanon scanners: great features in a compact design.

best canon scanner

Canon has released top-grade scanners to facilitate the process of managing documents and images. If you are searching for the best Canon scanner to optimize your document management system or to save photos from the family album in the digital format, you will surely find a decent model in this review.

Top 7 Canon Scanners

  1. Canon ImageFORMULA R40 - Our Choice
  2. Canon CanoScan Lide 300 - Budget
  3. Canon DR-C230 - Entry-level
  4. Canon DR-C225 - Fast
  5. Canon DR-M160II - Professional
  6. Canon DR-M260 - High-volume
  7. Canon CR-L1 - Universal

This review features tried and tested Canon scanners that aren’t difficult to operate. All the models are perfectly compatible with Canon digital cameras and other Canon devices. So, feel free to use them both for personal and work-related purposes.

1. Canon ImageFORMULA R40

Our Choice
best canon scanner

Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 30-60ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 60

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⊕ Precise OCR
⊕ Well-developed software bundle
⊕ Scanning/conversion is without delays
⊕ User-friendly
⊖ No mobile and network connectivity

This Canon desktop scanner excels at converting paper documents into searchable digital formats. It offers compatibility with numerous types of documents: receipts, photos, business cards, reports, contracts, long docs, thick or thin docs, etc.

It will take a minute for Canon ImageFormula R40 to scan both sides of a document (up to 40 pages) in color simultaneously, which is impressive. The model boasts a one-touch operation and a 60-sheet automatic feeder. Windows and Mac, TWAIN drivers are included. To start using the scanner, just connect it to the PC via the featured USB cable.

2. Canon CanoScan Lide 300

Budget Canon scanner
cannon flat bed scanners

Optical scan resolution: 2,400dpi | Scanning speed: 10 Seconds | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: -

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⊕ Awesome software bundle for the price
⊕ Intuitive
⊕ Decent photo-scanning quality
⊖ Scanning serif fonts lacks accuracy
⊖ Restricted mobile device support

If you value an extensive feature-set more than saving several dollars ($20, to be more precise), CanoScan Lide 300 will be the best Canon scanner for you. It won’t occupy much space on the desk (thanks to the neat kickstand) and pleases users with a nice resolution. Scanning to multipage PDFs is simplified due to the extra button (Finish) on the front of the device.

3. Canon DR-C230

Entry-level Canon scanner
canon desktop scanner

Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 30ppm | Interface: USB| Feeder capacity: 60

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⊕ Effective interface and conversion software
⊕ Precise OCR
⊕ Three-year warranty
⊕ Business card archiving app
⊖ Network or mobile device aren’t supported

It will take a minute for Canon DR-C230 to scan both sides of a document (up to 30 pages) in color simultaneously. The model offers a one-touch operation and a 60-sheet automatic feeder.

The scanner accepts passports, receipts, photos, business cards, plastic or embossed cards, reports, contracts, long docs, thick or thin docs. To achieve precise picture quality, decrease file size and simplify mixed-batch document scanning, it is possible to automatically set the output resolution.

DR-C230 is the best Canon scanner to receive highly detailed and clear passport scans. Windows and Mac, TWAIN drivers are included.

4. Canon DR-C225

Fast Canon scanner
cannon portable scanners

Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 25ppm | Interface: USB| Feeder capacity: 30

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⊕ Duplex scanning
⊕ Recognizes text quickly
⊕ Precise recognition accuracy
⊕ Many good application programs
⊖ Recognition of business cards could be better

The imageFormula DR-C225 is one of the greatest Canon document scanners in terms of efficiency. Its speed of scanning to searchable PDF format is practically as fast as to image format. The optical character recognition (OCR) is extremely precise.

The scanner is supplied with top-notch programs for document management, for OCR, for creating and dealing with PDF files. But the recognition of business cards could be better. Still, Canon DR-C225 is a worthy desktop option, which is sold at a reasonable price, for personal and work-related purposes.

5. Canon DR-M160II

Professional Canon scanner
canon scanners for mac

Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 60ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 75

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⊕ Speedy scanning
⊕ Recognizes text quickly when scanning to searchable PDF files
⊕ Offers remarkable PDF creation and editing software
⊖ During the test, paper sometimes jammed
⊖ No bundled document management
⊖ No business card archiving software

Canon DR-M160II impresses users with its efficiency and capabilities. It will take a minute for the device to scan both sides of a document (up to 60 pages) in the ADF and in one batch.

Considering the fact that batches tend to consist of various document types, the scanner will accept an array of hard copies – whether it is a long and overloaded document, thin paper or an embossed plastic card.

DR-M160II is the best Canon scanner for financial services, healthcare, government, as well as other spheres that deal with plenty of paperwork. With the integrated Optical Character Recognition (OCR), you will be able to create searchable and editable data.

6. Canon DR-M260

High-volume Canon scanner
canon document scanners

Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 60ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 90

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⊕ Well-developed software bundle
⊕ Incredibly precise OCR
⊕ Speedy
⊖ High price
⊖ Absence of mobile or network connectivity

The model belongs to the list of Cannon high speed scanners and integrates universal technology, which is suitable for most ranges of application. It enables smooth scanning, reliable feeding and hassle-free operation. Canon DR-M260 is capable of scanning 60 ppm in color, black/white and grayscale. Qualitative imaging ensures that the scanned text is easily readable.

7. Canon CR-L1

Best Canon check scanner
cannon high speed scanners

Optical scan resolution: 30dpi | Scanning speed: 45 cpm| Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 50

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⊕ Doesn’t weigh much
⊕ Greyscale 256-level, 16-level
⊕ Speedy USB 2.0
⊕ Automatically detects page size
⊖ MOCR/MICR
⊖ Infrared double-feed detection

Canon CR-L1 is supposed to meet the requirements of high-volume batch Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) and remote lockbox check processing as part of an electronic deposit management solution. Very often, smaller and medium-scale businesses, sellers, remote office employees and freelancers use this particular model for scanning checks, money orders and corresponding payment documents in order to save processing time and money spent on couriers.

Image Name Features  
best canon scanner
Canon ImageFORMULA R40
Our Choice
  • Optical scan resolution: 600dpi
  • Scanning speed: 30-60ppm
  • Interface: USB
  • Feeder capacity: 60
CHECK PRICE
cannon flat bed scanners
Canon CanoScan Lide 300
Budget
  • Optical scan resolution: 2,400dpi
  • Scanning speed: 10 Seconds
  • Interface: USB
  • Feeder capacity:
CHECK PRICE
canon desktop scanner
Canon DR-C230
Entry-level
  • Optical scan resolution: 600dpi
  • Scanning speed: 30ppm
  • Interface: USB
  • Feeder capacity: 60
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Canon Scanner?

best canon scanner

Scanner Type

Currently, three types of scanners are present on the market:

Flatbed scanner, which is the most widespread type. In fact, Cannon flat bed scanners are perfectly suitable for personal and work-related tasks. Another benefit of such scanners is that they accept all paper sizes.

Sheet-fed scanner. It is meant for scanning separate pieces of paper and isn’t intended for scanning books, journals, etc. Such scanners attract the attention of many users since they don’t occupy as much space as traditional flatbed models do.

Slide scanner. It is mainly used for scanning slides (film) and copying them on a PC.

Document Feeder

A scanner with an automatic document feeder is a go-to model if you are scanning plenty of docs on an ordinary paper. In this way, you will spend less time and won’t have to manually put in and withdraw each document that requires scanning. However, a document feeder can’t handle anything thicker than an ordinary sheet of paper.

best canon scanner

Maximum Scanning Area

If you are after a device for home use and common office tasks, the traditional A4 scanner will perfectly do. In this case, scanners that can handle such large paper formats as A2 or A1 are useless.

Resolution

The majority of scanners provide a resolution of 600 to 1200 DPI. Having these values, the scanner will cope with a qualitative document copy. However, such a resolution isn’t suitable for scanning photos.

So, if you are going to digitize a lot of old photos and do it more than once, opt for a device with a resolution higher than 2000 DPI. Mind that such models are quite expensive.

FAQ

  • • What are the types of scanners?

The four widespread scanner types are flatbed, sheet-fed, handheld and drum scanners. Flatbed models are used more often than others as they effectively serve for personal and work-related purposes.

300 dots-per-inch (dpi) is enough to satisfy most users’ needs. If you require incredibly high quality, search for 1200 dpi. In case you are going to increase the size of a digital scan later, 3200 dpi is an optimal value.

  • • What is the best resolution to scan old shots?

300 dpi serve nicely for photo prints. If you need a more detailed photo, 600 dpi will be a better resolution value. Scanning beyond 600 dpi is inefficient since it enlarges files but doesn’t contribute to the finer image detail. Besides, higher resolution values slow down the scanning process.

  • • How do I change the DPI on a Canon printer?

Navigate to Output Settings and pick a preferred scanning resolution. Higher resolution values increase the level of detail in an image. You can either click the button and pick the value from the provided options or type in a value in 1 dpi increments.

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