By Robin Owens 11 days ago, Scanners
The best desktop scanners from reliable brands.
Modern scanners are a great alternative to mobile scanning applications, especially if the latter cannot cope with your tasks. Typically, a good desktop scanner has all the features you need to get a high-quality, optimized image. Moreover, you can save the obtained results in the cloud storage at once.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to work from home, the demand for office equipment has increased greatly. In this best desktop scanner review, I will tell you about the most outstanding models currently available on the market. You will figure out all their features and find the best option for you.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 35 ppm | Interface: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 50
⊕ Image-optimization capabilities
⊕ Lots of connectivity options
⊕ Ability to adjust the color touchscreen
⊕ OCR provides amazing accuracy
⊖ Lack of a CD
This desktop document scanner is a great choice for Apple fans. Thanks to an LCD screen, this device looks modern and offers more advanced features. It weighs only 5.8 lb. This means that the Brother ADS-2700W is one of the lightest options in its category.
This scanner is great for both students and employees. Fast scanning, wireless connection, excellent LCD panel, the ability to scan long-paper documents are the main advantages of this model.
Optical scan resolution: 1200 dpi | Scanning speed: 70 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 50
⊕ Auto feeder for 50 sheets
⊕ Duplex scanning is available
⊕ Quick operation
⊖ Poor OCR performance
This option is a decent budget device, weighing 8 pounds and measuring 6.9x11.6x6.6 inches when the trays aren’t open. This desktop color scanner supports both one-sided and two-sided scanning. The top lid can be transformed into an input tray while the output tray slides out from the bottom of the scanner.
If the trays are fully open, the device takes up 6 inches more space. However, this is a better option than working with the tray closed and letting the paper lay down on the table.
Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 30ppm | Interface: USB, Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 50
⊕ OCR is very accurate
⊕ User-friendly
⊕ Wide choice of connectivity options
⊖ Doesn’t support an Ethernet connection
If you are looking for a compact desktop scanner for small business or home use, then this is a good option to consider. It provides very accurate results and is extremely fast. The software for this device is pretty straightforward and easy to use.
Although the Brother ADS-2700W includes more advanced features, this product will handle most everyday tasks well. The scanner has an automatic document feeder for 50 sheets. The input slot is located under the fold-up lid of the device. You can scan long documents up to 11 inches wide by up to 118.1 inches long.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 1
⊕ Not heavy
⊕ Compact
⊕ Precise OCR
⊕ Duplex scanning
⊖ Only wired connection
You can use this device to scan documents and save files using a wired USB connection. This fast desktop scanner provides accurate results and takes up little space. It is inferior to more expensive options in terms of versatility and feature selection.
Since this model does not support automatic sheet feeding, it is cheaper and lighter than options that include ADF. Unfortunately, this scanner can only transfer data using a wired connection. However, it is still a great compact option for working with documents while traveling.
Optical scan resolution: 1200dpi | Scanning speed: 35 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 50
⊕ Cheap
⊕ Quick performance
⊕ Lots of connectivity options
⊕ Two-sided scanning
⊖ OCR performance could be better
⊖ Inconvenient document feeder
This compact device (only 6.9x11.6x6.6 inches) features a matte black design. It is not heavy and weighs only 8.1 pounds. The input tray can be installed by lifting the top lid. The output tray slides out at the bottom of the device. The depth of this small desktop scanner increases by almost a foot when you open both slots.
However, be careful when working with slots. You need to set the guides to the correct width to avoid damaging paper while scanning. During testing, I noticed some problems with frayed edges, but once I solved the problem with the guides, everything was perfect.
Optical scan resolution: 600dpi | Scanning speed: 40ppm | Interface: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 60
⊕ Precise OCR
⊕ Advanced software set
⊕ Simple to use
⊖ No network and mobile connectivity
The R40 is one of the best desktop scanners for business among entry-level and mid-range devices with sheet feeders. It is a great choice for work at home or the office. Unfortunately, you cannot transfer scanned images wirelessly. There is a USB 2.0 port on the back of the scanner. You can use it to connect your device to one computer.
I will note that this is not the only model that does not support wireless connections. Alaris and Fujitsu also only have USB for transferring data to other devices. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB and Wi-Fi Direct are supported by such scanners as Brother and Panasonic. There is also another similar scanner, the ADS-2700W, that allows you to save scans to a USB thumb drive thanks to the NFC technology.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 25 ppm | Interface: USB, Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 20
⊕ Speedy scanning
⊕ Includes a touchscreen LCD
⊕ Stunning duplex scanning
⊕ User-friendly
⊖ Lack of a built-in battery
This model is the best desktop scanner for travelers looking for a compact and fast device with a wide range of functions. With this scanner, you get incredibly accurate results.
The ADS-1700W weighs 3.7 pounds and measures 3.3x11.8x4.1 inches. Although it does not have a built-in battery, this option is slightly heavier than other portable scanners.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 ppm | Interface: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 1
⊕ Light and compact
⊕ Quick
⊕ Impressive OCR
⊕ Powerful software
⊖ No memory card support
⊖ Lack of an in-built battery
⊖ Only USB connection
The ES-50 is one of the best options for those who are interested in easy-to-use desktop scanners for PC. However, this model has limited connectivity options and lacks a built-in battery. It can be powered via a USB cable that can be also used for saving scanned documents to your computer.
This compact machine weighs just 0.6 pounds measuring 1.3x10.7x1.8 inches. It makes this Epson product one of the most compact and lightweight options among the scanners without an automatic sheet feeder.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 25 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 20
⊕ Compact design
⊕ Simple and quick scanning
⊕ Image enhancement options
⊕ You can save scans to USB drives
⊖ Lack of display
This small desktop scanner is no bigger than an A4 sheet. It is also one of the lightest options on this list thanks to its 1.4 kg weight. Thanks to its compact size, you can put the device in your bag or backpack and work with it anywhere.
It supports one-pass duplex scanning at a speed of 25 pages per minute. What’s more, it has a dedicated ID card scanning slot. You can save the received files to a laptop or PC via a USB cable. The scanner also has special features for preventing paper jams and detecting blank pages.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Brother ADS-2700W
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Epson DS-530
Professional |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → |
Typically, the scan rate is shown in the number of pages or images per minute (PPM and IPM, respectively). An “image” means one side of a document, and a “page” stands for one sheet of paper. Scanning mode (grayscale, black and white, or color), paper size and resolution influence the scanning speed. You can find the information on both measures in the specs of most desktop scanners for business or home use.
There are two types of scanning, simplex (the device works with only one side of the document at a time) and duplex (both sides are scanned at once). If saving time is important to you or you will be working with two-sided documents very often, then you should look for a scanner that supports duplex scanning.
The duty cycle shows an optimal number of pages the device can scan a day. When choosing the best desktop scanner, you need to count approximately how many sheets of paper you will process per day. Then you should opt for a model that can scan more pages. If you are buying a scanner for home or small business use, then a daily duty cycle of 500 pages will be enough for you.
Each scanner needs some software that allows you to adjust such parameters as format, place of storing, etc. As a rule, a manufacturer supplies the necessary software with a device. The best programs include lots of handy features like correcting skewed images, auto-detection of one and two-sided documents, etc. If you want to achieve better results with your desktop scanner, then you will need to install some extra applications like Readiris or ABBYY FineReader.
You can find a decent desktop scanner for small business or home needs with a price tag under $500. Besides, you can get some discounts on these devices. Pay attention to the “departmental,” “workgroup” or “production” category if you are going to deal with a large number of pages every day. Taking into account available speed and feature set, you can spend from $500 to $10,000 for such a scanner. Typically, expensive top-notch models work faster, offer larger ADF capacity, enormous duty cycles, great connectivity selection and remote management via built-in web servers.
Since all desktop scanners for PC have various lens quality and perform differently with light and dark areas of a picture, the final results are dissimilar. Besides, you can enhance an image by adjusting the desired settings before scanning.
The choice depends on your goals. If you need to digitize several pictures or documents only from time to time, then buying a printer will be the right decision as it is more universal. However, if you are planning to work with slides, negatives or books, then you should opt for a desktop scanner for Mac device or computer.
Since this type of printers is packed with lots of additional features, their cost increases. In general, you can find a huge selection of devices at different prices. You can choose the one that suits your needs, from cheap entry-level scanners to expensive top-class models.
Any type of copying (a photograph, photocopy or handwritten copy) involves copyright infringement. Therefore, you should be careful when making digital copies of any documents with your desktop scanner.
