By Robin Owens 24 days ago, Scanners
What are the best large format scanners?
Using the best large format scanner, you can easily handle documents with big dimensions and convert them into a digital form. This is especially relevant for maps, books, blueprints, photo albums, posters, etc., as a regular scanner can’t capture the entire area.
The variety of oversized scanners is impressive and you can find the one that perfectly meets your demands. I have conducted in-depth research to name 8 most notable options. Some of them are rather affordable, while others boast additional features and cost accordingly. Anyway, read the overview till the end and make an informed choice.
Optical scan resolution: 1200 dpi | Scanning speed: 15 ppm | Interface: USB| Feeder capacity: 10
⊕ Upgraded design with LED lighting
⊕ Supports TWAIN/WIA drivers
⊕ 4 handy control buttons
⊖ Not found
With a size of 11.69x17 inches, this wide format scanner is helpful in many situations. Whether you need to scan 2 pages spread book, large-format magazines or documents, newspapers, scrapbooks, or 2 letter-sized pages simultaneously, you can fully rely on this machine.
The new version comes with LED light source design and can be used right after switching on without warming up stage. The scanner is praised for the high quality of each scan.
During numerous tests, it coped with scanning of the A3-format B&W page in 9 seconds, while color scanning took 6 seconds more. The scanner is absolutely easy to use, with 4 buttons to control the scanning process – Scan, OCR, PDF, and Email). This allows dealing with the most frequent operations in a quicker way.
Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 50
⊕ Great scanning results
⊕ Works in an auto mode
⊕ Scans to searchable PDFs and editable text files
⊖ No film-scan feature
This is an affordable big scanner, which comes without dedicated applications for controlling the process. This is a general tendency for budget-friendly models. To somehow manage the scanning procedure, you need to use websites meant for dealing with docs, organizing and editing images.
Anyway, buying this scanner, you receive the scan utilities with the possibility to scan and save to Microsoft Word format. This resembles the optical-character recognition feature.
In total, there are 4 handy scan utilities – Epson Scan, Scan to PDF, Document Capture Pro, and ArcSoft Scan-n-Stitch Deluxe, a separate Copy utility, TWAIN & WIA drivers, which means you can initiate large scale scanning from almost any Windows program that allows for scanning. The Easy Photo Scan is created for work with photos and can be used for sending files to your friends.
Optical scan resolution: 2400 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 ppm | Interface: USB| Feeder capacity: 30
⊕ Great pack of programs
⊕ Intuitive scanning
⊕ Remarkable scanning outcome
⊖ Poor mobile device support
CanoScan a wide format scanner that initially catches the eye with its ultra-portable dimensions and this is probably the decisive argument for many users. You can easily fit it into the most cramped space at home or in the office.
EZ buttons ensure one-touch scanning of PDF files or images. The advanced Z-lid can be easily elevated 21mm from the platen surface if you need to scan think books, magazines, or document stacks.
You can transfer data and power the machine using a USB connection without the need to spend money on an AC power adaptor. There is a special automatic mode and once you activate it, the scanner detects what you are scanning, quickly scans and saves editable and searchable PDFs.
Optical scan resolution: 2400 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 18
⊕ Top-notch scans
⊕ You can scan tabloid-sized images and illustrations
⊕ Batch scanning mode
⊖ Expensive
There are many positive things about this large scale scanner that fully justify its popularity among users, who can afford to pay the price. First of all, it allows scanning illustrations and documents that are up to 12.2x17.2 inches large.
The 2400x4800 DPI resolution is ideal for graphic art needs. Moreover, it is supplied with Micro Step Drive technology and a 3.8 Dmax, which makes this scanner an ideal machine for professional usage.
The cutting-edge ColorTrueII imagine system in combination with Epson MatrixCCD technology ensures flawless color and pinpoint registration. Not only can it scan photos but it also provides instant restoration of faded colors and dust removal thanks to embedded Easy Photo Fix technology. Another advantage of this machine is LaserSoft Imaging Silver Fast Ai software.
Optical scan resolution: 1200 dpi | Scanning speed: 20 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 50
⊕ Affordable
⊕ Amazing OCR capabilities
⊕ Full software package
⊖ Sluggish scanning to searchable PDFs
Though this large document scanner has no display, there are still intuitive controls for you to be in full charge of the scanning process. Looking at the front side, you’ll find several buttons – to start scanning, to cancel a scan, to jump from simplex and duplex modes and vice versa, and to switch between 4 scanning destinations (Save as PDF, Save as JPEG, Email as PDF, and Scan to Cloud).
You can use the front panel, the bundled utility, or the dedicated programs to initiate scanning. Creating, editing, deleting, and prioritizing scan profiles is really simple thanks to HP Scan. There are default profiles, namely, Save as PDF/JPEG, Email as PDF/JPEG, Save as Editable Text, Scan to Cloud, and Everyday Scan.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 25 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 30
⊕ Allows scanning tabloid-sized documents
⊕ Can work in conjunction with compatible Xerox ADF scanners
⊕ Remarkable OCR quality
⊖ Flatbed design only
If you are looking for a large format flatbed scanner that is capable of assisting you both at work and at home, here is definitely the best option you can currently find. It is available only in a flatbed design, which is considered as a shortcoming by some users.
Anyway, Xerox DocuMate 4700 shows a remarkable scanning speed of 2.5 seconds per page and can save the scans to any application or folder thanks to Visioneer OneTouch technology with your defined settings.
There is also Acuity technology that automatically fixes clarity issues. This scanner comes with special software for converting scans into searchable PDFs to better document management.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 35 ppm | Interface: USB| Feeder capacity: 25
⊕ Great software bundle
⊕ Lightweight and compact
⊕ Good value for money
⊖ No wireless & mobile connectivity
Being advertised as a combo flatbed scanner, this Xerox machine offers the most praised advantages of both types of scanners eliminated the need to constant switch between them. It boasts a 35-page single-pass auto-duplexing ADF, which means that there are 2 sensors embedded for simultaneous scanning of both sides of 2-sided documents, books, etc.
Nowadays, this is an anticipated feature in every second large document scanner, but some models still have none. For example, the DS-1630 model from this brand is deprived of auto-duplexing and lags behind similar products designed by other manufacturers.
Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: USB| Feeder capacity: 100
⊕ Top-quality photo scans
⊕ Easy scanning in the auto mode
⊕ Scan to searchable PDFs
⊖ You can’t scan to editable text format
While searching for a large format photo scanner, you probably expect to see a bulky machine. However, Epson Perfection V19 is a nice exception to a rule. The price is sensible, which pleases many buyers.
The scanner delivers 4800DPI optical resolution and works really quickly. It can capture letter-sized docs in just 10 seconds and saves results directly to PC or sends via email. You can also output right to cloud services, e.g. Evernote.
To connect the scanner to a computer and power it, you should use a USB connection. The warmup stage is absent. The built-in kickstand saves place with vertical placement. The removable lid is indispensable for capturing large photo albums. A great bonus is a bundled software that automatically restores faded areas and removes dust.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Plustek OS 1180
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Epson Perfection V39
Compact |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Canon CanoScan
Stylish |
CHECK PRICE → |
The best large format scanner for home use will differ from the best machine for office needs in terms of resolution. The former can have no more than 1200DPI for great results, while an office-aimed scanner should have twice as much. If you are looking for a scanner to capture detailed photographs, you need to invest in a device with an even higher resolution.
Another parameter to consider while shopping for a decent wide format scanner is dynamic range. It refers to how many tones a scanner can record. Most color scanners reach a dynamic range of 2.4 tones. However, this is an average value and you can easily find a more powerful scanner if you are ready to spend extra.
This factor plays a role if you need a big scanner for commercial purposes. If you are going to use a scanner for casual tasks, it seems unreasonable to overpay for high scanning speed. You can learn how agile a scanner is by taking a couple of test scans.
A sheet-bet scanner is more compact and typically costs less than flatbed models. Besides, you can easily fit one into your backpack since it is designed with portability in mind. This is an ideal option for people who frequently travel with their laptops and need to scan docs and pictures on the go.
A large format flatbed scanner is more universal and produces better scanning quality. Using it, you can effortlessly scan pages from books, magazines, newspapers, etc. Actually, a flatbed scanner is like a copier and works accordingly.
These are flatbed, sheet-fed, handheld, and drum scanners.
Yes. It is one of the default modes. The other 2 are Line art and Grayscale.
For handling artworks, you definitely need a large scale scanner. Epson Expression 12000XL-PH is especially suitable for this task.
Epson Perfection V850 Pro large-format scanner tops the list in this case. It supports different types of media from paper to film.
