By Robin Owens 9 days ago, Scanners
The best portable scanners for everyday use.
If you need to scan documents on the go, choose a small scanner. I have hand-picked the best options available that will help you keep a track of your transactions and digitalize images. A portable document scanner will optimize your workflow and help you handle paperwork without any hassle.
With the help of these devices, you can work from home just like you do it at your office. After reading these reviews, you will be able to pick the best option for your needs. Regardless of your whereabouts, a mobile scanner will help you to cope with any scanning task and create digital documents that can be easily shared with your colleagues.
Optical scan resolution: 300 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 1 sheet
⊕ High speed
⊕ Inexpensive
⊕ Portable
⊕ Great design
⊖ Difficult to use
If you don’t want to adjust all the settings manually, you will appreciate the fact that this small portable scanner allows you to detect colors, rotate scans and remove the background automatically. You need just to use its DSmobileCapture software to enhance your scanned documents quickly and with little to no effort.
To improve your images, you can adjust brightness and contrast as well. By selecting the “Multi-Page Output” option, you can scan a document in no time. After installing its native software on your PC, you won’t even need to align the top edge manually, as it will be performed by default.
Optical scan resolution: 300 dpi | Scanning speed: 25 ppm | Interface: Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 20-sheet
⊕ Simple-to-operate
⊕ For work-related tasks and home use
⊕ Ultra-fast speed
⊕ A nice design
⊖ Weighs too much
With this device, you can easily scan even double-sided office documents at a speed reaching 25 pages per minute. It supports the maximum size of 34 inches and can also scan receipts and images. You can place up to 20 pages into its document feeder. The device will scan pages automatically, which will help you save time.
Besides using it as a portable wireless scanner, you can also opt for a Micro USB 3.0 connection to save files on your devices. It lets you save digital copies in the cloud and share them online. For scanning business and photo ID cards, you can use a special card slot. You will enjoy its high-speed performance, compact design and touchscreen display.
Optical scan resolution: 300 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 1 sheet
⊕ Affordable price
⊕ Small-sized
⊕ A decent design
⊕ Quick scanning
⊖ Unhelpful support
This portable USB scanner is pretty small so you can take it with you wherever you go. With its length barely reaching 1 foot, it will fit in every medium-sized bag. Thanks to its special design, it takes 11 inches less desk space than other similar options.
This is a great value for the money as the quality of the scans is pretty impressive. The device is easy to set up and operate. As the cable is 3-feet long, it won’t clutter your workspace. You need just to plug it in any USB port to start using it.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 5.5 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 10 sheet
⊕ A budget option
⊕ High-speed and lightweight
⊕ Small size
⊕ Scanning is easy
⊖ Poor quality of support
The WorkForce ES-50 is the fastest portable scanner of this type that I have tested as it can scan a page in 5.5 seconds. You can use it to scan ID cards, long pages, etc. While it is single-sided, you can scan documents more quickly thanks to the automatic feeder.
After scanning one side, flip your page over, and it will be scanned automatically. When everything is ready, click on the “Finish” button to save a multi-page digital copy.
Optical scan resolution: 600x600 dpi | Scanning speed: 25 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 20 sheet
⊕ Quick performance
⊕ Portable
⊕ Easy-to-handle
⊕ Worth its money
⊖ Difficult to set up
The DS-320 is an ultra-fast scanner that will be a perfect option for business owners as it delivers top-notch performance and is extremely portable. After installing TWAIN and ISIS drivers, you can quickly scan any documents and create their digital copies.
This scanner will create easy-to-edit files that can be shared via various cloud services. If you use it at 300 DPI, its speed will reach 25 pages per minute. For better image quality, make sure to scan documents at 400 DPI.
Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 8 ppm | Interface: USB | Feeder capacity: 8 sheet
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Portable
⊕ Small
⊕ Quick scanning
⊖ Difficult to operate
Manufacturers created the IRIScan Executive 4 for those who look for the best scanner for Mac with fantastic operating speeds. You can start scanning in one click regardless of the complexity of a task.
This portable desktop scanner supports images in such formats as JPEG, JPEG 2000, PNG, TIFF, PDF. It enables this device to convert color and black-and-white images into an output PDF that is 20 times smaller than an input file.
Optical scan resolution: 300 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: Wi-Fi | Feeder capacity: 1 sheet
⊕ Extremely compact
⊕ Doesn’t require drivers
⊕ Portable
⊕ Worth the price
⊖ Challenging to handle
⊖ Poor image quality
This scanner automatically detects colors and rotates a page if necessary. After installing its software on your computer, you can be sure that there won’t be any sign of bleed-through during double-side scanning.
Besides, this software automatically removes the background and allows you to enhance colors. Thanks to the special desk-saving design, the Brother DS-940DW takes up 11 inches less space than other similar devices.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Brother DS-640
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Brother ADS-1700W
Wireless |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Brother DS-740D
Compact |
CHECK PRICE → |
While there are plenty of options available, some models are more reliable than others. To buy the best portable scanner, you need to know more about what specifications it should have. The most expensive devices don’t always deliver great quality, so it’s vital to read reviews to make an informed choice.
Flatbed scanner. Such devices have a horizontal glass surface with a special lamp beneath it. When it moves, the document on the top of the glass surface gets scanned. These models are popular at offices. Manufacturers equip them with various features that make these scanners suitable both for work-related tasks and casual use. The key advantage is that they allow you to scan documents of various sizes. In my opinion, the Canon 4508B002 CanoScan LiDE210 is the best option available. However, if you don’t have loads of cash, pick the Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner as it also can cope with most of the tasks easily.
Sheet-fed scanner. These models were designed to scan office documents, so they can’t be used for scanning books. Their design is similar to that one of a regular printer. After “feeding” it a sheet of paper, you will get a digital copy of your document. The best thing about these models is that they don’t take up much space. I believe that the Mobile Color Page Scanner DS-620 is the best device of this type your money could buy. As it’s a portable model, you don’t even need to use an additional AC power cable. Just connect it to your PC and start using it.
Slide scanner. This type is perfect for those who need to scan slides or films. Some flatbed models with special slide adapters also allow doing this.
Before making your choice, think carefully about what you want to use a scanner for. There are models that are more suitable for office documents, books, magazines and slides. If you think that a regular scanner will cope with the task, don’t waste your money. However, if you really need to use a compact scanner, you need to decide which type suits you most.
Portable scanners usually offer various connectivity options. USB is standard, but some scanners also come with wireless (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) capabilities, allowing you to scan directly to your mobile device or computer without needing a cable.
Determine the type of power source the scanner uses. Some scanners are powered by rechargeable batteries, while others rely on USB power or separate power adapters. Make sure the power source aligns with your intended usage scenario.
If you have multiple-page documents or double-sided pages to scan regularly, look for a scanner with an automatic document feeder (ADF) and duplex scanning capabilities. This will save you time and effort during the scanning process.
Consider the types of media the scanner can handle, such as paper documents, photos, business cards, receipts, plastic cards, etc. Choose a scanner that suits the types of documents you'll frequently scan.
Portable devices created for scanning office documents are quite affordable. Desktop scanners take up more space and come at higher prices. They are more suitable for people who need to scan a lot of documents in the shortest time possible.
If you have a big company, you might need to spend at least $1,000 to buy a perfect scanner for your needs. A price heavily depends on the specifications of the device, its size and advanced options. Large enterprises will benefit from purchasing a scanner that costs at least $5,000. If you are an owner of a small business, you can find a model that costs about $400.
Such models were designed for those who need to create digital copies of various documents on the go. They are equipped with batteries and have some storage space that allows you to save scanned files. When you connect them to your PC, you can copy all the files and send them to your friends or colleagues.
There aren’t many truly portable models available but the Doxie doesn’t need to be connected to your PC to scan documents, pictures and receipts. You need to charge it regularly. The device allows you to scan, archive and share documents easily.
It’s important to take into account a resolution. If a scanner has a resolution of 300 DPI, you can use it for most regular tasks. Designers and other creative professionals will need to purchase a 1200 DPI device that delivers better quality. If you need to re-size your scans to make them significantly larger, opt for 3200 DPI models.
There are four types available: flatbed, handheld, drum and sheet-fed. In this article, I reviewed the most popular models of scanners. If you need to buy a device for home and office use, pick a flatbed scanner as it can cope with a task of any complexity.
