If your aim is to get for yourself the best scanner, then you are at the right place, this post is aimed at showing the best scanner out there. The importance of a scanner can not be over emphasized. Read through this post as we show the best scanners money can buy.

BUYER’S GUIDE

When planning to buy a photo scanner, it is necessary to ensure that the device has the features they require. Let’s check out some of the features that are offered by a photo scanner.

Scanner Sensors

Scanner image sensors determine the quality of scans. They convert the light reflected from the object being scanned into a clear digital image. There are three basic types of image sensor: charged-coupled device, contact image sensor, and photo multiplier tubes.

Scanner Bit Depth

Scanners gather a certain number of bits from every pixel of an image. This is called ‘bit depth’ and determines the image quality provided by the scanner.

Dynamic Range

Dynamic range, also known as optical density (OD) or density range, is a measure of the scanner’s ability to record different tones in an image. Dynamic range is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 4 (0.0 represents perfect white, while 4.0 represents perfect black).

The dynamic range is actually the difference between the darkest and brightest optical density that the scanner can capture. The bigger the difference, the larger the dynamic range can be, and the better the image quality the scanner can offer.

Most scanners are specifically-designed for mainstream users and do not include a dynamic range specification. If you need a scanner that will produce very high scan quality, the dynamic range has to be taken into account.

Most mid-range flatbed scanners have a dynamic range of 2.8 to 3.2, which is more than enough for most home/office users, but if you want excellent results for film, slides or other transparencies, a higher dynamic range of at least 3.3 (3.4 for negatives) is recommended.

Speed

The importance of the speed of a scanner depends on how often you plan on using it. The speed may not be an issue if a scanner is only used once or twice a day, which is typically the case with most home/personal usage. Of course, things can be totally different for those who are constantly acquiring images or documents.

Generally the scanning resolution as well as other scanning settings such as color depth has a crucial influence on the scanning speed. Scanning at a higher resolution/color depth tends to take more time.

There are some different ways to measure the speed of a scanner: the time it takes to scan a single page (e.g. 30 seconds); pages scanned per minute (pages per minute, ppm); and ipm (images per minute) – equals to ppm for common scanners, but doubles for duplex scanners since they can scan both sides of a page simultaneously.

Scanner Resolution

Scanner resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch (ppi). The resolution of the scanner determines the image quality shown on the resultant copy.

Duplex Scanning

This feature is mostly seen on document scanners that scan both the sides of the page at the same time. This scanner is often very costly so users can instead opt for a scanner with automatic document feeder.

Higher Connectivity Speeds

Nowadays, most scanners come with USB 2.0 or higher. This feature allows users to scan documents faster with speedy connection to the PC. There are also some scanners that offer USB 3.0 interface for quicker speeds to scan documents.

Image File Formats

Most scanners are capable of storing scanned images in multiple digital image file formats. These include JPG, PNG, TIFF and BMP files. Some also provide the capability to read and convert files into TXT, PDF or RTF formats.

How many documents do you intend to scan?

If you plan on digitizing decades of paper archives, you will need a high-volume document scanner that can handle stacks of documents without much oversight or manual labor involved.

High-end document scanners usually come with an automatic feeder that can digitize large amounts of paperwork without supervision, allowing you to create a digital archive and ditch the filing cabinets

What operating system are you using?

It’s critical that the document scanner you’re considering purchasing is compatible with the operating system you use. Most document scanners work well with PC software, while fewer are available for Mac.

If your business uses Mac OSX, ask the sales rep or the manufacturer if the document scanner you are considering is compatible. Most scanners can work using third-party drivers even if they aren’t ready to go with Mac OSX out of the box, but third-party drivers can sometimes reduce functionality and hamper performance.

Pricing

Document scanner pricing varies tremendously based on a few factors. Consider the following areas when trying to estimate your realistic price for a document scanner:

• Portable vs. desktop
• Printing speed
• Size of the scanner
• Usage
• Company selling the scanner

Portable document scanners are generally smaller and cheaper. They’re good for those on the go. Desktop document scanners are larger and more expensive. They tend to provide value to people scanning mass quantities of documents within their own office space.

Larger firms should prepare to spend close to $1,000 or more on desktop document scanners. The final price depends on the scanner’s features, overall size and complexity. If you’re looking for a document scanner for an enterprise operation, pricing may exceed $5,000 per scanner. It’s also manageable to find desktop document scanners that sell for closer to $400, though those models are designed for businesses smaller than major companies.

Smaller firms can spend as little as $50 on a functional and effective portable handheld document scanner. Midsize businesses without major scanning needs may opt for larger portable scanners that sell for closer to $200.

The decision ultimately depends on what your business needs from a document scanner. Businesses scanning lots of documents and images will likely want to look to the desktop document scanners.

Smaller operations reliant on images and scanning, like a small photography business, may also decide it’s worth investing in a desktop document scanner.

BEST SCANNERS

1. Canon CanoScan LiDE220
2. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500
3. Epson Perfection V550 Scanner
4. Epson Workforce ES-500W
5. Canon CanoScan 9000F
6. Epson Perfection V600
7. Doxie Go Scanner with Wi-Fi
8. Brother ImageCenter Scanner
9. Canon MX492
10. Brother Mobile Color Page Scanner

NAMES	FEATURES	WHERE TO BUY
Canon CanoScan LiDE220	Speed & Quality. Excellent Resolution Ease of Use. Connectivity	GET IT ON AMAZON
Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500	Touch screen for various tasks Perfect fit for both personal and sharing use Refined design Speedy 30 ppm color scanning 50 sheets Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)	GET IT ON AMAZON
Epson Perfection V550 Scanner	Scans Prints, 35mm & Medium Format Film Optical Resolution: 6400 dpi Max Resolution: 12800 x 12800 dpi Optical Density: 3.4 Dmax	GET IT ON AMAZON
Epson Workforce ES-500W	optical Resolution: 300 dpi Scan Speed: 35 ppm / 75 ipm Maximum Scan Size: 8.5 x 240″ Minimum Scan Size: 2 x 2″	GET IT ON AMAZON
Canon CanoScan 9000F	Optical Resolution: 9600dpi (Film) Optical Resolution: 4800dpi (Documents) Color Depth: 48/24-Bit Internal/External Scan Film, Slides, Documents, Photos	GET IT ON AMAZON
Epson Perfection V600	Scans Prints, 35mm & Medium Format Film Optical Resolution: 6400 dpi Max Resolution: 12800 x 12800 dpi Optical Density: 3.4 Dmax	GET IT ON AMAZON
Doxie Go Scanner with Wi-Fi	Standalone or Connected Operation Optical Resolution: 600 dpi Maximum Document Size: 8.5 x 30″ Scan Speed: 8 Sec per Page at 300 dpi	GET IT ON AMAZON
Brother ImageCenter Scanner	Customizable 3.7-inch color touch screen. Fast scanning and text recognition for the price. Supports scanning to USB storage drives	GET IT ON AMAZON
Canon MX492	Max Printing Resolution. Up to 600 x 600 dpi (mono) / up to 4800 x 1200 dpi (color) Max Printing Speed. Up to 8.8 ipm (mono) / up to 4.4 ipm (color) Max Resolution B/W. 600 x 600 dpi. Max Resolution Color. 4800 x 1200 dpi. Ink Cartridge Configuration.	GET IT ON AMAZON
Brother Mobile Color Page Scanner	Fast! Color & B&W up to 8 pages per minute.‡ Compact & lightweight. Weighs under 1lb. Powered by USB connection	GET IT ON AMAZON

Canon CanoScan LiDE220

The CanoScan LiDE220 Color Image Scanner offers advanced features, easy operation and “Send to Cloud” functionality. The LiDE220 lets you upload images to the Cloud with remarkable ease. Providing a maximum optical resolution of 4800 x 4800 dpi, its vivid 48-bit color depth is capable of producing over 281 trillion possible colors.

An Auto Document Fix feature automatically produces beautiful scans with advanced image analysis and area-by-area data correction, while Auto Scan Mode automatically evaluates the item being scanned and saves it with the appropriate settings. The LiDE220 scanner also helps you work efficiently with five EZ Buttons that enable you to scan, copy, Send to Cloud, or create a single or multipage PDF in a snap.

It scans fast too, creating a letter-sized color scan in approximately 10 seconds. Plus, it comes with a stand to enable vertical scanning – accommodating workspaces of just about any size. And the Advanced Z-Lid™ Expansion Top extends up approximately one-inch and over the platen to let you scan large items, such as textbooks or other thick documents.

The LiDE220 scanner uses one USB cable for both data and power, so plugging in is easy. The LiDE 220 includes My Image Garden, a convenient software package that makes organizing your photos fun and easy.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500

The ScanSnap iX1500 is the flagship model of the ScanSnap Series, capable of digitizing large volumes of papers quickly. It simplifies the scanning process for a variety of documents, making it easy to digitalize your life.

You can be more efficient and productive, focusing on the things that matter the most.
What it does is complex, how you use it is simple. Its wireless connectivity, an intuitive touch screen and advanced software, “ScanSnap Home”, enable you to do anything from scanning papers, converting them into fully editable files, to utilizing data in your commonly used applications.

With its various automation functions, it intelligently adapts to your preferences and continues to evolve around your needs, enabling you to work in a smarter way.

Epson Perfection V550 Scanner

The Epson Perfection V550 Photo features amazing performance and versatility for any project. 6400 dpi resolution ensures images are sharp and vivid, whether you’re scanning film, slides, negatives, photos or everyday documents. And, it makes it easy to create enlargements up to 17″ x 22″.

The V550 Photo will automatically upload your scans directly to Facebook, Picasa, popular cloud services and more.

Plus, at the touch of a button, you can restore old photos and negatives, thanks to Easy Photo Fix. Or, use DIGITAL ICE to remove the appearance of dust and scratches from film. The V550 Photo features energy-efficient, ReadyScan LED technology for high-speed scanning with no warmup time.

Epson Workforce ES-500W

We’re seeing an increasing number of network-capable sheet-feed document scanners lately, including the Epson WorkForce ES-500W Wireless Duplex Document Scanner we’re reviewing here. But the ES-500W is somewhat different in that it’s not often that we see network functionality on an entry-level scanner like this one.

The ES-500W is fast for its class, and it saves to image and searchable PDF at a good clip for the price. Optical character recognition (OCR) accuracy is a bit below average, though, but it comes with a well-rounded software bundle that includes document and business card archiving software.

Canon CanoScan 9000F

The CanoScan 9000F Mark II Film & Document Scanner from Canon features a 12-line color CCD sensor that scans not just documents and photos but also 35mm negatives and slides as well as medium format film. The scanner captures film & negatives at a high 9600dpi optical and captures photos and documents at up to 4800dpi optical.

Easily digitize your negatives and slides so they can be viewed, edited, and shared on the computer. The 48-bit internal color depth provides accurate color rendition. The included film holders and guides ensure you get accurate scans the first time and eliminate the guesswork of film scanning.

Epson Perfection V600

The Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner is the solution for converting 35mm and medium-format slides, film, and prints into high-resolution digital files. With a maximum resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi users can create enlargements up to 17 x 22″.

The unit has a built-in Transparency Unit which allows scanning of four 35mm mounted slides, or 12 negatives. It handles medium format film up to 6 x 22cm, plus photos and documents up to 8.5 x 11.7″. This energy-efficient scanner has Epson’s ReadyScan LED technology which enables the unit to operate without having to warm-up prior to use, with faster scans and lower power consumption.

Doxie Go Scanner with Wi-Fi          

Make your life easier with the compact Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi Portable Scanner that will help you digitize your paperwork from business cards up to 8.5 x 30″ documents when you are on the road or at your desk.

The scanner can operate either as a standalone unit or connected to a computer via USB, and it has a resolution of either 300 or 600 dpi for capturing the fine details in your documents. Automatic image adjustments can be applied as well, ensuring your final images look correct.

The Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi works quickly, able to scan a page in approximately 8 seconds at 300 dpi. Additionally, it features the ABBYY OCR text recognition engine for creating documents with searchable text

Brother ImageCenter Scanner

High-Speed, Reliable and Easy-to-Use Desktop ScannerThe ImageCenter™ ADS-2000 is a high-speed, high-volume document scanner, offering two-sided scanning and a document feeder that holds up to 50 sheets, making it ideal for the home or small-to-medium sized businesses.

This highly versatile unit scans documents, business cards, plastic ID cards (insurance cards, drivers licenses), receipts, and photos up to widths of 8.5″ and lengths up to 34″. Scan to destinations include: E-mail, file, image, OCR, USB flash memory drive, Androi phone and tablet.

The ImageCenter ADS-2000 also provides capabilities of multi-feed detection, background removal, blank page removal and deskew support. The included software makes the ADS-2000 a powerful scanning package

Canon MX492

Canon, as with other vendors who offer printers and MFPs to home and small business users, has a number of low-priced models. The Pixma MX492 will set you back just about a hundred bucks. That’s not a lot for a four-function device that offers printing, scanning, copying, and faxing — but it also doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great value. So where does Canon’s latest fall on the spectrum? Is it cheap and great … or just cheap?

The Pixma MX492 is a compact unit, so the box isn’t very large or heavy. Unpacking, you’ll find the MFP, power and phone cords, an install CD that contains print and scan drivers and Canon’s Quick Menu software.

Brother Mobile Color Page Scanner

The Brother DS-620 mobile scanner is perfect for the mobile professional who needs a powerful scanner that will slide right into a briefcase or business bag. It’s ideal for capturing business documents, as well as receipts, business cards, laminated identification cards, invoices, photographs, and more.

It scans at up to 1200×1200 dpi resolution (interpolated) and 600×600 dpi (optical), with fast color and black/white scan speeds of up to 8ppm. Its small size, USB power, and valuable suite of scanning software make it a great fit for on-the-road, home or small offices with limited space, too!

Conclusion

We have come to the end of this review, if you read through, it will be fair to say you are interested in getting a scanner, if so, i assure you that the scanners reviewed above are reliable, and will deliver perfectly. you should make the other, and be sure to get back the value of your money and time.