The best scanners in the UK 2023

The scanner allows you to scan various documents in image or PDF format. Finding the right model is a matter of features, resolution and price. In this sense, the Brother ADS-2700W offers a perfect balance between all these requirements. Capable of scanning 35 pages/min, this device also offers an optical scanning resolution of 600 dpi, interpolated to 1200 dpi.

Brother ADS-2700W 1
8/10

Best value for money

Brother ADS-2700W

The best scanner in 2021

The Brother ADS-2700W is a high-resolution scanner that comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as many mobile and cloud options. Its scanning speed reaches 35 ppm.

See price

The Brother ADS-2700W can scan up to A4 size. This scrolling scanner offers an optical resolution of 600 dpi, interpolated to 1200 dpi. As far as connectivity is concerned, the device has Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi and a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. This means that it allows for different scanning modes to meet different needs. Scanning speed reaches 35 ppm when scanning single-sided and will double with duplex mode.

The daily duty cycle is around 3000 scanned documents. Therefore, the Brother ADS-2700W meets most of your basic needs. Finally, thanks to the automatic scan start function, this scanner starts as soon as documents are placed in the 50-sheet ADF.

Canon CanonScan LiDE 300 2
7/10

Best value for money

Canon CanonScan LiDE 300

The best entry-level scanner

If you need to scan your photographic prints and the occasional document or two, the CanonScan LiDE 220 scanner will do the trick.

See price

The Canon CanonScan LiDE 300 shows very few physical changes compared to the model it replaces. And on the technical side, it keeps the same optical resolution and many key specifications. However, the software has undergone some improvements, even if overall it has the same flaws as the software provided with the CanonScan LiDE 220.

Also noteworthy is the increase in color output depth from 24-bit on the LiDe 220 to 48-bit on the LiDe 300. This flatbed scanner offers very high resolution scans, up to 2400 x 2400 dpi. No other model in this comparison does better in this respect. However, the lack of an automatic document feeder makes it difficult to scan multiple pages.

Epson Workforce DS-870 3
9/10

Best premium value for money

Epson Workforce DS-870

The best high-end scanner

The Epson Workfoce DS-870 is built for heavy duty use, fast and easy to use. It is the ideal device for regular scanning and archiving of large volumes of documents.

See price

The most impressive thing about the Epson Workforce DS-870 is its ability to handle large workloads. Its automatic document feeder alone has a capacity of 100 sheets. However, you'll only get one connectivity option, which is USB 3.0. To get Ethernet connectivity, you'll need to purchase the Epson Network Interface Panel in addition to the scanner.

Epson estimates the Workforce DS-870's daily duty cycle at 7,000 pages for a scan speed of 65 ppm single-sided and up to 130 ppm double-sided. The resolution is up to 1200 dpi, but the scanner cannot scan beyond A4 size. In addition to standard scanner drivers, Epson includes ISIS and TWAIN drivers for expanded compatibility with third-party scanning programs.

Scanner – Canon P-208ii 4
7/10

Portable scanner

Scanner – Canon P-208ii

A great portable scanner

In terms of portable scanner, the Canon P-208ii is a reference model. It includes a full duplex scanning head, a rare feature for such a compact device.

See price

The textured black body of the Canon P-208ii is barely longer than an A4 sheet of paper! This scanner is also compact enough to accompany another device in a backpack. Standout features include duplex scanning and a 10-sheet automatic document feeder.

Like most document scanners, the Canon P-208ii offers an optical resolution of 600 dpi, more than enough for a standard scan. And on the performance side, the scanning speed reaches 16 ppm in duplex mode with image.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best scanner

Any specific needs?

The best scanner in 2021

The best entry-level scanner

The best high-end scanner

A great portable scanner

Your guide : Samuel

Rate this buying guide :
4.9/59 votes

By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!

Comparison table of the best scanners

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Brother ADS-2700W 5
8/10
Canon CanonScan LiDE 300 6
7/10
Epson Workforce DS-870 7
9/10
Scanner – Canon P-208ii 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Brother ADS-2700W
Canon CanonScan LiDE 300
Epson Workforce DS-870
Scanner – Canon P-208ii
The Brother ADS-2700W is a high-resolution scanner that comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as many mobile and cloud options. Its scanning speed reaches 35 ppm.
If you need to scan your photographic prints and the occasional document or two, the CanonScan LiDE 220 scanner will do the trick.
The Epson Workfoce DS-870 is built for heavy duty use, fast and easy to use. It is the ideal device for regular scanning and archiving of large volumes of documents.
In terms of portable scanner, the Canon P-208ii is a reference model. It includes a full duplex scanning head, a rare feature for such a compact device.
Fast because it's dedicated exclusively to scanning
Unbeatable scan quality and resolution
Fast scanning and saving in editable PDF format
Automatic two-sided scanning, rare in a portable scanner
Support for Wi-Fi and Ethernet, as well as many mobile and cloud options
Color restoration features
Supports large scan volumes
Automatic document feeder
Customizable 2.8-inch color touchscreen
Scan to editable text formats
High accuracy
Compact and battery operated

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - scanner

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

Why can you trust us?

Why you can trust us
Our mission
How to support us
We do NOT accept any sponsored posts or advertising.

We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.

Our mission is to simplify your purchasing decisions.

We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.

We are a small team of geeks and enthusiasts.

To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!

How to choose your scanner

Before purchasing a scanner, please refer to the following criteria in order to get the right product.

#1 - Accepted formats

The most frequently used format is A4 (21 cm x 29.7 cm). Portable scanners are particularly suitable for small formats such as ID cards, permits, stickers, etc. Several models of scanners are compatible with these formats. Concerning the A3 format (29,7cm x 42 cm), there are mainly models of flatbed scanners adapted to the scanning of this format.

#2 - Connections

Some models have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. So you will be able to connect the scanner wirelessly to a computer or a smartphone. In addition, all current scanners have USB connectivity (Type-C, 2.0, 3.0...) for wired connection. Some also have an Ethernet connector for wired network connection

#3 - Ease of use

In general, scanners are easy to use. But if the device must be used by a novice, it will have to be easy to handle with the help of the instructions contained in the user's manual.

#4 - The resolution

The

quality of digitization is quantified in dpi or Dot per Inch which is literally translated by "point per inch" in French (ppp). Several scanner models offer a resolution of 600 x 1,200 dpi, others reach 4,800 x 4,800 dpi. But it is essential to know that the higher the resolution, the better the quality of the scan. This quality is strongly felt when printing the scanned file.

#5 - Scanning speed

This criterion is very important for the scanners used in companies. Indeed, it is imperative to acquire a model that could perform a significant amount of scanning in a minimum amount of time. Scrolling scanners have a very fast scanning speed while portable scanners are slower.

How a scanner works

A scanner is a computer acquisition device whose function is to scan physical documents into digital images. There are several types of scanners, but their operating principle remains the same.

A light emitted by the scanner crosses the document and transforms it into a multitude of digital points called pixels. The light is reflected by the document in question and is collected by sensors. The latter have the role of transforming these lights into electric signals and finally into data which can be digitally interpreted.

Specific software is used and installed on a computer to perform the scanning. Some models of scanner are also compatible with applications on smartphone, allowing to realize scans, without computer, but directly on your mobile device.

Check compatibility

A scanner that is not compatible with your operating system version may not work properly. Make sure you have the compatible version installed on your computer for optimal use of the hardware.

The different types of scanners

There are 3 different types of scanners: the classic scanner or flatbed scanner, the portable scanner or handheld scanner and the scrolling scanner.

The classic model or flatbed scanner

The flatbed scanner is the most well known and widespread model on the market. This type of scanner is able to digitize documents, photos but also negatives and slides. It also makes it possible to scan fragile documents to be handled, thanks to the presence of the glass of exposure and the cover. The document does not undergo any constraint at the time of the digitalization. This model guarantees a good quality of scanning.

The hand-held scanner

This

model is suitable for users on the go. It is lightweight and small in size. It can be carried easily. Although the mobile scanner is a convenient solution, it has a low scanning speed compared to other types. Some models of handheld scanner require manual movement of the device on the document to perform scanning.

Scroll scanner

This

type of scanner differs from the flatbed scanner in its operation. Indeed, the scanning is done with a movement of the document in front of a scanning device in the manner of a fax machine. This type of scanner is able to digitize a significant quantity of documents in a minimum of time. Its weak point is its bulkiness since it occupies a consequent space with its size.

Flatbed or scroll scanner?

Flatbed scanner

A flatbed scanner usually consists of a glass panel and a cover. You place the file to be scanned between the glass and the cover. This document does not move, but remains stationary during scanning. This type of scanner is not suitable for intensive scanning. Indeed, it is necessary to put one by one the documents in the scanner.

However, it is very practical for scanning old documents, delicate to handle because the document is placed safely on the glass, without making any movement. It also offers a good scanning quality. The scanner takes up little space.

Scroll scanner

The scroll scanner, as its name suggests, scans with a document movement, like a professional printer. This type of scanner is suitable for intensive use because it can scan a large quantity of documents in a minimum of time.

A certain amount of documents to be scanned can be placed inside the device. Then the scanner scans them one by one, without human intervention. Some models offer automatic double-sided scanning. The scroll scanner takes up more space than a flatbed scanner and costs more.

Verdict

The choice between these two different types of scanner depends on the intended use. A flatbed scanner is suitable for use at home or in the office for small volume scanning at normal speed.

A scroll scanner is designed for business use to scan large quantities of documents without human intervention, thanks to its very fast scanning speed and scroll mode. It is also suitable for intensive use.

Why buy a scanner?

To reduce the number of paper documents

If your document drawer is overflowing, it's time to consider scanning some of those documents and saving them on your computer rather than storing them in your office. You still need to keep a paper copy of anything with an original signature, but almost everything else (business receipts, credit card statements, utility bills, etc.) can be safely stored electronically.

To digitize physical photos

Photographs fade with age. You can keep them in pristine condition by scanning and storing them electronically. Take the family photos from your photo albums and scan them. Once you've scanned your photos, you can store the files on an SD card or USB drive so you can display them on electronic photo frames or smart TVs, or email copies to family members who have never seen the originals.

To take advantage of optical character recognition

Some modern scanners come with optical character recognition software that allows them to convert characters into text. OCR integrates with word processing software so you can import scanned documents directly into a variety of word processing programs. This is a great tool if you are a student writing a research paper with multiple citations. Simply scan the part of the document you want to cite or scan the entire document. Be sure to follow all copyright laws when scanning copyrighted material.

To replace your old fax machine

Many home scanners have a modem that allows them to fax scanned documents or images directly to a fax machine, but many homes have replaced their landlines with smartphones. Save your scanned images to your computer and email them to a recipient instead of using a fax machine. If you need to communicate with a fax machine, you can use an online fax service to send a scanned image directly to a fax machine.

Just to save time

Think of the time you spend searching for and filing paper documents. Scanning documents can significantly reduce the time you spend searching for and filing documents, leaving you more time to focus on more essential tasks.

The best brands of scanners

In our opinion, the best brands of scanners in 2022 are :

Canon
HP
Xerox
Brother
Epson

Canon is a world-renowned company that offers consumer, business-to-business and industrial digital imaging solutions. It has a large catalogue of high performance document scanners.

HP is the undisputed leader in printing. We can also consider that the brand is also very advanced in scanning. HP scanners are among the most reliable models on the market.

Xerox is an American company that manufactures digital imaging devices for businesses of all sizes. Their scanners are very high performance and have features specifically dedicated to productivity.

Brother is a leading manufacturer of productivity electronics for home and business use. The brand produces robust, easy-to-use and reliable scanners that allow you to scan documents and photos.

Epson is an international manufacturer of printers, professional and industrial imaging solutions. Whether it's family photos or customer forms, Epson has a catalogue of scanners that will meet your needs with reliability, quality and innovation.

What is the price for a scanner

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
70 £ to 100 £
Mid-range
100 £ to 300 £
High-end
more than 300 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Installation of the hardware driver and scanning software.

In general, the software is published in several versions. Choose the version designed for your operating system. Choose a scanner that can run on a variety of operating systems. If your scanner is not plug-and-play, you must install a driver so that the operating system recognizes your hardware. Then, if you have the software installation CD, put it in the drive and proceed with the installation following the instructions in the installation wizard. You can place a shortcut on the desktop for quick access to the application once the installation is complete.

Take advantage of the wireless links to connect the scanner.

The

scanner may have various connectivity to link to a computer (or in some cases a smartphone). It can have a Wi-Fi link or also through a USB cable if the scanner has this connectivity. Recent computers have USB 3.0 connections, providing high bandwidth and allowing faster scanning. But a USB 2.0 connection will do the trick if the scanner is not equipped with this connection. Other older models are equipped with Ethernet connectivity.

Preheat if necessary.

Most scanner models have an indicator light to show its operation. Depending on the model, the scanner may need to warm up before it works properly, or if it does not, it will be ready to scan right now.

Determine the correct resolution for each document.

Place

the document in the scanner according to its type. Choose an optimal resolution for high-quality scanning results. Follow the scanning instructions correctly to get a good result.

Choose the output format carefully.

In

the application window, click "Scan" and wait until the progress bar fills up. Save the scanned file with its name, format in the desired location. You can close the current scan and scan another document.

FAQ

What is the best scanner?

The best scanner depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.

What do dpi and dpi mean?

Dpi (Dot Per Inch) expresses the quantity of digital dots in a length of 2.54 cm which is equivalent to one inch. To put it simply, the higher this element is, the higher the scanning quality of the scanner.

How do I share my scanner between several machines?

If the scanner has Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity, then it will be able to operate in a network and multiple networked computers can request its services. If the scanner model uses USB connectivity, you can use a USB hub and share the device between multiple computers. The "RemoteScan" application software can be used to perform software sharing. Some multifunction printers with Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity are also able to share their scanner module.

How to take care of your scanner?

Sometimes the scanner may not be completely clean and the quality of the scan may be affected. Before cleaning the device, it is important to turn it off and unplug it. Wipe the exterior with a cloth lightly moistened with detergent solution. If the scanner has a glass window, clean the window with a dry cloth or apply a small amount of cleaner to the cloth. Do not apply the cleaner directly to the glass.

How to scan a document with an Android smartphone?

Scanning with a smartphone or tablet running Android is easy. You open the Google Drive application, click on "Add" at the bottom right of the screen, then "Scan". You take a snapshot of the document to be scanned. If needed, you can crop the area to be scanned by pressing "Crop". You can save the scanned file by pressing "OK".

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , libertalia.org
  2. , commentmieuxchoisir.fr
  3. , infos-vie-pratique.com
  4. , commentcamarche.net
  5. , vitalrecordscontrol.com
  6. , pcmag.com
  7. , ekaru.com
  8. , hp.com
  9. , blog.irislink.com
  10. , leparisien.fr
  11. , support.microsoft.com
  12. , futura-sciences.com
  13. , ameli.fr
  14. , commentcamarche.net
  15. , clubic.com
  16. , boulanger.com
  17. , sante.journaldesfemmes.fr
  18. , imageriemedicale.fr
  19. , doctolib.fr
  20. , fnac.com
  21. , doctissimo.fr
  22. , passeportsante.net
  23. , radiologie-beziers.com
  24. , topsante.com
  25. , boulanger.com
  26. , doctolib.fr
  27. , clubic.com
  28. , fnac.com
  29. , cnrtl.fr
  30. , scanner29sud.fr
  31. , futura-sciences.com
  32. , pagesjaunes.fr
  33. , advanced-ip-scanner.com
  34. , matmut.fr
  35. , materiel.net
  36. , darty.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Brother ADS-2700W 9
Brother ADS-2700W
Canon CanonScan LiDE 300 10
Canon CanonScan LiDE 300
Epson Workforce DS-870 11
Epson Workforce DS-870
Scanner – Canon P-208ii 12
Scanner – Canon P-208ii

Lecteurs

Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.

Copyright © 2022 - Made with by buyingbetter.co.uk

Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!