The 10 Best Flatbed Scanners of 2020
Save and share important paperwork, photos and other data so that you always have access to it right on your computer. With the best flatbed scanner for photos and other documents, you will always have a record of what is important to you.
After reading a variety of flatbed scanner reviews and exploring their features, we have discovered the 10 best flatbed scanners. This will make it much easier to narrow down your options so that you always pick the best one.
Contents
Our Top Recommended Flatbed Scanners
- Epson Perfection Color Scanner
- 6400 x 9600 dpi for enlargements up to 17 Inches x 22 Inches
- Energy efficient Ready Scan LED light source means no warm up time, faster scans and lower power consumption
- Epson Perfect Color Scanner
- 4800 dpi optical resolution (1) for amazing clarity and detail
- Scan to Evernote, Google Drive and other cloud services
- Plustek Photo Scanner
- Optical Resolution is up to 600 dpi ( PS: two setting: 300dpi/ 600dpi).
- Fast and easy, 2 seconds for one 4x6 photo and 5 seconds for one 8x10 size photo 300dpi.
10 Best Flatbed Scanners on the Market:
1. Epson Perfection Color Scanner
The Epson Perfection Color Scanner has a high resolution so that your photos come out intense and vibrant. You can scan in just about anything, including things like photo negatives and film slides without losing any clarity.
The digital ICE feature lets you retouch and restore a variety of photos. You can do things like remove creases and tears so that your old photos look like new again. This feature also lets you do things like restore faded colors so that your pictures are just as vibrant as the day that you developed the film.
- It has 6400 by 9600 DPI for extended depth
- You can use this scanner to restore colors in your images that have faded
What Consumers Are Saying
Many people said that this is a high-end flatbed scanner. It has a variety of features that make it quick and easy to use.
Other people said that the results are very professional. Everything comes out vibrant and clear.
- Works for colors and black and white photos
- The results are very professional
- You can restore old photos
- It is not compatible with MAC
Summary
This is the best professional flatbed scanner. It produces high-quality reproductions of any photo or document that you scan into it.
2. Epson Perfect Color Scanner
The Epson Perfect Color Scanner is a very convenient scanner to use. There are simple buttons that let you tackle scanning jobs as quickly as possible. You can also place the scanner vertically by using the kickstand that is built into it.
The items that you scan in can go right to a variety of cloud services. When you scan in items, they have a high level of detail and clarity so that they look like the original item.
- The 4,800 DPI allows for high-resolution scans
- There are easy buttons to use to use the different scanner features
What Consumers Are Saying
Several people mentioned how lightweight this scanner is. This makes it easy to take with you when you need to scan in documents.
Other people mentioned its size. You can fit this scanner on just about any desk without a problem.
- You can get professional scans
- It is a lightweight scanner
- There is a USB port
- The software could be better
Summary
This is the best cheap flatbed scanner. As a portable flatbed scanner, you can take it with you so that you can scan documents and photos when you are on-the-go.
3. Plustek Photo Scanner
The Plustek Photo Scanner only takes about two seconds to scan in a four by six photo, making it one of the faster scanners available. You can use it with MAC and PC.
The scanner allows you to alter photos once you scan them in. This allows you to retouch and repair, ensuring that your photos look as good as the day that you took them.
- You can scan items in a variety of sizes for flexibility
- The features of this scanner allow you to restore faded pictures
What Consumers Are Saying
After doing a flatbed scanner comparison, many consumers said that this one comes out on top. With its combination of features, it is easy to learn how to use quickly.
Other people talked about restoring photos. This scanner allows you to take damaged and old photos and make changes so that they are fully restored.
- You can use it with MAC and PC
- Photos and documents scan in quickly
- You can alter photos so that they are of higher quality
- The software quality is not as high as it could be
Summary
This is one of the best flatbed scanners for those who want to scan photos. The scanned images come through vibrant and with all of the detail of the original photo.
4. Epson FastFoto Scanning System
The Epson FastFoto Scanning System is ideal for a wide variety of documents and photos. You can scan them in fast, allowing you to get through a lot in a short period of time.
This scanner connects wirelessly. Because of this, you can put the scanner just about anywhere and it will connect with the computers that are on your WiFi network.
This scanner has backup and auto-upload features. This lets you send items directly to a cloud or other storage service.
- It has WiFi capabilities so that you can connect it to the internet
- With 1,200 DPI, your photos have strong clarity and vibrancy
What Consumers Are Saying
Some reviewers said that this scanner has a good black and white balance. This makes it a good choice for historians.
Other people said that this scanner saves time. You can scan in items within seconds.
- It connects to the internet
- You can scan photos very fast
- The scanned images have professional quality
- The TIFF file option could be higher quality
Summary
This home flatbed scanner is ideal for anyone needing a scanner. You can scan in a variety of items so that you always have a digital copy ready.
5. Epson Perfection Pro Scanner
The Epson Perfection Pro Scanner uses a dual lens system. Because of this feature, you get the highest resolution possible from the items that you are scanning. It will automatically make the proper adjustments to ensure the right resolution.
The software that comes with this scanner allows you to control shadows, highlights and gradations. This ensures that you get the exact look that you are going for when you are using this scanner. A single click is all that it takes to scan something in.
- The dual lens system allows for the clearest images possible
- Its high tonal range ensures that you can see the finest gradations and shadows
What Consumers Are Saying
It works with MAC and Windows, according to many consumers. This allows you to use it with a wide variety of computers.
Several people talked about the wide tonal range. This ensures that the items that you scan in have fine shadow details.
- It has digital ICE capabilities
- You can scan large and small formats
- It is a good choice for black and white scanning
- Larger films may not lie flat
Summary
This flatbed film scanner is simple to use despite its many features. This ensures that you can learn how to use it very quickly.
6. Canon CanoScan Scanner
The Canon CanoScan Scanners has an auto document fix feature. This ensures that the end result is clear and sharp no matter what you are scanning in. It also has gutter shadow correction to removes the shadows that can develop from scanning.
The EZ buttons let you use the scanner’s features quickly. Use the software for things like automatic layout suggestions and a variety of filters.
- The software allows you to retouch and organize your items
- For maximum flexibility, you can use this with MAC and Windows
What Consumers Are Saying
Many people talked about the automatic adjustments that this scanner makes. This allows you to scan in several items and get the exact look that you are going for.
Other people talked about how quickly it works. It does not require any warm-up time.
- It is good for black and white images
- The resolution is high
- It is easy to use
- The software could be higher quality
Summary
After exploring a variety of high-resolution flatbed scanner reviews, this one comes out as one of the best options. You can scan almost anything within seconds.
7. HP ScanJet Scanner
The HP ScanJet Scanner works very fast and you can feed multiple pages at once. This lets you scan fast without needing to attend to the scanner.
You can use the software for a variety of purposes, such as page size detection and automatic cropping. Send your scanned items to a variety of storage and cloud services for safe keeping.
- For optimal productivity, it can scan as many as 20 pages in a minute
- You can feed as many as 50 pages at once for increased scanning speed
What Consumers Are Saying
Multiple people talked about the versatility of this scanner. You can scan in documents of varying sizes.
Other people mentioned the interface of the software. It is very quick and easy to use.
- It works with different cloud services
- You can use different paper types
- It supports multiple paper sizes
- You cannot scan to a PDF
Summary
You can use this scanner almost right out of the box. Setup is fast and easy, allowing you to start scanning documents quickly.
8. Canon Color Image Scanner
The Canon Color Image Scanner allows for three-way positioning. You can scan images in the following positions: portrait, upright and landscape. The USB cable lets you connect to the internet.
When you scan in images, you can turn them into PDF files. This makes it easier to save files in the way that you prefer.
- It has auto scan mode for cleaner scanning
- You can scan a letter-sized document in about 18 seconds for optimal speed
What Consumers Are Saying
Several people said that this scanner is easy to use. Once you receive it, it does not take long to learn the features.
Other people mentioned how fast it works. This allows you to scan in a lot of documents quickly.
- There is a single USB cable
- You can scan bulky items
- It works for color and black and white items
- The interface could be cleaner
Summary
This is a budget flatbed scanner with plenty of excellent features. Get high-quality color and black and white scans within seconds with this device.
9. Canon CanoScan Scanner
The Canon CanoScan Scanner has a Z-lid. This allows you to extend it so that it fits over books and other bulky items that you want to scan. Use the three-way positioning feature to scan items in as upright, landscape or portrait.
This scanner has EZ buttons to help you automate the scanning that you can do. These buttons make it easier to create PDF files and email attachments by simply pushing a single button.
- You can scan in items in about 10 seconds
- Scan bulky items thanks to the Z-lid expansion top
What Consumers Are Saying
Multiple people said that you can use this scanner quickly. Setup does not take long, allowing you to start using it almost right away.
Other people mentioned the resolution. The items that you scan in look just like the original document, ensuring the highest level of quality.
- It has a high resolution
- This is a plug and play scanner
- It is user-friendly
- It may stop powering on prematurely
Summary
This is the best flatbed scanner for artists. This is due to the very high resolution that you get from the images that you scan.
10. Mustek High Speed Color Scanner
The Mustek High Speed Color Scanner has one of the highest resolutions available for this type of scanner. It has a 2400 DPI, allowing for the colors of your documents and photos to come through looking exactly like what you are scanning in.
The software that you get with this scanner allows you to scan in a variety of documents. It also works for faxing, emailing and creating text and PDF files.
- It allows for large format scanning
- This scanner works at a high speed so that you can scan more in less time
What Consumers Are Saying
Several people said that this scanner allows for professional results. All of the colors that you scan in come through with great intensity.
Other people said that you can choose the scan size. This makes it possible to customize the size of the items that you scan in.
- It is compatible with MAC and Windows
- This scanner accommodates large documents
- It scans items in quickly
- There is no on/off switch
Summary
This scanner is easy to use. This makes it the ideal choice for those who are new to using scanners that want something that they can start using almost right away.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Flatbed Scanner
When you are in the market for a flatbed scanner, there are several factors that you should consider. Having this information will make it a lot easier to evaluate the scanners that are available so that you can pick the best one.
After reading a variety of flatbed scanner reviews, you have a clearer picture about which one will best meet your needs. The following information will provide further clarity so that you know which scanner will ensure that you are able to keep digital copies of your items.
Scanning Space
Scanners come in a wide variety of sizes. You have to consider how much space you have available on your desk so that your scanner will fit. You should also think about the items that you are going to scan to determine the surface space of the scanner that will accommodate them.
Bit Depth
This is another consideration. The average range is 24 to 36. This ensures that the items that you are scanning translate the colors to your computer in the most vibrant way possible. The more color intensity you need, the higher the bit depth you want to look for.
Dots Per Inch
If you want a scanner that has a high level of resolution, you want to ensure that the DPI is high. The average DPI is 600 to 1,200. If you do something like graphic design, you will want to get the highest DPI possible so that the colors of the items that you scan in come through as clearly as possible.
Scanner Suite
All scanners come with a software suite. The average person will not need more features than those that come with the suite. However, if you do graphic design or similar work, you might consider a suite that comes with things like extra data storage, photo manipulation features and software.
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Flatbed Scanners FAQ
As you are shopping for a flatbed scanner, there are some questions that you may have. Getting the answers to these questions will make it easier to choose the right scanner for your needs.
What Can You Use a Flatbed Scanner For?
These scanners have a flat surface that is made from glass. Their design makes them ideal for documents, photos and other items that you want to scan into your computer.
Most of these scanners have an adjustable lid, making it possible to scan in thicker items, such as books and magazines.
You just have to decide which items you are going to use with your scanner. This will help you decide which scanner can best accommodate your needs.
How Does This Type of Scanner Work?
You place the document or photo on top of the glass facing down. You should make sure to line it up according to the lines on the top and sides of the scanner so that you get the full document scanned in.
Then, you close the lid and push the button that initiates the scanner.
All scanners have a variety of features that you can use too. This ensures that you get the exact representation of your document or photo on your computer screen.
How Long Does It Take to Scan a Document or Photo?
Once you get everything lined up, it only takes a few seconds to scan a document in. Most scanners are able to do it in about 30 seconds or less. Lining up the document or photo takes another five to 10 seconds. This means that you can scan in most documents in under a minute. Then, you just restart the process for any other items that you need to scan into your computer.
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Conclusion
Now it is time to pick the best flatbed scanner for your needs. After reading these flatbed scanner reviews, you can better determine which one has the necessary features to support the items that you want to scan.
The Epson Perfection Color Scanner is the best choice. You can scan numerous documents, film and photos, making it one of the most versatile choices. This makes it possible to create digital copies of almost everything so that you always have a backup and a version that is quick and easy to share
