Epson ES-500W review | Should you buy it or skip it?

What’s good? The ES-500W can scan to mobile because it has Wi-fi, it’s capable of 70 images / minute, has a 50-page ADF tray and comes with built-in OCR and Cloud Storage

What’s bad? Like other Epson scanners which come with the Nuance software, OCR is average

Should I buy it? It’s faster than others and can scan more per day at a good price. How much does it cost?
Epson ES-500W review | Should you buy it or skip it?

ProductFormatScanning areaConnectivitySheets per minuteImages per minuteADF SizeDaily Duty CyclePrice

Epson ES-500W

Epson ES-500W
A48.27 in x 11.69 inSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi357050 sheets4,000 sheetsCheck price on Amazon

Scansnap ix500

Scansnap ix500
A4 – 216 x 360 mm (8.5 x 14.17 in.)Wireless and USB 2.0, 3.025 PPM25 IPM50 sheets400 sheetsCheck price on Amazon

Brother ADS-2700W

Brother ADS-2700W
A48.27 in x 11.69 inFast Ethernet, Wireless and Hi-Speed USB 2.0357050 sheets3,000 sheetsCheck price on Amazon

Epson ES-400

Epson ES-400
A48.27 in x 11.69 inSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and Ethernet (optional)357050 sheets4,000 sheetsCheck price on Amazon

Epson ES-500WR

Epson ES-500WR
A48.27 in x 11.69 inSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi357050 sheets4,000 sheetsCheck price on Amazon

Epson ES-500W Specifications

Sheets per minute35
ADF Size50 sheets
Daily Duty Cycle4,000 sheets
FormatA4
Optical Resolution600 dpi
Long Document240 in
ConnectivitySuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi
InterfaceTwain
Dimensions6.6 x 11.6 x 6.9 inches
Weight8.1 lbs
Bundled SoftwareEpson Scan 2, Epson ScanSmart Software, Nuance OmniPage Optical Character Recognition (OCR), NewSoft Presto! BizCard
Images per minute70
Scanning area8.27 in x 11.69 in
Sensor typeCCD
Document Thickness10 lb. to 59 lb.
Multifeed DetectionOverlap detection (Ultrasonic sensor)
Feed Roller Replacement100.000 sheets
DriverDownload Driver
ManualDownload Manual
BrochureDownload Brochure
FeaturesAutomatic color detection, Automatic rotation, Blank Page Detection, MultiStream, Automatic Cropping, Edge Correction, Streaks Correction, Background Cleaning, Deskew, Hole Punch Removal, Manual Feed Mode, Document Separation, Barcode Recognition, OCR, Zonal OCR

Epson ES-500W Datasheet Explained

This scanner will scan a dimmension of 8.27 in x 11.69 in.

The Epson ES-500W will reach a real resolution 600.

Such a device operates with a CCD sensor to perform the digitization.

This scanner transfers data through SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi.

Sheets per minute in simplex mode will be aproximately 35.

You will be able to reach 70 Documents per minute in duplex mode when scanning duplex with the Epson ES-500W.

Scanning 4000 pages is what the manufacturers claims to this scanners daily Estimated volume.

The Epson ES-500W works with Twain driver interface.

You can assume the rollers to be capable of scanning close to 600.000 normal pages.


Specs for paper handling

Unlike your average multifunction, this machine uses Overlap detection (Ultrasonic sensor) to prevent it from double feeding pages.

When considering this product, take into account that the ADF capacity can accomodate up to 50.

This Epson ES-500W scanner, will scan a maximum Document Weight of 10 lb. to 59 lb..

Digitizing 240 in long documents is easy with the Epson ES-500W, given that it uses a Long Document Scanning Mode feature.


Epson ES-500W accesories unboxing

If one has worries regarding the dimmensions, they are 6.6 x 11.6 x 6.9 inches.

Concerned regarding the weight of this scanner? You should know it is about 8.1 lbs.

Regarding the delivered software, the Epson ES-500W comes with the Epson Scan 2, Epson ScanSmart Software, Nuance OmniPage Optical Character Recognition (OCR), NewSoft Presto! BizCard.


Features for Productivity

While this is something normal these days, the Epson ES-500W has the Auto Crop function. Keep it enabled for most scanning jobs.

You should use the Automatic Rotation of Images for non specific orientation. The Epson ES-500W has such a setting and you can set it up in the driver.

Don’t be worried, the Epson ES-500W scanning equipment features the Automatic Color Detection setting, and it’s very easy to use.

Affraid of manually removing white pages? Don’t be, as the Blank document removal is available with the Epson ES-500W.

As you’d imagine, the Multi image output is featured in the Epson ES-500W driver settings. It can be a life saver some of the times.


Quality of images

Gone are the days when post processing of documents is required. With the Smooth Background option, your documents will have a perfect background.

The Page Margin Cleanup helps you by cleaning your scanned scanned documents.

Straightening Image can be done by enabling this setting in the scanner driver. It will only conflict with other special settings on the Epson ES-500W scanner from time to time, so keep it on.

For standard documents, I always have the Hole Removal setting turned on in the driver.

The Vertical Streaks Reduction feature is often delivered on bigger equipment . The device in question is missing Vertical Streaks Reduction .


Extra Features

How good is the Epson ES-500W for crumpled documents? Just turn on the Manual Feed Mode and check for yourself!

I’ve started indexing through Barcode Detection for some time now, most often using QR codes. This scanner has Barcode Detection , but check if it’s optional or standard.

Always check if the Separate Documents Automatically is free on the scanner. I have seen some manufacturers selling the barcode option.

It’s safe to say that Optical Character Reading is something no scanner should miss. Scanning is not possible without it today.

For predefined forms I preffer the Zonal OCR , just like with other standardized documents.


Epson ES-500W driver, manual & brochure

The the driver for this ADF scanner can be found here.

You can find user guide at this link.

Looking for more specs? Download the product brochure at this link.



Epson ES-500W vs Fujitsu Scansnap ix500


Epson ES-500W

Epson ES-500W

Scansnap ix500

Scansnap ix500
Scanning areaLOSER8.27 in x 11.69 inWINNERA4 – 216 x 360 mm (8.5 x 14.17 in.)
Sensor typeMISCCCDMISCCIS
ConnectivityMISCSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFiMISCWireless and USB 2.0, 3.0
Sheets per minuteWINNER35LOSER25 PPM
Images per minuteWINNER70LOSER25 IPM
Document ThicknessMISC10 lb. to 59 lb.MISC40 to 209 g/m2 (11 to 56 lb)
Daily Duty CycleWINNER4,000 sheetsLOSER400 sheets
Multifeed DetectionMISCOverlap detection (Ultrasonic sensor)MISCUltrasonic double-feed detection sensor
Feed Roller ReplacementWINNER100.000 sheetsLOSER200.000 sheets
MultiStreamWINNERYesLOSERNo
Streaks CorrectionLOSERNoWINNERYes
Hole Punch RemovalWINNERYesLOSERNo
Document SeparationWINNERYesLOSERNo
Barcode RecognitionWINNERYesLOSERNo
Zonal OCRWINNERYesLOSERNo
PriceCheck price on AmazonCheck price on Amazon


When we have a look at the scanning area, we are noticing that that the Scansnap ix500 is able to scan a surface of A4 – 216 x 360 mm (8.5 x 14.17 in.), while it’s competitor can only scan a zone of 8.27 in x 11.69 in.

Most often a scanner that has a CCD sensor, delivers the the optimum results. In this case, the Epson ES-500W works with a CCD sensor, and the Scansnap ix500 is operated using a CIS sensor.

We love the long paper setting, and the Scansnap ix500 scans sheets up to 863 mm or 34 in. (Duplex), 1,726 mm or 68 in. (Simplex) in length. At the same time, Epson ES-500W will convert documents around 240 in.

The Epson ES-500W features SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi for your connectivity needs, meanwhile the Scansnap ix500 offers Wireless and USB 2.0, 3.0.

If we look at scanning speed, the Epson ES-500W can digitize at 35 pages a minute meanwhile the other machine can only do 25 ppm.

Read the full review of the Scansnap ix500


Epson ES-500W vs Brother ADS-2700W


Epson ES-500W

Epson ES-500W

Brother ADS-2700W

Brother ADS-2700W
Sensor typeMISCCCDMISCCIS
Long DocumentWINNER240 inLOSER196 in
ConnectivityMISCSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFiMISCFast Ethernet, Wireless and Hi-Speed USB 2.0
Document ThicknessMISC10 lb. to 59 lb.MISC11 lb. to 110 lb
Daily Duty CycleWINNER4,000 sheetsLOSER3,000 sheets
Feed Roller ReplacementWINNER100.000 sheetsLOSER200.000 sheets
InterfaceMISCTwainMISCTwain, Sane, Wia and Ica
DimensionsMISC6.6 x 11.6 x 6.9 inchesMISC11.8 x 5.7 x 7 inches
WeightLOSER8.1 lbsWINNER5.8 lbs
MultiStreamWINNERYesLOSERNo
Document SeparationWINNERYesLOSERNo
Zonal OCRWINNERYesLOSERNo
PriceCheck price on AmazonCheck price on Amazon


Both document scanners have the same scanning area of 8.27 in x 11.69 in.

Usually a scanner that works with a CCD sensor, delivers the most reliable digitization results. In this situation, the Epson ES-500W works with a CCD sensor, and the Brother ADS-2700W is operated using a CIS sensor.

We love the long document setting, and the Epson ES-500W converts paper up to 240 in in length. At the same time, Brother ADS-2700W will process documents up to 196 in.

So what connectivity ports does each device feature? Epson ES-500W has built-in SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi while the other scanner offers Fast Ethernet, Wireless and Hi-Speed USB 2.0.

Both of these two scanners, the Epson ES-500W and Brother ADS-2700W will scan at the same PPM which is 35 sheets .

Read the full review of the Brother ADS-2700W


Epson ES-500W vs Epson ES-400


Epson ES-500W

Epson ES-500W

Epson ES-400

Epson ES-400
ConnectivityMISCSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFiMISCSuperSpeed USB 3.0 and Ethernet (optional)
MultiStreamWINNERYesLOSERYes
PriceCheck price on AmazonCheck price on Amazon


The capture area is considered to be the same for both products at 8.27 in x 11.69 in.

When evaluating the sensors, you should understand both equipment are using CCD technology.

When scanning sheets that are longer, you will notice that both the Epson ES-500W and the Epson ES-400, are similar at 240 in.

The Epson ES-500W offers SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi for your connectivity needs, meanwhile the Epson ES-400 has built-in SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and Ethernet (optional).

These machines, the Epson ES-500W and Epson ES-400 are capable of scanning at the same scanning speed which is 35 pages in one minute.

Read the full review of the Epson ES-400


Epson ES-500W vs Epson ES-500WR

Both the Epson ES-500W and the Epson ES-500WR have the same scanning area of 8.27 in x 11.69 in.

Regarding the optical sensor, the Epson ES-500W and the Epson ES-500WR use the same kind, a CCD sensor.

If converting long documents, you will notice that the Epson ES-500W and the Epson ES-500WR, are similar at 240 in.

You, the reader will be delighted to find out that these devices have the same network connection options with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and WiFi.

Both devices, the Epson ES-500W and Epson ES-500WR can work at identical scanning speed which is 35 sheets .

Read the full review of the Epson ES-500WR


Epson ES-500W
Our Score

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