Can you really buy a document scanner under 50$ ? The idea still amazes me today, considering that you need a lot of technology and research to make a document scanner. Before I took on the challenge, I researched and to my surprise, there really are document scanners on sale at the 50$ price point.
While they may not have the best and brightest features, they get the job done. They scan physical paper to digital images and sometimes that’s just what people need and nothing more.
This being said, you will find below my list of the Best Document Scanners under 50$.
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our choice VuPoint InstaScan Pro  | 8 IPM | A4 | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, USB 1.0/1.1 | 8.5 in. x 130 in. (215 x 3302 mm) | No | 1.2 lb. (0.54 kg) | Click for more info |
Aibecy iScan02  | 6 IPM | A4 | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297mm) | No | 0.45 lb. (0.2 kg) | Click for more info |
IRISCan Anywhere 5  | 16 IPM | A4 | Wi-Fi, USB | 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297mm) | No | 0.73 lb. (0.33 kg) | Click for more info |
Let’s have a look at each product in particular.
VuPoint InstaScan Pro
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VuPoint InstaScan Pro | 8 IPM | A4 | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, USB 1.0/1.1 | 8.5 in. x 130 in. (215 x 3302 mm) | No | 1.2 lb. (0.54 kg) | Click for more info |
The VuPoint InstaScan Pro has Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, USB 1.0/1.1 connectivity, and it can scan A4 documents, or any document up to 8.5 in. x 130 in. (215 x 3302 mm). This device does not feature duplex scanning, but none of the portable scanners featured here is equipped with this feature anyway.
Regarding image enhancement, the VuPoint InstaScan Pro has Automatic Color Detection and Automatic Image Cropping, but no Background Removal, Automatic Deskew, Punch Hole Removal or Automatic Image Rotation.
OCR is included, which means that you can create a searchable document from any image, most of the cases in PDF or Word. You can also create Excel files, eBooks etc. with Optical Character Recognition.
Like all the other portable scanners under 50$ we feature here, this one also doesnt have an ADF Tray.
This device is not exactly small and light, at 1.2 lb. (0.54 kg), with dimensions of 11 in. x 1.5 in. x 1.8 in. (27.9 x 3.8 x 4.5 cm).
Aibecy iScan02
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aibecy iScan02 | 6 IPM | A4 | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297mm) | No | 0.45 lb. (0.2 kg) | Click for more info |
It also features Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity, and it is handheld, which can come in handy, and makes it easy to store away in a drawer.
The maximum document size you can scan with this device is 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297mm).
The Aibecy iScan02 does not have duplex scanning, but neither does any other scanner that we will discuss in this article.
This device does not come with any image enhancement feature, as opposed to the other two devices featured in this article. Therefore, if you need Punch Hole Removal, Automatic Deskew, Background Removal, Automatic Image Cropping or Automatic Image Rotation and Color Detection, this device is not for you.
Quite obviously, being handheld, the Aibecy iScan02 does not have an ADF Tray. It does not include OCR either, so it is not the best choice if you need to create a searchable document from the image, or even Excel files for example.
The weight and dimensions will however appeal to you if you are looking for a simple, easy to store device that just gets the job done. At 10 in. x 1.1 in. x 1.6 in. (25.5 x 2.7 x 4 cm), for a weight of 0.45 lb. (0.2 kg), it is the smallest and lightest device featured in this article.
IRISCan Anywhere 5
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IRISCan Anywhere 5 | 16 IPM | A4 | Wi-Fi, USB | 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297mm) | No | 0.73 lb. (0.33 kg) | Click for more info |
However, it scores less point than its competitors when it comes to scanning resolution, featuring only 600 DPI. While still offering a decent scanning resolution, it is only half as much as what the other two devices featured in this article have to offer.
The scanner can handle A4 formats, and you can use it to scan documents up to 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297mm) in size.
The IRISCan Anywhere 5 does not have duplex scanning, like its other two competitors, but it is wireless.
Image enhancement features included in this device are Automatic Color Detection, Automatic Image Cropping, Background Removal and Automatic Deskew (this feature is used to align documents that were not scanned straight).
However, it does not feature Punch Hole Removal or Automatic Image Rotation. The IRISCan Anywhere 5 also has OCR included.
The 10.6 in. x 1.7 in. x 2.1 in. (27 x 4.4 x 5.4 cm) portable scanner does not have an ADF Tray, and it weighs 0.73 lb. (0.33 kg).
Which is the best document scanner under 50$ ?
The three portable scanners featured here do have some quite surprising features for this price range. For instance, a scanning speed of 16 IPM (Images per Minute) is definitely a plus, particularly in a device that does not have duplex scanning.
You can still get the job done quickly with a decent image resolution of 600 dpi. If this is what you are looking for, we would recommend the IRISCan Anywhere 5.
We also like the fact that these devices are handheld and have a relatively small footprint. Easy to use and store, these portable scanners will come in handy in any office that does not require a big scanning job.
The Aibecy iScan02 would be the best choice if you want an ultra-compact portable scanner.
And if you are looking for a cheap device, offering high resolution, we can only recommend the VuPoint InstaScan Pro.