If you are running a small business , chances are you might not need a big clunky desktop scanner. Here is where portable scanners come into play. They are much smaller and they get the job done
They might not have all the features , but in reality , we only use so many of them. The main advantage is that they are portable and you can carry them around. We have compiled a list of the best portable document scanners for your small business.
They might not have all the features , but in reality , we only use so many of them. The main advantage is that they are portable and you can carry them around. We have compiled a list of the best portable document scanners for your small business.
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our choice Doxie GO SE  | 7 IPM | A4 | USB | 8.5 in. x 30 in. (215 x 762 mm) | No | 1.3 lb. (0.59 kg) | Click for more info |
Epson DS-80W  | 15 IPM | A4 | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, USB 2.0 | 8.5 in. x 72 in. (215 x 1828 mm) | No | 0.66 lb. (0.29 kg) | Click for more info |
Brother ADS-1500W  | 36 IPM | A4 | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | 8.5 in. x 34 in. (215 x 863 mm) | Yes | 3.5 lb. (1.58 kg) | Click for more info |
Epson ES-55R  | 20 IPM | A4 | USB 2.0 | 8.5 in. x 72 in. (215 x 1828 mm) | No | 0.59 lb. (0.26 kg) | Click for more info |
Let’s have a look at each product in particular.
Doxie GO SE
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Doxie GO SE | 7 IPM | A4 | USB | 8.5 in. x 30 in. (215 x 762 mm) | No | 1.3 lb. (0.59 kg) | Click for more info |
The dimensions of this scanner are 12.2 in. x 1.75 in. x 2.3 in. for a weight of 1.3 lb. (0.59 kg). This portable device is ideal for documents that havent been converted to digital such as photos, artworks or old paperwork.
Since it is a portable device, it does not feature an ADF tray. However, it does feature OCR and Automatic Deskew and Automatic Image Cropping. The Doxie GO SE is also equipped with Automatic Color Detection, Automatic Image Rotation
If you are looking for a light portable scanner, with some practical software, the Doxie GO SE is recommended.
Pros: 2. Light and portable.
Cons: 3. 7 IPM, Maximum document size: 8.5 in. x 30 in.
Epson DS-80W
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Epson DS-80W | 15 IPM | A4 | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, USB 2.0 | 8.5 in. x 72 in. (215 x 1828 mm) | No | 0.66 lb. (0.29 kg) | Click for more info |
This portable device has a decent scanning speed of 15 IPM, and it can scan documents up to 8.5 in. x 72 in. (215 x 1828 mm) in size. Some of the image enhancement software you can find on the Epson DS-80W are Automatic Color Detection, Automatic Image Rotation, Automatic Image Cropping, Background Removal, Automatic Deskew and Punch Hole Removal.
OCR is included but the device does not have an ADF Tray. We would recommend this single-sheet-feed portable device for its fast scanning capacities and accurate OCR.
Pros: 2. The scanner is light and easy to handle, Interesting image enhancement software.
Cons: 3. You can only scan documents up to 8.5 in. x 72 in, The device can scan up to 15 IPM only.
Brother ADS-1500W
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brother ADS-1500W | 36 IPM | A4 | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | 8.5 in. x 34 in. (215 x 863 mm) | Yes | 3.5 lb. (1.58 kg) | Click for more info |
The A4 scanner can handle documents up to 8.5 in. x 34 in. (215 x 863 mm) in size. The weight is definitely not one of its strongest points here (3.5 lb), but it is worth noting that the Brother ADS-1500W has an ADF tray. This scanner also features an intuitive 2.7 inches color TouchScreen display with customizable shortcuts.
Another interesting feature we found on this device is that it can scan directly to USB memory key. The Brother ADS-1500W is compatible with multiple cloud services and can scan directly to a PC also.
We also like the fact that the compact desktop scanner comes with features such as Background Removal, OCR, Automatic Deskew, Automatic Image Cropping and Automatic Image Rotation.
Pros: 2. Duplex scanning, ADF Tray, 36 IPM.
Cons: 3. The weight: 3.5 lb, You wont be able to scan documents larger than 8.5 in. x 34 in.
Epson ES-55R
| Product | Images / Minute | Format | Connectivity | Max. document size | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Epson ES-55R | 20 IPM | A4 | USB 2.0 | 8.5 in. x 72 in. (215 x 1828 mm) | No | 0.59 lb. (0.26 kg) | Click for more info |
This scanner also has a small footprint, at a weight of merely 0.59 lb. (0.26 kg) and dimensions of 10.7 in. x 2.6 in. x 5.6 in. (27.1 x 6.6 x 14.2 cm).
It is possible to connect the Epson ES-55R to a computer via USB, which allows you to use the computer as a power source. We would not recommend this device for smartphones and tablets though. Indeed, the Epson ScanSmart Accounting Edition Software is not available for Android or iOS mobile devices
Moreover, this scanner does not have an ADF Tray, so you will have to feed it the documents manually, one at a time, but this is also the case for most of the scanners featured in this article.
You can use the Epson ES-55R to scan A4 documents, or any other document that is up to 8.5 in. x 72 in. (215 x 1828 mm) in size. Simple and intuitive, you cannot go wrong with this portable document scanner.
It is also good to know that the Epson ScanSmart Accounting Edition Software allows you to easily scan receipts and other financial documents. The software is capable of identifying financial data and then extract and save it in its own database.
Pros: 2. Very light and easy to use, Accurate OCR.
Cons: 3. No Automatic Color Detection, No Automatic Image Rotation, No Automatic Image Cropping, No Background Removal, No Automatic Deskew.
Our Score