Document scanners turn paper into searchable digital files. This category includes ADF scanners, sheet-fed models, flatbeds, combined flatbed and ADF units and handheld scanners, for home offices, busy departments and archive rooms.
Our range covers A4 and A3 formats from brands such as Epson, Ricoh, Canon, Avision, Plustek and Brother.
How to choose a document scanner
Scanner type. An automatic document feeder (ADF) scans a stack of pages in one pass and is the usual choice for invoices, contracts and letters. A flatbed handles bound books, fragile originals and odd-sized items. Combined flatbed and ADF models in our range cover both jobs, while handheld scanners suit quick captures on the move.
Paper size. A4 is enough for most office paperwork, and it is the most common maximum size in our range. Choose A3 if you scan drawings, spreadsheets printed on large sheets or posters. A few small-format models handle A6 items such as ID cards and receipts.
Resolution and sensor. For text documents, 600 x 600 DPI is plenty and is the optical resolution listed for many scanners here. Higher values such as 1200 or 4800 DPI matter mainly for photos and detailed artwork. Most feed scanners use a CIS sensor, which keeps the unit slim. CCD sensors tolerate slightly uneven or raised originals better, which helps with books.
Volume and speed. Check the recommended daily duty cycle and whether the scanner reads both sides in one pass (duplex). A small office scanning a few dozen pages a day needs a very different machine from a department processing hundreds of pages.
Connection and power. USB-powered scanners need only one cable and travel easily, but mains-powered models are usually faster and more robust. Our range includes USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 connections, and USB 3.2 transfers large batches of high-resolution scans more quickly.
Document scanner brands we carry
- Epson: known for WorkForce document scanners and Perfection flatbeds, which also handle photos and film.
- Ricoh: owns PFU, the maker of the ScanSnap and fi Series scanners, which are widely used in offices.
- Canon: its imageFORMULA series covers compact desktop scanners through to higher-volume models.
- Avision: a Taiwanese specialist in document scanners, including A3 and higher-volume models.
- Plustek: makes compact document scanners and OpticBook scanners designed for bound books.
- Brother: known for small desktop and portable scanners aimed at home and small offices.
- Kodak: associated with high-volume departmental and production scanners.
- HP: sells the ScanJet range, a long-established line of office document scanners.
- IPEVO and ELMO: both are known for document cameras and visualisers, which capture pages from above rather than feeding them through.
Also in our range: IRIS.
Document scanner FAQ
What is the difference between an ADF scanner and a flatbed scanner?
An ADF scanner pulls sheets through automatically, so it scans stacks of pages quickly. A flatbed holds the original still on a glass plate, which is gentler on books, photos and fragile paper. Combined models offer both methods in one unit.
What resolution do I need to scan documents?
600 x 600 DPI is sufficient for text documents and produces files that work well with OCR (text recognition). Higher resolutions are only worth it for photographs, artwork or small originals that will be enlarged. Higher settings also create much larger files.
Can I scan A3 documents?
Yes, but only with a scanner that supports A3, and our range includes a number of them. Some A3 flatbeds scan the full sheet, while others are sheet-fed models. A4 scanners cannot capture a full A3 page in one pass.
Do I need a scanner or can I use my phone?
A phone is fine for the occasional page, but a scanner is better for regular use. It scans both sides at once, feeds whole stacks automatically, keeps pages straight and produces consistent, searchable files. This saves a lot of time once you scan more than a handful of pages.
