15+ Best Scanners in 2024 (April)

Having the right scanner can help make your workday easier and certainly more productive.

Working in graphic design or any other creative profession, you may need to scan documents, hand-drawn sketches or doodles and make them digital so you can edit them to fit your needs.

Choosing the right one though can be a difficult process with all of the options that are out there. That’s why we’re here.

With our list of the best scanners for graphic designers, all of your sketches and doodles will be digitized in no time.

Top 15+ Best Scanners in 2024

We’ve considered the price, value, the overall size, and the connectivity options to determine the best scanners in 2o23:

1. 1. Epson Perfection V600 — Best value scanner overall (Editor’s Choice)
   2. Canon CanoScan LiDE400 Slim — Best budget scanner
   3. Epson WorkForce DS-30 — Best portable wireless scanner
   4. Epson Perfection V850 Pro — The best professional quality scanner
   5. Epson DS-50000 — A great scanner for larger projects 
   6. Canon CanoScan Lide 300 — The most affordable scanner
   7. Doxie Go SE — Best wired scanner
   8. Epson Perfection V39 — A great space-saving option
   9. Plustek 1180 — A great scanner for wide-format documents
   10. Canon CanoScan LiDE400 — The best-looking scanner
   11. Canon imageFORMULA P-150 — An environment-conscious scanner
   12. NeatReceipts — The best “work from anywhere” scanner
   13. ScanSnap SV600 — Best overhead scanner
   14. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 — One of the best scanners for smaller sized offices
   15. Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner — One of the best scanners for portability

Be sure to check out… best printers for designers, best mouse for designers, best office chairs for designers, best monitors for designers, best cameras for designers

 

What is the best scanner in 2024?

Our top pick for the best scanner is the Epson Perfection V600 due to its overall value and performance.

 

15+ Best Scanners in 2024

1. Epson Perfection V600 (Editor’s Choice)

The best scanner overall

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: variable | Interface: USB

Designed to precisely capture every detail of your documents and artwork, the Perfection V600 from Epson can capture every brush or pencil stroke from all types of artwork including watercolors, pencil drawings, or grayscale sketches.

The V600 is a high-quality scanner that comes with a unique feature, the scanning speed can be manipulated at will. The scan time depends on the resolution.

For higher resolutions, the scan time can be much longer. The overall size of the scanner can be quite large and needs as much real estate as you can provide. When it comes to a variety of tasks, the V600 is one of the best scanners for users.

This is our top pick for the best scanner for graphic design.

Pros	Cons
➕ Can scan negatives and slides	➖ Quite large
➕ Great quality scans that capture minute details
➕ Can scan to searchable pdf

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

2. Canon CanoScan LiDE400 Slim Scanner

The best budget scanner for office and personal use

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 8 seconds | Interface: USB-C

Canon is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality products, especially scanners such as the CanoScan LiDE400 Slim. With its 4600 dpi image resolution, the scanner can produce scans with vivid colors and intricate detail. At a very affordable price, the LiDE400 is a great option for design students or even amateurs.

Connecting to your computer through a USB-C, making set up easy by connecting just one cable. Unlike many scanners, the LiDE400 can be stood upright, even when in use, this feature not only makes the scanner useful but also practical as we all know that desk space can be limited.

Pros	Cons
➕ Can operate upright, increasing usable desk space	➖ Some users reported issues with the drivers
➕ Good scan resolution
➕ Easy to use

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

3. Epson WorkForce DS-30 Portable Wireless Scanner

The best portable and wireless scanner

Optical scan resolution: up to 9600 x 9600 dpi| Scanning speed: 4.6 ppm | Interface: USB 2.0

Engineered for business, the WorkForce DS-30 from Epson is a personal scanner that is a sleek device that you can use to scan, save, and send all of your important documents regardless of where you are working from. Not everything a graphic designer needs to scan is drawings.

The DS-30 is extremely flexible, scanning anything from receipts, documents, ID cards, and more – all of which can be sent by email or saved as a PDF. For you tech-savvy people out there, the documents your scan can even be sent right to your favorite cloud service, such as Dropbox.

What makes this scanner stand out from the rest is how easy it is to take with you when traveling, and despite its portability, produces high-quality scans. Considering its compact size and high-quality imaging, the WorkForce DS-30 Scanner is surprisingly affordable, making it one of the best scanners on the list by far.

Pros	Cons
➕ Affordable	➖ Scanning takes a bit of time
➕ Extremely compact and portable
➕Outstanding scan quality

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

4. Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner

The scanner with the best quality

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 seconds | Interface: USB

The Perfection V850 Pro from Epson is the one of the best scanners available for graphic designers. With a dual-lens system along with 4800 and 6400 dpi scanning resolution along with a Dmax rating of 4.0, the V850 Pro allows you to capture a lot more detail from a film than other scanners.

Unfortunately, all of these features mean a higher price although, for the kinds of work you would use this for, it would more than make up for it. Although a scan can take more than 30 seconds to process, the 2400 dpi resolution is excellent making the wait worth it. The only real downside is a lack of Wifi or Bluetooth support. Considering the price point, this is disappointing.

Pros	Cons
➕ Outstanding scan quality	➖ Does not have WiFi or Bluetooth support
➕ Ability to scan negatives and colors accurately makes it perfect for photographers
➕ Dual lenses ensure clarity

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

5. Epson DS-50000 Scanner

A great scanner for larger projects

Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 40 ppm | Interface: USB-C

Speaking of scanning larger projects, the DS-50000 from Epson can handle documents up to 11.7 x 17 inches or A3 size documents. Designed to hold your document securely between two sheets of glass, which helps prevent your document from creasing or curling.

Each of your scans can be uploaded directly to your cloud storage of choice to help save time. Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, the scanner uses ISIS and TWAIN drivers, meaning that it’s compatible with any software.

To make things easier, the scanner comes with a 3-year warranty that will allow you to get it fixed or replaced if something happens to it.

Pros	Cons
➕ Scans quite quickly	➖ The software is a bit difficult to use at first
➕ Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS
➕ Can handle bigger documents and artwork (up to A3)
➕ Comes with a 3-year warranty

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

6. Canon CanoScan Lide 300 Scanner

The best ultra-budget scanner

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 seconds | Interface: USB

A great scanner for those on a budget, the CanoScan Lide 300 from Canon may not come with the advanced features that others on our list may have. With a scan taking no more than 10 seconds, you can scan all of your artwork and document quickly and efficiently.

While it can’t compare with other premium scanners, the 2400 x 2400 resolution will still help your images look great without any blurring or unwanted effects. Sleek and simple to operate, the scanner connects via USB to make operation even easier. Able to auto scam copy, and send your artwork right from the scanner, it is easily a set it and forget its scanner.

Pros	Cons
➕ Good price	➖ Needs to be fed manually
➕ Can auto-scan and send artwork directly
➕ Very easy to use

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

7. Doxie Go SE

Best wired scanner

Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi| Scanning speed: up to 8 seconds | Interface: USB

If you like to use wired scanners, this product is a great choice. Doxie Go SE is a scanner that is portable and one that you can carry anywhere. This modern scanner doesn’t need a system or computer to work. 

As it is user-friendly, you can easily use this scanner and scan the pages within eight seconds. Along with these, the scanner is effective for your tasks due to the rechargeable battery and memory. Through ABBYY OCR technology, the scanner can easily recognize the text. 

Pros	Cons
➕ User-friendly	➖ Slow scanning pace per page
➕ Rechargeable battery

 

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

8. Epson Perfection V39 Scanner

A perfect space-saving option

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 seconds | Interface: USB-C

Like many of us, desk real estate can come at a premium which makes the Perfection V39 from Epson such a great scanner. Thanks to its slim and lightweight design, it can fit just about anywhere, and if that’s still not enough room for you.

The V39 comes with a built-in kickstand enabling the scanner to stand vertically, saving room on your workspace. To help you scan large canvases, the V39 has a removable lid while the resolution is impeccable at 4800 dpi, meaning your artwork will look beautiful down to the tiniest detail.

Pros	Cons
➕ Slim fit and lightweight design takes up minimal space	➖ Software features and applications could be better
➕ Easy to use
➕ Scans can be converted to editable text and PDF formats
➕ Great scan quality

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

9. Plustek 1180 Scanner

A great scanner for wide-format documents

Optical scan resolution: 300 dpi | Scanning speed: 9 seconds| Interface: USB

The Plustek 1180 scanner is a great choice for any designer who needs to make scans of wide-format documents. The Plustek 1180 is great for documents like blueprints or large designs that would limit graphic designers on other scanners.

With a scanning speed of about 9 seconds, which is impressive considering the document size the scanner can handle. If you regularly work with larger documents, the Plustek 1180 is one of the best scanners to work with.

Pros	Cons
➕ Quick scanning speed	➖ Could have better resolution
➕ Great for scanning large documents

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

10. Canon CanoScan LiDE400 Scanner

The best-looking scanner for your office

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 8 seconds | Interface: USB-c

Every scanner does essentially the same thing. If you’re more concerned with a scanner’s aesthetic appeal, you should take a look at the CanoScan LiDE400 from Canon. A compact design, the most attractive feature is the LiDE220’s portability. Powered by USB, the LiDE220 is perfect for small or even home offices.

Unfortunately, the portability the scanner comes with means that the resolution takes a hit. With 4800 x 4800 dpi, the LiDE400 is lacking compared to others and while it’s not recommended for professional use it is still a great option for scanning and uploading your artwork.

Pros	Cons
➕ Quite compact	➖ The resolution could be better
➕ Good quality scans
➕ Can scan to searchable pdf and editable text

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

11. Canon imageFORMULA P-150 Scanner

A great scanner that is environment-conscious

Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: up to 15 ppm | Interface: USB-C

By combining productivity, practicality, and value into its sleek and mobile design, the P-150 from Canon manages to be a highly efficient scanner. Lovingly referred to as the Scan-tini, the scanner was designed specifically for professionals looking to boost their productivity and personal efficiency.

Canon’s first foray into the personal scanner market, overall it checks all the boxes. For those energy-conscious, the P-150 is also ENERGY STAR efficient as well and can be suitable in any office, at home, or work.

Pros	Cons
➕ Comes with an automatic document feeder	➖ Slightly difficult to set up
➕ Able to do double-sided scans
➕ Can complete 15 black and white prints per minute
➕ Energy efficient

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

12. NeatReceipts Scanner

The best “work anywhere” scanner

Optical scan resolution: 4800 dpi | Scanning speed: 10 seconds | Interface: USB

With a ton of features that help it stand out, the NeatReceipts personal document scanner was designed to be used no matter where you’re working. Weighing less than a pound, the USB-powered scanner can easily store, secure, organize and activate your data.

You can also export your data, make use of Smart Sorting and scan your documents as a PDF so you can easily access and organize your files. Easily able to fit into your bag, like many other accessories, it just makes sense to take this with you to work.

Pros	Cons
➕ Quite lightweight	➖ Software could be improved
➕ Helps store and manage your data
➕ Easily portable

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

13. ScanSnap SV600

The best overhead scanner

Optical scan resolution: Horizontal scanning: 285 to 218 dpi / vertical scanning: 283 to 152 dpi* | Scanning speed: 3 seconds | Interface: USB-C

Using an overhead scanner such as the ScanSnap SV600 can have advantages over traditional scanners. The biggest one is the speed of its scans. Capable of producing impressive scans as well as easily scanning books, the ScanSnap is a great choice for graphic designers who hate warped pages.

The device uses linear scan technology to capture data from large scanning area, making it great for a designer to work with large documents.

Pros	Cons
➕ Reasonable price	➖ The software is a bit difficult to use at first
➕ Quick scanning
➕ Can correct misaligned pages through software

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

14. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600

The best scanner for smaller-sized offices

Optical scan resolution: 300 dpi | Scanning speed: 40 ppm | Interface:  Wi-Fi or USB cable

When it comes to scanners, the ScanSnap iX1600 is regarded by many as one of the best ones out there. With a quick scanning speed and a touchscreen interface, the iX1600 is a convenient scanner for both office and personal use.

The iX1600 comes with its own software and also allows users to make use of WiFi or USB cable for connectivity. With a sturdy build and quiet scanning capabilities, this scanner is a full package.

Other than this, the scanner comes with impressive color and scanning accuracy. This makes it convenient to use, even for photos and images. While created with mostly office use in mind, the ScanSnap iX1600 is one of the best scanners for smaller-sized offices.

Pros	Cons
➕ Color accurate and quiet to use	➖ Does not come with ethernet support
➕ Easy to use software
➕ Comes with a wide variety of connectivity options

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

15. Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner

 

Best portable scanner for designs and documents

Optical scan resolution: 600 dpi | Scanning speed: 16 ppm | Interface: Micro USB 3.0

For professionals and designers who are always on the go, the Brother DS-640 is the best compact scanner available. While it comes at a surprisingly affordable price, it definitely packs a punch. This compact scanner produces scans of photographs and designs that can compete with products 3 or 4 times its price.

One place where individuals may need to compromise a bit would be its overall speed, which is a bit underwhelming. Despite that, this impressive scanner is easy to use and can almost all backpacks and suitcases.

Another thing you should keep in mind is the printer’s connectivity is limited to USB 3.0. That said, the DS-640 is the one of best scanners for portability and is an absolute steal.

Pros	Cons
➕ Extremely light and portable design	➖ Require external power
➕ Accurate colors	➖ Not compatible for wifi or mobile phone connectivity
➕ Quick scanning and processing of documents

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

How to choose and buy a scanner

The best scanner for you can be a wonderful piece of tech that gets tons of use whether at work or in your home office. However, not all scanners are created equal and there are some things you should consider first.

Image quality

The best possible image quality ensures that the images scanned look amazing. If you are looking to share your artwork, then you do want it to look its best. To do this, you need to pay attention to the image resolution as well as pixel density. The higher the pixel density, the higher-quality and more detail your images will have.

Another factor to pay attention to is optical density. Also known as dynamic range, it refers to how the scanner sees and replicates all the color tones that appear on your artwork. A higher optical density means that the scanner can accurately reproduce the full range of colors.

Check out the list of best scanners for photos through our blog.

Size

The downside of many scanners is that they can be limited to A4 size or smaller which can be a problem if you have larger artwork that you need to digitize. Working on a larger scale, you need to make sure the scanner you choose is large enough.

This might also mean that you need to spend more money. Some scanners are equipped to handle larger dimensions. Just be sure to double-check before you purchase one.

Connectivity

Most modern scanners will connect through either a USB-A or USB-C connection. While many will connect through wi-fi, connecting via USB is the easiest and best way to ensure your artwork is digitized.

Some older models may use outdated methods to connect to your computer, so be sure to check the connections on your computer and the scanner to make sure you don’t need to buy an adapter.

Price

Price is also a factor whenever you buy a new piece of tech. Buying a scanner is no different. If your budget is larger, you can spend more and get more features with your scanner.

Do you need all the extra features that it may come with? Even if you have a large enough budget, you may not need all the features one comes with. Taking a long look at exactly what you need to use a scanner for is a great place to start.

Scan Speed 

If you are in a business and have much to scan, you must consider the speed of the scanning process. The number of pages the scanner scans in a minute is considered as the scan speed. Considering the average scanning speed, a scanner can scan within 30 pages per minute. 

Most professional scanners have a high scanning speed that is more than 30 pages. 

Scan Resolution 

The best scanners must keep the resolution high. If your scanners provide high resolution, it will add on more color, texture, tones, and shades. It’s necessary to have a scanner with high resolution to maintain the quality. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Best Scanners in 2024 Summary

A scanner can add a new level of production to your workflow. With the right scanner, all of the sketches you’ve jotted into your notebook can be digitized and downloaded instead of redrawing it again on your computer. With our list of the best scanners, you can start scanning and creating today!

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