Amazon Top 5 Scanners of 2025

If you’re looking for a top-tier scanner and want to save some money without sacrificing much performance, consider the Canon ImageFORMULA R40. It outperforms the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 in optical character recognition, software quality, and ease of use. Though labeled as an entry-level device, Canon has continually improved its speed, text recognition, and image quality through hardware and firmware upgrades.

However, it lacks wireless scanning and can’t match the blazing 67 pages per minute of Fujitsu models like the ScanSnap iX1600. That said, if 16.7 pages per minute meets your needs, the ImageFORMULA R40 offers excellent performance, superior OCR, and a more user-friendly experience at a lower cost.

For most users, the ideal scanner is compact, easy to use, and capable of quickly digitizing documents or receipts. The Brother DS-640 excels in all these areas. In our tests, it produced high-quality PDFs nearly identical to the originals, featured excellent optical character recognition (OCR) for searchable text, and offered a simple document management experience.

Its standout feature is its size—about the length of a power strip, weighing just over a pound, and powered via USB. This makes it incredibly portable, easy to store, and convenient to plug into a laptop whenever needed. You can even carry it in a backpack for on-the-go scanning. Released in 2019, the DS-640 has since received software and driver updates, now supporting Linux.

The main drawback is its speed. Each page must be fed manually, making large document scanning a slow process. Without duplex scanning, double-sided pages must be scanned twice. It took 2.5 minutes to scan five double-sided pages—compared to 30 seconds with automatic feeders. If you frequently scan long documents, this may not be the best choice. For better speed, consider the Epson Perfection V39 II, or for an affordable alternative, try the free Scanner Pro App.

The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 is our top pick for professionals and small businesses needing fast, high-quality scanning. With a large automatic document feeder and rapid processing speed, it converts a 50-page document into a crisp PDF at the push of a button. The scans are sharp, capturing both tiny text and detailed graphics with precision. Its large LCD touchscreen and intuitive interface make setup and daily use effortless. Fujitsu continues to refine this model, improving scanning resolution and text recognition through software updates, even though its speed remains unchanged.

While occasional optical character recognition errors occur, this is common among scanners. The biggest drawback is its premium price, which may not be justified for casual users. However, for those who scan frequently, the time saved and superior quality make it a worthwhile investment. If you need a high-speed, user-friendly scanner, the iX1600 is an excellent choice. For those with lighter scanning needs and a budget-friendly preference, the Brother DS-640 offers a compact, affordable alternative.

Among the scanners we’ve tested, the RICOH Fi-8170 stands out for its exceptional speed and efficiency. Designed for high-volume scanning, it effortlessly handles 100-page documents, making it an excellent choice for demanding tasks. Its scanning quality is top-notch, and the user-friendly interface allows for easy adjustments to settings, ensuring optimal results.

However, the Fi-8170 isn’t without its drawbacks. While it excels at scanning text documents and receipts, its photo scanning capabilities leave room for improvement. Additionally, its high price tag makes it a significant investment compared to other models. Despite these limitations, the Fi-8170 remains a top choice for those who need to process large documents quickly and efficiently. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing too much performance, the Canon ImageFORMULA R40 is our top recommendation. It features a 60-page document feeder and delivers strong results across all key metrics.

Epson nailed it with the WorkForce ES-60W. This lightweight, fast, and ultra-compact scanner is perfect for mobile use, offering wireless scanning and cloud integration while delivering impressive scan quality. Despite its small size, it rivals some of the best desktop and flatbed scanners in performance, producing high-resolution PDFs with exceptional clarity.

However, without a feed or output tray, scanning larger stacks of documents can be slow and tedious, requiring manual feeding of each sheet. If you rarely need to scan multi-page documents but want top-tier performance and portability, the ES-60W is an excellent choice. For those who scan infrequently and want an even more budget-friendly option, the Brother DS-640 offers solid scan quality at a lower price.