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Free yourself from clutter with the best document scanners in 2024
Epson
Using one of these best document scanners, it’s easy and quick to create digital versions of important papers and keep them stored securely in your computer or the cloud. And once your files have been digitized, it’s easy to find them by a search term, date, file name or other criteria.
So, if you’re looking to free up some space in your home, get rid of filing cabinets altogether, cut down on clutter and better organize your important files and documents, consider investing in a document scanner.
While this roundup focuses on dedicated document scanners, all of the latest all-in-one printers, including those featured in our roundup of the best for 2024, also offer scanning capabilities. Our top pick in that category is the Canon Maxify GX6021.
Our picks for the best document scanners
Our in-house team of tech experts has curated this list of the best document scanner, all of which fit nicely on a desk and are easy to operate. When you choose the right scanner, the content you scan will wind up being accessible and readable in digital form. You can also choose what file format to store them in. For paper documents, a scanner can create PDF files which you can view, annotate or work with on any computer or mobile device platform.
The best scanners are loaded with useful features, making it easy to name and organize your precious files into custom folders. And searching for them is easy, too, via date or keywords. So your 2024 tax return paperwork won’t get mixed up with your work contracts, legal documents, personal medical records or travel receipts.
Best document scanner overall: Canon ImageFormula RS40
Canon
This dedicated desktop scanner is so versatile, that it can scan documents in almost any size, from a business card or ID, up to 8.5 x 14 inches. This means it can quickly scan receipts, letter or legal size pages at up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi. We also like this scanner because it does a great job capturing photos, too.
The integrated auto document feeder handles a stack of up 60 pages and can scan up to 40 items per minute. Documents can be edited and saved using the supplied CaptureOnTouch software. File formats supported include PDF, JPG, TIF, BMP, PNG and PPTX.
The system automatically saves scanned documents locally on your computer, or you can them to the cloud. OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and SharePoint are supported. This scanner connects to a PC or Mac using a supplied USB cable and offers an intuitive user interface.
Best portable document scanner: Brother DSmobile DS-940DW
Brother
For people on the go, or anyone who only needs to do occasional scanning, the Brother DSmobile DS-940DW is a portable and lightweight scanner that measures just 12.6 x 2.5 x 1.8 inches and weighs a mere 1.5 pounds. It’s also battery-powered.
Once connected (wirelessly or using a USB cable) to your PC or Mac, the DS-940DW can capture documents as small as a business card or up to 8.5 x 71.97 inches. It supports a maximum resolution of 300 x 300 dpi. This makes it great for quickly scanning receipts, financial documents, tax documents or other important papers — one sheet at a time.
We like this portable scanner because it can handle single or double-sided documents, in black and white or full color, in a single pass. One additional feature we found particularly useful: When you insert an optional microSD memory card into the scanner, you can process documents and store them on the card without needing to connect a computer or mobile device. A storage and travel case ($19) is sold separately.
Best batch document scanner: Ricoh FI-800R
Ricoh
For a household that needs to get rid of a lot of paper clutter, the Ricoh FI-800R dedicated scanner is up to the job. This scanner can accommodate documents as small as 2 x 2 inches, business cards, IDs, envelopes, passports, letter or legal size pages. The scanner’s maximum resolution is 600 x 600 dpi.
While it lacks wireless connectivity, the scanner uses an included USB cable to connect to a PC or Mac computer. It comes with PaperStream ClickScan software that makes it easy to scan, enhance, organize and store scanned documents.
When documents are fed into the scanner using the auto document feeder, scan speed is up to 40ppm. Single, manually-fed sheets scan be scanned in as little as 3.5 seconds. One useful feature is that when you load a document into the input tray, after being scanned, it will return that document to the same tray. The scanner itself measures just 11.7 x 4.1 x 3.3 inches, so it takes up very little desk space.
Best document scanner for receipts: Epson RapidReceipt RR-70W
Amazon
Epson’s version of a portable and battery-powered scanner is ideal for scanning receipts and then importing expense data into a spreadsheet or your favorite expense reporting software. It works with black and white or full-color documents up to 8.5 x 72 inches.
While individual sheets can be fed into the scanner one at a time, there’s a 15-sheet capacity ADF built-in. Scanning resolution is up to 300 x 300 dpi. Receipt management software is included, but scanned document data can easily be exported into QuickBooks, Quicken, TurboTax or Excel.
The supplied software will transform scanned documents into editable and searchable PDFs automatically. Documents can then be stored locally on your computer or uploaded directly to Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive or OneDrive. Scanning speed is up to 15ppm.
This scanner does not support double-sided scanning, but it measures 10.7 x 1.8 x 1.3 inches and weighs a mere 11 ounces. The rechargeable battery is included. A carrying and storage case is sold separately ($20).
Best combo document and photo scanner: ScanSnap iX1600
Amazon
While some scanners specialize in paper documents and others are better suited for photos, the ScanSnap iX1600 scans both — and does it well.
This scanner features a large, full-color touchscreen that makes it super easy to use. The built in ADF allows you to insert small stacks of documents to get scanned at up to 600 x 600 dpi resolution. The scanner connects wirelessly or USB cable with a PC, Mac or mobile device. It can handle documents or prints as small as 2 x 2 inches or as large as 11 x 17 inches.
This is a versatile scanner that measures 11.5 x 6.3 x 6 inches and weighs 7.5 pounds. It can handle single or double-sided scanning at up to 40ppm. Documents can be stored on your computer or mobile device or uploaded to a supported cloud-based service. It comes with the ScanSnap Home software, which makes it easy to scan, manage, edit, organize and share documents or photos.
How to pick the best document scanner
First, consider the types and sizes of documents you’ll be scanning the most frequently; are they individual sheets or multi-page documents that would require an auto document feeder? Next, determine if you want a portable scanner or one that fits nicely on a desktop.
Features to consider include the scanner’s resolution, which is measured in dots-per-inch (dpi). The higher the dpi, the more detailed the scans. For basic text documents, 300 x 300 dpi is more than adequate, but for full-color documents, 600 x 600 dpi is typically better to ensure clarity of images and legibility of text.
You also want to consider the scanner’s speed. Again faster is better. As for connectivity, a wireless connection with your computer or mobile device is often more convenient. The alternative is using a standard USB cable. Based on how you’ll be using the scanner, make sure it can accommodate all of the sizes necessary.
We also suggest paying attention to additional features, such as the ability to handle two-sided scanning with a single pass, to transfer scanned content to the cloud, or to store a file on a microSD memory card.
Finally, make sure you’ll be able to export the scanned content into file formats you can access. If you’ll be creating PDF files, you want the option to have those files be editable and searchable, so you can easily export the data to other applications.
And be sure to learn whether your scanner can export data from scanned pages into applications you already use for tasks like tax preparation or expense reporting.
The best scanners handle a wide range of scanning tasks and make it easy to edit, manage, view, organize, store and share. You also want to make sure the scanner works with your laptop or desktop computer, or your tablet. And if you plan to store your important scanned documents locally, we highly recommend a reliable and secure backup via external SSD or cloud service.
To learn all about the latest consumer tech, read in-depth product reviews, discover informative buyer’s guides for popular products and find the best deals, be sure to check out our constantly updated tech coverage.
What started out as a college romance ended in murder and mystery.
1994 – Scott Peterson and Laci Rocha met in 1994 while both were attending college at California Polytechnic State University. They married two years later. In 2002, Laci became pregnant. The two lived in Modesto, California and planned to raise their unborn son Conner there.
Laci Peterson Missing
December 24, 2002 – Scott Peterson says that on Christmas Eve morning, he left his pregnant wife alone to go fishing about 90 miles away at the Berkeley Marina. He says that Laci planned to walk the couple’s dog, McKenzie, and mop the kitchen floor. When Scott returned home hours later, he says he found McKenzie there alone, still wearing a leash – but no sign of Laci. That evening, Laci’s stepfather called the police to report her missing.
Searching for Laci
Family, friends, and volunteers launched a huge search for Laci Peterson.
Scott Peterson was interviewed by police in the early hours of Christmas Day. Now-retired Modesto Police Detective Jon Buehler says Scott didn’t seem as interested as one would expect. “Oftentimes, a victim who’s left behind is firing tons of questions at us … And we didn’t get any of that from him,” Buehler told “48 Hours.”
Amber Frey
December 30, 2002 – Less than a week after Laci Peterson went missing, Modesto detectives raced over to investigate an intriguing lead: a Fresno massage therapist named Amber Frey revealed that she had been dating Scott Peterson for over a month. She told police that Peterson had lied to her and said he was single.
Secret Recordings
Former Detective Buehler notes, “Her recall was fantastic. It was almost like it was a script from a Hallmark TV show or something.” Amber Frey recalled every detail of their romantic dates, down to what they were wearing. Hoping for clues that might lead them to the missing woman, detectives ask Frey to record phone calls between her and Scott Peterson, and she agrees.
Affair Revealed
January 24, 2003 – In an explosive press conference one month after Laci Peterson goes missing, Amber Frey publicly reveals her affair with Scott Peterson. “I am very sorry for Laci’s family and the pain that this has caused them,” she said. “And I pray for her safe return, as well.”
Prior to Frey going public, Peterson had told her in a recorded call that he was in Paris when he was really in Modesto while the search for Laci was still on. Eventually Scott admitted to her, “I’ve lied to you that I’ve been traveling.” Those recorded calls would later become part of a damning case against Peterson.
Bodies Found
April 13 and 14, 2003 – Two bodies are found on the shores of the San Francisco Bay. They are later identified as Laci Peterson and her unborn child. The two bodies were found about a mile apart.
Scott Peterson Arrested
April 18, 2003 – Authorities caught up with Scott Peterson at a golf course in San Diego and arrested him. Authorities found a wad of cash, his brother’s ID card, and multiple cell phones inside the vehicle. Days later, Peterson pleaded not guilty to two counts of capital murder.
Trial and Error
June 1, 2004 – Scott Peterson’s trial begins in San Mateo County, California. Because of massive publicity the trial was moved from Modesto to Redwood City, in San Mateo County. The decision was made because the judge decided it would be difficult for Peterson to get a fair trial too close to home, where emotions were running high.
High Suspicions
August 10, 2004 – In what many consider a major turning point of the trial, Amber Frey took the stand for the first time to tell the jury about her relationship with Scott Peterson, a secretly married man, and about all the lies he told her. Frey painted a picture of a dishonest man who could tell falsehoods with ease, hurting his credibility.
Jurors heard the lies for themselves in those recorded phone calls Frey made.
Justice for Laci and Conner
November 12, 2004 – Scott Peterson was found guilty of first-degree murder for the death of his wife Laci and second-degree murder for the death of his unborn son Conner. Crowds outside cheer.
Peterson Jurors
March 16, 2005 – Four months after his conviction, Scott Peterson is sentenced to death. At a press conference, Juror No. 7, Richelle Nice, [pictured center] called Peterson a “jerk” and commented “San Quentin is your new home,” referring to the prison where he would serve his sentence. Nice was nicknamed “Strawberry Shortcake” during the trial because of her hair color.
Death Sentence Overturned
August 24, 2020 – After two appeals, Scott Peterson’s death sentence was overturned by the California Supreme Court after deciding that the original trial judge made a mistake when jurors were being picked for trial. The result of that mistake, Peterson’s supporters say, was that the jury was stacked with pro death penalty jurors. Peterson, shown here in 2018, will now receive a new trial for only the sentence phase.
The court upheld his murder convictions.
Juror No. 7
October 14, 2020 – The California Supreme Court orders a lower court to reexamine Peterson’s murder convictions and decide if he should get an entire new trial. Scott Peterson’s supporters say it all comes down to the actions of that juror once nicknamed “Strawberry Shortcake” – Richelle Nice, pictured here in 2005.
During jury selection, prospective jurors filled out a questionnaire asking if they had in the past been in a lawsuit and if they had been crime victims. Nice checked no. “It’s pretty clear… that she lied to us straight to our face about her own situation,” Peterson’s current attorney Pat Harris told “48 Hours.” In fact, Nice was involved in two domestic disputes in the past. But prosecutors say when Nice filled out that questionnaire she didn’t lie, she just didn’t think her past experiences were relevant to the questions and didn’t see herself as a victim. Now a lower court will consider if Peterson will get a complete retrial. Richelle Nice declined to speak with “48 Hours.”
New Evidence?
March 7, 2021 – CBS News’ Jonathan Vigliotti interviewed Scott Peterson’s sister-in-law Janey Peterson in her “war room” of evidence she claims proves his innocence. She claims witnesses saw Laci walking in the neighborhood near the Peterson home after the time Scott said he left for the fishing trip. If that’s true, Scott couldn’t have killed Laci.
Scott Peterson’s attorney explains, “there’s been a lot of criticism because we didn’t call some witnesses who saw Laci that day,” and that the thought process at the time was that “a number of the witnesses who saw her didn’t have great – memories or had contra – were contradicting each other.”
Retired detective Jon Buehler says there are no witnesses who saw Laci alive that morning. He says there were other young women in the neighborhood who were pregnant and looked similar to Laci, and that “it would be real easy for somebody to mistakenly see one of those three girls as being Laci.” Still, Janey Peterson insists that Scott is innocent.
A Burglary
Perhaps more important to a new defense case is what Janey Peterson believes actually happened to Laci. She points to a burglary she believes happened on the same day Laci disappeared, right across the street from the Peterson home. Scott Peterson’s supporters theorize that Laci confronted the burglars and that ended badly. But police quickly arrested the burglars – Steven Todd and Donald Pearce – pictured here in a 2003 Modesto Police Department press release.
Awaiting a Decision
April 27, 2021 – Scott Peterson appeared in court remotely for a status hearing on a new death penalty trial.
Dec. 8, 2021: Scott Peterson was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the deaths of his wife and unborn child.
2024: The Los Angeles Innocence Project took up Peterson’s fight for a new trial. Since then, a California judge has granted his defense team access to previously undisclosed evidence as well as permission to do additional DNA testing.
Peterson and his supporters maintain the wrong man is in prison for Laci and Conner’s deaths. According to Detective Buehler, “Well, I guess it’s possible. But you know, there’s still people that believe the Earth is flat too.”
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