Explore the top Portable Scanners with features, pricing, technical specifications, and comparisons to select the best mini scanner:
Is it getting too difficult to go to your static printer to scan your documents every time?
You need a Portable Scanner that will help you in scanning documents instantly. These devices are manufactured for handheld document scanning requirements.
Mini scanners are built to make scanned versions of physical documents. They are compact and come as light in weight, allowing you to place the scanner quite comfortably anywhere.
Picking out the best portable scanner from the multiple options available could be a tough choice. Therefore, we’ve put up a list of the top portable scanners available in the market. Scroll down below and pick your favorite model!
Table of Contents:
- Portable Scanners – Review
- Frequently Asked Questions
- List of Top Portable Scanners
- Comparing Some Best Mini Scanners
- #1) Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner
- #2) Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner
- #3) Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi
- #4) Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner
- #5) MUNBYN Portable Scanner
- #6) Fujitsu SCANSNAP S1100i Mobile Scanner PC/Mac
- #7) Brother Wireless Document Scanner
- #8) Epson WorkForce ES-200
- #9) IRIScan Book 3 Wireless Portable 900 dpi color Scanner
- #10) VuPoint ST470 Magic Wand Portable Scanner
- Conclusion
Portable Scanners – Review

Market Trends: According to Business Wire, the market for document scanners is fairly concentrated all around the globe. There are a few players who occupy the market share throughout the globe. According to multiple reports, the market will accelerate at a rate of 14% annually.
The incremental growth from the period 2017 to 2022 is subjected to be around $5.36 billion. Over 42% of the surge in portable scanner requirements comes from America. One of the key drivers for this market will be the projection of data security.
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Expert Advice: While selecting the best Portable Scanner, the first thing that you need to do is to look for the scanning speed. If you have bulk documents to scan, having a good speed will help you get immediate results.
The next important thing is the resolution of the mobile scanner. It is important to have the right resolution set for your scanner, which is available most in 300/600/900 dpi for most scanners.
Another important thing that you need to consider is the connectivity option. Most handheld scanner gets connected with USB and other modes of technology. You can also get some scanners with wireless technology included with the portable document scanner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) What is the best brand of portable scanners?
Answer: If you are planning to pick out the best hand scanner equipment, it is important to pick out the best mobile scanner that can scan both color and black documents. The ability to provide good document scanning and also quick connectivity makes the brand stand out.
If you are confused about which brand and model to pick, you can choose from the list below:
- Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner
- Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner
- Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi
- Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner
- MUNBYN Portable Scanner
Q #2) What are the four types of scanners available?
Answer: There are different types of scanners available that you may find generally. Most of them are available in both portable and stationary versions as well. The most common scanner types are flatbed, handheld, drum scanning, and even sheet-fed. All of these devices can scan a document perfectly but may differ a lot in resolution or scanning speed.
Suggested Reading =>> Frequently used Document Management System
Q #3) Can you use a scanner without a computer?
Answer: A scanner may work independently. However, you will need a device where you can get the data and memory stored. Using the best portable document scanner without a computer is possible. But to make this effective, use a wireless connectivity mode.
You can connect directly to both smartphones and tablets and then use the scanner interface to digitally view the document.
Q #4) Do scanners wear out?
Answer: The two major components of any scanner are the sensor and the roller. They are used to pass your document through this and you can effectively get a document prepared. The sensors of a scanner and rollers are the most important aspects that will run or wear down from time to time.
However, these parts are replaceable, and you can eventually buy new ones to get the scanner going. So every piece of electrical equipment has a lifespan.
Q #5) Do scanners differ in quality?
Answer: Different scanners differ in quality because of the lens and the projection. Different portable models come with different lenses so having a decent lens quality will allow you to get better scanning options.
Having a different quality of lens might affect the scanned output of the product. You can always try to have a compact scanner that offers a better-quality resolution.
List of Top Portable Scanners
Popular and most impressive mini scanner:
- Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner
- Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner
- Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi
- Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner
- MUNBYN Portable Scanner
- Fujitsu SCANSNAP S1100i Mobile Scanner PC/Mac
- Brother Wireless Document Scanner
- Epson WorkForce ES-200
- IRIScan Book 3 Wireless Portable 900 dpi color Scanner
- VuPoint ST470 Magic Wand Portable Scanner
Comparing Some Best Mini Scanners
Tool Name | Best For | Scan Speed | Resolution | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner | Business Card Scan | 16 pages per minute | 300 | $109.98 |
Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner | Paper Scanning | 10 pages per minute | 1200 | $119.99 |
Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi | Heavy Duty Scanning | 6 pages per minute | 600 | $219.00 |
Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner | 2-Sided Scanning | 12 pages per minute | 600 | $194.00 |
MUNBYN Portable Scanner | A4 Documents | 6 pages per minute | 900 | $69.40 |
Detailed reviews:
#1) Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner
Best for business card scans.
The Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner is one of the best and most affordable document scanners. It has great scan quality and amazing features and performance that make it perfect for anyone looking to have a great portable scanner. It can scan at a speed of 15 pages per minute.
In fact, it is so versatile that it can scan business cards, receipts, photos, A4 paper, and simply everything. Apart from that, this portable scanner is powered by USB 3.0 and allows you to plug it into your laptop to scan documents whenever needed.
The OCR Software can transfer a hard-copy file to an editable Word file. This comes with a year of warranty period for any kind of manufacturing defect.
Features:
- Offers accurate OCR.
- It is pretty easy to use.
- Provides fast processing and scanning.
- Has a resolution of 600 x 600.
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Receipt, Embossed Card, ID Card, Plastic Card, Plain Paper, Laminated Card, Business Card |
Scanner Type | Document, Business Card |
Brand | Brother |
Model Name | Compact |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.9 x 2.2 x 1.4 inches |
Resolution | 300 |
Item Weight | 1.85 Pounds |
Wattage | 2.5 watts |
Sheet Size | 3.40 x 3.40 |
Maximum Paper Capacity | 1 sheet |
Max. Scan Speed(Sim/Duplex) | 16 ppm |
OS Compatibility | Windows / Mac OS / Linux |
Driver Compatibility | TWAIN / SANE / ICA |
Pros:
- Comes with a micro USB 3.0 cable.
- Light in weight and compact design.
- Offers a scanning speed of 16 ppm.
Cons:
- Might not be suitable for long receipts scanning.
Price: It is available for $109.98 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Brother for a price of $109.98. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
#2) Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner
Best for paper scanning.
If you like to travel with your scanner, then you would prefer something that is light in weight. In this case, the Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner is the perfect choice. It is powered by USB so that you can directly plug in your laptop and you are ready.
It has the power to handle all kinds of media, such as credit cards, business cards, or paper up to 270 GSM. The best thing about this scanner is that it can scan at a quick speed of 5.5 seconds and will give you the best results. You can use the SmartScan software that Epson offers to make the usage even easier.
Features:
- Scan Speed is 5.5 seconds per page.
- Can scan documents up to 8.5 x 72 inches.
- Has a TWAIN driver.
- It is compatible with Mac and Windows.
- Comes with an automatic feeding mode.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Receipt, Paper |
Scanner Type | Document |
Brand | Epson |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1.8 x 10.7 x 1.3 inches |
Resolution | 1200 |
Item Weight | 0.59 Pounds |
Wattage | 220 watts |
Standard Sheet Capacity | 1 |
Auto Document Feeder | Single-sheet Feed |
Peak Daily Duty Cycle | 300 pages |
Pros:
- Comes with accurate OCR.
- Has robust software.
- It’s pretty light and portable.
Cons:
- Has no internal battery.
Price: It is available for $119.99 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Epson for a price of $119.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://epson.com/For-Home/Scanners/Document-Scanners/WorkForce-ES-50-Portable-Document-Scanner/p/B11B252201
#3) Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi
Best for heavy-duty scanning.
If you are talking about portable scanners, then the brand Doxie comes as a reliable one. The Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi has a wide range of connectivity options, such as mobile app syncing, Wi-Fi, as well as USB connectivity. Hence, it becomes easier for you to connect it with your laptop, PC, and even a mobile phone.
The best thing about this scanner is that it has an excellent inbuilt battery that can scan around 400 pages in a single time. It will take around 8 seconds to scan one entire page. And the scanning resolution is quite high at 600 dpi.
Apart from all, this scanner has its software to create searchable multi-page PDFs, all thanks to the ABBYY OCR technology. You will have a year of the warranty period for any kind of manufacturing defects.
Features:
- Comes with expandable memory.
- Has a rechargeable battery.
- Has an inbuilt WiFi.
- Works with all devices.
- Sync scans to your iPhone or iPad.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Receipt, Paper, Photo |
Scanner Type | Receipt, Document |
Brand | Doxie |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 13.98 x 6.54 x 2.68 inches |
Resolution | 600 |
Weight | 1.3 lbs |
Size | ?Battery Sheetfed + Wi-Fi |
Pros:
- Comes with OCR and searchable PDFs.
- Offers crisp and clean scans.
- Light in weight and portable.
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a document feeder
Price: It is available for $219.00 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Doxie for a price of $219.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://www.getdoxie.com/
#4) Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner
Best for 2-sided scanning.
The Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner is quite portable and ideal for mobile workers who are looking for a fuss-free product. It weighs only 900 grams and has a footprint of 285 x 95mm. 1.7m USB 2 cable which requires no driver or application to install.
Even though the scanner is small and portable, it will offer you color and mono scan services at some great speeds of 12ppm and 9ppm.
Apart from that, the main feeder will allow you to handle paper that weighs around 128 grams. It comes with a dedicated slot that helps in scanning embossed cards having 1.4mm thickness. This scanner occurs along with 20 pages Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) which is helpful to scan pages anytime.
It allows you to fine-tune the output just by adjusting contrast, brightness, and background smoothing as well as saving your presets for future use. You can save the scanned documents in several formats, such as TIFF, JPEG, and PDF. Overall, it is a pretty impressive scanner that works amazingly while scanning documents.
Features:
- Has USB power supply mode.
- Comes with an auto document feeder.
- Has a speed of 12ppm/14ipm.
- Offers a maximum resolution of 600 dpi.
- It is compatible with macOS and Windows.
Technical Specifications:
Scanner Type | Document, Business Card |
Brand | Canon |
Model Name | Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner with Scanning Software |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 13.49 x 6.5 x 4.8 inches |
Item Weight | 2.2 Pounds |
Sheet Size | 8.5 x 14 |
Standard Sheet Capacity | 20 |
Color | White |
Operating System | Windows, Mac |
Pros:
- No power supply is needed.
- It has a compact and portable design.
- Comes with double-sided scanning.
Cons:
- It is quite expensive.
Price: It is available for $194.00 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Canon for a price of $259.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/list/scanners/
#5) MUNBYN Portable Scanner
Best for A4 documents.
MUNBYN Portable Scanner is yet another amazing product that offers several scanning resolutions to choose from. Yes! You can choose from 1050 dpi, 600 dpi, 300 dpi, etc. As a result, if you want a portable scanner for scanning business cards, pictures, etc, then it is one of the best portable scanners.
With this MUNBYN Portable Scanner, you will have Wi-Fi support to connect with all the devices and even share files over the network. Even if you don’t like to use Wi-Fi, you have the option to share files using a USB cable.
It supports microSD cards for up to 16 GB, where you can store your documents. It will only take around 3 to 5 seconds to scan a page at any resolution.
Features:
- Comes with OCR technology.
- Has USB and microSD support.
- Takes only 3 to 5 seconds to scan one page.
- Can scan at 900dpi in high resolution.
- Support MicroSD cards up to 16 GB.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Photos, Receipt, Book pages, Documents |
Scanner Type | Handheld Scanner |
Brand | MUNBYN |
Model Name | IDS001-BK |
Connectivity Technology | Wireless Scan, USB Cord to Connect PC and Transfer |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 10 x 0.84 x 0.7 inches |
Resolution | 900 / 600 / 300 dpi |
Item Weight | 145 Grams |
Wattage | 145 watts |
Sheet Size | A4 |
Resolution Setting | 300/600/900 |
Compatibility | Windows/Mac/Linux |
Supported Device | PC |
Way to Get Scans | USB Connection |
Scanning Way | Wireless |
Pros:
- Has attractive pricing.
- Extremely portable and handy.
- It needs no driver.
Cons:
- It is a bit heavy.
Price: It is available for $69.40 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of MUNBYN for a price of $139.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
#6) Fujitsu SCANSNAP S1100i Mobile Scanner PC/Mac
Best for a small page scan.
Are you looking for a scanner for your home or office that is not too bulky?
If yes, then you can try out the Fujitsu SCANSNAP S1100i Mobile Scanner PC/Mac. It is not powered by a battery and has a single USB connection to connect to your PC. The best thing about this product is the one-touch scanning, which makes it easy to use for everyone.
The product is compatible with both Mac and PC and you can have the best experience with the dual scan feature. It will let you scan two small files at the same time. It has an app called ScanSnap Organizer that will let you scan your files and then convert PDF files into searchable documents.
Features:
- Supports cloud storage.
- Comes with an automatic feeding mode.
- It takes only 5.2 seconds to scan one page.
- Comes with USB and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Has a 1 year warranty period.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Receipt, Paper, Business Card |
Scanner Type | Document |
Brand | Fujitsu |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12.5 x 5.6 x 2.9 inches |
Resolution | 600 |
Item Weight | 1.6 Pounds |
Wattage | 2.5 watts |
Standard Sheet Capacity | 230 |
Operating System | Windows, Mac |
Pros:
- Has a user-friendly interface.
- Comes with a space-saving design.
- Can scan at a decent speed.
Cons:
- Doesn’t have OCR technology.
Price: It is available for $163.96 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Fujitsu for a price of $199.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://www.fujitsu.com/us/products/computing/peripheral/scanners/product/s1300i/tc/
#7) Brother Wireless Document Scanner
Best for home office.
Coming next, if you want a heavy-duty scanner that is portable, then a Brother Wireless Document Scanner is a great choice. It works pretty fast as well as is a reliable option to spend your money. In fact, it seems quite easy to use, which makes it ideal for scanning large documents. The scanning speed is around 25 ppm and takes only 2.5 seconds to scan one page.
With the 20-page feeder capacity, you don’t need to add pages manually one by one. There is a small digital display that will tell you about the battery left, operation mode, and other things. You can connect with a PC, mobile device, or laptop wirelessly.
Apart from that, it has OCR software that allows you to make editable documents using the scanner. The best thing is that you get a year warranty period on manufacturing defects.
Features:
- Has OCR technology.
- Comes with cloud storage support.
- Takes only 2.5 seconds to scan a page.
- Has an auto-feeding mode with 20 pages capacity.
- Comes with USB and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Photo; Receipt; Business Card; Paper. |
Scanner Type | Document |
Brand | Brother |
Model Name | Brother ADS-1700W Wireless Compact Desktop Scanner |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.1 x 11.8 x 3.3 inches |
Resolution | 600 |
Item Weight | 3.3 Pounds |
Wattage | 9 watts |
Sheet Size | 8.27 x 11.69 |
Max Scan Speed | 25 ppm |
Connectivity | Wireless, Micro USB 3.0 |
Maximum ADF Paper Capacity | 20 |
Pros:
- The scanning speed is quite good.
- Has a dedicated scanning mode for ID cards.
- Perfect for home use.
Cons:
- The size is a little bigger.
Price: It is available for $269.99 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Brother for a price of $379.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://www.brother-usa.com/home/scanners/portable#sort=relevancy
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#8) Epson WorkForce ES-200
Best for the scanner with ADF.
Epson WorkForce ES-200 is an amazing portable document scanner that is pretty light in weight. It weighs only 2.4 lbs and is packed with several features. This scanner can scan duplex and hence, all you need to do is to pass the sheets using it once. Apart from that, the product comes along with an ADF tray that will let you stack 20 sheets.
It has an automatic cropping feature that will let you get images without any kind of black borders. The best thing about this scanner is the image quality, as you can expect 600×600 DPI resolution.
The product comprises a USB type B cable that will let you connect your scanner to the PC directly. You can easily share your files and data using a USB and also upload scans via SharePoint, Evernote, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
Features:
- Offers versatile scanning.
- Has the fastest scan speed of 25 ppm/50 ipm.
- It is quite portable in nature.
- Has an optical resolution of 600dpi.
- Comes with a 20-page Auto Document Feeder.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Receipt, Paper, Business Card |
Scanner Type | Document |
Brand | Epson |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.3 x 3.5 x 2 inches |
Resolution | 1200 |
Item Weight | 2.4 Pounds |
Wattage | 8 watts |
Sheet Size | Letter |
Color | Black |
Operating System | Windows, Mac |
Scan Speed | 25 ppm/50 ipm |
Connectivity | USB 3.0 |
Auto Document Feeder | 20-page |
Duty Cycle | 500 pages |
Power | AC adapter, USB 3.0 |
Pros:
- Comes with an entire software bundle.
- Has an accurate OCR.
- It is powered by USB or AC.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivity.
Price: It is available for $219.99 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of Epson for a price of $219.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://epson.com/For-Home/Scanners/Document-Scanners/c/h231
#9) IRIScan Book 3 Wireless Portable 900 dpi color Scanner
Best for color scanning.
If you are willing to scan thicker magazines or books, then you will surely love this scanner. This is because the scanner can scan any kind of book just by sliding it in any direction as per your wish. In fact, with 900 Dpi resolution, you can get extremely sharp scans and it will just take a few seconds to do the job.
The product comes along with an LCD screen that will help you preview your settings preferences. In fact, the best thing is that it can recognize 138 languages.
Features:
- Comes with a fast scanning feature.
- Allows A4 format.
- Has a resolution of 900 Dpi.
- Comes with a CIS sensor type.
- Offers duplex scanning feature.
Technical Specifications:
Scanner Type | Document |
Brand | IRIS USA, Inc. |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 2.28 x 12.12 x 5.43 inches |
Resolution | 900 |
Item Weight | 190 Grams |
Standard Sheet Capacity | 1 |
Scan speed | 5PPM |
Dpi Settings | 300/600/900Dpi |
Pros:
- Very light in weight.
- Has an automatic desk and background removal.
- Has Wi-Fi connectivity.
Cons:
- Doesn’t support duplex scanning.
Price: It is available for $97.77 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of IRIScan for a price of $97.06. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Website: https://www.irislink.com/EN-AU/c1657/IRIS—Software—Discover-our-range.aspx
#10) VuPoint ST470 Magic Wand Portable Scanner
Best for an auto-feed docking station.
If you are looking for the best wand scanner, then you can check out the VuPoint ST470 Magic Wand Portable Scanner. It comes with several scanning modes and allows you to choose between 1050, 600, and 300 dpi resolutions.
You can scan your images and retain all the minute details. Apart from that, you will love the automatic feeding feature that makes it easy to scan documents.
It has a microSD card slot that will let you install around 32 GB of memory. It has an 8 GB SD card that comes along with the package. It will let you save around 5000 files. Then again, the 1.5-inch color display helps to locate the features and allows you to see the progress in real time.
The best thing about this scanner is that it is quite versatile and allows you to save files in PDF. If you want to save images, you can use the JPEG format.
Features:
- Has LCD scanning status display.
- Comes with an auto-white balance.
- Has a USB 2.0 high-speed feature.
- Comes with great scanning speed.
- Offers OCR software access.
Technical Specifications:
Media Type | Receipt, Paper, Photo |
Scanner Type | Receipt, Document |
Brand | VUPOINT |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 15 x 7 x 4 inches |
Resolution | 1200 |
Item Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
Sheet Size | 8.5×125 Inches |
Color | Black |
Operating System | PC |
Pros:
- Can scan without a computer.
- Works both as a wand scanner as well as a manual feed scanner.
- Very small in size and portable.
Cons:
- Has no microSD memory card.
Price: It is available for $119.99 on Amazon.
The products are also available on the official site of VuPoint for a price of $119.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.
Conclusion
The best Portable Scanners comprise impressive scanning ability for great results. Such scanners come with fast scanning options that can provide you with immediate results. We can easily connect most of them to your PC using USB or with your smartphones or other devices using Wi-Fi.
While reviewing, we found that the Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner is the best scanning device available today. It comes with a scan speed of 16 pages per minute and a scan default of 300 dpi settings.
Some other alternative small scanners are Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner, Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi, Canon imageFORMULA R10 Portable Document Scanner, and MUNBYN Portable Scanner.
Research Process:
- Time is taken to research this article: 20 Hours.
- Total products researched: 28
- Top products shortlisted: 10