Here you will find the best portable scanner to aid you in your professional pursuits. The Imageformular R10 is fast, too; it’s able to process 12 pages per second fed through its automatic feeder, which is capable of holding up to 20 pages at a time. Add to this a sleek, modern design that yields a confident a professional image and you have the ideal portable scanner. This all-in-one device is capable of printing up to 8 x 10 documents and is fully wireless with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability. Its 10-page automatic document feeder is convenient for scanning or printing multiple pages without having to feed each through individually. The only downside is the cost, which is significantly higher than the simpler scanners in this roundup, but it’s worth it if you need to have the ability to print as well as scan when you’re on the road.
What to Look for in a Portable Scanner
Resolution
Resolution when scanning and printing is typically measured in terms of dpi (dots per inch). 300 dpi is the baseline resolution you should expect from any scanner, though some scanners are capable of as much as 1,200 dpi. The more resolution, the higher the detail in the scan, though higher dpi results in larger file sizes and can mean longer scanning times.
Connectivity
When choosing a scanner, it’s important to keep in mind which devices you plan to connect to it, if any. Some scanners have only USB connections and are generally only compatible with PC and Mac computers. Others feature Wi-Fi and can often be connected to mobile devices instead of computers. Some are designed to function without the need to connect to another device at all with onboard memory for storage.
Power
A wall outlet may not always be available or convenient, especially when you’re traveling. Look for portable scanners that draw their power via USB from your PC or are powered by a rechargeable battery.
How fast are scanners?
Speed varies based on the quality of the scan, the size of the document, and the type of scanner. For a larger 8 x 10 document, five seconds is good, less for smaller documents. If the printer has an automated feeder, it will go faster as it won’t be delayed by the time it takes for you to manually feed documents into it.
Do I need a handheld or sheet-fed scanner?
Handheld and sheet-fed scanners can fulfill many of the same functions, but both excel in different areas. Sheet-fed scanners are fast and automatic, ideal for scanning single sheet documents, business cards, and other such media. Handheld scanners are slower and require more effort, but make up for this with their ability to scan awkward and bulky objects that wouldn’t be compatible with a sheet-fed printer.
How much do portable scanners cost?
Expect to pay between $60 and $200 for a high-quality scanner. If you want printing capability as well, expect the cost to go up significantly, particularly in a portable device.
