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Top 8 Best Portable Scanners On The Market 2023 Reviews

Only so much can be done over the phone when it comes to your average job. And when you get called out to see a client, you are not going to be able to take the majority of your office equipment with you.

You might need to make a copy of a legal contract or just take down a new client’s info. Gone are the days where you needed to carry around a piece of paper and jot everything down.

The best portable scanners can keep all your information digitally, and even allow you to email it off in a flash while out of the office.

You will likely appreciate being able to get out of the office more and still be just as productive. So, let’s take a look at the most popular models and find the ideal option for you…

Top 8 Best Portable Scanners On The Market 2023 Reviews

Contents

Top 8 Best Portable Scanners In 2023 Reviews

ProductOptical ResolutionConnectivityPrice
Optical Resolution
600dpi
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, USB, SD Card
Price
$$$$
Optical Resolution
1200dpi
Connectivity
USB and microSD
Price
$$
Optical Resolution
600dpi
Connectivity
USB
Price
$$$$
Optical Resolution
600dpi
Connectivity
USB
Price
$$
Optical Resolution
600dpi
Connectivity
Wi-Fi and USB
Price
$$
Optical Resolution
600dpi
Connectivity
USB and SD Card
Price
$$$
Optical Resolution
600dpi
Connectivity
USB and SD Card
Price
$$$
Optical Resolution
900dpi
Connectivity
USC and microSD
Price
$

1 Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi – The Smarter Wi-Fi Scanner with Rechargeable Battery & Amazing Software – Best Cross Platform Portable Scanner

Starting us off is the Go SE from Doxie. This ultraportable scanner measures 12.2 inches long by 1.75 inches tall and only 2.3 inches deep.

Doxie has really made the Go SE as portable as possible…

You can easily toss this in your bag with your laptop and hardly know it’s there since it only weighs 1.3 lbs.

You do not even need to have a laptop with you to use this portable scanner. It has a built-in SD card reader that comes with an included 8GB card that you can scan directly to.

It comes with a standard USB port, or you can use the built-in Wi-Fi to connect to your laptop or mobile devices.

Exceptional cross-platform compatible software…

Once you get this scanner connected to a computer or mobile device, the software Doxie provides for editing and sharing is quite exceptional.

Doxie has made this portable scanner easy to use with multiple operating systems. Doxie has software for Mac and Windows that allows for OCR, also known as Optical Character Recognition, which is powered by ABBYY®.

Through their PC or Mac software, you can create PNG, JPEG, and multi-page PDFs as well. If you are away from your computer, you can continue working on any scans you may have as well, thanks to their Android and iOS applications.

Linux or Chrome OS users too…

The iOS application does have a bit more functionality than the Android app allowing you to do some editing on the go. Doxie also has a web viewer for any Linux or Chrome OS users.

No matter where you are, the wide variety of supported operating systems allows you to share easily between iCloud, Dropbox, Evernote, and Mail, just to name a few.

This scanner can scan at a 600dpi, leaving you with clear text and images. It is also powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery capable of four hundred scans on a single charge.


Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi – The Smarter Wi-Fi Scanner

Our rating:4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Pros

  • Can scan multiple page sizes.
  • Eight seconds per scan at 300dpi.
  • Wi-Fi Built-in.
  • Lightweight.

Cons

  • Carrying case sold separately.

2 Vupoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner with Color LCD Display and Auto-Feed Dock (PDSDK-ST470-VP) – Highest DPI Portable Scanner

Some of the greatest portable scanners look like Magic Wands. That is the case with this next choice from Vupoint Solutions.

This portable scanner comes in two pieces. You can use the Magic Wand to scan documents on the fly at resolutions up to 1050dpi.

1050dpi… Now that’s impressive…

If you want even more exact scans, you can clip the Wand directly into the auto-feed docking station. The dock can increase the resolution further up to 1200dpi.

At max resolution, you are looking at about 12 seconds per scan. Undocked and using the lowest resolution, you can produce readable scans in just two seconds, though.

Digital zoom LCD…

Since this scanner is so portable, you might find yourself using it on the go without having a computer nearby to connect it up to.

Viewpoint Solutions has included a one and ½ inch color screen for quick document previews. It is a tiny screen, and you will not be able to make out any small details at first glance.

Thankfully, they have built-in a 4x and 8x digital zoom with easy to use controls. You will also find a microSD card slot on this scanner that is compatible with SD cards up to 32GB in size.

Check their website for more…

This scanner is plug and play compatible with Mac and Windows right out of the box. To get the most functionality out of the scanner, Vupoint has supplied some excellent editing software you can download from their website.


Vupoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • 1200dpi max resolution.
  • 1.5-inch color LCD with digital zoom.
  • Powered by a Lithium Metal battery.
  • Can scan documents up to ten feet long.

Cons

  • MicroSD card is not included.

3 Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Portable Color Duplex Document Scanner for Mac and PC (Parent) ((1) Black) – Best Double Side Portable Scanners

Next up is the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i. It has tons of functionality, but with all the great features it has on offer, you will notice it is a bit heavier than other portable scanners.

It measures 11.18 inches long by 3.03 inches high with its hopper closed. Without the power adapter attached, this scanner weighs 3.08lbs making it rather portable, nonetheless.

Powered via AC outlet or USB port…

This scanner does not run on batteries, so you will need to have an AC outlet available. You can also power the scanner directly via your computer’s USB ports.

One USB port for power and another USB port for data connectivity in total is needed. This ScanSnap printer is compatible with Windows and Mac.

Double time…

You can also download Fujitsu’s ScanSnap app on your mobile device so you can view and send documents on the go once they have been uploaded from a connected PC.

But that’s is not all. You can feed up to ten documents at once into this scanner.

The S1300i can scan both sides of a document at the same time as well…

Duplex or Simplex scanning speeds will vary depending on the resolution you are scanning at. In Auto Mode, you can expect up to twelve pages per minute in Duplex scanning.

If you decide to set it to Excellent mode, though, you will have higher resolution scans at up to 600dpi for color or 1200dpi monochrome. Scanning at this high resolution will limit you to only one scan a minute.


Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Portable Color Duplex Document Scanner

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • 2m USB cable included.
  • Automatic 10-page Duplex document feeder.
  • Scan speed up to 12 pages per minute.

Cons

  • Limited to USB connectivity only.
  • Heavier than some other scanners.

4 Brother DS-720D Mobile Color Page Scanner, White (DS720D) – Best Data Extraction Portable Scanner

Another exceptionally lightweight duplex scanner is the Brother DS-720D. It measures 11.44 inches long and is just over an inch and a half tall, all while only weighing 1.1lbs.

This is another scanner that is only compatible with a direct USB connection to your computer. The DS-720D is also powered directly through that USB connection as well.

Robust software allows data extraction…

It comes with a robust software suite for Windows and Mac. NewSoft® Presto!® BizCard 6 and DSmobileCapture makes it a straightforward process to scan and even extract details from your documents.

Windows users get a couple of handier bits of software, though. Nuance PaperPort 12SE will allow you to create and edit PDFs, which then can be shared directly through Microsoft® SharePoint®.

Microsoft users also have access to Button Manager V2. This enables you to program the scanner’s direct scan button to your most used scanning options.

But there is a catch…

This scanner supports an optical resolution of up to 600dpi and an interpolated resolution of 1200dpi. Whether you are scanning in black and white or color, all the scans came out nice and clear.

Requires a little patience too…

This is not the fastest scanner out there, though. It takes 8 seconds to scan a one-sided document and 12 seconds to do a Duplex scan.

You can theoretically get five pages per minute when scanning in Duplex then. What will slow you down though, is the fact that there is no paper chute, and you must feed it one page at a time.

This is not a deal-breaker by any means, but you will need to stay at the ready for each and every document you want to scan.


Brother DS-720D Mobile Color Page Scannerr

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • Wide collection of software for Mac and PC.
  • Extremely small.
  • Lightweight.
  • Clear 600 x 600dpi resolution.
  • USB powered.

Cons

  • It can only print up to five Duplex pages per minute.

5 Epson Workforce ES-60W Wireless Portable Sheet-fed Document Scanner for PC and Mac – Fastest Portable Scanner

You do not have to spend an arm and leg to get one of the fastest portable scanners on the market with built-in wireless connectivity.

Epson has developed its own software for Mac and PCs called Epson ScanSmart. For Android or iOS devices, you can download Epson DocumentScan from their respective app stores.

No matter if you have your laptop or just your smartphone with you, if you have the corresponding app installed and running, you are good to go.

Take note…

The ES-60W does not have any internal storage. All scans will need to be sent to your pc or phone directly. You can then upload them on the spot to the cloud if you so choose from there.

You can also connect this scanner directly to your computer via the included USB cable. The scanner does have a built-in Li-ion battery that will recharge while connected via USB as well.

Only four seconds to scan a single page… now that’s fast…

Once you are all set up and scanning, you will notice this scanner supplies an optical resolution of 600dpi. This great portable scanner only takes four seconds to scan a single page.

The scanner also features OCR from Nuance®, which will allow you to create editable Microsoft Excel or Word files.


Epson Workforce ES-60W Wireless Portable Sheet-fed Document Scanner

Our rating:4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity.
  • Compatible with Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows.
  • Scans up to 15 pages per minute.

Cons

  • No integrated memory.

6 Doxie Flip – Cordless Flatbed Photo & Notebook Scanner w/Removable Lid – Smallest Portable Scanner

Doxie is back again, but this time with their Flip model scanner. You will notice that this scanner is rather unique in quite a few ways.

You will first notice that it is a bit smaller than your average book and only weighs 1.26 lbs. The actual bed of the scanner is four by six inches.

It may be tiny, but it till allows accurate scanning…

The white cover on the Flip is removable. You can take it off and have a see-through experience allowing you to scan with more accuracy.

No computer required…

Doxie provides you with an incorporated SD card reader with its Flip model. You can scan up to 2500 documents at 300dpi and save them directly to the 4GB memory card that is included with the scanner.

When it comes time to transfer your files to your PC, you can use the included USB to SD card adapter in case your computer does not have a dedicated SD card slot.

This scanner is powered by four AA batteries. These are included as well and should last for four hundred scans at 300dpi.

You can also use rechargeable batteries…

If you decide to use the scanner’s max resolution of 600dpi, you will notice that the lifespan of your batteries will noticeably diminish quicker, though.

The Flip has a small color display that gives a preview of your scans as they happen. Doxie also supplies software that will automatically stitch multiple scans into one and allow you to edit them on your Mac or PC.


Doxie Flip – Cordless Flatbed Photo & Notebook Scanner

Our rating:4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Pros

  • Runs off four AA batteries.
  • See-through glass scanning bed with cover.
  • Includes a 4GB SD card and a USB adapter.

Cons

  • Doxie software does not support OCR.

7 Flip-Pal mobile scanner with 4GB SD card and USB adapter. EasyStitch and StoryScans talking images software – Best StoryScan Portable Scanner

This flatbed scanner from Flip-Pal is like the last scanner in quite a few ways. The Flip-Pal has a removable lid allowing you to position the scanner directly over books or documents without damaging them.

The glass surrounding the scanner is entirely see-through, so you get perfectly correct scans. If you are even scanning over a plastic cover or glass frame, you will not notice much reflection at all.

StoryScans…

If you have ever wanted to create a story from your scans and turn them into an actual book, then this printer comes with some exciting software allowing you to do so.

The software is called StoryScans. StoryScans lets you turn all PDFs into one file and even add a voiceover to each page if you so choose.

You also get a few more bits of software that allow you to easily share scans online, and that can even help in color restoration. All the software is compatible with Mac and Windows.

The bed of this scanner is four by six inches in size and is capable of auto stitching multiple scans into one as well. Your scans will come in at a resolution of either 300 or 600dpi.

SD card to USB adapter…

You can use this scanner entirely on its own thanks to the integrated SD Card reader and included 4GB card. When it comes time to transfer your scans to your computer, you can use the handy SD card to USB adapter provided.

Software is already on the provided SD card…

The software that comes with this scanner is directly provided on the included SD card. So, when it comes to setting it up, you will not need to worry about downloading anything more.

Powering the Flip-Pal is four AA batteries that are included in the box. We did notice that battery life will vary depending on the resolution you are scanning at.


Flip-Pal mobile scanner with 4GB SD card and USB adapter

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • SD card and adapter included.
  • StoryScans software.
  • iOS and Android Scan Tools app.
  • 1.7-inch LCD screen for scan previews.

Cons

  • Batteries do not last that long.

8 Pettstore Portable iScan Office Handheld Scanner Photo Documents Scanner Book A4 Scan for 900DPI 32GB (Scanner, Black) – Best Budget Portable Scanner

With our last scanner, you can save quite a bit of money and still have one of the greatest portable scanners at your figure tips.

The Pettstore iScan is another example of a wand-type portable scanner and still has quite a lot of the features that more expensive scanners also have.

Making it a great budget buy…

It is super easy to use the iScan portable scanner. You will find a dedicated JPEG/PDF button as well as a DPI button for quick adjustments.

Optical Character Recognition is also supported through ABBYY®. It supports scanning at 300, 600, and 900dpi resolutions.

Be advised, though…

With this scanner coming in at such a low price point, you will need to spend a few extra dollars to get the most out of it in the end.

The iScan supports microSD cards up to 32GB in size. It is powered by two AA batteries. Neither the batteries nor an SD card is included with the scanner, though.

You do get a USB cable to plug into your computer for easy file transfers, fortunately…

The overall scan quality of the iScan is good, but you will want to have a steady hand and take your time as you go across your documents.


Pettstore Portable iScan Office Handheld Scanner

Our rating:3.7 out of 5 stars (3.7 / 5)

Pros

  • Priced extremely well.
  • Scans at multiple resolutions.
  • Straightforward user interface.

Cons

  • Batteries and microSD cards are sold separately.

Best Portable Scanners Buying Guide

When you are shopping for a portable scanner, you should consider a few key things. All the scanners that we have looked at offer great portability thanks to their small form factors.

Some scanners you might find a bit more portable than others, though. Through integrated Wi-Fi or SD card storage, you can potentially leave your PC at home and still scan on the go.

Most scanners will offer a direct connection to your computer via USB. Thanks to the small size and weight of these scanners, carrying your laptop in the same bag is not really an issue. You will also be able to directly edit them on the spot if you need to and send them off via email or upload them to the cloud right away.

We Recommend Experimenting With Stitching…

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi - The Smarter Wi-Fi Scanner with Rechargeable Battery & Amazing Software

Most scanner manufacturers come with optional software that will allow you to seamlessly stitch multiple images into one larger PDF, JPEG, or PNG.

Oftentimes the software is bundled with other scanning applications allowing for Optical Character Recognition. OCR will enable you to make searchable PDFs that can be directly inputted into Word or Excel, for example.

With a completely wireless scanner, you will often be able to connect it directly to an Android, iOS, Mac, or Windows PC. They do not often include onboard storage, though, so you will need a compatible wireless device to save your scans to.

Previews Can Be Useful…

Portable scanners that come with SD card readers will give you the ability to leave your PC or smartphone at home and save all scans internally. They also occasionally come with a small display allowing you to get a preview of each scan.

The resolution at which your scanner scans your documents is referred to as DPI. This is just short for dots per inch. The higher the DPI, the better clarity you will get from each scan.

Higher Resolution Normally Means Slower Scans…

The higher the resolution of each scan can also determine the speed at which the scanner operates. You will find scanners that can scan 5 to 15 pages per minute, for example.

Some scanners will have auto document feeders that will take one page at a time, and some will have a hopper that you can load multiple pages into.

If you have a wand-type scanner, you scan pages very quickly. The quality of the scan can be affected easily by something as simple as having an unsteady hand, though.

Love Using The Latest Portable Gadgets?

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

There are several other portable product reviews we think you may be interested in. So check out the Best Portable Photo Printers reviews, the Best Accounting Calculator reviews, the Best Staple Removers reviews, the Best Counterfeit Money Detectors reviews, the Best Label Makers reviews, the Best Digital Voice Recorders reviews, and the Best Cordless Phones reviews.

Photography on the go? Head over to the Best Instant Cameras reviews, the Best Camera Phone reviews, the Best Point and Shoot Cameras reviews, the Best Camera Drones reviews, the Best GoPro Camera reviews, and the Best Memory Card for Camera reviews.

Right, back to portable scanners…

Which Is The Best Of The Best Portable Scanners?

Epson Workforce ES-60W Wireless Portable Sheet-fed Document Scanner for PC and Mac

After testing the best portable scanner options on the market, we found our favorite to be the…

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

This really does it all. Thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi, you can leave your USB cables at home and share directly with your laptop or to an Android or iOS device. You can even go completely wireless thanks to the integrated SD card reader. It even includes an 8GB SD card that can hold up to four thousand scans directly in the box.

No matter what you scan, you will enjoy the crisp 300 or 600dpi resolution this Doxie scanner offers. It does take about eight seconds per scan, which is not the quickest, but you will be saving time in the long run, thanks to the many methods of connectivity on hand.

And There’s More…

The software you get with it is also top-notch. You will have OCR technology on hand that will work with Mac or Windows computers along with additional editing and stitching tools as well.

Lastly, it is very lightweight and includes rechargeable batteries that can save you some money down the road.

We think it’s a brilliant gadget and hope you have as much fun with it as we did. Happy scanning.

About Paul S. Brunet

Known as the "Tech Lover", Paul is an expert of current and trending technology. Here at TinyGrab, he makes "tech" easy to understand for the average person.

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