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.Įxpect to pay between $60 and $200 for a high-quality scanner. Sheet-fed scanners are fast and automatic, ideal for scanning single sheet documents, business cards, and other such media. Handheld and sheet-fed scanners can fulfill many of the same functions, but both excel in different areas.

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.ĭo I need a handheld or sheet-fed scanner? For a larger 8 x 10 document, five seconds is good, less for smaller documents. Speed varies based on the quality of the scan, the size of the document, and the type of scanner. Look for portable scanners that draw their power via USB from your PC or are powered by a rechargeable battery. Some are designed to function without the need to connect to another device at all with onboard memory for storage.Ī wall outlet may not always be available or convenient, especially when you’re traveling. Others feature Wi-Fi and can often be connected to mobile devices instead of computers. Some scanners have only USB connections and are generally only compatible with PC and Mac computers. When choosing a scanner, it’s important to keep in mind which devices you plan to connect to it, if any. The more resolution, the higher the detail in the scan, though higher dpi results in larger file sizes and can mean longer scanning times. 300 dpi is the baseline resolution you should expect from any scanner, though some scanners are capable of as much as 1,200 dpi. Resolution when scanning and printing is typically measured in terms of dpi (dots per inch). What to Look for in a Portable Scanner Resolution

It’s the sort of tool that you could easily pack along while traveling for business, even if there’s a chance you might not need it, but you want to be able to scan an important document should the need arise. Its small size and dual functionality give it a big advantage over larger, bulkier portable scanners. The IRIScan Executive Mouse 2 ( view at Amazon) offers a compelling hybrid between a scanner and a mouse. If your top priority is portability though, you may want to consider a more unusual device.

This portable scanner certainly lives up to Canon’s excellent reputation for high-end imaging products. It’s a remarkably well-rounded device that is capable of providing high-quality scans at a high rate of speed by utilizing its automated feeder. The absolute best portable scanner for most purposes is certainly the Canon ImageFormula R10 ( view at Canon).

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