Best flatbed scanner UK
Which is the best flatbed scanner in 2024?
VIEW OFFERBest of 2024: Find the right flatbed scanner in the UK
Whether you’re looking to digitalize old photos or printouts, archive physical documents, or complete any other similar task, you can’t go wrong with a great flatbed scanner. The best flatbed scanners offer exceptional scanning capabilities, making it easy to scan and save all types of documents, photos, and various media. However, choosing a good flatbed scanner can be quite difficult, especially if you aren’t sure what you need it for. Here’s everything you need to know to find the best flatbed scanner for your needs:
The 10 best flatbed scanners in the UK (December 2024)
The bestseller list compares flatbed scanners from multiple brands
- Design: Compact, adaptable design for home or office use.
- Functionality: Specialized EZ buttons for convenient PDF creation and Auto Scan.
- Sharpness: Incredibly sharp, high-resolution scans in just 8 seconds.
- Space-saving: Integrated stand allows for upright scanning, conserving desk or counter space.
- Connectivity: Powered and connected via Micro USB, eliminating the need for extra cables.
- Resolution: High-resolution 4800dpi for superior photo and document scans.
- Convenience: One-touch scanning and stitch oversized images, send scans to cloud storage.
- Versatility: Easily scan photos, artwork, books, documents, and more.
- Resolution: 4800 dpi for amazing image clarity and detail.
- Design: Small, collapsible, lightweight, and user-friendly.
- Functionality: Dual modes for video recording and image capture.
- Compatibility: Only supports Windows, not compatible with Mac OS.
- Usability: 'EZ' Buttons and auto scan mode for easy use.
- Quality: Preserve detailed photos with 4800 x 4800 dpi resolution and image enhancements.
- Speed: High speed scanning in as fast as 8 seconds with USB Type-C.
- Quality: Advanced image processing for outstanding results
- Versatility: Scan books, magazines, or fragile materials
- Speed: 20ppm duplex scanning and 50-sheet ADF
- Compatibility: Available TWAIN and WIA drivers ensure broad software compatibility.
- Software: Doc Action simplifies file management and provides quick access to various formats.
- Format: Supports up to A3-size scans, ideal for large documents and images.
- Intelligent: Auto-crop and correct any skewing
- Speed: Scan speed of 25 pages per minute
- Versatile: Combines flatbed scanner with 50-page automatic document feeder
- Efficiency: More efficient than a flatbed scanner, scans one photo at a time.
- Compatibility: Works with Windows 7/8/10 and Mac OS X 10.8.x to 10.15.x.
- Speed: Scans a 4x6 photo in just 2 seconds at 300dpi.
- Buttons: Function buttons for Scan, OCR, PDF, and Email streamline workflow.
- PDF: Supports searchable PDF format for easy text retrieval.
- Size: A3 size scanning area for larger documents and artwork.
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- Read the definitive flatbed scanner buying guide
- View the flatbed scanner picks and see how they rank in the top list
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flatbed scanner buying guide
Do you want to buy a good flatbed scanner? This is all you need to know.
A short explanation: What are flatbed scanners?
A flatbed scanner is a type of scanner that works by scanning documents or images that are placed on a flat surface. The optical components of the scanner then pass under the flat surface, creating an accurate scan of the document or image. Flatbed scanners can scan at various resolutions and colour depths, depending on the model. They can also accept both black and white, and colour scans, while the maximum size of the document can vary on different devices, with high-end models able to accept large documents.
What are the benefits of good scanners?
Almost any printer can act as a scanner, but the best flatbed scanners provide exceptional results when scanning photos and high-resolution images. So, if you want to scan something like this, you are best doing so with a flatbed scanner. It’s also a very versatile device, as it can scan a whole host of items such as photographs, images from books or magazines, and signatures to name just a few examples. Also, most flatbed scanners have impressive memory and can store a huge number of scans at any time.
How to choose the best flatbed scanner in 2024?
Choosing the best flatbed scanner can be difficult if you are unsure of what to look for in a device. To help with the buying process, consider some of the following things before you buy one:
- Scanning Output: Scanners output images in various ways, so think about how you plan on using the device and the files it creates. For instance, do you need to upload documents to a website or email? Go for a flatbed scanner that uses a PDF file output. If it’s for editing photographs on graphics software, then you may want to choose a different output file to benefit this specific process (e.g. TIFF is better for post-editing than JPEG)
- File Compatibility: Scanner files can vary in size and content, so it is important that the device’s software is compatible with the files you need to scan. For example, some people need to scan a photo and type written text in a single file, which only certain scanners and their file formats can support.
- Operating System: Your scanner needs to be compatible with your operating system, so be sure to check this before you buy. For instance, if you are still using a rather old system like Windows 2000 or Me, then you will need to buy a scanner that is compatible with this. Newer operating systems can use generic drivers, although these may not utilize all the unique features from the scanner’s software.
Which types of flatbed scanners are available to buy in the UK?
Flatbeds are categorised by their maximum hardware resolutions and color depths, often being used by professionals that require scans of various types of images, suchbe photographs, paintings, slides negatives etc.
- Entry-level Flatbed Scanners: A popular choice for home use, entry-level flatbed scanners typically offer a hardware resolution of 4800 x 96000 dpi, and are great for scanning documents and printed photographs. That said, they can still be used to scan more detailed images, although you may not get the best results due to limited features.
- Mid-Range Flatbed Scanners: This type of flatbed scanner usually comes with a reasonable resolution and color depth, making them especially useful for graphics artists that need to scan an image into their computer for editing. You can also scan images for storage or re-printing, working especially well for digitally storing family photos.
- Professional Flatbed Scanners: Designed for professional use, these scanners are the best money can buy, offering incredible resolution and color depth to produce the best image scans. They also come with various features and accessories to enhance the scanning of images, allowing for quick editing and enhancing of the digitised images.