Start with what you’ll scan most often and where you’ll use it.

• Flatbed: Great for photos, books, and delicate originals. The lid and glass keep items flat and safe.
• Sheet-fed with ADF: Ideal for stacks of paper. Look for duplex (double-sided) and a feeder that matches your typical batch size.
• Portable: Slim, travel-friendly options for receipts and quick documents, including handheld wand styles and compact sheet-fed models.
• All-in-one printers: Convenient if you also need printing and copying in one device.

Also consider connectivity (USB, Wi‑Fi, Ethernet), operating system support, scan speed (ppm/ipm), optical resolution (DPI) for image detail, and OCR if you want searchable PDFs. New and refurbished options can fit different budgets and needs.

DPI affects detail and file size, so pick what fits your goal.

• Text documents: 300 DPI is typically clear for everyday use; 200 DPI can work for draft copies.
• Photos: 600 DPI generally provides good detail for reprints and archiving standard prints.
• Artwork or small details: 600–1200 DPI can capture finer lines, though files get larger.

Choose optical (not interpolated) resolution for true detail. For photos, color depth (e.g., 24‑bit/48‑bit) and features like dust reduction can help preserve quality. You can always test a page at two settings to compare clarity and file size before scanning a large batch; the best setting varies by original and how you’ll use the file.

Look for two features: duplex (double-sided) scanning and OCR (optical character recognition).

1. Duplex: A scanner with duplex—often via an automatic document feeder—can capture both sides in one pass or by re-feeding. Models without duplex may require flipping the stack and merging pages in software.
2. OCR: Many scanners and apps offer OCR to make text searchable. In your scan software, select PDF as the format and enable the OCR option if available.

To improve results, use clean, unstapled pages, align guides to prevent skew, and choose 300 DPI for clear text. OCR accuracy can vary by font, layout, and original condition, so it’s helpful to review and save a backup copy.

A little maintenance and prep can help keep scans clean and smooth.

• Clean glass and rollers: Power off/unplug first. Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with a suitable screen-safe cleaner. Avoid spraying directly onto the scanner.
• Prep pages: Remove staples, paper clips, and sticky notes. Fan the stack, align edges, and use the paper guides.
• Use proper media: Avoid curled, damp, or torn sheets. For delicate originals, consider the flatbed instead of the feeder.
• Address streaks: Dust on the glass or ADF path often causes lines; clean both the glass and the small strip used by the feeder. Cleaning sheets designed for scanners can help with rollers.

If jams persist, check your manual’s jam path instructions and feed settings.

Portable scanners balance size, power options, and workflow features.

• Form factor: Wand-style units glide over pages (handy for books), while compact sheet-fed models pull pages through for more uniform alignment.
• Power and storage: Many run on USB power or batteries and may save to microSD or directly to a connected device.
• Resolution and speed: 300 DPI is fine for receipts; 600 DPI helps with photos or small print. Portable speeds vary by DPI and color settings.
• Formats and connectivity: Look for PDF/JPG output and options like Wi‑Fi or mobile/desktop scanning apps.

A protective case and flat work surface can help maintain quality on the go.