Scanning with mobile apps is common, but they don’t provide variety. Therefore, professional offices and photographers prefer using flatbed scanners, but what is a flatbed scanner used for? These scanners have another name, photo scanners, when you need to scan loose sheets like photos or artwork.
You can also scan 3-D objects with a flatbed scanner. Moreover, you can use a flatbed film scanner if you need to scan film. There is another sheetfed scanner used for scanning documents. If you use sheetfed for photo scanning, you will lose the resolution. Moreover, all the sheetfed cannot even scan photos because of the relative drivers. It’s not necessarily important that all the scanners have drivers for all purposes.
After great research and examinations, my team and I created a list of the best cheap flatbed scanners. You can also find the one for your office and photograph recreation.
List of the Top Inexpensive Flatbed Scanners
- Canon CanoScan Lide 300 Scanner
- Epson WorkForce ES-50 Sheet-Fed Scanner
- Plustek OpticSilm 2700 Flatbed Scanner
- Plustek Photo Scanner ephoto Z300 Photo
- Epson Perfection V600 Scanner
Canon CanoScan Lide 300 Scanner
Canon CanoScan Lide 300 has a strong software bundle for high-quality photo scanning. Its software makes it easy to use for everyone. However, photographers prefer using this cheap A3 flatbed scanner. Moreover, you can even use it to scan light-duty documents.
With a weight of 3.3 pounds canon, Lide 300 is a lightweight unit similar to the Canon Lide 400 device. Canon has two direct competitors, Epson Perfection V19 and Perfection V39, but both have similar weights to Canon Lide 300. All the devices mentioned above come with a kickstand for placing your unit.
Resolution is an important factor for any photo scanner, and fortunately, Canon Lide 300 is available with 2400 by 2400 DPI resolution. Therefore you don’t find any difficulty in cropping these photos after scanning.
All the mentioned devices have a USB scanning option. You will lack wireless connectivity and peer-to-peer connection. However, you can use this scanner for cloud-based scanning.
Epson WorkForce ES-50 Sheet-Fed Scanner
Epson WorkForce ES-50 is a portable scanner with a lightweight which is 0.59 lbs and lighter than its competitor Canon CanoScan Lide 300, which weighs 3.3 pounds. However, you can use it for sharp document scanning. It’s a fast unit suitable for office use with high scanning duty.
If talk about the scanner’s speed so it can scan 10 pages in one minute. Moreover, the scanner lacks an automatic document feeder (ADF). Therefore, you can scan only one side of the paper at a time. For the other side, flip the document and pass it through the scanner again. Digitalizing the document and converting it into a PDF is an almost demanding feature. For this purpose, an OCR (optical Character Recognition) makes the document researchable.
Without batteries, you can use it for cloud printing, similar to the Canon CanoScan Lide 300. However, it lacks wireless scanning and auto-duplexing.
Plustek OpticSilm 2700 Flatbed Scanner
Plustek OpticSlim 2700 is a photo flatbed scanner for Windows 10 and Mac compatibility. Multiple device compatibility allows the users to scan and copy simultaneously. However, the unit can convert your design into a PDF version that you can use later.
The Plustek is a fast device that can scan a single page in 3 seconds which is really fast scanning. On the other hand, Epson WorkForce ES-50 will scan 10 pages/ minute. For connectivity similar to the Epson, there is a USB scanning option.
It has the capability of continuous scanning. If there is a white page left in the document, Plustek will detect and ignore it. This thing saves consumers time. You can even use it to scan a book and later on convert it into PDF. It lacks ADF.
Plustek Photo ephoto Z300 Photo Scanner
Plustek Z300 is ideal for photographers and those who want to recreate their photos and remove the scratches from them. People who use laptops and computers with Mac OS consider using Plustek because this unit is compatible with a Flatbed scanner for Mac. It will be best to use if you are in an office and scan different offsets like legal and letter.
Plustek Photo ephoto Z300 is a scanner with 600 dpi resolution. While the Canon CanoScan
Lide 300 has the power of scanning 2400 DPI images. Moreover, both these scanning resolutions are killing.
For connectivity, there is only one option of USB, which is similar to Plustek Opticslim 2700. It uses robust software for better output, but you must install it via CD before using the unit. Not only photos, but you can also scan documents because there is an OCR driver available with it.
Epson Perfection V600 Scanner
budget flatbed scanner
Photographers who want to digitalize their analog film and slides prefer purchasing an Epson Perfection V600 scanner. Epson V600 is designed to scan documents and photos as well. Therefore you can use under budget flatbed scanner for office and home both.
Epson V600 is 9 pounds unit which is heftier than Canon CanoScan is 3.3 pounds. There is also a USB connectivity option for scanning. You can easily install OCR software for better document scanning. This OCR converts text-based documents into digitized form and automatically saves them to JPEG format. While the Eson ES-50 converts the documents into PDF format.
Its highest resolution is the reason Epson V600 is on my list. You can scan 6400 DPI resolution of photos and documents with it. On the other hand, Canon Lide 300 will scan with 2400 DPI.
What is the difference between a Flatbed Scanner and Sheet Fed Scanner
A high-speed, high-resolution, and automated document scanner is required for office use. While those who need to scan photos at low volume and speed prefer using photo or flatbed scanners. Flatbed scanners have a glass platen on which you place photos and a high-resolution scanning result.
Moreover, the sheetfed scanning machine is similar to the printer in looks. The paper goes through one side and receives it from the other. You cannot place thick offset like cardstock to scan on a flatbed. If you do so, the platen will not close, and you must flip the stock manually for the dual-side scanning. But some sheetfed scanners can scan heavy cards.
If you want to scan documents on high yield and speed in your office, then you prefer using a sheetfed scanner. If you are a photographer or want to recreate the photos with high resolution, then look at some professional flatbed scanner.
How to Scan Multiple Pages on a flatbed Scanner
Multiple pages scanning is a meaningful job to do. Moreover, it saves time and is a professional way to scan documents. However, Flatbed scanners will always require you to scan multi-page files one page at a time. However, you can still get a multi-page file very easily. Can all scanners scan multiple pages? Some flatbed and sheetfed scanners can scan multiple pages simultaneously, but that is not all they can do because all the scanners don’t have a similar driver to scan multiple pages.
Step 1) Hit on “Scan” button.
Step 2) There is an option “Prompt More” click on it.
Step 3) Scan the first page of the document.
Step 4) Once done with one-page scanning, FileCenter will ask for more scanning. Load the next page and hit “Yes.”
Step 5) Continue scanning until you are done.
How to Scan Negatives on a Flatbed Scanner?
Regular flatbed scanners are not made for scanning photos. If you deliberately do so, your photos will lose the resolution, and the end product will be blurry. To make it possible, you have to go through a backlit hack. To perform this, take a piece of silver cardstock to redirect the light of your flatbed scanner. There are several shapes available on the internet for redirecting lights on different sizes of photos. In short, you can scan negatives with a flatbed scanner but with some of the following steps.
Step 1) Take a microfiber cloth to remove the dust and debris from the photo and scanner. You can also use compressed air to do so.
Step 2) Now insert the negative into the scanner. Along one edge of the scanner, place your negative. Moreover, place white or printer paper at the top of the negative so it will not move.
Step 3) Use a desk lamp and place it on the negative side that you want to scan.
Step 4) Turn on the lamp light and ensure it shines through the paper and scanner bed.
Step 5) Hit the scan or copy button to scan your photo.
Can I use a Flatbed Scanner to Scan Photos?
Yes, family chroniclers and photo buffs prefer using a home flatbed scanner required to digitize their prints and films. Most people consider scanning to get rid of catches in old photos. Moreover, flatbed scanners work with a high sensor resolution and therefore contain the ability to scan transparencies (slides and negatives).
Can I use a Photo Scanner to Scan documents?
Yes, you can use a flatbed or photo scanner to scan documents. But not all photo scanners do so. Some flatbed document scanners have optical character recognition software (OCR). That makes it possible to scan documents with a flatbed scanner.
Buying Guides: 5 Important Factors to Consider While Buying a Flatbed Scanner
Consider the following factors before purchasing a flatbed scanner for photos. I have made this given below guideline with my past experiences.
Performance
In a scanner, the most noticeable factor is its scanning process. Some devices scan one side document at a single pass, while others will perform dual side scanning. It’s a time-consuming process, so consider purchasing an auto-duplexer.
Wireless Connectivity
In a small flatbed scanner, connectivity matters a lot. When you purchase a wireless flatbed scanner for your business, it saves your time and energy. Consider the scanner with at least Wifi connectivity. It allows you to scan remotely and add variety in connection building.
Offset Media Scanning
Sometimes, companies must scan thick media like business cards and other media sizes. So they should be compatible with these media. Some through strength scanners are strong enough for ADF as well.
Pricing
Cost is directly proportional to the features of any device. But it is not necessarily important that you always purchase an expensive one. Some companies need scanners to scan invoices, and others want them for heavy duty. In short, the price of the unit depends on the bases of your requirements. Don’t go after an expensive or cheap flatbed scanner. Go through your needs and then make your selection.
Software Included
With the latest and advanced software, you can make your functioning easy and drastic. It adds extra smoothness to the scanning, making the output more obvious. There must be OCR technology (software) for a high-resolution flatbed scanner. For document scanning, OCR plays an important role.
