Business needs are always changing, and they are no longer dependent on offices and physical workspaces. CEOs and Business Executives travel around the world exploring different opportunities and expanding their business worldwide. They need office equipment like laptops, scanners, and printers to do their jobs efficiently. This is where the best portable scanners for Mac come into consideration.
Covid restrictions across the world have raised the demand for portable scanners for people to work from home. However, the market is flooded with dozens of manufacturers offering a diverse range of portable scanners with unique features. So, which are the best portable scanners for Macs to buy? This article will clear all your worries and introduce you to the best options on the market.
Portable scanners mostly work with all computer systems, but they require some special software to function regularly, like with MacBook. We have rounded up a wide range of portable scanners with features that can help to print cards, pamphlets, and digital books. Most portable scanners work with batteries and don’t require plugging into AC power. The scanners connect with laptops or PCs through Wi-Fi and allow users to scan and print their documents while they travel.
Many people are using MacBook Pro and they are looking for mobile scanners that easily connect with them and scan documents efficiently. These portable scanners are easy to carry and simple to use. Every individual has different needs, and they look for the best portable scanners for Macs to meet their needs.
Most business executives travel across the world for official meetings, seminars, and conferences. They need to make official correspondence, make presentations and take images to use for different purposes. They need scanners and cameras to scan and take images of documents, articles, etc.
The best travel scanners not only assist them with easy scanning of documents and help them to remain productive while on the go, but also enable them to convert printed copies into digital files which can be further used for verification of a document and accuracy.
| Product | Images Per Minute | Connectivity | ADF Tray | Weight | Price |
| Brother ADS-1700W Document Scanner | 25 single sided ppm, 50 double-sided ppm | USB 3.0, USB 2.0 | Yes | 3.3 pound | Check Price |
| Epson WorkForce ES-60W Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner | 15 ppm | USB 2.0, Wireless 802.11 b/g/n3 | Yes | 0.66 pounds | Check Price |
| Brother ADS-1200 Compact Desktop Scanner | 25 ppm / 50 ipm | USB 3.0 | Yes | 4 pounds | Check Price |
| Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Portable Document Scanner | 12 double-sided ppm | USB 2.0 | Yes | 3.08 lbs | Check Price |
| Canon P-208II ImageFormula Personal Document Scanner | 08 ppm | USB 2.0 | Yes | 1.3 pounds | Check Price |
| Brother DS-620 Handheld Scanner | 08 ppm | USB 2.0 | No | 0.88 pounds | Check Price |
Best Portable Scanners For Mac
How to Choose A Portable Scanner?
We all have unlimited wants and we wish to get all the features packed into a single product. However, this is not possible, and every product is unique. Business travelers prefer compact, lightweight, and high-resolution scanning.
When buying a portable scanner, buyers don’t pay attention to speed and later they regret it when they have to scan many documents and images. You will need a scanner with an OCR functionality that converts documents into texts, saving you plenty of time in drafting documents.
If you need a heavy-duty scanner for routine scanning, then you should buy a portable scanner with a huge scanning capacity. There are portable scanners with Automatic Document Feeders (ADF) and Manual Feeders. So, you need to look into both features before you jump to buy any of our recommendations below.
Considering different Portable Scanners
Before you delve into the buying process, you need to know about the different portable scanners to make the right decision.
Manual-Feed Vs. Sheetfed Scanners
When we talk about the input of paper for scanning, we can classify scanners into two different types i.e. Sheetfed and Manual-Feed. As we have defined above, Sheet-fed scanners incorporate an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) that allows feeding multiple documents at once, whereas the scanners with Manual-Feeder only accept one document for scanning. So, you need to understand that Sheetfed Scanners are costly due to the ADF feature and Manual-Feeders are quite affordable as compared to the Sheet Feds. So, you need to figure out which of these types would help you in a day-to-day task.
Simplex Vs Duplex Scanners
A Simplex scanner is one that comes with a single sensor and scans only one side of the page. On the contrary, the duplex scanner comes with two sensors and scans papers or documents from both sides. It saves you a lot of time flipping the document manually and it becomes a hectic task when you have to scan multiple pages or documents. The duplex scanners clearly take the edge over simplex scanners. Scanners with ADF facility and duplex scanning would definitely be a superb choice for all your business needs.
Wand Scanner
Lots of people need to scan pages from books or magazines but they can’t use a conventional portable scanner to do the job. They would need a wand scanner or a handheld portable scanner to scan different documents or papers.
Compatibility and Connectivity With Devices
It is one of the most considered factors when buying a portable scanner for office use. Most scanners primarily use two primary mediums i.e. Wi-Fi or USB. However, USB connectivity is more preferred than USB connection. Wi-Fi connectivity in scanners helps users to connect the scanners with smartphones using Android or iOS. The latest scanners are compatible with Mac or Windows, some of them support both. You’ll find scanners that give support to pen drives and SD cards to save the scanned images and then transfer the images to laptops or PCs. So, you can check this feature when you intend to buy any document scanner.
Power Source
Generally, scanners use power cords to charge up or use a USB connection but modern portable scanners use batteries that are charged to assist them while they’re on travel. The batteries of a portable scanner get charged quickly with AC power. They take an hour or two to charge to give you backup for work. If you use a USB connection to charge scanner batteries, then it will probably take more time than a direct charge. So, this is a factor when you look for the best image scanners for business purposes.
Scan Time
The speed of a scanner is entirely dependent on the type of document you want to scan and the scanner type. If you have a scanner that has to be manually fed the documents for scanning and you want multiple scans, then it will definitely take time. In different circumstances, ADF scanners scan faster than manual-fed scanners. It also depends on the resolution of the image you’re scanning. If your documents or images have low resolution, then you’ll get quick results but it will have inferior quality. Most scanners use standard 300 dots per inch (dpi) for images and texts, which is fair enough to get good result scanning.
There is a general perception among users that image scanners normally take enough time to scan a document. But this is not always true and depends on several factors like the type of output, number of pages, and resolution you use for scanning. Recent tests have revealed that sheet-fed models perform better in speed than manual-feed scanners. The reason for the high speed of the former model of printer is due to their automatic feeding.
You will be astonished to see the variety of portable scanners and will feel hard to make a choice. We have rounded up the best portable scanner that will fulfill your needs. Look at th
e amazon portable scanners and buy the best scanner now.
Best Portable Document Scanners
1.Brother ADS-1700W Document Scanner
| Brand | Weight | Product Dimension | Material | ADF Tray |
| Brother | 3.3 pounds | 4.1 x 11.8 x 3.3 inches | Plastic | No |
This is the most demanding portable scanner on the market that has got everything to do the job conveniently. This scanner has a compact design and low weight equipped with wireless support making it an ideal choice to scan documents and images when you’re traveling.
Although this scanner allows the transmission of scanned images and documents through WiFi, the device also equips a memory card reader to let users transfer their data into the card to other external devices.
Brother ADS-1700W easily connects with your laptop or even to smartphones using the software and mobile application, making it possible to scan documents hassle-free. There is no need for driver installation, just plug and play to scan the documents. This device offers fast duplex scanning with a speed of up to 25 ppm.
This scanner includes a touchscreen for a simple operation to allow users to scan their documents in just minutes. The scanner has a 20-page document feeding capacity with automatic feeding capacity. Whether you need to scan images, documents or business receipts, it perfectly does the job.
The best feature of Brother’s scanner is that it automatically feeds and scans documents while delivering the best quality images. It has duplex scanning and is easy to use. Get the best picture quality, great mobility, and highly functional scanners.
The scanner easily connects with Windows and Mac OS, you get mobile applications on both Android and iOS platforms. It’s super fast and delivers the incredible clarity of an image. This is a highly recommended scanner by Brother ADS1700W.
Brother ADS 1700W offers features like OCR scanning and document management to assist your business. The scanner has a scan speed of 300 dpi. Most scanners offer options to users to set resolution like they set 300dpi standard resolution and even can be set at a better rate i.e. 600dpi.
The scanner has software that is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Macintosh as well. This scanner can scan multiple pages in PDF format and save them directly on USB. Brother’s portable scanner incorporates every feature you need.
Pros | Cons |
| Fabulous scan quality. Lightweight and portable. One-click scanning with touch screen. Easy to set up. | Fabulous scan quality. Lightweight and portable. One-click scanning with a touch screen. Easy to set up. |
2. Epson WorkForce ES-60W Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner
Epson is famous for its portable scanners and has offered a wide range of less expensive, innovative, and lightweight scanners. This scanner has won the hearts of users with its fast scanning speed that only takes 4 seconds to scan a single document. It can handle a variety of papers like A4, legal, ID cards, and receipts.
This scanner is cross-compatible with different operating systems like Mac, Android, and iOS devices to allow wireless scanning at convenience. This is the best scanner to scan office documents and images when you’re on the road. It helps to organize documents with its intelligent software that makes scanning, editing, and saving documents effortless. This is an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) scanner, and if you have a budget, then you can consider an ADF model, i.e. Epson ES-300W.
The scanner only weighs 0.7 pounds with an extremely compact design, making it a favorite scanner for traveling. This is comparatively smaller than Xerox Duplex Travel Scanner, IRIScan Anywhere 5 Wi-Fi, and the recently reviewed one i.e. Visioneer RoadWarrior X3.
Epson WorkForce ES-60W is the best handheld document scanner to scan documents. It dominates the market with its unique features like Nuance OCR which allows users to search editable PDF files. Moreover, it offers a cloud storage facility to users, they can store their documents online through wireless connectivity.
It equips a USB port for charging the battery and connectivity. A separate Wi-Fi Switch is mounted on the scanner for toggling between the USB and WiFi. The scanner carries a small LED that lets you know about the distinct features and other functions. If you read Epson WorkForce ES-60W reviews online, then you will know about the performance of this scanner.
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly-rated scanner Efficient and quick scanning Handheld and impressive design | No memory card support |
3. Brother ADS-1200 Compact Desktop Scanner
Brother Store presents ADS-1200 compact document scanner to assist people on the go. The scanner has a compact design and small size, making it a perfect treat for business people and travelers. It is the best portable scanner for small office tasks and work-from-home professionals.
This scanner takes an edge over competitors with its fast scanning and intelligent features. It easily connects to a laptop or even to Desktop Computer using a USB 3.0 cable comfortably. Its bundled software eases scanning by allowing users to better document management, OCR scanning, and many other features.
It can handle multiple documents because of its compact design and fast scanning. It has dual-sided scanning with a speed of 25 ppm1 for every single pass. A huge capacity of 20 pages with automatic document feeding allows quick scanning to multiple pages.
Its features are quite similar to Epson WorkForce ES-300W with one major difference in the latter i.e. battery powered. If you’re looking for a scanner that operates with batteries, then you can look for Epson ES-300 WR and IRIScan Anywhere Wi-Fi.
Brother ADS-1200 scanner is compatible with most operating systems like Mac, and Windows and even works with Linux. The scanner integrates an image optimization feature that gives you sharp, high-quality images.
This 2-sided ADF scanner is portable and stores easily in the backpack. This is just a plug-and-play scanner that makes scanning simple. There is no complex installation required, and it goes well with most operating systems. You can buy a portable scanner from Brother to get high-quality results and better performance. It’s a super-fast scanner that comes at a reasonable price.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast, reliable, and compact. High-quality images. Lightweight and easy to use | There aren’t many negative reviews. |
Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Portable Document Scanner
The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i portable scanner is arguably one of the best around! Perfectly suited to all professionals on the move, it allows you to scan any type of document easily and quickly. Its scanning speed of 12 pages per minute is quite satisfactory as is its double-sided scanning function!
Its automatic function is an asset that will allow you to scan your documents effortlessly! This professional scanner is not only compatible with all A4 documents but also with business cards thanks to integrated software. The scanner does not involve anything complicated and easy to use. If you want a fast scanner that works silently, then this is the best portable scanner for you. Whether you want to use this scanner at home, in the office, or on the go, this scanner is really great!
It gives you plenty of choices for scanning documents and supports multiple formats for scanning. It is possible to save files as editable PDF, Word, and Excel, to the Cloud, a tablet, and much more! The Fujitsu brand has taken care to make this device compatible with MAC and Windows PCs, but also tablets and smartphones running iOS or Android!
Everything feature was thought out while manufacturing this scanner. The design is compact and ergonomic for easy transport, the operation is intuitive and fast, and the final scan is crisp and detailed. If you are looking for something high-quality, this Fujitsu scanner is the place to be!
Best Photo Scanners for Old Photo Restoration
4. Canon P-208II ImageFormula Personal Document Scanner
The Canon brand is very popular in the field of scanners and printers. Indeed, it offers several models and if we trust the many opinions, users are generally very happy. The Canon P-208ii portable scanner is no exception to the rule. The device is appreciated by professionals for its performance and speed as well as by individuals for its reasonable price.
Its slim and ergonomic design makes it particularly easy to transport. You can take it in a large handbag but also in a computer bag or in a backpack. Its use is quite simple, just slide the paper into the slot and leave the rest to the device. In this regard, we note a good resolution of 600 dpi.
As for the scanning speed, it takes around 8 ppm or 16 sheets per minute. We have already seen better, but it’s still satisfactory. In addition, there is a duplex function that greatly facilitates the scanning of two-sided files. It is also possible to scan rigid cards as well as pictures with photo scanners.
You can connect with the scanner over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. For this price, this portable scanner is rather satisfactory. If this is what you are looking for then do not hesitate, as it comes with a 12-month manufacturer warranty!
It is an ultra-compact, lightweight, and versatile scanner. It can scan business cards and emboss photos. The Canon P-208II scanner is the best choice if you want a portable scanner at an affordable price. It is the best portable scanner for Mac to buy at a low price.
| Pros | Cons |
| Scan documents into digital formats Fast and efficient Easy to use Portable and compact | No complaints |
5. Brother DS-620 Handheld Scanner
The scanner is designed for more professional use. Brother DS-620 portable scanner is definitely made for professionals on the go, who need to scan documents regularly during their business trips to save them securely, or to send them quickly to other members. of their team.
This is a paper-fed scanner. Just slide the document to be scanned into the device, which will digitize it by passing it through sensors. It offers a resolution of 600 dpi, the perfect resolution to obtain a quality file, easily and quickly attachable to an Email to be sent.
This scanner does not need a connection to the mains. It gets electricity through a USB cable to connect it to your computer. This cable, therefore, serves as a means of communication with your computer, and as a source of energy. Your laptop is enough.
It comes with a year’s warranty, so don’t worry about possible technical problems. Its design is simple, minimalist, and modern, which makes it a beautiful professional tool, compact, light, and very efficient.
The scanner works with Mac and Windows operating systems. Its bundled software makes your life easier with plenty of predefined profiles, enabling users to scan more productively. This is one of the best handheld scanners with a weight of less than a pound and 12 inches in length.
| Pros | Cons |
| A little yet highly recommended scanner Easy to use and user-friendly Amazing scanning | Its software is a little complicated |
6. Brother DS-920DW Handheld Scanner
The Brother brand also offers several portable scanners. Among them is the Brother DS-920DW portable scanner, the brand’s top-of-the-range. Practical on a daily basis, it is very easy to use and above all very fast. It also has the particularity of offering double-sided scanning.
Still, in terms of functionality, this scanner can store each scan on an SD card. Brother even took care to provide one with the machine, it is 4 GB. If it becomes full, you can either empty it or get a new one. To transfer the scanned documents to your computer, it is very simple, you just have to connect the device with the USB cable which is supplied with or by using the SD card.
Regarding the scanning quality, it is known that this scanner offers two possibilities, a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi and an improved resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi for optimal image quality. This scanner can be used to scan documents in black and white, but also in color.
In both cases, the result is completely clear and precise. The scanning speed is also very pleasant since this device can scan about 7.5 pages per minute or about 100 pages per day. This leaves a large margin for professionals and individuals alike.
The design has been very well thought out so far as we are dealing with an ergonomic, compact, and light product. In addition, it comes with an LCD screen that will help you select the various settings.
| Pros | Cons |
| A great portable scanner Great scan quality Easy to operate | It cannot be connected to the internet |
Conclusion
We have researched the best portable scanners for Macs, and we have found the above models as the best in every aspect. These portable scanners are highly rated on Amazon and help buyers in scanning business documents and images with their remarkable performances. You should read the above portable reviews mentioned above, compare all the features, and buy the best portable scanners from the list. Read more about Amazon Product Reviews on our website.