10 Best Small Document Scanner 2025 in the United States

The RICOH fi-8170 is a solid choice for those in need of a small document scanner, particularly in professional settings. Its standout feature is its impressive scan speed of up to 70 double-sided pages per minute, making it ideal for offices or environments where efficiency is critical. The scanner can handle a variety of document types including photos, ID cards, and thicker items like passports, which adds to its versatility. Additionally, the 600 dpi resolution ensures that image quality is sharp and accurate, thanks to RICOH's Clear Image Capture technology.

Ease of use is another advantage with the included PaperStream ClickScan software, which allows users to scan with just the push of a button. This is perfect for users who might not be tech-savvy, as the setup requires minimal training. The scanner also connects via USB or Ethernet, making it adaptable to different office configurations.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind. While the RICOH fi-8170 offers excellent features, its weight of 8.8 pounds may make it less portable than some other models, which could be a drawback for those needing a lightweight option for mobile use. Additionally, it integrates well with various document management systems, though some users might find themselves needing to familiarize themselves with the software for optimal use, which could pose a challenge for non-tech-savvy individuals.

The Epson Workforce ES-400 II is a small-document scanner that excels in fast and efficient scanning, making it ideal for both home and office environments. With a 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF), it is especially useful for scanning large stacks of documents without constant supervision. The resolution is 300 dpi, which is suitable for most document scanning needs, ensuring legible and clear scans. One of its key strengths is the high-speed scanning capability, supported by the intuitive Epson ScanSmart software.

This software allows for previewing scans, emailing files, and uploading directly to cloud services such as Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and OneDrive, adding to its convenience and productivity features. Additionally, the inclusion of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) makes it easy to create searchable PDFs and convert scans into editable Word or Excel files, which is a significant advantage for managing and editing documents post-scan. Connectivity is limited to USB, which might be a drawback if you need wireless options, but it ensures reliable and straightforward connections to both PCs and Macs.

In terms of size and portability, while it is not the lightest at 8.14 pounds, its compact dimensions (14.4 x 11.2 x 9.8 inches) make it manageable for a desktop setup. The build quality is solid, and user reviews are generally positive, with a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 949 customers, indicating customer satisfaction. If you require very high-resolution scans or need a scanner with wireless connectivity, this might not be the best option. For everyday document scanning tasks with an emphasis on speed and ease of use, the Epson Workforce ES-400 II is a reliable choice.

The ScanSnap iX1300 is a compact and lightweight document scanner designed to fit small spaces, making it a good choice if desk space is limited. It offers a high resolution of 1200 dpi, which ensures clear and detailed scans suitable for documents, photos, cards, and receipts. The scanner is fast, capable of scanning up to 30 pages per minute in duplex mode, which means it scans both sides automatically—a big time saver for multi-page documents. Connectivity options include both USB and Wi-Fi, allowing flexible setups whether you prefer a wired connection or wireless scanning to your PC, Mac, mobile devices, or even cloud services. Its ability to scan without a computer and compatibility with Chromebooks via a mobile app adds extra convenience.

The device can handle a variety of document types, including thick items and plastic cards, which makes it versatile beyond simple paper scanning. With a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, it’s suitable for light to moderate scanning tasks rather than heavy volumes. The included ScanSnap Home software is user-friendly and helps organize, edit, and manage scanned files easily, which is a plus for users who want straightforward document handling.

The scanner’s paper capacity is relatively small, so it may not be ideal if you frequently scan large batches of documents. Also, while Wi-Fi connectivity is handy, some users might experience occasional connection issues depending on their network environment. The iX1300 is a reliable, fast, and space-saving scanner that supports a broad range of document types with good image quality and easy software integration, making it well suited for home offices or small businesses.