Scanners that have an optical character recognition feature are a must-have for any office space. Be it an at-home workspace or a professional job site, no office is complete without an OCR scanner.
These scanners can scan characters from printed documents that you can later edit and search on your computer.
To get the most out of this tool, you need the best OCR scanner in your hands. But how will you know which one to choose out of the hundreds available? Take a look at these OCR scanner reviews. Here, we have included a shortlist of the top OCR scanners in the market. Read on!
10 Best OCR Scanner
Having trouble choosing the right OCR scanner for your workspace? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the OCR scanners that are worth the purchase.
1. Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner
People often face a lot of trouble scanning documents that are older and have tears or scratches on them. Many scanners are not able to read the document properly, hence not being able to give you accurate readings.
This Epson Perfection V600 is capable of reading and scanning through documents no matter how destructive of a state they are in. For typical scanning in an image format, the scanner removes any scratches, tears, and unnecessary marks on the document, giving you a fresh copy.
Even dust and specs that might get in the way are removed. When scanning pictures, you can restore or add vibrancy to colors with the help of the Epson Photo fix. This application is included with the scanner.
With this OCR scanner in your office, you will be able to scan anything starting from negatives, medium-format panoramic films, or slides in no time.
Connecting the scanner with your computer or laptop takes only a few minutes. You can scan and edit your documents with ease. There are no complicated installation processes or coding involved.
The handy LED light source ensures that there is no warm-up time required giving you fast and efficient scans of your precious documents. No warm-up also ensures lower power consumption.
Pros
- Files can be enlarged by 17 x 22 inches
- Removes all scratches, unnecessary marks and tears
- Color can be adjusted with the help of the Epson Photo Fix
- Scan negatives, slides or panoramic films in minutes
- Easy installation and user-friendly
- Lower power consumption
Cons
- Might auto-trim some photos
2. Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Portable Color Duplex Document Scanner
Can’t seem to scan those long receipts and bills on your scanner? Don’t worry; with a double-sided color scanning feature, this is the best OCR scanner for longer documents. Be it business cards, recipes, or extra long bills, this multi-page document scanner can scan it all.
An intelligent scan correction feature has all the minuscule details covered. Thanks to this feature, you won’t have to spend time rotating files, fixing colors, and removing small specs of dust or scratches from your document, saving you lots of time for other more important work.
The feature also removes any blank pages from your document automatically. Scan any document in monochrome, grayscale, or color mode with the help of this fast and quick OCR scanner. With the ability to scan 12 double-sided pages per minute, you won’t have to wait around any more.
This modern scanner also allows you to scan documents directly to your cloud. Compatible with Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and more, you can access your documents from any place you want. Just a few clicks are all it takes to scan multi-page PDFs that you can later convert into excel or word files.
Pros
- Can scan longer pieces of paper like bills or receipts
- The double-sided color scanning feature
- Intelligent scan correction featureScan
- Snap organizer helps you manage and edit your files
- Ability to scan in monochrome, grayscale and color
- Speed of scanning 12 double-sided pages in one minute Scan documents directly to Google Drive, Dropbox or Ever note
Cons
- Not the most user-friendly
3. Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-Speed Photo and Document Scanning System
Epson is quite well known for making amazing scanners that give you fast results. This one also lives up to that standard.
The Epson Fastfoto FF-680W is the best scanner you can get if you’re looking for a scanner for your precious photographs. With the ability to scan 1 picture per second, this tool can go through an entire photo album in minutes.
Although the machine works fast, the quality of the photos scanned is never compromised. You can scan postcards, Polaroid pictures, panoramas, or any kind of picture that is up to 8.5-inches wide. Fix colors, restore any cracks, scratches, or tears in pictures, store and share them with the handy file organization tools.
Scan important files and documents such as wills, bills, and receipts, also with this Epsom FF-680W in minutes. Different scanning modes allow you to store pictures and documents in multiple sizes per batch. Archive documents in 600 dpi, share in 300 dpi and enlarge in 1200(4) dpi.
Connect this accessory to your computer either wirelessly or with a USB port. Easy methods of setup mean quicker installation and more efficient scanning.
Pros
- Upload and backup in Dropbox or Google Drive automatically
- Capture pictures and texts in one scan
- Can be connected through a USB port or wirelessly
- Compact in size
- Different scanning modes available at different DPIs
- Fix colors, scratches and any distortions
Cons
- Does not work with any other source than Dropbox or Google Drive
- Cannot be organized after documents have been scanned
4. Brother DS-720D Mobile Color Page Scanner
If you work in a frequently moving or relocating office, you know how useful lightweight and compact accessories are. They are easy to move and do not take up much space.
A 12 inch length and less than 1 pound construction make this the best compact and breezy OCR scanner. Take the scanner to meetings or business trips. This component is great for people who use a scanner on rare occasions.
Thus, it’ll work as a perfect ally if you already own the best printer for infrequent use.
Store the compact scanner away until you need the device without having to sacrifice much shelf space.
With up to 600 x 600 dpi resolution available for color and black and white prints, this scanner will be able to provide high-quality images and editable documents.
Desktop document management allows you to store your data in an organized way. You can scan high-quality pictures, files, business cards, or even memos and receipts up to 8.5 inches wide and 32 inches long with this handy tool.
Adding an android cable will allow you to connect the scanner to your mobile phone. The tool operates at a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, which is quite reasonable.
Pros
- Up to 8 ppm and 5 ppm lightning speed scanning
- Weighs less than 1 pound
- Rotate, auto-crop fix lighting and exposure of images
- Duplex scanning
- 600 x 600 dpi resolution
- Both color and black and white prints available
- Can be connected to the phone through an Android cable
Cons
- Software for the scanner is not compatible with MACOS v 10.14.1
5. HP ScanJet Pro 2500 f1 Flatbed OCR Scanner
Speed is what you want when you’re looking for a scanner for an office. Slow OCR scanners result in long waiting lines and also take up most of your workday.
With the ability to scan 40 pages per minute, 20 pages per minute, and 1500 pages per day, this is the perfect OCR scanner for a busy office. Double-sided scanning works through single-passes and gives you high-quality, scanned images and texts. Yes, you can use this scanner in combination with your printers for envelope printing.
No need to stand and supervise your scanner anymore. Load up to 50 pages to the scanner, and the tool will scan the pages one by one. No attendance needed.
Built with smart features, this scanner automatically crops out unnecessary space that consumes the frame. The feature also auto-adjusts exposure, clean up the background, merges pages, deletes blank pages, and removes dust, tears, and holes. This way, you get a perfect and presentable paper without doing any work.
The tool also does a great job with colored images. If you want colors, vibrancy and exposure can be auto-adjusted by the scanner. Black and white and grayscale options are also available for plain texts.
Scanning any content directly to a Google Drive, Dropbox, Sharepoint, or local is easy and fast with this device. You can also backup and save scanned files for later use. Paper size compatibility of legal, executive, letter, or business cards lets you scan any material you want no matter how wide or long.
Pros
- Can scan 40 pages per minute or 20 pages per minute and 1500 pages per day
- No supervising needed; load 50 pages and the machine will do the rest
- Automatic copying, exposure fixing, removing dust, holes, and tears
- Merge pages, delete blank pages
- Fix color and vibrancy
- Legal, executive, letter, business card format paper size compatible
Cons
- Some users faced jamming issues
6. Plustek OpticSlim 2610 Flatbed Scanner
Having trouble scanning through thick books and folders? Get this Plustek OpticSlim scanner! A specially designed lid allows you to scan books of any thickness and get crystal clear scanned images. The 5 one-touch button allows you to scan, copy, and email folders with the help of this scanner, helping you save time.
There is no warm-up time required with this scanner. Plug it in, set it up, and you’re good to go. Elimination of warm-up time also results in lower power consumption, meaning you will be saving up on that electric bill.
Compatible with MAC OS and Windows XP, Vista 7/8/10, this scanner won’t have any trouble following orders. You also won’t need any extra adapters with this tool. The scanner requires no complicated installation protocols and is very user-friendly. It works perfectly with all the latest color and monochrome printers.
TWAIN protocol allows you to make more than a thousand types of changes to your scanned images. Rotate, fix lighting, crop, and play with tones and colors with the help of this scanner.
Multiple pages can be scanned to form a compiles single PDF file. When set to black and white scanning, the tool enhances characters for better readability. The ability to crop out and create folders of any size allows you to make accurately sized scans of ID cards, business cards, and photos.
Pros
- Scan directly to Dropbox, Sharepoint or Google drive
- Copy, OCR, customize and create PDF files
- Scan photos, ID cards and business cards to accurate size
- TWAIN protocol lets you make various changes to scanned images
- Compatible with MAC OS, Windows XP, Vista 8/9/10
- No warm time required
Cons
- Not the fastest on the list
7. Scanmarker Air Pen Scanner
The Scanmarker is probably the greatest technological advancement made to the daily scanner! With this tool in your hand, you can scan documents, notes, and texts from books on the go.
Move the scanner over the text you want to scan and watch it appear on your computer screen. Weighing only 0.9 ounces, you won’t have any trouble holding this Scanmarker over your texts.
With the Scamarker, you won’t have to convert any files to Word from PDF or vice versa. Just open up the application you want your texts in, and the Scanmarker will scan the content directly to the computer application. This saves a lot of time and makes editing quicker.
You can connect this scanner to your laptop, computer, android mobile, ios, or any kind of tab. Scan, edit, and format documents on the go! Small and compact, this Scanmarker will fit into any bag. The Bluetooth connection makes this wireless, although you can use a USB cable as well.
Not only can you scan texts, but you can also scan barcodes and numbers. With that, you also get the option of translating up to 40 different languages. A built-in powerful battery keeps this device ready to go at all times. Charge the battery when you connect the scanner through the USB cable to any device.
Although this scanner cannot scan images, this is a great tool that all students, teachers, library officials or offices need.
Pros
- The transparent head does not disturb the reading
- Weighs only 0.9 ounces
- Bluetooth connection; wireless
- Can be used and charged with a USB cable
- Scan content directly into the desired application
- Can be used with any kind of tab or mobile
Cons
- Cannot scan images
8. Raven Original Document Scanner
With this Raven Original Document scanner, you won’t have to worry about storage space ever again. Your purchase of this scanner includes a Raven Cloud storage subscription. This is free of charge and lets you upload unlimited documents and PDF files securely.
You can also choose a cloud of your own. Google Drive, One Drive, Sharepoint, Dropbox, all can be used to transfer your scanned document directly to the cloud.
Don’t have the internet? No need to worry! Wireless Ethernet connection lets you scan documents and files even when there is a problem with your Wi-Fi connection. This wireless connection also allows you to transfer and share files without having a connected computer. This OCR scanner is all you need.
A 7-inch LCD screen on the top of the scanner gives you all the controls that you need to carry on operations without the need of a computer. The screen is also easy to operate, touch screen and user-friendly. All instructions and commands are easy to read and enter.
The 50 sheet feeder is jam-free and can scan the documents one by one. After the process is done, all the documents are neatly stacked on an expandable output tray. With this scanner, you also get the liberty to rename individual files, save them as a combined or separate file, add or remove pages, and also reorder them.
Pros
- Free subscription to Raven Cloud with unlimited storage
- 50 feeder that is jam-free
- Transfer and share files through Ethernet
- 7-inch LCD touch screens with easy to read and enter commands
- User-friendly and secure
- Simple setup and durable
Cons
- Requires frequent updates
- Slow
9. HP ScanJet Pro 3000 S3 Sheet-feed OCR Scanner
No one can compare to HP when it comes to making high-quality accessories for your computer. Not only do HP scanners work great, but they last longer as well. HP products are built to last; you’ll be getting service out of them for years to come.
The 50-page feeder scans both sides at once, saving you time. With a scanning speed of 35 pages per minute, this is the tool to get if you’ve got a busy schedule. 600 dpi resolutions ensure that all the scans are readable and clear, capturing every dot and every comma. Scans can be saved to the cloud directly or emailed as well.
A 3.0 USB connection makes this scanner usable with almost any computer or laptop. The slim and small structure of the scanner makes this easy to store. You don’t need much space on your desk to be able to use this tool; the thing will fit right into a corner of your desktop.
Customization features give you the freedom to create a button or settings that records previous scanning procedures. This way, with just one click, you can get repetitive scan jobs.
Thanks to the TWAIN feature, you can directly scan your document to the application of your choice. No need for any conversion.
Pros
- Made to last; durable
- Performs great; no lag
- A 50-page feeder with double-side scan
- Can scan 35 pages per minute and 3500 pages per day
- 600 dpi resolution gives you crystal clear scans
- 3.0 USB connection
- Slim and small
Cons
- Expensive
10. Brother Wireless High-Speed Desktop Document Scanner
This scanner from Brother allows you to choose any method of connection you want. If you don’t have an internet connection, you can use their Ethernet connectivity. Other options for connection include wireless and 2.0 high-speed USB. A 2.8-inch color touch screen displays all controls and settings.
You won’t need much time to get the hand of the scanner. To save up on some time, pre-set your scanning settings and functions. This way, you can use the pre-set for making several similar copies or different documents without having to input the instructions all over again.
With a single pass, this tool scans both sides of a paper. Increase efficiency and scan documents that are up to 196 inches long.
No need to worry about placing the document that you want to scan perfectly, this tool will automatically crop out the background and unnecessary frames. Dust or debris that might have fallen onto the scanner screen is also removed for you.
Multi feed detection recognizes when you have put several pages on for scanning. All pages are scanned one by one and stored safely on to the holder. Be it Windows, Mac, or Linux, this scanner will work with any kind of operating system.
Pros
- Works with Ethernet, wireless or 2.0 high USB connection
- 2.8-inch touch screen displays all functions and settings
- Pre-sets can be made
- Multi feed detector
- Settings lock, SFTP, TLS, SSL scanning functions included
- Double side scan in a single pass
Cons
- Setup instructions are not thorough
What to Look for Before Buying
While choosing the best OCR document scanner, there are some features that you should be extra careful about. These factors are the ones that distinguish a bad OCR scanner from a good one.
Optical Resolution
The higher the Dots per Inch rate or DPI rate of your printer, the higher quality it is. This reading determines how well your scanner will be able to take and display input. Optical Resolution is a critical feature that determines the strength and standard of your OCR scanner.
Always try and go for the scanners that have maximum DPI rating as they will give you the most accurate results.
Color Range
If you need to scan colored documents, this is a feature that you have to focus on greatly. The best OCR scanner will have a high bit depth giving you scanned copies with accurate colors.
Scanners that have a higher bit depth rate will be able to store and save larger documents with more precise and error-free content.
And scanners that have a bit depth rate of 48-bits are available for purchase, but they are quite expensive. For a general office, a scanner with a minimum rating of 24-bits is sufficient.
Density Range
This range determines how many tones your scanner can process in a document. Usually, the range starts from 0 to 4. 0 for brightest and 4 for darkest reading a scanner can take. For office use, this range is not important. But if you’re looking for a professional OCR scanner, a range of 3.0 will be the best option.
Speed
If you have to wait for more than 2 minutes for your document to be scanned, your scanner is slow and not efficient. Especially if you’re getting a scanner for office space, time is of the essence.
Depending on the usage of an OCR scanner in your workspace, you can choose the speed setting. As high-speed scanners do cost a bit more, you can lean towards a slower scanner if you think that you will be using the OCR scanner seldom.
Connectivity
OCR scanners that can be connected through a USB port are the most convenient. Try to go for the scanners that are not too complicated to set up and can connect easily to your computer or laptop.
Data or Text Input
Scanners come in two input options: data or text. Text input scanners can scan the entire document with precision and also focus on noteworthy portions of a document. A data input scanner is good for making edits and also capturing repetitive data.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make this OCR scanner reviews even more helpful, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions.
1. How can you scan a document with an OCR scanner?
After connecting the OCR scanner successfully with your computer, all you have to do is place the document, book, or paper that you want to scan on the scanner glass face down. Select the create PDF from the scanner option, and a scanning progress window should pop up.
2. What does an OCR scanner do?
An OCR scanner scans a document and allows you to edit and make changes to the file while a normal scanner just creates an image file of the scanned document that cannot be formatted.
3. What is the best scanning resolution for an OCR scanner?
A quality OCR scanner will have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
4. Can I edit images with an OCR scanner?
If your scanner can recognize images, you will be able to edit them when the document is in a PDF format.
5. Can you convert OCR PDF files to Word and vice versa?
Yes, usually, the scanned document gets saved in a PDF format, but you can easily change it into a word file if needed.
Final Words
OCR scanners are far better than any usual scanners. With the best OCR scanner in your office, you can scan, edit, and format documents in minutes. Every single one of the products mentioned in this OCR scanner reviews is of top quality and surely won’t disappoint you!