From desktops to telephones, modern technology has freed people from their chairs and have come up with mobile devices like laptops and smartphones. In a world where we are always on the go, more and more devices are becoming compact and portable to keep orders of business going unhalted.
Portable scanners are the next work of wonder for people who are never bound in one place or office. Take your slim Mac laptop and a scanner under your arm and you are all ready for that meeting you have been worrying about all night!
But how do you differentiate between the best portable scanners for Mac? This is why we’ve tested a range of portable scanners and have outlined few of the most established ones based on performance, features, weight, etc.
Comparison Chart For Portable Scanners For Mac
| IMAGE | NAME & Details | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Brother Scanner DS-620 |
| Check The Price |
| Doxie Go SE |
| Check The Price |
| Epson WorkForce ES-400 |
| Check The Price |
| Canon imageFORMULA P-215II |
| Check The Price |
| Brother DS-740D |
| Check The Price |
| Brother Scanner ADS-1700W |
| Check The Price |
| Epson WorkForce ES-50 |
| Check The Price |
| Brother DS-720D |
| Check The Price |
| Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi |
| Check The Price |
| VuPoint Scanner |
| Check The Price |
Best Portable Scanners For Mac Reviews
1. Brother Scanner DS-620
The sleek and white Brother Mobile Color Page Scanner DS-620 is yet another fantastic addition to the Brother family. If you are aware of their printers, you can rest assured that this scanner will get you fast results anywhere, anytime. Not only is it compatible with macOS, but it also works with Windows and Linux.
At 600 dpi optical resolution and 1200 dpi interpolated resolution, color images seem more vibrant and distinguishable. It digitizes your documents at 8 pages per minute, regardless of whether it is a color document or a monochrome one. And if you were worried about power connection, well, we’ve got good news.
You don’t need a power socket or any batteries. The attached USB cable can be plugged into your Mac laptop and the scanner will immediately turn on. Scan color documents, laminated certificates, business cards, identification cards, and even art prints, in case you are interested in a scanner as a painter.
The intelligent OCR features also help you to search specific words in the scanned file, edit, compile, crop, etc. as easily as you would edit normal images on your laptop. The added drivers enable you to swiftly install the necessary software that will keep the scanner running absolutely uninterrupted.
Highlighted Features
- The scanner is under 12 inches long making it compact.
- It can be powered on by connecting the USB cable o the laptop.
- It scans documents, cards, IDs, laminated certificates, art prints, etc.
- The optical and interpolated resolutions produce immaculate color quality.
2. Doxie Go SE
Do you ever find yourself rolling up a magazine into a hollow telescope in a state of absent-minded habit? Well, imagine that and you will get a perfect representation of how exactly big the Doxie Go SE is. Powered by battery, this scanning beast only weighs about 1.18 lbs., perfect for any briefcase or backpack.
You do not even need a computer to turn it on. Just recharge the batteries and switch it on to scan all your important documents, files, photos, cards, notes, etc. and all of it will be automatically archived or backed in cloud-based platforms like iCloud, OneNote, Evernote, Dropbox, etc.
The reason the Doxie Go SE does not require a computer to store files locally is because it comes with an included SD card that can store up to 4,000 scans at a time. And if you need more space, do not fret. The memory is perfectly expandable. You can then plug it in to locally organize your files.
The integrated smart software auto adjusts, crops, color-corrects, and even fixes warped texts and documents. The Doxie Go SE is the proud owner of the ABBYY OCR that won them awards and accolades. What this does is that it identifies each text in your document and even converts them into word-searchable PDFs.
Highlighted Features
- The scanner can automatically recognize each text in a document.
- The SD card can store up to 4,000 scans and it also allows more capacity.
- It is powered by battery that are rechargeable, saving additional costs.
- Scans are automatically archived and backed up in cloud-based platforms.
3. Epson WorkForce ES-400
The Epson WorkForce ES-400 is not exactly a handheld, bar-shaped scanner like the former ones that we reviewed. Imagine a standard big sized scanner, and if that scanner had a little brother, the Epson WorkForce ES-400 would be it. With a multitude of features fit into this compact scanner, it truly is a work of art.
It presents advanced duplex color scanning in one single pass and you do not even have to flip the document over manually, thanks to the automatic document feeder. With a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, scan all your high priority documents in a breeze.
The control panel on the scanner features a slow scanner option that allows you to scan delicate and wrinkly documents like receipts, torn pages, and even damaged textures. It keeps them safe and simultaneously digitizes your scans which you can edit using advanced software later on.
The Epson WorkForce ES-400 utilizes the Epson Scan Smart software, it can automatically back up files in online platforms like Google Drive, Ever note, Dropbox, and many more. This gives you full freedom to scan, share, edit, and access your files regardless of where you are in the world and whatever time it is.
Highlighted Features
- The scanner has a slow scanner option that scan delicate documents.
- The scanner can do duplex color scanning in one single pass.
- It has a 50-sheet automatic document feeder that allows multiple scans.
- The Epson ScanSmart allows you to make advanced changes for better images.
4. Canon imageFORMULA P-215II
If you liked the Epson WorkForce ES-400 but not its mammoth size for a “compact and portable” scanner, the Canon image FORMULA P-215II will become an instant favorite. It has almost all the features of the former but in a compact flatbed scanner type size.
It has a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, as opposed to the 50-sheet one mentioned earlier. However, it delivers scans at about 14 pages per minute without any hitches. A note to be added, this, too, does duplex color scanning in a single pass eliminating the time and boosting productivity to the maximum.
It is compatible with a versatile range of documents like papers, credit or debit cards, laminated documents, business cards, receipts, or even plastic identification cards. Thanks to the automatic document feeder, you can input all that needs to be scanned on the unit and it will do the rest of the task on its own.
If you ever need to switch between your macOS to a Windows operating system, the Canon image FORMULA P-215II is compatible with both. Besides, with its wide array of cloud-based platform compatibility, you can scan directly to these online platforms and access them from anywhere in the world.
Highlighted Features
- The scanner is about eleven inches long, saving space in a tight area.
- The scanner support a range of document types, including plastics.
- It does not require any drivers, rather can be plugged in for operation.
- It is compatible with both Windows and Mac, allowing utmost flexibility.
5. Brother DS-740D
Like its “brother”, the Brother DS-740D is the virtually the same with some vital differences. The first and foremost being the weight because this one weighs more than the earlier one we reviewed and for good reason. It has a “liftable” document feeder that allows you to save space if your work space isn’t roomy.
It has what they call the Desk Saving Design or the DSD. If you do not have capacious desk space where you can keep your documents organized or allow the scanner to spit out the scans from the back, you can manually lift the top lid of the scanner that creates a passage for the scans to flow out upwards.
No batteries or any power socket is needed to breathe life into this. Use the integrated USB cable and connect it to your laptop or desktop and voila! Not only does it work with macOS, but it also works with Linux and Windows operating systems. So, expect your coworkers to “borrow” it from time to time over cubicles.
It has a start and stop button in order to allow you to manually stop scanning in case you stumble upon any mistakes. It has an integrated software known as iPrint&Scan that grants you the flexibility to detect colors, make adjustments, rotate, crop, remove unwanted blank spaces, etc.
Highlighted Features
- It uses a USB 3.0 cable that can be plugged in to turn it on.
- It has a Desk Saving Design that frees up desk space for your scans.
- The integrated software can make adjustments and event convert to PDFs.
- It is compatible with a range of operating systems making it versatile.
Portable Scanners For Mac Buying Guide
It is important to understand that portable scanners come in varying shapes and sizes. You might come across a bar-like one that takes one paper at a time, or even find those handheld pen-like scanners that you can wave around the document like you would read using your fingers.
Here are some things you need to consider before purchasing the best portable scanners for Mac.
Size
The size is something you should consider religiously. Why else would you even consider buying a portable scanner? Perhaps, check the dimensions of the carrier or the bag you usually carry your laptop or office supplies in to get an idea of what size you want.
Of course, you might find something that is big but is also very adept. You can always get new carrying cases but make sure the portable scanner is not too bulky or intrusive. Find a perfect balance between price and size and you are good to go.
Speed
Most portable scanners will give you fast results in about 5-8 seconds. You can also do duplex scanning but keep in mind that you have to do this manually since portable scanners do not have an automatic document feeder like standard scanners.
While scanners pens are compact and can literally fit in your pocket, it comes with drawbacks. As the user, any mishaps in scanning will be on you. It is a laborious task and might take longer than walking to a scanning shop and getting your documents scanned. And don’t get us started on duplex scanning with these!
Power Supply
Some portable scanners are battery powered while others can be turned on via a convenient USB cable. While batteries have the added “wireless” feature, they do, however, have a shelf life and will run out at one point. This may add to additional costs in buying new ones but if that’s not an issue, you are in the clear.
USB cable powered scanners are energy saving, can be plugged in any laptop or PC, and will immediately fire up. When not in use, there’s no issue of discharging since it is completely reliant on other electronic devices with a USB port. However, if you face frequent electricity drops, that might be a thinker.
Resolution
Resolution of a scanner dictates how detailed and sharp your scanned copies will be. It is referred by an abbreviation namely dpi, meaning dots per inch. The higher the dpi, the better-quality images you are likely to receive,
Usually most standard portable scanners have a resolution of 300 dpi which is absolutely fine. It’s a good balance between price and quality. Of course, higher resolutions like a 600 dpi or a 900 dpi come in at a far more hiked price tag but that is up to you and your budget.
Conclusion
If you are a student hastily running from one building to another in your campus, or a salesman who constantly needs receipts, bills, and memos scanned on the go, then you should definitely consider investing in a portable scanner.
Of course, they are not as fast or do not have automatic document feeders like the rest of the girthy scanners, there’s no way you can lug them around on the go. This is why we have tested, tried, and reviewed some of the best portable scanners for Mac so that half your job is done.
Stick to this article and you will definitely find something that is within your budget and delivers impeccable performance. We hope you appreciated our effort. Good luck!
