If you are into scanning, you may know more or less about TWAIN scanners. But for the uninitiated, TWAIN scanners let you scan an image or document directly to the application or site where you want to work with it.
Now you may want to process an image in Photoshop or perhaps you want to send a digitized version of that cute postcard to your friend. If you get yourself a TWAIN scanner, you scan avoid the act of moving your files to one place to another. Just directly go to the option you will work in with it.
Trivia time! If you are wondering what TWAIN stands for, I cannot say for sure whether the answer will disappoint or amuse you. It is an abbreviated form for “technology without an important name.”
However, the inventors later discovered that it was already trademarked. So, later they went with “Ne’er the twain shall meet,” as this program underliesin the middle of the driver and the application. Hence, it is not really an abbreviation.
Now all the knowledge aside, let’s have a look at the best twain scanners available in the market. Also, to make the wisest purchase check out our buying guide as well.
Comparison Chart For Top TWAIN Scanners
| IMAGE | NAME & Details | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 |
| Check The Price |
| Brother DS-640 |
| Check The Price |
| Epson WorkForce ES-400 |
| Check The Price |
| Brother ADS-1700W |
| Check The Price |
| Brother DS-740D |
| Check The Price |
| Canon imageFORMULA P-215II |
| Check The Price |
| Fujitsu fi-7160 |
| Check The Price |
| Brother DS-720D |
| Check The Price |
| Raven Original Document Scanner |
| Check The Price |
| Epson Workforce ES-60W |
| Check The Price |
Best Twain Scanner Reviews
1. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500
Meet Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500- a scanner that will fulfill your scanning needs with a snap. If you need to work with your scans extensively, this one touch scanner will save you a lot of time and hassle.
This twain scanner enables you to directly scan to your desired Cloud accounts like Dropbox or Google Drive. But to do that, it must be connected to Wi-Fi.
One of its unique aspect is that it makes organizing documents less tedious for you. To make this happen, it comes with ScanSnap Home software.It permits you to customize up to 30 pre-configured user profiles to save different types of information. You can tag them as however you want and so searching them later will be easier for you.
This efficient software also cleans up files with its Automatic Image Cleanup by customizing contrast, cropping images to the right size and automatically rotating documents. Moreover, it makes sure that the blank pages are automatically deleted.
Speaking of cleaning, this neat scanner does not make excuses if there is dust on the documents you want to scan. Rather, it comes with a Dust Detection function which alerts on spotting dusts. That is when its Streak Reducer helps in eradicating unwanted streaks for nuance free scans.
The machine comes with a 50-page automatic document feeder that also permits double sided scanning.It can quickly scan up to 30 pages per minute.
With this 600 x 600 dpi scanner, you can scan versatile range of medias with utmost perfection.When scanning normally, it allows documents up to 8.5” x 14.2″ in size.But if you opt for manual or folded scanning, it can handle documents as big as 11″ x 118.1″.
Highlighted Features
- Offers scanning resolution up to 600 x 600 dpi.
- Can scan 30 ppm.
- Can directly scan to cloud accounts.
- Efficient ScanSnap app which makes your job more organized.
- Comes with a Dust Detecting function.
2. Brother DS-640
Do you need a compact scanner which you can practically carry around anywhere? If so, Brother DS-640 is waving at you.
To power it up, you have to connect it your PC with its micro USB 3.0 cable. By downloading the free Brother iPrint &Scan app, you can directly scan to your desired Cloud destinations.
Elaborating on the efficiency of the software, it also enables you to scan with automatic colour detection/adjustment. Moreover, you can inhibit bleeding through and remove background with it. As if these were not enough, the app also offers text enhancement, colour drop and image rotation facilities.
If you thought we were done raving over the software saga, you are wrong. With this software,you can manage your documentsbetter.Its Optical Character Recognition software permits you to convert your hardcopy documents into editable Microsoft Word files.
This scanner can scan regular documents up to72 inches in length.Moreover, it can handle small business cars orplastic ID cards. Adorned with 1200 x 1200 dpi, the quality will be crisp and meticulous. So, get ready to be obsessed with your digitized files. These files are easy to store and retrieve.
Whether you prefer to have your scans in black and white or color, this scanner will not bat an eye. It can equally speed up to 16 pages per minute for all types of scans.
Highlighted Features
- Offers 1200 x 1200 dpi scans.
- Comes with an admirable scanning software.
- Scan 16 monochrome or color pages per minute.
- Lets you directly scan to your Cloud destinations.
- Appropriate for single sided scanning.
3. Epson WorkForce ES-400
Now let’s get introduced to Epson WorkForce ES-400 which contains so many things within its tiny surface! This adorable scanner will leave you baffled with its blazing speed and distinctive features.
Furnished with a 50 pages Auto Document Feeder, it was designed to maximize your productivity with minimal effort. It is equipped with Single Step Technology that can scan double sidedlyata single go.
With this device, you can scan your books, recipes or any other documents with 600 x 600 dpi. It offers laudable scanning speed up to 35 ppm or 70 ipm.
With Epson Image Processing Technology, you can make your scans immaculate by cropping them automatically or removing unwanted backgrounds. Moreover, it automatically removes blank pages for you.
Its Epson ScanSmart Software makes scanning as easy as a child’s game for you, but with elegance. It lets you preview your scans. Moreover, you can scan directly to any Cloud account with its help. To save your time, it can automatically name files as well as recognize different components.
If you are someone who is anxious about pages going missing, you will be glad to know that its Ultrasonic Double Feed Detection will not let that happen. Besides, it demonstrates remarkable features like Dynamic Skew Correction.
The TWAIN driver coming with the scanner makes way for simplistic connection. As a result, you no longer have to worry about it being compatible with your document management software.
Apart from that, it has a built-in Nuance Optical Character Recognition. This aids you in creating searchable PDFs and editable Word and Excel files. The maximum interpolated resolution in that case will be 1200 dpi.
Highlighted Features
- Offers scanning resolution of 600 x 600 dpi.
- Comes with multiple resourceful software.
- Speeds up to 35 ppm or 70 ipm.
- Has a 50 pages ADF.
- The TWAIN driver is compatible to most software.
4. Brother ADS-1700W
If digitizing files with neatness and quick speed is your utmost priority, Brother ADS-1700W can make it happen for you. This 2.8″ color touchscreen machine organizes all of your works like a professional, but with a single touch.
This machine can be powered through AC or USB connection with your PC. To transfer your scanned goods, you can use USB connection as well as Wi-Fi. So, scanning wirelessly to your PC or directly to any Cloud accounts is just a matter of click for you.
Its automatic document feeder is capacitated to handle 20 pages. It has a special card slot to scan business cards or plastic ID cards. So, these tiny monsters are going to be captives forever inside your screen.
Moreover, it features Auto Start Scan. That is to say, if you just drop papers into the feeder, it willstart auto scanning to a predefined profile. This can save a lot of your precious time.
Brother knows that the users love it when their scans are done with perfection. So, ADS-1700W comes with multiple software which lets you enhance scans with image rotation (PC only), automatic color detection or adjustment,bleed through prevention, background removal, color drop or text enhancement.
This device can digitize any files clearly with 600 x 600 dpi. It can run at the rate of 25 ppm or 50 ipm- be it a color or grayscale document. If you need to scan in bulks, in a day, you can scan 1000 sheets with it. Quite massive, isn’t it?
Highlighted Features
- Scans your documents with 600 x 600 dpi.
- Digitizes 25 pages in text or 50 images in a minute.
- Comes with resourceful software.
- You can directly scan to any web destination.
- Can scan both single and double-sidedly.
5. Brother DS-740D
The last pick on this section is Brother DS-740D which is a portable scanner with manifold facilities. So, even if you are going to an isolated area, as long as you can power it up with your laptop with its USB, it will serve you well. Hence, you do not have to worry about any additional power outlet.
With this 600 x 600 dpi scanner, your scanned documents will be intricate. So, legibility is the last thing you should be concerned about.
Like most other TWAIN scanners, it also comes with a free app called Brother iPrint&Scan.With this app, you can directly scan to multiple cloud destinations. Besides, the device offers Optical Character Recognition and document management suite. So, if you need to create searchable and editable PDFs or text documents, say no more.
Continuing its OCR saga, if you need to enhance your scans by rotating them automatically, color dropping or making any other adjustment; you are at the right place. Brother DS-740D comes with plethora of such options to accommodate your needs.
This machine supports duplex scanning. The memory capacity of this device is 256MB. Without making any discrimination between color or monochrome documents, it can scan up to 16 pages every minute.
Highlighted Features
- Comes with 600 x 600 dpi.
- Runs at the rate of 16 pages per minute.
- Can be powered up through USB connection to desktop computer or laptop.
- Comes with a simple app.
- Lets you directly scan to cloud devices.
TWAIN Scanner Buying Guide
Compatibility
TWAIN is supported only on Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. in order to use the scanner successfully, not only the application but also the device driver have to comply to TWAIN. So, before you go ahead to buy a TWAIN scanner, make sure that your mobile device and the application you use can support it.
Resolution
When it comes to any kind of scanner, resolution is the first thing you need to check out. If you have to hire a team to decode your scanned documents, I am sorry you just got swindled.
To know the scan resolution, check out your scanner’s ‘dpi’. It means ‘dots per inch’. That is to say how accurately your scanner can replicate the pixels of your original documents.
Never settle for your scanners less than 300 dpi. If you want clearer scans, go higher. But the best TWAIN scanners will not exceed 1200 dpi. If it does, your scans are going to be over-scanned and distorted.
Type of Work
What do you plan to scan with your scanner?
Other than scanning books, notes,magazines, photos and or any paper bound document; do you need to scan some specialty items such as cards, fabrics or even tiles?
Can your scanner do that? What is the maximum size it can handle?
These are some things you need to enquire your dealer before making your purchase.
Companion software
Most TWAIN scanner comes with an adjunct software and TWAIN driver. They let you scan with ease to your preferred destination. In fact, sometimes they aid in organizing your documents and lets you edit them. So, mull over how efficient the software are and what are the features they have to offer.
Sheet Feeder
Do you need a sheet feeder for an even more hassle-free scanning experience? How many pages is it capacitated to bear?
If you are buying a TWAIN scanner for your home or office space, you may want to go for a scanner that comes with automatic sheet feeder. However, if you are buying a TWAIN scanner that you can carry around anywhere, it may or may not have this feature. But if the miniature machine works everything else, why not make a little compromise?
Final Words
So, do you think our list comprising the best twain scanners available currently has been helpful to you? Which one of these do you think was made for you? If you are still having second thoughts, rest assured you will not regret your purchase for we have handpicked only the finest ones for your convenience.
