If you want to enjoy convenient scanning without having to move the documents around, then you should have a flatbed scanner. As the name suggests, the scanner has a flat surface from glass that can hold up books, paper, or other objects while scanning. The (scanning) head will then moved underneath the glass. The scanner is often equipped with sheet feeders which can be useful when you have to scan multiple sheets altogether.
One of the biggest benefits of the scanner is the non-movement feature of the paper. During the process, the paper would lay flat and it will remain motionless. The paper itself won’t move which can minimize the possibility of scanning errors or damaged documents. This is the type of scanner you want to use when you want to scan vintage or delicate documents, books, or photographers that are prone to tear or damage.
The following are some of the best flatbed scanners 2020/2021 in the UK, if you have the plan to buy one, you should check our recommendation below ;
Plustek A3 flatbed scanner OS1180
This is the perfect scanner for all kinds of situations and settings – whether you are at school, at work, at your home office, and others. The scanner is slim and yet it has a powerful edge and ability that will make a scanning operation a breeze.
It comes with A3 size, which means that the scanner can accommodate tabloid-size documents. This flatbed scanner is designed for big format documents, enabling you to scan two (letter-sized) pages simultaneously, legal-size documents, newspapers, scrapbooks, two pages of spread book, and big format magazines just easily.
The machine also comes with an LED feature that will ensure premium scanning quality. All of your results will look just flawless and perfect. If you scan documents, they would be easy to read. You won’t have to warm up the machine – you can use it immediately after you turn it on. However, you may have to deal with a rather noisy sound, but if it isn’t an issue, then you have no other issues.
Canon 400LiDE Scanner
This is a modern and sleek device that can help you with all the activities you need. The modern is sleek and sharp. The device comes with an A4 size that promotes high-resolution quality. You should be able to scan documents or photos easily, fast, and effortlessly.
And you won’t have to worry about the final quality either. You can rest assured that everything will be superb and premium. Another cool thing about the device is that you can make use of the vertical stand to save up space. Basically, you can have greater flexibility and freedom with this machine.
The machine doesn’t only allow you to scan documents easily, but you are also able to print, share, and organize your collections. You should be able to make use of the free storage up to 15GB.
Epson Perfection V 39 Flatbed Scanner
You should have no problems making adjustments to the setting. Operating this flatbed scanner is definitely straightforward and direct. Many users are pretty satisfied with the performance of the scanner. It feels light and not excessively heavy.
Setting up may require some time, especially if you aren’t used to technical stuff. But is you just follow the directions and instructions, you should be good to go. The downside is that the scanner may not be able to reach the edges of the documents. Although the company claims that the machine is big or wide enough, it tends to cut off the edges and the sides on its own, leaving imperfect scanning result.
If you only scan small documents (that may not have to go to the edges of the scanner), then you may not encounter any issue. But if the documents are pretty big, then you need to figure it out.
Viisan VF3240, A3 Flatbed Scanner
Viisan comes in handy and convenient A3 size that is perfect for all kinds of documents. Not only it supports automatic scan, but it is able to deliver the best details, thanks to 2400 x 2400 dpi of optical resolution.
The scan speed is pretty nice – you can scan a page in 4 seconds only. And you can also enjoy the various automatic features, such as pdf creation, automatic crop, scan to print, scan to email, and so much more. You can also enjoy the various editing features available on the scanner including Dust Removal, Descreening, Color Restoration, Unsharp Mask and more.
This scanner can deliver a colour depth of up to 48-bit that can make images look vivid true-to-life and realize smoother and more detailed colour gradient as well as variations. The VF3240 also comes equipped with a powerful software package that can help users to produce beautiful scans outputs, thanks to its smart image processing algorithm, which also helps organize the scanned data as well.
Plustek Photo Scanner – ephoto Z300
Despite the name, you can actually use the flatbed scanner to scan documents – although scanning photos would result in an absolute finish and results. The main focus is for the photos and images, maintaining the original colors, brightness, hues, and even detailed textures.
The machine supports different kinds of photos sizes, including A4 and letter paper. The operation is pretty fast. For 4 x 6 photo, it takes only 2 seconds. For 8 x 10 photo, it takes only 5 seconds. With this device, you should be able to convert up to 1000 photos in a day.
The image features are pretty solid. Image enhancement works just flawlessly. Even when the images are faded, you can still restore it quite easily. If such a device works well for photos and images, imagine how powerful it is for ‘regular’ documents.
Doxie Rechargeable Scanner
Doxie is designed to be a paperless alternative. When you use it for scanning, you can decide to have the results printed or saved in a digital format. If you pick the latter, not only you save papers, but you also manage an efficient outcome. Simply take the results on the go without compromising the quality.
You can scan a full-colour page in just 8 seconds with 600 dpi, delivering bright and bold quality. Unlike other scanners, Doxie is pretty small. Think of it as a rolled magazine. It is portable and it has its own rechargeable battery. A single charge can give you 400 pages – pretty cool, huh?
No need to worry about the sync or such thing alike. Once the scan is done, you can send is to your favourite scan and use OCR tech to recognize the text.
Epson Perfection Photo Scanner
If you are thinking about scanning photos and you want to achieve crisp and bold details, then this flatbed scanner would be the perfect option for your needs. Whether it is for personal or professional use, this is a machine that can deliver the best result.
Quick scan is possible and you can manage it without any complication. There is the preview window that is resizable and convenient to use, so you won’t have to worry about the fussy operation.
Besides photos, you should have no issue scanning slides, negatives, or even prints efficiently and fast. Simply place the things you want to scan on the machine and let it run! The machine doesn’t require any warm-up time either. Thanks to LED ReadyScan technology, you should be able to perform the scan activity right away. During the scan, there won’t be much energy needed, seriously affecting your monthly bill.
Epson ES50 WorkForce Scanner
Want to have a scanner on the go? This compact and lightweight device should be your next best friend. From the design, the device may not be your regular flatbed scanner, but you only need to feed it from one side and the machine will automatically slide the paper across the scanner. And then you can get the result to your mobile devices.
You can connect this scanner with a USB, so there is no hassle at all. It comes with its own SmartScan software, which can scan your documents neatly. You are free to have whatever formats you want to have for the scan documents. And the portable device has a very nice sped too. It can scan a page in 5.5 seconds.
Canon imageFORMULA DR-F120
This is a sleek and compact scanner that comes with handy features, like 50 sheets ADF for multiple scanning on its own and duplex scanning (up to 20 ppm).
Feel free to scan magazines, books, or even fragile materials without compromising integrity. Thanks to Advanced Image processing, you can expect perfect quality – and there is no need to compromise the performance.
The result will be made to pdf format, which you can edit or change. It is connected to the cloud app which helps you to save time for the storage. Performing the scan is pretty easy. Just use CaptureOnTouch and off you go!
Canon Flatbed LiDE300 Scanner
Unlike other scanners, this one has a classy and elegant appearance. If you look at it, you look at the classic and old-school scanner from the first time a scanner was introduced. This flatbed scanner has a compact and slim design.
Despite the seemingly big construction, the scanner is actually lightweight and pretty comfortable when held. It has 4 different scanning buttons to encourage easy operation and simple adjustment.
The speed is also nice. It is able to scan A4 page with 300 dpi in 10 seconds – and the quality is superb. It has CIS sensor that enables it to deliver exceptional quality that can reach up to 2400 x 2400 dpi.
Epson Photo V39 Perfection Scanner
If you have to frequently deal with photo scanning, this flatbed scanner would be just the right tool for you. The scanner supports 4800 dpi, which means that you can always produce premium quality of your documents and your photos.
The connection can be done through micro USB, meaning that you don’t need any separate power cable or AC adapter. It has LED technology that starts up the scanner right away after you turn it on. No need to warm it up or such thing alike.
Moreover, the scanner is equipped with ‘smart’ software where you can always enjoy the best scan quality and then store the results online. Photo Fix software will also ‘fix’ the scan quality automatically. It is such a convenience to have the device.
Epson DS 1630 WorkForce Scanner
The design is unique – it has this somewhat compact construction. The flatbed scanner offers versatile use where you can benefit from the ADF (Auto Document Feeder) to scan multiple pages.
The ADF is enough to accommodate 50 pages, allowing your greater freedom to manage your scan. You can even scan ‘challenging’ documents, like passports or books quite conveniently.
The compact design allows this machine to be placed anywhere, even when there is not much space to spare. And smart technology is completely helpful. The machine is able to make an automatic image or colour adjustments, such correct skewing, remove blank backgrounds or pages, or perform automatic crop. With nice speed, it can scan 25 pages a minute. Pretty handy, huh?
Epson Perfection V850 Pro A4
The flatbed scanner has all the great features that support its function as a handy device. For a starter, it comes with professional quality for films or slides, and within medium prints or formats. The scan has impressive speed without compromising the quality of the results or the overall performance.
You won’t even have to warm it up – which means that you can enjoy the efficient time. The scanner has a dynamic range feature that can reproduce the original’s gradation and tonal range accurately. The device can also automatically remove imperfections, thanks to the ICE digital technologies.
You won’t have to wait long to heat up the machine. As soon as you turn it on, the device is ready to use. And the best thing is that the machine saves energy too. You won’t have to worry about your monthly bill or whatsoever.
Epson V19 Perfection Scanner
The scanner can deliver the perfect result. The flatbed construction is super handy as it accommodates your documents. And you don’t even have to worry about placing the documents or the layout or such thing alike – simply place your documents on the scanner and let the machine do its work.
And with A4 size (which is around 29.7 x 21 centimeters), you should have no problems managing whatever document scanning you want to do. A lot of users claim that the device practically works on its own. Once you turn it on, you should be able to operate everything quite easily. But some people have problems with the setup as the guide is in Russian.
And some people encounter an issue that the scanner would go to sleep automatically when the connected computer or laptop also goes to sleep. The flatbed scanner has an impressive scanning quality that can help with your operation.
Epson WorkForce DS-1660W Flatbed Wi-Fi Scanner
This is a portable flatbed scanner that comes with compact size, and yet with powerful and punchy performance. It comes with its own WiFI connection. You simply need to sync it just like that – no need to use the USB cable or the computer.
The Epson DS-1660W can be placed anywhere or any workplace environment. It is really versatile because can be used for scanning a variety of photos and documents. From ID cards, book pages, passports and so forth. And it also comes equipped with Intelligent Adjustments where it can be easier for users to adjust the image (colours, skew correction, removing blank pages, etc).
This scanner works fast, with scan speed of 25 pages per minute meanwhile for connectivity, there are 2 options available, wireless and USB 3.0 connection options
Conclusion
There are tons of different scanners out there, but only some are proven to have the best quality and performance. With these candidates of the best flatbed scanner, you should be able to make a smart and wise decision.
