Overview
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Canon imageFormula P-150 Scan-tini
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Visioneer Strobe 500
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Fujitsu ScanSnap S300
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NeatReceipts
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PlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Canon imageFormula P-150 Scan-tini
Bottom Line:
The Canon imageFormula P-150 Scan-tini more than justifies its large size with fast speed, an automatic document feeder, and the ability to scan both sides of a page.Pros
- Automatic document feeder.
- Rated at 15 pages per minute for black-and-white and grayscale scans.
- Duplexes.
Cons
- Relatively large and heavy for a portable scanner.
- Initial setup is a touch harder than it should be.
Visioneer Strobe 500
Bottom Line:
The Visioneer Strobe 500 is a personal desktop document scanner complete with an automatic document feeder, but it's also portable if you need it to be.Pros
- Portable.
- Docking station adds automatic document feeder.
- Fast text recognition.
- Digitally enhances hard-to-read originals.
Cons
- Both attaching the scanner to and removing the scanner from the docking station is a little tricky.Watch the Visioneer Strobe 500!
Learn MoreVisioneer Strobe 500 ReviewFujitsu ScanSnap S300
Bottom Line:
The Fujitsu ScanSnap S300 scanner brings the convenience of duplexing and an automatic document feeder to scanning on the go.Pros
- Portable.
- Duplexes.
- Automatic document feeder (ADF).
- Document and business card scanner.
Cons
- No standard drivers, which means you can't scan from within most programs.
Learn MoreFujitsu ScanSnap S300 ReviewNeatReceipts
Bottom Line:
NeatReceipts combines a portable scanner with software designed to scan and manage receipts, business cards, and documents.Pros
- Scans and manages receipts, business cards, and documents.
- Scans to searchable PDFs.
- Twain and WIA drivers.
Cons
- Limited document management.
Learn MoreNeatReceipts ReviewPlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05
Bottom Line:
The DocuPen Xtreme X05 is easier to use than a true pen scanner, but it stubs its toe on an unusually large number of minor flaws.Pros
- Scans without a computer.
- Highly portable.
- Transfers files to a BlackBerry or Windows Mobile smartphone or a computer.
Cons
- Can't confirm image is acceptable until after transferring the file to a computer or other device.Watch the PlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05!
Learn MorePlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Portable Document Scanners
With the aid of a portable scanner, business travelers can easily manage receipts, business cards, and any other documents or scraps of paper they need to digitize. Many of today's mobile scanners include advanced features traditionally found on desktop document scanners, such as duplexing and/or an automatic document feeder (ADF).
We've seen a lot of devices with docks, but the Visioneer Strobe 500 is the first scanner we've reviewed that comes with one. Primarily a desktop document scanner, it can be removed from its dock to function as a portable scanner as well.
The Canon imageFormula P-150 Scan-tini isn't as teeny as its name implies, but it makes up for its relative bulkiness (for a portable scanner, at least) with high speed and features such as duplexing and an automatic document feeder (ADF). The Fujitsu ScanSnap S300 also duplexes and has an ADF, but software issues make it a less appealing choice.
Although NeatReceipts can scan business cards and other documents, its forte of course is scanning receipts and managing them using the included NeatWorks 4.0 software, which lets you export the data to various financial management programs.
The PlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05 is the most portable scanner featured here. It's larger than a true pen scanner, but it's easier to use, letting you sweep vertically down a page rather than highlighter-style.
Today's portable scanners provide enough features and functionality so that many businesspeople are adopting on them as their sole scanner in lieu of traditional desktop scanners.
FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP
Canon imageFormula P-150 Scan-tini
Price: $295 direct
The Canon imageFormula P-150 Scan-tini more than justifies its large size with fast speed, an automatic document feeder, and the ability to scan both sides of a page.
Read the full review ››
Fujitsu ScanSnap S300
Price: $295 direct
The Fujitsu ScanSnap S300 scanner brings the convenience of duplexing and an automatic document feeder to scanning on the go.
Read the full review ››
NeatReceipts
Price: $195 direct
NeatReceipts combines a portable scanner with software designed to scan and manage receipts, business cards, and documents.
Read the full review ››
PlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05
Price: $369.99 direct
The DocuPen Xtreme X05 is easier to use than a true pen scanner, but it stubs its toe on an unusually large number of minor flaws.
Read the full review ››
Visioneer Strobe 500
Price: $399.99 direct
The Visioneer Strobe 500 is a personal desktop document scanner complete with an automatic document feeder, but it's also portable if you need it to be.
Read the full review ››