Photo scanners come in so many different sizes, resolutions (dpi), prices, and features. It can be hard to know which one is best for you.
We’ve ‘scanned’ through the details of hundreds of photo scanners to find the very best available, factoring in the requirements of different users.
In the list below you’ll find the best photo scanners to digitize your prints. There are scanners for batch scanning, professional scanning, portable scanning, film and negative scanning, and so much more.
If you’re looking to purchase a scanner that has a reasonable price, decent resolution, and will allow you to scan hundreds of photos at once, we recommend this scanner:
[Note: ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, we make a little bit of money. Need more info? See how it all works here.]
What is the Best Photo Scanner?
Before we discuss each scanner in detail, here is a quick roundup of our favorites and why we like them.
- Efficient design allows for feeding photos
- Scans a 4 x 6 inch photo in two seconds
- Enhances and restores photos
- Simple to use without complicated functions
- Bulk scan allows for 36 photos per minute
- Enhances and restores photos
- Scans photos up to 8 x 10 inches
- Wireless connectivity
- High 4800 dpi resolution
- USB powered
- Cloud sync enabled
- Large 8.5 x 11.7 inch scanning area
- Very high 6400 dpi resolution
- Scans 35mm and medium-format film
- Large 8.5 x 11.7 inch scanning area
- Enhances and restores photos
- Very high 6400 dpi resolution
- Professional grade scanning technology
- Scans 35mm, medium-format, and large-format film
- Improved productivity with film holders
- High 4800 dpi resolution
- USB powered
- Cloud sync enabled
- Enhances and restores photos
- Compact and portable with battery power
- Wireless connectivity
- Cloud sync enabled
- Works with an app on your phone
- Scans 4 x 6 inch photos in under a second
- Cloud sync enabled
- Space saving design
- Auto facial orientation and red-eye reduction
What To Look For In A Photo Scanner
Analog photography is in the midst of a revival. Many photographers a going back to film and analog cameras. And as a result, more people are looking for the best photo scanner to digitize their prints. The manufacturers have taken note and produced some excellent machines.
Many photographers will be happy with a single-purpose scanner. These machines are dedicated to scanning and have no other functions, such as printing or copying. All of them on this list are flatbed or tray-fed scanners.
If you’re looking for something more versatile, an all-in-one unit is what you need. A multi-function printer has printing capabilities but is also equipped with a flatbed scanner. They’re great if you want to duplicate your photos. But the scanning quality usually isn’t as good as single-function scanners.
Other models have more film-friendly features, with hardware for scanning slides and film negatives. These home photo labs are for serious film photography buffs. And they often have printing capabilities too. You can see our full list of the best film scanners if you can’t get enough of film photography.
The price can vary a lot with scanners. Single function scanners are often at the cheaper end of the spectrum. And as you add more features, the price tends to go up. But some specialist units can have high prices.
The 8 Best Photo Scanners
1. Plustek ePhoto Z300
Photo scanners don’t come more straightforward than the Plustek ePhoto Z300. It’s a basic photo scanner without complicated functions. If you’re looking to digitize your photos without investing in professional-level equipment, the Z300 could be the right photo scanner for you.
There are no options for scanning film. But the Plustek ePhoto Z300 supports photos sizes of 3×5, 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10. You can also scan letters and A4 documents.
You need to feed each photo into the scanner one at a time. While that might sound time-consuming, it only takes two seconds to scan a 4×6 photo. You’ll have full albums done in no time. And it has a scan resolution of 600 DPI.
The Plustek ePhoto Z300 software includes image enhancement functions. The simple interface allows you to restore faded photos or enhance colors and details. You also have options to do minor edits and organize your photos.
The Plustek ePhoto Z300 is a simple and affordable solution to your photo scanning needs. And it is supported for Windows and Mac users.
2. Epson FastFoto FF-680W
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a specialist photo scanner for home use. It’s one of the best batch scanners for digitizing your back catalog. And it’ll have your photo albums scanned and filed in no time.
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W uses a document feeder system rather than a flatbed for scanning. While aimed at photos, you can also use it for A4 document scanning. And Polaroid pictures aren’t a problem either.
The automatic document feeder holds 36 photos at a time. And it scans the whole album automatically. You don’t have to insert a new print for each scan. It’ll pull the next photo through, scanning one photo after another. The Epson FastFoto FF-680W offers the fastest photo scanning solutions.
The Picture Perfect imaging system restores old photos with color restoration and enhancement. The software also removes red-eye and dust spots for better-quality photos. And it’s a wireless machine, so you can scan directly to computers and mobile devices.
You can accompany the printer with the FastFoto app on your smartphone. It’ll receive scanned photos. And you can add text and effects, create slideshows, and share pictures directly to social media.
3. The Canon CanoScan LiDR400
The Canon CanoScan LiDE400 is an excellent photo scanner for home use. It’s a slimline scanner that uses a flatbed for scanning photos and documents. It’s simple and straightforward, and the scan quality won’t disappoint.
Photo scanners don’t come much more streamlined than this one. It takes up very little space in your home office. And it’s versatile, scanning photos, documents, and thicker media like books. Documents can be saved as editable PDF files.
With a scan resolution of 4800 DPI, your digitized copies will look as good as the original prints. And the Canoscan LiDE400 enhances colors and removes blemishes automatically.
The different scanning modes are intuitive and make storing and organizing your photos easy. You have options for documents, photos, and customized scans. And you can direct the files to specific locations on your device. Or you can scan directly to OneDrive or Dropbox.
The Canon CanoScan LiDE400 has energy-efficient performance. It connects to your computer with a USB, and that’s all the power it needs. And the photo scanner wastes no time warming up.
4. Epson Perfection V600
The Epson Perfection V600 is the best photo scanner for serious film enthusiasts. It’s a single-function scanner without printing or copying features. But it’s a versatile scanner for people with a passion for film.
It’s a flatbed scanner, which allows you to scan A4 documents. But the main appeal comes from its ability to scan photo prints, slides, and film negatives. And it has the option for 35mm and medium-format (120mm) film types. And once you scan the negatives, you have excellent options to enlarge them.
The scan quality is superb, with a 9600 PPI scan resolution. And the scan quality is improved by the digital ICE (digital image correction and enhancement) technology, which removes dust spots and scratches. The Epson Perfection V600 has digital ICE for photo prints and negatives.
The Epson Perfection V600 software also has one-click photo fix options, restoring faded color in older photos. Combine this with the ICE technology and you get pristine digitized photos.
The Epson Perfection V600 is powered by the Ready Scan LED light. It’s energy-efficient, and there’s no warm-up time required. You can start scanning straight away, saving you time.
5. Epson Perfection V850 Pro
The Epson Perfection V850 Pro is one of the best photo scanners for professional photographers. With stand-out scan quality and fantastic photo-centric features, it has everything a film photographer could want in a photo scanner.
The Epson Perfection V850 Pro works well as a document scanner, with a flatbed scanner big enough for A4 sheets. But the photo scanning is where the V850 Pro stands out. You get film holders for 35mm and medium-format film.
The scan resolution is 9600 DPI, with exceptional color quality and tonal range. And the high dynamic range brings out the detail in dark and light areas. You’ll get high-quality scans for both photos and film negatives.
The digital ICE technology puts the Epson Perfection V850 Pro in the league of professional-level photo scanners. The digital ICE removes defects from your photos, removing scratches and spots. And it restores faded colors and detail with very impressive results.
The Epson Perfection V850 Pro uses patented ReadyScan LED lights and a Dual-lens system for scanning. It isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the best photo scanners for serious professionals.
6. Epson Perfection V39
The Epson Perfection V39 is a cheaper Epson Perfection model than those previously listed. It doesn’t have some of the features film photographers might want to see. But it’s still one of the best photo scanners for home use.
The scan resolution is 4800 DPI, which gives you stunning digital versions of your photo prints. And you have color restoration and enhancement options in the bundled software.
The Epson Photo Scan software allows you to scan photos directly to Google Drive or iCloud. And the high-rise removable lid makes it easy to scan larger media like books.
The scanner has a sleek and slim body. And it’s easy to hide away in any home office. It’s powered by the USB connection to your device, so it’s a low-energy scanning option.
7. Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi
The Doxie Go SE is the best portable scanner on the list. The compact form allows for easy transport and the rechargeable battery means you don’t need to bring a power cable. We particularly like the Wi-Fi connectivity and expandable memory. It makes scanning on the go a breeze.
Unfortunately, the 600dpi resolution holds back the performance for photo scanning, which is why it’s not higher on the list.
One key advantage is the sheet-fed design, which means you don’t need to continually open the scanner lid to change out the photos you’re scanning. This allows for bulk scanning, even if there is no automatic feeder.
If you don’t care about wireless connectivity, check out the version without Wi-Fi for a slightly cheaper option.
8. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1300
The final scanner on our list is very similar to the first scanner, the Plustek ephoto Z300. It has the same dpi and actually scans photos a little faster than the Plustek scanner.
It has a space-saving design, automatic facial orientation, and red-eye reduction, and it’s also cloud sync enabled.
But the major drawback is the price. It’s approximately 50% more expensive for many of the same features.
We still think it deserves a spot on the list as it has some extra features that you may find is worth the extra cost.
Conclusion: The Best Photo Scanner
Having researched hundreds of scanners, we’re happy to recommend all of the scanners on this list.
They are each uniquely good at what they’re built for.
But if you’re looking for a low-cost scanner that’s efficient for batch-scanning, then look no further than the Plustek ephoto Z300.
