Do you have stacks of old photos or important documents that are just gathering dust? Maybe you need to digitize notes for school or work. If so, you’ve probably thought about getting a printer that can also scan. It sounds simple, right? But then you look online, and wow, there are so many choices! It can be confusing to figure out which printer scanner is the best one for you. You might worry about paying too much, or getting one that doesn’t work well.
Choosing the right printer for scanning can feel like a chore. You want something that’s easy to use, takes good scans, and doesn’t break the bank. It’s a common problem for many people trying to organize their lives or share information digitally. But don’t worry, this guide is here to help!
By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand the most important things to look for. We’ll break down the features and help you find a printer scanner that fits your needs perfectly. Get ready to turn those paper piles into easy-to-access digital files!
Our Top 5 Printer For Scanning Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Printer For Scanning Detailed Reviews
1. Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan
Rating: 8.5/10
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact, all-in-one laser printer designed for busy small businesses. It prints, copies, and scans in black and white. This printer helps you get more done with its speedy performance and smart features. It’s a great choice for keeping your office running smoothly.
What We Like:
- It’s engineered for high productivity, combining printing, scanning, and copying in one small device.
- Prints documents fast, up to 36 pages per minute.
- Scans quickly, too, at up to 23.6 pages per minute in black and white.
- It has a 50-page automatic document feeder for easy multi-page scanning and copying.
- You can connect it in many ways: dual-band wireless, Ethernet, or USB.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print and scan from your phone or tablet.
- It works with Alexa, making it easy to control with your voice.
- The Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service can save you money on toner and ensures you never run out.
What Could Be Improved:
- It only prints in black and white, so it’s not suitable for color documents.
- The initial setup for the wireless connection might take a little time.
Overall, the Brother DCP-L2640DW is a powerful and versatile printer for small businesses. It offers speed, convenience, and smart features to boost your productivity.
2. HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.6/10
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer is designed to make your home office tasks feel like a pro’s. This printer handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease, and even has an automatic document feeder for quick multi-page jobs. You can print from anywhere in your home, thanks to its wireless capabilities and the handy HP Smart app. Plus, with a 3-month Instant Ink trial, you won’t have to worry about running out of ink when you need it most.
What We Like:
- It lets you print like a pro from home.
- Reliable technology is built specifically for home use.
- You can print from your couch using the best print app.
- You’ll always be ready to print and never run out of ink with the Instant Ink trial.
- It offers print, scan, and copy functions in one device.
- Duplex printing saves paper by printing on both sides.
What Could Be Improved:
- The AI-enabled features could be more clearly explained for everyday users.
- While Instant Ink is great, the long-term cost after the trial needs careful consideration.
This HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e is a strong contender for anyone looking to upgrade their home office setup. It offers convenience and reliability, making your printing tasks simpler and more efficient.
3. HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.6/10
The HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Printer is a fantastic choice for your home. It handles all your printing, scanning, and copying needs with ease. This printer is designed for everyday tasks, making it super convenient for families.
What We Like:
- It’s perfect for printing to-do lists, letters, homework, and even recipes.
- HP AI helps you print web pages and emails perfectly, so no more wasted paper with awkward layouts.
- You get color printing, copying, and scanning all in one machine.
- The 60-sheet input tray is a good size for home use.
- Wireless printing is super reliable, and it fixes connection problems automatically.
- The HP app lets you print, scan, and copy from your phone, tablet, or computer easily.
- You get 3 months of Instant Ink included, which saves you money and trips to the store.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds are a bit slower than professional printers (up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black).
- It only has single-band Wi-Fi connectivity.
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a user-friendly and budget-friendly printer that simplifies your daily printing tasks. It’s a great addition to any home office or study space.
4. Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display
Rating: 8.6/10
Meet the Brother Work Smart 1360, your new go-to printer for home and home office tasks. This all-in-one machine handles printing, copying, and scanning, all in a neat package. It’s designed to make your work life easier and your printed pages look fantastic.
What We Like:
- It’s a true all-in-one, handling print, copy, and scan jobs.
- You can easily print from or scan to popular cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
- Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing saves paper.
- The 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder speeds up scanning multiple pages.
- It connects wirelessly or with a USB cable.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you manage tasks from your phone.
- Page Gauge helps you keep an eye on your ink levels.
- Prints are clear and look great.
What Could Be Improved:
- The color display is a bit small at 1.8 inches.
- The refresh subscription is a trial, so you’ll need to buy ink eventually.
This Brother printer offers a solid set of features for everyday use. It’s a smart choice for anyone needing a reliable and efficient machine for their home or small office.
5. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer
Rating: 8.7/10
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a powerful wireless all-in-one printer designed to boost your office’s productivity. It handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease, making it a go-to for small teams. HP, America’s most trusted printer brand, delivers professional-quality color documents and reports with this machine.
What We Like:
- It prints and copies up to 26 pages per minute in both black and color.
- The new TerraJet toner makes colors pop, bringing your business materials to life.
- It features auto 2-sided printing, which saves paper and time.
- The automatic document feeder (ADF) makes scanning and copying multi-page documents a breeze.
- It has a large 250-sheet input tray, so you won’t have to refill paper as often.
- HP promises award-winning reliability, meaning it’s built to last and handle busy workdays.
- It works seamlessly with Original HP toner cartridges, ensuring optimal performance.
What Could Be Improved:
- This printer is designed to only work with HP cartridges. It will not work with cartridges that have non-HP chips or circuitry.
- Periodic firmware updates are necessary to maintain its functionality, which might require attention.
If you need a dependable color laser printer for your office, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a strong contender. Its features are built for professional use and everyday demands.
Your Guide to Finding the Best Printer for Scanning
Are you looking to scan documents, photos, or even old drawings? A printer with a scanner, often called an all-in-one or multifunction printer, is a great tool. This guide will help you choose the right one.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a printer that scans, keep these important features in mind.
- Scanner Type: Most home printers use a flatbed scanner. You lay your item flat on the glass. This is good for single pages, photos, and books. Some printers also have an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). An ADF lets you scan many pages at once without you having to do it one by one. This saves a lot of time.
- Scanning Resolution (DPI): DPI stands for dots per inch. A higher DPI means a more detailed scan. For everyday documents, 300 DPI is usually fine. If you plan to scan photos or artwork and want to enlarge them, look for 600 DPI or higher.
- Color Depth: This tells you how many colors the scanner can capture. 24-bit color is standard and good for most things. 48-bit color offers even more detail, especially for photos.
- Connectivity: How will you connect the printer to your computer or phone?
- USB: This is a direct cable connection. It’s reliable.
- Wi-Fi: This lets you print and scan wirelessly from multiple devices. It’s very convenient.
- Ethernet: This is a wired network connection, good for offices.
- Software: Good scanning software makes a big difference. Look for software that lets you:
- Scan to PDF or JPEG easily.
- Edit or enhance scanned images.
- Organize your scanned files.
- Scan directly to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Important Materials and Build Quality
Think about how the printer is made. A well-built printer lasts longer.
- Scanner Lid: The lid should feel sturdy. It should close smoothly and not be flimsy. A good lid helps keep light out for better scans.
- Paper Tray: The paper tray should be easy to load and unload. It should hold a decent amount of paper.
- Overall Construction: Feel the plastic parts. They should feel solid, not cheap or wobbly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make your scans look great or not so great.
- Light Source: Most flatbed scanners use LED or fluorescent lights. LED lights are energy-efficient and warm up quickly.
- Scanner Bed Cleanliness: Always keep the scanner glass clean. Fingerprints, dust, and smudges will show up on your scans. A soft, lint-free cloth works best.
- Item Placement: Make sure the item you are scanning lies flat on the glass. For books, try to press the spine down gently.
- Software Settings: Using the right resolution and color settings in your scanning software is crucial. Experiment to find what works best for your needs.
- Printer Driver Updates: Keep your printer’s software, called drivers, up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that fix bugs and improve performance.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the printer to use? Who is it for?
- Ease of Setup: Is it simple to set up the printer and its scanning features? Many printers now offer simple setup guides or apps.
- Scanning Speed: How fast does it scan? If you have a lot of pages, a faster scanner is better. ADFs significantly speed up scanning multiple pages.
- Scanning Quality: Does it produce clear, sharp images? Test it with different types of documents and photos.
- Who Needs It?
- Home Users: For scanning school papers, recipes, photos, and important documents.
- Students: To digitize notes, assignments, or study materials.
- Small Businesses: For scanning invoices, receipts, contracts, and client documents.
- Photographers: To digitize old photos or negatives (some scanners have special features for this).
Frequently Asked Questions About Printers for Scanning
Q: What is an all-in-one printer?
A: An all-in-one printer is a device that combines printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one machine.
Q: What’s the difference between a flatbed scanner and an ADF?
A: A flatbed scanner is a glass surface where you place one item at a time. An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a tray that holds multiple pages, and the printer feeds them through automatically to scan.
Q: How important is scanning resolution (DPI)?
A: Resolution determines how much detail is in your scan. Higher DPI means more detail, which is good for photos or when you plan to enlarge scans. For regular documents, 300 DPI is usually enough.
Q: Can I scan wirelessly?
A: Yes, many modern printers offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to scan documents from your computer or smartphone without needing cables.
Q: What kind of software do I need for scanning?
A: Most printers come with basic scanning software. Good software will let you save scans in different formats (like PDF or JPG), edit them, and organize them.
Q: How do I get the best quality scans from my printer?
A: Keep the scanner glass clean, make sure your document lies flat, and use the appropriate resolution and color settings in your scanning software.
Q: Can I scan photos with a printer scanner?
A: Yes, most all-in-one printers can scan photos. For best results, use a higher DPI setting and ensure the glass is perfectly clean.
Q: Is it hard to set up a printer for scanning?
A: Most new printers are designed for easy setup. They often come with step-by-step instructions or mobile apps to guide you through the process.
Q: Can I scan multiple pages at once?
A: Yes, if your printer has an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). You can load a stack of papers, and the ADF will scan them one by one.
Q: What is a good DPI for scanning old photos?
A: For old photos, it’s recommended to scan at 600 DPI or higher. This captures fine details and allows you to enlarge the photos without losing quality.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.