9 Best Photo Scanners in 2024 (To Digitize Your Prints) (2024)

Photo scanners come in many sizes with different resolutions (measured as “dpi” or “dots per inch”). And they have different prices and features. So it can be hard to know which one is best for you. We’ve “scanned” through hundreds of photo scanners to find the very best. And we’ve factored in the different user requirements.

If you want to buy a scanner, we recommend this Epson FastFoto FF-680W photo scanner. It has excellent image resolution,so your photos don’t lose their magic. You can scan in batches for superfast photo scanning. And it can deal with photos of all sizes. It’s the best photo scanner for digitizing your photos.

What Is the Best Photo Scanner?

The best photo scanners to digitize prints are on our list below. There are scanners for batch scanning, professional scanning, and portable scanning. And there are ones for film and negative scanning, and so much more!

Before we discuss each scanner in detail, here is a quick roundup of our favorites and why we like them.

What to Look For in a Photo Scanner

Analog photography is in the midst of a revival. So many photographers are going back to film cameras.

As a result, more people are looking for the best photo scanner to digitize prints. And manufacturers have taken note and produced some excellent machines.

Many photographers will be happy with a single-purpose scanner. These are dedicated to scanning and have no other functions, like printing or copying. All on our list are “flatbed” or “tray-fed” scanners.

If you’re looking for a more versatile scanner, an all-in-one unit is what you need. A multifunction printer has printing abilities. But it’s also equipped with a flatbed scanner.

They duplicate photos well. But the scanning quality usually isn’t as good as single-function scanners.

Other models have more film-friendly features. They have hardware for scanning slides and film negatives. These home photo labs are for serious film photography buffs. And they often have printing capabilities too.

If you can’t get enough film photography, read our list of the best film scanners.

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.

9 Best Photo Scanners

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.

It uses a document feeder system rather than a flatbed for scanning. So it’s aimed at photos, but 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 set automatically.

You don’t have to insert a new print for each scan. It pulls the next photo through, scanning one photo after another. So it’s the fastest photo-scanning solution!

The Picture Perfect Imaging System improves 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 FF-680W printer with the FastFoto app on your smartphone. It receives scanned photos, and you can add text and effects. Or you can create slideshows. Then you can share pictures directly on social media.

Photo scanners don’t get much more straightforward than the Plustek ePhoto Z300. It’s a basic scanner without complicated functions. This could be the right photo scanner for you if you want to digitize photos without investing in professional equipment.

There are no options for scanning film. But it supports several photo sizes (3 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10 inches). You can also scan letters and A4 documents.

You need to feed each photo into the scanner one at a time. That might sound time-consuming, but it only takes two seconds to scan a 4 x 6-inch photo. So you’ll have full albums done in no time. And it has a scan resolution of 600 dpi.

The software includes image-enhancingfunctions. The simple interface lets you restore faded photos or enhance colors and details. And you also have options to do minor edits and organize your photos.

The ePhoto Z300 is a simple and affordable solution to your photo scanning needs. And it’s compatible with both Windows and macOS systems.

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 fantastic scanner for people with a passion for film.

It’s a flatbed scanner that allows you to scan A4 documents. But the main appeal is its ability to scan photo prints, slides, and film negatives.

It has the option for 35mm and medium format (120mm) film. And once you scan the negatives, you have excellent options to enlarge them.

The scanning quality is superb, with a 9600 dpi resolution. And the scan quality is improved by digital ICE (Image Correction and Enhancement) technology. It removes dust spots and scratches. And it’s for both photo prints and negatives.

The software also has one-click photo fix options. It restores faded color in older photos. Combine this with the ICE technology, and you get pristine digitized photos.

The Ready Scan LED light powers the Perfection V600. It’s energy-efficient and doesn’t require any warm-up time. You can start scanning straight away without needing to wait.

The Epson Perfection V39 is a cheaper Epson Perfection model than those previously listed. It doesn’t have some 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. This 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 lets you scan photos directly to Google Drive or iCloud. And the high-rise removable lid makes scanning larger media (like books) easy.

The Perfection V39 scanner has a sleek and slim body. And it’s easy to hide away in any home office. The USB connection to your device powers it, so it’s a low-energy scanning option.

The Canon imageFORMULA RS40 is one of the best photo scanners if you’re digitizing large amounts of photos. The batch scanning capabilities allow you to scan hundreds of images without much user input. It’s also a versatile scanner you can use for document scanning.

Scanning with the imageFORUMLA RS40 can actually enhance the image quality of your printed photos. You can choose the scan quality, with options from 150 to 1200 dpi. That means you can scan any type of photo from old holiday snaps to professional photos.

With a 40-photo capacity auto feeder, you can scan bundles of images without much effort. That means you can leave it to scan 40 photos while you work on something else. It’s a huge time saver, especially if you have mountains of photos to archive.

It can also handle photos of different shapes and sizes. Standard photos measuring 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10 inches are no problem. But it can also scan Polaroid pictures, postcards, and panorama images.

When it comes to other types of documents, the RS40 is just as versatile. Your standard A4 document is a walk in the park. And it can scan letters, legal documents, invoices, and even ID cards.

You also get the CaptureOnTouch photo software. It’s basic photo adjustment software, so it can’t compete with Adobe Lightroom or other advanced programs. But it can help you reduce signs of fading and aging in the images. It can make subjects sharper and you can remove red-eye.

The Canon imageFORMULA RS60 is an excellent photo scanner for the home or office. It delivers professional-level digital renditions. And you can use it for all types of batch scanning.

The Epson Perfection V850 Pro is one of the best photo scanners for professional photographers. It has stand-out scan quality and fantastic photo-centric features. It has everything a film photographer could want in a photo scanner.

It 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 and has exceptional color quality and tonal range. And the high dynamic range brings out the detail in dark and light areas. So you get high-quality scans for both photos and film negatives.

The digital ICE technology puts this in the league of professional-level photo scanners. Digital ICE fixes defects in your photos, removing scratches and spots. And it restores faded colors and detail with very impressive results.

The 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.

The Canon CanoScan LiDE400 is an excellent photo scanner for home use. It’s a slim-line scanner with a flatbed for scanning photos and documents. It’s simple and straightforward. And the scan quality won’t disappoint.

Photo scanners aren’t much more streamlined than this one. It takes up very little space in your home office. Plus, it’s versatile. It scans photos, documents, and thicker media like books. And 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 it enhances colors and removes blemishes automatically.

The different scanning modes are intuitive. And they 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 LiDE400 is an energy-efficient machine. It connects to your computer with a USB. And that’s all the power it needs! Plus, the photo scanner wastes no time warming up.

The Canon CanoScan 9000F MKII is the best photo scanner for film negatives. You can scan printed photos in brilliant quality. But this scanner truly excels when digitizing negatives.

It’s a flatbed scanner, so you can do batch scanning with printed photos. And you can scan film negatives with a 9200 dpi resolution. That gives you digital images with a resolution equivalent to photos from a medium format camera. You can enlarge the images without losing quality. And you can use them for professional print media.

The average scan speed is 18 seconds for one 35mm film cell at 1200 dpi. And it’s even slower at full resolution (9200 dpi). But it’s quicker when it comes to scanning printed photos. You can digitize a stack of photos fairly quickly, even without a batch scanning option.

Thanks to the white LEDs, the printer is energy-efficient and quick to use. There’s no warm-up time, so you can start scanning as soon as you’ve turned it on.

The 9000F MKII improves the quality of your film photos. The FARE (Film Automatic Retouching and Enhancement) technology removes dust marks and scratches. And it restores faded colors from old images. Even ancient photographs will look brand new.

The Canon CanoScan 9000F MKII is one of the pricier photo scanners. But it’s worth the investment if you’re a professional photographer who uses a lot of film. Whether scanning prints or negatives, it gives you sensational results.

The final scanner on our list is the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1300. It’s very similar to the Plustek ePhoto Z300. It has the same dpi, but it scans photos a little faster than the Plustek scanner.

It has a space-saving design, automatic facial orientation, and red-eye reduction. Plus, it’s cloud sync enabled.

The major drawback is the price. It’s approximately 50% more expensive for many of the same features.

But the ScanSnap iX1300 deserves a spot on the list as it has some extra features. So you may find it’s 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.

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is the best photo scanner on the market. With its batch-scanning features, you can scan whole libraries in no time. And its high-quality scanning means you will have glorious versions of your beautiful photos.