The 10 best flatbed scanners to buy in Australia
Flatbed scanners are the most popular type of scanner available, being relatively cheap, easy to use, and versatile in its scanning capabilities. However, this popularity means there are a lot of flatbed scanners to choose from, and not all of them are the same quality that you want from such a product. To help you find the best flatbed scanner for your needs, check out the below buying guide for all the info you need.
What are flatbed scanners?
A flatbed scanner is a probably the first thing people imagine when thinking about a scanner. It looks like the top of a photocopier, with a flat glass panel to place the document and a lid to keep it in place while scanning. It could not be easier to use either - just place the document/photo on the glass, close the lid, and then push the button to scan it into a connected device, such as a computer or laptop.
A good flatbed scanner is so popular due to its versatility and high resolution making it suitable for scanning various things like paper, receipts, photos, graphics etc.
Why should you buy a good flatbed scanner?
Affordable and versatile, if you are in the market for a reliable scanner then look no further than the flatbed scanner. It can scan most items you might need, whether it is important financial documents or old photographs, converting them into digital files for easier storage and sharing on various devices.
How to choose the right flatbed scanner in 2024?
Here are some things to look out for when you are buying the best flatbed scanners:
- Scanning Requirements: Think about what you need to scan so that you can choose a flatbed scanner that can accommodate this. For instance, if it is just the occasional paper document then a basic model should be fine, but if you want to scan photos, magazines, books etc., then you may want to choose a model that has higher resolution and is the right size.
- Size: Flatbed scanners come in various sizes, with most being no larger than A4 paper. This means you wouldn’t be able to scan anything bigger than A4, so if scanning larger documents you need to make sure that the scanner is large enough to fit them. Remember, the larger the scanner the more disk space the uncompressed file takes up.
- Resolution: Measured in pixels per inch (PPI), the resolution of the scanner determines how detailed an image is that you scan. Most have a minimum of 600 PPI, which is fine for documents and photos, so unless you are scanning film negatives, slides, or small objects like stamps, you won’t need higher PPI.
- Compatibility: It is always important to check the compatibility of scanners to ensure it work with your operating system. For example, most flatbed scanners will work with Windows operating system but you may need to check the compatibility with Mac operating systems. Some can download software to expand compatibility, although this may cause speed and performance to drop.
What is the best kind of flatbed scanner in Australia?
There are two main types of flatbed scanner available to buy:
- CIS Flatbed Scanners: Contact image sensor (CIS) scanners feature the latest scanning technology, using image sensors that are placed close to the object being scanned. This results in quicker scan times and less calibrations, although the colour and resolution may be lacking.
- CCD Flatbed Scanners: Charged coupled device (CCD) scanners use long standard method of placing multiple sensors throughout the machine. These produce an electric charge when the light from the scanner passes over, with the charge then converting the image into its digital form. They offer great colour and resolution but take some time to operate as they need frequently calibrated, while they can often struggle to scan wider documents.
Top 10 list of flatbed scanners in Australia (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their flatbed scanners. Which scanner is the best?
- Product Features: A highly functional, lightweight and compact model
- Features compact design
- Scan speed (A4, 300dpi), approximate 8s
- Scan resolution of 4 800 x 4 800dpi
- TWAIN driver (ScanGear) is based on the TWAIN specification V1.9 and requires the…
- Supported Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1 89, Operation…
- Interface: USB2.0 High-Speed Mini-B
- Save space — built-in kickstand for vertical placement and storage
- Convenient — scan letter-sized documents in as fast as 10 seconds (3)
- Compact and lightweight — USB powered for portability; 3.1 lb
- PHOTO RESTORATION MADE EASY - Restore color to faded photos with one click using…
- EFFORTLESS ONE-TOUCH SCANNING – Scan documents and images in fewer steps with…
- ENHANCED SCANNING – Seamlessly stitch oversized images together or cloud storage…
- Digitize documents and images
- With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
- Connectivity technology: USB
- Features compact design
- Capture fast, accurate scans of documents and photos
- Scan speed (A4, 300dpi), approximate 10s
- Perfect Picture Imaging System – bring new life to old photos with auto enhancement,…
- Easy to Connect – includes both USB and wireless connectivity for flexible…
- Flexible Scanning – offers modes for easy sharing (300 dpi), archiving (600…
- [1-year limited warranty] We provide a one-year warranty for Non-man-made damage.…
- Compatible with Windows TWAIN, WIA, and MacOS ICA drivers. WIA only supports 600…
- The VF3120 features in frameless and narrow boundary design which allows to scanning…
- Integrated stand for upright scanning - Save space on your desk or counter top
- Power and connectivity via Micro USB - No need for mains powered ac adapter or separate…
- High resolution 4800dpi scanning - Produce high-quality photo and document scans
We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. Last Update: 2024/11/21.