Top 10 list of flatbed scanners in the UK (2025)
The bestseller list compares brands and their flatbed scanners. Which scanner is the best?
- COMPACT DESIGN - Enjoy the effortless adaptability and compact nature of the CanoScan…
- AUTO DOCUMENT FIX - Ensure distortion-free results with Auto Document Fix and Auto…
- EASY FUNCTIONALITY - Take advantage of the 5 EZ buttons and create hassle-free multiple-page…
- Four one-touch buttons - Quick scanning to make regular repetitive scanning tasks…
- 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…
- Enjoy ease of use with 4 'EZ' buttons. With auto scan mode, the Scanner…
- Digitize documents and images thanks to 2400 x 2400 dpi resolution, and with image…
- Scan documents quickly and easily with fast scanning up to 10 seconds
- 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…
- Scan books and photo albums — high-rise, removable lid.Generate searchable…
- Restore color to faded photos — with one click, Easy Photo Fix technology makes…
- One-touch scanning (2) — scan in fewer steps with easy-to-use buttons (2)
- USB 3.0: Fast connectivity ensures you're never slowed down, even when scanning…
- Fast: Scan speed of 25 pages per minute
- Intelligent: With a range of colour and image adjustments, the Epson DS-1630 has…
- SmartScan Software: With Epson ScanSmart software, scans can easily be saved and…
- Flexible: Scanner can handle a range of media types, paper stocks from 35gsm to 270gsm…
- Fast Scanning Speed: The WorkForce ES-50 can scan at a rate of just 5.5 seconds per…
- 48-bit color shade and 16-bit grayscale for scanning drawings, documents, and mo…
- ABBYY FineReader 12, PageManager and Docation included.
- The 4 hot keys provide quick access to the preset functions.
- MULTI-PURPOSE - It is applicable in banking, insurance, real estate, home, office,…
- EASY OPERATION - Power on, select color mode and resolution, press "SCAN"…
- UP TO 32GB STORAGE - Large storage capacity as it supports 32G Micro SD cards. JPEG/PDF…
- Plustek Photo Scanner - ePhoto Z300, awarded the German Design Award 2018, scans…
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The 10 best flatbed scanners to buy in the UK
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 2025?
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 the UK?
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.