Best flatbed scanner UK

Which is the best flatbed scanner 2023?

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The 10 best flatbed scanners to buy in the UK

The top 10 list of the best flatbed scanners lists various brands and prices

Review10Best compares the best flatbed scanners in the UK and selects the one by Canon as the best scanner. In a flatbed scanner buying guide, you can read more about the features of the different scanners and see a recommendation on which flatbed scanner to buy in the UK in 2023. By considering the top list of scanners, you can find the best flatbed scanners and save time shopping online.


Table of contents
  1. Read the ultimate flatbed scanner buying guide
  2. View the flatbed scanner picks and see how they rank in the top list
  3. See other reviews related to scanners

VIEW THE TOP 10 LIST →


Best flatbed scanners: A complete buying guide

All you need to know before buying a great flatbed scanner

Picture of a flatbed scanner

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.

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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?

Another picture of a flatbed scanner

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.
…are you ready for the best picks of 2023?

Top 10 list of flatbed scanners in the UK (September 2023)

The bestseller list compares brands and their flatbed scanners. Which scanner is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Canon LiDE 400 flatbed scanner
Canon LiDE 400 Colour Flatbed Scanner - Black
  • Smart connectivity
  • Easy functionality
  • Improved accuracy
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Offer TOP 2
Image of Epson B11B268401 flatbed scanner
Epson Perfection V39 II Photo and Document Scanner, Black
  • 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
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TOP 3
Image of Plustek OPTICSLIM 1180 flatbed scanner
Plustek Opticslim 1180 Flatbed Scanner
  • Function button design for Scan, OCR, PDF and Email
  • Searchable PDF files format available
  • A3 size scanning area
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TOP 4
Image of Epson Perfection V39 flatbed scanner
Epson Perfection V39 Color Photo & Document Scanner with Scan-To-Cloud…
  • USB powered: No AC adapter required
  • Convert scanned documents into editable text: Optical Character Recognition (OCR)…
  • Remove dust from scanned photos : Advanced Digital Dust Correction
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TOP 5
Image of Epson B11B239401PU flatbed scanner
Epson WorkForce DS-1630 Flatbed Scanner with ADF + Power PDF Software…
  • Model number: B11B239401PU
  • Intelligent colour and image adjustments - Auto crop, skew correction, blank page…
  • Scan a wide range of documents - Including books, bound documents, passports and…
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TOP 6
Image of BROTHER DS-640 flatbed scanner
Brother DS-640 Document Scanner, USB 3.0, DSMobile, Portable, 15PPM,…
  • For DIN A4, receipts, business cards, ID documents, etc. Note: The product is not…
  • Numerous software options for image enhancement.
  • Lightweight at only 466 g.
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TOP 7
Image of Plustek 654971 flatbed scanner
Plustek A3 CCD Flatbed Scanner OpticPro A320E, Large Foramt up to…
  • [Windows, Mac and Linux] - Support Windows 7/8/10 , Mac OS X 10.8.x to 10.15.x. User…
  • [TWAIN and WIA support] - Industry standard TWAIN drivers ensure compatibility with…
  • [BATCH SCANNING] With A320E, you can scan multiple printed images at one time and…
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TOP 8
Image of VIISAN VF3120 flatbed scanner
Viisan VF3120 A3 Flatbed Scanner Resolution 1200x1200 dpi, editing…
  • WIA & TWAIN Compatible. OCR engine supports 120 languages.
  • Various image editing functions: Dust Removal, Descreening, Color Restoration, Unsharp…
  • Fast Scanning in 8 seconds at 200 dpi in color. Automatic Multiple images cropping.…
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TOP 9
Image of BROTHER PDS6000FZ1 flatbed scanner
Brother PDS-6000F Document Scanner | Professional High Speed Scanner…
  • Auto 2-sided 80ppm Scan Speed. 1.8 Second flatbed scan speed
  • 100 Sheet Automatic Document Feeder
  • Reliable - reduces the risk of damaging documents during scanning
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TOP 10
Image of Epson 235L883 flatbed scanner
Epson WorkForce DS-1630 Flatbed Scanner with ADF
  • 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…
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Affiliate Disclosure

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For the list of the best scanners, 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. It is not a flatbed scanner test. Last Update: 2023/09/30.