Top 6 Best Business Card Scanners (November 2019) – Buyer’s Guide

Are people frequently handing you their business card? Do you worry about storing all those cards, or losing them and not being able to find the contact information you need? A business card scanner might be the perfect product for you in your office.

With a business card scanner, you can easily scan and store all the business cards you’ve been given. Most business card scanners include a software, which makes it easy to search through the contacts you’ve scanned. So, you can locate a given person’s contact information quickly and easily when you need it.

Best Business Card Scanners of 2019

1. Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi Scanner – Best Overall Business Card Scanner

The Doxie Go is a portable scanner that you can sync directly with your smartphone, eliminating the need for a computer to be close by. This scanner is only about 12 inches across and is narrow, so it can easily be stored in your office desk, or carried along with you in a briefcase or workbag.

Instant access

With the Doxie Go Scanner, you are able to instantly access the business cards you have scanned. The scanner comes with free apps for your smart phone, where you’ll be able to view your scanned items. When you’re back at your computer, syncing the items you scanned is simple.

Connection and storage

You can either connect your phone to your computer over Wi-Fi or use the included USB cable to transfer the documents. Once the documents are uploaded onto your computer, the included ABBYY OCR technology will allow you to create PDF documents from the cards you scanned. You can decide where you want to save your scans-either to your desktop or a cloud service, such as Evernote or iCloud Drive.

Autonomy

Memory

The scanner comes with 2 GB of built-in memory, so it can store your scans in that space and you can expand the amount of storage because the device also has standard SD card slot.

There are other document scanners that can scan a color page more quickly than the Doxie Go can. Consider the number of documents you’re likely to be scanning at one time to consider if this is an important feature to you.

Verdict

We recommend the Doxie Go Scanner. It is easy to bring with you and scan documents and business cards on-the go. In addition, with the included software, you can easily access your scanned items directly from your phone.

2. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 Wireless Mobile Scanner – Best Wireless Scanner

The Fujitsu ScanSnap Wireless Scanner is a portable scanner that you can use to send documents to a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. It is small, compact, and weighs only 14 ounces, making it the perfect size to carry along with you to meetings and events.

This scanner takes just 5.2 seconds to scan a full color page (at a resolution up to 600 dpi), meaning you can quickly scan multiple business cards or other documents. Once you have sent your items to your desired device, you can choose to save your documents on your desktop or to upload them onto the cloud. The PDF files that are created when your documents are scanned are fully searchable, so you can easily organize and find the information you’re looking for.

Scanning of large documents

If you have a document that is larger than a page to scan, you can fold the page in half and scan each side of the document. The Fujitsu ScanSnap will recognize this and will automatically put the pages together into one larger document.

The scanner contains a rechargeable battery, which will allow up to 260 pages to be scanned before needing to be recharged.

Some users have complained that the Fujitsu ScanSnap is not easy to operate. Others have complained that the battery does not last very long between charges.

Verdict

We recommend the Fujitsu ScanSnap Scanner. It scans documents quickly and sends them to your computer where you can organize them, save them, or upload them to the cloud.

3. Ambir Technology PS667 Simplex A6 ID Card Scanner – Best Scanner for Small Documents

At less than eight inches wide, the Ambir ID Card Scanner is very compact and portable. It is designed to scan ID cards, business cards, checks, and other similarly sized items (up to 4.13 x 10 inches)

The Ambir ID Card Scanner comes with a USB cable so you can hook it up to your computer to transfer your scanned documents. You have the option to scan your documents in either color or black and white. The scanner takes only three seconds to scan a business card (when in gray-scale mode).

PC compatibility

The Ambir ID Card Scanner is not compatible with MAC computers, so if you have a MAC, you might want to look at different options. Compared with other wireless scanners, this scanner needs to be hooked up to a computer through a USB cable in order to transfer scanned documents.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a simple scanner to use solely for business cards, we recommend the Ambir ID Card Scanner. It will quickly scan a business card and send it to your computer where the information can be saved.

4. Canon imageFORMULA P-215II Mobile Document Scanner – Best Scanner with an Automatic Feeder

The Cannon imageFORMULA scanner is a sleek, black portable scanner. It can scan many types of paper documents, including business cards, checks, receipts, and full-page documents. Your purchase of the scanner will include a one-year warranty to protect you from any issues with the scanner.

This scanner features an automatic feeding tray, so you can scan up to 20 pages without having to individually load each item. It only takes about 4 seconds to scan a single page. The Cannon imageFORMULA Scanner is designed to be portable, so you can bring it with you to scan on-the-go. It has a wireless battery pack, making on-the-go scanning even easier.

The Cannon imageFORMULA is compatible with both MACs and PCs, as well as mobile devices.

Software features

Some customers have complained that the automatic feeder feature sometimes pulls more than one sheet of paper down at a time, causing some sheets not to scan correctly.

Verdict

We recommend the Cannon imageFORMULA scanner because of the many features it offers. The automatic feeding tray and quick-scanning capabilities make this a great scanner for scanning business cards and other paper documents.

5. PenPower WorldCard Pro Business Card Scanner – Best Multi-Language Business Card Scanner

The PenPower WorldCard Pro Business Card Scanner is easily portable due to its small size. It is designed to scan business cards and upload them to your device.

After scanning a business card, this scanner converts the information into a digital format in seconds. It allows you to sync your new contacts with your Gmail contacts to ensure that you don’t lose any contact information. You can then share your contacts with programs such as Outlook, ACT!, Lotus Notes, or Salesforce. The scanner is compatible with PCs, MACs, and mobile devices. Once you have scanned your documents, you can execute keyword searches to quickly find the contact information you’re looking for.

Language recognition

If you are looking for a truly portable scanner that does not need to be connected to a computer to work, this might not be the best choice for you. The scanner must be connected to a computer or device using the included USB cable in order for it to operate. Some users who have purchased this scanner have complained that it does not read some business cards well, especially ones with logos or designs. Other users have complained that the software for MACs does not work well at all, making it challenging to perform even basic operations.

Verdict

Overall, we do not recommend the PenPower WorldCard Pro Business Card Scanner. Too many customers have complained about poor performance scanning cards and software issues. It is not the best business card scanner you’ll be able to find to meet your needs.

6. Epson WorkForce DS-30 Portable Document & Image Scanner – Best Scanner for Thicker Documents

The Epson WorkForce Scanner is a small black scanner capable to scanning full-page documents. It is small and light, making it easy to carry it in your bag to bring it along with you.

WorkForce DS-30 Portable Scanner can handle the documents pretty well. Sheets of paper of different sizes can be fed into the machine with little problem and are smoothly processed until they come out the other end – something that is seen on the largest possible proportions of a 8.5’x14” poster to something more fiddly like a business card or a receipt.

This scanner is compatible with multiple different operating systems including windows and MAC.

Scanning

The Epson WorkForce Scanner is able to scan thicker documents as well, such as credit cards. To scan a document, you simply need to connect the USB cord to your computer and start the scanner. Once you have scanned a document, you will be able to edit and search within the information you scanned. Additionally, you’ll be able to create PDF and PDF/A files.

This Epson WorkForce DS-30 rarely stutters and the image is read with clarity so that it produces a precise replication. The only issue here is with the limitations on the other items it can scan and this idea of portability.

Disadvantages

The scanner does not have this sense of versatility because it can only scan items that fit through the slot, which is why leaflets and single pages work perfectly but there is no opportunity to scan pages in books.

The other issue is this idea that buyers can “wirelessly scan critical documents”, which can be a little misleading at first. This wireless aspect comes in the ability to send scanned data to the cloud or to an awaiting mobile device for faster transfers and access – the scanner having no internal memory of its own – and it must be noted that buyers have to connect the scanner to a laptop or PC via a USB wire in order for it to work.

This scanner is slower than many other document scanners. It scans 4.6 pages per minutes, which means it takes nearly 15 seconds to scan one full-page document. There is no optional battery pack, so you need to be hooked up to a computer in order for the scanner to work. Many users who purchased this scanner have noted that it does not work well with MACs. Other users have complained about the general operations of the scanner. They have said that it is challenging and time-consuming to scan multiple pages at once. They have also noted that the scanner sometimes will freeze up and not work properly.

Verdict

We do not recommend the Epson WorkForce Scanner. It is slower than other document scanners and does not work very consistently. Additionally, you must be hooked up to a computer in order to use this scanner, which is not the case for some of the alternatives.

Buyer’s Guide

Before you decide on a business card scanner, use the information below to help you consider the different features of your options. You will want to be sure to find the best scanner to meet all your needs. Investing a little time now in comparing your options, will likely save you a lot of time and frustration in the future.

Connection Type

One of the first factors you’ll want to think about is the connection type needed to transfer documents. Do you want a wireless scanner that can operate with a battery pack and send documents through Wi-Fi, or would you prefer a scanner than needs to be connected to a computer in order to work? When you are thinking about this feature, think about where you’re likely to be using the scanner. If you think you’ll primarily use it at your desk, a scanner that connects using a USB cable might be fine for you. If you think you’re likely to be scanning on the go, then you might want to consider finding a wireless scanner that you won’t need to plug into a computer.

Speed

The next thing you’ll want to consider is the speed of the scanners you’re looking at. Some can scan a full page in about five seconds, while others can take twice as long. Do you anticipate needing to scan multiple pages at once where you’ll really appreciate a super quick scanner?

Storage Within the Scanner

Some wireless scanners can store multiple pages worth of documents so you can keep scanning without needing to sync to your computer right away. You’ll need to decide if this is a feature that is important to you. If it is something you’d like to see if the scanner you purchase, then look more closely at the number of documents the different scanners can store before you need to sync them with a computer.

Compatibility with Mobile Devices

For this feature, you’ll want to decide if you want the scanner you purchase to be compatible with your mobile device. With some scanners, you can use Wi-Fi to transfer your scanned documents to your phone or tablet. Other scanners are only compatible with computers.

Scanner Size/Portability

If you plan to use your scanner frequently when you’re away from your office desk, pay attention to how easy it is going to be to carry along with you. Look at the size and weight to help you make this decision.

Maximum Document Size

All the scanners reviewed above can scan a business card, but some can also can a full-page of paper. Do you think you’ll solely use your scanner for business cards, or would you like to have the flexibility to scan larger items sometimes?

Maximum Document Thickness

Another feature you should pay attention to is the maximum document thickness the scanner can handle. Especially if you think you may need to scan credit cards or laminated pages, you will want to make sure you pick a scanner that can handle these items.

Included Software

Before finalizing your decision about which scanner to purchase, look over the included software that will come with your scanner. Does it sound like it is user-friendly and will help you easily organize your contacts? Will you be able to perform key-word searches? Can you create PDFs or JPEGs from your scans? You will also want to pay attention to whether you’ll be able to easily upload your documents to a cloud server and/or share your contacts with programs like Outlook.

Compatibility with Different Operating Systems

Finally, read the product details to ensure that the scanner you want to purchase will be compatible with your devices. You don’t want to purchase a scanner only to have to return it because it will not work with the operating system on your computer.

When you are on the market for a new business card scanner, consider the features above to help you find the perfect scanner that will meet all your needs. Soon, you’ll have found the best scanner for you and you can get busy scanning and organizing all of your contacts.

Conclusion

Business card scanners will foremost eliminate or greatly reduce bulk of papers, which will be stored on your calling card tray, drawer or cabinet. Maintaining a computerized contact manager or database is a more efficient way of storing important contact information of clients, individuals, and other institutions allowing the user to get the needed reference almost in no time. The use of a business card scanner also eliminates the additional human resource needed to manually encode contact details to an existing database. Another important benefit of using a scanner is to provide security or limit access to such personal information only to employees who were granted rights to do so.

There are numerous types of card scanners available in the market, the portable, desktop, those that capture still images, or those that can capture the data and convert them into text. For people who are always on the go, a portable scanner is ideal. It is also the best option for the sales and marketing department of firms who handle a rather large database of clientele. Scanners of this type have been created to be extremely slim and small, most of which, can fit on the pockets of your laptop bags and cases. They usually run on batteries or an easy connection to the USB port. If you own a smart phone, such as a phone that runs the Android platform, you can get scanner applications, like an android business card scanner app on your phone.

A desktop business card scanner on the other hand is designed to stay within the office and larger in size compared to the portable ones, however, they are much more durable and built for heavy duty scanning. Card scanners, which capture still images, compile said electronic photograph of the calling cards themselves. The most advanced of which are those capable of capturing only the business card information or data like the name, address, contact numbers, position, etc. and translate this information into text which can later on be stored in a database or may be used in any other text processing computer program.

When finally searching for the ideal business card scanner to purchase, there are numerous considerations to take note of. The card scanner should be flexible enough to cater to different scanning needs other than business cards. Many of these devices capable of scanning business cards, passports, photos, IDs, receipts, and many more abound the market today. Size consideration is also a consideration; either you will use the scanner more often on outdoors, or when you simply want to save on space. Take note also of the device’s compatibility with your existing computer’s operating system. And most importantly, go for a more budget-friendly yet quality piece.