Still, there are a wide variety of options available—ranging from scanners with high resolution for enhanced images and text to compact models for traveling professionals to scanners with a suite of software features. Whatever your business needs are, here are the best receipt scanners to consider. Along with a built-in battery, the scanner includes a USB 3.0 cable for a hardwired connection when needed. This unit lets you scan documents to specific file locations, email, and even microSD memory cards with the included reader slot. The receipt scanner is also compatible with Windows-, macOS-, and Linux-based computers, ensuring that you won’t have any connection issues. With 1,200 dpi resolution, you can scan receipts up to 72 inches long, warranty and contract paperwork, and even business and ID cards with excellent clarity and detail. The included suite of software includes programs that allow you to make minor edits like text and color optimization and to convert scanned images into editable Microsoft Word documents. This receipt scanner is also Energy Star-certified so it won’t drain your laptop battery. Even more, you can scan documents to specific file locations or cloud storage services like Dropbox, iCloud, and Google Drive. The receipt scanner comes with software that allows you to adjust the image quality from 600 to 1,200 dpi, enhance text and colors, and automatically remove blank pages from documents. This scanner is also made of recyclable materials and features a sleep mode to save energy. With built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, you can scan receipts to fax, email, USB memory storage, or cloud storage services without a computer. The Raven cloud storage service also lets you edit documents and search for files by title and keyword. Plus, the included editing software features text recognition—even for handwritten notes. This receipt scanner measures just 12.4 x 8.2 x 7 inches. This receipt scanner has a 600 dpi optical resolution for crisp, clean text and accurate colors. It also uses both an AC wall adapter and a USB cable, which connects to your Windows or macOS laptop for power. Better yet, it’s Energy Star-certified for low power consumption. With single-pass duplex scanning, you can scan up to 8 ppm with a resolution of 1,200 dpi for ultra-crisp text and accurate images. There are also carrier sheets included for smaller receipts, ID cards, and business cards. Connect the scanner to your Windows or macOS laptop via the USB cable for file transfers and power. A built-in SD card slot can scan and save images and documents for organizing and editing, too. This receipt scanner is powered by a rechargeable battery that gives you up to 1,000 scans per charge (almost 2.5 hours of continuous use on a single charge). It also lets you sync all of your devices so you can easily find JPEG, PNG, or PDF scan files on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. If you frequently deal with sales receipts, this scanner can handle documents up to 196 inches long. The included software suite allows you to scan images and documents to dedicated file locations, email, mobile devices, and USB memory storage for easy organization. It also features automatic background and blank page removal, as well as image de-skewing for accurate image and text placement. Connect the Energy Star-certified scanner to your Windows, Linux, or macOS computer via the USB for file transfer.
What to Look for in a Receipt Scanner
Size
Do you want something portable or something that will sit on your office desk? What size documents do you plan to scan? Tied into that decision is weight, especially if you’re going to be carrying it around.
Speed
In general, the faster your scanner, the more you can expect to pay. So think about how much that matters to you. If you’re only putting the occasional receipt or contract through, then waiting slightly longer is probably not going to be a big deal. But for daily digital scanning, pay attention to the ppm when comparing models.
Auto-feed
If you scan a lot of multi-page documents, you should pay attention to how many pages you can put into the auto-feeder at once so you can load it up and walk away.
Features
From duplex scanning to touchscreens to software that is compatible with other programs you use, think about which features can streamline your workflow and keep you more organized—and then figure which ones are worth paying a few extra bucks.
How does a receipt scanner save the images you scan?
Receipt scanners create digital files of receipts and other paper documents and let you retrieve them in a couple of different ways. You might be able to send the documents to your computer or device wirelessly or via a USB connection, send them directly into a cloud backup, or save them to a memory card.
Is it better to just scan documents using your phone or tablet?
While there are apps for mobile devices that let you scan by taking a photo, doing so is a manual process that can get tedious. That’s especially true if you have very long receipts. With a receipt scanner, you can feed the papers in (in many cases, a stack at a time) and let the scanner go to work for you.
What’s the difference between a receipt scanner and a regular scanner?
A receipt scanner lets you feed the paper through so the hardware can capture the image quickly, whereas, with a flatbed scanner or one that is built into a multifunction printer, you must lay the item down on the glass. Flatbeds could be better in certain situations, such as if you have a photo or delicate item you don’t want to put through a feeder. But for businesses that do a lot of scanning, a receipt scanner is the way to go.
