The best scanners for teachers

As an educator, you end up with multiple piles of paper, from student homework to lesson plans.

Between filing, organising, and managing other admin, it can be hard to keep on top of it all. Luckily for you, the right scanner can make this a problem of the past. By scanning and uploading any work, you can save up a lot of space, time, and effort. 

Doesn’t it sound nice to have everything in one place? You can mark work on the go from your laptop and find documents in seconds. So, what type of scanners should you be looking for as a teacher?

What makes a scanner teacher-friendly?

When you have such a busy workload, you want something that’s quick and easy to use. 

As a teacher, you most likely won’t need a highly technical or advanced scanner. Instead, you’ll want to look for something that makes your life easier, not harder. Search for scanners that can handle mixed paperwork. You’ll especially want something that’s easy to operate if you’re adding it to a classroom or shared teacher space.

A good place to start is by looking for these features:

  • An automatic document feeder (ADF) so you can load a stack and get on with something else.
  • Duplex scanning, so it captures both sides in one go.
  • On-device shortcuts/profiles to make repeated scanning quick and efficient. 
  • The ability to send files straight to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and email. 
  • OCR technology that allows you to search for PDFs.
  • Small or compact design that fits easily into a classroom or workspace. 

6 best scanners for teachers

So, in no particular order, here are some of the best scanners for teachers and educators looking to streamline their work.

1. Brother ADS-1300 Portable A4 Scanner

The Brother ADS-1300 scanner is designed for teachers who are constantly on the go. 

This compact A4 document scanner is small but powerful. It can handle everyday school paperwork (worksheets, forms, letters) with duplex scanning and a 20-sheet ADF. It’s also handy for scanning to common destinations like PDF or email, making the process a lot quicker.

You can connect it to a computer with a USB and scan straight there. Plus, it comes with 2-sided colour scanning and integrated editing software, so you don’t have to mess about with editing apps afterwards.

Notable features

  • Has a slot for plastic ID cards
  • Scans up to 30 ppm
  • Can scan various sizes and thicknesses of paper (up to 128 gsm) 

2. Ricoh fi-8170 A4 Document Scanner

The Ricoh fi-8170 scanner is another staple scanner for teachers. 

It’s built for batch scanning with a 100-sheet automatic document feeder and 70 pages per minute speeds, plus duplex scanning to capture both sides in one pass. You can batch scan documents in seconds without worrying about misfeeds; it fixes any alignment issues for you.

What teachers and school admin teams usually notice first is how well it handles mixed media. It features advanced paper-handling technology and secure digital document storage, offering protection for sensitive documents. 

Notable features

  • Comes with PaperStream IP & PaperStream Capture Software
  • High image quality 
  • Can scan batch documents from 20 gsm to 465 gsm. 

3. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX2500 Wi-Fi Document Scanner

If you’re scanning books, marking classwork, and filing consent forms and parent letters every week, the ScanSnap iX2500 is the one for you. 

This desktop scanner is designed for handling batch work documents, with a 100-sheet feeder and fast duplex scanning. It allows you to set up a repeatable scanning routine, so you don’t have to mess with the settings every time. 

It can connect to Windows, macOS, iOS & Android devices, offering flexibility for schools and teachers. Since it’s fast and easy to use, teachers and students can figure out how to operate it quickly; just use the built-in touchscreen.

Notable features

  • Scans straight to the cloud 
  • Has a scanning speed of 45 ppm
  • Includes smart text recognition

4. Epson WorkForce DS-790WN Network Scanner

The Epson DS-790WN is designed for multi-user scanning, making it perfect for schools or teachers who handle high volumes of paperwork.

It’s a network scanner with a 100-sheet feeder, a touchscreen, and stand-alone scanning features that help teachers and students send documents directly to the right destinations across the school. 

The Epson WorkForce is ideal for admissions paperwork, attendance records, finance, HR, and safeguarding-related admin, where files need to be stored and shared in a controlled way. It can even digitise double-sided pages and laminated cards. 

Notable features

  • Ability to scan long documents
  • 10.9cm colour LCD touchscreen
  • 45 ppm scanning and 90 ipm double-sided capturing 

5. Brother ADS-1800W Portable Wireless Scanner

The Brother ADS-1800W is a great step up for portable scanning and a device that can be shared by multiple teachers or students. 

It keeps the compact size and classroom-friendly footprint but adds wireless connectivity and a large touchscreen. With one-touch shortcuts and preset profiles, you can create options like “SEND paperwork”, “Trip letters”, or “Office filing” so you can come back and use them without having to set up the whole process again. 

This scanner can even connect directly to your phone or be powered via USB Type-C. Plus, you can scan from anywhere with wireless connectivity. Its portable, compact design makes it perfect for placing on your desk or for those who teach online.

Notable features

  • Large 7.1cm touchscreen
  • Scans up to 30 ppm
  • Scan-to-cloud functionality

6. IRIS Desk 6 PRO A3 Overhead Scanner

Being a teacher doesn’t always mean scanning loose sheets of paper. Sometimes you need to upload book extracts or scan artwork and posters. 

For this reason, the IRIS desk pro scanner is a lifesaver. This is perfect for any type of teacher, but especially art teachers who need to scan artwork or various paper and card formats. 

These overhead scanners even support quick capture and video-style use, in addition to scanning. If you need to record a presentation or a PowerPoint, this scanner can help you capture books or artwork for use later. 

Notable features

  • One-click scanning
  • Portable design 
  • 12MP image sensor 

Save money with refurbished scanners

If you want to enjoy all the benefits of a high-quality scanner without the expensive price tag, check out our refurbished scanners. 

All of our scanners are in excellent condition, since they have been restored by experts in the field. But don’t worry, if any issues arise, all of our scanners come with a warranty!