Ricoh ScanSnap IX2400 Review: Fast Document Scans, Sensible Trade-Offs

At 6.3 by 11.5 by 6.3 inches (HWD), the ScanSnap iX2400 is fairly compact for a document scanner of its speed and paper capacity. For comparison, it’s the same size as the iX2500, and a little taller (6.3 inches versus 6.0 inches) than the previous-model iX1400.

(Credit: David English)

On the other hand, the iX2400 is considerably larger than the Epson WorkForce ES-C320W (a trim 4.9 by 11.7 by 4.1 inches) and somewhat smaller than the Brother ADS-4300N (7.5 by 11.7 by 8.5 inches) and Canon imageFormula R40 Document Scanner Receipt Edition (9.6 by 11.4 by 9.9 inches).

If desk space is a critical issue, you may want to favor the smaller Epson WorkForce ES-C320W, with one caveat: The highly space-efficient models tend to be slower, with less-generous paper capacities. Otherwise, the relatively slim ScanSnap iX2400’s 6.3-inch depth could give it an advantage over the Brother ADS-4300N or the Canon R40 Receipt Edition.

Keep in mind that these measurements are for the scanners when they’re closed. The devices can expand by as much as two to three times that when you extend the plastic guides upward and outward to accommodate your documents. For example, the ScanSnap iX2400 expands to 11.3 by 11.5 by 18.8 inches when its paper-extension tray and document stacker are fully stretched out.

The Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400

(Credit: David English)

The ScanSnap iX2400 tips the scales at 7.1 pounds, versus 7.5 pounds for the ScanSnap iX1400, although weight isn’t as crucial with desktop devices as it is with portable models. Among the other comparable scanners I’ve mentioned, the Epson ES-C320W is the lightest at 3.9 pounds, while the ScanSnap iX2500 (7.7 pounds) is the heaviest.

Despite its lower price, the ScanSnap iX2400 has the same duplex-capable 100-sheet ADF as the ScanSnap iX2500. That’s twice the 50-sheet capacity of the iX1400 and five times the capacity of the Epson ES-C320W. The Brother ADS-4300N comes close with its 80-sheet ADF, while the Canon R40 Receipt Edition lags behind with its modest 60-sheet ADF.

The ADF capacity for any of these models will depend on the thickness and weight of the paper. (They’re usually rated for standard A4 pages.) If you plan to scan receipts, you’ll be happy to know that the iX2400 has the same Receipt Guide attachment that’s included with the iX2500. When using the attachment, though, the scanner’s 100-sheet capacity drops to 50.

Also impressive given its lower price, the iX2400 matches the iX2500’s hefty peak daily duty cycle rating of 7,000 sheets. Paired with the iX2400’s large 100-sheet ADF, you would have to load and reload the ADF 70 times during the day to reach that maximum rating. By contrast, the ScanSnap iX1400 and Brother ADS-4300N have a peak daily duty cycle rating of 6,000 sheets. The Canon R40 Receipt Edition has a peak daily duty cycle of 4,000 sheets, while the Epson ES-C320W’s rating is just 3,500 sheets.

Where the iX2400 makes a clear break with the iX2500 is by leaving out the latter’s LCD screen and Wi-Fi connectivity: You can’t use the unit as a standalone scanner, and you can only hook it up to a computer by USB. To get the beefier options, you’ll need to pay extra for a spiffier model like the iX2500. (The iX2400 doesn’t have an Ethernet port, either.)

The Ricoh ScanSnap iX2400 with paper tray deployed

(Credit: David English)

Still, many similar-priced models lack those features, too. The Brother ADS-4300N, Canon R40 Receipt Edition, Epson ES-C320W, and Ricoh ScanSnap iX1400 don’t have an LCD, either. And among that group, only the Epson ES-C320W has Wi-Fi connectivity. At the same time, you can save a significant amount of money if you know you’ll use the scanner only via USB. Case in point: The iX2400’s list price is $90 lower than the iX2500’s.

The advanced skew-detection system in the iX2400 and iX2500 was previously available only on Ricoh’s pricier business scanners. That system uses a brake roller to hold subsequent pages in place, while an ultrasonic sensor examines the current page for skew at its leading edge. If the system detects that the page is tilted, it will automatically halt the feed operation to prevent any damage.