The catch
Brother ADS-3100
The port for the drive is at the back. If the way the unit is installed makes it impractical to reach, the drive-handoff benefit should not decide the purchase.
Side by side
Brother ADS-3100 vs Epson ES-400 II: Brother files to USB, and its rear port has to stay accessible
Quick verdict
If you need to scan to a compatible USB drive at an AC-powered desk, can reach the rear USB port, and have a compatible computer for changing scan options, the Brother ADS-3100 is the better fit. Its larger feeder also avoids a reload for 51 to 60 supported 80 gsm sheets. If a compatible computer already handles every scan, your packets fit its paper-specific capacity and its complete price is better, the Epson ES-400 II wins. Neither is the answer for direct network scanning.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Do the filing later, while still having a computer available for setup
Brother lets someone scan onto a drive and put off the filing. The port sits at the back, so even a tight shelf has to leave room to insert and remove the drive. Scan options are changed through Remote Setup on a compatible computer. If a computer already receives every file, saving straight to a drive takes no step out of that routine.
Where this comes from
Brother treats the drive port at the rear and the computer connection as separate things. Its Scan to USB instructions turn to Remote Setup whenever scan options need changing.
The catch
Epson ES-400 II
The 50-sheet maximum applies to 80 gsm paper. At 90 gsm the manual brings that down to 43 sheets.
Brother ADS-3100
- Why pick it
- A local USB-drive handoff is what you want, and you have AC power, access to the rear port, a supported drive and a compatible computer for when scan options need changing.
- You often receive 51 to 60 supported Letter/A4 sheets at 80 gsm, you have AC power and either a compatible computer or a supported USB-drive setup, and you don't want to split the packet.
- The catch
- The port for the drive is at the back. If the way the unit is installed makes it impractical to reach, the drive-handoff benefit should not decide the purchase.
Epson ES-400 II
- Why pick it
- A compatible computer handles every scan for you, direct drive saving isn't needed, your paper fits the Epson feeder limit, and its complete price is better.
- The catch
- The 50-sheet maximum applies to 80 gsm paper. At 90 gsm the manual brings that down to 43 sheets.
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What this page compares
USB-drive handoffs, computer setup and real feeder limits are worth sorting out before you choose the Brother ADS-3100 or Epson ES-400 II.
Picture the weekly pile of signed forms. When one person scans and someone else files them later, a drive can serve as the handoff. When the files have to be checked, named and filed right away on an open laptop, the computer is already part of the job. That difference does more for you here than choosing the higher advertised scan rate.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Save onto a thumb drive right at the scanner
For the drive handoff, Brother needs AC power, an accessible rear USB port and a supported drive. To change its scan options you use Remote Setup on a compatible computer. Routine scans run from the panel button.
- Brother ADS-3100
- Better fit
- Epson ES-400 II
- Caution
A 55-sheet packet that recurs
With supported Letter/A4 sheets at 80 gsm, 55 fit in the 60-sheet feeder of the Brother. Epson makes you split the packet at its 50-sheet limit. The count covers loading and not elapsed time.
- Brother ADS-3100
- Better fit
- Epson ES-400 II
- Caution
A 45-sheet job run from a computer
Either holds 45 supported 80 gsm sheets. Epson lists 43 sheets at 90 gsm, so even this shorter packet has to be split. Go by the limit for the paper you use.
- Brother ADS-3100
- Good
- Epson ES-400 II
- Good
Scan wirelessly from a computer on the far side of the room
The exact models both document USB connections to a computer, so cloud destinations in the software do not take away the cable. Epson’s shared manual reserves wireless connectivity for the ES-500W II.
- Brother ADS-3100
- Not suitable
- Epson ES-400 II
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Do the filing later, while still having a computer available for setup
Brother lets someone scan onto a drive and put off the filing. The port sits at the back, so even a tight shelf has to leave room to insert and remove the drive. Scan options are changed through Remote Setup on a compatible computer. If a computer already receives every file, saving straight to a drive takes no step out of that routine.
How we worked this out
Brother treats the drive port at the rear and the computer connection as separate things. Its Scan to USB instructions turn to Remote Setup whenever scan options need changing.
Extra feeder space helps only with the packets you really get
Take a 55-sheet packet of supported 80 gsm Letter/A4 paper that comes in regularly. It fits Brother in one load and takes two on Epson. At 45 sheets, both manage one load at that weight, but Epson allows only 43 sheets at 90 gsm. Count your originals and check their stock before you treat either headline capacity as your everyday capacity.
How we worked this out
The maximum feeder counts on both are for supported A4 or Letter paper at 80 gsm. For heavier paper, Epson publishes a lower capacity.
Filing to the cloud still depends on the computer and its connection
A USB connection to a computer is how these exact scanners work. Cloud destinations in their software do not allow you to put either scanner across the room and send a job over Wi-Fi. If the scanner has to be shared directly over the network, pick a verified network model. The wireless ES-500W II and ADS-3300W are different products.
How we worked this out
Computer USB is what the interface tables list for the exact models. The network features in the shared manuals are for other models.
Option A
Brother, ADS-3100
ADS-3100
This 60-sheet scanner hands off to a drive and suits an AC-powered desk with rear-port access. A compatible computer is used to change scan options.
- Best for
- A local USB-drive handoff is what you want, and you have AC power, access to the rear port, a supported drive and a compatible computer for when scan options need changing.
Facts we checked
- Document feeder: 60 sheets at stated 20 lb basis
- USB destination: Computer USB plus separate USB memory-stick host
- Rated duplex scan rate: Up to 80 images per minute
- Wireless hardware: USB standard interface
Option B
Epson, ES-400 II
ES-400 II
A USB computer scanner that holds 50 supported 80 gsm sheets, or 43 at 90 gsm. Saving directly to a drive is not established.
- Best for
- A compatible computer handles every scan for you, direct drive saving isn't needed, your paper fits the Epson feeder limit, and its complete price is better.
Facts we checked
- Document feeder: 50 sheets at stated 80 gsm basis
- USB destination: Computer USB interface
- Rated duplex scan rate: Up to 70 images per minute
- Wireless hardware: USB standard interface
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Brother ADS-3100 | Epson ES-400 II | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document feeder | 60 sheets at stated 20 lb basis | 50 sheets at stated 80 gsm basis | At 80 gsm the capacities line up. Thicker paper moves the limit. The 55-sheet example cannot be carried over as is to mixed or delicate originals. |
| USB destination | Computer USB plus separate USB memory-stick host | Computer USB interface | Once it has been configured from a computer, Brother saves to a supported drive, provided the rear port is reachable and AC power is in place. Epson documents a USB interface to a computer. |
| Rated duplex scan rate | Up to 80 images per minute | Up to 70 images per minute | An image counts as one side. Nothing in these ratings shows that OCR, naming or upload finishes at that rate. |
| Wireless hardware | USB standard interface | USB standard interface | A Wi-Fi row in the shared manual for ES-500W II does not give ES-400 II Wi-Fi. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Brother ADS-3100
- Settings for Scan to USB are changed through computer-based Remote Setup. Routine scans still require a supported drive and AC power.
With Epson ES-400 II
- The USB connection that is documented goes to a computer. For this exact model, saving directly to a USB drive is not established.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A computer handles every file, packets stay within the paper-specific Epson limit, direct drive saving goes unused and Epson has the better complete price
Go with Epson ES-400 II. In that case the drive destination and spare feeder space on the Brother take no work out of your routine. Compare the exact complete packages. Nothing here asserts a current price advantage.
A USB-drive handoff matters to you, rear-port access and AC power are in place, and a compatible computer can handle scan-option changes
Go with Brother ADS-3100. Go with Brother, using a supported USB Mass Storage drive of up to 128 GB in a listed format. The panel button takes care of routine saves. Scan options are changed through computer-based Remote Setup.
Users need to reach the scanner directly over Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Neither model fits. Step up to a specific network-enabled model.
Decision guide
Before you buy
The Brother ADS-3100 fits an AC-powered desk where someone needs to scan to a compatible USB drive, its rear USB port is within reach, and a compatible computer is available whenever scan options need changing. Its larger feeder also avoids a reload for 51 to 60 supported 80 gsm sheets. The Epson ES-400 II fits when a compatible computer already handles every scan, your packets fit its paper-specific capacity and its complete price is better. Neither answers the need for direct network scanning.
What this page can’t tell you
- Nothing here claims hands-on testing or a current-price comparison, and published speeds are manufacturer ratings under their stated conditions.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the document scanners we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother ADS-3100 |
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| |
| Epson ES-400 II |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Brother ADS-3100
A local USB-drive handoff is what you want, and you have AC power, access to the rear port, a supported drive and a compatible computer for when scan options need changing.
You often receive 51 to 60 supported Letter/A4 sheets at 80 gsm, you have AC power and either a compatible computer or a supported USB-drive setup, and you don't want to split the packet.
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson ES-400 II
A compatible computer handles every scan for you, direct drive saving isn't needed, your paper fits the Epson feeder limit, and its complete price is better.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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