The catch
Brother ADS-4700W
Ethernet is available, but its Wi-Fi runs on 2.4 GHz.
Side by side
Brother ADS-4700W vs ADS-4900W: 4900W spares eligible 81–100-sheet packets from being split
Quick verdict
If you often scan 81- to 100-sheet packets or run long recurring sessions, get the ADS-4900W. When smaller packets dominate and you still want the same 4.3-inch touchscreen workflow, the ADS-4700W makes sense.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The clearest case for upgrading is a ninety-sheet packet
Ninety suitable sheets go into the 100-sheet feeder of the ADS-4900W in a single load, but the 80-sheet feeder of the ADS-4700W takes two. What you gain is one less trip to the scanner and not just a bigger number on a spec sheet.
Where this comes from
The capacity figure holds for paper within the stated weight and stack limits. Take out staples and handle mixed media separately.
The catch
Brother ADS-4900W
Preparation, OCR and saving time are not counted in the rated feed speed.
Brother ADS-4700W
- Why pick it
- Your packets mostly run to 80 sheets or fewer
- You value touchscreen jobs over top feed speed
- The catch
- Ethernet is available, but its Wi-Fi runs on 2.4 GHz.
Brother ADS-4900W
- Why pick it
- Your packets regularly land between 81 and 100 sheets
- Long batches come up again and again, or you need 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- The catch
- Preparation, OCR and saving time are not counted in the rated feed speed.
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What this page compares
The comparison covers 80-sheet and 100-sheet feeders, matched 300 dpi speed ratings and Wi-Fi bands, and shows which batch sizes justify the larger model.
If you often scan 81- to 100-sheet packets or run long recurring sessions, get the ADS-4900W. When smaller packets dominate and you still want the same 4.3-inch touchscreen workflow, the ADS-4700W makes sense.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A ninety-sheet packet while you deal with other work
The whole supported packet fits only in the 100-sheet feeder.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Caution
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Better fit
Household paperwork of twenty pages every week
The larger feeder and rated speed count for less.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Good
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Good
Each working day brings several hundred sheets
A higher feed rating under matched conditions can shorten time at the scanner.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Good
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Better fit
Your network policy calls for a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection
Wireless on the ADS-4700W runs on the 2.4 GHz band.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Not suitable
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
The clearest case for upgrading is a ninety-sheet packet
Ninety suitable sheets go into the 100-sheet feeder of the ADS-4900W in a single load, but the 80-sheet feeder of the ADS-4700W takes two. What you gain is one less trip to the scanner and not just a bigger number on a spec sheet.
How we worked this out
The capacity figure holds for paper within the stated weight and stack limits. Take out staples and handle mixed media separately.
A 2.5-minute rated feed-time gap across three hundred sheets
Using the published rates of 40 and 60 ppm, 300 sheets come to 7.5 and 5 minutes of continuous feeding. Neither figure counts refills, image processing, sorting or saving, so the finished job will take longer.
How we worked this out
300/40 minus 300/60 gives 2.5 minutes. The rates are for Letter at 300 dpi with advanced functions disabled.
The smaller model already has the interface upgrade
A 4.3-inch touchscreen and 56 shortcuts come with each. If what frustrates you is picking the right destination and not feeding long batches, the ADS-4700W already delivers the control change that matters. The ADS-4900W justifies itself through capacity, feed rate and dual-band Wi-Fi.
How we worked this out
Ethernet and USB are on both as well, which makes 5 GHz an added network option and not a requirement for sharing.
Option A
Brother, ADS-4700W
ADS-4700W
Several people can pick named scan jobs on the 4.3-inch screen, and nobody has to change settings on a computer.
- Best for
- Your packets mostly run to 80 sheets or fewer
Facts we checked
- Feeder holds 80 sheets
- Rate on Letter at 300 dpi: 40 ppm and 80 ipm
- Bands for Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz
- Job selection: 56 shortcuts on a 4.3-inch touchscreen
Option B
Brother, ADS-4900W
ADS-4900W
Shared office paperwork that arrives in big batches fits here, since you can load up to 100 suitable sheets.
- Best for
- Your packets regularly land between 81 and 100 sheets
Facts we checked
- Feeder holds 100 sheets
- Rate on Letter at 300 dpi: 60 ppm and 120 ipm
- Bands for Wi-Fi: 2.4 and 5 GHz
- Job selection: 56 shortcuts on a 4.3-inch touchscreen
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Brother ADS-4700W | Brother ADS-4900W | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeder | 80 sheets | 100 sheets | Only the smaller feeder hits its reload limit with a 90-sheet packet. |
| Letter 300 dpi rate | 40 ppm and 80 ipm | 60 ppm and 120 ipm | Because the manufacturer’s conditions match, a limited comparison of feed time is possible. |
| Wi-Fi bands | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 and 5 GHz | A better signal is not guaranteed by the 5 GHz the ADS-4900W adds. |
| Job selection | 4.3-inch touchscreen, 56 shortcuts | 4.3-inch touchscreen, 56 shortcuts | Paying more is not justified by the interface in this case. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Brother ADS-4700W
- A 100-sheet packet still takes two loads with an 80-sheet feeder.
With Brother ADS-4900W
- Bound books still need a flatbed instead of this sheet feeder.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You keep going past the 80-sheet limit
Go with Brother ADS-4900W. A packet of up to 100 suitable sheets no longer needs a refill with the larger feeder.
Your jobs are mostly short and the quality of the interface comes first
Go with Brother ADS-4700W. Screen and shortcut capacity are identical already.
You have bound notebooks to digitize
Neither model fits. A flatbed or overhead scanner cannot be replaced by either feeder.
Decision guide
How to decide
The ADS-4900W is the pick for frequent 81- to 100-sheet packets or long recurring scan sessions. Stay with the ADS-4700W if smaller packets dominate and you want the same 4.3-inch touchscreen workflow.
The clearest case for upgrading is a ninety-sheet packet
The ADS-4900W's 100-sheet feeder takes ninety suitable sheets in a single load, while the ADS-4700W's 80-sheet feeder needs two loads. The gain is practical: one fewer trip to the scanner. Capacity assumes paper within the stated weight and stack limits. Pull out staples and prepare mixed media separately.
A 2.5-minute rated feed-time gap across three hundred sheets
Going by the published rates of 40 and 60 ppm, 300 sheets work out to 7.5 and 5 minutes of continuous feeding. Neither figure includes refills, image processing, sorting or saving, so the finished job takes longer. 300/40 minus 300/60 equals 2.5 minutes. The rates are for Letter at 300 dpi with advanced functions disabled.
The smaller model already has the interface upgrade
A 4.3-inch touchscreen and 56 shortcuts come on both. When your frustration is picking the right destination and long batches are no problem, the ADS-4700W already delivers the control change that matters. The ADS-4900W earns its place through capacity, feed rate and dual-band Wi-Fi. Since both also have Ethernet and USB, 5 GHz is an extra network option. Sharing does not require it.
What this page can’t tell you
- Manufacturer feed ratings leave out document preparation, OCR and saving time.
- Confirm the supported media, the scan mode, your current operating system and the destination before you purchase.
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-4700W |
|
| |
| Brother ADS-4900W |
|
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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-4700W
Your packets mostly run to 80 sheets or fewer
See price & reviews on AmazonBrother ADS-4900W
Your packets regularly land between 81 and 100 sheets
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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