The catch
Brother DS-940DW
It takes one sheet per feed, and the microSD card has to be bought separately.
Side by side
Brother DS-940DW vs ScanSnap iX100: Brother scans both sides to a card while offline
Quick verdict
For two-sided forms and offline microSD capture, the DS-940DW is the better buy. The iX100 suits a lighter, phone-based kit when most of what you scan is single-sided receipts shorter than 34 inches.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Less weight in the bag can still mean twice the handling
At 0.62 lb lighter, the iX100 weighs about 41% less than the Brother’s listed weight. With two-sided originals, though, you have to turn each sheet and feed it again. Choose it for the weight saving on single-sided receipts, and do not assume both automate the same task.
Where this comes from
1.50 minus 0.88 gives 0.62 lb. Accessories are not counted in the weight. The Brother is documented as duplex and the iX100 as simplex.
The catch
Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
You have to flip two-sided originals and scan them again.
Brother DS-940DW
- Why pick it
- Your forms often carry information on both sides
- Longer single-sided receipts or microSD storage matter to you
- The catch
- It takes one sheet per feed, and the microSD card has to be bought separately.
Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
- Why pick it
- You count every ounce in your travel bag
- Most of your scans are short one-sided receipts
- The catch
- You have to flip two-sided originals and scan them again.
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What this page compares
The trade here is automatic back-side capture against a lighter travel scanner. Weigh receipt length, storage and the software you'll use.
For two-sided forms and offline microSD capture, the DS-940DW is the better buy. The iX100 suits a lighter, phone-based kit when most of what you scan is single-sided receipts shorter than 34 inches.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A small bag holding travel receipts and a phone
Each has a battery and Wi-Fi, and the iX100 is lighter.
- Brother DS-940DW
- Good
- Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
- Better fit
Insurance forms signed on the back
Both faces get captured by the Brother in one pass.
- Brother DS-940DW
- Better fit
- Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
- Caution
Receipts of about 40 inches
At a maximum of 34 inches, the iX100 is too short.
- Brother DS-940DW
- Better fit
- Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
- Not suitable
Windows software you already use that requires TWAIN
ScanSnap offers no TWAIN driver.
- Brother DS-940DW
- Better fit
- Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Less weight in the bag can still mean twice the handling
At 0.62 lb lighter, the iX100 weighs about 41% less than the Brother’s listed weight. With two-sided originals, though, you have to turn each sheet and feed it again. Choose it for the weight saving on single-sided receipts, and do not assume both automate the same task.
How we worked this out
1.50 minus 0.88 gives 0.62 lb. Accessories are not counted in the weight. The Brother is documented as duplex and the iX100 as simplex.
The iX100's long-paper mode can't take a 40-inch receipt
The iX100 goes up to 34 inches. In simplex mode the DS-940DW can take up to 72 inches, though for that job you have to give up its shorter return-paper path. Which is the better travel choice depends on the longest receipt you really keep.
How we worked this out
Each maximum applies to a particular mode. None of this promises that damaged, curled or unusually thick paper will scan.
Software can matter more than the hardware gap
A Windows application that expects a TWAIN scanner is served by the DS-940DW. The iX100 relies on ScanSnap’s own driver and software. You can still save a PDF and import it later, but that is a separate step from scanning inside the application you already use.
How we worked this out
Before buying, confirm which driver and operating-system version the application supports.
Option A
Brother, DS-940DW
DS-940DW
Take it away from an outlet, scan two-sided forms, and either send them to a phone or save them to a microSD card.
- Best for
- Your forms often carry information on both sides
Facts we checked
- Reverse side: Gets captured in one pass
- Weight: 1.5 lb
- Longest long-paper mode: 72 inches simplex
- Software integration: Windows TWAIN is available
Option B
Ricoh ScanSnap, iX100
iX100
A battery-powered scanner under a pound that sends a few receipts or cards to a phone.
- Best for
- You count every ounce in your travel bag
Facts we checked
- Reverse side: You turn the original by hand
- Weighs 0.88 lb
- Longest long-paper mode: 34 inches
- Software integration: A ScanSnap-specific driver and no TWAIN
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Brother DS-940DW | Ricoh ScanSnap iX100 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse side | Captured in one pass | Turn the original manually | Even though the wording mentions two-page stitching, the iX100 is simplex. |
| Weight | 1.5 lb | 0.88 lb | The iX100 takes 0.62 lb off the scanner by itself. |
| Maximum long-paper mode | 72 inches simplex | 34 inches | The iX100’s documented limit is shorter than a 40-inch receipt. |
| Software integration | Windows TWAIN available | ScanSnap-specific driver, no TWAIN | The capture software you already run may settle the choice before hardware size does. |
| Standalone card storage | microSD, card separate | No microSD workflow | Local removable storage can receive saves from the Brother. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Brother DS-940DW
- The 72-inch length holds only for simplex scanning on the straight path. Other modes do not reach it.
With Ricoh ScanSnap iX100
- A six-foot receipt is too long for long-paper mode, which reaches 34 inches.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Two-sided originals come up often
Go with Brother DS-940DW. With the duplex mechanism you do not turn each sheet.
Short simplex receipts are all you need, and you want the lightest kit here
Go with Ricoh ScanSnap iX100. Before accessories, the iX100 weighs 0.62 lb less.
Your original is part of a bound book
Neither model fits. A flatbed or overhead scanner is the right tool here. Neither sheet feeder fits.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the DS-940DW if you need two-sided forms and offline microSD capture. Pick the iX100 if you want a lighter phone-based kit and most of your originals are single-sided receipts shorter than 34 inches.
Less weight in the bag can still mean twice the handling
At 0.62 lb lighter, the iX100 weighs about 41% less than the Brother's listed weight. With two-sided originals, though, you have to turn each sheet and feed it again. Choose it for the weight saving on single-sided receipts. Do not assume both automate the same task. The math is 1.50 minus 0.88 equals 0.62 lb. Weight leaves out accessories. Duplex is documented on the Brother and simplex on the iX100.
The iX100's long-paper mode can't take a 40-inch receipt
The iX100 tops out at 34 inches. In simplex mode the DS-940DW accepts up to 72 inches, but for that job you have to stop using its shorter return-paper path. Which model travels better depends on the longest receipt you keep. Both figures are maximums for specific modes. They don't promise that damaged, curled or unusually thick paper will scan.
Software can matter more than the hardware gap
The DS-940DW offers a TWAIN route for a Windows application that expects a TWAIN scanner. The iX100 works through ScanSnap's own driver and software instead. You can still save a PDF and import it later, but that is a separate step from scanning inside the application itself. Before buying, confirm which driver and operating-system version the application supports.
What this page can’t tell you
- Document preparation, OCR and saving time are left out of manufacturer feed ratings.
- Before you buy, confirm the supported media, the scan mode, your current operating system and the destination.
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 DS-940DW |
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| |
| Ricoh ScanSnap iX100 |
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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 DS-940DW
Your forms often carry information on both sides
See price & reviews on AmazonRicoh ScanSnap iX100
You count every ounce in your travel bag
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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