The catch
Epson ES-500W II
It has no touchscreen and can't save directly to a USB flash drive.
Side by side
Epson ES-500W II vs ES-590W: 590W has you choose filing destinations at the scanner
Quick verdict
Long packets and on-device destinations call for the ES-590W. The ES-500W II is a reasonable fit for smaller wireless batches if settings and filing already happen on your computer or phone.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
One hundred sheets take two loads or one
A 100-sheet job gets split in two by the 50-sheet feeder of the ES-500W II, while the ES-590W takes the whole suitable stack at once. That is a clearer reason to upgrade than wanting a newer scanner for its own sake.
Where this comes from
The capacity figure presumes ordinary paper within the feeder’s thickness limit. You still need to prepare the stack and check it.
The catch
Epson ES-590W
Direct USB saving can't write to a password-protected or encrypted memory drive.
Epson ES-500W II
- Why pick it
- Your usual packets stay within 50 sheets
- Working from the computer or app is fine with you
- The catch
- It has no touchscreen and can't save directly to a USB flash drive.
Epson ES-590W
- Why pick it
- You regularly run 51 to 100 sheets through at once
- Touchscreen jobs or a supported USB memory destination are what you want
- The catch
- Direct USB saving can't write to a password-protected or encrypted memory drive.
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What this page compares
A 50-sheet wireless feeder faces a 100-sheet touchscreen model here. Fewer reloads and direct USB saving are what can justify the ES-590W.
Long packets and on-device destinations call for the ES-590W. The ES-500W II is a reasonable fit for smaller wireless batches if settings and filing already happen on your computer or phone.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Thirty sheets sent over Wi-Fi from a computer
The short wireless job is covered by either.
- Epson ES-500W II
- Good
- Epson ES-590W
- Good
A hundred-sheet packet on a busy family evening
One reload is avoided with the newer feeder.
- Epson ES-500W II
- Caution
- Epson ES-590W
- Better fit
Choosing among several filing jobs on the device
Jobs appear on the touchscreen of the ES-590W.
- Epson ES-500W II
- Caution
- Epson ES-590W
- Better fit
Direct destination is a flash drive protected by a password
Protected drives are excluded by the ES-590W, and the ES-500W II has no direct USB capture.
- Epson ES-500W II
- Not suitable
- Epson ES-590W
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
One hundred sheets take two loads or one
A 100-sheet job gets split in two by the 50-sheet feeder of the ES-500W II, while the ES-590W takes the whole suitable stack at once. That is a clearer reason to upgrade than wanting a newer scanner for its own sake.
How we worked this out
The capacity figure presumes ordinary paper within the feeder’s thickness limit. You still need to prepare the stack and check it.
An interruption can cost more than the rated speed difference saves
Feeding 100 sheets continuously takes about 171 seconds at 35 ppm and about 133 seconds at 45 ppm. The gap of roughly 38 seconds leaves out reloading, OCR and saving. For this pair, skipping an extra load may be more noticeable than the raw feed-time saving.
How we worked this out
The 100/35 and 100/45 minute figures rest on published Letter 300 dpi rates. For the ES-590W the rate is explicitly measured over USB.
Having wireless already doesn't make the touchscreen redundant
Wireless scanning works on both, and the ES-590W adds a screen plus direct capture to supported USB memory. Those features count when the scanner is shared and the usual computer is busy. If you already pick every setting in the app, the older model may still handle your whole routine.
How we worked this out
Do not take it that every cloud or editing feature works without a computer. Epson’s requirements for each destination still apply.
Option A
Epson, ES-500W II
ES-500W II
Work through household or office piles over Wi-Fi, so the scanner doesn't have to sit next to a USB cable.
- Best for
- Your usual packets stay within 50 sheets
Facts we checked
- Feeder holds 50 sheets
- Rate on Letter at 300 dpi: 35 ppm and 70 ipm
- Controls: Host software and buttons
- USB flash-drive capture: Absent
Option B
Epson, ES-590W
ES-590W
A 100-sheet feeder and touchscreen destinations make a long paperwork session manageable.
- Best for
- You regularly run 51 to 100 sheets through at once
Facts we checked
- Feeder holds 100 sheets
- Rate on Letter at 300 dpi: 45 ppm and 90 ipm when on USB
- Controls: On a 4.3-inch touchscreen
- USB flash-drive capture: Offered, but only for supported drives
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Epson ES-500W II | Epson ES-590W | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeder | 50 sheets | 100 sheets | The ES-590W halves the feeder loads for a 100-sheet job. |
| Letter 300 dpi rate | 35 ppm and 70 ipm | 45 ppm and 90 ipm over USB | Any speed difference can be limited to the stated conditions. |
| Controls | Buttons and host software | 4.3-inch touchscreen | You can select jobs on the newer machine. |
| USB flash-drive capture | No | Yes, supported drives only | No computer has to be there for that destination. |
| Wireless scanning | Yes | Yes | Wi-Fi by itself does not justify replacing the ES-500W II. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Epson ES-500W II
- Feeding a 100-sheet packet means two loads.
With Epson ES-590W
- Installed software or an account is still needed for certain editing and cloud workflows.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your packets often go past 50 sheets
Go with Epson ES-590W. The practical upgrade is the 100-sheet feeder.
You scan only smaller wireless batches and pick settings in the app
Go with Epson ES-500W II. That existing workflow is covered by the ES-500W II.
Direct capture has to be saved onto encrypted USB storage
Neither model fits. Go with a suitable computer-based workflow.
Decision guide
How to decide
If you have long packets or want on-device destinations, buy the ES-590W. The ES-500W II is a reasonable choice for smaller wireless batches when you already take care of settings and filing from a computer or phone.
One hundred sheets take two loads or one
A 100-sheet job gets split in two by the ES-500W II's 50-sheet feeder, but the ES-590W accepts the whole suitable stack once. That is a better reason to upgrade than just wanting a newer scanner. Capacity assumes ordinary paper within the feeder's thickness limit, and preparation and checking still take your attention.
An interruption can cost more than the rated speed difference saves
Feeding 100 sheets continuously takes about 171 seconds at 35 ppm and about 133 seconds at 45 ppm. The roughly 38-second gap leaves out reloading, OCR and saving. Here, skipping an extra load may be more noticeable than the raw feed-time saving. The 100/35 and 100/45 minute figures use published Letter 300 dpi rates, and the ES-590W's rate is explicitly measured over USB.
Having wireless already doesn't make the touchscreen redundant
Wireless scanning is available on both, but the ES-590W adds a screen and direct capture to a supported USB memory drive. Those features count when the scanner is shared and the usual computer is busy. If you already pick everything in the app, the older model may still cover your whole routine. Don't assume every cloud or editing feature becomes computer-free, because Epson's individual destination requirements still apply.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson ES-500W II |
|
| |
| Epson ES-590W |
|
|
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.
Epson ES-500W II
Your usual packets stay within 50 sheets
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson ES-590W
You regularly run 51 to 100 sheets through at once
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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