The Brother ADS-4900W sets a high standard for desktop scanning with its 60ppm scan speed, 100-page ADF capacity, and robust wireless connectivity. PCMag and IT Pro reviewers praised its performance, ease of installation, and versatile software bundle that includes OCR tools and cloud integration capabilities. The device supports major cloud services like SharePoint, Dropbox, and Google Drive, making it ideal for SMBs seeking reliable, high-speed scanning. However, it lacks an NFC chip and has a limited daily duty cycle compared to some competitors.
Full review
Performance and Speed
The Brother ADS-4900W delivers on its promise of high-speed scanning, achieving 60 pages per minute for both color and monochrome documents at 300dpi resolution, according to PCMag's William Harrel. This represents a 20% boost over its predecessor, the ADS-3600W, which was already noted for its performance. IT Pro's Dave Mitchell confirmed these speeds with real-world testing, noting that a 40-page stack of bank statements scanned at 66ppm at 200dpi and 300dpi, with speed dropping to 17ppm at 600dpi—a level that's still acceptable for archival purposes. The scanner's 100-page automatic document feeder (ADF) allows for continuous scanning without manual intervention, making it ideal for high-volume office environments. The device's ability to handle both single- and double-sided documents efficiently was praised by reviewers, with the ADF's capacity doubling from 50 to 100 pages compared to previous models.
Build Quality and Design
The ADS-4900W features a robust build quality that reflects its professional-grade positioning, measuring 9.2 by 11.6 by 7.0 inches (HWD) and weighing 7.8 pounds. PCMag's review highlighted that it's slightly lighter than most competitors in its category, yet still substantial enough to feel solid and reliable. The scanner's design includes a 4.3-inch color customizable touchscreen display, which is larger than the 9.3cm model of the previous generation, making it more finger-friendly. The control panel includes three buttons—Back, Home, and Cancel—along with customizable tabs that allow users to create up to 56 custom panels for different workflows. The scanner's closed size is about one-third of its in-service dimensions, and it extends to approximately three times its closed length, making it space-efficient for office settings. The device also supports both wired and wireless connectivity options, including 802.11a/n 5GHz networks, and comes with a 100-page ADF that can handle both simplex and duplex scanning.
Connectivity and Software
The ADS-4900W offers extensive connectivity options, including USB 3, wired Ethernet, and wireless 802.11a/n 5GHz networks. IT Pro's Dave Mitchell noted that the scanner can easily integrate with existing workflows and supports multiple scan-to destinations such as SharePoint Online, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, OneNote, Evernote, and Box accounts. The setup process for these cloud services is straightforward through Brother's Web Connect portal, with each service requiring a simple registration process using a unique 11-digit code. The scanner also supports mobile device integration via Brother's free Mobile Connect iOS and Android apps, allowing users to remotely connect to the scanner, pull in scans, and save them locally or email them as JPEGs and PDFs. The device comes with a generous software bundle that includes Nuance's Paperport 14 SE digital file cabinet and Kofax Power PDF 3 OCR and document conversion tool. Additionally, Windows desktop users receive iPrint&Scan and ScanEssentials utilities, while mobile users get access to the Brother Mobile Connect app, which streamlines one-touch workflows for various destinations including local storage, cloud services, email, and other applications.
What Reviewers Loved
Reviewers consistently praised the ADS-4900W for its speed, reliability, and feature-rich design. PCMag's William Harrel described it as a 'terrific, rock-solid machine' that is 'fast, accurate, feature-rich, and reliable,' positioning it as their current favorite mid- to high-volume sheetfed document scanner for small to medium-size offices. IT Pro's Dave Mitchell echoed these sentiments, noting that the scanner sets a 'high standard for desktop scanning' by combining top performance with great output quality at an affordable price. The scanner's smart color LCD panel was highlighted as a pleasure to use, offering quick access to common walk-up tasks such as scanning directly to network PCs, network shares, FTP, SharePoint, and email servers. The ability to customize shortcuts and create up to 25 profiles through the web interface was also appreciated, allowing for personalized workflows. Additionally, the scanner's support for various scan-to-cloud services, including SharePoint Online, Dropbox, Google Drive, and others, was noted as a standout feature that enhances its versatility in modern office environments.
Where It Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, the ADS-4900W has some notable limitations. One significant drawback is its lack of strong Mac support, which was explicitly mentioned by PCMag's review as a limitation. The scanner's software bundle, while generous, may not fully meet the needs of all users, particularly those requiring advanced features or specific compatibility with Mac operating systems. Additionally, the absence of an NFC chip, although supported by external IC card readers, was noted as a potential inconvenience for users who rely on contactless technology. The scanner's reliance on specific software utilities for full functionality means that users without access to these tools may find some features less accessible. Furthermore, while the device offers a 100-page ADF, it still lacks some of the more advanced features found in higher-end models, such as enhanced security protocols or more sophisticated document management capabilities.
Who It's Best For
The Brother ADS-4900W is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses and workgroups that require high-volume scanning capabilities and need a reliable, feature-rich solution. IT Pro's Dave Mitchell emphasized its suitability for 'busy workgroups with high scan volumes,' particularly those looking for a scanner that can integrate seamlessly with existing workflows and support multiple scan-to destinations. The device's fast scanning speeds, large ADF capacity, and extensive connectivity options make it ideal for environments where efficiency and productivity are paramount. However, it may not be the best choice for users who primarily use Mac operating systems or those who require more advanced security features or specialized document management capabilities. The scanner is also recommended for organizations that value ease of use and want a device that can handle both simple and complex scanning tasks without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
How It Compares to Alternatives
In comparison to its competitors, the Brother ADS-4900W holds its own against models like the Epson DS-790WN Wireless Network Color Document Scanner and the Raven Pro Document Scanner, both of which were mentioned as direct competitors by PCMag's review. The ADS-4900W's 100-page ADF capacity matches that of the Raven Pro and Epson DS-790WN, while offering a 20% speed increase over the ADS-3600W. The HP ScanJet Enterprise Flow 5000 s5 and ScanJet Pro N4000 snw1 are also mentioned as competitors, with the former offering 80-page ADFs and the latter providing a more modest 50-page ADF. The Fujitsu fi-8170 Color Duplex Document Scanner and Canon imageFormula DR-M260 are also noted as alternatives, though the ADS-4900W stands out for its combination of speed, reliability, and feature-rich design. While the HP and Canon models offer different features, the ADS-4900W's versatility and competitive pricing position it as a strong contender in the mid- to high-volume scanner market.
Value at This Price
At a price point of $999.99, the Brother ADS-4900W offers excellent value for money, especially considering its performance and feature set. PCMag's review noted that the scanner combines 'top performance with great output quality at an affordable price,' making it a cost-effective choice for businesses that need a reliable, high-speed scanning solution. The inclusion of a generous software bundle, including Nuance's Paperport 14 SE and Kofax Power PDF 3 OCR and document conversion tool, adds significant value to the package. Additionally, the scanner's ability to integrate with various cloud services and support multiple scan-to destinations enhances its utility and justifies its cost. The device's durability and recommended daily duty cycle of 9,000 pages further contribute to its value proposition, as it can handle demanding office environments without frequent maintenance or replacement. Overall, the ADS-4900W provides a compelling balance of performance, features, and price, making it a strong investment for businesses seeking a professional-grade scanner.
Strengths
- +Scans at 60ppm for both color and mono at 300dpi resolution
- +Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) holds 100 pages
- +Supports 802.11a/n 5GHz wireless networking
- +Includes comprehensive software bundle with OCR tools
Watch-outs
- −No NFC chip included (replaced by external IC card reader support)
- −Limited to 9,000 pages daily duty cycle
How it compares
The Brother ADS-4900W leads in wireless connectivity with 5GHz support and comprehensive cloud integration, something the Ricoh iX2500 and Epson models lack. It's faster than the Epson FastFoto FF-680W for document scanning and offers a better software bundle with OCR tools, but it's less portable than the Brother DS-940DW and lacks NFC support. Unlike the Epson Perfection V39 II, it doesn't offer flatbed scanning, but it's more suited for SMBs requiring high-volume scanning.
Who this is for
At a glance: SMBs needing wireless scanning.
Why you’d buy the Brother ADS-4900W
- Scans at 60ppm for both color and mono at 300dpi resolution.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) holds 100 pages.
- Supports 802.11a/n 5GHz wireless networking.
Why you’d skip it
- No NFC chip included (replaced by external IC card reader support).
- Limited to 9,000 pages daily duty cycle.
Rating sources
Our 4.1 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
