Epson America DS870 Document Scanner
✅ PROS
- True 65ppm duplex scanning — both sides in one pass with no slowdown on mixed batches
- Ultrasonic double-feed detection actually catches stapled or sticky pages before they jam
- Built-in flatbed (not just a feeder) handles passports, receipts, and bound documents up to 8.5 inch " x 14 inch "
❌ CONS
- Epson Scan software is dated and crashes intermittently on macOS Ventura and Sonoma
- Plastic feed rollers wear out around 60,000 scans; replacement kit runs $60+
- No Wi-Fi — USB 3.0 or Ethernet only, which surprises buyers expecting modern wireless
The Verdict
The Epson DS870 is a serious piece of scanning hardware wrapped in frustrating software. If you’re processing 500+ pages a day, this machine will keep pace. If you’re a home-office user who wants to scan a few receipts weekly, you’re overpaying for speed you won’t use and fighting drivers that feel a decade old. Here’s the breakdown after digging through 185 Amazon ratings and real-world usage patterns.
What’s Actually in the Box
You get the scanner itself — a compact 11.7" x 7.3" footprint that won’t dominate a desk — plus a 100-page automatic document feeder (ADF), power supply, USB 3.0 cable, and a quick-start guide. The built-in flatbed is a genuine differentiator at this price point; most competing sheet-fed scanners make you buy a separate unit for bound documents. The ADF handles paper sizes from business cards up to legal, and the ultrasonic sensor catches double-feeds before they become paper jams.
Performance: Where It Earns Its Keep
The headline spec is real: 65 pages-per-minute duplex scanning, which means 130 images per minute when you’re scanning both sides. In practice, that translates to a 50-page contract scanned front-and-back in under 45 seconds. The 100-page ADF means you can load a full document and walk away. Color, grayscale, and black-and-white scans come out sharp at 300 DPI, and you can push to 600 DPI for archival work — though speeds drop noticeably at that resolution.
One buyer summed it up: “Scanned 1,200 pages in my first week without a single jam. My old Fujitsu would have eaten three pages by then.” The build quality feels substantial — metal chassis, solid hinges, no creaks — and the rollers are user-replaceable when they eventually wear out.
Where It Falls Short
The consensus complaint across reviews is the software. Epson Scan (the bundled driver) works, but it’s clunky. Multiple users report crashes on macOS Sonoma, and the interface hasn’t been meaningfully updated in years. You’ll likely want third-party software like PaperPort or ABBYY FineReader for anything beyond basic PDF creation.
There’s also a notable omission: no Wi-Fi. At this price point, buyers expect wireless scanning. You’re tethered via USB 3.0 or Ethernet. If your desk isn’t near your router or computer, factor that in. The feed rollers are consumables — expect to replace them after roughly 60,000 scans, which runs about $60 for the kit. Doable, but budget for it.
Who Should Buy This
- Legal or medical offices processing high volumes of client documents daily
- Accounting firms digitizing tax returns and receipts with mixed paper quality
- Archivists who need the flatbed for old, fragile, or bound materials
Skip it if you’re a home user scanning less than 100 pages monthly, or if you need wireless connectivity. Look at the Epson ES-500W or Brother ADS-4300N instead.
FAQ
Q: Does the DS870 work with Mac? A: Yes, but with caveats. Epson provides macOS drivers, but multiple recent reviews report crashes on Ventura and Sonoma. Windows users report fewer issues. Test with your specific macOS version before committing.
Q: Can it scan plastic ID cards or embossed cards? A: The flatbed handles them fine. The ADF will also process them, but the ultrasonic sensor may flag them as double-feeds. Use the flatbed for anything rigid.
Q: What software is included? A: Epson Scan (basic scanning), plus a trial of ABBYY FineReader for OCR. You’ll want to budget for full OCR software if you need searchable PDFs regularly.
The Verdict
Buy it if you need reliable, high-volume duplex scanning with a built-in flatbed and don’t mind wired connectivity.
Skip it if you want wireless scanning, use a Mac, or only scan occasionally.
The Epson DS870 is a professional-grade scanner with a consumer-grade software experience. The hardware deserves 4.5 stars; the software drags it down. At 3.7/5 from 185 ratings, the numbers reflect that split. For high-volume offices on Windows, it’s a solid workhorse. For everyone else, consider your workflow before spending the money.
Rating: 3.7/5
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.