Epson FastFoto FF-680W Review: Fast Photo Box Scanning (October 2026)
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W suits large photo batches with a feeder for up to 36 photos and a claimed speed of up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi. Its wireless connection and photo tools add flexibility, while careful feeding still matters for old prints.
On this page (8 sections)
- What does the Epson FastFoto FF-680W do well?
- How fast is the FF-680W for photo batches?
- What should you check before feeding old prints?
- Which resolution should you use?
- Can it replace a document scanner?
- How does the FF-680W compare with alternatives?
- Who should choose the Epson FastFoto FF-680W?
- Is the Epson FastFoto FF-680W worth considering?
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is built for scanning a large box of prints in batches, with a feeder for up to 36 photos and duplex capture for notes on the back. Epson claims a speed of up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi under a stated test condition.
Its appeal is the combination of photo-focused tools, wireless connection and document scanning. The trade-off is that feeder scanning works best when prints are in suitable condition and sorted before a batch begins.
What does the Epson FastFoto FF-680W do well?
The FF-680W makes sense when you have many loose prints to digitize and want to work through them in batches. It can scan photos up to 8 x 10 in, as well as Polaroid photos, panoramas and postcards.
Epson FastFoto FF-680W: Best for large photo batches
- Batch scans up to 36 photos
- Claimed speed up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi
- Wi-Fi and USB
- Duplex photo scanning
A photo-focused feeder scanner for people who want to digitize many prints in batches, with automatic image adjustments and a mobile app for adding voice and text.
Pros
- Feeds up to 36 photos per batch
- Captures handwritten notes on photo backs in one scan
- Includes color restoration, red-eye reduction, crop and rotate tools
- Scans documents up to 240 in
Cons
- Feeding still requires sorting and preparing photos
- The stated 1 photo per second speed applies to a specific 300 dpi test condition
- A feeder is less suited to prints that should not pass through rollers
The scanner can capture both sides in one pass, which is useful when family members wrote names, dates or places on the back. Epson's FastFoto app can also add voice and text to photos and create slideshows from a smartphone.
Automatic image tools include enhancement, color restoration, red-eye reduction, de-skew, cropping and rotation. These can reduce the editing work after a batch, though you should keep an untouched scan if you want an original digital copy before adjustments.
How fast is the FF-680W for photo batches?
Epson's stated top speed is up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi, based on scanning thirty-six 4 x 6 in photos in landscape orientation from scan start to the end of feeding. Epson notes that results can vary with the connected computer's processor, memory and operating system.
That claim describes a particular setup, not every photo, resolution or batch. Larger prints, higher scan settings and the time needed to arrange and review photos can all affect how long an archive project takes.
Batch scanning can still save handling time compared with placing each print on a flatbed. For more detail on planning a batch and splitting the resulting scans into individual files, see our guide to scanning multiple photos at once.
What should you check before feeding old prints?
Check each photo for tears, curling, loose corners, sticky surfaces or other damage before feeding it. Set aside prints that might snag or need extra care, and follow Epson's instructions for cleaning and using the included carrier sheet.
The FF-680W includes a microfiber cloth for lightly dusting photos and SafeTouch technology for scanning delicate photos. Those features don't remove the need to inspect each print before it enters the feeder.
Clean photos carefully and avoid pressing dirt into the surface. Our guide to cleaning old photos before scanning covers gentle preparation steps.
Don't assume every family print is a standard 4 x 6. Sort panoramas, postcards, Polaroids and larger prints separately so you can plan the batch and avoid mixing formats that may feed differently.
Which resolution should you use?
Choose a resolution based on how you'll use and keep each scan. The FF-680W offers 300 dpi for sharing, 600 dpi TIFF for archiving and 1200 dpi for enlargements, with the 1200 dpi option described as interpolated.
A 300 dpi scan can be a practical choice for everyday sharing and viewing. For photos you may want to crop or enlarge later, a higher setting can preserve more image detail, but it also creates larger files and can take more time to process.
Save your important family archive in a format and location that suit long-term storage. Our photo scanning resolution guide explains how to match scan settings to print size and intended use.
Can it replace a document scanner?
The FF-680W also handles paperwork, scanning documents up to 240 in long and supporting speeds up to 45 pages per minute or 90 images per minute under the stated conditions. Epson ScanSmart includes OCR, which can turn scanned document images into readable text.
That combination can be useful if you want one machine for photo archives and occasional documents. It also supports Dropbox and Google Drive backup, along with Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.
If most of your scanning is paperwork, compare it with the ScanSnap iX1300 review, which focuses on a compact duplex paper scanner. The FF-680W's photo features are most valuable when prints make up a meaningful share of your scanning.
How does the FF-680W compare with alternatives?
The best alternative depends on whether you prioritize mixed batches, one-at-a-time feeding or a broader photo-and-document workflow. These options trade off connection type, feeding style and photo-specific features.
Canon imageFORMULA RS40: better for mixed paper batches
The Canon RS40 scans both sides of photos and documents at once, with an automatic feeder and a stated speed of up to 40 items per minute. Its bundled software includes photo enhancement and red-eye correction, and it supports Windows and Mac.
The Canon offers useful flexibility for household paperwork alongside prints. The Epson has a larger stated photo batch size and adds Wi-Fi plus the FastFoto smartphone app.
Plustek ePhoto Z300: better for one-at-a-time feeding
The Plustek ePhoto Z300 accepts 3 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 in prints and uses a CCD sensor. Its software includes auto-crop, rotation and faded-color restoration, with 300 dpi and 600 dpi settings.
It doesn't offer the Epson's batch feeder or duplex capture. That simpler pace may suit a smaller set of prints or a workflow where you want to handle each photo individually.
ScanSnap iX2500 Photo Edition: better for saved workflows
The ScanSnap iX2500 Photo Edition includes three carrier sheets for delicate prints, supports Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C, and has a touchscreen for scan profiles. Its feeder holds up to 36 photos or up to 100 documents.
Its workflow features go beyond basic photo batching. The Epson is a more direct fit if the main job is a large print archive with photo-specific enhancement and voice or text additions through its app.
Who should choose the Epson FastFoto FF-680W?
Choose the FF-680W if you have many prints and want to batch-scan them with photo tools built in. Its 36-photo capacity, duplex capture and wireless connection support a practical archive workflow from scanning to sharing.
It also fits a home that scans longer documents or wants OCR alongside family photos. Epson's stated document capacity and speed make it capable of more than photo work, though the main reason to choose it is its photo workflow.
Consider a flatbed if your collection includes many damaged or unusually delicate prints that you don't want to feed. For more options across different scanner types, start with our plain guide to scanners for home use.
Is the Epson FastFoto FF-680W worth considering?
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a strong match for large photo boxes that need batch scanning, back-side notes and basic image correction. Its value depends on whether those features will save you time across enough prints to justify choosing a dedicated photo-focused feeder.
Pick the Canon RS40 if mixed photo and paper batches matter more, or the Plustek Z300 if you prefer one-at-a-time photo feeding. If your priority is getting through a large archive quickly with Wi-Fi and photo tools, the FF-680W is the clearest fit among these choices.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos can the Epson FastFoto FF-680W scan at once?
The FF-680W can batch-scan up to 36 photos. Epson says it can scan as quickly as 1 photo per second at 300 dpi under a specific test condition using thirty-six 4 x 6 in photos in landscape orientation; actual results can vary with the connected computer.
Can the Epson FastFoto FF-680W scan the back of a photo?
Yes. Its duplex scanning can capture the front image and handwritten notes on the back in one scan.
This can help preserve captions or dates that would otherwise need to be recorded separately, though you should check prints for loose edges or damage before feeding them.
Does the FF-680W scan documents too?
Yes. It scans documents up to 240 in and includes Epson ScanSmart with optical character recognition, which converts scanned images into readable text.
It also supports Wi-Fi and USB connections, so you can use it for paperwork as well as photo batches.
Is the Epson FastFoto FF-680W right for fragile old photos?
It includes SafeTouch technology, a carrier sheet and a microfiber cloth for lightly dusting photos. Still, inspect delicate, curled or damaged prints before using any feeder.
For prints you don't want to feed, a flatbed scanner gives you more control over placement.
