There are many options available when it comes to choosing the best scanner for scanning and digitizing baseball card collections. When selecting a scanner, it is important to consider several key factors such as scanner type, scanning resolution, scan speed, image quality, scanning size capabilities, included software, and overall value. A high-quality scanner will help preserve the appearance and condition of cards over time by allowing them to be viewed and shared digitally rather than handled physically.

The first thing to consider is the type of scanner. Flatbed scanners are a good general option that allows cards and other collectibles to be placed face up on the scanner bed for scanning. Sheetfed scanners are best for scanning large batches of cards but may require manually feeding each card. Film or negative scanners can work for thinner cards but lack the size capacity of flatbeds. Drum scanners provide the highest resolution scans but are a large investment better suited for professional use.

When it comes to resolution, you’ll want at least 1200 dpi for scanning standard baseball cards sized around 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Higher resolutions like 2400-4800 dpi are better if you plan to highly enlarge or crop digital images later on without losing quality or sharpness. A resolution around 1200-2400 dpi should work well for most card collectors while balancing file size. Larger scans like high-resolution images of entire card sheets may benefit more from 4800 dpi or higher resolution scans.

Scanning speed is important if you have a large collection to digitize as faster scan times will save you hours of waiting. Most flatbed scanners for homes and small offices scan between 1-8 pages per minute depending on resolution. Faster photo scanners up to 20-30 seconds per scan offer quicker batch scanning. Consider your anticipated yearly digitizing needs when weighing faster vs slower models.

Along with resolution, image quality should be a top criteria. Look for scanners with optical resolutions above 48-bit color depth for rich, vibrant card reproductions. Advanced scanning features like interpolated resolutions beyond the native dpi, image correction tools, auto brightness/exposure, and color restoration can all help achieve show-quality digital scans. Dust and scratch removal is handy for preserving condition of older cards too.

Make sure the scanning size is large enough for your needs. Common baseball card sizes need at least 8×11 inch capacity but larger plates up to 11×17 or 13×19 can scan full card sheets or larger items. Some scanner/software bundles even allow stitching multiple scans together into larger panoramic images.

Along with the scanner itself, evaluate included/compatible software. While basic picture scanning is simple, advanced image editing may require downloading additional programs. Look for robust bundled programs offering features like file management, OCR, annotations, auto file/folder organizing, red-eye removal, etc. Software should smoothly transfer high quality scans to digital storage like PCs, cloud services or direct uploads to sports card collecting apps.

When weighing all these aspects against your specific collecting needs and budget, one of the best all-around affordable options for scanning baseball cards is the Epson Perfection V600 Photo Flatbed Scanner. Offering a combination of 4800 dpi optical resolution, up to 8 seconds per scan time, 8.5×11.7 inch scan area, 64-bit color depth images and included Epson Scan software, it delivers excellent scans at under $200. For professional level photography and scanning, the EpsonExpression Photo HD 1280 costs more around $350 but includes advanced features like autoexposure and 90 second per page speed making it great for high volume scanning projects.

Whichever scanner matches your priorities like budget, collection size and intended use, taking the time to digitize baseball cards is worthwhile to preserve the cards long term while allowing the images to be easily accessed, shared and stored in multiple places. A quality mid-range flatbed scanner helps achieve show-quality scans for both archiving collections privately or uploading images online with communities of other fans and gamers. With scanners continuously improving while dropping in price, there has never been a better time to consider digitizing treasured card collections for enjoyment and safekeeping. Choosing the right fit based on these criteria will serve you well for many years.