Main trade-off
Brother ADS-4700W
Wi-Fi uses 2.4 GHz, though Ethernet is available.
Head-to-head
Brother ADS-4700W vs ADS-4900W: 4900W avoids a split for eligible 81–100-sheet packets
The short answer
Choose the ADS-4900W for frequent 81- to 100-sheet packets or long recurring scan sessions. The ADS-4700W makes sense when smaller packets dominate and you still want the same 4.3-inch touchscreen workflow.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A ninety-sheet packet is the clearest upgrade case
Ninety suitable sheets fit in the ADS-4900W's 100-sheet feeder but require two loads in the ADS-4700W's 80-sheet feeder. The advantage is one fewer visit to the scanner, not simply a larger number on a specification sheet.
What this is based on
Capacity assumes paper within the stated weight and stack limits. Remove staples and prepare mixed media separately.
Main trade-off
Brother ADS-4900W
Rated feed speed excludes preparation, OCR and saving time.
Brother ADS-4700W
- Choose it for
- Most packets contain 80 sheets or fewer
- Touchscreen jobs matter more than maximum feed speed
- Main trade-off
- Wi-Fi uses 2.4 GHz, though Ethernet is available.
Brother ADS-4900W
- Choose it for
- Packets often run between 81 and 100 sheets
- You scan long batches repeatedly or need 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- Main trade-off
- Rated feed speed excludes preparation, OCR and saving time.
About this comparison
Compare 80-sheet and 100-sheet feeders, matched 300 dpi speed ratings and Wi-Fi bands. See which batch sizes justify the larger model.
Choose the ADS-4900W for frequent 81- to 100-sheet packets or long recurring scan sessions. The ADS-4700W makes sense when smaller packets dominate and you still want the same 4.3-inch touchscreen workflow.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Ninety-sheet packet while handling other work
Only the 100-sheet feeder holds the entire supported packet.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Caution
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Better fit
Twenty-page household paperwork once a week
The larger feeder and rated speed are less consequential.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Good
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Good
Several hundred sheets every working day
The higher matched feed rating can reduce time at the scanner.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Good
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Better fit
Network policy requires a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection
The ADS-4700W's wireless band is 2.4 GHz.
- Brother ADS-4700W
- Not suitable
- Brother ADS-4900W
- Better fit
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A ninety-sheet packet is the clearest upgrade case
Ninety suitable sheets fit in the ADS-4900W's 100-sheet feeder but require two loads in the ADS-4700W's 80-sheet feeder. The advantage is one fewer visit to the scanner, not simply a larger number on a specification sheet.
How we reached this conclusion
Capacity assumes paper within the stated weight and stack limits. Remove staples and prepare mixed media separately.
Three hundred sheets have a 2.5-minute rated feed-time gap
At the published 40 and 60 ppm rates, 300 sheets correspond to 7.5 and 5 minutes of continuous feeding. Both figures exclude refills, image processing, sorting and saving, so the finished job will take longer.
How we reached this conclusion
300/40 minus 300/60 equals 2.5 minutes. Rates are Letter at 300 dpi with advanced functions disabled.
The interface upgrade has already happened at the smaller model
Both offer a 4.3-inch touchscreen and 56 shortcuts. If your frustration is choosing the right destination rather than feeding long batches, the ADS-4700W already supplies the important control change. The ADS-4900W earns its place through capacity, feed rate and dual-band Wi-Fi.
How we reached this conclusion
Both also have Ethernet and USB, so 5 GHz is an additional network option rather than a requirement for sharing.
Choice A
Brother, ADS-4700W
ADS-4700W
Let several people choose named scan jobs on a 4.3-inch screen without changing a computer's settings.
- Best matched use
- Most packets contain 80 sheets or fewer
Checked facts
- Feeder: 80 sheets
- Letter 300 dpi rate: 40 ppm and 80 ipm
- Wi-Fi bands: 2.4 GHz
- Job selection: 4.3-inch touchscreen, 56 shortcuts
Choice B
Brother, ADS-4900W
ADS-4900W
Load up to 100 suitable sheets when shared office paperwork arrives in larger batches.
- Best matched use
- Packets often run between 81 and 100 sheets
Checked facts
- Feeder: 100 sheets
- Letter 300 dpi rate: 60 ppm and 120 ipm
- Wi-Fi bands: 2.4 and 5 GHz
- Job selection: 4.3-inch touchscreen, 56 shortcuts
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Brother ADS-4700W | Brother ADS-4900W | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeder | 80 sheets | 100 sheets | A 90-sheet packet crosses only the smaller feeder's reload boundary. |
| Letter 300 dpi rate | 40 ppm and 80 ipm | 60 ppm and 120 ipm | These matched manufacturer conditions make a scoped feed-time comparison possible. |
| Wi-Fi bands | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 and 5 GHz | The ADS-4900W adds 5 GHz without guaranteeing a better signal. |
| Job selection | 4.3-inch touchscreen, 56 shortcuts | 4.3-inch touchscreen, 56 shortcuts | The interface is not the reason to pay more here. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Brother ADS-4700W
- An 80-sheet feeder still needs two loads for a 100-sheet packet.
If you choose Brother ADS-4900W
- Its sheet feeder cannot replace a flatbed for bound books.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You repeatedly cross the 80-sheet boundary
Choose Brother ADS-4900W. The larger feeder removes a refill for packets up to 100 suitable sheets.
Most jobs are short and interface quality is the priority
Choose Brother ADS-4700W. The screen and shortcut capacity are already the same.
You need to digitize bound notebooks
Choose neither. Neither feeder replaces a flatbed or overhead scanner.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Manufacturer feed ratings do not include document preparation, OCR or saving time.
- Confirm the supported media, scan mode, current operating system and destination before purchase.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current document scanners comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother ADS-4700W |
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| Brother ADS-4900W |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Brother ADS-4700W
Most packets contain 80 sheets or fewer
See price & reviews on AmazonBrother ADS-4900W
Packets often run between 81 and 100 sheets
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.