If you’re like us, you’ve also stayed up until the wee hours under the hypnotic blue glow of a phone or tablet, reviewing spreadsheets, taking notes, and maybe watching a TikTok video or two (or ten). But let’s face it, a tablet just can’t do what your trusty notebook can. Good old-fashioned paper’s simplistic nuances can’t be denied — its unmistakable texture, the directness of the pen meeting page, and the freedom from the incessant need to recharge are all worth noting.
But there are downsides to paper, too, like the inability to back up notes and the inevitability of coffee spills. That’s where E Ink tablets come in, offering a more traditional reading and writing experience. They may not have the bells and whistles of high-powered LCD or OLED Android tablets, but they blend the digital with the tactical paper-like feel of a favorite notebook or organizer. (And if you spill coffee, all those meeting notes are stored safely in the cloud.) However, the price of admission isn’t cheap, as even the most affordable E Ink tablets are expensive. Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile investment for those seeking to blend analog with digital.
We’ve reviewed our fair share of E Ink tablets and have found some true standouts. So, if you’re ready to streamline how you jot, sketch, and read, take a peek at the picks below.
The greatest E Ink tablets around
Onyx Boox Note Air3 C
New kid on the block
The Onyx Boox Note Air3 C is a moderately priced E Ink tablet capable of color images. Its 10.3-inch display should be plenty of real estate for most readers and note-takers, and the backlit screen is a thoughtful addition for low light conditions. And since it comes with Boox’s intuitive stylus, you can enjoy everything the Air3 C offers right out of the box.
- Excellent display, especially for black-and-white content
- Extended bezel is helpful for longer reading and writing sessions
- Paper-like texture makes writing and drawing feel more natural
- Color display isn’t as crisp as black-and-white content
We like to think of the Onyx Boox Note Air3 C as a happy medium where price and value meet. It’s certainly not a budget buy, but you get a fair number of features like a colored display, exceptional battery life, and Android 12. In the world of E Ink, the Air3 C has a lot going for it.
The Air3 C makes good use of its slim design. There’s a decent pair of speakers and a MicroSD card slot for extended storage, yet it remains lightweight and easy on the wrist. Most tablets, E Ink or otherwise, tend to minimize the bezel for a sleeker look, but the Air3 C’s asymmetrical design provides a more comfortable grip for extended reading and writing sessions.
Similar to Boox’s other models, the Air3 C’s 10.3-inch screen houses a Kaleido 3 display protected by a Carta 1200 glass screen. The Air3 C uses a textured film that mimics your favorite notebook. While the resolution for color images is only 1240 x 930, the Air3 C shines when it comes to black-and-white content, ramping up the detail at a crisp 2480 x 1860 resolution. This high-resolution mode excels especially for text-centric activities like reading e-books or reviewing documents. Still, the color display is certainly passable for casual image viewing, delivering respectable quality for splashes of color like in graphic novels.
Onyx Boox Note Air 3C review: Filling the void between tablet and e-reader
It’s not flashy but the Note Air 3C fills an important niche
The Air3 C is another Android-friendly Boox tablet. Access to so many apps is definitely an advantage Boox has over its competitors. Like other Boox tablets, you’ll also have control over the display’s refresh settings, which should help minimize ghosting. At 3,700mAh, the battery should last the average user several days without a charge. Streaming audiobooks for hours on end or using the blacklight will drain it faster, though.
Onyx Boox Tab X
When you need it all
The Onyx Boox Tab X sports a massive 13.3-inch display built for reading and creating. Whether writing or drawing, you’ll appreciate the deep, rich blacks and super responsive stylus thanks to its five adaptive refresh modes. Coupled with Android 11, it offers versatility with access to numerous apps.
- Large size has the look and feel of real paper
- Despite the size, it’s lightweight and thin
- The 6,300mAh battery will last you a long time
- Must subscribe to the Connect subscription for cloud access
- Books have to be DRM-free or PDF-based
The Onyx Boox Tab X falls under the if-you-have-money-to-burn category of E Ink tablets. It’s expensive — like, really expensive. The price you pay for the Tablet Tab X could get you a pretty nice tablet or even a laptop, but some E Ink enthusiasts may be willing to pay more for less — so long as it’s worth it, and the Tab X might be.
A standout of the Tab X is its screen size. The Tab X’s display is an astounding 13.3 inches, dwarfing the dimensions of its competitors. Size isn’t all that matters, however, and the Tab X’s E Ink Mobius Carta display boasts inky blacks, perfect for writing and drawing. No color display, though at this size, we’d gladly trade low-resolution color for better contrast capable of a 16-level grayscale.
No E Ink tablet is complete without a stylus, and the Tab X comes with one of the best. The included Wacom-powered stylus is very responsive, with up to 4,096 pressure points. Everything from handwriting to detailed sketches will look staggeringly similar to real paper. We did notice some slight lag with drawing. The eraser is our favorite stylus feature. Just apply a little pressure, and it’ll do the job almost as well as the real thing.
Onyx Boox Tab X review: I wish I had this in college
This is the dream come true for serial note takers and document readers, but it costs a pretty penny
Central to Tab X’s innovation are its five distinctive refresh modes: HD, Balanced, Fast, Ultrafast, and Regal. Each one of these modes is tailored for specific tasks, such as reading, web browsing, or engaging with various applications. The inclusion of Android 11 means that you’ll have access to apps, such as YouTube, Kindle, and more. Admittedly, not all the apps are designed to work on the Tab X (like YouTube), but the mere fact that you can is a testament to the Tab X’s versatility.
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Best of both worlds
The Scribe combines the Kindle E Ink reading interface with impressive note-taking abilities. It annotates on PDFs, creates digital notes with various tools, and has a large display for comfortable dual-page viewing. The Scribe is decent for drawing, too, and its weeks-long battery life means it’s great for everyday use.
- Perfect for users within the Kindle ecosystem
- Writing notes feels similar to the real thing
- Long battery life
- Not as feature-rich as other E Ink tablets
- Extended bezel not as comfortable as competitors
There aren’t a lot of budget-friendly E Ink tablets out there. Sure, there are some cheap off-brands and older models, but the spotty quality and dated hardware are not worth the extra bucks you save. If you want more for your money, the Kindle Scribe is not a bad pick. Existing Kindle users will enjoy a familiar interface, and newcomers will appreciate the Scribe’s versatility.
The Scribe isn’t just for reading. While e-readers allow for clunky note-taking within the margins, the Scribe goes for a more tactile approach with handwritten “sticky” notes or direct note-taking on PDF docs. Unlike the real deal, you won’t encounter flaps of paper sticking out of your book or ink bleeding through the page.
The Scribe’s note-taking abilities go beyond books. Templates, and a wide range of brushes, make the whole experience feel like a trusty old planner or spiral notebook. You’ll get a stylus with your purchase, and it works quite well. There’s no obvious delay when drawing or writing. Whether drafting to-do lists, journaling thoughts, or scratching sketches, the Scribe appears adept at everything. Plus, there are more digital-friendly tools when you need them, like a lasso tool for quick edits and placement, along with easy folder organization. You can also email from the device and subscribe to Microsoft 365.
Amazon Kindle Scribe review: Great for reading manga, not drawing it
We finally get a Kindle DX successor, but taking notes and drawing feels tacked on
Visually, the Scribe looks similar to standard Kindles, just larger. It’s a plus that two pages can be viewed in landscape mode — the experience feels more like a real book. It also borrows from the Air3 C design with its extended bezel. However, the bezel is smooth, so it can be hard to grip. Nonetheless, the Scribe has other great features, like its backlight. It’s also rare for an E Ink tablet to have 35 LEDs capable of warm and cool lighting. Overall, the Scribe has a lot of perks. Between its weeks-long battery life and sharp display, you’ll probably enjoy keeping one of these in your messenger bag. It’s a great blend of a Kindle e-reader and an E Ink tablet.
reMarkable 2
A tried and true choice
The Remarkable 2 is a minimalistic E Ink tablet with a thin, lightweight design. If you’re planning on using your E Ink tablet as a taskmaster rather than reading, you’ll be pleased with this tablet. That said, PDFs and DRM-free books will look clear and crisp.
- Textured display mimics paper
- Lightweight and thin, perfect for extended use
- Drawing and note-taking feel natural
- Books have to be DRM-free or PDF-based
- Stylus is on the heavy side
Researching E Ink tablets? You’ve probably encountered the Remarkable 2. As far as E Ink displays go, it’s become the gold standard. It’s one of the thinnest, at 4.7mm, and its 1-pound weight is less than the average 300-page spiral notebook.
The Remarkable 2’s display is something to behold. Handwritten notes and doodles with the Marker Plus stylus look incredibly close to the real thing. Even the surface feels similar to paper. You may even get the urge to swipe the non-existent eraser shavings during a sketch session. Is the stylus eraser as precise as an actual eraser? No. But it’s reasonably accurate for most note-taking and drawing purposes and allows users to correct mistakes. The only caveat would be the stylus’ size and weight. It’s 10 inches and 19 grams, so it can feel bulky after extended use.
The Remarkable 2’s display is adequate for reading, as it supports PDFs and e-books. Keep in mind that you can’t purchase books on this tablet, so if you’re an avid Kindle or Nook user, look elsewhere. DRM-free and PDF-based books will do fine and are compatible with the Remarkable’s intuitive note-taking abilities. You can send notes and other documents via email or through your favorite cloud service like Google and Dropbox. And whatever notes you take can be converted to typed text. This is all done through Remarkable’s Connect subscription, which is free for the first year. After that, you’ll be charged $3 per month.
ReMarkable 2 tablet review: Top-tier writing experience, but that’s it
One of the best E Ink tablets for writing, marred only by its lacking e-reader functionality
Speaking of extras, if you go on Remarkable’s website, you’ll see that the tablet is only $300, but that doesn’t include the recommended Marker Plus stylus. Remarkable also sells a $200 keyboard, should you want a distraction-free writing tool — you know, for that next great American novel you’ve been working on.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C Pro
Go beyond black and white
While the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro may not be the most affordable option, it certainly includes some amazing features. Its large 10.3-inch display is perfect for avid readers, and its 8-core processor ensures that it can easily handle any task. The colored screen is also great for viewing magazines and graphic novels, as well as work-related docs like charts and graphs.
- Fast processor and plenty of RAM
- Minimal ghosting thanks to fast refresh modes
- Camera may be useful for scanning documents
- Pro features may be overkill for most users
Similar to the Note Air3 C, Boox’s Tab Ultra C Pro features a 10.3-inch HD E Ink Kaledio 1200 anti-glare display with that great paper-like film. It’s also colored and offers the same resolution for color and black-and-white displays. You’ll also enjoy everything Android 12 provides and expandable memory via microSD. So, why would you dish out more cash on the Tab Ultra C Pro?
Well, it comes down to power. Boox has equipped this tablet with an 8-core processor that hits speeds up to 2.8GHz. The Ultra C Pro uses what they call BSR, or Boox Super Refresh. According to Boox, the Pro is 13% faster than its predecessor, the Ultra C. You’ll also get 6GB of RAM, 2 more gigs than the Air3 C, and double the internal storage.
The 12MP camera is perhaps the Tab Ultra C Pro’s most surprising feature. It turns your E Ink tablet into a handy scanner. Most phones these days are probably just as efficient, but it’s a nice perk.
The Tab Ultra C Pro has a steep price tag, and we think most E Ink users will be plenty satisfied with the Air3 C. But if you want to page through the Sunday newspaper in color, the Tab Ultra C’s premium features bridge that gap between E Ink and traditional tablets with finesse.
Onyx Boox Tab Mini C
Take it anywhere
The Onyx Boox Tab Mini C stands out among portable E Ink tablets with its vivid 7.8-inch color screen and crisp 300ppi resolution for grayscale content. This travel-friendly tablet houses a 5,000mAh battery that lasts longer than its larger counterpart, the Ultra C. You’ll also get adjustable lighting and a G-sensor for screen orientation.
- Compact size is ideal for on-the-go
- Great for sketching and note-taking
- Android 11 OS allows for a wealth of apps
- Expensive for the size
- Colors don’t come close to regular LCD tablets
The Onyx Boox Tab Mini C differs from its larger sibling, the Tab Ultra C, focusing on E Ink tablet essentials while still holding its own. But that’s what we like about it. The Mini C is a unique E Ink tablet due to its compact 7.8-inch Kaleido 3 color display. This display offers a wide range of colors at 150ppi, along with a sharp 300ppi black and white resolution. These specifications are similar to those of the Ultra C, with the main difference being the Mini C’s smaller size.
The Mini C is more than ready for extended reading and creative sessions courtesy of its 5,000mAh battery. There are also adjustable front lights for comfortable all-day reading and a responsive G-sensor for automatic screen orientation. Unlike the utilitarian Ultra C, the Mini C is more of a reading-focused tablet, doubling as a digital sketchbook and journal.
Underneath the Mini C’s little hood lies the Android 11 OS, providing a full suite of app compatibility. Whether downloading reading apps or sketching tools, the Mini C should deliver a smooth experience using one of Boox’s refresh modes — HD, Balanced, Fast, or Ultrafast.
Onyx Boox Tab Mini C review: Colorful and compact, but not without compromise
All the specs are here, but the lack of a store holds the experience back
We don’t all want to shove a 10-inch slab into an already crowded backpack, messenger bag, or purse, and the Mini C’s beautiful display and efficient OS packs all the power you need in a manageable size. And yes, the Mini C may be a niche in an already niche market. Still, the Tab Mini C is a worthy choice for E Ink enthusiasts desiring a highly portable, color-rich device with comprehensive app support.
Supernote Nomad
Duly noted
The Supernote Nomad is a practicality powerhouse. Boasting a user-friendly interface and a paper-like screen texture, it caters to professionals, students, and creatives. The replaceable battery and expandable storage (up to 2TB) are also a plus. The tablet shines in connectivity, allowing file syncing across multiple platforms.
- Portable and lightweight; perfect for travel
- Replaceable battery and expandable storage
- Textured display is strikingly similar to real paper
- Pretty expensive considering its lack of features
- Stylus sold separately
Out of all the selections, the Supernote Nomad is the most practical. There’s no color display and the OS doesn’t hold a candle to Android 12, but we were pleasantly surprised by all this little E Ink tablet offered.
Unlike other tablets, Supernote easily allows for battery replacement when the time comes, extending the Nomad’s life and reducing waste. Moreover, the Nomad includes a micro SD slot for extra storage in case the 32GB is insufficient.
The Nomad’s 7.8-inch screen might be limiting next to the larger E Ink tablets covered here. But for on-the-go inspiration, this little device will more than satisfy. The Nomad’s screen is softer than most, with a texture that feels pretty darn close to paper — although we found that this tablet struggles with ghosting more than others.
Of course, the Nomad is also great for just plain note-taking. You’ll have to pay extra for a stylus, which sets you back at least $60; several models are available, ranging from $60 to $90. Depending on which stylus you pick, you’ll be spending around the same price (or more) as the Remarkable2. We used the Nomad with the Heart of Metal Pen 2 ($75) because it has a nice weight. Though, you can’t go wrong with the Push-Up Standard Pen ($60) as well. All the styluses have 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels.
Supernote Nomad tablet review: Say goodbye to paper for good
A note-taking experience that feels just right
Connectivity and synchronization are also central to the Nomad, which really sets it apart as the best note-taker. You can sync files with Google Drive, Dropbox, or Supernote Cloud and keep track of events via Google or Outlook Calendar. And with functionalities like screen mirroring during Zoom or Google Meet sessions, the Nomad is a handy collaboration tool.
Kobo Elipsa 2E
A lit choice
The Kobo Elipsa 2E sets itself apart with its backlit ComfortLight Pro display, allowing adjustable color temperature and brightness for comfortable reading. It can also mark up practically any document, including e-books. While you can’t expand the 32GB storage, it’s ample enough for thousands of books, documents, and sketches.
- Backlit display allows for a variety of reading conditions
- Can make handwritten notes on e-books
- Eco-friendly build
- No external storage option
The Kobo Elipsa 2E isn’t the only one with a backlit display, but it’s the only one with Kobo’s ComfortLight Pro. This particular backlight lets you toggle the color temperature and brightness. Whether reading on a sunny afternoon or late at night, the screen is easy on the eyes. The extra-wide bezel with a magnetic stylus attachment is a perk for note-taking, too — although we found it to be overkill for reading.
Like our other selections, Kobo offers note-taking and drawing abilities, along with handy tools like its lasso tool for quick editing and a ton of templates. The included Kobo Stylus 2 is responsive enough for any task, from jotting notes to highlighting text. Some E Ink tablets, like the Scribe, only let you write on e-books with their virtual sticky notes. The Elipsa 2E will also mark up any document you throw at it, including e-books.
The Elipsa’s internal storage is only 32GB, and there’s no microSD option. That being said, 32GB holds around 24,000 e-books. That should be more than enough for most users. And you can always access the Kobo Cloud or transfer files via USB-C to free up some space. You’ll want to keep some extra space handy because Kobo’s online bookstore has literally millions of books available.
Kobo Elipsa 2E review: A niche but near-perfect e-reader
This is the perfect e-reader… for the right person
Okay, this isn’t a tech feature, but we appreciate that Elipsa 2E is made with eco-friendly materials, including recycled and ocean-bound plastic, even though our firsthand testing found this upcycled plastic frame to feel a bit flimsy and cheap compared to metal-plastic hybrid models. The world has enough plastic, and thankfully, brands like Kobo are taking responsibility by incorporating sustainable practices into their production.
Finding value in E Ink
Each iteration of E Ink tablets balances a fine line between innovation and staying true to the simple, paper-like reading and writing experience, like our top pick, the Boox Note Air3 C. It offers a color display along with Android 12 for more app usability, but it still feels more like E Ink than an iPad.
If money is no object, consider the Onyx Boox Tab X for its large, 13.3-inch display. Despite the gargantuan size, it only weighs 19.7 ounces (560 grams). To put it in perspective, the 12.4-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ weighs 22 ounces (628 grams). The Boox X is fast, responsive, and has a gorgeous display, but it’s expensive.
It was hard to decide whether the Kindle Scribe should be the best overall pick or the best value. Ultimately, it came down to price. The Scribe is the most “affordable” of the bunch at $340. For the most part, it does what the other offerings do, offering a lasso tool and various brushes and templates — though its ecosystem is more limited given its Amazon roots. However, its lower price, backlit display, and robust battery more than make up for its lack of third-party integrations.
There’s a lot to like about E Ink tablets. If you’re okay with spending more for less, you’ll appreciate the distraction-free environment these unique devices create in an increasingly distracting world.
Onyx Boox Note Air3 C
New kid on the block
The Onyx Boox Note Air3 C is a moderately priced E Ink tablet capable of color images. Its 10.3-inch display should be plenty of real estate for most readers and note-takers, and the backlit screen is a thoughtful addition for low light conditions. And since it comes with Boox’s intuitive stylus, you can enjoy everything the Air3 C offers right out of the box.
