5 Best Digital Notebooks Of 2023 (Smart and Efficient)
The best digital notebooks include the Boox Tab Ultra ePaper, Kindle Scribe, and Rocketbook Pro 2.0.
Best Overall  | For E-Book Lovers  | Cheap and Simple  |
Searching for ways to stay productive and organized is no easy task, especially with countless options available on the market.
In this guide, I’ll help you discover the best digital notebooks to simplify the process so you’re not overwhelmed by the choices.
I’ll dive into the essence of digital notepads and reveal the benefits they bring to the table. By the end of it, I’m confident you’ll find the perfect digital notebook to spruce up your note-taking game!
Table of Contents
1. Boox Tab Ultra ePaper
Description: The BOOX Tab Ultra C ePaper tablet offers a highly efficient and resourceful digital notepad experience for improved workflows.
While it has a few minor drawbacks, its responsive color e-ink screen and impressive performance make it a smart choice for anyone looking to invest in a top-notch digital notepad.
One thing you’ll notice once you get your hands on this bad boy is the impressive color ePaper display. The new Kaleido 3 screen boasts soft tones that make working on this digital notepad a delight, enhancing productivity and focus.
With the help of an exclusive GPU and BOOX Super Refresh Technology, the screen proves to be responsive and efficient for various tasks.
The Tab Ultra C features a variety of display modes, such as HD Mode for minimal afterimages while turning pages, Balanced Mode for easy reading and typing, Fast Mode for quick page scrolling, and Ultrafast Mode for effortless app usage and dynamic content viewing.
While the tablet responds well to every tap, swipe, and pinch, you might notice occasional afterimages or even dead pixels in the display.
However, you can quickly remove the afterimages using the bottom gesture or navigation button. I usually see the same thing on my Kindle Paperwhite, and to be honest, it’s not a big deal.
The 10.3-inch screen size and rear camera add to the tablet’s utility, making it an all-purpose Android device. Moreover, the 128 GB storage capacity allows for ample space to store documents, notes, and e-books. The only downside is the magnetic attachment for the pen, which could have been stronger.
Boox Tab Ultra Pros: Impressive color ePaper display, responsive and efficient performance, generous 128 GB storage capacity, and rear camera.
Boox Tab Ultra Cons: A slight learning curve for new users, inadequate magnetic attachment for the pen.
Recommendation for Boox Tab Ultra: The BOOX Tab Ultra C is an excellent choice for those who seek a premium, versatile, and efficient digital notepad with a color e-ink display.
| Screen: | 10.3″ color ePaper 300 ppi | Stylus: | 1 pen included |
| Battery Life: | 3 Weeks on a single charge with heavy usage | Typical Price (USA): | $599 |
2. Kindle Scribe
Description: The Kindle Scribe is a fantastic tool that enhances your reading and note-taking experience.
The 10.2″ 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display provides a comfortable view that mimics paper. The ability to take handwritten notes with the included Basic Pen will level up your reading experience, as it automatically organizes the notes by the book for easy review or export.
The Kindle Scribe makes journaling or doodling simple with different brush types and handy editing tools. The lasso select tool to resize, move, cut, copy, or paste handwritten notes is particularly useful.
Converting and sending notes as text to contacts is also a breeze. On top of that, the battery life is surprisingly long, allowing you to stay focused on your reading and writing activities for extended periods.
Although the Kindle Scribe met most of my requirements, I noticed a few drawbacks. The Basic Pen is, well, essential and does not offer any advanced features.
Additionally, to send documents directly from Microsoft Word, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.
Lastly, I recommend investing in a protective case or screen protector for extra durability and protection, and I think it should at least have been included in the base package. But that’s how it is with most iPads and note-taking devices.
Kindle Scribe Pros: Excellent glare-free Paperwhite display, allows note-taking within millions of Kindle titles, efficient battery life.
Kindle Scribe Cons: Basic pen, requires a Microsoft 365 subscription to send documents, needs additional accessories.
Recommendation for Kindle Scribe: The Kindle Scribe is an excellent choice for those who love reading and taking notes, making it an indispensable tool in today’s digital era.
| Screen: | 10.2″ 300 ppi | Stylus: | 1 Basic pen included |
| Battery Life: | 3 Weeks on a single charge | Typical Price (USA): | $339, limited stock |
3. Rocketbook Pro 2.0
The Rocketbook Pro 2.0 is an excellent choice for those seeking a “digital” notepad that is reusable, has a premium design, and syncs effortlessly with cloud services.
People love it for its blend of reusable papers with a simple app to scan the pages.
The Rocketbook works just as regular reusable paper that you scan by using your phone’s camera.
It’s incredibly easy to sync handwritten notes with popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Onenote, iCloud and more using the free Rocketbook app (available on IOS and Android).
However, while the app is user-friendly, letting the ink dry for 15 seconds is something you have to keep in mind to prevent smudging.
Another thing to consider is that it has a limited number of pages (20 sheets, or 40 pages front and back). While the entire point of a digital notepad is to eliminate the need for additional papers, you can purchase page packs to swap in and out as needed.
Rocketbook Pro 2.0 Pros: Reusable with Pilot FriXion pen, easy to sync with popular cloud services, high-quality vegan leather cover.
Rocketbook Pro 2.0 Cons: Notes can smudge easily, limited to 40 pages, some issues with smartphones.
Recommendation for Rocketbook Pro: I highly recommend the Rocketbook Pro 2.0 for those looking for a smart, eco-friendly, cheap, and simple digital notepad experience.
| Screen: | 8.5″x11″ | Stylus: | 1 Pilot pen included |
| Battery Life: | Paper only | Typical Price (USA): | $60 |
4. Rocketbook Mini
Description: The Rocketbook Mini is an excellent buy for those prioritizing a small yet reusable and digital-friendly note-taking experience.
Instead of piling up one-time-use notebooks, this 48-page, eco-friendly option offers endless reusability. By simply wiping the pages clean with a damp cloth, you can start afresh without wasting any paper, which surely delights our environment-friendly hearts.
As with its bigger counterpart, the Rocketbook Pro, its compatibility with popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and more.
However, remember that it is necessary to use a pen from the Pilot Frixion line to achieve the ideal bonding with the notebook’s specialized pages.
Despite its smaller size (3.5″ x 5.5″), this notebook caters perfectly to everyday note-taking needs, although it might not suit all preferences.
Rocketbook Mini Pros: Reusable notebook, fits in your front shirt pocket, low price
Rocketbook Mini Cons: Smaller size may not suit everyone
Recommendation for Rocketbook Mini: This little eco-friendly, reusable notebook is perfect for those looking to minimize paper waste while enhancing their note-taking experience on the go.
| Screen: | 3.5″x5.5″ | Stylus: | 1 Pilot pen included |
| Battery Life: | Paper only | Typical Price (USA): | $15.99 |
5. Remarkable 2
Description: The ReMarkable 2 Paper Tablet is a solid choice for individuals who value the tactile sensation of paper while enjoying the modern conveniences of digital technology.
It’s great at replicating the sensation of writing on paper. The digital notepad is specially designed to provide users with an unparalleled paper-like experience when writing, reading, and sketching.
One of the standout features of the ReMarkable is its 226 DPI CANVAS display. This, combined with its super-low latency, lets you scribble and sketch with remarkable ease and precision (pun intended 😅). It genuinely feels like using pen and paper.
On the downside, ReMarkable really wants you to buy the accessories, so much so that just the basics are included when you buy it.
Once you start adding on the ReMarkable Folio sleeve, the better marker with the built-in eraser, you’ll find yourself spending a lot more than intended.
Remarkable 2 Pros: Paper-like writing, reading, and sketching experience, easy to replace notebooks
Remarkable 2 Cons: Protective case and other essential accessories not included
Recommendation for Remarkable: The ReMarkable is an ideal choice for those who love the feel of paper while enjoying the benefits of a digital notepad.
| Screen: | 7.3″x9.7″ | Stylus: | 1 Basic marker included |
| Battery Life: | 2 Weeks on a single charge | Typical Price (USA): | $369 |
What Is A Digital Notepad?
A digital notepad is an electronic digital device designed to function as a paper notepad. It allows you to take notes, digital sketches, or drawings.
Although there are some variants with paper variants, the beauty of truly electronic writing pads is that you never run out of paper. You can organize your notes, move them around, and highlight and delete anything you don’t need.
Various types of notepads are suitable for different use cases, such as note taking tablets designed for writing, drawing tablets for professional photo editing, and even gaming tablets with high-performance specs.
Digital Notepad Buying Guide
Choosing the best digital notepad can be quite a challenge. Are you satisfied with a paper and digital hybrid, or do you want a fully digital experience?
Whichever might be the case, the key is to find a notepad that suits your specific needs and preferences.
I’ve evaluated the best digital notebooks based on the following features I found important for my own use case in the table below.
| Feature | Importance |
|---|---|
| Screen | Size, type, high-resolution, adjustable backlight |
| Stylus | Pressure sensitivity, tilt sensitivity, comfortable design |
| Battery Life | Several hours minimum, quick charging |
| Price | Typical pricing, competitive offer, in stock |
Screen and Display
The display is one of the most critical aspects of a digital notepad. Look for a device with a high-resolution screen and an adjustable backlight to make it easy on your eyes.
It’s also important to consider the size of the display. A larger display offers more area for writing and drawing, while a smaller one is more portable.
Stylus and Writing Experience
A good digital notepad should come with a responsive stylus, allowing for natural and fluid writing or drawing. Make sure to consider factors like:
- Pressure sensitivity for precision
- Tilt sensitivity for shading
- Comfortable grip and design
Battery Life
Good battery life is essential for a device you plan to use regularly. Look for devices that offer at least several days of continuous use.
In addition, devices with quick charging capabilities can be beneficial if you need to charge on the go.
What Benefits Do You Get From A Digital Notepad?
Maybe you have never considered an electronic notepad before. If so, here are some of the benefits that come from digital notepads.
Keeps you organized
Using a digital electronic notebook helps you to keep things organized. This is especially useful for entrepreneurs and businessmen who have a lot going on at all times.
Portable
If you think carrying notes on paper is inconvenient, try picking up a digital electronic notebook.
Thanks to the functionality of syncing your notes to the cloud wirelessly, you get to access and share your notes wherever and whenever you need them.
Saves space and reduces clutter
Digital electronic notebooks help save on space, especially if you tend to be the type of man who keeps everything and anything.
No more scattered papers, post-it notes, and books lying all around, just one place to keep everything together.
Final Thoughts
An electronic notebook is probably one of the most important possessions that you can have. I can’t imagine how I would organize my business ventures if it was not for one of these devices.
It not only helps me stay organized but also lets me work with friends and colleagues more efficiently than ever before.
If you are looking for ways to get organized and ditch sticky notes for good, then it’s time to invest in your own digital writing pad!
Chris
Chief Editor & Growth Expert