The 7 Best Digital Notebooks for Handwriting, E-Ink and Smart Pens, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: The e-paper notebook that most closely imitates writing on paper.

The reMarkable 2 is an e-ink digital notebook, sold here with the Marker Plus stylus. You write directly on the e-paper screen, and files are stored and synced digitally.

It ranks first because it is a focused device: it does one thing, writing and reading, and does not push notifications or apps at you. E-paper is easy on the eyes, readable in sunlight and, unlike a tablet, does not tempt you into other tasks. The Marker Plus adds a built-in eraser end, a nicety if you edit as you go. The tradeoff is the price, between $200 and $500, and the monochrome display.

Buy it if you take lots of handwritten notes or sketch ideas and want them searchable and synced. Skip it if you need color or a general-purpose tablet.

Type

E-ink digital notebook

Stylus

Marker Plus included

Display

E-paper, write directly

Storage

Files stored and synced digitally

Our verdict: A color e-paper notebook, bundled with a stylus and a folio.

The Paper Pro is the premium reMarkable, with a color e-paper display. This bundle includes the Marker Plus stylus and the Basalt Book Folio, so it arrives ready to use.

It ranks second because color is a real upgrade for diagrams, annotated documents and highlighting, but the price starts at $500. For most note takers, the monochrome reMarkable 2 does the core job for much less. The folio is a handy extra, though accessories add to the cost.

Choose it if color matters to you or you mark up documents heavily. Skip it if you mostly write plain text notes, where the extra money buys little.

Type

E-ink digital notebook

Display

Color e-paper

Included

Marker Plus and Basalt Book Folio

Price bucket

$500 and up

Our verdict: An 11 inch color e-reader that also doubles as a notebook.

The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft has an 11 inch paper-like color display with a front light, 64GB of storage and an included pen. It combines a notebook with an e-reader, so it can hold books as well as handwritten notes.

It ranks third because it serves two jobs, reading and writing, while the reMarkable devices lean toward writing. The front light is a clear advantage for reading in bed. It also sits at $500 and above, so the dual purpose is costly. If you mainly read, a Kindle is a better value, and if you mainly write, a reMarkable is more focused.

Buy it if you want to read and take notes on the same screen. Skip it if handwriting is the whole point, since the notebook features are a secondary use.

Display

11 inch paper-like color, front light

Storage

64GB

Pen

Included

Role

Notebook and e-reader

Our verdict: A reusable letter-size spiral notebook that scans to the cloud.

The Rocketbook Core is a reusable paper notebook, letter size at 8.5 x 11 inches, with dotted pages. You write on it, scan the page with the app, send it to a cloud service and wipe the page clean to reuse it.

It ranks fourth because it delivers a digital workflow at a bargain price, $25 to $50, but it is still paper in the end. Pen choice matters, since you need a compatible erasable pen, and wiping takes a damp cloth. It is not a replacement for a true e-paper device, but it needs no charging and no screen.

Buy it if you want to digitize notes cheaply and like the feel of paper. Skip it if you want instant on-device search and sync.

Type

Reusable paper notebook

Size

Letter 8.5 x 11 in

Pages

Dotted

Sync

App-connected cloud scanning

Our verdict: A smart pen set that syncs paper notes to an app with OCR and audio.

The SyncPen set pairs a smart pen with special paper and syncs your writing to an app in real time. It adds OCR, which converts handwriting to text, and audio recording. Expect to pay $50 to $100.

Fifth place goes here because smart pens remain the budget route for people who want real ink on real paper and a digital copy. OCR accuracy depends heavily on handwriting, so messy writers should expect corrections. The audio recording ties spoken words to notes, which is useful in lectures. It lacks the polish of e-paper.

Choose it if you love writing on paper but want a searchable copy. Skip it if you need accurate OCR on rushed handwriting.

Type

Smart pen and paper digitizer

Sync

Real time, paper to app

Extras

OCR and audio recording

Price bucket

$50 to $100

Our verdict: A smart pen and notebook set with a folio, synced to the cloud.

The Noteorius set includes a smart pen and a folio, with real-time sync as you write and app sync to cloud storage. Pricing runs $100 to $200.

Sixth place reflects a cost about double the SyncPen while it lists no OCR or audio. The folio is a pleasant extra that keeps the notebook, pen and pad together. Weighing the two, the SyncPen gives more documented features for less money.

Pick it if you like a tidy folio and sync. Skip it if you want the most documented features per dollar.

Type

Smart pen and paper digitizer

Sync

Real time, cloud via app

Included

Pen and folio

Price bucket

$100 to $200

Our verdict: A reusable flip notepad with lined and dot grid pages.

The Rocketbook Flip is a reusable notepad in a flip format with lined and dot grid pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, and 16 sheets. It uses the same wipe-clean, app-scanned approach as the Core.

Last place follows because 16 sheets is a small page count, and the flip format suits quick lists and meeting notes better than a full day of studying. The mixed lined and dot grid layout is a nice touch for flexibility. Pricing matches the Core at $25 to $50.

Buy it for quick notes and a desk pad. Skip it if you want a longer-lasting notebook with more pages.

Type

Reusable paper notepad

Size

Letter 8.5 x 11 in

Pages

16 sheets, lined and dot grid

Sync

App-connected scanning