A digital notebook brings the feel of paper, without all the mess. It works for setting goals and jotting down ideas, and is great for sketching doodles as well. And with a digital backup for note-taking from important meetings and classes, it’s easier than ever to stay on top of homework and projects.
My top pick is the Boox Note Air5 C. It nails that balance with a paper-like writing feel, transcription tools, and portability. The Kindle Scribe also impressed me with its included pen and long battery life. Microsoft Suite compatibility is another great feature.
Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.
Best tablet deals of the week
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
What is the best digital notebook right now?
To help you decide which smart notebooks are worth the investment, we tested and researched the best ones on the market. We considered the device’s overall feel, storage capabilities and options, special features, and price. Based on our hands-on experience, our pick for the best smart notebook overall is the Boox Note Air5 C thanks to its notetaking and productivity features and smooth color display. We also included notebooks from brands like Kindle, Rocketbook, and other brands that ZDNET staff use and recommend.
Also: Best Windows tablet in 2026
In our July update, we added the ReMarkable Paper Pure and the Boox Palma Pro 2 as top picks.
The best smart notebooks of 2026
Show less
Allison Murray/ZDNET
If you’re looking for a light and thin note-taking tablet, the Boox Note Air5 C should be on your radar.
Why we like it: The Boox Note Air5 C is a color e-ink tablet that is built for note-taking. The screen has a 1240 x 930, or 150 pixels per inch (ppi), resolution in color. When used in black and white, it has a 2480 x 1860 resolution, or 300 ppi — the same as the Kindle Scribe. Plus, it’s super lightweight at just under a pound.
This tablet has all the best features of the top note-taking apps built right in. There are dozens of templates to use, audio recording, color-coding, and inserting links and attachments into notes. Plus, built-in artificial intelligence enables text recognition, shape correction, and a strike-through erase feature that makes erasing much easier.
Review: Boox Note Air5 C
Who it’s for: I went hands-on with this tablet, and it is geared towards habitual note-takers looking to replace their daily planner, journal, and notebook of to-dos in just one device. It is completely customizable to exactly how I like you lists, instead of a planner that has limited pages and set out page types that might not flow with how you create and organize.
The Pen is also an upgrade from previous generations, with 4,096 levels of pressure and ultra-low latency and captive touch to make it feel like you are writing on actual paper with a real ballpoint pen. Also, an upgrade for this generation’s model is an attachable keyboard you can buy, if you’d rather take notes by typing (or if you have messy handwriting).
Who should look elsewhere: If Android isn’t your jam, you probably won’t like the Boox Note Air5 C, since it’s noticeably slower than a traditional tablet like the iPad.
Also, if you want AI features, the ones in this tablet leave much to be desired and are suited for basic tasks instead of optimizing your productivity.
Boox Note Air5 C tech specs: Display: 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display | Processor: Octa-core + BSR | Storage: 64GB | Weight: 15.5 ounces | Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 0.23 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 | Battery life: 3,700mAh Li-ion Polymer
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
Why we like it: Like the other ReMarkable tablets, the Paper Pure is a note-taking, idea-sketching, writer’s dream come true. It received a ZDNET Editors’ Choice award in May 2026 for its more affordable price point for such a high-end product.
This smart notebook doesn’t connect to any third-party apps for reading or web-browsing, which means you get distraction-free productivity.
Who it’s for: One of the best new features of this ReMarkable tablet is the ability to screen-share your ReMarkable to any computer by simply opening a browser window — allowing for a universal, no-fuss way to present what’s on the tablet and sketch or draw in real time.
Read the review: I’ve tested several ReMarkable tablets, but its new cheap E Ink tablet had me fooled
ZDNET senior editor Kyle Kucharski reviewed the tablet and said that the display is certainly on par with the higher-end Paper Pro and may even be preferred by some users for its higher contrast.
Who should look elsewhere: No backlight obviously means you won’t be able to use this device in the dark, but on the flip side, it looks great in bright light.
ReMarkable Paper Pure tech specs: Display: 10.3-inch Canvas display | Processor: 1.7 GHz dual core Cortex-A55 | Storage: 32GB | Weight: 12.6 ounces | Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.24 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi and USB-C | Battery life: 3820 mAh
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
Why we like it: The recently updated Kindle Scribe is perhaps the perfect example of an e-reader-tablet hybrid to satisfy your reading and notetaking needs. Its updated AI features include a new display with flush white borders and a paper-like texture, and Active Canvas — a new experience for taking notes in books.
The Active Canvas allows you to take notes and scribble your thoughts directly onto the pages of your book. ZDNET editor Kyle Kucharski put the Active Canvas to the test and appreciated the feature as an avid note-taker.
Read the review: The Kindle Scribe is the E Ink tablet I recommend most
“The cool design element here is that the notes you draw with the pan exist on another ‘layer’ than the book text, allowing you to edit what you write without messing with the text in the book,” Kucharski wrote in his review. “I actually found that I preferred using the sticky notes function, which drops a tiny icon on the text that, when tapped, opens up a floating window with your notes that can then be closed.”
Who it’s for: The device’s AI features can also summarize up to 15 pages in a notebook, neatly extracting key takeaways from the text. It can also transcribe handwritten notes into text, which might benefit those with questionably legible handwriting.
The Kindle Scribe now comes with the Premium Pen, a step up from the Basic Pen, with tools like a dedicated eraser and a shortcut button.
Who should look elsewhere: A lot of these features have a slight learning curve, making it a bit difficult to master quickly. If you want something more familiar, a different tablet or option may suit you more. Not to mention, the Scribe’s is a little pricey, so you may not want to stomach that price tag.
Amazon Kinde Scribe tech specs: Display: 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display | Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | Weight: 15.3 ounces | Dimensions: 7.7 x 9.0 x .22 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks (at 30 minutes per day)
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Allison Jewell/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Rocketbook Pro has become the notebook I pop in my purse or tote. If you’re like me, the best way to use a notebook is to carry it around with you and write down anything that comes to mind. For example, my running list of restaurants in my area that I need to try. Or my list of things that bring me joy every day.
Who it’s for: The amazing thing about the Rocketbook is that you really never run out of pages. When my lists start to overflow the page, I can simply scan them with my phone and upload them to the bigger running lists on my Google Drive.
Read the review: Why this reusable smart notebook is the perfect tech gadget for students
And once they’re uploaded, the ink on the page can be wiped away with a damp cloth. It combines tech and tradition in a way that still stimulates my brain, but keeps me organized. And it’s a win for the environment, as you’re using less paper.
Who should look elsewhere: My only issues with the notebook were the smudging I encountered whilst passionately writing in the notebook. The pen that comes with it needs a few moments to fully dry, so it smears, especially if you press down hard when you write like I do.
Rocketbook Pro features: Pages: 40 | Page layouts: Dot grid and lined | Sizes: Letter and executive | Compatibility: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Boox Palma Pro 2 fits into the palm of your hand–literally–with its small size. It looks like a smartphone, but has a 6.13-inch backlit Kaleido 3 color display that features a subdued, natural palette that’s intended to resemble a newspaper or print magazine. The Kaleido display’s range of color is easy on the eyes but still just distinctive enough to improve the experience.
Who it’s for: While not ideal for larger sketching purposes, the Boox Palma Pro 2 is perfectly capable of acting as a notepad for quick thoughts. It comes with the Boox Ink Sense Plus stylus that has very little lag and a responsive feel for those looking to take notes on-the-fly.
Read the review: I wasn’t looking to ditch my Kindle, but this Android e-reader convinced me big time
ZDNET senior editor Kyle Kucharski put the Boox Palma Pro 2 to the test and particularly appreciated the wide range of customizations thanks to access to the Google Play Store. “Users have unfettered access to all the big e-book libraries out there: Amazon’s Kindle, Google Books, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Rakuten’s Kobo, etc.,” he wrote in his review. “This little device can be all of those devices at once.”
Who should look elsewhere: While its small size may be ideal for some, you have to be committed to the diminutive form factor, as the screen may be too small for extensive writing or drawing with the stylus, and text can appear small and faint if your settings aren’t optimized.
Boox Palma Pro 2: Display: 6.13-inch backlit Kaleido 3 color display | Storage: 128 GB | Weight: 6.2 ounces | Dimensions: 6.3 x 3.1 x 0.35 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G | Battery life: 3,950mAh
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
If you’re on the fence about buying your first tablet:
- What exactly is a digital notebook?
The sole purpose of a smart notebook is exactly that: to digitize a normal notebook. A smart notebook will enhance your basic note-taking experience to another level with better handwriting integration and cloud services. - What’s the difference between a digital notebook and a tablet?
A tablet usually runs on a mobile operating system and offers a wider range of functions such as browsing the web, multimedia, gaming, and other tasks. A digital notebook is more niche and designed specifically for note-taking and digital writing tasks.
- Is a digital notebook worth it?
You can find a digital notebook for well under $20, making it a pretty budget-friendly option for students or anyone looking to organize their notes without breaking the bank. However, if you like for all your devices to be consistent in terms of software, then you might be better off spending a little more for a tablet.
When you’re deciding which smart notebook to buy, think about the following important factors:
- Notebook feel: Does the notebook have a traditional notebook feel? Does it have a resolution that makes it feel more like a tablet as opposed to a notebook, or an appropriate latency?
- Storage capabilities: While some of these smart notebooks use actual paper, others have digital storage options. I considered both page count and storage capacity, so you have plenty of room to write notes.
- Price: Smart notebooks range in price points from $10 all the way up to $450. The lower price points will get you real paper notebooks you can convert to digital notes, while the higher price points are more tablet-like notebooks.
- Special features: You may not need special features in a smart notebook, but they are nice to have. These include audio notes, page templates, and cloud compatibility.
A lot of these digital notebooks can also be categorized as tablets. When we test different kinds of tablets, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best when tested in the real world.
- Display: We measure the brightness level in different lighting conditions and assess color accuracy. We also compare the display’s performance with what the manufacturer promised, test the screen’s responsiveness to touch, and assess the performance of any extra features, like a manufacturer’s stylus.
- Performance: For real-world performance metrics, our reviewers measure how quickly the tablet reacts to input, assess game performance and frame rates, test how the tablet handles having multiple apps running simultaneously, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the tablet’s temperature during intensive tasks.
- Battery life: We test different scenarios for battery life, including measuring how long the battery lasts while streaming, web browsing, using productivity apps, and playing games.
For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensive tablet testing methodology.
Most smart notebooks already include a smart pen, but it will also depend on the manufacturer and specific model. Smart notebooks such as reMarkable 2 and Wacom Bamboo Slate include the smart pen with their notebook.
Keeping your notes and reminders organized on a single device for school is the best way to improve your productivity in and outside of class. That is why we recommend all students look into our best list of smart notebooks and find which is right for their needs. The Boox is a great option since you can connect it to many third-party apps through the Android store and transfer any files onto it, like essays or notes from class.
That depends on the specific product. For example, Rocketbook’s lineup of smart notebooks are made with real paper, as is the Moleskine smart notebook. However, other options like the Kindle Scribe and the ReMarkable 2 have low-latency, e-ink screens that feel paper-like, but you can still definitely tell they are more of a tablet than an actual notebook with paper.
While you won’t get the “feel” of real paper with an iPad, you can use an iPad as a way to take notes digitally, especially if you have a quality stylus like the Apple Pencil. iOS apps like Noteflow allow you to take notes, annotate PDFs, sketch and doodle, and more while syncing to the cloud.
Latest updates
- In our July update, we added the reMarkable Paper Pure and the Boox Palma Pro 2 as top picks, replacing outdated products. We also update our alternative product picks.
- In our January update, we made our top pick the Boox Note Air5 C, replacing the older model.
Other smart notebooks we’ve tested
Show less
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
Professionals who are serious about digital notetaking should consider reMarkable’s Paper Pro, which has a large, colored screen and a host of integrations for popular productivity software. It has a large, colored screen and a host of integrations for popular productivity software.
However, the device is expensive, the Marker is sold separately (even though it’s a required component), and a subscription is required to access all features.
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft stands out from other color paper tablets, utilizing nitride LEDs for high contrast while opting for a cohesive color palette. The pen glides absolutely across the textured glass surface, and the kit of brushes offers a different writing experience without overwhelming with options.
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
The Boox Go 10.3 Gen 2 shines with advanced PDF annotation features, a fantastic writing experience, and a bright front-lit display, all while running Android 15 and a wide range of included apps. To top it off, the tablet supports virtually all the file types you’d ever imagine working with, including PDFs, EPUB, txt, rtf, html, png, jpg, gif, and bmp, to name a few.
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
For more on getting the most out of your notetaking, check out these tips and tricks for taking notes on a tablet.
Tablets Reviewed & Compared
