Combining the tactile joy of writing with digital backups can be highly beneficial if you frequently take notes for school or work. While typing is efficient, writing by hand helps with memory and learning. E Ink tablets, smart pens, and digital notebooks allow you to save and organize handwritten notes as PDFs, images, or text files, and some even offer recording features for lectures and interviews. Exploring these digital tools can enhance your note-taking experience significantly.
Best Digital Writing Tools: 10 Smart Note and Pens Reviewed!
Remarkable 2
The ReMarkable 2 is a leading choice in digital note-taking, praised for its paper-like matte screen and exceptional battery life, lasting several weeks on a single charge. WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu, who has used it for over a year, appreciates its responsive writing experience and the convenience of a stylus that magnetically attaches to the tablet. Priced at $299, the ReMarkable 2 requires an additional $79 for the standard pen or $129 for the pen with an eraser. The tablet also offers a new keyboard attachment for typing, although we haven’t tested it yet.
With robust organizational features, the ReMarkable Two allows you to manage notes through tags and folders and supports uploading PDFs and ebooks via the company’s app or website. You can also use a Chrome extension to send webpages directly to the tablet and integrate your notes with Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. However, syncing and unlimited cloud storage require a $3 monthly Connect subscription. Despite these advantages, the ReMarkable 2 lacks waterproofing, page-turn buttons, and a backlight, making it best suited for straightforward note-taking tasks.
Boox Note Air3 C
The Boox Note Air3 C offers a high-end option for those who prefer E Ink tablets for note-taking, though it comes with a higher price tag and added weight. Writing with the Note Air3’s stylus provides a natural experience similar to traditional pen and paper. The tablet is available in two versions: the standard Air3 at $400, which features a monochrome screen, and the Air3 C at $500, which includes a muted color display. While the device’s startup and app responsiveness could be improved, Boox’s Android system offers a range of functions and gestures worth exploring through the user manual.
With a variety of apps for reading ebooks, checking emails, and browsing the web, the Note Air3 C provides robust functionality for those who value e-ink technology. If you’re seeking a versatile tablet that combines the benefits of e-ink with extensive app capabilities, this model is a worthwhile upgrade.
Kobo Elipsa
The Kobo Elipsa is an excellent choice for avid readers who also want to take notes on their ebooks and PDFs. Priced higher than some alternatives, it comes with a stylus that lets you annotate texts directly, making it ideal for students and professionals who need to manage extensive reading material. The Elipsa also supports multiple notebooks and offers a more user-friendly marking interface compared to Kindle devices, which might appeal to those familiar with Kobo’s platform.
For a more affordable option, consider the Kobo Libra Colour, which offers vibrant color highlights and annotations at a lower price of $219. While it lacks the Elipsa’s note-taking capabilities, it provides a waterproof design and colorful features for reading and marginalia, though you’ll need to buy the Kobo Stylus 2 separately for $70. We’re currently testing the Libra Colour and will update our recommendations soon.
Supernote Nomad
The Supernote Nomad is a compact, travel-friendly device, measuring approximately six by 7.5 inches, making it ideal for managing daily to-do lists or jotting down quick notes from meetings. Its intuitive software allows for the easy creation of multiple notebooks with a variety of templates, including lined pages, grids, and calendars. While the page size is small for extensive note-taking, such as during long sessions, it excels in organizing notes into folders and creating Word document files, though the latter lacks access to some templates.
Despite its small size, which makes it convenient for on-the-go use, the Supernote Nomad is best suited for meetings or brief note-taking rather than comprehensive class notes, especially for those who prefer minimalistic writing. Pairing it with the Canvas Folio ($49) enhances its functionality by keeping the stylus attached and activating the screen when the folio is opened. At $299, it offers a practical solution for those who value portability and efficient note organization.
Iskn Repaper Graphic Tablet
The Iskn Repaper Graphic Tablet is an excellent choice for beginner artists looking to digitize their work without the high cost of an iPad. This device uses a combination of a tablet and magnetized rings to capture your drawings and notes from paper, making it easy to see your creations come to life digitally. The tablet accommodates any appropriately sized paper and works with any writing utensil that fits a Repaper Ring, which is included with the pencil.
The Repaper Studio app allows you to view your work in real time, making it a valuable tool for drawing directly on the tablet or sharing your screen during a Zoom class. Although it occasionally encounters minor bugs, particularly when switching between pens, it remains a solid option for artists who want a versatile, cost-effective solution for digitizing their art. You can also create and download time-lapse videos of your work. It offers good value for those starting their digital art journey at $251 on Amazon or $199 directly from Iskn.
E Ink notebooks
While E Ink notebooks offer a paper-like experience that’s easier on the eyes, an iPad paired with an Apple Pencil can be a more versatile and cost-effective choice. iPads provide access to a broad selection of apps via the App Store, allowing you to take notes, draw, and perform many other tasks. They are also generally more intuitive than many dedicated digital notebooks. For instance, WIRED writer Jaina Grey prefers using her 11-inch iPad Pro with apps like GoodNotes and Notability for her writing needs.
If you’re considering an iPad, it offers better value than some specialized devices, especially if you also need a keyboard for typing. For more insights, check out our Best iPads guide to compare different models, and explore our Best Tablets guide for Android alternatives. Current prices are around $224 at Amazon, $329 at Apple, and $330 at Best Buy.
Neo Smartpen M1+
If you prefer writing directly on paper rather than using a tablet, the Neo Smartpen M1+ is an excellent choice. It’s the thinnest and lightest smartpen I tested, offering a familiar feel akin to a standard pen while being very comfortable. You’ll quickly find compatible notebooks and planners in various sizes and layouts to meet your requirements.
The Neo Studio app enhances the experience with a user-friendly interface for organizing and searching your notes by page number or date. You can adjust the ink color and line thickness in real-time or edit them later. Although this pen does not include audio recording features, Neo offers a separate recorder that pairs with it. For a budget-friendly option, consider the Neo Smartpen Dimo, which uses replaceable batteries and is priced at $59. However, it lacks compatibility with calendar apps like Google Calendar, iCal, or Outlook.
Moleskine Smart Writing Set
The Moleskine Smart Writing Set is a solid choice for those new to smart pens. It offers a bundle that includes a notebook and a pen. When you write in the notebook, your notes are instantly digitized in the companion app, making it a great starting point for anyone looking to blend traditional writing with digital convenience. While the pen can be purchased separately, the bundle is particularly appealing for beginners.
The Moleskine Notes 2.0 app, available for both iPhone and Android, is user-friendly and streamlined, though some users may need to revert to an older version if they encounter issues. The price for the Smart Writing Set has increased significantly, with the 2022 version priced at $279, compared to the $149 for the 2018 model, which is no longer available. Older versions are still being sold at lower prices but may lack updates and support.
Livescribe Symphony
The Livescribe Symphony stands out for its strong emphasis on audio recording. It features convenient Record, Pause, and Stop controls directly on the notebook pages. This lets you efficiently manage recordings with your pen, enhancing the note-taking experience. However, while the Symphony excels in recording, its accompanying app can be clunky, and its transcription capabilities lag behind other intelligent pens. It’s still available at Walmart but has been discontinued on Livescribe’s website, suggesting it may not be available for long.
The Symphony features a unique power mechanism that turns the pen on and off with the cap. This design aims to simplify use by ensuring the pen activates when needed, but the cap’s tendency to pop off easily poses a risk of unintentional battery drain. Despite this minor flaw, the pen’s recording features make it a compelling choice for those who prioritize capturing audio alongside their notes.
Rocketbook Core
The Rocketbook Core offers a practical and eco-friendly alternative to traditional notebooks. Designed for reuse, it works with an erasable Pilot Frixion Pen, allowing you to take notes, scan them using the Rocketbook app, and then clean the pages using a damp microfiber cloth. The app efficiently organizes your notes and can send them to various cloud services like Google Drive, Evernote, and OneNote, making it a versatile tool for digital management.
While the Rocketbook Core’s paper quality isn’t quite as luxurious as regular paper, it is durable enough to handle repeated use and erasing. This reusable notebook offers a practical solution for daily note-takers who prefer sustainability over premium paper. The included pen is black, but many users opt for colorful Frixion pens to better organize their notes.
Conclusion:
The best intelligent pens sync your handwritten notes with cloud systems, ensuring you never lose them. They offer the convenience of digital backups with the comfort of writing by hand and have long battery lives. With a variety of options, selecting the right choice can be daunting, but we’ve tested top models to guide you. Check for compatibility with your devices, and consider using a graphics tablet for a more sustainable option.
