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The Best Notebooks and Notepads

By Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola is a writer focused on home-office gear. To find the best paper shredder, she has shredded enough junk mail to fill several bathtubs.

A notebook is more than just a practical tool. It can be a source of joy, a covetable item that turns an ordinary, everyday task—note-taking, journaling, task-planning, brainstorming, or doodling—into a sublime experience.

Upgrading from a cheap notebook to a high-quality one usually costs just a couple more cents per page (or about $2 to $5 overall), and you’re worth it.

What we looked for

Ink bleeds from the edges of letters rather than creating crisp lines.

Pen ink is visible on the other side of the paper.

Ink actually comes through to the other side of the paper, or even the next sheet.

Toothiness refers to the paper’s texture. Generally, toothy paper is great for pencils because charcoal adheres better to paper that isn’t very smooth.

After interviewing experts, researching over 100 notebooks, and writing zealously in 34 of them side by side over several weeks, we have picks in a number of sizes and styles, priced from about $2 to $20. Any of these notebooks will provide an appreciably better writing experience than what you can get from a generic, off-the-shelf-at-Walgreens notebook.

We mention price per page when it’s notable, but our picks average 7¢ per page (at the time of publication). We also mention paper weight or thickness when that spec is important, but most of these high-quality pages are 80 to 90 grams per square meter (gsm); thicker isn’t always better, but all of the paper in our picks felt substantial and satisfying for us to write on. And most of the notebooks we tested had 7 mm lined ruling (close to college rule), but we note the exceptions below.

The research

Why you should trust us, a medium softcover notebook with silky pages: apica premium c.d. notebook (a5), a medium softcover notebook with more texture: midori md notebook (a5), a hardcover notebook for journaling or planning: leuchtturm1917 hardcover notebook classic (a5), the best budget hardcover notebook: paperage hardcover lined journal notebook, the best spiral-bound notebook: maruman mnemosyne n194a special memo notebook, disc-bound notebook for maximum customizability: levenger circa notebook, best pocket-size pick: muji passport memo, an upgraded pocket-size notebook: field notes 3-pack original kraft memo books, best reporter notebook: field notes 2-pack front page reporter’s notebooks, the best steno notepad: maruman mnemosyne n166 steno pad (a5), the best legal pad: rhodia no. 19 yellow pad, what about moleskine, how we picked and tested, other good notebooks and notepads, the competition.

Senior staff writer Melanie Pinola has tested and reviewed home office gear for Wirecutter since 2011, including webcams , USB microphones , and office chairs . She’s a die-hard stationery fan who uses notebooks daily for work and personal projects; it’s probably telling that almost everyone close to her has gifted her a notebook at one point or another.

During our preliminary notebook research, we consulted with and relied upon the work of experienced bloggers who review pens, pencils, and stationery, as well as a representative for online stationery store JetPens. These people care far more about the performance of paper against all sorts of writing implements than most people, and they also have a wide range of papers to compare notebooks with.

Apica Premium C.D. Notebook (A5)

The best medium-size softcover notebook.

This notebook is a pleasure to use thanks to its sturdy yet lightweight cardstock cover, excellent paper quality, and lie-flat design. The medium size can serve a wide range of purposes.

Buying Options

Get this if: You want a softcover notebook that is the size of a trade paperback book and has smooth paper your pen will glide over. The notebook’s paper shows off ink colors from fountain and rollerball pens brilliantly.

Why it’s great: Four out of five Wirecutter panelists chose the Apica Premium C.D. Notebook (A5) as their top or second-favorite notebook pick, saying the feel of the paper was the “best out of the bunch” and “silky yet not plasticky like some others.” The thick paper stood up well to a range of writing instruments—even demanding fountain pen ink—with little feathering and minimal ghosting.

We also liked the paper’s off-white, eggshell color—neither too bright nor too yellow—and the light-gray line ruling. The cardstock cover is sturdy, and the stitched binding is high quality, which allows the notebook to lie flat nicely. All in all, this is a great all-purpose notebook.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Premium C.D. Notebook’s super-smooth paper isn’t for everyone, especially those who are expecting a traditional paper feel as you get with typical composition notebooks. It feels more like the slick pages of The New York Times Magazine than the tougher paper that makes up the rest of the newspaper.
• It doesn’t come with a ribbon page marker, and although it has a small index on the first page, the pages aren’t numbered. Those features aren’t essential for most people, but if they matter to you, consider the Leuchtturm1917 Softcover Notebook Classic .

Size: A5 (5.8 by 8.3 inches); 192 pages Ruling options: lined, graph, blank

Midori MD Notebook (A5)

A minimalist notebook with creamy, slightly toothy paper.

Because of its texture, this notebook is especially great for writing, sketching, or doodling with pencils or ballpoint pens, although it holds up to fountain pens too.

Get this if: You want a medium-size notebook with paper that’s easy on the eyes and offers tactile feedback—the slightly toothy paper slows your writing down and makes you pay more attention to it, in contrast to slicker paper that your pen would glide across.

Why it’s great: The Midori MD Notebook is simplicity at its best, with a plain cream-color cardstock cover and matte pages with light blue ruling. Three out of five testers ranked this notebook in their top three, saying they loved the pleasant tone of the paper and the notebook’s minimalist aesthetic, which makes writing and journaling as distraction-free as possible.

It takes all sorts of ink, but it handles pencil especially well because of the paper’s slight tooth; the blank or graph versions of the Midori MD Notebook would be fantastic for doodling or sketching. We noticed some ghosting or show-through on the other side of the page, but we didn’t find it intrusive.

The quality of the stitching is terrific and allows the notebook to lie flat. (Compared with other notebooks of this size, including the Apica Premium C.D. Notebook, the Midori MD Notebook is bound in smaller sections, called signatures—16 signatures versus a more common eight or 12—which makes it sturdier and helps it lie flat more easily.) Unlike many other soft notebooks, this one has a ribbon bookmark—a silky green one that nicely complements the cream pages.

• Our main complaint against this otherwise lovely notebook is the dark horizontal line that runs across the middle of all the pages. While some people might use this line to divide their notes, we found it distracting and unnecessary.
• Although the cardstock feels sturdy, it’s not as rugged or as thick as other notebooks’ covers. (It comes with a thin plastic cover, but we found that more intrusive than useful.) Clear, paper, and leather covers are available at JetPens.
• Although most of our testers didn’t experience a lot of smudging with most writing utensils, our left-handed tester found that this notebook’s paper smudged significantly more with a gel pen than that of other notebooks.

Size: A5 (5.8 by 8.3 inches); 176 pages Ruling options: lined, graph, blank

Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5)

The best medium-size hardcover notebook.

With page numbers, index pages, two ribbon bookmarks, and sticker labels, this notebook has all the bells and whistles and simply feels a bit more special than competing notebooks.

Get this if: You want a medium-size hardcover notebook that helps you organize and keep track of your thoughts and ideas. All of the tiny details, such as the index pages and labels for archiving, make this notebook gift-worthy, too.

Why it’s great: The Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5) was the favorite notebook of three of our testers, and they listed many reasons for that. Most of all, the cream-color paper is exquisite, with a powdery, toothy texture unlike that of any of the other notebooks we tested or have used in the past. (In a pile of more than 20 notebooks, this is the one I could most readily pick out if blindfolded.)

The paper took well to pencil, ballpoint, rollerball, gel pen, and fountain pens, with very little smudging and no bleeding. Most of our testers said it just felt good to write on.

We love the firm cover and the ample page count, as well as all the extras this notebook offers: two thick ribbon bookmarks, labels for the spine and title page, page numbers, index pages, and a sturdy back pocket.

• Because its paper is thin, you might notice more ghosting with this notebook than with the other notebooks in this list. However, the ink doesn’t show through as much as it does with a Moleskine notebook —perhaps the most popular brand for notebooks of this size and type.
• The line ruling is narrower than in other notebooks we tested—6 mm versus the typical 7 mm. A difference of a single millimeter might not sound like a lot, but if you have large handwriting, this ruling might be too tight for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to have more lines per page, it could be a bonus.

Size: A5 (5.8 by 8.3 inches); 251 pages Ruling options: lined, dot grid, graph, blank

Budget pick

Paperage Hardcover Lined Journal Notebook

Top-notch paper at a budget-friendly price.

This simple journal-style notebook offers all the basics and a better writing experience than the more-popular Moleskine notebooks it mimics.

Get this if: You want an inexpensive, basic medium-size notebook with a hard cover but don’t want to sacrifice quality.

Why it’s great: We were pleasantly surprised by this $10 notebook. I compared it side by side with a similar Moleskine notebook, and the Paperage Hardcover Lined Journal Notebook paper was a significant upgrade, consisting of thicker, brighter pages that reliably handled rollerball, gel, and fountain pens with very little smudging or feathering.

Although it’s our budget hardcover notebook pick, it doesn’t skimp on extra details such as a silky ribbon bookmark, a back pocket that also has a secondary slot for cards, and spine and title page labels (although they aren’t as attractive as the Leuchtturm1917 notebook’s labels).

• It has thicker, 100 gsm paper than most of the notebooks we’ve tested. This makes the pages easier to flip and more substantial than competing notebooks, but we were torn about whether the added thickness was actually an improvement. Head of photo and video Michael Hession said it felt a bit “cardboardy.” The Paperage notebook offers a fine experience, but if you’re looking for elegantly thin paper in a hardcover shell, you’re better off with our pick from Leuchtturm1917.
• We also noted that the cover felt a bit cheaper than those of higher-priced notebooks—less soft to the touch and with more ragged edges at the rounded corners. But those are only nitpicky criticisms of an otherwise great notebook.

Size: 5.7 by 8 inches; 160 pages Ruling options: lined, dotted, blank

Maruman Mnemosyne N194A Notebook

A pleasant upgrade from standard school-style notebooks.

This large, versatile notebook has sturdy twin spiral rings, premium paper, and perforated pages.

Get this if: You prefer to write in a notebook with ring binding, which helps the notebook lie flat and makes it quicker to thumb through when you’re trying to find specific notes, as students and frequent meeting-notes takers are wont to do. Perforated pages are a big plus if you want to use the pages elsewhere—or if you often regret what you’ve written.

Why it’s great: The paper in the Maruman Mnemosyne N194A Notebook was one of our favorites, particularly when we were writing with a fountain pen. Its vellum-like smoothness made gel and fountain pen inks shine, with crisp, non-feathery edges. Compared with similar spiral notebooks, the paper is thicker and less smudgy, with very little ghosting and no bleeding.

The notebook’s page ruling and format are unique. Rather than a simple lined ruling, its paper has a large header at the top for date and title and then divides the rest of the page into thirds via darker lines. The format seems designed for more organized note-taking, but we’re ambivalent about the page divisions. We did love the notebook’s consistently effortless page perforation and its durable binding.

The poly cover feels strong and protective, but it’s not for everyone and perhaps not as durable as it looks—senior staff writer Kimber Streams disliked the plastic cover and found that it scratched easily from another spiral-bound notebook.

Size: B5 (6.6 by 9.9 inches); 150 pages Ruling options: lined, dot grid

Levenger Circa Simply Irresistible Sampling Kit

Like a binder but better.

This notebook has high-quality paper and accessories that you can arrange and rearrange for the ultimate in versatility.

Get this if: You want the flexibility of a binder but in a more grown-up, professional notebook format. The Levenger Circa Notebook is more of a system than a notebook, and Levenger’s sampling kit includes junior- and letter-size paper, as well as tab dividers and task pads to try out.

Why it’s great: A disc-bound notebook not only lets you move pages to a different section but also allows you to add pages and accessories of different sizes. That means you can add tab dividers, narrow pages with to-do lists, pouches to hold cards or small supplies, and more.

I’ve used several disc-bound notebooks over the years, including Staples’s Arc and the Martha Stewart–branded notebook system , but the Circa Notebook has the paper that stands up best to rearranging. It’s perfect for taking notes on different projects and then grouping them together in separate sections. The paper is a thick (100 gsm), toothy, matte white stock that takes all sorts of ink well.

Levenger also offers the widest range of accessories and style options for its Circa line—from leather covers to discs (in more than a dozen colors) to punches (to make any paper fit into the Circa Notebook). Page refills are available in all sorts of ruling as well as special formats like agenda planners.

The sampling kit comes with 60 sheets of paper in junior (5.5 by 8.5 inches) and letter (8.5 by 11 inches) sizes, as well as dividers, a task pad, translucent covers, and discs to create two notebooks. That should give you enough of a feel for a disc-bound notebook system without requiring too much investment in it.

• Prices for the paper refills are on the high end of the spectrum, on a par with the cost of Field Notes notebooks. You can expect to spend about 10¢ per page for the junior size or about 12¢ per page for the letter size. A binder with loose-leaf paper would definitely be cheaper but would offer a poorer writing experience.
• The translucent covers that come with the sampling kit aren’t as handsome (in our opinion) as those you’d find on our recommended hardcover notebooks (or even many softcovers), but they add to the customizability of the notebook, since anything you put as the first page will show through as the cover design.

Size: junior (5.5 by 8.5 inches) and letter (8.5 by 11 inches); 120 pages Ruling options: lined, grid, blank

Muji Passport Memo

The best all-purpose notebook to have with you at all times.

With a bargain price, a durable cover, and smooth, sturdy pages, this style is almost a no-brainer for a pocket notebook.

Get this if: You want to carry a small, simple notebook everywhere, for a price that doesn’t inhibit your note-taking.

Why it’s great: The Muji Passport Memo proves that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a quality notebook. Its cream-color pages are silky smooth, with no bleeding (unless you use a Sharpie) and not much ghosting to be concerned about.

The stitching is strong—the little notebook held up to multiple folding and unfolding and bending tests—and the thick, coated cardboard cover withstood water spills.

The 48 pages provide just enough to cover a trip, an assignment, or some other use without making you feel like you wasted paper if you don’t completely fill it. The Muji Passport Memo is about half an inch shorter than similar pocket notebooks such as the Field Notes Memo Books and the Clairefontaine Basics Life Unplugged notebooks , which makes it a bit more lightweight and a better fit for more pockets.

• Although the notebook easily lies flat when open, getting it to lie flat closed after you’ve used it is nigh impossible. We wish it had an elastic band to keep it from flopping open at our desk, but that’s a minor annoyance.
• The dot grid is very light—you have to really look for it to see it. Basically, the experience feels like writing in a blank notebook.

Size: 3.5 by 4.9 inches; 48 pages Ruling options: dot

Upgrade pick

Field Notes 3-Pack Original Kraft Memo Books

A more stylish pocket notebook.

This Field Notes book offers a wonderful combination of paper quality, durability, and a range of page and cover choices.

Get this if: You want to carry a small notebook everywhere, and you prefer toothy paper and a range of cover styles to choose from.

Why it’s great: The Field Notes Memo Book is not the cheapest pocket notebook you can buy, nor is it filled with the most luxuriously smooth paper available, but it is the best widely available way to treat yourself to a better writing experience.

Aside from the Muji Passport Memo , our testing and surveys have shown that the Field Notes Memo Book is the best-performing notebook that actually fits in a pocket or bag without feeling like a second wallet. In a previous test with nearly 70 Wirecutter staffers, we found that this notebook feathered and smudged the least—even with heavy inks—and many testers liked the light-brown ruling and cover details.

As with the Muji Passport Memo, the 48-page length of the Field Notes notebook feels like the right amount for covering a three-day conference, documenting a weeklong vacation, planning a novel, scribbling a few weeks’ worth of grocery or to-do lists, or just jotting down a number of random thoughts.

Finally, the Field Notes site offers a great array of versions beyond the basic Original Kraft Memo Book, with some 16 covers and variations in different types of ruling available at the time of publication. Some are simply gorgeous or unusual covers, while others introduce unique features, such as being waterproof and tear-proof .

If you like these kinds of little surprises, and you take to Field Notes’s form and paper, you can sign up for a yearly subscription , which gives you four packs of Field Notes notebooks at a reduced price compared with buying them individually and also nets you a few other freebies.

• Field Notes paper represents a notable upgrade from the notebooks you probably bought for school or most memo or legal pads you might use, but it’s not the best paper in all respects. Many Wirecutter testers preferred other notebooks for their paper feel and ghosting performance.
• The Memo Book costs more on a per-page basis than other notebooks this size.

Size: 3.5 by 5.5 inches; 48 pages Ruling options: ruled, graph, plain

Field Notes 2-Pack Front Page Reporter’s Notebooks

A great handheld pad with a soft cover.

This stylish reporter pad is lightweight and has toothy, thick paper.

Get this if: You’re interested in a notebook this size for taking notes one-handed, fitting it in a large pocket or small bag, and stashing receipts or business cards inside the cover—and you’re willing to splurge on high-quality paper.

Why it’s great: The Field Notes Front Page Reporter’s Notebook has bright white paper with a classic matte feel—great for those who like writing in a notebook that gives a lot of tactile feedback. Using even the wettest, inkiest pen we tested for our guide to pens (the Uni-ball Vision Elite), we had a hard time creating a smudge or bleed-through with this notebook.

The spiral-ring binding and thicker paper (70 pounds or 105 gsm—the thickest of the notebook papers we tested) make page-turning much less of a nuisance than with other reporter notepads we tested. The overlapping cardstock cover keeps the double-ring spirals from catching or getting warped in your pocket or bag. And the pocket on the back cover, though open on one side, can serve as a convenient spot for any scrap you need to hold on to until you get back to your office.

Like other Field Notes notebooks, this reporter pad has a distinctive, charming design that makes you feel like you’re going on an adventure, even when you’re just taking notes at your desk.

• On a per-page basis, this notebook is the priciest we recommend (about 11¢ per page, versus an average of 7¢ per page). If you’re an actual news reporter, scrambling from one interview to the next and then flipping through a day’s worth of notes on deadline, paying this much probably isn’t worth it. Save this notepad for more precious notes you might want to refer to in later years.
• The cover is thin cardstock—not as sturdy as what you get with other notebooks, and more prone to getting bent or frayed. It also makes the notepad flex a bit more when you’re holding it with one hand and writing with the other.
• The partially enclosed back pocket can lure you into thinking it’s a totally enclosed and safe pocket, but cards or notes will fall out at certain angles.

Size: 3.75 by 8 inches; 70 pages Ruling options: lined

Maruman Mnemosyne N166 Steno Pad (A5)

The best top-bound, medium-size notepad.

With thick, smooth, perforated paper, this notepad is a fine companion for note-taking.

Get this if: You want a medium-size notepad that’s easy to flip through to refer back to your notes. Because it’s top-bound, leftie writers should find this notebook easier to use than other notebook formats, too.

Why it’s great: The Maruman Mnemosyne N166 Steno Pad (A5) had the best-quality paper of all the steno notebooks we tested. As with the other Maruman Mnemosyne notebooks we considered, the paper is smooth and thick yet slightly translucent—a little like vellum. Inky pens (rollerball, gel, and fountain pens) glided across it nicely in our tests, and it offers enough tooth to make writing on these pages with a pencil or ballpoint pleasant.

Compared with other steno pads, the N166 proved to be the most elegant in design and construction—though, to be fair, not many notebook makers are still producing steno pads these days. While other steno pads (including our previous pick, the Field Notes Steno Pad ) have dark, distracting lines, the light blue-gray lines of the N166 sit in the background—guidelines rather than dictators for your text. That’s especially important if you don’t intend to use the notebook for its two-column organization. Perforated pages mean you can neatly tear out your notes without jagged edges.

• We couldn’t find much to dislike about this steno pad, but if you prefer toothier paper or one with darker lines, the Field Notes Steno Pad would be a better choice for you. It’s more expensive, though, and it lacks page perforation.
• As with the other Maruman Mnemosyne notebooks, the poly cover and yellow cover page of the N166 Steno Pad might not be to everyone’s taste.

Size: A5 (5.8 by 8.3 inches); 140 pages Ruling options: Gregg ruled

Rhodia No. 19 Yellow Pad

The best legal pad.

This full-size legal pad has excellent, smooth paper with a light yellow color that’s easy on the eyes.

May be out of stock

Get this if: You want a high-quality legal pad for taking copious notes on paper that will stand out from piles of white documents.

Why it’s great: The Rhodia No. 19 Yellow Pad has silky smooth, creamy yellow paper with subtle blue lines and a thin, double red margin—a big upgrade from the standard, cheap-feeling, less-attractive legal pads that may immediately come to mind when you think about the category. It takes all sorts of ink well, especially rollerball and fountain pens, and despite its thinness, the paper doesn’t show much ghosting or ink show-through on the back.

Unlike paper on competing legal pads, such as the Mintra Office Legal Pad , pages tear off cleanly from the Rhodia notepad. It has an iconic orange cover as well, which is uncommon for this type of notepad.

Rhodia also sells a number of other staple-bound notepads in different sizes and page colors, including a smaller (6 by 8.25 inches) white version for those who like the paper quality but don’t care for the canary color.

• Most legal pads measure 8.5 by 11 inches—letter-size, despite the name. The Rhodia pad’s A4+ size (8.3 by 11.7 inches) is slightly longer and narrower. This makes neatly stacking the pages along with, say, printed documents, impossible. But on the plus side, you’ll easily find your notes in such a stack.
• The Rhodia pad’s cardboard backing isn’t as sturdy as other legal pads, so writing on the notepad on your lap can be tricky.

Size: A4+ (8.3 by 11.7 inches); 160 pages Ruling options: lined, dot grid

Moleskine is the first name many people think of when they think of a fancy notebook. Most prominent among them are the Moleskine Cahier Journals .

But we compared the Moleskine offerings with the other notebooks we tested, and you can do much better. In a Moleskine journal, the ink from anything that’s wider or wetter than a standard ballpoint spreads quickly into the page, where the edges of your letters will feather, and it shows through strongly on the other side. Fine-tipped gel or rollerball pens can pierce the pages with the tips.

Standard Moleskine notebooks can work if you stick to one style of pen, but they cost more per page than most of our notebook picks—and you usually get to use only one side of each page because writing shows through on the other side so easily.

Most experts we read and consulted agree. “You shouldn’t be buying it,” said Elizabeth Newberry of No Pen Intended . “[T]here are too many other good options on the market that don’t have the ink challenges Moleskine does,” said Brad Dowdy of The Pen Addict .

These challenges include ghosting, feathering, and an utter intolerance for any wet ink, be it gel or fountain. Some stationery blogs go out of their way to suggest Moleskine alternatives . Moleskine offers many varieties, some with higher-quality paper, like the Volant Journals , but often at prices the same as or above those of the notebooks we tested for this guide.

If you just need paper to write on and want to save the most money, use any paper you can find. But if you write every day and need to keep your thoughts organized—especially on a specific project—having a good notebook can be a lifesaver.

The notebooks we tested and picked for this guide are designed to be pleasant to write in, nice to look at, durable, and worth the price for your plans, tasks, thoughts, lists, and reminders. They average about $9 per notebook and 7¢ per page, which is reasonable for something you might rely on daily.

We combed through the favorites of experts and co-workers and searched deep into the inventories of Amazon and JetPens. Sorting and filtering for price, plus the sizes and rulings that people find most useful (grid paper has its place, but most people prefer lined rulings), we narrowed a list of 106 possible contenders down to 34 test candidates.

Over the course of about two weeks, I wrote on several pages in each notebook using a variety of writing utensils: pencils and ballpoint, gel, rollerball, and fountain pens. I took notes about each notebook’s design and construction, as well as the feel of its paper, looking out for issues such as bleeding, ghosting, or feathering. Then I selected 10 notebooks that represented a sampling of each major brand and sent them to four other Wirecutter staffers—all notebook enthusiasts—to test. For a previous version of this guide, a left-handed tester also helped us evaluate the smudginess of each notebook’s paper.

Judging notebooks with similar characteristics is hard, especially when you might like the paper in one but prefer the format of another, such as a steno notebook versus a hardcover journal. To help divorce the paper from its shape and binding, many of our testers cut out pages from each notebook and wrote the same thing—a passage from Kant, a poem, or other famous and well-loved words—to compare the papers side by side.

After writing in each notebook over the course of a week, using the same pen or pencil in each, the testers filled out a survey selecting their top three notebook picks as well as their least favorite. They also provided the reasons for their selections. In (rough) order of importance, we rated the notebooks based on:

• the feel of the paper under pen and pencil
• bleeding (ink passing through to the other side of the paper)
• feathering (ink seeping from the edges of letters)
• ghosting (pen ink visible on the other side of paper)
• pen ink smudging
• look and design, including perceived durability

After the results were in, joyful paper nerding ensued in our Slack channel:

Our picks are based on our panelists’ rankings, expert advice, and my individual testing of other notebooks that I didn’t send to the panel.

Many notebooks we don’t recommend are still great options for the right person. We’ve highlighted reasons you might consider the following notebooks in addition to our picks.

If you need a large, thin notebook to dedicate to a single subject or class: The Apica Notebook CD15 can fit the bill. It has similar high-quality paper as our medium notebook pick, the Apica Premium C.D. Notebook , but in a 7-by-10 inch size. It has just 33 sheets of paper, though, much less than the 80-sheet Maruman Mnemosyne N194A Notebook .

If you’d like a hardcover reporter-style notepad: The Leuchtturm1917 Notepad is the best option. It has the same exquisite toothy and powdery paper as Leuchtturm’s other notepads but in a 3.5-by-6-inch flip-over design. Pages are perforated and numbered too, and it comes with an index page, back pocket, and labels. It’s just not as easy to use when folding the cover back as the Field Notes Front Page Reporter’s Notebook , nor as lightweight.

If you’d like two types of ruling in one notebook: We tested the Code&Quill Compass reporter’s notepad and appreciated its thick (100 gsm) paper, which has a unique ruling: dot grid on one side and indented rule on the other. But we found this hardcover notebook too bulky to write easily on when holding it with one hand. The company offers notebooks in other formats, though, so if the ruling appeals to you—it seems ideal for coders and creative types—take a look at its other offerings.

If you want a small notebook for your to-do lists: The pocket-size Word notebooks have high-quality paper (similar to that of Field Notes) and come in a variety of interesting cover designs, but the pages have bullet point guides, so the format is more suitable for task-planning or bullet-journaling than for general note-taking or other uses.

This is not a comprehensive list of all notebooks and notepads we’ve tested. We have removed models that are discontinued or no longer meet our criteria.

The Black n’ Red Professional Notebook , a previous pick, was our panelists’ least favorite notebook by far this time around. It had the smudgiest paper of the notebooks we tested, and we disliked the overall aesthetic, including its thick gray lines, the cheesy motivational quotes on the divider pages, and the obtrusive black markings in the page corners (which are there so you can scan the pages with the company’s smartphone app to digitize them).

The Field Notes Steno Pad is still a fine notebook, with a sturdy cover and great paper. The Maruman Mnemosyne N166 Steno Pad is a better value, though, costing about 7¢ per page versus the Field Notes pad’s 12¢ per page. The Field Notes steno pad also lacks perforation, and we found its lines to be too heavy in comparison with those of the N166.

The Rhodia Desk Webnotebook wound up as one of our panelists’ least favorite options because of its cheap-feeling cover and pages that felt too slick and waxy. This was a surprising disappointment because we love the paper quality in the company’s notepads.

We dismissed several cheap notebooks that ranged from 2¢ to 3¢ per page—the Blueline Steno Pad , the National Brand Subject Wirebound Notebook , and the National Brand Steno Notes —because their paper was very thin and flimsy. If you just want the cheapest scrap paper, one of these notebooks would be fine. Similarly, the Tops Reporter’s Notebook , which costs 7¢ per page, offers merely mediocre paper that’s no better than what you’d find in a dollar-store notebook.

We also dismissed most legal pads we tested, including the Amazon Basics Wide Ruled Lined Writing Note Pad , the Tops Docket Gold Writing Pad , and the Ampad Gold Fibre Perforated Pad . They’re more or less interchangeable budget notepads.

That’s not to say that there isn’t a place for these notebooks and notepads—they simply weren’t what we were looking for.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.

Brad Dowdy, The Pen Addict , email interview, September 2020

Elizabeth Newberry, No Pen Intended , email interview, September 2020

Ian Hedley, Pens! Paper! Pencils! and Pennaquod , email interview, September 2020

Meet your guide

Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola covers home office, remote work, and productivity as a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. She has contributed to print and online publications such as The New York Times, Consumer Reports, Lifehacker, and PCWorld, specializing in tech, work, and lifestyle/family topics. She’s thrilled when those topics intersect—and when she gets to write about them in her PJs.

Further reading

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The Field Notes Memo Book is my everyday companion.

How a $2 Notebook Helps My Insomnia

by Dorie Chevlen

Sometimes the fanciest remedies won’t work to combat anxiety-induced insomnia. But a $2 notebook helped this writer get back to sleep.

Why I (Still) Carry a Notebook Everywhere

by Martha McPhee

Novelist Martha McPhee explains why, in this digital age, she finds notebook and pen not only relevant, but necessary.

40(ish) Wirecutter Picks for Heading Back to School

by Christina Williams

Here are 40(ish) of our favorite school supplies.

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reMarkable 2

Replace your notebooks and printouts with the only tablet that feels like paper. All your handwritten notes, to-dos, PDFs, and ebooks, perfectly organized and in one place.

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Marker Plus is our flagship writing tool for reMarkable 2. It offers unrivaled tilt and pressure sensitivity, and a  built-in eraser .

Free express shipping

All orders that include a reMarkable 2 are shipped with free express delivery. Estimated delivery times depend on where you live, and can be found in our webshop during checkout. Once your order has shipped, you’ll receive an email from our courier with tracking information. Learn more .

What payment options do you offer?

Payment by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay is available in all the countries and regions we deliver to. During checkout in our webshop, you’ll see any additional payment options available in your region. For a full list of the payment options we offer, please read this article .

Accessories included in the box

reMarkable 2 comes with a 1-meter USB-A to USB-C charging cable.

The only tablet that feels like paper

• Convert your handwritten notes to typed text
• Take handwritten notes, read, and review documents
• 2 weeks of battery life
• Take notes directly on PDFs
• Integrate with Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive
• Easily import Microsoft Office files and web articles

Satisfaction guarantee

Try reMarkable and Connect for 100 days risk free.

If you decide to return it, we offer a full refund.

Paper-like writing

Get an unbeatable writing experience with the virtually-instant response and textured surface of reMarkable 2. Tools like undo, move, and layers make editing a breeze.

Lightweight, long-lasting

At just 4.7 mm and 403.5 g, you can take reMarkable anywhere. With up to 2 weeks of battery life, get hours of use with no backlight, glare, or eye strain.

Effortless organization

Sort your notes and documents with folders and tags, write directly on PDFs, and instantly convert handwritten notes to typed text. Learn how reMarkable can help your business .

Your notes, your way

Write by hand with your Marker, type with Type Folio, or switch between the two. With Connect , take notes in our mobile and desktop apps , and access all your work — anywhere.

Find the right Marker

Choose between the only Markers designed to work perfectly with reMarkable’s uniquely textured CANVAS display. For truly paper-like writing.

• Attaches magnetically
• No charging or setup needed
• Built-in eraser (Only Marker Plus)
• Delivers paper-like friction

Built-in eraser

Needs charging

Keep notes safe and accessible

Connect subscription.

Your reMarkable 2 includes a free 1-year free Connect trial. Enjoy unlimited cloud storage and sync, note-taking in the apps, up to three years’ added device protection, and exclusive offers.

Cloud integrations

Sync files with Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and more. Import Microsoft Word docs, PowerPoint presentations, or web articles with our Read on reMarkable extension .

SUPERCHARGE YOUR NOTE-TAKING

Explore our latest software updates

Technical specifications

Size and weight.

• 187 x 246 x 4.7 mm

Approximately 403.5 g (.88 lb)

• 1.2 GHz dual core ARM

Storage and RAM

• 1 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
• 8 GB internal storage

Second-generation CANVAS display

10.3” monochrome digital paper display (no colors)

• 1872 x 1404 resolution (226 DPI)
• Partially powered by E Ink Carta technology
• Multi-point capacitive touch
• No charging, setup, or pairing required

Special high-friction pen tip

• Tilt detection

4096 levels of pressure sensitivity

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz

Accessory port

Rechargeable (Li-ion) battery

USB-C charging

Operating system

Codex — A purposely designed Linux-based operating system for low-latency digital paper displays

Document support

PDF and ePUB

Menu language: English only Note and file syncing between reMarkable tablet and reMarkable apps for MacOS, Windows 10, iOS, and Android

Frequently Asked Questions

What countries do you ship to?

To see if reMarkable is available where you live, click the menu in the upper-left corner, and then click the button in the lower-left corner to browse countries and regions. For an updated list of countries and regions we ship to, please read this support article .

Can I change delivery details before I receive my order?

reMarkable 2 is sent with express shipping, which means that we only have a short period of time to change the shipping details before the order leaves our warehouse. Due to our quick handling time, you have roughly an hour to make changes after placing your order. If you need to make changes to your shipping details, please contact us via chat for help.

What is your return policy?

We offer a 100-day satisfaction guarantee for customers who buy reMarkable 2 from our webshop , so you can try it risk free. If it’s not right for you, we offer free returns and a full refund within 100 days after your delivery date. Read more about our return policy.

Can I buy a replacement device without accessories?

If you need to replace a broken reMarkable device but don’t require a Marker, please contact Support.

Please note: this is only for customers replacing an existing device.

Where can I contact customer service?

You can reach our customer support team and find all the answers to the most commonly asked questions, troubleshooting guides, and more on our support site . You can chat with us for live support or email us, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours. If you have questions about business purchases , please use the contact form on this page .

Can I access my notes and documents from my computer or phone?

Yes, with the reMarkable mobile and desktop apps , you can view, organize, and import files. If you subscribe to Connect, you can also take and edit notes in the apps. Learn more about Connect .

Does reMarkable 2 support left-handed writing?

If you're left-handed, don't worry. A few of our colleagues are also left-handed. They want to make sure all lefties have an excellent experience with their reMarkable. You can configure left-handed mode when you set up your reMarkable. We've also made it easy to switch between left- and right-handed mode in the settings.

How does reMarkable 2 work without Connect?

Without Connect, files on your reMarkable will stop syncing to the cloud if you don’t open them for 50 days. You also won’t have access to note-taking in the reMarkable mobile and desktop apps, the reMarkable 2 Protection Plan , and exclusive offers and discounts in our webshop. To see if Connect is right for you, you get a 1-year free Connect trial when you buy reMarkable 2, so you can try it out before committing. Learn more about Connect .

What are reMarkable 2's technical specifications?

Size and Weight

• Approximately 403.5 g
• 10.3" monochrome digital paper display (no colors)
• Special high-friction Marker tip

How often does reMarkable update its software?

We regularly release software updates for our paper tablets and apps, adding new features and performance improvements. You can see a history of our past updates here .

What languages does reMarkable 2 support?

reMarkable’s menu language is English. For an updated list of the languages supported by the handwriting conversion feature, on-screen keyboard, and Type Folio, please read this support article .

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Article updated on March 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM PDT

Best E Ink Tablets for 2024: Devices Made for Reading and Writing

The ReMarkable 2, Kindle Scribe and other E Ink tablets help you save paper and keep you organized all in one place.

Our Experts

• Member of Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

An environmentally friendly way to keep your notes is here. With an E Ink tablet, you can take all your notes in one place and even store them on an online cloud so you don't lose them. A good E Ink tablet will be as light as an e-reader and feel natural to write on. While there are ways to write on Apple ,  Microsoft ,  Samsung  and  Amazon tablets, E Ink tablets are made with gray-scale tech so they won't die as quickly, helping them last all day.

E ink devices aren't going to replace an iPad as they're mostly just meant for reading and writing. You won't be able to stream your favorite show or watch the latest TikTok video on these tablets, but they are the best E Ink tablets for taking into the classroom without disturbing the professor or your classmates. Whether you're looking for a top-of-the-line E Ink device with all the bells and whistles or a cheap E Ink tablet that gets the note-taking job done, you might just find what you're looking for below.

I've recently spent time with the newest E Ink tablet on the market, the Amazon Kindle Scribe . Like other E Ink tablets on this list, the Kindle Scribe comes with a stylus and offers note-taking and annotation support for PDFs. Additionally, you can take handwritten notes on Kindle titles via a sticky-note application that pins your notes to the text. In keeping with Amazon tradition, the Scribe won't directly support ePub files, which means you'll need to send them to your Kindle via Amazon's Whispersync service for conversion. The Scribe features a 300-dpi touchscreen and starts at $340 for the 16GB model, although it also comes in 32GB and 64GB versions and is available now .

So how does the new Kindle Scribe compare to other E Ink tablets? Let's break it down.

Best for writing and note-taking

Remarkable 2.

The ReMarkable 2 is the best E Ink tablet for students who love to take lots of handwritten notes. It is only 0.19 inches thick and 0.88 pounds, which makes it light and easy to carry in your backpack. This 10.3-inch tablet uses a monochrome digital display with a resolution of 226 DPI. The writing and text look clear and sharp, and you can choose from over 40 different page templates for notes, including seven options just for musical notation. The software is easy to use, with clear buttons at the top for you to add notebooks and folders. It has 8GB of internal storage and now includes handwriting conversion and Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive integration. Those services used to be part of ReMarkable's Connect subscription, but are now included for free with every device. The Connect subscription itself still exists, but now costs $3 a month instead of $8. It offers a ReMarkable 2 protection plan, along with unlimited cloud storage and the ability to add notes in your notebooks when you're on mobile and desktop devices.

The included stylus doesn't require pairing or charging but supports tilt detection and the standard 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Practically speaking, it offers the most realistic writing experience of any tablet I've ever used. The screen has a paper-like feel, which gives the pen a level of friction that feels incredibly true to life. 

The ReMarkable 2 also shines with PDFs. Highlights automatically straighten themselves and turn a legible shade of gray without any needed adjustment. You can add pages to PDFs for extra notes or write in the margins with ease. The ReMarkable's thinness, two-week battery life, pen input and PDF management capabilities made this E Ink tablet my favorite. 

The ReMarkable 2 isn't without faults. The biggest issue is that it lacks any kind of backlight, which could be a deal breaker. Much like an actual book or notebook, this device requires an external light source to use in the dark. Even the cheapest Kindle now has front-light illumination for nighttime use. It also doesn't function particularly well as an e-reader, as the only formats it supports are PDF and unprotected epub. That means that you won't be able to access your Kindle content or any other epub books with digital rights management software, which includes almost all legally purchasable ebooks on the market. 

Ultimately, I found this tablet to be incredibly useful. This is the cheapest E Ink tablet on our list, but it's still essentially just a PDF and note-taking device. 

Best E Ink tablet for Amazon content

Kindle scribe.

The Kindle Scribe comes with a fantastic 300 ppi, 10.2-inch display that is evenly lit and perfect for large-format reading. The writing experience is also very pleasant and natural, but the Scribe's software limitations keep this device from soaring.

The Scribe looks and feels like an extra-large Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis, although it lacks the physical page-turning buttons of Amazon's premium e-reader. Words look crisp and clear, while the device itself is fast and responsive.

The Scribe's notebooks are easy to use, but lacking in features compared to other E Ink Tablets. You can export your notebooks via email, but there's no Dropbox or any other third-party support. There are 18 notebook templates available, including six lined options, graphing paper, musical notation, and to-do lists. All of that is great, but these notebooks lack any smart features. For example, there's no way to insert equations or convert your handwriting to text.

Similarly, writing in books and documents is too limited to be useful to serious highlighters and doodlers. That's because Amazon doesn't actually let you write directly on the page in anything other than a PDF. Instead, you'll need to write on "sticky notes" if you want to handwrite a note in a book or even a Word Doc. Not only does this prevent you from scribbling in the margins of books, but it also means you'll need to take a separate action to start writing at all.

The sticky notes are then collected automatically in your Notes and Highlights section, where they are presented without any of the context in which you wrote them. It does allow you to jump to the page on which a note was written by tapping on your markings. This is great in theory but is confusing if you have more than one note on each page, as it doesn't pinpoint the exact location where the note was created. The Scribe also doesn't let you write any kind of notes at all on manga, comics, graphic novels, magazines, or newspapers.

Currently, you are allowed to write directly on the page in PDFs, but the experience isn't great. The pen itself works well, but dealing with documents is more difficult than it should be. When you're in a PDF, you aren't able to adjust the font size or layout, so instead you have to pinch to zoom to enlarge or reposition the document. That part works well, and it's not too hard to find a level that works best for you. Once you're positioned in your PDF, you can't stay there. The Scribe makes it impossible to maintain your current zoom levels from one page to the next. Instead, you have to zoom all the way out again to swipe to the next page, just to reposition it all over again. This is a huge pain and makes reading long PDFs cumbersome and frustrating.

Ultimately, the Scribe is great if you want a large-screen e-reader or are eager to handwrite sticky notes in Amazon books. It just isn't quite good enough at either PDFs or in-line note-taking to recommend it as anything other than a gigantic, but excellent, Kindle.

Best E Ink tablet for reading

Kobo elipsa.

Kobo might be a smaller company than Amazon, but it's been making e-readers for just about as long. While Amazon once made a 9.7-inch Kindle, the product never offered natural input with a touchscreen or stylus and was discontinued in 2014. More recently, Kobo was the first with a waterproof e-reader and it's the first of the major e-reading players to make a 10.3-inch device with a stylus. 

Like most Kobos, the Elipsa is an excellent e-reader and offers battery life measured in weeks, depending on use. Unlike Kindles, Kobos has a seemingly limitless ability to customize the reading experience. You can play continuously with margins, line spacing, fonts and font size to get a page that looks exactly how you want it to, no matter the size of the screen. The included stylus can be used on any PDF or Kobo ePub, so it works just as well on library books as it does on books from the Kobo store.

Speaking of the library, Kobo is known for its deep integration with the ebook library service OverDrive. You can easily access, browse and download library books directly from your device, so long as your local library uses OverDrive. Borrowing an ebook from the New York Public Library was a seamless experience and one that makes all Kobos a must-have for library lovers. 

Unfortunately, the Elipsa's note-taking capabilities are lacking. There is a noticeable lag when writing with the stylus for any length of time, and the notebook features are fairly basic. Only four templates are available in the basic notebooks and only a single lined template in the advanced notebooks. Advanced notebooks do let you insert drawings, diagrams, math equations and a free-form section, while also offering the ability to convert your handwriting to text. There are only a few pen types to choose from and only five pen brush sizes. 

I wasn't able to use the notebook feature for anything other than the most basic scribbles and wouldn't recommend it for anything more than that. 

The Kobo Elipsa has 32GB of storage, a resolution of 227 DPI, and a blue front light, but it lacks the warm light of the Boox. While this E Ink tablet misses the mark on long-form writing, it excels as a large-screen, library-friendly e-reader with the ability to scribble in the margins. 

Most versatile E Ink tablet

Onyx boox note air 2 (update: currently unavailable).

The Boox Note Air 2 is the most tablet-like E Ink device I tested. This 10.3-inch tablet features a resolution of 227 mph, runs on a customized version of the Android 11 operating system and even has its own app store, where you can download third-party apps that have been optimized for the device. While it doesn't come pre-baked into the system, you can access the full Google Play store. I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than downloading an e-reading app, as the Boox still has an E Ink display and isn't made for games or video. A step-by-step on how to get the Google Play store installed is in this hands-on review of a previous model . 

Also, the Boox comes with only 64GB of non-expandable storage, so you don't want apps filling up your system. The company does offer 5GB of cloud storage from its own service for free to help transfer documents to the device, although you can also use Dropbox, Evernote and OneNote.

The biggest benefit of the app store is that you'll have access to your entire collection of books from your Kindle, Nook and Kobo libraries. You can also download the Libby app for library books, and Marvel Unlimited users can download the app and read comics, although not in color. The Note Air 2 includes speakers and a microphone, allowing you to listen to audiobooks from Audible or other audiobook apps. 

This is a great selling point of the device, but I found the in-app experience to be less than ideal. Many of the features that make the Note Air 2 unique are disabled in third-party apps. For example, you won't be able to use the pen to take notes or make highlights in books on the Kindle app. Instead, you'll have to type in notes you want to take, like using the app on any other tablet. To write directly onto books, you'll need to have them in DRM-free ebook format. Luckily, the Boox supports a wide range of formats including PDF, epub, DOC, and Mobi. 

Note-taking and PDF management are strong on the Note Air 2 but not as seamless as on the ReMarkable 2. Highlights aren't automatically straightened, and users have to choose the color and width of the marker. The Note Air 2 provides 16 options of grayscale color, but they all look the same on the device, leaving highlights looking dark and messy. The included stylus also features 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity but lags ever so slightly when writing across the page. On the plus side, you can include audio recordings for more accurate retention. The Note Air 2 also lets you open a PDF and notebook at the same time in a split-screen view, giving you the ability to read and take notes all at once. 

Like the Kindle Paperwhite and Oasis, the Boox Note Air 2 comes with a warm and cold front light to help make the screen easier on the eyes and give it a more paperlike look. You can easily adjust both lights with a swipe-down menu. Plus, it also measures its battery life in weeks, not days.

While this tablet is by far the most expensive on our list, it's also the most versatile of the E Ink tablets and does a lot well but nothing great. 

You might see that the company has recently announced a Note Air 2 Plus. I haven't tried that one, but it's almost identical to the original Air 2 -- just with a bigger battery, which also makes it very slightly heavier. They also make the Tab Ultra, which I've tested and enjoyed, but ultimately found too expensive to recommend to most people. 

Other E Ink tablets we've tested

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra : The Tab Ultra arrived as a souped-up version of Boox's own Note Air 2, with an impressive 128GB of storage, almost double the battery, a built-in 16-megapixel rear camera for document scanning and an optional keyboard case for typing notes on the go. Like the Note Air 2, Tab Ultra uses Android 11 software, which means that you can easily access apps from the Google Play store. The refresh modes on the Ultra's E Ink display can easily be changed to a Fast mode or an Ultra Fast mode, which will cause some loss of detail in the images, but are great for typing in Google Docs using the keyboard case, or for scrolling through a website on the internet (although to be honest, this doesn't look good on an E Ink screen).

The typing experience was a lot better than I anticipated and I was able to effectively use the keyboard to write my notes. The included keyboard was a little small for truly comfortable typing -- especially for those with larger hands -- but the case itself is cleverly constructed in a way that lets you switch from typing to handwriting with minimal fuss. Unfortunately, using the camera for scanning documents into PDFs is a complete mess. The OCR software doesn't do a very good job of reading text on the image and the resulting PDFs are utterly unusable. If you need to scan a doc, you're much better off using your phone.

Ultimately, the Ultra is just too expensive to recommend with its $500 list price, especially considering that the keyboard case costs an additional $109. You can't use a keyboard or take pictures on the Boox's Note Air 2, but that's more than okay. The Note Air 2 offers many of the best functions of the Tab Ultra for hundreds of dollars less.

How we test E Ink tablets

Every E Ink tablet undergoes extensive hands-on testing. In this case, each tablet was used for one week of rehearsal in a professional theatrical production. This involved evaluating the set-up process, loading PDFs and books onto the devices, and using both the device and the included stylus as a script during full six-hour days of rehearsal. Tasks included highlighting, taking notes in the margins and creating and taking detailed notes in notebooks. We also downloaded ebooks onto the device and used it as a recreational e-reader.

Anecdotally, we considered the hardware design and features, stylus capabilities, overall ease of use, effective UI layouts, notebook settings, E Ink settings, PDF markup capabilities, e-reading settings and format compatibility, app support and performance, and the overall speed and reliability of the system.

E Ink tablet FAQ

How is an e ink tablet different from an e-reader.

Both e-readers and E Ink tablets use E Ink technology to render words and images on the page. They both offer a distraction-free experience that's easier on the eyes than a traditional LCD color screen.

E-readers tend to be smaller than size and focus only on the experience of reading a book or PDF. E Ink tablets offer e-reading features but also include the ability to use a stylus to write notes in a digital notebook and/or in the margins of PDFs and ebooks. Since handwriting is integral to the E Ink tablet experience, the devices themselves tend to be bigger to more closely approximate the size of a sheet of paper.

Who are E Ink tablets for?

E Ink tablets are best suited for people who enjoy writing notes or sketching by hand and who need to read and mark up lots of PDF or DRM-free ebooks. They could be a particularly good fit for students, lawyers or any other professional in need of a digital, distraction-free note-taking device.

They aren't for people who want constant notifications and fast processing speeds to watch videos or play games.

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The Best Writing Tablets for Making Lists and Taking Notes

One of these tablets can help you boost your productivity and streamline your life.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Remove the stress of picking out a new notebook every few months with a dedicated writing tablet fit with tools to help you organize, get creative, or take notes on documents. Typically made with E Ink screens for the most paper-like feel, good writing tablets typically have features like glare resistance, palm rejection, built-in calendars, cloud syncing, and ideally, a marketplace for extra apps.

While picking up your writing tablet each time you're ready for a new to-do list might take a bit of getting used to, the trade-off is a streamlined note-taking system that puts your notes in-hand whenever you need them (even if you don't have your tablet on your person). Here are our favorites.

Looking for more productivity tools? Check out our picks for the best Chromebooks , and the best tablets for students .

The Best Writing Tablets of 2024

Most Customizable

Boox note air 2 plus.

Most Affordable E Ink

Amazon kindle scribe.

Best iPad Alternative

Samsung galaxy tab s8 ultra.

Most Versatile

Apple ipad pro (2022).

For A Keyboard Alternative

Astrohaus freewrite traveler.

Best For Professionals

Wacom mobile studio pro 16.

Best For Windows Fans

Microsoft surface pro 7+, what to consider.

Any tablet can serve as a writing tablet, but finding one dedicated to the purpose of note-taking means prioritizing specific features like backlights, stylus feel, and syncing with other devices.

E Ink screens are the best option for dedicated writing tablets because they’re most similar to paper, resist glare, and are easier to configure with palm rejection (as in, the tablet doesn’t register the side of your hand as a touch command). They’re also easier on the eyes compared to the glare of a blue screen. If you intend to draw or sketch on your tablet, look for an E Ink tablet with a high refresh rate that will instantly register your pen strokes. High refresh rates are also helpful if you write quickly or want to use your tablet to read.

Traditional LCD screens are also a good pick if you want a multipurpose tablet for playing games, sending emails, editing photos, and also writing. Some LCD screens don't have palm rejection built in, so make sure to look out for that when shopping.

The best writing tablets have on-device storage as well as the ability to sync with your other devices. We recommend options that sync with an app on your phone or computer so you can access your grocery lists and meeting notes whenever you need them. The file types used on writing tablets are typically very small, so you don't need a ton of storage space—around 32 GB is plenty for most users.

Every tablet uses an operating system to run its software. Some of our picks use open-source software with very few parameters, while others have lock-and-key operating systems that don't offer any extra apps. If you're using your tablet for purposes besides writing and reading documents, pick an option with software that allows downloads from the marketplace, such as the App Store or the Android Store.

Switching from pen and paper to stylus and screen can feel like a betrayal of your writerly sensibilities. That's why prioritizing the feel of writing on your new tablet is so important. During testing, we found that we struggled to integrate writing tablets with poor feel into our daily lives because they didn't remind us enough of notebooks or legal pads. A good stylus and screen combo should glide easily with a touch of resistance or friction to mimic the feel of pencil. Get a comfortable stylus to go with your tablet, or pick up a Bluetooth keyboard for even faster writing (but make sure your tablet is compatible first).

How We Selected

We found the best writing tablets by researching what other publications, like Digital Camera World and CNET had to recommend. We also consulted our product testing, including the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 7 . We scoured through dozens of writing tablets at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart, and considered user reviews among the bestselling products. This list is compiled with consideration of all budgets, tablet styles, and aesthetic choices.

Using the Boox Note Air 2 Plus is overwhelming in the best way. This tablet is supremely customizable, running on Android so you can download and use apps like Kindle, Kobo, and Google Drive. Whether you want to use it to write a novel or sketch a cube, you can adjust tons of settings, even down to the responsiveness of the stylus. There are plenty of built-in features to help your note-taking process, including a calendar, multiple brush settings for doodling, and a split-screen option for using two apps at once.

Supremely lightweight and responsive, the Note Air 2 Plus also has a microphone for recording memos and a speaker for playing audiobooks on the go. The brand offers users up to 5 GB of cloud storage just in case its built-in 64 GB isn't enough, but we recommend turning the Boox store and cloud syncing off since the company has free rein to share certain data. It's easy to make your tablet more secure, though, with a simple toggle to turn off these features.

The battery life lasts roughly five weeks on a single charge, depending on whether you use the warm and cool backlights and how often you use the device.

With what feels like hundreds of settings and features to make this tablet work for you, after getting our hands dirty with the Boox Note Air 2 Plus, we think it's best enjoyed by people who are relatively tech-savvy since it requires a bit of tweaking to find the best configuration for each user. Unfortunately, it's quite expensive, but it's well worth the extra cash if you want to write, draw, and read all on one device.

Instead of using a Kindle purely for reading, you can write in it, too. The Kindle Scribe marries the look of a Kindle with the functionality of an Amazon Fire tablet. The 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display mimics that of real, tangible paper. With Kindle integration, users can make sticky notes directly in their eBooks or on top of PDF files and Microsoft Word documents.

Of course, note-taking is also available through the device’s software. You can create new notebooks, journals, and lists, with templates lined paper, grid paper, and more. An auto-adjustable backlight helps users see in dimly-lit areas, plus, Amazon claims that a single USB-C charge makes the Scribe last up to 3 weeks.

Users love the Kindle Scribe for its user-friendly interface and price point, though many note that they're waiting on software updates to better integrate with Microsoft programs and handwriting-to-text translations.

The Galaxy Tab S8 is a powerful tablet for taking notes and drawing, and at solid processing speeds. With a screen size of just over 14 inches, this device offers a large, beautiful display for students and workers to jot down notes.

The built-in Samsung Notes app can transcribe your handwriting into text, plus compatibility with Windows and Android apps makes it easy to sync files between devices. You can also use it to record notes on the fly.

Though pricey, the tablet comes with a hefty 128 GB of default storage, plus its S Pen stylus comes bundled with its package. Users love the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra for its quick speeds and impressive speaker quality.

The iPad Pro has as much power as a desktop thanks to its M2 Chip, which allows it to perform demanding tasks at brilliant speeds. Its Liquid Retina XDR display offers smooth performance. Whether you’re using your device as a mobile gaming machine, a note-taking app, or for processing video, it can handle it all. For those handwriting notes, the iPadOS can translate your words into basic text instantly, plus the ability to connect to a keyboard lets users type thoughts on the go. Its stylus, the Apple Pencil, is extremely responsive and feels excellent while gliding around the iPad's screen. Note, however, that it's sold separately.

If you want to jot down notes without relying on a stylus, the Freewrite Traveler may be your distraction-free device. This clamshell keyboard opens to a small, 4.75 inch E ink screen where you can draft your thoughts and perhaps edit later on a PC or laptop. The Traveler is designed to limit distractions, so Wi-Fi is only enabled for users to move files.

The device is better on the eyes, as it uses E Ink, but for some users the lag between typing and what appears on the screen is too long. Otherwise, some customers are impressed by this niche device and praise its four-week battery life and minimalist design.

The most powerful tablet in Wacom’s arsenal is the MobileStudio Pro 16. This tablet can be used for professionals who need incredible processing power to edit photos, touch-up illustrations, and even process videos. But of course, at such a high price point, this may be overkill for those who simply need a writing device.

Critical reviews of the tablet note that the MobileStudio Pro 16’s Pro Pen 2 is very responsive and won’t cause any lag. It sports an Ultra HD 4K display, and at 16 inches, it’s large enough to work on major projects without straining the eyes.

An upgradable memory and hard drive offer an expandable creative workspace, but don’t expect it to last long on a single charge if you’re working on something intensive.

Windows fan? When combined with the Surface Pen stylus, the Surface Pro 7+ is an impressive note-taking machine—especially for its price. Thanks to the integrated software of OneNote, you can type, draw, or use your finger to handwrite notes. You can also translate that handwriting into typed text, all in-app. You can resize and organize notes, and sync them between Android and Microsoft devices. A powerful Intel Core processor will maintain peak performance while you’re jotting thoughts, plus a microphone allows you to record audio. The Surface Pro 7+ can also adapt to a laptop or drawing pad as needed with a simple flip of its keyboard shell. Customers rave about this tablet’s ease of use, plus its stability while taking video calls.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

Zoë Hannah is a Deputy Editor, Reviews, at Popular Mechanics , Runner's World , and Bicycling . She has ten years of experience as a journalist covering travel, video games, mental health, and product reviews. When she isn't editing or writing, you can find her hiking wooded trails, reading a fantasy book, or stretching out on her yoga mat. You can find her work right here, on her website , and on outlets like WIRED , Tom's Guide , Insider , Entrepreneur , and more.

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Our Favorite Digital Notebooks and Smart Pens

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Our Favorite reMarkable 2 Read more

A Pricey Upgrade Boox Note Air3 C Read more

Best for Books Kobo Elipsa Read more

For To-Do Lists Supernote Nomad Read more

Do you take a lot of notes? Whether you're in school or working in a job that requires lots of jotting down ideas, you may opt for typing notes on a laptop, but physically writing something down helps you remember and learn more. Putting real pen to paper also just feels good. However, having a digital backup is convenient for on-the-go organization and studying.

There are E Ink tablets, smart pens, and notebooks made to save digital files of your handwritten notes or drawings. You can save files as PDFs, images, and Word Docs, or transcribe them to a text file in Google Docs to make all your notes searchable. Some of these devices can record too, which is great for lectures and interviews. If your notes need an upgrade, we recommend giving these a try. Be sure to check out our Best Dorm Essentials guide , as well as our Best Tablets , Best Laptop Backpacks , and Best Totes guides .

Updated April 2024: We've added the Boox Note Air3 C and Supernote Nomad as new picks. We've also added notes about Kobo's newest e-reader with writing capabilities, the Kobo Libra Colour.

Our Favorite

This is one of the most well-known names in the category and WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been using the ReMarkable 2 for more than a year. He says the matte screen feels like paper, writing on it is quick and responsive, and battery life is exemplary. It can last for several weeks on a charge, and you never have to recharge the stylus, which also magnetically sticks to the side of the tablet. There is also a new keyboard attachment if you want to get some typing done (we haven't tried it yet). The tablet is $299, but you'll need to pay for a pen, which is an additional $79, or $129 if you want the one with an eraser on the other end.

There are many ways to organize your work into different notebooks or quick sheets, and you can sort them with tags and folders. You also upload PDFs and ebooks to the slate via the company's app or website, and ReMarkable has a Chrome extension that lets you send any webpage to read on the tablet. You can integrate your notes into Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. However, you may need a Connect subscription ($3 per month) to access syncing and unlimited cloud storage.

When WIRED writer Louryn Strampe reviewed it in 2020 , she noted that other features were lacking and that's still mostly the case. There is no waterproofing, no page-turn buttons, and no backlight. The company has added new capabilities since and the price has come down, but it's still best for the simple task of jotting notes.

A Pricey Upgrade

Boox makes great E Ink tablets for taking notes, but they're much more expensive and heavier to carry around. Writing with the Note Air3's stylus felt similar to the above two picks, feeling natural and surprisingly similar to pen and paper. There are two versions of the tablet: the standard Air3 ($400) has a monochrome screen, while the Air3 C ($500) has a muted colored screen. Opening apps and starting up the device isn't quite as fast as I'd like it to be, though, and it takes a little getting used to Boox's Android system. Definitely read through the user manual because there are functions and gestures you can learn to make the process easier.

There are a bunch of apps available so you can read ebooks, check your emails, or browse your favorite newspaper. If you want all the capabilities of a tablet but prefer writing on E Ink screens, consider this upgrade.

Best for Books

Kobo makes some of our favorite e-readers and this combines reading with note-taking. The Elipsa is pricey, but it comes with a stylus that allows you to mark up ebooks and compatible PDFs. If you're an English major who has to read multiple books a semester, this might be a great option for you to easily keep track of notes. Plus you can create numerous notebooks like the other tablets here. We also liked the marking interface better on Kobo than on Kindles, if you're debating which platform to choose. Pro tip: You can check out ebooks from your local library for free if you have a library card.

★ A cheaper, more colorful Kobo: There's a new Kobo e-reader out that offers some new features and a better price. The Kobo Libra Colour ($219) is waterproof and has new colorful options to highlight and write in the margins, but you'll need to purchase the Kobo Stylus 2 ($70) separately. We're testing it soon and will update this guide soon with our notes.

For To-Do Lists

The Supernote Nomad is small, measuring almost 6 inches on one side and 7.5 inches on the other. Supernote designed it with travel in mind, but I find it to be a great size for a daily digital to-do list or writing down quick notes from a meeting. The pages are a little short for, say, writing notes during a five-hour D&D session (I wrote 14 pages). The software is intuitive to use, and allows you to create multiple notebooks and choose from various templates for each one. There are tons of templates too, letting you choose from multiple lined pages, grids, and even a few calendars. You can organize your notes into folders, and can make a Word doc file too (though you won't have access to all the great templates).

It is a nice size to throw in a bag since it's so small, but I'd recommend it for meetings rather than class notes unless you're a true minimalist in your writing. I also liked using the Canvas Folio ($49) with it since it kept the pen with the e-notebook for me, and woke up the screen when I opened it.

Medea Giordano

Jeremy White

For Beginner Artists

You can take notes with Repaper as easily as with the other items on this list, but I think artists will enjoy easily digitizing their work, especially those just getting started (it's cheaper than an iPad). Repaper uses a tablet and magnetized rings to automatically digitize notes as you work on real, physical paper. Any properly sized paper will work—if it's bigger than the tablet, you won't get an accurate digital version—as will any writing utensil that fits a Repaper Ring (it comes with a pencil).

The Repaper Studio app shows your work in real time if you want it to. That's especially handy if you want to draw directly on the tablet with the included stylus and not use paper or if you're sharing your screen via Zoom for class. If not, you can finish and upload your creation later. You can download sharable time-lapse videos too. It's not without its faults, and I occasionally found it to be buggy when switching between pens, but overall I was impressed.

You May Prefer an iPad

E Ink notebooks are easier on the eyes and feel closer to paper than a glass-screened tablet. But in some cases, you might spend less getting an iPad and an Apple Pencil (and a keyboard if you also want to type sometimes). You can also do more on them thanks to the thousands of apps in the App Store, but still take notes and draw. An iPad is typically more intuitive to use than many of these digital notebooks too. WIRED writer Jaina Grey uses her 11-inch iPad Pro with the GoodNotes and Notability apps for her writing, but there are other models that should work fine.

Read our Best iPads guide to learn about the differences, and check out our Best Tablets guide for other Android offerings.

Our Favorite Smart Pen

Skip the tablet and write directly on paper with a smart pen instead. The Neo Smartpen M1+ is the thinnest and lightest of all the pens I tried, which makes it feel a bit more like your standard pen. Importantly, it's comfortable to hold and use. You should be able to find whatever size and style of notebook you need as well as planners .

The Neo Studio app ( iOS , Android ) is nice, with an easy-to-navigate notebook system and the ability to search for pages by page number or date. You can change the color of the ink and thickness of the lines right on the page as you go, or you can switch them up later and edit the colors of what you've written. This pen doesn't record audio, but if that's something you want, Neo sells a separate recorder that pairs with the pen.

★ Alternative: The Neo Smartpen Dimo ($59) is the cheapest and uses replaceable batteries. It isn't compatible with Google Calendar, iCal, or Outlook like our other picks.

A Runner-Up Smart Pen

Moleskine has garnered a devoted following for its classic notebooks and journals, but it has also moved into smart territory . The Smart Writing Set gets you a notebook and pen bundle, so this is the best option for most people starting out. Write in the notebook and it'll appear in the companion app! But you can buy the pen on its own, as well as the smart notebooks and planners in various sizes.

The Moleskine Notes 2.0 app (available on iPhone and Android ) was easy to use once I settled into it. An older version of the app is available for download, but the 2.0 version is more streamlined. A pop-up let me know that 2.0 is still a work in progress and I might need to switch back to the older version if my device is having trouble, but my iPhone 11 didn't have any issues.

Note: I tried the $149 2018 version of the Smart Writing Set, which is no longer available. I haven't tried the 2022 version. They seem identical, but the price has jumped dramatically to $279. There's also a 2016 version still selling for $100 on Amazon, but it's too old.

This Pen Prioritizes Audio

The Livescribe Symphony has all the features you'd expect from a smart pen, but it places a heavier emphasis on the ability to record. There are Record, Pause, and Stop labels at the bottom of the notebook pages that you can activate just by pressing with your pen—a feature I really liked. However, the app is a bit clunky, and its transcription tool isn't as good as the other picks on this list. It's still available from Walmart, but no longer for sale on Livescribe's website so it may not have a long life left.

The Symphony doesn't have a power button. Instead, it turns on when the cap is removed and off when the cap is replaced. This is a nice feature, in theory, to make sure you don't forget to turn it on before you start writing. However, the cap easily pops off, which means you risk leaving it turned on and draining the battery.

A Reusable Notebook

I find a lot of joy in brand-new notebooks, but there's no doubt that they can be wasteful. Rocketbook makes several reusable notebooks , planners , and accessories like flashcards . Take notes with an erasable Pilot Frixion Pen (one should come with whichever item you buy), scan photos to the Rocketbook app, and erase the whole thing with the damp microfiber cloth. The app is designed to keep everything organized and easily send things off to Google Drive, Evernote, OneNote, and a handful of other options.

The paper isn't as nice to write on as regular paper, but it's made to withstand a damp cloth. If I took a ton of notes every day, I'd probably want really good paper, but I like that one notebook can last as long as you take care of it. I stuck with the black pen it came with, but some people buy colorful Frixions for more organized notes.

What About the Kindle Scribe?

The Amazon Kindle Scribe ($340) ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is similar and slightly cheaper than the Kobo Elipsa we recommend for readers. They work basically the same, with easy-to-use notebook options. We usually prefer Kindle's interfaces for reading , but marking books is actually simpler on the Kobo—with the Kindle, you have to use sticky notes instead of writing directly on the page. It's fine if you don't take frequent notes, but if you're looking to write in the margins and use colorful highlights, you'll want a Kobo.

Do You Need a Digital Note Device?

The short answer is no. These devices are expensive, usually costing several hundred dollars when you can simply buy a notebook and pen for a few bucks. But if you like the physical act of writing over typing but need to have digital copies, they're worth considering.

• Digital notebooks are thin and light but hold hundreds of notes.
• You can transcribe your notes into text files, making them easier to read and manipulate.
• Depending on the device, you can export files as PDFs, Google Docs, Evernote files, and more.
• Instantly digitizes your art too.
• Need to be charged.
• Has a learning curve.
• Most smart pens need to be paired with an accompanying notebook. The upcoming Nuwa Pen promises smart notes on any paper. We'll try it as soon as it's available. As of this writing, it's projected to start shipping in late summer 2024.

Daniel Thorp-Lancaster

Eric Ravenscraft

Christopher Null

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Watch CBS News

The 5 best digital notepads in 2024 will free you from paper clutter forever

By Jason R. Rich

Updated on: April 2, 2024 / 7:38 PM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Forget about writing down your ideas on sticky notes, paper napkins or scraps of paper -- all of which create clutter and can easily get lost. Now you can create handwritten notes and drawings, organize them in customized virtual notebooks, back up your notes in the cloud and then share them with others -- all with a digital notepad. And you can use these devices to read, annotate and sign PDF files, too. 

The best digital notepads look like tablets, but they have an e-ink display that's easily readable in almost any lighting -- just like the best e-readers . Using a stylus, you handwrite or draw directly on the screen, within the pages of customizable virtual notebooks. Then, in most cases, you can automatically convert your handwritten notes into editable text, or store the notes as you created them. 

Digital notepads give you plenty of virtual paper style options and even let you to choose your simulated writing instruments, such as a ball-point pen, fountain pen, pencil or highlighter. While some of the latest digital notepads can also be used as e-readers or offer basic tablet functionality, their main purpose is to replace a traditional notepad.

Best digital notepad overall : reMarkable 2

Best digital notepad and e-reader combo : amazon kindle scribe.

• Best compact digital notepad : Moleskine Smart Writing Set

Best digital notepad with a color display : Boox Note Air3 C

Best digital notepad with tablet functions: boox ultra c pro.

Keep in mind, with a specialty app (like Goodnotes 6 or Notability) and an Apple Pencil , any  Apple iPad tablet can be used as a feature-packed, full-color digital notepad, as can any tablet that has a stylus available for it.

Our top picks of the best digital notepads for 2024

Our in-house consumer tech experts have jotted down their research notes and compiled this roundup of the best digital notepads out there. Get ready to handwrite or draw directly on an e-ink display using a pen-shaped stylus. This nicely recreates the experience of handwriting on paper using a traditional pen or pencil. Organize and access all of your notes in one place. And because these devices rely on an e-ink display, battery life is typically up to several weeks, not mere hours, like a traditional tablet.

Display size : 10.3 inches | Display type : E-ink | Resolution : 1,872 x 1,404 pixels, 226 DPI |  Color or monochrome display : Monochrome | Internal   storage : 8GB | Expandable : No | Stylus included : Yes | Connectivity : USB Type-C, Wi-Fi | Operating system : Codex | Battery life : Up to 2 weeks

Unlike a traditional tablet that's built for a ton of tasks, or an Amazon Scribe that's for both note-taking and e-reading, the reMarkable 2 is first and foremost a digital notepad. It's designed to replicate writing on paper with a pen.

What we like most about this device is that it's extremely thin and lightweight. The monochrome, e-ink display is also quite readable, with minimal glare. And the rechargeable battery lasts up to two weeks.

As a digital notepad, you can create custom-named notebooks, and each can contain any number of individual pages filled with your handwritten notes. As you're writing, you can opt to leave the content as is, or convert it automatically into editable, typed text. This makes it great for note-taking, managing to-do lists or organizing important information.

Another task the reMarkable 2 handles exceptionally well is PDFs; you can view, annotate, highlight, sign, organize and store them. All content within the reMarkable 2 can be synced with your choice of cloud-based services, including Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive. 

Beyond PDF files, this note taking tool is compatible with Microsoft Word documents and PowerPoint presentations. It also can serve as an e-reader that accepts ePub files, but that's not the intended purpose of this device. If you're looking for a versatile digital notepad that provides a writing experience that feels like you're using real paper and a pen, reMarkable 2 is a great option.

Display size : 10.2-inches |  Display type : Paperwhite |  Resolution : 300 ppi |  Color or monochrome display : Monochrome |  Internal   storage : 16GB, 32GB, 64GB |  Expandable : No |  Stylus included : Yes |  Connectivity : USB Type-C, Wi-Fi |  Operating system : Amazon FireOS |  Battery life : Up to 12 weeks

We're huge fans of the Amazon Kindle Scribe, mainly because it can serve as a digital notepad and full-featured e-reader compatible with any Kindle-friendly e-books. The 10.2-inch paperwhite display is very easy to read, and the device's battery lasts up to three months between charges.

For our coverage of the five best e-readers for 2024 , the Scribe was named best e-reader for note taking. Be sure to read our in-depth review of this powerful tool to discover all that it can do.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe also offers yet another cool feature that other Kindles don't. It's a digital notepad. You can handwrite or draw on the display using a stylus. Use the note-taking app to create custom digital notebooks and then fill them with pages containing thoughts or sketches. These notes are stored within the Scribe, but can easily be shared when the device is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi.

As you're reading, you can annotate the content of e-books with handwritten notes, or annotate PDF files. A basic stylus comes with the Scribe and a three-month trial subscription to the Kindle Unlimited service is included, as is a USB Type-C charging cable. 

Best compact digital notepad : Moleskine smart writing set

Stylus included : Yes |  Connectivity : Bluetooth |  Battery life : Up to 11 hours | Notebook compatibility : Moleskine Smart Notebooks ( small or large ) | App : Moleskine Notes app (iOS/Android)

Most digital notepads have all of their technology built into the tablet. That's not the case with the Moleskine smart writing set. In this case, there's a lot of tech bundled into a smart pen that works just like a ball-point. In fact, the smart pen also writes on paper.

The pen must be used with one of Moleskine's smart notebooks, which come in two sizes and in either a hardcover or softcover. As you're writing using the Moleskine pen within one of these notebooks, the pen actually records everything you write and draw. Transfer the work wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet and replicate it on the screen of a mobile device.

Using the Moleskine Notes app, your can view your handwritten notes, store them as PDFs, sync them in the cloud or share them with others. Content can be kept in your own handwriting or converted into text that can be edited. And all of your notes can be associated with keywords or tags that make them easier to locate quickly. 

Another useful feature: It can simultaneously record audio from a class or meeting and link those audio files with your handwritten content. This system is ideal for someone who wants to continue writing with a pen on paper, but store and share all of their notes or drawings digitally, too. 

Display size : 10.3-inches |  Display type : E-paper |  Resolution : 2,480 x 1,860 pixels, 300 ppi (monochrome); 1,240 x 930 pixels, 150 ppi (color) |  Color or monochrome display : Color |  Internal   storage : 16GB |  Expandable : Yes (microSD card) |  Stylus included : Yes |  Connectivity : USB Type-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |  Operating system : Android 12 |  Battery life : Up to 16 hours

Boox is one of the few companies that offers digital notepads and Android tablets with full-color, e-paper displays. The Boox Note Air3 C has a 10.3-inch color screen. It's primarily designed to be a digital notepad for writing or drawing using different colored virtual inks, or for annotating full-color PDF files. 

As an e-reader it accepts 17 e-book formats. The device itself is a mere 5.8mm thick and it's extremely lightweight. As a note taking tool, it offers a paper-like experience for handwriting ideas and sketches.

Because the device uses an e-ink display, it's battery lasts for many hours. But it lacks a traditional display, so don't expect to work with high-resolution photos or video with the sharpness of a traditional tablet. The colors appear more muted. Resolution improves dramatically when viewing content in monochrome. As you're handwriting, the Note Air3 C can convert your handwriting into editable text. You can also use this device to view, annotate, sign and share PDF files. The handwriting and drawing capabilities are extensive, while the e-reader features are also robust. 

Because this is an Android device, it can be used for basic tasks that a tablet can also handle, like checking email, but this is primarily a digital note-taking tool for notes. Overall, we're very impressed with the note-taking capabilities of the Note Air3 C and recommend it to someone who prefers to handwrite, store and share their notes digitally.

For slightly less money, the Note Air3 ($400) is available with a monochrome screen.  It can handle everything that the Note Air3 C can do, just without the color. If you're going to invest in a Boox digital notepad, however, we suggest going with the full-color version. The use of color gives you more options when handwriting notes, drawing or annotating PDF files. There's even a virtual highlighter that allows you to highlight text in PDF files using the colors of your choice. 

Display size : 10.3-inches |  Display type : Kaleido 3 |  Resolution : 2,480 x 1,860 pixels, 300 ppi (monochrome); 1,240 x 930, 150 ppi (color) |  Color or monochrome display : Color |  Internal   storage : 128GB |  Expandable : Yes (microSD card) |  Stylus included : Yes |  Connectivity : USB Type-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |  Operating system : Android 12 |  Battery life : Up to 21 hours | Keyboard : Optional

The Boox Ultra C Pro can do everything that the Boox Note Air3 C can do as a note taking tool, but it also serves as an Android tablet.

It comes with the same collection of preinstalled apps as other Android tablets and allows you to install additional apps from the Google Play Store. The Boox Ultra C Pro has a full-color, e-ink display. This means it can be viewed in any lighting situation with virtually zero glare. 

Be warned: Between the speed of the processor and the sluggishness of the display's refresh rate, the Boox Ultra C Pro is not suitable for video. And while it can display full-color, high-resolution photos, the colors will appear muted and the images will lack detail. But this digital notebook is great for basics like web surfing, email, word processing, spreadsheets or any tasks that don't rely on video or graphics. 

Also on the plus side, the Ultra C Pro comes with a stylus and runs Android 12. It also has a built-in camera, speakers and a microSD memory card slot. It supports 24 digital file formats. A variety of optional cases (that also serve as stands) and a detachable keyboard are sold separately. While not for everyone, the Boox Ultra C Pro is a great option for people who prefer hand-writing over typing, but who want the core features of a tablet in a single, lightweight device.

How to choose a digital notepad

A digital notepad should be as comfortable and intuitive to use as a traditional pad and pen. Here are five things to consider when choosing which digital notepad is best suited to meet your needs:

• Design : The best digital notepads are compact, thin and lightweight. They rely on an e-ink display that's easy to read in any lighting (including direct sunlight) and they come with a pen-shaped stylus that's as comfortable to use as a pen. You also want the ability to choose a paper style (blank, lined, graph, etc.) and create customize notebooks that can contain any number of individual pages. The operating system should allow you to store your handwritten notes locally, sync them with a cloud account and share them with others via email. 
• Display : An e-ink display should be glare-free and easy to read in any lighting. The higher the resolution, the better (especially when it comes to full-color e-ink displays). Most displays built into digital notepads have a resolution that's measured in horizontal and vertical pixels, or in pixels per inch.
• Functionality : Beyond handwriting or drawing on the display, you might want to automatically convert writing into editable text. Other useful functions include the ability to markup, annotate and sign PDF files. Some of the best digital notepads also serve as e-readers, audiobook players and more. Also, while some digital notebooks only sync files with the manufacturer's own cloud-based service, others are compatible with services like Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Dropbox and Evernote.
• Stylus : All of the digital notepads featured in this roundup come with a pen-shaped stylus. However, in some cases, you can upgrade to a premium stylus for an additional fee. To get the most out of a digital notepad, you want a stylus that feels like a pen in your hand and that replicates the experience of handwriting on paper. If you flip over the stylus, the opposite end should work as a digital eraser (just like a traditional pencil). When using one of the best digital notepads, you can choose your virtual writing instrument. Options typically include a ball point pen, pencil, felt tip market, highlighter and fountain pen. 
• Battery life : Because these devices rely on e-ink displays, their battery life tends to be much longer than a traditional tablet. In some cases, you can expect to use a digital notepad regularly for up to four weeks before needing to recharge it.

When it comes to keeping up with the latest  technologies , our team of consumer tech experts has you covered with comprehensive product roundups, in-depth product reviews and details about where and how to find the best deals. We cover everything from  laptops  and  action cameras , to the best  TVs ,  smart grills ,  tablets ,  smartwatches  and noise canceling  earbuds  and  headphones .

Jason R. Rich ( www.JasonRich.com ) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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Mirrors Of Moscow

By louise bryant, lenin and his subordinates:, enver pasha and the mohammedans.

No man I ever met lives so completely in the immediate moment as Enver Pasha; the past he puts behind him, the future he leaves to Allah. His only hero is Napoleon. In Moscow he was the avant coureur of the new understanding between Russia and the Mohammedan world, which means Turkey, Afghanistan, Persia, Bokhara and enough of India to shake the British Empire.

Any man who has brains and gives all his being to the task in hand is bound to possess personality and power and, very likely, charm. Enver Pasha certainly has charm, in spite of his very obvious opportunism, and the cruelty and lack of conscience which a fatalistic belief inspires. Interested in himself above all things, he is a curious contrast to those meri who are trying to blot out individualism and make the state all-important.

As far as there was any social life in Moscow, Enver was, for the nonce, the social lion. Some future historian will probably call him the Don Juan of the revolution, though it is only fair to say that he resisted this alluring doom with an uncomplimentary coldness; he was too absorbed in politics to be interested in social conquest. The real reason for the shower of attention bestowed on him by the ladies of Moscow was the natural reaction of those ladies to a life almost unendurably monotonous and difficult.

There was something very pitiful about the way actresses smiled at Enver across the footlights and unearthed old pictures of him in his elaborate War Minister regalia, when he still wore the "Kaiser" moustache, the gold braid and numerous medals. One evening we went to the dressing room of a prima donna where we were invited for tea during an intermission. Enver sat stiffly in his chair, refusing to talk, but his uncle, Halil Pasha, the former Commander of the Mesopotamian and Caucasian fronts, caused much merriment by fighting a sham duel with wooden swords. His opponent was a singer dressed as a medieval knight.

Besides the actresses several of the old aristocracy were gracious to Enver and even the pretty wife of a Commissar attached to the Foreign Office wrote him what would have been considered an intriguing note, in another time and place. She offered to teach him Russian if he would teach her l"rench and he replied curtly that he was not a "professor."

But Enver was not always over-serious and unbending. In a certain small circle of friends he was quite otherwise. And circumstances, which so largely decide our destinies, gaye me an opportunity to know him as well as one alien to his religion could know him. He was allotted by the Foreign Office quarters in the little palace where I was living. For half a year I saw him everyday, sat next to him at table and occasionally we went to the theatres and the Turkish Embassy. During that time Enver told me a great deal about his life and his ambitions.

He had known my husband in Constantinople, and was away from Moscow at the time of my husband's death. As soon as he returned he called on me, bringing Halil and the Turkish Ambassador, Ali Fued Pasha, with him. All three were extremely kind and sympathetic. From that moment until I left Moscow the Turks did everything possible to make life less tragic for me, and I gained an insight into the Turkish character which I had never imagined. The Turks have a peculiar capacity for friendship. And friendship, once given, has no bournes; a friend is a friend through everythingsorrow, dishonor, poverty, as well as wealth and success. An enemy, on the other hand, is beyond all consideration; he is spared nothing, forgiven nothing.

Enver has the personal vanity of the enthusiast and he imagines that everything he does he does well. The only way to cope with his conceit is to be brutally frank. I discovered early in our acquaintance that frankness by no means offends him. One of Enver's nicest qualities is that he likes to discover his faults as well as his virtues; he is eager to improve himself.

He has a passion for making pencil sketches of people he meets and always goes about with a pencil and a pad of paper in his pocket. In the house where we lived he made sketches of all the guests and all the servants. He made, in all, six very uninteresting portraits of me. One morning when the tea was more tasteless than ever and the bread especially sour and muddy so that I felt I could not manage to eat a single bite, I could not help feeling unpleasantly resentful to see Enver busy with his sketches and full of enthusiasm. And while I sat staring at the terrible meal, he proceeded to make a life-size portrait of me which was incredibly bad. I remember that I wondered where on earth he ever got such a large piece of paper in Russia. When he had finished the sketch he signed his name with a flourish and presented it to me. I took it but said nothing. Enver has the curiosity of a child, and, after a long silence, he asked me if it was possible that I did not really like it. I said that I thought he had no talent for drawing. He became suddenly quite angry and said in a low voice, "But do you realize I have signed my name to it?"

"Your name doesn't mean anything on a picture," I explained. "If it was an order for an execution or an advance it would be another matter. You can't make a good drawing just by signing your name to it."

He frowned and then grew cordial as suddenly as he had grown angry. He rose and bowed to me in a most courtly way. "You can't imagine," he said, "how pleasing arrogance is to me." His three dominating characteristics being bravery, hauteur and recklessness, he imagined that these motives also guided the actions of his friends.

Enver never seemed to be able to loaf in the easy manner of most Orientals. His mental and physical vitality is more like that of an enthusiastic and healthy American. Every morning he rose early to go for a long walk, he read a great deal, took at least three lessons in some foreign language every week and was constantly writing articles for Turkish papers which he printed on a hand press in his own room, and he held almost daily conferences either with the Russians or the Mohammedans. He does not drink or smoke and is devoutly religious.

He likes any discussion which reveals another person's deepest emotions. If he cannot rouse one any other way he does so by some antagonistic remark which often he does not mean at all. For example, he is extremely liberal in his opinions about women and does not think they should be excluded from political life. Nevertheless, he said to a young actress at tea one afternoon in my apartment, when they were talking about woman suffrage, that she would be better off in a harem. Being an ardent feminist, she rose and fairly shouted at him: "Enver Pasha, you may be a great man in the East, but just listen to me I I am one of the first actresses of my profession. In my world it is every bit as great and important for me to remain an actress as it is for you in your world to remain a warrior or a diplomat."

Enver took his scolding in very good humor. Afterwards he told me that he had never liked this actress before. "Independence is a great thing in women. Our women lack it and many of them are just puppets on this account."

He was always extremely interested in American ideas and American opinions. He said he could never understand why Americans were so sentimental about Armenians. "Do they imagine that Armenians never kill Turks? That is indeed irony."

At the table he used to ask Mr. Vanderlip questions about his proposed Kamchatka concessions. V anderlip, like many Californians, is rather violently anti-Japanese. His idea of having a naval base at Kamchatka amused Enver. He said Vanderlip was killing two birds with one stone, that he wished to manceuver the American Government into a war with Japan, prove himself a patriot, and at the same time protect his own interests and grow rich. "So that," said Enver, "if it really came about-the next war would be for Vanderlip and should be known as 'Vanderlip's War.' " When I asked, "Would you be sorry to see America and Japan at war?" he replied, "Not if England was involved. Anything which tends to draw England's attention away from us or which weakens the great powers, naturally gives Turkey a better chance for reconstruction. You understand that I'm not saying I want to see another war; I am simply saying that if those nations interested in destroying Turkey are occupied elsewhere it relieves us of war burdens and gives us a chance to carry out our own destinies."

He tried to get Mr. Vanderlip's reaction on women by the same tactics he employed with the actress. One day he said, "I have three wives and I'm looking for another." This was not true, but Mr. Vanderlip proved entirely gullible. "Good heavens," he said, regarding Enver in shocked surprise, "we Anglo-Saxons consider one wife enough tyranny. . . . "

"Naturally," Enver conceded, suavely, "with one there must be tyranny but with three or four or a hundred. . . . Ah, you must agree that is quite a different matter."

His sudden appearance in Moscow during the blackest days of the blockade as well as the blackest days for the Central Powers proves him an incomparable solider-of-fortune. With two suits of clothes, a pair of boots, a good revolver and a young German mechanician whom he could trust, he started by aeroplane from Berlin to Moscow. The story of how they had to land because of engine trouble near Riga, of how he was captured and spent two months in the Riga jail just at the moment when the whole Allied world was calling loudest for his blood, will remain a story which will have scanty advertisement from those British Secret Service men who like so well to turn journalists and write .their own brave autobiographies.

Enver sat in the Riga jail as plain "Mr. Altman" who could not speak anything but German. He was scrutinized by eyery Secret Service man in the vicinity and pronounced unanimously a Jewish German Communist of no importance. By appearing humble, inoffensive and pleasant, he soon worked his way into the confidence of the warden, was released and escaped to Moscow. He arrived just in time to rush off for the dramatic Baku conference.

The Communists understood perfectly well that Enver Pasha was not at the Oriental Conference as a sudden and sincere convert to Internationalism, and he knew that they knew. Both Zinoviev and Enver were actors taking the leading roles in a significant historical pageant. The results are really all that matter, since the motives will soon be forgotten.

When Enver turned to Moscow he had no other place to turn to and when Zinoviev took him to Baku, Zinoviev knew no other means of effectively threatening the English in order to change their attitude on the blockade. Zinoviev could not complain about Enver's shallow attitude towards Socialism since there was hardly anything Socialistic about Zinoviev's appeal for a "holy war." Enver summed up his feelings about the new alliance thus: "For the future of Turkey and the future of the East a friendship with Russia is worth more to the Turks than any number of military victories. And we have to build that friendship while we have the opportunity."

His way of living without any regrets and as if there were no to-morrows is rather startling at times. I remember when Talaat Pasha, his lifelong friend, was murdered by an Armenian in Berlin, he read the message with no show of emotion and his only comment was: . "His time had come!" But against an excessive temptation on the part of fate to record Enver's death prematurely, in his own words, he "sleeps with one eye open," carries a dagger and a loaded automatic. Once when we talked about the possibility of his being assassinated he said, "I have been near death so many times that these days I live now seem to be a sort of present to me."

Enver is no open sesame to those who do not know him well. He really has the traditional Oriental inscrutability. The first two or three times I talked with him, we stumbled along rather lamely in French. Someone suggested to me that he probably spoke several languages which, for some unknown reason, he would not admit. So one day I said abruptly, "Oh, let's speak English." He looked at me with one of his sudden, rare smiles and answered in my own language, "Very well, if you prefer it."

When I asked him how he learned English he told me he had learned it from an English spy. "He came to me as a valet and professed deep love for Turkey. For several months we studied diligently. One day I thought I would test his love for Turkey so I ordered him to the front. He was killed. Later, we found his papers."

"Were you surprised?" I asked him.

"Why, not at all," said Enver. "He really showed a great deal of pluck. The only thing I had against him was that he taught me a lot of expressions not used at court."

"Like what?"

"Like 'don't mention it,' " said Enver, laughing.

"And the terrible thing about learning such an expression," he said, "is that it is so sharp and so definite and often fits an occasion so aptly that it flashes in one's mind and can't be forgotten. American slang is extremely picturesque and expressive, but it is not dignified enough to be used by diplomats."

Everyone is familiar with Enver's "direct action" method of playing politics. One of the ways he was wont to remove troublesome rivals in the days of the Young Turk Revolution was to go out and shoot them with his own hand. This "impulsiveness" got him into grave trouble with the Soviets in spite of all his sensible utterances to the contrary. When he was "shifted" to Bokhara so that he would not be in the way of either Kemal or the Russians, he got bored and started a war of his own. One night he fled into the hills of Afghanistan and soon began to gather recruits around him. A few nights after that one of the principal officials of the Bokharan Republic also fled to join Enver. This performance was repeated until over half the Bokharan cabinet had fled. Then fighting began and we got vague rumors of battles, but only through the Soviet press.

In August, 1922, we heard that Enver had been killed, that his body had been found on the field of battle. There was even romance surrounding him and his supposed death. Stories were circulated that when the body was picked up and examined, the letters of an American girl were found next his heart. I went to see Jacob Peters, who has charge now of all the Eastern Territory and who was then in Moscow. He laughed heartily and said he would show me the "information." It consisted of three very hazy telegrams which had been three weeks on the way. The men who sent the telegrams and discovered the body had never seen Enver. There was no mention of letters. And Peter's opinion of the whole affair was that there was nothing at all authentic in the story or else it was "a trick of Enver's to sham being dead."

Peters' theory proved true. Within a few days fighting began again and Enver began to win.

He had conceived the notion of uniting all Turkestan and Bokhara and Keiva to the Angora government. It places the Soviets in a strange position. They may have to give in to him, though he will not actually be an "enemy," because neither the Turks nor the Russians can afford to break their treaty. Therefore, his private war in the south embarrasses the Soviets much more than it does Kemal, who needs only to disavow any connection with it, as do all the Turkish officials. If Enver wins he will add a nice slice to Turkish territory; if he loses, Turkey will be in the same position as before.

Enver, while he will always maintain a great prestige in the Mussulman world, will never oust Kemal. Mustapha Kemal Pasha is the great popular hero of a victorious Turkey, which but for him might never have even survived. There were times in the past when Enver was more important than Kemal, but that can never happen again in Kemal's life. Both men rose from the ranks and both are the sons of peasants. And Kemal at this moment is more important than the Sultan. Greater than that no man can be under the banners of Mohammed.

One can hardly over-estimate the importance of the new Mohammedan unity, that new patriotic energy which has taken the place of the former lethargy and which already reaches out far beyond the borderland of the Faithful. The Mussulman world is reviving after a long sleep: And not only Mohammedans are uniting but the entire East and Middle East. Aside from Japan, a significant harmony is rapidly taking place, a harmony which evolves itself into a tremendous power. This power may decide the world's destiny before any other generation.

Enver and Kemal Pasha, being aware of the purport of beginning that great concord by interwoven treaties with Russia, read the stars well. There must come a day also when that great sleeping giant, China, will be part of this alliance. And the seeds of that friendship have also been planted. The Chinese official delegations which came to Moscow were not only well received by the Russians, but they hob-nobbed with the Mohammedans like brothers.

Whose idea was it?

Vladimir putin.

Vladimir Putin is frequently in the news for various political scandals. However, in the past his negative publicity has even included plagiarism. In 2000 reporters asked the St. Petersburg State Mining Institute for a copy of Putin’s doctoral thesis but were refused. A few years later in 2005 two researchers finally got their hands on a copy of the thesis, titled, “Strategic Planning of the Reproduction of the Mineral Resource Base of a Region under Conditions of the Formation of Market Relations”. They found that much of the information in it had been “borrowed” from a textbook without any attempt at citation. This book, titled “Strategic Planning and Public policy” was originally written by a professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Entire pages of the book, with only minor changes, as well as six diagrams appear copied into Putin’s thesis. To make matters worse, the topic of the thesis was replenishing mineral resources, a topic it is said that Putin had no experience with prior to “writing” the paper, and it is even unclear whether he ever actually attended the St. Petersburg State Mining Institute.

Unfortunately, Putin’s story is not a unique one. According to an article in Time Magazine, out of “25 dissertations chosen at random from the prestigious history department of Moscow Pedagogical State University all but one were at least 50% plagiarized, with some as much as 90% copied from other sources”. After reading multiple articles on the subject, I was shocked to find this is such a common occurrence. High ranking officials like politicians have even been known to pad their resumes with entirely false degrees from academic institutions they did not attend. This widespread plagiarism is a tough problem to handle since so many are implicated and the culture of overlooking these errors is entrenched in society.   

In february of 2013 Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev made an attempt to confront this issue. He is reported to have set up meetings with government officials and academics to discuss eradicating fake degrees throughout society. While this is an admirable goal based on the information I’ve read, it seems like a bigger change is needed in the way students are taught to do research and give credit to others if there is going to be any significant national shift. This question makes me wonder if the culture of communism plays a role in the discrepancy between how people in Russia and those in countries such as the US view the importance of owning ideas and producing original work.

Shuster, Simon. “Putin’s Ph.D.: Can a Plagiarism Probe Upend Russian Politics?” Time , Time, 28 Feb. 2013, world.time.com/2013/02/28/putins-phd-can-a-plagiarism-probe-upend-russian-politics/.

Strauss, Valerie. “Russia’s Plagiarism Problem: Even Putin Has Done It!” The Washington Post , WP Company, 18 Mar. 2014, www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/03/18/russias-plagiarism-problem-even-putin-has-done-it/?utm_term .

4 thoughts on “ Vladimir Putin ”

I have had professors tell stories when assigning research projects that they have failed graduate students over plagiarized thesises. However, I had no idea how prevalent this was! In middle school and high school you know it happens but at that scale you don’t think it is a big deal but that is where the root of the culture starts and to think it continues at the professional level is crazy.

The point of maybe communism plays into the mindset of plagiarizing in Moscow really sparks my interest. I’m currently taking a cultural anthropology course and we are discussing how cultures value certain material goods, and it would make sense to me that the relaxed pursuit of plagiarism could be influenced by communist economic mindsets. But do those still exist in modern day that they could explain the continued issues?

It would drive me insane when this one girl in my high school would copy people, let alone government officials. But it is an interesting notion communism is a contributor in why people don’t care so much about plagiarism. It makes sense, but it’s still hard for me to get past when I’ve had a teacher almost not accept a research paper because citations were indented the incorrect amount.

It is interesting as an American to think about other countries perspective on the topic of intellectual property. Since Russia has starkly different economic philosophies, it makes me wonder if in there lacked view of property rights that in this way they could be more efficient than the US. It is always ironic when Russia is more free market on a topic than us.

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