5 Best Note-taking Tablets in 2025: Expert Review and Buying Guide

XPPen 2025-02-12 16:27:08 7 min read

The scratch of pen on paper is fading - 2024 MIT research reveals 73% of college students now initiate notes digitally, with 58% completely abandoning physical notebooks. This shift isn't confined to academia: corporate surveys show 41% of Fortune 500 companies now issue note-taking tablets to employees, citing a 19% average productivity boost in meeting efficiency (2024 Deloitte Workplace Report).

So, choose the best note-taking tablet is important for everyone. That’s why in this article, we’re going to recommend the best note-taking tablets in 2025.

Quick Comparison of the Best Note-Taking Tablets

In order to give you a preliminary impression, we have made a comparison table of the basic information of the 5 popular tablets on the market.

Categories	reMarkable 2	XPPen Magic Drawing Pad	XPPen Artist 15.6 PRO	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite	Amazon Kindle Scribe
Stylus Compatibility and Accuracy	High; Supports precise writing	Chip-powered EMR, ±0.5 mm	Battery-free stylus, ±0.25 mm	Included S Pen, high precision	Basic pen with adjustable size
Display Quality	E-ink, monochrome	IPS LCD, 2160 x 1440, 360 nit	IPS LCD, 1920 x 1080, 120% sRGB	TFT, 2000 x 1200, 16M color	Paperwhite display, 300 ppi
Note Taking Apps and Software Capability	Limited; PDF and ePub	Android apps	Usable with major art software	Android apps, S Pen features	Kindle-specific software
Battery Life	Up to 2 weeks	13 hours	Has to be connected to a PC or laptop	Up to 15 hours video playback	Unspecified number of weeks
Storage Capacity	8 GB internal	256 GB	No storage	128 GB + up to 1TB microSD	16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB

Best Note-Taking Tablets Review

This part, we’ll give you five of the most comprehensive devices, each with its own strengths and unique capabilities.

Best Note-Taking Tablet Overall

reMarkable 2

$399 - $499

Unlike the other tablets that are to be presented in this article, the reMarkable 2 stands as the best note-taking tablet overall because it is specifically manufactured for the task. The reMarkable 2 is more of a digital notebook than a tablet and it is strictly used for note-taking, which is why it is so good at it. If you want a tablet that’s solely focused on note-taking then the reMarkable 2 is the one for you!

Key Features:

10.3" textured E-Ink display (paper-like friction)
1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor + Linux-based OS
2-week battery life (3000mAh)
Pressure-sensitive stylus (no charging required)
PDF annotation & handwriting-to-text conversion
Cloud sync (Google Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive)

Pros

✔Premium Marker Plus pen with an eraser (no charging required)

✔Low latency (21ms) mimics the feel of pen-on-paper

✔Lasts up to 2 weeks on a single charge (with moderate use) due to energy-efficient e-ink display.

✔No apps, notifications, or browsers—designed purely for note-taking, sketching, and reading.

✔Integrate with Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive.

✔Document support: PDF, EPUB (importing); PDF, PNG, SVG (exporting)

Cons

✘Requires external light in dark environments, unlike some e-readers (e.g., Kindle Paperwhite).

✘No third-party app support (e.g., Kindle, OneNote), reducing versatility compared to tablets like the iPad.

✘It uses a 10.3-inch monochrome digital paper display and does not support color display

Best Note-Taking Tablet with Pen

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad

$424.99

When talking about the best note taking tablet with pen, the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad is the premiere option. It may be considered a magic studio on the go, but contrary to the reMarkable 2, this device has an Android operating system, meaning that it can perform tasks that any normal tablet can do. This includes playing games, watching videos, and taking pictures.

Key Features:

Super portable: The Magic Drawing Tablet is 6.9mm thick and weighs only 599 grams. You can easily take it anywhere.

X3 Pro Pencil and EMR Technology: Unlike most tablets, the Magic Drawing Tablet is equipped with the X3 Pro Pencil, which has 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity. In addition, with advanced EMR technology, X3 Pro Pencil delivers a digital drawing experience that feels as intuitive and natural as pen on paper.

X Paper: X-Paper is crafted with AG etched technology to emulate the friction and resistance of premium paper as you move the stylus across the surface of the pad, while reducing unwanted glare and fingerprints.

Pros

✔World first 16,384 level pressure sensitivity

✔Paper-like display

✔Android ecosystem, you can download various note apps

✔With the dual window feature, you can view documents, attend meetings, or browse the web without closing the note-taking app.

Cons

✘Lacks built-in note-taking tool

Best Android Note-Taking Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with S Pen

$429.99

When looking for the best note taking tablet that is directly integrated with the Android operating system, look no other than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with the S Pen. The main selling point of this tablet is that it has been designed for note-taking at the center. It’s the best for students who want to take their note-taking capabilities to another level.

Key Features:

10.4" LCD display
128GB internal storage + expandable microSD slot (up to 1TB).
S Pen with 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels.

Pros

✔No separate charging required S Pen

✔ Slim, lightweight design enhances portability.

✔Ample Storage: Expandable memory eliminates storage concerns.

Cons

✘Lacks advanced features like tilt sensitivity (common in higher-end styluses).

Best Kindle Ecosystem Tablet for Taking Notes

Amazon Kindle Scribe

$339.99

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s largest and most powerful device in the Kindle line-up. The price can vary depending on your choice of internal storage which is 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. Still, when comparing it to the other devices on this list, it is truly the best Kindle ecosystem tablet for taking notes.

Key Features:

10.2" E Ink Display: 300 ppi glare-free screen optimized for reading and writing.
Weeks of use on a single charge (varies by usage).
Storage Options: Available in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB configurations.

Pros

✔Seamless Note-Taking: Combines Kindle’s reading strengths with smooth handwriting functionality.

✔No Distractions: Focused on reading and writing without app notifications or web browsers.

✔ALong Battery Life: Outlasts most tablets (weeks vs. days).

✔Offline Usability: No need for Wi-Fi after downloading content.

Cons

✘Basic Note Organization: Folders and tagging options are less robust compared to rivals like reMarkable.

✘No Color Options: Monochrome display limits use for creative sketching or color-coded notes.

✘No Audio Features: Lacks speakers or Bluetooth for audiobooks.

Best Note-Taking Drawing Tablet with Large Screen

XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro

$369.99

If you prefer a larger screen, then a perfect choice would be the XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro. Compared to its counterpart, the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad, the Artist 15.6 Pro is curated specifically for artists. It’s considered to be a professional drawing tablet but it can still definitely be used for note-taking.

One of its most notable features is the 8 shortcut keys that are fully customizable. You can change its functionalities depending on your given task, making the workflow smoother than ever before. In addition, the battery-free stylus has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, and by pairing it up with the 60-degree tilt function, you can naturally write from most angles.

The XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro is compatible with most operating systems such as Windows, Chrome OS, MacOS, and even Linux. It also means that it can support any type of software, may it be for editing like Photoshop and Clip Studio or note-taking apps.

As mentioned before, the tablet’s main target audience is professional artists as it needs to be attached to a laptop or PC in order to be used. However, it is still great for note-taking, especially in remote scenarios.

Tips for Choosing the Right Note-Taking Tablet

1. Consider Your Primary Use

Before choosing the right note-taking tablet for you, determine if you need a dedicated device like the reMarkable 2 or Amazon Kindle Scribe or a versatile tablet such as the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad.

2. Evaluate Stylus Quality

A stylus is one of the key components of any note-taking tablet. Try to find a stylus with high-pressure levels, low latency, and tilt recognition capabilities as these features can help you to achieve a more natural writing experience.

3. Compare Display Features

Select a display feature that suits your needs. When doing so, check certain factors such as screen size, display resolution, and the texture of the screen.

4. Check Software Compatibility

This is a very important aspect of your desired tablet as it needs to support note-taking software and applications that you are comfortable using. Take note that some tablets such as the reMarkable 2 have built-in software while ones like the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad can be downloaded with Android apps.

5. Battery Life and Storage

In addition, consider how long is the battery life of your desired tablet and if the internal and external storage capabilities can match your requirements. Consider a tablet that can also access Cloud Storage.

6. Take a look at your Budget

Lastly, when trying to purchase a note-taking tablet, consider your budget. It may be different for a professional compared to a student, so make sure that it can fit your budget and your needs at the same time.

Conclusion

In the rapidly evolving world of our digital era, tablets have become crucial assets for professionals, artists, and students may it be for note-taking or for any other task.

While each device on our list can be considered the best note taking tablet, the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad stands out because of its versatility, one-of-a-kind stylus, and many more features. It achieves the delicate balance between functionality and flexibility. Try it out and see if it’s the one for you.

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