Best Note-taking Tablets in 2024: Reviews and Recommendations

Note-taking has continuously evolved as time went on and in today’s digital world, it has never been more important. With meetings, seminars, and even classes being pushed into the online space, digital note-taking has become an essential aspect of today’s world.

Digital note-taking is faster, easier, and much more convenient compared to traditional methods. When you make a mistake, you can easily press Ctrl+Z to undo it. In addition, you won’t need to purchase supplies to not run out constantly, such is the case with pen and paper. Digital note-taking is also better in terms of organization with all your notes stored in one space, minimizing the risk of losing resources.

However, to get full advantage of the pros of Digital note-taking, you must first choose the best note taking tablet there is. That’s why in this article, we’re going to recommend the best note-taking tablets in 2024.

Key Features

Before you decide on which is the best tablet for note taking, you must first consider the key features to look for, for these kinds of devices. These include stylus compatibility and accuracy, display quality, its range of note-taking apps, and software compatibility, as well as battery life and storage capacity.

Stylus Compatibility and Accuracy

When looking at a tablet for note taking, the stylus is one of its most critical components. This is because it is the primary way the user can interact with the device when doing such tasks. A great stylus is one that has precise inputs that mimic the feeling and responsiveness of writing on paper, in addition to being comfortable to use.

Low latency is another factor to be considered. It determines the delay between the pen movement and the on-screen response, which makes for a more natural writing experience. Not only that, the stylus’ pressure sensitivity can help you create more accurate lines. Good pressure sensitivity helps users create a variation of line thickness more accurately. This is nicely paired up with tilt sensitivity as well, which further enhances the note-taking experience.

Display Quality

As important as styluses are, the tablet’s display is crucial for determining the best digital note taking tablet. The quality of the screen directly impacts the user's productivity and comfort. With a high-resolution display, texts, and inmates are clearer and more crisp, resulting in easy-to-read and review notes. These are closely associated with the tablet's screen size, where you have to balance portability with sufficient writing space.

This is also true when it comes to color accuracy as it is essential for users that incorporate diagrams and illustrations into their notes. An anti-glare coating can reduce eye strain during extended use, especially in conditions where the lighting is not ideal. Some tablets even feature paper-like textured screen protectors, giving you a writing surface that is more comfortable to write on.

Note-Taking Apps and Software Compatibility

A device cannot be called a note taking tablet if its software ecosystem does not feature the necessary apps and software for the task. Compatibility with a wide range of note-taking applications can give the user the ability to choose the one that best suits their organizational style and needs.

Some features to look for may be handwriting recognition, the capability to convert notes to text, being able to organize notes into notebooks and folders, easy search functions, and most importantly, cloud syncing so that you can access your notes across multiple devices. However, some apps have additional functionalities such as PDF annotation, or integration with productivity tools such as notion.

Battery Life

While the ones mentioned above are related to the operational capabilities of a tablet, its usability is hindered if the device does not have a long battery life. This ensures that the user is uninterrupted throughout the day may it be full of classes, meetings, or other work events.

When looking for a note taking tablet, the ideal one should last at least 8 to 10 hours on a single charge, making sure that it accommodates busy schedules without you constantly trying to find an outlet. Luckily, some tablets do feature quick-charging capabilities, which can be a lifesaver when you need to boost your battery quickly.

Storage Capacity

Lastly, your note taking tablet should have enough storage to accommodate all your files. This is especially true if your notes constantly contain images, PDF annotations, or similar assets as it can consume more space than you initially thought.

If you use your tablet for note-taking on needed occasions only, then a minimum of 64GB is recommended. However, if your note taking tablet is your primary device or your profession requires you to handle several files at once, then 128GB or more would be ideal.

Cloud Storage integration is also key as it helps you manage your local storage by offloading old notes online and at the same time, keeping them accessible. MicroSD card slots can also be found on some tablets, offering you expendable storage for flexibility and room for growth.

Best Note-Taking Tablets

Now that you know the key features to look for when choosing the best note taking tablet, 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.

Inside is a 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor, enough for any note-taking task and is paired up with Codex, a Linux-based operating system. The reMarkable 2 has a 3000 mAh rechargeable battery, which is around 2 weeks of battery life, and can be connected to wifi.

The highlight of the device is that the screen has a textured surface, which gives you a paper-like writing experience on the fly. You can easily convert your handwritten notes to typed text or even take notes directly on PDFs. Another plus is that it is integrated with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive, ensuring that you can access Cloud Storage.

There are 2 styluses, also known as Markers, available. The one in the $399 package does not have a built-in eraser but the Marker Plus in the $499, has one. Both deliver paper-like friction and can be magnetically attached to the reMarkable 2. In addition, both do not need to be charged in order to function.

If you want a tablet that’s solely focused on note-taking then the reMarkable 2 is the one for you!

Best Note-Taking Tablet with Pen

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad

$499.99

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.

The key highlight of the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad is its free stylus, which is powered by the X3 Pro Chip and is the world’s first 16K pressure-level stylus. This means that it has 200% more pressure levels than any normal tablet pencil. The X3 Pro Pencil has an especially thin nib, perfect for writing down precision lines, and also features a shortcut key that can be customized.

The tablet itself is very portable and lightweight while also offering more space to take notes using its 12.2-inch screen, textured with the X-Paper Display. This means that it has a paper-like feel while also eliminating glare and blue light that can damage the eyes.

The XPPen Magic Drawing Pad also offers Dual Windows functionality, allowing you to look at documents, be at a meeting, or surf the web, without closing your note-taking application. It’s perfect for artists, students, and even your average office worker.

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.

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.

It has a 10.4-inch display and is made to be slim and lightweight. It has a 7,040mAh rechargeable battery, enough to last your entire work or school day. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has 128GB internal storage but you can insert a microSD card of up to 1TB, ensuring that you never need to worry about memory space ever again.

The S Pen has low latency and decent pressure levels of up to 4,096. It is also very light, weighing under 9 grams, and has a very precise 0.7mm tip. Not only that, the SPen can be charged by attaching itself to your tablet’s body. This means it can be one of the best tablet for college note taking

Best Budget 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 budget tablet for taking notes.

It is the largest Kindle device with a 10.2-inch glare-free and front-lit display. Similar to the reMarkable 2, it acts as a digital notebook, where you can choose from a wide range of templates and brushes for note-taking and related tasks. You also have the option to add handwritten sticky notes to books available on the Kindle Store.

The Kindle Scribe is said to have a battery life that could last for weeks and if it’s going to be used by a minor, it has parental controls as well. When you purchase it, included is a battery-free stylus that you can use to take notes.

Comparison of Note-Taking Tablets

In order to get a clearer insight into each tablet’s capabilities, an easy-to-follow comparison table of all five tablets in terms of the aforementioned key features can be found below.

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.