These days, we’ve found ways to combine inventive strategies with traditional practices. Not only has the digital space democratized how we work, but it’s also allowed us to be as imaginative as possible.
Take digital notepads and notebooks, for example.
Whereas conventional paperback notebooks allow us to note our best ideas and important points, digital notepads and notebooks have elevated this practice in that we’re able to write and sketch with the familiarity of a physical paperback but with the advancements of tablet technology.
Because of these inventions, we’re able to save paper, streamline all of our notes, and cut back on expenses too.
If you’re looking for the best digital notepads and notebooks available today, this feature is for you!
You may also be interested in our features on the best drawing tablets, the best pens & pencils and the best Apple Pencil alternatives.
The Best Digital Notepads & Notebooks in 2021 – Overview
- reMarkable — The best digital notebook overall (Editor’s Choice)
- The Boogie Board Blackboard — The best budget digital notepad
- iPad 8th-generation — The best value tablet for creatives and taking notes
- Likebook Ares-Note — The best portable digital notebook
- Wacom Bamboo Folio Smartpad — The best professional digital notebook
- Royole RoWrite — The best digital notebook for sketching
- Sony DPT-CP1/B — The best high-end digital notebook
- The Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook — The dot-grid digital notebook
- BOOX Note2 — The best digital notebook for security
- iskn The Slate 2+ — The best innovative digital notepad
The Best Digital Notepads & Notebooks Compared
What is the best digital notebook? Compare 6 of the best notepads below so you can see what’s right for you.
How to choose the best digital notepads or notebooks
Although this list will feature a few products that don’t belong to the tablet category, it’s bears mentioning that the entries here that call for charging all need to be factored in by certain categories. Here are the top three aspects you’ll need to consider when purchasing tablet-like notepads:
Battery
Digital notepads and notebooks may sound exactly like tablets, but they’re not entirely like them. Consider these pieces to be a distant cousin of the mobile device. As such, you’re going to want to consider a digital notebook’s battery life when shopping. The last thing you’d want is to miss having to take notes all because your notebook is electronically drained. Find something that lasts for days and fits your lifestyle.
Apps
Many of these digital notepads save your notes in the cloud. As a result, you should easily be able to access your notes via other mobile devices too. That said, go for digital notepads and notebooks that have convenient apps. Whether powered by android or reliant on web apps, pick a product that makes it easy for you to study and review what you took note of through apps that come with the device.
Memory
It’s only natural for you to want to pick a digital notebook that isn’t going to stop you from drawing or taking down notes. On that note, your potential device’s memory should be a huge factor when shopping for digital notepads and notebooks. Select for devices that easily allow you to transfer your files and save them elsewhere when needed.
The Best Digital Notepads & Notebooks for Creatives in 2021
1. reMarkable Digital Notepad (Editor’s Choice)
The best digital notebook overall (Editor’s Choice)
The best digital notepad overall on our list is the reMarkable digital notepad. Confidently sporting a 10.3-inch screen, that seamlessly converts handwritten notes to typed text powered by 512 MB RAM and an 8GB hard drive.
Boasting an improved paper-like reading experience, this device allows readers and writers alike to breeze through notes, edit PDFS, and even read long-form articles and novels. Whether you’re someone from the academe or a professional creative, instantly improve your writing style and process with this find!
| Pros | Cons |
 Good storage |
 Bulky |
| Reliable OS |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The reMarkable paper tablet - a digital device for writing, reading & sketching that feels like paper.
- No other tablet in the world gives you an experience so close to paper as reMarkable.
- Here to replace your notebooks, printouts and documents. A groundbreaking device that changes how people work.
- Super low latency, 226 DPI CANVAS display. You've never experienced anything like the CANVAS display.
- In the box: reMarkable, Marker, 8 extra Marker tips and charging cable. Original reMarkable Folio (sleeve) NOT included.
2. The Boogie Board Blackboard
The best budget digital notepad
Arguably one of the best examples of what a digital notepad should be like is the Boogie Board Blackboard. Optimizing the advanced technology of Liquid Crystal paper, this contender competently packs an Exact-Erase feature on the writing tablet, ensuring efficiency, speed, and convenience.
To avoid accidental erasures, you can also lock the writing tablet with the Erase-Lock button. What’s more, this piece comes with a Blackboard app both Android and iOS users can install on their smartphones to save their notes. Did we happen to mention you don’t need to charge it either?
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use |
Can feel less professional |
| Great price |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- An electronic writing tool to plan, sketch, and design featuring Liquid Crystal paper
- It's a whole new way to write, edit, and erase by hand. A touch of a button clears the entire screen
- Back to basics convenience with nothing to charge, plug in, or turn on
- Write on anything, Lines, grids, photographs... even digital screens
- The downloadable blackboard app makes it easy to save, organize, search, and share your work, doodles, designs, lists, and more
3. Apple iPad 8th-generation
The best value tablet for creatives and taking notes
It would be a disservice if we excluded Apple’s iPad from our list. While this piece is obviously more than just a notepad, you will notice that most of its reviews are from creatives and professionals.
As such, this iPad is one of the best go-to staples for anyone wanting a competent device to help them get through the day and finish tasks. Powered by Apple’s robust iOS system, you’re sure to stay busy and productive with a device as smart and powerful as this.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use |
Pricey |
| Great operating system |
|
| Incredible value |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Gorgeous 10.2-inch Retina display
- A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Support for Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Smart Keyboard
- 8MP back camera, 1.2MP FaceTime HD front camera
- Stereo speakers
4. Likebook Ares-Note
The best portable digital notebook
The Likebook Ares-Note packs a decent 7.8-inch E INk Carta HD screen that beautifully replicates the paperback notebook experience but with a little more light. Sporting an Android 8.1 system, users are treated to reliable functionality and tablet convenience in the form of a digital notepad.
Loaded with intelligent AI recognition that converts handwriting to text, this contender allows anyone and everyone to share their notes freely and edit PDFs without hassle. Draw, read, and create with confidence with this pick!
| Pros | Cons |
| Portable |
Resolution is ok |
| USB Type-C support |
Large bezels |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 📘.7.8" E-ink Carta Touchscreen: 1404*1872 HD screen, Bezel and Flush design, The best size reading Newspaper and PDF documents, dual color Cold/Warm front light, enables you to read day and night
- 📘. Professional PDF reader : Support multiple mainstream formats in market, Excellent PDF reading experience , 24-level Black&white contrast, Support PDF handwritten annotations, Read and remember...
- 📘.Dual Touch Control: Electromagnetic touch control with electromagnetic pen (Wacom stylus) for scribbling, and capacitive touch with finger for free reading. 4096 Degrees of Pressure Sensitivity...
- 📘. Android 8.1 System: Octa Core processor, Android Open source ensure you can install Tons of 3rd party applications , Support Audio ebooks and music ; Bluetooth ,WIFI Data transfer, 2G+32G...
- 📘Buy with Confidence: We will provide you with 24 months After-sale service . If you have any problems, contact us anytime we will always be here to help you.
5. Wacom Bamboo Folio Smartpad
The best professional digital notebook
When many people hear the name Wacom, they immediately see large tablets for creating incredible works of art. The Bamboo Folio Smartpad aims to change that thinking with its beautiful design.
Connecting the pad through Bluetooth allows you to instantly transfer any information to Wacom’s Inkspace app where you can view or even export the information. A professional-looking design keeps it protected and makes it applicable in the boardroom or your home office.
| Pros | Cons |
| works with any paper |
Battery life is short |
| Pen doesn’t require charging |
Cannot record audio |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Start with a pen in your hand and a clean sheet of paper. Capture your thoughts and ideas. Then turn them into digital, shareable files while you write. When you're ready to turn the page, just touch...
- Use the free, next generation Wacom Inkspace app to convert your handwritten notes to text, edit your digitized notes and export them into JPG, PNG, PDF, SVG, or WILL files
- With an optional upgradeRegister for the free Inkspace cloud service to convert your handwritten notes to text, intuitively tag your ideas on paper, or export them as DOC format. Sync your ideas with...
- System requirements: Bluetooth enabled iOS or Android smartphone or tablet with Wacom Inkspace app/Internet connection/Maximum notepad thickness: about 80 pages (<8 mm)
- And for a short time, we’re offering limited edition Bamboo Slate large in red and blue. The pixel pattern is inspired by Minecraft and designed with the high-energy, gig economy go-getter in mind.
6. Royole RoWrite
The best digital notebook for sketching
One of the more novel contenders on this list is Royole RoWrite. Creatively combining digital and paper, this piece allows users to write and draw on physical paper before saving it as digital material. In other words, handwritten sketches and scribbles are saved on paper and as digital pages.
This also means that because physical drawings and notes are stored digitally, artists and students can immediately adjust whatever they need to on their computers. Although this piece isn’t a tablet, it’s still most definitely a digital offering that streamlines and simplifies completing tasks and creative projects.
| Pros | Cons |
| great for artists |
might be too small for some |
| USB Type-C support |
lag issues |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- (NOTE: Without LCD Screen& Not A Tablet)RoWrite utilizes Royole’s advanced flexible sensor technology. Capacitive, transparent, and highly sensitive, the flexible sensors track where the RoWrite pen...
- Make your notes or drawings come alive by editing or enhancing digital Pages in real time. Pair a device with the RoWrite App and erase digitally, or select from different writing instruments, change...
- RoWrite is intuitive and easy to use. Pages can be modified on RoWrite until you decide to close them, even after periods of inactivity. When paired with a device content is communicated quickly and...
- RoWrite’s ink pen delivers a natural and realistic pen to paper experience. It’s a refillable ballpoint pen with built-in pressure sensor circuitry to capture 2048 pressure points and deliver a...
- NOTES: this product is not a tablet and has no display. It needs to be used with real paper and ink pen refills which are included in the product.
7. Sony DPT-CP1/B
The best high-end digital notebook
The Sony DPT-CP1/B might be three years old, but it’s still one of the best digital notepads around. Standing tall and slender at 10.3-inches, this piece allows anyone to sync whatever they write almost instantaneously to the cloud.
It sports a sleek design, weighs only 8.5-ounces, and can last longer depending on your usage. It also runs on the familiar Windows OS system, ensuring that you can edit whatever you need to with ease on other Windows devices.
| Pros | Cons |
| great aspect ratio |
a bit bulky |
| great ergonomic design |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Thin, lightweight design, Approximately 8.5 oz. (240 grams -dpt-cp1)
- 10.3” (diagonal) high contrast display; 1404 x 1872 dots
- Low-glare display for comfortable, long term reading
- Paper-like texture for precise writing.Computer-based Charging - Approx. 5.5 hours. Battery Life with Wi-Fi On - Approx. 1 week. Battery Life with Wi-Fi Off - Approx. 3 weeks. AC Adaptorbased Charging...
- Digital paper application (PC/Mac) to transfer documents and notes.Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac MIMO
8. The Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
The best dotted grid digital notebook
At first glance, the Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook looks like your everyday notebook. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find that this tool is a lot more than just ordinary pages. Complete with 32 reusable dot grid pages, users can write and sketch all they need to erase the content of these pages before uploading them to the cloud.
Connectable to Google Drive, iCloud, and other cloud subscriptions, this contender makes it easy for any creative to save on having to buy new notebooks for every lecture or class. As with other picks on this list, this device is made possible because of a smartphone app that’s paired with the notebook.
| Pros | Cons |
| reuseable |
a bit bulky |
| easy to use |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- No more wasting paper - this environmentally-friendly 36 page dotted grid notebook can be used endlessly by wiping clean with a damp cloth
- Blast your handwritten notes to popular cloud services like Google drive, Dropbox, Evernote, box, OneNote, Slack, iCloud, email and more using the free Rocketbook application for iOS and Android
- Allow 15 seconds for ink from any Pilot Frixion pen, marker, or highlighter to dry in order for it to bond to our specialized pages
- Sophisticated AI technology allows you to use Rocketbook’s smart titles, smart search, and email transcription for easier naming and searching of your notes
- Includes 1 Rocketbook Core (formerly known as Everlast) Executive Size (6" x 8.8") Notebook, 1 Pilot Frixion Pen, and 1 Microfiber Cloth. Note package may reflect "Everlast”
9. BOOX Note2
The best digital notebook for security
Unlike the Rocketbook, BOOX Note2 belongs to the tablet category. Powered by Android 9.0, this piece is one of the more security-sensitive digital notepads around. Optimizing a fingerprint scanner on the back of the pad, this contender packs a mighty processor, an SD card slot, and a whopping 10.3-inch screen.
Perfect for students, creatives, professors, and virtually anyone who can benefit from a notebook, this piece leans a little more into the expensive side, but it’s worth every penny.
| Pros | Cons |
| great screen |
a tad expensive |
| built-in security |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Mighty Processor: Equipped with Octa-core 2Ghz Processor, Note2 supports high-speed computing for smooth performance.
- OTG Support: Attach SD cards, keyboards, mice, and other extended tools to your device with no driver needed.
- Android 9.0 OS: Note2 has taken its capacity to a whole new level for substantial improvements on software features.
- Fingerprint Scanner: Strengthen the security of your personal information. Simply unlock your device by just tapping on the back navigation button.
10. iskn The Slate 2+
The best innovative digital notepad
The iskn Slate 2+ isn’t exactly magic, but you might as well call it that. One of the better-reviewed pieces on the list, this contender stays true to the game in giving your paper creations a digital life.
Because the brand’s iskn rings can be slid into any of your favorite pens or pencils, artists are free to draw however they want to use their go-to drawing tools, and automatically, you can see your work come to life in real-time on another device.
| Pros | Cons |
| efficient |
parts can be easy to misplace |
| lightweight |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Draw with your own pencils and pens thanks to the removable ring that gives digital superpowers
- Use any kind of paper to draw with the Slate, even a sketchpad (up to 0. 27 in. )
- Use the Slate connected to your tablet, smartphone or computer to see your drawings instantly come to life, or in screenless mode to use the Slate while on the go
- Enhance your creations with Repaper Studio app (pencils, felt-tip, airbrush. . . )
- Enjoy the graphic tablet mode to use the Slate with all desktop drawing software such as the Adobe Suite, gimp, and many others
More top gear for graphic designers
If you’re a graphic designer looking for some new tech, you might also want to check out these articles:
- Best monitors for designers
- Best tablets for designers
- Best printers for designers
- Best laptops for designers
- Best computers for designers
- Best cameras for designers
- Best earphones for designers
- Best microphones for designers
- Best scanners for designers
The Best Digital Notepads & Notebooks for Creatives in 2021
All in all, the Best Digital Notebooks & Smart Notepads are awesome finds, each designed to help you work better and more efficiently. Still, all of our best finds on this list carry their pros and cons. That said, go for a product that’s easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. Sometimes, the Best Digital Notebooks & Smart Notepads aren’t always the ones with the highest specs – they’re the ones that make your life easier.
