Quick answer- For most people, the iPad Air 11-inch (M4) is the safest tablet for note taking and drawing, but the Apple Pencil Pro costs extra.
- Android fans should look at the Galaxy Tab S11 for premium or the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus for value, since both include an S Pen.
- For writing only, the reMarkable Paper Pro, Kindle Scribe and Boox Note Air5 C feel closer to paper, but reviewers disagree on how good they are for drawing.
Choosing a tablet for note taking comes down to one question: do you want a device that does everything, or one that mostly feels like paper? This guide compares LCD and OLED tablets such as the iPad Air and Galaxy Tab S11 with e-ink writing tablets like the reMarkable Paper Pro, Kindle Scribe and Boox Note Air5 C. It focuses on stylus support and total cost, screen feel and apps, and relies on published expert reviews rather than hands-on testing by this blog.
1. How to choose a tablet for note taking
Start with screen feel, because it shapes every page you write. Yahoo Tech's testing notes say a plastic pen on slippery glass is less pleasant than a surface with some grit, and Ars Technica found the reMarkable Paper Pro's textured e-ink screen the closest to pen on paper. The Gadgeteer (July 6, 2026) adds that e-ink is easier on the eyes and lasts weeks on a charge, but refreshes slowly and is mostly grayscale or muted color.
Next, check the stylus and the real total cost. Tom's Guide says every Samsung tablet in its Samsung guide includes an S Pen, while The Gadgeteer listed the Apple Pencil Pro at $129 extra on July 6, 2026, which pushed an iPad Air near $730. Wirecutter (updated April 8, 2026) notes that most pens are now battery-free, with Apple's rechargeable Pencil as the main exception.
Then look at apps. The Gadgeteer says iPadOS has the richest note apps, such as GoodNotes and Notability, Android offers flexibility, and the reMarkable offers no third-party apps. Ars Technica confirmed the reMarkable has no app store.
Finally, think about drawing. ZDNET (updated January 22, 2026) says e-ink writing tablets such as the Kindle Scribe and reMarkable are not ideal for drawing or sketching, and suggests an LCD or OLED tablet for apps like Photoshop or Sketchbook. Other outlets are kinder to e-ink sketching, so treat drawing as a personal test.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Reviewed by |
|---|
| Apple iPad Air 11-inch M4 | One device for everything | 11-inch Liquid Retina; Pencil Pro sold separately | Tom's Guide, The Gadgeteer, ZDNET |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 | Premium Android | 11-inch 120Hz OLED; S Pen included | CNET, TechRadar, Tom's Guide |
| reMarkable Paper Pro | Distraction-free writing | 11.8-inch color e-ink, 1.16 lb | Yahoo Tech, Ars Technica, ZDNET, Tom's Guide |
| Amazon Kindle Scribe | Readers who write | 10.2-inch 300 ppi; Premium Pen included | ZDNET, Yahoo Tech |
| Boox Note Air5 C | Android on e-ink | 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 color e-ink | ZDNET, The Gadgeteer |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus | Value Android | 13.1-inch screen; S Pen included | CNET, Tom's Guide |
| Apple iPad 11th generation | Low-cost iPad | $349 base per Ars Technica; Pencil extra | Ars Technica, Tom's Guide |
My take (20 years in IT): Pick the ecosystem before the tablet. If your phone, laptop and cloud storage already live in one brand, notes sync with less friction. Then decide whether you want one device for everything or a distraction-free writing slate.
2. Top picks for notes and drawing on one device
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M4: Best overall
Best for: Anyone who wants one device for notes, drawing, reading and media, and who accepts that the pen costs extra.
What reviewers say: Tom's Guide (read October 22, 2026) ranks the iPad Air M4 as its best tablet for most people, citing strong performance, a bright Liquid Retina display, a light body and just under 10 hours of battery. The Gadgeteer (July 6, 2026) named it best overall for note taking, praising Apple Pencil Pro tilt, pressure and squeeze, plus apps like GoodNotes. ZDNET (updated January 22, 2026) also chose the iPad Air first, though its write-up covers the seventh-generation model and mentions some app limits. The Gadgeteer listed it from $599 on July 6, 2026, and prices change.
- Pros: Huge app library, fast response, strong pen features.
- Cons: Pencil sold separately, Yahoo Tech found iPad glass slippery next to e-ink, and Tom's Guide noted no Face ID.
See Apple iPad Air 11-inch M4 on Amazon →
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: Best Android option
Best for: Android users who want an included S Pen and an OLED screen, and can afford a premium price.
What reviewers say: CNET gave the 11-inch Tab S11 an Editors' Choice, praising its OLED 120Hz screen, speed and included redesigned S Pen, and said it preferred this size for taking notes. CNET also saw glare outdoors and called it expensive. TechRadar (first reviewed July 2026) was cooler: the S Pen glides well, but the touchscreen felt grabby, the display lacked fidelity, and it was hard to recommend over the iPad Air at a similar price. TechRadar listed $899.99 and CNET listed $800, so check current pricing. Tom's Guide's Samsung tablet guide called it the closest Android answer to the iPad.
- Pros: S Pen included, 120Hz OLED, light at about 1.06 pounds, IP68 water resistance per CNET.
- Cons: Expensive, some glare, and reviewers disagree on touchscreen and display quality.
See Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 on Amazon →
3. Top picks for e-ink writing tablets
reMarkable Paper Pro: Best for distraction-free writing
Best for: Writers and students who want a paper-like feel and no notifications.
What reviewers say: Yahoo Tech (February 2026) picked it as its favorite note-taking tablet for a realistic pencil-on-paper feel and strong handwriting recognition, but noted muted colors, modest brightness and a high price; it listed $629 with the Marker Plus. Ars Technica (September 9, 2024) measured writing latency at 12 ms and found it the most paper-like pen it had tried, yet it said it would pick an iPad every time. ZDNET (January 22, 2026) listed $679 and noted a subscription is needed for full features. Tom's Guide said the display often feels slow.
- Pros: Paper-like pen feel, low lag, long battery (ZDNET cites up to 14 days), simple software.
- Cons: Expensive, no app store, slow screen, and the price gap between outlets shows how much it varies.
See reMarkable Paper Pro on Amazon →
Amazon Kindle Scribe: Best for readers who also write
Best for: Avid Kindle readers who want to annotate books and keep simple notes.
What reviewers say: ZDNET (January 22, 2026) named it best for readers, citing the 10.2-inch 300 ppi screen, included Premium Pen, battery of up to three weeks of writing, and Word sticky notes; its table showed about $450. Yahoo Tech (February 2026) liked the writing feel and AI summaries but found book annotation and handwriting-to-text limited, and noted Amazon added newer Scribe models in late 2025 that it had not yet reviewed. Check which model you are buying.
- Pros: Pen included, big readable screen, very long battery, easy to learn.
- Cons: Grayscale only, limited text conversion, and larger storage tiers cost more per ZDNET.
See Amazon Kindle Scribe on Amazon →
Boox Note Air5 C: Best Android e-ink
Best for: People who want e-ink comfort but also need Android apps.
What reviewers say: ZDNET (January 22, 2026) called it its best lightweight pick, with a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 screen, 300 ppi in black and white, just under a pound, and many templates, but weak AI and muted color. The Gadgeteer (July 6, 2026) liked that it runs Google Play apps with a battery-free pen, while noting Android screens refresh slower than LCD. Yahoo Tech's review of the older Note Air 4 C found a steep learning curve, so expect some tinkering. ZDNET listed about $530 and The Gadgeteer $529.99.
- Pros: Android apps, pen feel, templates, light body.
- Cons: Muted color, slower than an iPad, and software has a learning curve.
See Boox Note Air5 C on Amazon →
Narrowing it down? Prices and availability change often, so check the current listing.
4. Budget picks, alternatives and who should skip
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Best value Android
Best for: Students who want a big screen and an included S Pen at a lower price.
What reviewers say: CNET (editors' note June 2, 2026) said the S Pen is great for note taking, though with a touch of latency and not aimed at serious artists, and it earned a battery award with 17 hours 45 minutes in streaming. It called the chip middling and the 13.1-inch size unwieldy. Tom's Guide named it the best Samsung for most people. The outlets disagree on details: CNET lists an LCD and $650 for the Plus, while Tom's Guide lists AMOLED and under $500. Verify the exact model before buying.
- Pros: Included S Pen, long battery, microSD slot per CNET.
- Cons: Mid-range speed, large to hold, conflicting spec reports.
See Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus on Amazon →
Apple iPad 11th generation: Best low-cost iPad
Best for: Light note takers who want iPadOS apps and a lower entry price.
What reviewers say: Ars Technica (March 14, 2025) liked the $349 price but said it does not support the Pencil Pro or regular Pencil, and the two supported pencils are flawed: a $79 USB-C model without pressure sensitivity and a $99 first-generation model. It added that the air gap under the glass makes drawing less satisfying. Tom's Guide (read October 22, 2026) named it the best budget tablet but listed the pencil support and a dim outdoor display as cons.
- Pros: Low price, large app library, 128GB base storage.
- Cons: Limited pencil options, less pleasant for drawing.
See Apple iPad 11th generation on Amazon →
Who should skip buying: The Gadgeteer says that if you already carry a laptop and only jot occasional notes, a phone or paper notebook does the job for free. It also warns that writing-first e-ink slates will frustrate anyone who wants fast color video or gaming.
If you draw on a computer, Wirecutter (updated April 8, 2026) picked the Huion Inspiroy 2 M as its best drawing tablet for most people, which needs a PC, laptop or phone and has no built-in screen.
5. Setup, ownership and privacy tips
Plan the accessories before you buy. Ars Technica said Apple's accessories can push an iPad's price up sharply, and CNET listed Samsung's S11 keyboard cover at $145 and noted it has no spot to store the S Pen. CNET also found the S10 FE Plus pen attaches magnetically but not securely, so a case helps.
Fix the glass feel if needed. Yahoo Tech suggested a paper-like screen protector to add friction to an iPad. Storage rarely matters for writing: ZDNET said 32GB to 128GB is enough for a tablet used purely for notes.
Check how notes leave the device. Ars Technica said the reMarkable supports Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive, and exports typed notes only as PDF. ZDNET said Kindle Scribe notes can be exported by email. Since handwritten notes often sync to a vendor cloud, review each app's sync and sharing settings.
Finally, test handwriting early. Yahoo Tech's method was to write the same paragraph in print and cursive and run text conversion, and you can repeat that within the seller's return window.
Ready to compare options? Prices and availability change often, so check the current listing.
My take (20 years in IT): Stylus cost is easy to miss, because some tablets include a pen and others charge extra. Add the pen to the total before comparing prices, and check how long the maker supports software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an e-ink tablet or an iPad better for note taking?
It depends on whether you want focus or flexibility. Yahoo Tech said a dedicated writing tablet is distraction-free with weeks of battery, while a regular tablet is more versatile for about the same money. Ars Technica said it would pick an iPad every time.
Do I need to buy a stylus separately?
It depends on the model. CNET and Tom's Guide say the Galaxy Tab S11 and S10 FE Plus include an S Pen, and ZDNET says the Kindle Scribe includes its Premium Pen. Apple Pencils are extra, with The Gadgeteer listing the Pencil Pro at $129 on July 6, 2026.
Can I draw on a Kindle Scribe or reMarkable?
Reviewers disagree. ZDNET said e-ink writing tablets are not ideal for drawing, while Tom's Guide called the reMarkable paper-like for writing or drawing but noted a learning curve on drawing tools. If drawing matters most, an iPad or Galaxy Tab is the safer choice.
How much does a tablet for note taking cost?
Prices vary widely. Ars Technica listed the iPad 11th generation at $349 on March 14, 2025, The Gadgeteer listed the iPad Air from $599 on July 6, 2026, and Yahoo Tech listed the reMarkable Paper Pro at $629 in February 2026. Prices change, so check current listings.
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Last updated: October 22, 2026.
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