Is there anything better than being able to jot down notes old-school in your notebook? Yes, it’s being able to organize those same notes digitally! When traditional shakes hands with technology, this is what it looks like. That’s why we’re here to show you the best digital notepads and paper tablets to do your pen writing. Learn about the how’s and which’s right here!
Summary
As we tested out various products, we found that the absolute best digital notepad and paper tablet for your pen writing needs was the Boogie Board Black Board. The best luxury pick was the Apple iPad Air.
Here is a quick look at the category winners:
- Best digital notepad and paper tablet for the money: Boogie Board Black Board
- Best luxury digital notepad and paper tablet: Apple iPad Air
- Best cheap digital notepad and paper tablet: Rocket Smart
Why you can trust us & how we picked
You can trust us because we tested all the digital notepads & paper tablets on this page before creating this review. In addition, we picked tablets and notepads at different price points to help as many of you guys as possible!
Best digital notepads for pen writing
1. Best value pick – Boogie Board Blackboard
You’ve got features galore with this one. This notepad comes with a Stylus and impeccable erasing features. We were a fan of the pre-installed templates in terms of ease of usage. The erasing is also somewhat of a wonder. You can Instant Erase the whole screen with one touch. The other option is to use the stylus as an eraser and make use of the Exact-erase for more specificity. The app is pretty user-friendly and is compatible with both iOS and Android. We liked the feel of writing comparatively more than other notepads. And that’s why this qualifies as our best value pick!
| Name | Boogie Board Blackboard |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included) |
| Item model number | BD0160B2C |
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 12.9 x 9 x 0.25 inches |
Pros
- We used this digital notepad, and it’s so nice not to have any distractions.
- The price is unbeatable.
- It’s a bit flimsy, but nothing you can’t get over.
Cons
- It only has the basic functionality advertised.
2. Best luxury pick – Apple iPad Air
There’s no denying that Apple designs are irreplaceable. This is true in the digital notebook market too. The iPad design is seamlessly designed to suit the writer or reader. It’s great for any artist or comic artist. Even if you want to be entertained, the iPad gives you that and much more. It has ample storage of 256 GB, and the M1 chip is the unique selling point of any Apple product. What we enjoyed was that the battery did last as long as it should. It can last up to a normal working day or more, so you never have to recharge at work. Stereo landscape speakers ensure that your casual break time watching cat videos is at its best.
| Name | Apple iPad Air |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Item Weight | 1.02 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches |
Pros
- It can do so much more than taking notes.
- There are so many apps you can use.
Cons
- It’s a completely different price you’re paying.
- All the functionality it has can be distracting.
3. Best cheap – Rocketbook Smart
We loved this eco-friendly notebook! It included a Pilot Frixion Pen and a microfiber cloth to wipe away your slate as you’re done. We came for the beautiful colors but stayed for the awesome features. Neptune Teal, Atomic Red, and Daydream are our favorites. It comes in two sizes – letters and executives. It has 32 pages which we felt was more than enough for our notes and scribbles. We wouldn’t call this the best cheap pick at this price- we’d call it a bargain!
| Name | Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook |
| Color | Inifinity Black |
| Item Weight | 8.6 ounces |
| Material Type | Synthetic blend paper |
| Product Dimensions | 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches |
Pros
- We were surprised at how well this product works.
- It has a clean look.
- It comes available in many different colors.
Cons
- It’s a bit tedious having to scan your notes with your phone.
4. Runner-up Value pick – THINKERS
A smart notepad, if there ever was any! A premium leather cover for your smart office look or serious professor/student look. What sets this notebook apart is the unique handwriting recognition feature. We loved that this feature could lead to a quick and easy search option to find whatever you need in your notebook at any time. The writing experience was smooth because of the Layflat design. This feature is even better than a real notebook because you can’t ruin the spine and keep your handwriting smooth at once. It could use an upgrade in the app department since it’s only compatible with iOS. But at this price, it’s a value buy!
| Brand | THINKERS Notebook |
| Color | Black |
| Cover Material | Leather |
| Item Weight | 1.38 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.67 x 6.49 x 0.75 inches |
Pros
- The app worked pretty well.
Cons
- It’s inconvenient the papers are not reusable.
- For the price, the RocketBook is better.
5. Runner-up Luxury pick – Wacom DTK1660K0A
When it comes to sketching- there’s nothing better than this one. The graphics are what sell this model. The Cintiq 15.6 inch is more than enough for a budding artist. The anti-glare, scratch-resistant screen does help. If you’re worried about battery issues, the pen never needs charging. It charges through contact with the screen! The foldable legs were a feature we didn’t think was a big deal. This small detail shone through and won our hearts. And what’s more? Six months of Clip Studio Paint EX free! If that’s not luxury, we don’t know what is!
| Brand | Wacom Cintiq 16 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion battery required. |
| Color | Black |
| Item Weight | 4.19 pounds |
| Operating System | Windows and Mac |
| Product Dimensions | 16.6 x 11.2 x 1 inches |
Pros
- It was cool to make digital art with also.
Cons
- If you’re already paying this much to take notes, you might as well get Apple’s product.
Factors to consider
It can be confusing to choose from the array of options in the digital market. Let’s boil it down to a couple of factors you should consider when buying a digital notepad or tablet. Do so before you go shopping for the best digital notepads and paper tables to do your pen writing.
Screen-based, reusable, or paper-based?
Are you looking for a notebook feel but digital features? Or do you wish to have a screen a little larger than your smartphone to doodle on? Or is it absolutely nothing at all that you want to carry? If you click on the first question: a reusable notebook is the one for you. The ink dries super quickly and quickly uploads to your devices. With a screen-based device like an iPad Air or Sony Digital Paper tablet, you’ll have something light and convenient on your hands. It’s designed for less glare and for you to experience digital paper in your hands. Maybe you don’t wish for any of that and simply wish to wave a stylus wand. Your work appears on the nearest system that’s available on paper-based tablets! The choice is yours to make.
Dot-grid or Lined?
There are dot-grid-based reusable notebooks, and then there are lined. We believe creative personnel prefers dotted pages to the squared ones. This is because the dots appear to help them in symmetrical drawings but don’t seem too obtrusive. Lined electronic writing pads may work better if you’re planning on taking notes more than sketching or doodling.
Compatibility
The iPad Air will have no compatibility with android devices, and that’s a blow to someone who only ever uses android. There are digital notepads in the market that have apps compatible with both iOS and Android. On the other hand, maybe you are someone who wants a device other than iOS but has Mac devices to connect to. Several smart notebooks are designed for the Apple interface and everyday Apple users.
Size
There are plenty of sizes available in the market. The most common one is the Letter which has the dimension of 8.5″x 11″. There are also larger sizes. For instance, Rocketbook has a larger Executive size that measures 6″x 8.8″. It is great for someone looking to draw or sketch. Smaller sizes are suited to those almost always on-the-go and scribbling notes throughout the day.
Features
Features are everything in the digital market! We especially love a good search feature that makes our note-finding easier. This is only possible if the scanning is good. Even better is a handwriting recognition feature! Some smart notepads have a lay-flat design that comforts your arm and hand while writing. Not to forget the any-pen-or-pencil feature where you can doodle stress-free. The sensitive notebook recognizes and keeps up!
Brands
It’s an up-and-coming niche of the digital gadgets sphere. We like to believe some brands have established themselves in the market. These include Wacom and Rocketbook. You’ll also find great ones from Moleskin and Boogie Board, and the list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Apple. Some brands like Amazon’s Kindle and Wacom offer high-tech technology like e-ink that makes writing paper smooth.
Brand value is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you find a nice product from an unconventional brand that you feel strongly about, go for it!
How much do they cost?
Cost is a pointer and usually one at the top. While you can get a decent reusable notebook for under $50, a great screen-based notepad will cost you more. An iPad or a Wacom drawing tablet will cost you upwards of $300 and will escalate to $500-600. It depends on the features and size. It includes other factors listed above. But if you’re starting in the smart notebook arena, may we suggest starting small. Begin with a reusable notebook that can be bought for under $40, and work your way up if you like the experience.
