The Best E Ink Tablets for 2025
As a longtime lover of pen and paper, the rise of E Ink tablets has been a fascinating development. After years of accumulating half-filled notebooks, I turned to digital tools for their convenience, storing everything on my phone or laptop. E Ink tablets seem to offer the best of both worlds: the tactile satisfaction of a regular notebook combined with digital conveniences and an easy-on-the-eyes screen. These devices have evolved significantly, now available in multiple sizes, some with color displays, and many doubling as full-fledged e-readers. After testing close to a dozen models, here is a look at the best E Ink tablets available today.
Are E Ink Tablets Worth It?
An E Ink tablet is a worthwhile purchase for a very specific group of people. It makes sense if you prefer the look and feel of an e-paper display over the LCD panels on traditional tablets. They are also excellent for those seeking a more paper-like writing experience or a distraction-free device. This last point is crucial. Many E Ink tablets do not run standard operating systems, automatically limiting what you can do. Even those that allow app downloads are not designed for casual browsing due to the nature of E Ink displays, which have noticeable screen refreshes and lack vibrant colors. The primary reason to choose one over an iPad, which supports stylus input and reading apps, is to avoid the distractions of email and social media.
What to Look for in an E Ink Tablet
Writing and Latency
The most important consideration is the writing experience. This depends on the display’s refresh rate and the stylus’s latency. Most tested tablets have little to no latency, but some are better than others. Always check if a stylus is included or must be purchased separately.
Reading
Consider how much reading you will do. E Ink tablets tend to be larger than standard e-readers to facilitate writing, which can make holding them for long periods less comfortable. Supported file types are also critical. For the best reading experience, consider a tablet from a company with a history in e-books, like Amazon or Kobo, as your existing library will be readily available. Unless the tablet runs Android and supports apps like Kindle, you will be limited to specific file types like ePUB and PDF.
Search Functionality
Most tablets have on-device search, but capabilities vary. Some, like Amazon and Kobo models, automatically save notes to specific book pages for easy reference. Others support powerful features like text search within handwritten notes and handwriting recognition to translate scribbles into typed text.
Sharing and Connectivity
While designed to be distraction-free, most E Ink tablets include connectivity features. All tested models have Wi-Fi, and many support cloud syncing, companion mobile apps, and note export via email. However, they do not integrate directly with digital note-taking systems like Evernote or OneNote. Consider what you will do with your documents after using the tablet.
Price
E Ink tablets are not cheap, generally falling in the 300 to 800 dollar range. Price is often tied to size, with cheaper devices having smaller screens. Recently, prices have increased across brands like Supernote, Onyx Boox, and reMarkable due to increased operational and supply chain costs.
Other E Ink Tablets We Have Tested
Onyx Boox Tab X C
This model features a 13.3-inch Kaleido 3 color display, an octa-core processor, 6GB of RAM, and runs Android 13. It is a powerful, premium tablet akin to A4-size paper, but its high price of 820 dollars makes it best for those fully committed to a top-tier E Ink experience.
Lenovo Smart Paper
Lenovo’s offering has great hardware but is hampered by its software, which is less flexible than competitors and heavily tied to the company’s paid cloud service, making it a less compelling option.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra
Designed as an all-purpose E Ink tablet running Android 11, it is compatible with a magnetic keyboard case. While you can browse the web and check email, its performance and screen responsiveness make a standard 2-in-1 laptop a better choice for most users seeking an all-in-one device. It is best for those who prioritize reading and eye comfort above all else.
