The Kindle Scribe toes the line between traditional eReaders and newer, more dynamic tablets that also allow for note-taking. This versatile, streamlined eReader is at the top of everyone’s list.
But as more and more eReader/notebook tablets enter this blossoming market, buyers are faced with a plethora of tablet options to consider.
Here are our top alternatives to Kindle Scribe.
what is Kindle Scribe?
The Kindle Scribe was released in November 2022, more than a decade after the very first Kindle.
It is part of a genre of tablets called E-Ink. These tablets use E-Ink technology to render words and images on the page. They are characterized by being smaller than traditional tablets and having far more mellow lighting.
Unlike the original Kindle, the Kindle Scribe is designed for notetakers. It is the only Kindle with a digital notebook and pen, allowing you to create notes and draw in your own handwriting.
Luckily, this model still allows you to access the Kindle Store. You can also place two pages side-by-side, which is perfect for people who want to read books and take notes at the same time.
Here are a few of the product specs:
- Price: Starting at $244.79, the Kindle Scribe isn’t cheap, but it is less expensive than many of the other e-ink tablets available
- Intelligent lighting. 35 LED front lights automatically adjust to your environment
- Resolution. Ultra-clear 300 ppi resolution
- Screen. 10.2-inch, glare-free screen
- Storage options. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB of storage
You can do plenty of things with the Kindle Scribe.
- Brush types. Choose from pencil, marker, calligraphy, and fountain pen
- Convert notes. Convert, edit, and send handwritten notes as text via email
- Customize. Adjust font sizes, line spacing, and more
- Enjoy side-by-side reading. Place two pages side-by-side to streamline your experience
- Import documents. Import documents straight from Microsoft Word
- Sign documents. Take notes directly on PDFs
- Utilize folders & subfolders. Easily organize your notebooks into different folders
The Kindle Scribe even gained the accolade of being one of Ophrah’s Favorite Things in 2023.
why should I look for alternatives to Kindle Scribe?
For all its plus points, the Kindle Scribe falls short in some pretty significant areas.
- Limited web access. The Kindle Scribe can access the internet, but it struggles to accurately present websites
- Hidden costs. To import documents from Microsoft, you need a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Kindle Unlimited. If you want to access the full range of Kindle books, you need to invest in a Kindle Unlimited subscription
- No apps. Unfortunately, the Kindle Scribe does not support apps
- Pen price. The Premium Kindle Scribe pen (with all the customizable features) is an extra $30
Let’s look at our four favorite alternatives to Kindle Scribe.
reMarkable 2
Price: $428 (with the Marker Plus)
Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 9.6 x 0.19 inches
- Screen size: 10.3-inch
- Weight: 0.89 lb
- Storage: 8 GB
- Supported files: PDF and ePUB
- Battery: Up to 2 weeks in daily use
- Charging: USB-C
Best features:
- Battery life. The battery lasts up to two weeks in daily use, and up to three months in standby mode
- Easy to transport. The slim, compact style allows you to take notes at home, on public transport, at college, or anywhere else
- Palm rejection. The palm rejection feature works perfectly, so you can take notes comfortably
If you’re interested in E-ink tablets, you will have heard of reMarkable. This brand shot to popularity in 2017 and revolutionized the market again with the release of the reMarkable 2 in 2020.
reMarkable 2 is marketed as the thinnest tablet in the world, and it doesn’t disappoint. The tablet is just 0.19 inches thick but still supports an impressive 10.3-inch screen. On top of that, there is no denying that it feels just like writing on paper.
Notetakers agree that the writing experience is good. reMarkable 2 features a second-generation CANVAS writing display, which makes the latency just 21ms. Users can easily convert their handwritten notes into typed text. However, a few reviewers have reported that the strokes aren’t always crystal clear.
This E-Ink tablet is primarily for note-taking, but it can also be used as an eReader. It supports Epub files but it falls short where Kindle Scribe excels. There is no equivalent to the Kindle Store, so you have to source and import your reading materials manually.
There are a few other disappointing omissions. You can’t insert a memory card into this E-Ink tablet, and it only supports reMarkable’s proprietary cloud syncing.
As with the Kindle Scribe Pen, the reMarkable stylus isn’t included. You have to choose between the Marker and the Marker Plus. The latter has a built-in pressure sensor on the top that acts as an eraser, so it’s well worth the extra cost.
Pros:
- Low latency. reMarkable 2 has extremely low latency, making it two times faster than the reMarkable 1
- Paper feeling. The matte screen will make you feel like you’re writing on a piece of paper
- Ultra-thin and lightweight. Reduce wrist strain and take your E-Ink tablet on the go
Cons:
- Limited cloud syncing. To backup and access files, you need to use reMarkable’s own cloud syncing system
- No dynamic lighting. Unlike the Kindle Scribe, reMarkable 2 doesn’t have dynamic lighting, meaning you might struggle with eye strain
- No support for memory cards. Unfortunately, you can’t save your notes onto a memory card
- Stylus not included. The stylus is yet another expense, but the upgrade has a few nifty features
Summary
As far as Kindle Scribe alternatives go, reMarkable 2 is a strong contender. It is easy to transport and great for reducing wrist strain, but the same can’t be said for eye strain. This E-Ink reader can’t compete with the Kindle Scribe’s self-adjusting lighting, but it does deliver low latency, which ensures an almost seamless handwriting experience.
Kobo Elipsa 2E
Price: $399
Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.59 x 8.93 x 0.29 inches
- Screen size: 10.3-inch
- Weight: 0.85 lb
- Storage: 32GB
- Supported files: 15 formats
- Battery: Up to 2 weeks
- Charging: USB-C
Best features:
- Supports 15 file types. Use a range of file types, including ePUB, PDF, and MOBI
- Responsive screen. Low latency technology and a responsive stylus combine to create an ultra-fast experience
- Solves mathematical equations. The Advanced Notebooks feature solves math problems, making it perfect for students
We can’t talk about alternatives to the Kindle Scribe without mentioning the Kobo Elipsa 2E. The original Kobo Elipsa hit the market in 2021, and the Kobo Elipsa 2E followed soon after with a handful of impressive improvements.
The response time, organization options (including sub-folders), and even the stylus offer a marked improvement on the original. And, for the eco-friendly readers out there, 85% of the body has been made from recycled plastic, 10% of which is plastic that was in danger of ending up in the ocean.
First and foremost, Kobo Elipsa 2E is an eReader. However, you can also transfer files via DropBox, access books from a public library that supports OverDrive, make annotations in the margins, and write notes.
Compared to Kindle Scribe, the writing experience could use some work. The newly revamped tablet and stylus feel more realistic than the previous versions, but there is still a bit too much friction.
The Advanced Notebooks section contains dozens of templates and pens. The handwriting recognition is close to perfect, and there is even a feature that converts hand-drawn diagrams to digitized versions.
The redesigned Kobo Stylus 2 is a big improvement. It even has an eraser! The pen magnetically clips to the tablet, but for long journeys, we recommend investing in a case.
Pros:
- Faster than the original. The latency is close to zero, meaning the lag is barely noticeable
- Excellent handwriting recognition. This E-Ink reader recognizes everything from scrawls to calligraphy
Cons:
- Too much friction. The Kobo Elipsa 2E needs some work before it can guarantee a realistic handwriting experience
Summary
This Kindle Scribe alternative is far more expensive, but it offers low latency, solutions for mathematical problems, and good handwriting recognition. Even though this stylus is an improvement on the original, it’s not as impressive as the Kindle Scribe Pen. You also have to manually import your reading materials, which will interrupt your note-taking process.
LENOVO Smart Paper
Price: $400
Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.67 x 8.89 x 0.21 inches
- Screen size: 10.3-inch
- Weight: 0.89lb
- Storage: 64GM
- Supported files: PDF, ePub, Word, ppt, txt
- Battery: Up to 2 weeks
- Charging: USB-C
Best features:
- Auto-adjusting front light. Sketch and take notes regardless of ambient light levels
- Optional extras. Purchase premium cloud storage, translation, and voice transcription subscription to enhance your experience
- Immersive Reading Mode. Listen to music, a podcast, or any other audio while you read
Lenovo Smart Paper is great for doodling, sketching, and taking notes. This E-Ink reader has an impressive 74 templates ranging from standard lined paper to spreadsheets, but most of them are very similar.
The stylus (which is included in the price, unlike the Kindle Scribe Pen) has a flat edge for easy handling. There is a subtle indent on the tablet that makes room for the stylus. Just magnetically clip the stylus into the nook and transport your Lenovo Smart Paper anywhere.
The stylus has 25mm latency, making for an almost seamless writing experience. It has 4,096 levels of pressure and nine styles, including calligraphy tools, highlighters, and traditional pens. Paired with the crisp matte screen, you are guaranteed a realistic note-taking experience.
Of course, you can also read books on the Lenovo Smart Paper. You can highlight words, underline them, and even doodle on eBooks as you read.
Despite the efficient stylus, swiping and tapping to navigate between pages feels inconsistent and laggy. You can use the built-in microphone to dictate notes, but there are no speakers. To listen to your voice notes, you need to connect to Bluetooth.
Pros:
- Stylus included. The stylus comes with the E-Ink reader, so there’s no unexpected expenses
- Excellent stylus. Stylus has extremely low latency and promises an overall satisfying handwriting experience
Cons:
- No speakers. This device can’t play audio on its own, but it does support Bluetooth speakers and headsets
- Lag. Plenty of users have expressed annoyance at the swiping function
Summary
Lenovo Smart Paper is one of the strongest alternatives to Kindle Scribe. Not only does it offer a brilliant handwriting experience, but it also gives users access to a range of eBooks. Even better, Immersive Reading Mode adds a new dynamic to an already comprehensive E-Ink experience. The only downsides are the occasional lag and the lack of speakers.
iPad (10th Gen, 2022)
Price: $449 to $749
Specs:
- Dimensions: 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches
- Screen size: 10.86 inch
- Weight: 1.06 lb
- Storage: 64GB or 256GB
- Supported files: All
- Battery: 10 hours
- Charging: USB-C
Best features:
- Access to the web. Unlike the E-Ink readers on this list, the 10th Gen iPad gives you unrestricted access to the internet
- Endless options. Once you’re finished reading or taking notes, you can enjoy a range of entertainment options including YouTube, Netflix, or games from the App Store
Although the 10th Gen iPad doesn’t quite meet the specifications of an E-Ink reader, it still fulfills all the important functions.
The 10th Gen iPad might not be the best that Apple has to offer, especially for people who have the funds for an iPad Pro. But it’s considerably more advanced than the Kindle Scribe, Kobo Elipsa 2E, and Lenovo Smart Paper.
For a start, this iPad has access to the internet, which will greatly improve your note-taking sessions. The App Store is also loaded full of note-taking and reading apps, allowing you to experiment and find something that suits your preferences.
Even though the 10th Gen iPad is not compatible with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil, it still supports the 1st Gen version, which delivers just as satisfying a handwriting experience as the Kindle Scribe Pen. Tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, and a user-friendly design make for a comfortable writing experience.
Plus, you can still get that realistic paper-feel of an e-ink tablet on iPad with Rock Paper Pencil – a reusable, matte screen protector + ballpoint Apple Pencil tips.
Pros:
- Only slightly more expensive. If you choose the most basic model, this iPad is only slightly pricier than the other E-Ink readers on this list
- Hundreds of apps. Explore the App Store to find a note-taking app that suits you
- Unbeatable handwriting experience. Even without the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil, you can still expect a great handwriting experience
- Entertainment options. You can watch Netflix or listen to music while you take notes, which makes study sessions far more appealing
Cons:
- Stylus not included. Like the Kindle Scribe Pen, the Apple Pencil is not included in the price of the tablet
- Not compatible with 2nd Gen Apple Pencil. The fact that this iPad is not compatible with the most advanced Apple Pencil might deter some notetakers
- Clunky stylus charging. When the stylus is charging, you might struggle to use or transport your iPad
- Poor battery life. The battery life can’t compete with the E-Ink readers on our list
Summary
This iPad is one of the most tempting alternatives to Kindle Scribe. The world of E-Ink readers is relatively new, so it can feel comforting to return to a popular, reliable brand. And, of course, iPads aren’t just good for notetaking and reading. Many people use their iPads for their professional or academic lives during the day and then take advantage of the entertainment options during the night.
You can find more of the best tablets for note-taking for 2023 on our blog.
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