If you want your iPad to last, you need a screen protector. That goes for digital artists, writers, and even iPad users who just watch YouTube videos.
But let’s be real: screen protectors aren’t just there to safeguard your iPad against accidental scratches and drops. The other side of the equation is the user experience. Some iPad protectors offer a more realistic pencil-on-paper feeling that’s ideal for digital notetakers. Others promise crisp colors, a clear win for professional digital artists. Whatever your preference, there’s an iPad screen protector for you.
So, where can you find the best iPad screen protectors? You can start here. We’ve scanned the market and found the cream of the crop. Let’s jump straight in.
Comparison table
| Product | Cost | Material | Reusable |
| Rock Paper Pencil | $44.99 | Microscopic nano-texture | Yes |
| Paperlike | $49.99 | Polyethylene Terephthalate | No |
| Spigen Paper Touch EZ Fit | $49.99 | AG Film | No |
| KCT Paperfeel Screen Protector | $7.98 | PET Film | No |
| reMarkable 2 | $399 | Strengthened glass | N/A |
1. Rock Paper Pencil
Price: $44.99
Best iPad screen protector for: Artists who appreciate longevity, reusability, and want the most realistic pen-on-paper feel.
Coolest feature: NanoCling technology, which allows you to install and remove the screen protector in a matter of seconds.
Buy it here: Astropad website
Rock Paper Pencil is the brainchild of Astropad, a tech company that creates iPad accessories for artists and notetakers. It’s a comprehensive product, including a matte screen protector, two Apple Pencil replacement tips, and a protective sleeve.
Why you’ll love it
To start with, Rock Paper Pencil is one of the more eco-friendly matte screen protectors out there. It features NanoCling technology that uses static to cling to your iPad in a few seconds. And once it’s on, it’s easy to take off. Simply use your nail to lift the corner of the protector, and the rest will follow.
Rock Paper Pencil is reusable and affordable. Even with daily use, the screen doesn’t degrade. It’s built for durability, so students, notetakers, and professional artists can use their screen protector for years to come.
That’s not all — there’s another tick for affordability. Rock Paper Pencil is the only paper-feel iPad accessory that includes both a matte screen protector and Apple Pencil replacement tips. They work in unity to create a cohesive digital experience.
We can’t talk about the best iPad screen protectors without mentioning friction, drag, and tooth. Rock Paper Pencil’s screen protector has minuscule nodes that mimic the feeling of paper, and the Apple Pencil tips feature a ballpoint nib that feels just like a ballpoint pen. Overall, they synergize to create a realistic pen-on-paper feeling.
What’s missing
Any list of the best iPad screen protectors will be subjective. Digital artists and notetakers love the fact that the Rock Paper Pencil tips are 1mm thick. They say it gives them greater control, allowing them to create precise art, clearer notes, and detailed graphics.
But others say that the tips could be thinner or thicker. At the end of the day, everyone has different preferences. If you paint in real life, using a thin nib to control a digital paintbrush might feel strange.
The nano-textured surface provides some modicum of protection, but it’s not comparable to tempered glass. Still, Rock Paper Pencil shields your iPad screen from scratches, dirt, debris, and wear and tear.
2. Paperlike
Price: $44.99
Best iPad screen protector for: A semi-realistic paper-like feeling.
Coolest feature: The smudge-free coating.
Buy it here: Paperlike website
Over three million iPad users, artists, and notetakers have invested in Paperlike. It’s a well-known name, earning accolades for its protective features and paper-like feel.
Why you’ll love it
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of iPad screen protectors, you’ve probably already heard of Paperlike. The name is a keyword for digital artists and notetakers.
There are plenty of reasons why digital professionals and hobbyists love Paperlike. Apart from being a well-known name, Paperlike delivers a more realistic pencil-on-paper experience.
Tiny textured dots are scattered across the surface of the screen protector, greatly improving the drag, friction, and kinetic experience of writing and drawing. It’s not exactly akin to real-life writing, but it certainly improves control and precision, smoothing the transition between analog and digital creation.
Paperlike includes two matte screen protectors, so you have two chances to nail the installation. Or, if you’re already a pro, you can spread the love and give a Paperlike screen protector to your partner, friend, or fellow digital artist.
Good to know: If you find it difficult to install protectors, you might want to read our article on how to remove an iPad screen protector.
It’s pretty smudge-resistant, which is a big plus for digital artists. The matte surface also reduces glare, meaning you can work for longer without the burden of eye strain.
What’s missing
First things first, Paperlike is difficult to install. The online tutorial makes it marginally easier, but you still need pinpoint precision. And to lessen the chance of trapping bubbles and dirt underneath the screen, Paperlike recommends installing the protector in the bathroom after you’ve had a shower. The theory is that the steam from your shower should calm debris in the air, reducing the amount you trap underneath your screen.
If your screen protector is crooked, you’re out of luck. Paperlike screen protectors are single-use; not exactly the most environmentally friendly option out there. Once it’s installed, it’s there forever. Or at least until you’re willing to buy another one.
Despite promising otherwise, Paperlike dulls the quality of our screen. Colors aren’t as sharp and some graphics have slightly blurred lines, lessening the overall drawing, writing, and viewing experience. To combat the problem, we went into the Settings and increased the brightness. But the blurriness and graininess still lingered, marking a small but significant downgrade for digital artists who need crisp lines.
Like Rock Paper Pencil, Paperlike isn’t made out of tempered glass. For some iPad users, Paperlike doesn’t provide enough protection from daily life.
Wear and tear is another common criticism. Pair your Paperlike screen protector with a standard Apple Pencil, and you’re in trouble. When you use your stylus, the resulting friction will rub layers off the Apple Pencil tip. If you use your iPad every day, you may have to buy replacement tips every month, or even sooner!
Fortunately, Paperlike has its own version of Apple Pencil nibs that are compatible with the screen protector. Unfortunately, they are sold separately. It’s $19.99 for a pack of four, which ties into another problem. The price of the combined products is $64.99, and you have to go through the hassle of buying them separately.
Alternative: For the price of Paperlike, you can buy Rock Paper Pencil. Rock Paper Pencil includes a reusable screen protector, two Apple Pencil replacement tips, and a protective sleeve.
3. Spigen Paper Touch EZ Fit Screen Protector
Price: $49.99
Best iPad screen protector for: Artists and note–takers who want a paper-like experience without compromising on safety.
Coolest feature: The sturdy tempered glass screen.
Buy it here: Spigen website
Spigen is all about the accessories. It has been creating screen protectors, cases, and more since 2004 and has recently released a range of iPad screen protectors for digital artists and notetakers.
Why you’ll love it
EZ Fit combines a lot of the features common among our other picks for the best iPad screen protector. It comes with an auto-alignment tool that makes installation as easy as possible, has a nano coating that rejects dust, and the matte surface mimics the feel of paper.
The main difference is the tempered glass. Most paper-feel screen protectors ignore tempered glass entirely, but it’s a big tick for safety-conscious iPad users. It’s an extra layer of protection against scratches and absorbs the force from accidental drops.
And if you order from the Spigen website, you’re guaranteed carbon-neutral shipping. It’s not the first thing you think of when looking for the best iPad screen protector on the market, but it’s an impressive feature.
What’s missing
Unfortunately, the eco-friendly features end there. Spigen screen protectors are single-use, meaning you have to keep it on your screen or buy another. This might be bearable for professional artists and avid notetakers, but not for those of us who watch movies and socialize on our iPads.
That’s not all — some iPad users say that EZ Fit is too rough. To counteract the texture, you may need to press down more forcefully, which could lead to wrist strain.
And lastly, Spigen’s matte screen protector is a little on the expensive side. It costs even more than Paperlike! And it doesn’t come with a compatible stylus, so you need to factor that into your expenses.
4. KCT Paperfeel Screen Protector
Price: $7.98
Best for: An affordable digital pencil-on-paper writing experience.
Coolest feature: The anti-glare feature, which allows you to take notes and draw no matter where you are.
Buy it here: Amazon
KCT often gets overlooked in favor of one of its more expensive competitors, but it’s a worthy pick. It comes with two screen protectors, making it even more cost-effective.
Why you’ll love it
When we talk about the best iPad screen protectors, most digital artists are ready to spend a decent chunk of cash. But KCT Paperfeel screen protector proves that you don’t have to break the bank to improve your digital workflows. At just under $8 for a two-pack of screen protectors, this is one of the most affordable options out there.
Does it offer the most realistic digital pencil-on-paper experience? No, but it’s pretty good. The micro-nano-textured particles add friction, but there’s still enough flexibility to easily add stylistic elements to your handwriting and illustrations. Overall, we think KCT offers a decent handwriting and drawing experience.
💡 Good to know: You can elevate your digital drawings with color palettes. Not sure where to start? Here’s our pick for the 14 best Procreate color palettes.
As well as a nano layer, there are also separate hydrophobic, oleophobic, and anti-glare layers. This means you can wave goodbye to smudges, fingerprints, and glare.
What’s missing
Unfortunately, KCT Paperfeel screen protector is known to reduce screen clarity, a problem that’s even more noticeable with OLED iPads.
Some people think that the screen is too rough, making it difficult to perfect fine-line artwork and handwritten notes. This also wears Apple Pencil tips faster than normal. The screen protector itself might be deceptively affordable, but the price tag doesn’t account for replacing your Apple Pencil tips.
Another problem (perhaps a side-effect of the screen being too rough) is responsiveness. Once the protector is installed, we noticed that our iPad was slower than usual. There isn’t a massive difference, but it’s important for professional artists to be aware of this potential pitfall.
Tech pitfalls aside, many artists suffer from creative block. If this sounds like you, check out our advice on how to overcome creative block as a digital artist.
5. Bonus: reMarkable 2
Price: $399
Best for: Distraction-free note-taking and annotating.
Coolest feature: Tailored to notetakers, with no access to distracting apps.
Buy it here: reMarkable website
ReMarkable 2 is one of our picks for the best iPad screen protector, despite not actually being a screen protector at all. In fact, reMarkable is a paper-feel tablet that allows you to take handwritten notes, read eBooks, and review documents.
Why you’ll love it
If you struggle to focus, you might like reMarkable. It doesn’t have access to any app store, which eliminates distractions and gives you a clean slate.
All reMarkable tablets have built-in proprietary note-taking and document management software, as well as a bunch of ways to import documents for reading and annotating. The Read on reMarkable feature allows you to send web articles, Microsoft Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations to your tablet.
You can even read the latest fiction, provided your eBook is in a suitable format.
Of course, reMarkable 2 wouldn’t be on our list of the best iPad screen protectors if it didn’t have a paper-like matte surface. And we’ve got to say, it’s a decent imitation. It doesn’t feel exactly like paper, but what tablet does? Ultimately, it mimics the friction, feel, and even the sound of paper, providing you with a realistic analog note-taking experience.
What’s missing
Let’s be clear: reMarkable is an expensive paper-like tablet. The tablet itself is $399, and the stylus isn’t included. That’s an extra $129, making reMarkable 2 the most expensive option on our list.
Digital artists should steer clear of reMarkable 2. It’s primarily a note-taking app and offers little flexibility to people who want to expand their digital horizons.
The battery life isn’t as impressive as reMarkable wants you to believe. According to the website, reMarkable 2 can last up to two weeks. However, this doesn’t account for professionals, avid readers, and frequent notetakers who might use their tablet every day. Plenty of reMarkable 2 customers say that their tablet runs out of battery within a few days — and that’s no problem! But it’s nice to know what you’re getting.
Final thoughts
It’s common for writers and artists to use different mediums, and iPads are a viable option for creatives who want to make their workflows more dynamic, effective, and efficient. Who said a real piece of paper is better than a digital canvas? Not us, we believe that with a few tweaks, you can transfer your drawing and note-taking abilities to the digital world.
And now that you have a list of the best iPad screen protectors out there, you can find something that works for you!
For a pencil-on-paper experience, try Rock Paper Pencil
All of the iPad screen protectors listed here are a great choice for a variety of workflows, but if you want the biggest upgrade your digital writing experience, try Rock Paper Pencil.
Rock Paper Pencil is one of the few matte screen protectors that emulates the feeling of writing on paper. Combined with the Apple Pencil replacement tips (which come with the screen protector, by the way), you’ll get the most realistic pencil-on-paper experience possible.
- Nano-texture screen protector: Infused with microscopic texture, the matte screen protector mimics the friction of fine-grain paper. It uses NanoCling technology (a form of static cling) to seamlessly attach to your iPad.
- Precision-engineered ballpoint tip: Delivers a subtle bite that replicates the feeling of using a pencil on paper.
Rock Paper Pencil v3.0 offers even more precision, making your iPad feel like a digital notebook. And did we mention it’s reusable? Once you’re finished taking notes, just remove Rock Paper Pencil and enjoy watching movies and playing games on your sleek, glossy iPad screen.
