Table of Contents
The Best E-Ink Tablets have transcended their initial role as dedicated e-readers, blossoming into versatile devices with a broad spectrum of functionalities. While their primary reputation still hinges on their superb reading experience, these remarkable tablets now embrace a multitude of tasks, ranging from note-taking and immersive comic book reading to the artistry of colorful drawing.
Web browsing, email checking, interacting on social media, and gaming are all possible activities on an E-Ink tablet thanks to the presence of intelligent operating systems such as Android and access to app stores. E-Ink displays have the benefit of being extremely energy efficient, which results in a significantly longer battery life.
Additionally, they perform quite well as electronic readers, integrating faultlessly with applications such as Kindle and Google Play Books. Electronic readers, on the other hand, have a more specific purpose; they are primarily intended for reading books, magazines, and audiobooks. It’s possible that they offer a limited number of additional capabilities, such as browsing or sharing choices, but owing to the specialized functionality they offer, they are often more economical.
Benefits of E-Ink Technology
The technology behind the display is an important part of e-readers and e-ink screens. E-Ink technology is used in many digital reading devices because it has a lot of benefits. Some of the best things about E-Ink technology are:
- Reading on E-Ink Displays Is Like Reading on Paper: E-Ink displays look a lot like ink on paper, which makes reading on them easy and natural. The sharp writing, high contrast, and glare-free surface make it easier on the eyes, even when reading for long periods of time.
- Better Visibility in Different Lighting: E-Ink screens work well in a variety of lighting conditions. Whether you’re reading in bright sunlight or in a dark room, E-Ink screens are easy to read with little glare.
- Energy Efficiency and Long Battery Life: E-ink technology uses very little power and lasts a long time on a single charge. E-Ink displays don’t use energy like traditional LCD or LED screens do. Instead, they only use energy when the information on the screen changes. Because they use less energy, e-readers and computers with e-ink screens can last for weeks or even months without being charged.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an E-Ink Tablet
There are a few important things to think about when choosing an E-Ink tablet to make sure you get the one that best fits your needs. Here are some important things to think about when making your choice:
- Display Quality: For sharp and clear text, look for an E-Ink tablet with a high-resolution screen and good brightness. Think about the size of the screen as well. You should be able to read without having to strain your eyes.
- Storage Capacity: If you want to store a lot of e-books, papers, or other files, think about how much space the device has. Make sure the tablet has enough storage space for your needs, or check to see if it can use microSD cards to add more storage.
- Battery Life: One of the best things about E-Ink screens is that they last a long time on a single charge. Look for a tablet with a battery that lasts a long time so you can use it for long amounts of time without having to charge it often.
Best E-Ink Tablets Comparison Table
Product | Display Size | Display Technology | Storage Capacity | Battery Life | Stylus | Connectivity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
reMarkable 2 | 10.3 inches | E-Ink Carta 2 | 8GB | Up to 2 weeks | Included | Wi-Fi, USB-C |
Amazon Kindle Scribe | 10.3 inches | E-Ink Carta 2 | 32GB | Up to 6 weeks | Sold separately | Wi-Fi, USB-C |
Onyx Boox Note Air 2 | 10.3 inches | E-Ink Mobius Carta | 64GB | Up to 4 weeks | Included | Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth |
Kobo Elipsa | 10.3 inches | E-Ink Carta 2 | 32GB | Up to 1 week | Included | Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth |
Bigme InkNote Color | 10.3 inches | E-Ink Kaleido Plus | 32GB | Up to 3 weeks | Sold separately | Wi-Fi, USB-C |
List of the Best E-Ink Tablets
When it comes to e-ink tablets, there are a few notable options that provide a reading experience that is comparable to reading printed material. These tablets are perfect for reading electronic books, taking notes, and annotating documents. These tablets have e-ink screens, which eliminate glare from the reading experience and are easier on the eyes than other types of displays. The following list includes some of the finest e-ink tablets currently on the market:
Best Overall: reMarkable 2 #Top3
![Best E-Ink Tablets](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-1315.png)
Product | reMarkable 2 |
---|---|
Display Size | 10.3 inches |
Display Technology | E-Ink Carta 2 |
Resolution | 1872 x 1404 pixels |
Storage Capacity | 8GB |
Battery Life | Up to 2 weeks |
Stylus | Included |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C |
The latest reMarkable tablet is not the most full-featured or fascinating E Ink tablet we tested. It has the best combination of features for a smartphone like this. First, construction quality. One of our sleekest E Ink tablets, the reMarkable 2, weighs less than a pound. It sports a 10.3-inch monochrome digital paper display with beige bezels, with the chunkiest part at the bottom where you grab it.
Writing and reading on the reMarkable 2 are amazing. Scribbling, doodling, and writing were easy right away. The Marker Plus, which includes a built-in eraser, is tilt- and pressure-sensitive and requires no batteries or charging. Lines appeared instantly when I pressed the reMarkable 2’s screen. The lowest latency made it feel like pen-and-paper.
The Good
- Paper-like writing experience
- High-resolution display
- Extensive storage capacity
- Long battery life
The Bad
- Limited app support
- Lack of backlighting for reading in the dark
Amazon Kindle Scribe #Top3
![Best E-Ink Tablets](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-1316.png)
Product | Amazon Kindle Scribe |
---|---|
Display Size | 10.3 inches |
Display Technology | E-Ink Carta 2 |
Resolution | 1872 x 1404 pixels |
Storage Capacity | 32GB |
Battery Life | Up to 6 weeks |
Stylus | Sold separately |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C |
In this space, you really only have two choices: the Amazon Kindle Scribe or the Kobo Elipsa 2E. The Scribe beat the Elipsa 2E because its pen and screen worked together with less delay. The Elipsa has its good points, which we’ll talk about in a moment, but it couldn’t match with the Scribe when it came to writing smoothly and easily.
We already did a full review of the Kindle Scribe, and when I used it to test it for this guide, I also liked it a lot. As was already said, there is very little to no lag when writing on the Scribe with the pen that comes with it. With the most recent software update, you can also choose from more brush types, such as fountain pen, marker, and pencil, which adds to the fun. Like other E Ink tablets, the Scribe makes it easy to make multiple journals. You can add pages to them and change their templates if you want.
The Good
- Ample storage capacity
- Long-lasting battery life
- Wide selection of e-books available through the Kindle store
The Bad
- Stylus sold separately
- Limited functionality beyond reading e-books
Onyx Boox Note Air 2 #Top3
![Best E-Ink Tablets](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-1317.png)
Product | Onyx Boox Note Air 2 |
---|---|
Display Size | 10.3 inches |
Display Technology | E-Ink Mobius Carta |
Resolution | 1872 x 1404 pixels |
Storage Capacity | 64GB |
Battery Life | Up to 4 weeks |
Stylus | Included |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth |
The Boox Note Air 2 is the E Ink device that is most like a tablet. This 10.3-inch tablet has a resolution of 227 mph, runs on a customized version of the Android 11 operating system, and even has its own app store where you can download third-party apps that have been tuned for the device. Yes, there is a way to access the full Google Play store, even though it isn’t built into the system.
However, I wouldn’t suggest it for anything other than downloading an e-reading app, since the Boox still has an E Ink screen and isn’t made for games or videos. This hands-on review of a previous model shows step-by-step how to install the Google Play store. Also, the Boox only has 64GB of storage that can’t be expanded, so you don’t want apps to take up all of that space.
The Good
- Large storage capacity
- Included stylus with pressure sensitivity
- Bluetooth connectivity for external keyboard or audio devices
- Support for multiple file formats, including PDF, ePUB, and more
The Bad
- Higher price point compared to some other models
- Slightly shorter battery life compared to competitors
Best E-Ink Tablets: Devices Made for Reading and Writing
Several e-ink tablets built for reading and writing offer immersive reading experiences and extensive note-taking and annotation functions. These devices are ideal for passionate readers who love ink on paper and digital technologies. Best e-ink tablets for reading and writing:
Kobo Elipsa
![Best E-Ink Tablets](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-1318.png)
Product | Kobo Elipsa |
---|---|
Display Size | 10.3 inches |
Display Technology | E-Ink Carta 2 |
Resolution | 1404 x 1872 pixels |
Storage Capacity | 32GB |
Battery Life | Up to 1 week |
Stylus | Included |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth |
Kobo might not be as big as Amazon, but it has been making e-readers for about the same amount of time. Amazon used to make a 9.7-inch Kindle, but it didn’t have a touchscreen or stylus for natural entry, so it was taken off the market in 2014. Kobo was the first company to make an e-reader that was waterproof, and it’s also the first big company to make a 10.3-inch device with a stylus.
The Elipsa is a great e-reader, like most Kobos, and its battery life can be measured in weeks, based on how it is used. Unlike Kindles, Kobos seem to have almost unlimited ways to change how you read. No matter what size your screen is, you can keep changing the margins, line spacing, styles, and font sizes until you get a page that looks exactly how you want it to. The included stylus can be used on any PDF or Kobo ePub, so it works just as well on books from the library as it does on books from the Kobo shop.
The Good
- Included stylus with natural handwriting experience
- Ability to write and draw directly on the display
- Integration with Kobo ecosystem and extensive e-book library
- Support for note-taking and annotations
The Bad
- Relatively shorter battery life
- Limited app and software support compared to some competitors
Bigme InkNote Color
![Best E-Ink Tablets](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-1319.png)
Product | Bigme InkNote Color |
---|---|
Display Size | 10.3 inches |
Display Technology | E-Ink Kaleido Plus |
Resolution | 1872 x 1404 pixels |
Storage Capacity | 32GB |
Battery Life | Up to 3 weeks |
Stylus | Sold separately |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C |
Bigme and Good e-Reader, two well-known names in the e-reader business, worked together to make this e-note. This coloured e-ink screen has 16 colours, and you can even use its back and front cameras to take a movie and edit it. There is a lot of space to download tools for making videos, changing videos, and more. Its mics can be used not only for voice-to-text dictation, but also for social media apps like WhatsApp, Discord, and WeChat. A gadget that is both useful and safe.
Its 4 microphones make accurate voice-to-text dictations for people who like to take notes by voice order and don’t want to fix text mistakes. This is for people who want to try out a new kind of e-ink screen. This is the first note with colour ink and two cameras that work. The back camera has 8MP and the front camera has 5MP. There is also a lot of space for people who want to download a lot of files and programs.
The Good
- Color display for a more vibrant reading experience
- Good storage capacity for e-books and documents
- Long battery life for extended use
The Bad
- Stylus sold separately
Tips for Selecting the Right E-Ink Tablet for Your Needs
There are a few things to think about when choosing the best E-Ink tablet for your needs. Here are some tips that will help you make a good choice:
- Display Quality: E-Ink screens are known for having great display quality that looks like ink on paper. Look for a tablet with a screen that has a high quality, good contrast, and clear text.
- Size and Weight: Think about how portable and easy to use the computer will be based on its size and weight. Choose whether you want a small device that you can use on the go or a bigger screen that you can use to read and mark up papers.
- Reading Experience: E-Ink tablets are great at making reading easy and comfy. Look for features like brightness that can be changed, front lighting to help you read in low light, and a smooth screen to reduce glare.
Questions and Answers
E-Ink computers are mostly designed to make reading easier by having screens that look like printed paper. On the other hand, traditional tablets have more functions, such as playing media, playing games, and viewing the web.
Yes, e-books are the main thing that E-Ink screens are made for. They can read many different types of e-books and have features like changeable font sizes, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to mark pages.
Even though reading is the main use for an E-Ink tablet, some models may also let you take notes, view PDFs, browse the web (limitedly), and use simple apps.