Summer time brings a change of tempo, and that makes it a good time to rethink the way you manage your concepts. A digital pocket book gives a paper-like really feel with not one of the litter, whether or not you are mapping out targets or jotting down ideas in a seaside chair.
Our prime decide, the Boox Observe Air 4 C, captures this sense due to its paper-like writing really feel, transcription capabilities, and transportable capabilities. Different spectacular digital notebooks just like the Kindle Scribe, with its included pen, spectacular battery life, and Microsoft suite compatibility, are corresponding to our prime decide. The most effective digital notebooks will maintain duties and notes organized to your liking.
Finest pill offers of the week
Offers are chosen by the CNET Group commerce staff, and could also be unrelated to this text.
What’s the finest digital pocket book proper now?
That can assist you resolve which sensible notebooks are definitely worth the funding, we examined and researched one of the best ones available on the market. We thought of the gadget’s total really feel, storage capabilities and choices, particular options, and value. Primarily based on our hands-on expertise, our decide for one of the best sensible pocket book total is the Boox Observe Air 4 C due to its notetaking and productiveness options and clean shade show. We additionally included notebooks from manufacturers like Kindle, Rocketbook, and different manufacturers that ZDNET workers use and suggest.
Additionally: Finest Home windows pill in 2025
The most effective sensible notebooks of 2025
Present much less
Why we prefer it: Primarily based on ZDNET’s hands-on expertise with the Boox Observe Air 4 C, it’s the finest sensible pocket book. Whereas it would not have as crisp a shade show as a conventional pill like an iPad, this pill’s function is for notetaking, and it does a wonderful job.
It has all one of the best options of one of the best apps, like templates, audio recording, color-coding, inserting hyperlinks and attachments to notes, and extra. Plus, built-in synthetic intelligence permits for textual content recognition, form perfection, and a strikethrough erase function that makes erasing a lot simpler.
A few of its standout options improve your productiveness, just like the cut up display function that permits you to swap between two completely different apps, so you possibly can take notes on one facet whereas studying an article on the opposite.
Evaluate: Boox Observe Air 4 C
Who it is for: As well as, if you want to use this pill for college or work, you possibly can simply ship information to the pill out of your laptop or smartphone utilizing BOOXdrop. It takes mere seconds, and you’ll simply annotate PDFs and different Phrase paperwork. One Reddit consumer famous that the pill is excellent by way of PDF information.
Who ought to look elsewhere: This Boox pill is just not low-cost. In reality, it is rather a lot pricer than the most affordable iPad at $530. Those that are on a finances ought to in all probability steer clear, as there are alternatives which are cheaper and can do the job simply pretty much as good, if not higher. Plus, the included pen may be very cumbersome and is tough to maintain mounted to the pill.
Boox Observe Air 4 C tech specs: Colours: Black | Storage: 64GB | Show: 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 show, 1240 x 930 (150 PPI) for shade and 2480 x 1860 (300 PPI) for black and white | Connectivity: Wi-Fi + BT 5.1
Learn Extra
Present Skilled Take Present much less
Present much less
Why we prefer it: The Rocketbook Fusion Good Pocket book has versatile web page and template choices for under $40. The pocket book’s artificial paper permits you to write with the included Pilot FriXion pen, then wipe the web page clear with a moist fabric to reuse it repeatedly.
As well as, it can save you your pages to the Rocketbook app’s cloud by tapping your pen on the icon on the backside of the web page to make them simple to search out later.
Additionally: Finest finances pill of 2025: Top quality, low prices
Who it is for: I’ve gone hands-on with the Rocketbook Fusion. It scratches that itch of satisfaction when hand-writing notes/to-do lists whereas additionally letting me test these lists by way of the app after I’m out and about. I additionally appreciated the completely different web page types equivalent to weekly and month-to-month planners, purpose setting, process trackers, an concepts web page, dot grids, and lined pages. The Rocketbook Fusion meant I may carry round one pocket book as an alternative of three.
Amazon prospects who’ve purchased and reviewed this sensible pocket book additionally agree that the Rocketbook Fusion’s ease of use, high quality, group, efficiency, and writing expertise make it an awesome finances choice.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Generally, the ink smudges, and when you press exhausting sufficient, the pen can indent the pages. Plus, when you’re seeking to do work on a extra conventional pill, this might not be for you. Though this selection is essentially the most environmentally pleasant, and can also be one of the crucial transportable choices.
Rocketbook Fusion options: Colour choices: 9 | Pages: 42 | Web page types: Seven
Learn Extra
Present Skilled Take Present much less
Present much less
Why we prefer it: The just lately up to date Kindle Scribe is probably the right instance of an e-reader-tablet hybrid to fulfill your studying and notetaking wants. Its up to date AI options embody a brand new show with flush white borders and a paper-like texture, and Energetic Canvas — a brand new expertise for taking notes in books.
The Energetic Canvas permits you to take notes and scribble your ideas immediately onto the pages of your ebook. ZDNET editor Kyle Kucharski put the Energetic Canvas to the take a look at and appreciated the function as an avid note-taker.
Learn the assessment: The Kindle Scribe is the E Ink pill I like to recommend most
“The cool design component right here is that the notes you draw with the pan exist on one other ‘layer’ than the ebook textual content, permitting you to edit what you write with out messing with the textual content within the ebook,” Kucharski wrote in his assessment. “I really discovered that I most well-liked utilizing the sticky notes perform, which drops a tiny icon on the textual content that, when tapped, opens up a floating window along with your notes that may then be closed.”
Who it is for: The gadget’s AI options may summarize as much as 15 pages in a pocket book, neatly extracting key takeaways from the textual content. It may possibly additionally transcribe handwritten notes into textual content, which could profit these with questionably legible handwriting.
The Kindle Scribe now comes with the Premium Pen, a step up from the Primary Pen, with instruments like a devoted eraser and a shortcut button.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Numerous these options have a slight studying curve, making it a bit troublesome to grasp rapidly. If you would like one thing extra acquainted, a special pill or choice might go well with you extra. To not point out, the Scribe’s is slightly expensive, so you could not need to abdomen that price ticket.
Amazon Kinde Scribe tech specs: Show: 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite show | Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | Weight: 15.3 ounces | Dimensions: 7.7 x 9.0 x .22 inches | Connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery life: As much as 12 weeks (at half-hour per day)
Learn Extra
Present Skilled Take Present much less
Present much less
Why we prefer it: The Rocketbook Core has grow to be the pocket book I pop in my purse or tote. Should you’re like me, one of the simplest ways to make use of a pocket book is to hold it round with you and write down something that involves thoughts. For instance, my working record of eating places in my space that I have to strive. Or my record of issues that convey me pleasure, with gadgets equivalent to watching Wes Anderson movies and making dill ranch from scratch.
Who it is for: The superb factor in regards to the Rocketbook is that you simply actually by no means run out of pages. When my lists begin to overflow the web page, I can merely scan them with my telephone and add them to the larger working lists on my Google Drive. And as soon as they’re uploaded, the ink on the web page could be wiped away with a moist fabric. It combines tech and custom in a approach that also stimulates my mind, however retains me organized. And it is a win for the atmosphere, as you are utilizing much less paper.
Who ought to look elsewhere: My solely points with the pocket book have been the smudging I encountered while passionately writing within the pocket book. The pen that comes with it wants a number of moments to totally dry, so it smears, particularly when you press down exhausting once you write like I do. It additionally solely comes with black ink, so if you’d like extra shade, you may have to purchase extra pens from the Pilot Frixion line, as these are the pens which are appropriate with the pocket book. This Rocketbook Core measurement is tinier than its siblings; this pocket book does higher with planning, lists, and doodles relatively than a vessel for notes throughout lecture. Should you want it for sophistication, I’d suggest getting the larger measurement. Nevertheless, it nonetheless works dang good, and I will be maintaining it in my purse in the intervening time.
Rocketbook Core options: Colour choices: Ten | Pages: 12 | Web page layouts: Dot grid and lined | Sizes: Letter and government
Learn Extra
Present Skilled Take Present much less
Present much less
Why we prefer it: Should you recognize the feel and appear of Moleskine notebooks, then the corporate’s Pen+ Good Writing set is the correct sensible pocket book for you.
The pocket book options the signature dotted Moleskine web page in a “paper pill” format, so the pages are tucked in between a sturdy tablet-like design. Ncoded expertise is embedded inside every web page, which allows the accompanying sensible pen to acknowledge the place it’s inside the pocket book and to switch all of your freehand notes from web page to display in real-time.
Who it is for: You possibly can add or share your notes digitally via the Moleskine Notes app and share them to Google Drive or Evernote. As well as, you should utilize the pen to report audio that traces up with what you have written, making a multimedia note-taking expertise.
Learn the assessment: Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse: Good note-taking cuts out digital distractions
ZDNET put the Moleskine Pen+ to the take a look at and notably appreciated the replay choice, which lets you re-run how your notes got here collectively. “This won’t appear very helpful for easy note-taking,” Steve Ranger, who wrote the assessment, stated, “however when you’re drawing or brainstorming, it is actually fairly useful to see how a picture or a set of concepts come collectively.”
Who ought to look elsewhere: We thought that artists, particularly, might discover playback helpful to see how their drawing course of advanced. Clients who’ve purchased the Moleskine agree, saying it is nice for sketching, however cautions that the transcription course of is slightly sluggish.
Moleskine Pen+ options: Colour choices: Black | Pages: 176 | Web page types: Dominated and dot grid
Learn Extra
Present Skilled Take Present much less
Present much less
Why we prefer it: These diligent note-takers seeking to actually splurge on a wise reusable pocket book ought to think about the reMarkable 2. This pocket book is extra of a large-screen pill with a low-latency E-Ink writing expertise that makes you are feeling such as you’re writing on paper relatively than on a pill display. As well as, with reMarkable’s Join cloud app, you get entry to standout options like display sharing, handwriting conversion, and limitless cloud storage.
Learn the assessment: reMarkable 2 E-Ink pill: Very good for on-screen writing, however key options are nonetheless lacking
Who it is for: ZDNET contributor Sandra Vogel was impressed with the way it felt writing within the pocket book. “There is a ‘gritty’ really feel to utilizing the stylus on-screen that is not not like writing on paper,” she stated. “Each styluses help 4,096 stress ranges, and there are many pen selections and ink thicknesses to pick out from.”
The reMarkable 2 comes with the choice of both the Marker or Marker Plus pen, which does not want charging and has a built-in eraser (solely within the Marker Plus). Clients charge this sensible pocket book 4.6 out of 5, citing its use as an organizational device for college students and professionals alike.
Who ought to look elsewhere: There are a number of caveats, although. There isn’t a backlight, so it might not be splendid in low-light areas or dimly lit lectures. It is also costly for the restricted capabilities it has. For instance, you possibly can’t join along with your library’s book system.
reMarkable 2 options: Colour choices: Black, blue, crimson, grey, and white | Storage: 8GB inside storage | Pages: Shops about 100,000 pages | Decision: 1872 x 1404
Learn Extra
Present Skilled Take Present much less
The most effective sensible pocket book is the Boox Observe Air 4 C. I made this decide based mostly on its high quality for the value, common ranking, and standout options it gives, equivalent to templates, split-screen, textual content recognition, and extra.
| Good pocket book | Value | Pages/Storage |
| Boox Observe Air 4 C | $510 | 64GB |
| Rocketbook Fusion | $35 | 42 pages |
| Kindle Scribe | $400 | 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB |
| Rocketbook Core | $32 | 12 pages |
| Moleskine Pen+ Good Writing Set | $279 | 176 pages |
| reMarkable 2 | $460 | Shops about 100,000 pages |
*MSRP on the time of writing. Please be aware that precise costs might fluctuate relying on out there gross sales, offers, reductions, and coupons.
Whereas any of those sensible notebooks are nice choices, it finally comes all the way down to what measurement pocket book you need, what sort of notes you’ll take, and what value you are keen to spend.
| Select this sensible pocket book... | If you would like… |
| Boox Observe Air 4 C | The most effective total choice. Its included templates and shade e-ink display make it a productive gadget. |
| Rocketbook Fusion | A budget-friendly sensible pocket book. It has 42 pages and 7 web page types so that you can replenish. |
| Kindle Scribe | A sensible pocket book that is additionally an awesome studying pill. You possibly can simply make notes contained in the books you are studying. |
| Rocketbook Core | A conveyable, reusable pocket book that is environmentally pleasant. |
| Moleskine Pen+ Good Writing Set | A trendy sensible pocket book from a traditional model. You possibly can even report audio notes. |
| reMarkable 2 | A sensible pocket book filled with loads of options definitely worth the splurge. You will really feel such as you’re writing on actual paper due to the low-latency E-Ink writing expertise. |
Should you’re on the fence about shopping for your first pill:
- What precisely is a digital pocket book?
The only real function of a wise pocket book is strictly that: to digitize a traditional pocket book. A sensible pocket book will improve your fundamental note-taking expertise to a different stage with higher handwriting integration and cloud companies. - What is the distinction between a digital pocket book and a pill?
A pill often runs on a cellular working system and gives a wider vary of capabilities equivalent to searching the online, multimedia, gaming, and different duties. A digital pocket book is extra area of interest and designed particularly for note-taking and digital writing duties.
- Is a digital pocket book value it?
Yow will discover a digital pocket book for properly beneath $20, making it a reasonably budget-friendly choice for college students or anybody seeking to manage their notes with out breaking the financial institution. Nevertheless, when you like for all of your units to be constant by way of software program, then you definately is likely to be higher off spending slightly extra for a pill.
If you’re deciding which sensible pocket book to purchase, take into consideration the next vital components:
- Pocket book really feel: Does the pocket book have a conventional pocket book really feel? Does it have a decision that makes it really feel extra like a pill versus a pocket book, or an applicable latency?
- Storage capabilities: Whereas a few of these sensible notebooks use precise paper, others have digital storage choices. I thought of each web page depend and storage capability, so you might have loads of room to put in writing notes.
- Value: Good notebooks vary in value factors from $10 all the way in which as much as $450. The lower cost factors will get you actual paper notebooks you possibly can convert to digital notes, whereas the upper value factors are extra tablet-like notebooks.
- Particular options: You might not want particular options in a wise pocket book, however they’re good to have. These embody audio notes, web page templates, and cloud compatibility.
Numerous these digital notebooks may also be categorized as tablets. Once we take a look at completely different sorts of tablets, we usually observe the identical routine for each to see which performs finest when examined in the actual world.
- Show: We measure the brightness stage in several lighting circumstances and assess shade accuracy. We additionally evaluate the show’s efficiency with what the producer promised, take a look at the display’s responsiveness to the touch, and assess the efficiency of any further options, like a producer’s stylus.
- Efficiency: For real-world efficiency metrics, our reviewers measure how rapidly the pill reacts to enter, assess sport efficiency and body charges, take a look at how the pill handles having a number of apps working concurrently, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the pill’s temperature throughout intensive duties.
- Battery life: We take a look at completely different situations for battery life, together with measuring how lengthy the battery lasts whereas streaming, internet searching, utilizing productiveness apps, and enjoying video games.
For a deeper look into our testing course of, take a look at our complete pill testing methodology.
Most sensible notebooks already embody a wise pen, however it can additionally rely on the producer and particular mannequin. Good notebooks equivalent to reMarkable 2 and Wacom Bamboo Slate embody the sensible pen with their pocket book.
Preserving your notes and reminders organized on a single gadget for college is one of the simplest ways to enhance your productiveness in and out of doors of sophistication. That’s the reason we suggest all college students look into our greatest record of sensible notebooks and discover which is correct for his or her wants. The Boox is a superb choice since you possibly can join it to many third-party apps via the Android retailer and switch any information onto it, like essays or notes from class.
Additionally: The most effective tablets for college students
That is dependent upon the particular product. For instance, Rocketbook’s lineup of sensible notebooks are made with actual paper, as is the Moleskine sensible pocket book. Nevertheless, different choices just like the Kindle Scribe and the ReMarkable 2 have low-latency, e-ink screens that really feel paper-like, however you possibly can nonetheless positively inform they’re extra of a pill than an precise pocket book with paper.
When you will not get the “really feel” of actual paper with an iPad, you should utilize an iPad as a strategy to take notes digitally, particularly when you’ve got a top quality stylus just like the Apple Pencil. iOS apps like Noteflow permit you to take notes, annotate PDFs, sketch and doodle, and extra whereas syncing to the cloud.
Current updates
- In our June 2025 replace, we added the Rocketbook Core to the record as one of the best transportable digital pocket book, up to date our charts, added extra info, and costs on sure fashions.
Different sensible notebooks we have examined
Tablets Reviewed & In contrast
