Guide to the top E Ink tablets for students and professionals in academia.

Navigating the world of education can feel like a constant battle against digital distractions. Finding a device that balances productivity with focus can be a challenge, especially in the age of ever-present notifications and social media temptations. This is where E Ink tablets come in. With their paper-like display and focus-enhancing features, E Ink tablets offer a unique solution for students looking to maximize their study time and minimize distractions.

This comprehensive guide delves into the world of E Ink tablets specifically designed for academic use. We’ll explore the best models available, considering key features like note-taking capabilities, compatibility with educational resources, and battery life. Whether you’re a high school student taking notes in class or a graduate student researching for your thesis, this list has something for everyone.

But don’t be fooled by their simplistic appearance – these tablets are surprisingly powerful. Many offer advanced features like handwriting recognition, PDF annotation, and even audio recording. Plus, the lack of blue light emitted by E Ink screens is a huge plus for students concerned about eye strain and sleep disruption.

Prepare to discover a new way of learning and studying with our curated list of the 15 best E Ink tablets for academic use. These tablets are not just devices, they’re tools that can help you reach your full academic potential.

QUICKLIST
Item	Image	Where to buy	Rating	Read More
Remarkable 2			4.4 out of 5 stars	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus			N/A	Jump to Review
Supernote A5X			4.4 out of 5 stars	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Nova Air			4.0 out of 5 stars	Jump to Review
Kindle Scribe			N/A	Jump to Review
Sony Digital Paper DPT-RP1			N/A	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Max Lumi 2			3.7 out of 5 stars	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Note 5			N/A	Jump to Review
Kobo Elipsa			N/A	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Max 3			N/A	Jump to Review
reMarkable 1			N/A	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Poke 3			4.1 out of 5 stars	Jump to Review
Onyx Boox Tab X			N/A	Jump to Review

Table of Contents

Remarkable 2

A sleek and stylish tablet with a focus on note-taking and sketching.

Specifications:

10.3-inch E Ink display with 226 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.4 GHz processor
2 GB RAM
8 GB storage
Wi-Fi connectivity
USB-C port
11.5 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Excellent note-taking experience with precise pen input.
Clean and minimal design.
Seamless integration with cloud storage.
Long battery life.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited functionality beyond note-taking and reading.
No support for third-party apps.
Relatively expensive compared to some competitors.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You prioritize a premium note-taking experience and a clean, minimalist design.
You're willing to pay a premium for a dedicated note-taking tablet.

Don't buy it if:

You need a tablet with more versatility for reading ebooks, browsing the web, or using apps.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Remarkable 2 is a fantastic option for students who want a dedicated note-taking device with a premium feel. Its excellent pen input, long battery life, and seamless cloud integration make it a top choice for students who prioritize a clean and focused note-taking experience. However, its limited functionality and high price tag might make it less appealing to students looking for a more versatile tablet.

Check this blog on 18 Best E Ink Tablets for Note Taking

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Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus

A powerful and versatile E Ink tablet for students who need a device for both note-taking and reading.

Specifications:

10.3-inch E Ink display with 227 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.8 GHz processor
3 GB RAM
32 GB storage
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
USB-C port
15 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Large and bright E Ink display for comfortable reading.
Support for a wide range of file formats, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI.
Versatile note-taking capabilities with handwriting recognition and annotation features.
Long battery life and fast processing speeds.

Reasons to avoid:

The screen can be a bit reflective in bright light.
The pen is not as precise as some other options.
The user interface can be a bit clunky.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You need a tablet that can handle both reading and note-taking tasks.
You appreciate a large and bright E Ink display.
You're looking for a tablet with a wide range of file format support.

Don't buy it if:

You prioritize a premium note-taking experience with precise pen input.
You're looking for a tablet with a streamlined and intuitive user interface.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus is a solid choice for students who want a versatile E Ink tablet for both reading and note-taking. Its large and bright display, support for a wide range of file formats, and long battery life make it a great option for students who need a device for a variety of tasks. However, its reflective screen, less precise pen, and clunky user interface might not be ideal for students who prioritize a premium note-taking experience or a streamlined user interface.

Supernote A5X

A stylish and compact E Ink tablet designed for note-taking and sketching.

Specifications:

5.7-inch E Ink display with 300 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.8 GHz processor
2 GB RAM
32 GB storage
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
USB-C port
12 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Beautiful and compact design.
Precise pen input with a natural writing experience.
Excellent for sketching and drawing.
Support for handwritten note recognition.

Reasons to avoid:

Small screen size may be limiting for some users.
Limited functionality beyond note-taking.
Relatively expensive compared to some other options.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You prioritize a premium note-taking and sketching experience.
You prefer a compact and portable tablet.
You're willing to pay a premium for a dedicated note-taking device.

Don't buy it if:

You need a tablet with a larger screen for reading ebooks or documents.
You're looking for a tablet with more versatility for reading ebooks, browsing the web, or using apps.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Supernote A5X is a fantastic option for students who want a stylish and compact note-taking tablet with a premium feel. Its precise pen input, excellent sketching capabilities, and handwritten note recognition make it a top choice for students who want a dedicated device for capturing ideas and taking notes. However, its small screen size, limited functionality, and high price tag might make it less appealing to students who need a more versatile tablet or who are on a tight budget.

Onyx Boox Nova Air

A lightweight and portable E Ink tablet designed for both reading and note-taking.

Specifications:

7.8-inch E Ink display with 300 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.8 GHz processor
2 GB RAM
32 GB storage
Wi-Fi connectivity
USB-C port
14 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Lightweight and portable design.
Comfortable reading experience with a large and bright E Ink display.
Versatile note-taking capabilities with handwriting recognition and annotation features.
Long battery life.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited storage capacity.
No support for Bluetooth connectivity.
The user interface can be a bit clunky.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You need a lightweight and portable tablet for both reading and note-taking.
You appreciate a large and bright E Ink display.
You're looking for a tablet with a long battery life.

Don't buy it if:

You need a tablet with more storage capacity.
You need a tablet with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones or other devices.
You're looking for a tablet with a streamlined and intuitive user interface.

Bottom Line:

The Onyx Boox Nova Air is a great choice for students who want a lightweight and portable E Ink tablet for both reading and note-taking. Its large and bright display, long battery life, and versatile note-taking capabilities make it a solid option for students who need a device for a variety of tasks. However, its limited storage capacity, lack of Bluetooth connectivity, and clunky user interface might not be ideal for students who prioritize a streamlined user interface or who need a tablet with more storage.

Kindle Scribe

A dedicated e-reader with note-taking capabilities.

Specifications:

10.2-inch E Ink display with 300 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.8 GHz processor
2 GB RAM
16 GB or 32 GB storage
Wi-Fi connectivity
USB-C port
12 weeks of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Wide selection of ebooks available through Amazon Kindle store.
Excellent reading experience with a large and bright E Ink display.
Note-taking features with handwritten recognition and annotation tools.
Long battery life.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited functionality beyond reading and note-taking.
No support for third-party apps.
No built-in dictionary or other language tools.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You want a dedicated e-reader with note-taking capabilities.
You prefer the wide selection of ebooks available through the Amazon Kindle store.
You're looking for a tablet with a long battery life.

Don't buy it if:

You need a tablet with more versatility for browsing the web or using apps.
You're looking for a tablet with more advanced language tools or dictionaries.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Kindle Scribe is a great option for students who want a dedicated e-reader with note-taking capabilities. Its wide selection of ebooks, large and bright display, and long battery life make it a great option for students who enjoy reading and need a device for taking notes. However, its limited functionality and lack of advanced language tools might not be ideal for students who need a more versatile tablet or who rely heavily on dictionaries and other language tools.

Sony Digital Paper DPT-RP1

A premium E Ink tablet designed for document management and annotation.

Specifications:

13.3-inch E Ink display with 227 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.2 GHz processor
1 GB RAM
16 GB storage
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
USB-C port
3 weeks of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Large and high-resolution E Ink display for comfortable reading and note-taking.
Advanced document management features with support for PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
Precise pen input with a natural writing experience.
Long battery life.

Reasons to avoid:

Expensive compared to other E Ink tablets.
Limited functionality beyond document management and note-taking.
No support for third-party apps.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You prioritize a premium document management and note-taking experience.
You need a tablet with a large and high-resolution display.
You're looking for a tablet with precise pen input and advanced annotation features.

Don't buy it if:

You need a tablet with more versatility for reading ebooks, browsing the web, or using apps.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Sony Digital Paper DPT-RP1 is a top choice for students who need a premium E Ink tablet for document management and note-taking. Its large and high-resolution display, advanced document management features, and precise pen input make it a great option for students who prioritize a professional and streamlined experience. However, its high price tag and limited functionality might not be ideal for students who need a more versatile tablet or who are on a tight budget.

Onyx Boox Max Lumi 2

A large-screen E Ink tablet designed for reading documents and taking notes.

Specifications:

13.3-inch E Ink display with 227 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.8 GHz processor
3 GB RAM
64 GB storage
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
USB-C port
15 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Large and bright E Ink display for comfortable reading.
Versatile note-taking capabilities with handwriting recognition and annotation features.
Support for a wide range of file formats, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI.
Long battery life and fast processing speeds.

Reasons to avoid:

The screen can be a bit reflective in bright light.
The pen is not as precise as some other options.
The user interface can be a bit clunky.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You need a tablet with a large screen for reading documents and taking notes.
You appreciate a bright and comfortable E Ink display.
You're looking for a tablet with a wide range of file format support.

Don't buy it if:

You prioritize a premium note-taking experience with precise pen input.
You're looking for a tablet with a streamlined and intuitive user interface.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Onyx Boox Max Lumi 2 is a solid choice for students who need a large-screen E Ink tablet for reading documents and taking notes. Its large and bright display, support for a wide range of file formats, and long battery life make it a great option for students who need a device for a variety of tasks. However, its reflective screen, less precise pen, and clunky user interface might not be ideal for students who prioritize a premium note-taking experience or a streamlined user interface.

Onyx Boox Note 5

A powerful and versatile E Ink tablet for students who need a device for both note-taking and reading.

Specifications:

10.3-inch E Ink display with 227 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
2.0 GHz processor
3 GB RAM
64 GB storage
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
USB-C port
14 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Large and bright E Ink display for comfortable reading.
Support for a wide range of file formats, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI.
Versatile note-taking capabilities with handwriting recognition and annotation features.
Long battery life and fast processing speeds.

Reasons to avoid:

The screen can be a bit reflective in bright light.
The pen is not as precise as some other options.
The user interface can be a bit clunky.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You need a tablet that can handle both reading and note-taking tasks.
You appreciate a large and bright E Ink display.
You're looking for a tablet with a wide range of file format support.

Don't buy it if:

You prioritize a premium note-taking experience with precise pen input.
You're looking for a tablet with a streamlined and intuitive user interface.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Onyx Boox Note 5 is a solid choice for students who want a versatile E Ink tablet for both reading and note-taking. Its large and bright display, support for a wide range of file formats, and long battery life make it a great option for students who need a device for a variety of tasks. However, its reflective screen, less precise pen, and clunky user interface might not be ideal for students who prioritize a premium note-taking experience or a streamlined user interface.

Kobo Elipsa

A dedicated e-reader with note-taking capabilities.

Specifications:

10.3-inch E Ink display with 300 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.2 GHz processor
1 GB RAM
16 GB storage
Wi-Fi connectivity
USB-C port
3 weeks of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Wide selection of ebooks available through the Kobo store.
Excellent reading experience with a large and bright E Ink display.
Note-taking features with handwritten recognition and annotation tools.
Long battery life.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited functionality beyond reading and note-taking.
No support for third-party apps.
No built-in dictionary or other language tools.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You want a dedicated e-reader with note-taking capabilities.
You prefer the wide selection of ebooks available through the Kobo store.
You're looking for a tablet with a long battery life.

Don't buy it if:

You need a tablet with more versatility for browsing the web or using apps.
You're looking for a tablet with more advanced language tools or dictionaries.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Kobo Elipsa is a great option for students who want a dedicated e-reader with note-taking capabilities. Its wide selection of ebooks, large and bright display, and long battery life make it a great option for students who enjoy reading and need a device for taking notes. However, its limited functionality and lack of advanced language tools might not be ideal for students who need a more versatile tablet or who rely heavily on dictionaries and other language tools.

Onyx Boox Max 3

A large-screen E Ink tablet designed for reading documents and taking notes.

Specifications:

13.3-inch E Ink display with 227 PPI
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
1.8 GHz processor
3 GB RAM
64 GB storage
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
USB-C port
15 hours of battery life

Reasons to buy:

Large and bright E Ink display for comfortable reading.
Versatile note-taking capabilities with handwriting recognition and annotation features.
Support for a wide range of file formats, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI.
Long battery life and fast processing speeds.

Reasons to avoid:

The screen can be a bit reflective in bright light.
The pen is not as precise as some other options.
The user interface can be a bit clunky.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You need a tablet with a large screen for reading documents and taking notes.
You appreciate a bright and comfortable E Ink display.
You're looking for a tablet with a wide range of file format support.

Don't buy it if:

You prioritize a premium note-taking experience with precise pen input.
You're looking for a tablet with a streamlined and intuitive user interface.
You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Onyx Boox Max 3 is a solid choice for students who need a large-screen E Ink tablet for reading documents and taking notes. Its large and bright display, support for a wide range of file formats, and long battery life make it a great option for students who need a device for a variety of tasks. However, its reflective screen, less precise pen, and clunky user interface might not be ideal for students who prioritize a premium note-taking experience or a streamlined user interface.

Onyx Boox Nova 3

A powerful and versatile e-ink tablet designed for productivity and note-taking.

Learn more about 20 Best E Ink Tablets with Keyboard Support

Specifications:

10.3-inch E Ink Carta HD display with 227 PPI
1.8 GHz octa-core processor
4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage
Android 11 operating system
Built-in front light and adjustable warm light
Stylus included

Reasons to buy:

Large, high-resolution display for comfortable reading and note-taking
Powerful processor for fast performance and multitasking
Android operating system offers a wide range of apps and customization options
Built-in front light and adjustable warm light for optimal reading in any environment
Stylus included for precise note-taking and drawing

Reasons to avoid:

Pricey compared to other E Ink tablets
Can be slow at times, particularly when opening or switching between apps
The tablet is heavy and bulky

What you need to know:

Buy it if

You need a large screen for comfortable reading and note-taking
You want a tablet with a powerful processor and plenty of RAM
You need an Android tablet with a wide range of apps and customization options

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget
You need a tablet that's fast and responsive
You prefer a lightweight and portable tablet

Bottom Line: The Onyx Boox Nova 3 is a high-quality e-ink tablet that offers a wealth of features for productivity and note-taking. However, its high price tag and occasional slow performance may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for a powerful and versatile e-ink tablet with a large screen, the Onyx Boox Nova 3 is worth considering. If you're on a budget or need a tablet that's always fast and responsive, there may be better options available.

reMarkable 1

A minimalist e-ink tablet designed for writing and drawing.

Specifications:

10.3-inch E Ink Carta display with 226 PPI
1 GHz processor
1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage
Proprietary operating system
Stylus included

Reasons to buy:

Simple and intuitive user interface that's focused on writing and drawing
Excellent note-taking and sketching experience with the included stylus
Lightweight and portable design

Reasons to avoid:

Limited functionality beyond writing and drawing
No web browser or access to other apps
No front light

What you need to know:

Buy it if

You're looking for a tablet specifically for writing and drawing
You value simplicity and a minimalist user interface
You need a lightweight and portable tablet

Don't buy it if:

You want a tablet with a wide range of features
You need access to the web or other apps
You need a tablet with a front light

Bottom Line: The reMarkable 1 is an excellent e-ink tablet for students who prioritize writing and drawing. Its minimalist design and excellent note-taking capabilities make it ideal for taking notes, sketching, and creating digital artwork. However, its limited functionality and lack of a front light may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for a dedicated writing and drawing tablet, the reMarkable 1 is worth considering. However, if you need a tablet with more features or a front light, there may be better options available.

Onyx Boox Poke 3

A compact and affordable e-ink tablet designed for reading.

Specifications:

6-inch E Ink Carta display with 300 PPI
1 GHz processor
1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage
Android 10 operating system
Built-in front light

Reasons to buy:

Small and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around
High-resolution display for comfortable reading
Android operating system offers a wide range of reading apps and customization options
Affordable price

Reasons to avoid:

Limited note-taking capabilities
No stylus included
Basic processor and RAM

What you need to know:

Buy it if

You're looking for a compact and affordable e-ink tablet
You primarily use the tablet for reading
You don't need advanced note-taking features

Don't buy it if:

You want a tablet for note-taking
You need a powerful processor and plenty of RAM
You want a tablet with a large screen

Bottom Line: The Onyx Boox Poke 3 is an excellent value-for-money e-ink tablet for students who prioritize reading. Its compact design, high-resolution display, and affordable price make it a great option for carrying around and enjoying a comfortable reading experience. However, its limited note-taking capabilities and lack of a stylus may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for an affordable and dedicated reading tablet, the Onyx Boox Poke 3 is worth considering. However, if you need a tablet with more features or note-taking capabilities, there may be better options available.

Onyx Boox Leaf 2

A budget-friendly e-ink tablet with a focus on note-taking.

Specifications:

7-inch E Ink Carta display with 167 PPI
1 GHz processor
1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage
Android 10 operating system
Built-in front light
Stylus included

Reasons to buy:

Affordable price
Stylus included for note-taking
Front light for reading in any environment
Android operating system offers a wide range of apps and customization options

Reasons to avoid:

Low-resolution display
Basic processor and RAM
Limited storage space

What you need to know:

Buy it if

You're on a tight budget
You need a tablet for note-taking
You want a tablet with a front light

Don't buy it if:

You need a high-resolution display
You want a tablet with a powerful processor
You need a lot of storage space

Bottom Line: The Onyx Boox Leaf 2 is a budget-friendly e-ink tablet that offers a good balance of features for students. Its affordability, included stylus, and front light make it a great option for taking notes and reading. However, its low-resolution display, basic processor, and limited storage space may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for an affordable e-ink tablet for note-taking and reading, the Onyx Boox Leaf 2 is worth considering. However, if you need a tablet with a higher-resolution display, a more powerful processor, or more storage space, there may be better options available.

Onyx Boox Tab X

A premium e-ink tablet designed for productivity, note-taking, and entertainment.

Specifications:

13.3-inch E Ink Carta HD display with 227 PPI
2.0 GHz octa-core processor
4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage
Android 11 operating system
Built-in front light and adjustable warm light
Stylus included

Reasons to buy:

Large, high-resolution display for comfortable reading, note-taking, and watching videos
Powerful processor for fast performance and multitasking
Android operating system offers a wide range of apps and customization options
Built-in front light and adjustable warm light for optimal reading in any environment
Stylus included for precise note-taking and drawing

Reasons to avoid:

Pricey compared to other e-ink tablets
Heavy and bulky design
Can be slow at times, particularly when opening or switching between apps

What you need to know:

Buy it if

You need a large screen for comfortable reading, note-taking, and watching videos
You want a tablet with a powerful processor and plenty of RAM
You need an Android tablet with a wide range of apps and customization options

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget
You need a tablet that's fast and responsive
You prefer a lightweight and portable tablet

Bottom Line: The Onyx Boox Tab X is a high-quality e-ink tablet that offers a wealth of features for productivity, note-taking, and entertainment. Its large screen, powerful processor, and Android operating system make it a great choice for students who want a versatile and feature-rich tablet. However, its high price tag, bulky design, and occasional slow performance may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for a powerful and versatile e-ink tablet with a large screen, the Onyx Boox Tab X is worth considering. If you're on a budget or need a tablet that's always fast and responsive, there may be better options available.

Choosing the right E Ink tablet for your academic needs can significantly enhance your reading, note-taking, and studying experience. Whether you're a student, researcher, or professor, there's an E Ink tablet designed to meet your specific requirements. The tablets listed in this article offer a blend of features, performance, and affordability, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your academic journey.

Remember, the best E Ink tablet is the one that fits your individual needs and preferences. Consider factors like size, weight, battery life, note-taking capabilities, and integration with other devices when making your decision. Don't hesitate to explore the features and functionalities of each tablet before making a purchase.

Dive deeper into 20 Best E Ink Tablets for PDF Reading

Investing in an E Ink tablet can be a game-changer for your academic pursuits. It allows you to reduce screen fatigue, improve focus, and create a more conducive learning environment. With the right E Ink tablet by your side, you can embrace a more efficient and enjoyable academic experience.

Ultimately, the key to finding the perfect E Ink tablet for your academic needs is to identify your priorities and explore the available options. By carefully considering the factors outlined in this article, you'll be well on your way to choosing the ideal E Ink tablet for your academic journey.