The ReMarkable Tablet is a digital tablet that is designed to replace your physical notebooks and papers. You can write on the textured surface of the tablet using a stylus pen and automatically convert your handwriting to typed text.
However, the ReMarkable faces some limitations. First of all, many of its cloud features are only accessible through a paid monthly subscription, while other alternatives offer them at no additional cost.
That means that even after buying the physical device, you may find yourself paying a recurring fee for the rest of your life.
In addition, it is missing certain features, such as waterproof protection and a front light for night reading. Not only that, but with only 8 GB of internal storage (which is non-expandable), you might not have enough room for your documents.
If you’ve been looking for a ReMarkable alternative, you’ve come to the right place.
The short version: The Onyx Boox Note Air 2 is the best alternative to the ReMarkable. Other good alternatives include the Kobo Elipsa, the Amazon Kindle Scribe, and the Supernote A5 X.
Let’s discuss these in detail.
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Best ReMarkable Tablet Alternatives
1. Onyx Boox Note Air 2
The Onyx Boox Note Air 2 is, without a doubt, the best alternative to the ReMarkable. If you can afford it, I wouldn’t look any further.
With a thickness of just 5.8 mm, this thin notebook feels versatile and easy to carry, with a real-life paperlike design. It runs on a powerful CPU with eight cores and a 2 GHz clock rate and has a 10.3” E Ink Carta display.
E Ink is the technology used by the ReMarkable Tablet and other popular digital “paper” tablets.
The Onyx Boox runs on Android 11 and supports a wide range of file and image formats. With 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, there is plenty of space to store your documents.
Since it runs on Android 11, you can install various Android apps, making it more versatile than just a digital notebook. The ReMarkable, on the other hand, runs on a Linux-based OS.
It also features Bluetooth and wireless connectivity support, allowing you to easily share documents and connect to external devices. Not only that, but it allows you to play music and podcasts.
You can connect your speakers via Bluetooth. If you don’t own Bluetooth earbuds, you can use the USB Type C port to connect external devices.
Unlike the ReMarkable 2, the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 features a front light display, optimized to help you view the screen in poor lighting conditions or in the dark. It won’t hurt your eyes, as it uses anti-blue light technology to prevent eye strain, and the anti-flicker technology prevents flickering.
The protective glass screen cover, made by ASAHI, helps prevent scratches and cracks in the screen. The tablet has two digital sensors to help you get a more responsive touch screen experience.
The Onyx Boox supports 17 ebook file formats, allowing you to read all your ebooks. Not only that, but it also has built-in text to speech, letting you convert ebooks to audiobooks.
All customers get 10 GB of free Onyx cloud storage. ReMarkable does offer free cloud storage, but only for documents from the last 50 days, after which they disappear from the cloud.
Remember that the Onyx Boox supports Android apps, so you can also download cloud-based services like Google Drive and Dropbox and use them to sync your documents.
The Onyx Boox Air 2 also comes in another version: The Onyx Boox Air 2 Plus. It has the same screen size, but it features a larger and longer-lasting battery.
The downside is that it weighs heavier.
2. Kobo Elipsa
The Kobo Elipsa 2E is an ereader and digital writing tablet that comes with the Kobo Stylus 2. It allows you to write directly on PDFs and digital notes, and its Bluetooth connectivity support means you can listen to Kobo audiobooks as well.
It features 32 GB of internal storage, 4x more than what the ReMarkable offers (8 GB of non-expandable storage). The ComfortLight PRO technology helps reduce eye strain caused by blue light.
You can convert handwritten text to typed text or simply search through your handwritten notes using the search tool.
Not only does Kobo offer its own cloud service, but it allows you to sync your documents with third-party services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and even Notion and Evernote through Readwise.
Made from recycled materials, the Kobo ELipsa is a lightweight, durable, and high-quality writing tablet well worth the price.
3. Amazon Kindle Scribe
The Amazon Kindle is famous for being an ebook reader, but the Amazon Kindle Scribe is the version you’ll want if you require digital writing capabilities as well.
The Amazon Kindle Scribe is also cheaper than the ReMarkable. Yes, the ReMarkable itself is cheaper than the Amazon Kindle Scribe, but here’s the kicker: It doesn’t come with a stylus.
If you buy the RM2 (ReMarkable 2), you will need to purchase the stylus at an additional cost. Meanwhile, the Scribe does come with an included stylus, making it cheaper overall.
There are other benefits of choosing the Scribe. For one, it supports a wide range of file formats, while the ReMarkable only supports a very limited range of formats.
The Scribe supports audiobooks, while the RM2 does not.
The Scribe comes in various versions, but they all feature more internal storage than the RM2, which only offers 8 GB. The Scribe comes with at least 16 GB of storage and up to 64 GB.
Other than that, there are a lot of similarities between the two devices. They both use E Ink technology; Amazon is only able to offer it at a lower price due to the revenue it earns from subscriptions such as Kindle.
The Scribe also allows you to convert your handwritten notes to text and send them via email to your friends. You can import documents from Microsoft Word and organize your notebooks into folders and subfolders.
When you import PDFs or Word documents, you can add markups or sticky notes.
The RM2 feels a bit more like writing on paper compared to the Scribe. Overall, though, the Scribe is a bit faster and more responsive than the ReMarkable, which can be a bit laggy or sluggish at times.
4. Supernote A5 X
The Supernote is an excellent alternative to the ReMarkable. The Supernote A5 X uses FeelWrite 2 technology from Wacom with a beautiful ceramic nib pen.
While not exactly cheap, it comes with all sorts of useful features. You can convert handwritten text to typed text, annotate documents, and more.
It comes with Kindle included, and it supports email, Word documents, a Google or Outlook calendar, and more. In addition to syncing with a computer via USB, it also syncs with cloud services like Google Drive for document storage.
It also has its own proprietary Supernote cloud storage service. With 32 GB of internal storage (some of it reserved for the OS), it also allows you to store more documents on the device than the RM2.
The OS is based on Android and includes Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity support.
The Supernote has an interesting writing experience, not entirely like pen and paper. However, once you get used to it, you will come to love it.
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5. Mobiscribe Wave Color
If you are looking for an alternative to the ReMarkable that supports color, check out the Mobiscribe Wave Color. Unfortunately, the ReMarkable 2 only supports black and white.
The Mobiscribe Wave Color’s Kaleido Plus Display provides stunning, colorful graphics. The Notes app provides support for just six colors, but the other apps and the ereader support almost 4,100 different colors and hues.
It is lightweight and small, with a display of just 7.8 inches, considerably smaller than the RM2. Unlike the RM2, it is waterproof, so you can use it in the bathroom without worrying about it falling in the toilet (just an example!).
It also comes with 8x more storage, with 64 GB of internal storage. Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity are supported, and you can convert handwriting to text (100+ languages are supported).
Finally, it is much cheaper than the ReMarkable! It comes with a stylus and a cover for your Wave included in the price.
You can even pay in four interest-free installments via Shop Pay.
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6. Meebook P78 Pro
The Meebook is a smaller form factor than the ReMarkable.
One of the issues many people have with the Remarkable is the incredibly low amount of internal storage space. If you are a researcher or businessperson who deals with a lot of documents, 8 GB of internal storage may just not be enough.
Perhaps the low storage amount and the fact that it can’t be expanded serves a certain purpose: to get people to sign up for the premium cloud subscription.
The Meebook, on the other hand, comes with a significant advantage. Not only does it come with 32 GB of internal storage, but it also allows you to add a Micro SD card to expand your storage.
There are few ereaders nowadays which have a Micro SD slot. The reasons for that include the trend towards a thinner design and the increasing popularity of cloud storage services.
However, if you would like the ability to store your extra PDFs and documents on a Micro SD card, the Meebook is a great option for you. You can add up to 256 GB of storage with an external card.
Running on Android 11, the device supports a wide range of document and image file types. It allows you to annotate PDFs and ebooks and even listen to audiobooks.
In addition to the built-in speakers, you can connect your Bluetooth devices.
Also, you can easily adjust the color temperature or switch to dark mode to reduce eye strain when reading at night.
In terms of hardware, the device features a 1404×1872 display, a quad-core CPU with a 1.8 GHz clock speed, a battery that can last up to two weeks with regular use, and 3 GB of RAM. While it might not be as well known as some of the other brands, it offers excellent value for money.
7. iPad Air + Apple Pencil
The iPad Air is a great alternative to the ReMarkable if you are looking for a more comprehensive OS. With a powerful M1 processor and fast 5G support, the two devices can’t really compare.
On the iPad Air, you can do all sorts of things, such as downloading apps, watching Netflix, and taking pictures with the stunning 12 MP camera. It’s basically a large smartphone, and it doesn’t even cost that much more than the ReMarkable 2, especially if you get it refurbished.
Of course, its extra versatility might be a drawback. You might be interested in note-taking only and have no need for extra apps and clutter.
In addition, the RM2 definitely retains more of that pen and paper feel, while the iPad feels more like a smartphone. However, Apple Pencil support means you can draw handwritten notes on the Notes app, and you can even annotate PDFs.
Of course, you can use many third-party apps as well, such as Evernote, Notion, or any other app on the Apple App Store. It has a much more powerful processor, more storage, and more RAM, as well as more connectivity and port options.
So, which one is best for you? Ultimately, it depends on your needs.
If you want a digital notebook that simulates pen and paper and has no distracting bells and whistles, perhaps the iPad Air isn’t for you. However, if you want to multitask and get access to tons of productivity and entertainment apps, choose the iPad Air with the Apple Pencil.
Understandably, the iPad Air costs more than the ReMarkable 2, and you have to buy the Apple Pencil separately. Nevertheless, there are plenty of great refurbished options available.
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8. Rocketbook Core Notebook
There aren’t that many great budget alternatives to the ReMarkable.
There are some good reasons for that. Most of the ewriters use E Ink technology, which isn’t cheap.
If you are on the lookout for a very cheap option, though, consider an alternative like the Rocketbook Core Notebook. It works a bit differently than the ReMarkable, but it is perfect for similar use cases.
It’s incredibly cheap, retailing at just around $17 on Amazon (the price is subject to change). That comes with the pen and a cloth included.
It costs a bit more from the official store, but you can choose from different styles and page layouts there.
The notebook features 36 pages, and it retains the feel of writing on a pen and paper. The notebook itself doesn’t feel that much different from a regular spiral notebook!
While the notebook itself isn’t connected to the internet, you can download the Rocketbook app on your iPhone or Android.
Then, just use the app to scan the pages and notes you have written and upload them to your favorite cloud storage service. The app will automatically scan your handwritten headings and use them as file names.
Once you have done so, you can wipe the notebook clean with a regular cloth and water (it comes with a microfiber cloth). Make sure you use the included Pilot FriXion pen or any pen from the Pilot FriXion line.
It’s quite an ingenious technology, actually, at just a fraction of the price of the RM2.
And, it will help you conserve the environment and eliminate the need to buy endless notebooks if you write a lot! It is infinitely reusable; just wipe it clean and start writing again.
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9. Mobiscribe Origin
Next up, we have the Mobiscribe Origin, which is a black and white digital notebook from a company we have seen earlier in this article.
It is significantly cheaper than the ReMarkable. In fact, at just $199 (with a stylus and two covers included), it is probably the cheapest quality purely digital notebook you can find.
Not only that, but it still offers a lot more storage than the RM2, with 32 GB of storage (although it has only 2 GB of RAM). It’s a lot smaller, though, so that is something to be aware of; it is 5.19×6.8 inches.
The low price does mean that it is missing some features you might be looking for. It doesn’t come with Bluetooth support, nor are there built-in speakers; it is purely for reading and writing.
It also isn’t waterproof, and it runs on Android 8.1, an earlier version of Android. Nevertheless, it has a powerful 1.8 GHz CPU (quad-core) and a 1440×1080p E INK Carta display.
You can pay for it in four installments or from around $18/month with Shop Pay.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget alternative to the ReMarkable (and you’re not interested in a reusable notebook that requires a paired smartphone), this is your best choice.
Just as a side note, if $199 is still too expensive for you, Mobiscribe also sells refurbished Origins for just $169. Still, I would recommend paying the extra $30 for a new one.
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10. Moleskine Smart Writing Set
The Moleskine Smart Notebook is another incredibly ingenious invention. When you buy the Smart Writing Set, you get the Moleskine Smart Pen and the Smart Notebook, along with a charger and a free ink replacement for the pen.
So, here’s how it works.
You use the Smart Pen to write on the Smart Notebook. The Smart Notebook, on the outside, kind of looks like a tablet, but on the inside, it contains real paper.
Similarly, the Smart Pen contains real ink. That way, you get a truly authentic pen on paper experience.
However, the Smart Pen also contains a small infrared camera. This camera not only tracks which notebook and page you are writing on, but it also tracks your handwriting.
Then, the Smart Pen uploads the handwritten notes, wirelessly, to the paired Moleskine Notes app on your smartphone or tablet. That way, it digitizes your handwriting in real time while still allowing you to retain your actual handwritten notes.
The Smart Pen can even work offline. It can hold up to 1,000 pages in its internal memory and upload them to your Notes app once you reconnect to the internet.
It does more than that, though. When the Smart Pen is paired to your Notes app, you can even use it to record audio.
That’s a very useful feature when you are taking notes during a lecture.
If you are in a meeting, you can share the digitized version of your notes to others in the meeting via the Notes app.
The Notes app also allows you to export drawings and written pages into various image and file formats for sharing via other mediums. In addition, you can tag pages and notebooks to better organize them and find them quickly.
Another cool feature is the ability to mark up your digitized notes with a stylus or even your finger using the Notes app on your smartphone or tablet. The markups will be stored on another layer for easier editing.
To ensure you don’t lose your notebooks, you can back them up to your Google or Microsoft account.
There are some advantages of using the Moleskine system compared to the ReMarkable tablet.
First of all, you can actually retain your handwritten notes. You might not want a digital-only version, but if you use the ReMarkable, that’s what you will get.
The Moleskine Smart Notebook, on the other hand, has 175+ pages, so you can retain your physical notes and flip through them. That’s in addition to being able to search through your notes using keywords once they are digitized and stored in your online folders.
On the other hand, the notebook is non-erasable and not reusable. Once you fill up all the pages, you will need to buy a replacement notebook, which isn’t that expensive but still costs money.
Also, you will need to buy replacement ink when you use up your pen. It also has a limited charge, so you will need to charge it again once it runs out of battery power.
Overall, though, it’s a pretty brilliant invention, and the notebook itself looks sleek and beautiful.
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Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many other smart notebooks and ewriters you can use instead of the ReMarkable.
Some are pretty similar and come with advantages like more storage and free cloud sync options.
Others, on the other hand, work pretty differently, such as the Moleskine Smart Notebook, which lets you keep a physical version of your notes as well.
Regardless of your needs, there is something for your budget.
