7 Best E-Ink Tablets for Sketching and Notes in 2026

Key takeaways

• The reMarkable Paper Pro is the best e-ink tablet for sketching and notes overall: an 11.8-inch color screen, 12 ms pen latency and polished software, from $629.

• The Supernote Manta is the best choice if you want no subscription at all, with a 10.7-inch, 300 ppi black-and-white screen for $505, though the pen costs extra.

• The Boox Note Air6 C adds a color screen and Android apps for $579.99.

• The reMarkable Paper Pure replaced the reMarkable 2 in 2026 and costs $399 with a pen.

• E-ink color is muted and slower to refresh than black and white, so these are sketchbooks and notebooks, not painting studios.

How this roundup was done

This ranking draws on manufacturer specifications, published reviews and retailer listings. Notes on pen feel and latency come from manufacturers and reviewers. Prices are from each manufacturer's US store, checked on October 21, 2026.

What to look for

Screen size. A 10- to 11.8-inch screen is close to an A5 sketchbook and suits most drawing and notes. A 7- to 8-inch screen fits a jacket pocket but feels cramped for drawing.

Color or black and white. Color e-ink shows a limited, muted range and refreshes more slowly. Black-and-white screens are sharper, at 300 ppi on most models here.

Drawing tools. Look for layers, pressure sensitivity, a few brush types and undo. None of these tablets matches a full painting app, but layers make a big difference for sketching.

Software and subscriptions. reMarkable's Connect subscription adds unlimited cloud sync and handwriting search. Boox and Supernote don't charge a subscription.

Pen in the box. reMarkable and the Boox Go 10.3 include a pen; Supernote sells its pens separately.

The seven tablets compared

1. reMarkable Paper Pro - Best overall

The Paper Pro is reMarkable's flagship tablet, with an 11.8-inch color e-ink screen.

What works: The screen shows up to 20,000 colors at 229 ppi, with a reading light, and reMarkable quotes 12 ms writing latency, a figure Boox and Supernote don't publish. Layers, undo, selection, handwriting-to-text conversion and PDF markup are built in, and the included Marker pen needs no charging. It's 5.1 mm thick with battery life of up to two weeks. It costs from $629, or $679 with the Marker Plus, which adds an eraser.

What doesn't: Color is muted and slower to refresh than black and white, it runs no third-party apps and without the $3.99-a-month Connect plan only files used in the last 50 days stay synced to the cloud.

Best for: Sketchers and note-takers who want the most polished e-ink experience and a larger color canvas.

2. Supernote Manta - Best for no subscription

The Manta (A5 X2) is Supernote's 10.7-inch black-and-white tablet.

What works: Its 300 ppi screen is the largest black-and-white canvas in this list, and reviewers praise its paper-like feel for sketching. Handwriting recognition covers more than 60 languages and works offline with no subscription, and the battery is replaceable, so the tablet is easier to repair than most. It costs $505.

What doesn't: The pen isn't included ($65 extra), there's no color or front light and it doesn't run third-party app stores.

Best for: Sketchers who want a large, sharp black-and-white page with no ongoing costs.

3. Boox Note Air6 C - Best for color and Android apps

The Note Air6 C is Boox's 10.3-inch color e-ink tablet, running Android 16.

What works: Its Kaleido 3 screen shows color at 150 ppi and black and white at 300 ppi, with a front light and a microSD slot. Boox's Notes app has adjustable brushes, templates, shape and lasso tools, handwriting-to-text and audio-linked notes, and because it runs Android you can install other drawing, reading and cloud apps. It costs $579.99, or $529.99 for the previous Note Air5 C.

What doesn't: Color is coarse at 150 ppi, the refresh modes trade speed for ghosting and Boox's software is less polished than reMarkable's.

Best for: Tinkerers who want color plus their own apps on an e-ink screen.

4. reMarkable Paper Pure - Best for a budget reMarkable

The Paper Pure replaced the reMarkable 2 in May 2026 as reMarkable's entry-level 10.3-inch black-and-white tablet.

What works: It runs the same software as the Paper Pro, with layers, templates and handwriting conversion, and comes with a Marker pen, a USB-C cable and six spare tips. reMarkable says it's more responsive and lasts longer per charge than the reMarkable 2. It costs $399, or $449 with a folio and the Marker Plus.

What doesn't: It has no color and no reading light, so you need a lit room, and the cloud limits without Connect are the same as on the Paper Pro.

Best for: Students and note-takers who want reMarkable's software for less.

5. Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II) - Best for a cheap 10-inch canvas with a pen

The Go 10.3 Gen II is Boox's slim 10.3-inch black-and-white tablet, running Android 15.

What works: It includes Boox's metal InkSense Plus stylus, with 4,096 pressure levels, tilt and a side eraser button, and has a 300 ppi screen. Android apps run alongside Boox's own Notes app. It costs $419.99, or $449.99 for the Lumi version with a front light.

What doesn't: The base model has no front light, and Boox's Notes app has the same quirks as on its pricier tablets.

Best for: Budget buyers who want a large page and a pen in the box.

6. reMarkable Paper Pro Move - Best for a pocket color sketchbook

The Paper Pro Move is reMarkable's 7.3-inch color tablet.

What works: It shares the Paper Pro's color screen technology, 12 ms latency, reading light and software at 264 ppi, in a 230 g body that fits a jacket pocket. It costs from $449, or $499 with the Marker Plus.

What doesn't: A 7.3-inch screen is small for anything beyond thumbnails and quick notes, and color has the same muted look as the Paper Pro.

Best for: Sketchers who want color thumbnails and notes on the go.

7. Supernote Nomad - Best for a pocket notebook

The Nomad (A6 X2) is Supernote's 7.8-inch black-and-white tablet.

What works: It weighs about 266 g, has a 300 ppi screen, a microSD slot and a replaceable battery, and runs the same subscription-free software as the Manta. It costs $329.

What doesn't: The pen isn't included ($49 to $89), there's no front light and the screen is small for drawing.

Best for: Journaling, meeting notes and small thumbnail sketches.

E-ink or a drawing tablet?

E-ink tablets feel close to paper, work in bright sunlight, last weeks on a charge and keep notifications out of the way, which makes them good for long sessions of thumbnails and notes. A drawing tablet or tablet with a color LCD or OLED screen is the better tool for finished digital art: it shows accurate color, refreshes instantly and runs full painting apps with large brush sets and layer stacks. If you mainly paint or color, see our guide to the best drawing tablets for beginners.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best e-ink tablet for sketching?

The reMarkable Paper Pro is the best overall, with an 11.8-inch color screen, 12 ms pen latency and layers, from $629. The Supernote Manta is the best black-and-white option without a subscription at $505, plus $65 for the pen.

Is reMarkable, Boox or Supernote better?

reMarkable has the most polished software but sells an optional Connect subscription for full cloud sync. Boox runs Android, so you can add your own apps. Supernote has no subscription, offline handwriting recognition and replaceable batteries.

Can you draw in color on an e-ink tablet?

Yes, on color models such as the reMarkable Paper Pro and the Boox Note Air6 C, but the colors are muted and refresh more slowly than black and white. They work for color notes and loose sketches, not finished artwork.

Do e-ink tablets need a subscription?

Not usually. Boox and Supernote don't charge one. reMarkable works without its $3.99-a-month Connect plan, but then only files used in the last 50 days stay synced to the cloud.

Is the reMarkable 2 still available?

No. reMarkable has discontinued it, and the Paper Pure replaced it in 2026 at $399 with a pen.