Do you take lots of notes? Whether it’s daily to-do lists, class notes, or just writing down the various thoughts in our brains, it’s nice to have a place to write it all down. Sure, you could just open yours Notes appBut When you physically write something down, it helps you remember it and find out more. It also feels good to stop typing for a minute and write down the thoughts in your head. If you’re worried that your notes will be lost if they’re not digitized, then good news: We have the best digital notebooks and more for you.
There are e-ink tablets, smart pens and notebooks for storing digital files of your handwritten notes or drawings. You can save files as PDFs, images, and Word documents, or transcribe them to a text file in Google Docs to make all your notes searchable. Some of these devices can also record, which is great for lectures and interviews. If your notes need updating, we recommend you give these a try. If you’re looking for real paper options, don’t miss ours Paper planner As you prepare for back-to-school, get our guide Best laptop backpacks And Best Tote Bags Instructions for storing the following picks and your other school supplies.
Updated December 2024: We’ve added notes about the second-generation Amazon Kindle Scribe and why we still prefer it to Kobo’s digital notebooks. The Iskn Repaper tablet has also been moved to Honorable Mentions due to availability.
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Do you need a digital note taker?
The short answer is no. These devices are expensive, typically costing several hundred dollars, while a simple notebook and pen cost a few dollars. However, if you prefer the physical act of writing to typing but need digital copies, they are worth considering.
Advantages:
- Digital notebooks are thin and light but contain hundreds of notes.
- You can transcribe your notes into text files for easier reading and editing.
- Depending on your device, you can export files as PDFs, Google Docs, Evernote files, and more.
- Also digitizes your art instantly.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive.
- Needs to be charged.
- Have a learning curve.
- Most smart pens need to be paired with an accompanying notebook. The coming Nuwa pen promises clever notes any Paper. We’ll try it out as soon as it’s available. At this point, delivery is expected in January 2025.
