Best Deals on Tablets for Taking Notes

BEST OVERALL

2024 Apple 13-inch iPad Pro M4 with Wi-Fi

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line device that can handle note-taking and then some, Apple’s M4 chip-equipped 2024 iPad Pro is the company’s fastest, most powerful tablet to date. It’s ideal for busy college students, professionals, on-the-go video editors and anyone else who wants an exceptional and portable experience for taking notes, gaming, video editing and watching content, all in one device.

The 13-inch iPad Pro features 6E connectivity and a vibrant Liquid Retina display with XDR for color-faithful viewing, while 12MP cameras and a LiDAR scanner (which can “mesh” objects and spaces) let you take visual notes or stunning HDR photos alike. The device’s True Tone (which adapts to your lighting), adaptive ProMotion refresh rate and next-level contrast ratio combine to perform for moviegoers, gamers, graphic designers and video editors.

When paired with the second-generation Apple Pencil (on sale for $80), Magic Keyboard (on sale for $329) or Smart Keyboard Folio (on sale for $145), the seventh-gen iPad Pro is one of the best large-screen tablets for taking notes without any lag. It’s also among the slimmest at just .25 inches thick, 11 inches tall and 8.46 inches wide.

The tech giant’s built-in Notes app can recognize and index your handwriting, making it easier to search what you’ve jotted down. What’s great is you can also tap on your iPad’s lock screen with the Pencil to start taking notes without unlocking the device, and you can save it all on iCloud for seamless access across all of your Apple devices.

BEST FOR AMAZON ALEXA USERS

Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet

If you’re fully immersed in Amazon’s Alexa-powered world, then the e-comm giant’s newest Fire Max 11 tablet is one of the best budget note-taking tablets. Available with or without lock screen ads, and in a Microsoft 365 productivity bundle the new model is now compatible with Amazon’s stylus and Bluetooth keyboard case.

We love that this lightweight tablet is just over one pound and has a fingerprint ID for added security (Amazon’s Fire HD 10 only supports passcode security) and that the stylus snaps magnetically onto the side for convenient storage. The keyboard has 15 pre-programmed shortcut keys (including two customizable ones) for using the split-screen feature and opening programs, plus trackpad gestures for quick navigation. The battery life also gets a major upgrade and promises up to 14 hours of gaming, listening to music or Audible books, browsing the web, reading, watching Twitch streams and more.

If you plan on using this for watching movies and taking video calls, you’ll appreciate the value in this 11-inch tablet. It has a 1080p full HD display and upgraded 8MP front and rear cameras (the previous model only had 5MP and 2MP cameras.

The Fire Max 11 can be fully charged in as little as 3.5 hours with a 15-watt adapter and USB-C cable. We also like the option to add a microSD card and expand storage up to 1TB. And of course, Alexa is at your service when you want to use voice commands to add items to your Amazon shopping cart, turn on smart lights and set reminders, to name a few.

BEST TABLET FOR PC USERS

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Tablet, Intel Core i7

Though Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 is still a worthy laptop-to-tablet contender, the newer Surface Pro 9 tablet (from $950) is ideal for those who want the latest and greatest from the company. It comes in Intel/Wi-Fi or 5G options: the Wi-Fi models are available with 12th gen Intel Core or Evo i5 or i7 processors and up to 15 hours of battery life, while the 5G option features the Microsoft SQ 3 with Neural Processing Unit and a battery that lasts up to 19 hours.

The standard Pro 9 is great for anyone who wants to multi-task, create documents and take notes via pen, camera or voice. The i5 CPU is a good option for those who want versatility on a budget, while the more powerful i7 processor is ideal for users who want to play casual games or edit photos and videos. Gamers, editors and photographers will want to go with the 5G option, which supports cloud gaming, offers fast file transfers and charging via USB-C and features AI-enhanced camera effects.

Note-takers will get a pen-to-paper-like experience when they pair the tablet with the Slim Pen 2 (sold separately; on sale for $95), while the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard (on sale for $205 and bundled with the stylus) gives the device the functionality of a laptop, especially when the built-in Kickstand is in use. The tablet can also be connected to external GPUs and 4K monitors.
It’s worth noting that the extra cost of accessories puts the tablet at essentially the same price as a traditional laptop, but with touchscreen capabilities. For note-takers and multi-taskers on a budget, the Surface Pro 7 (from $600) or the Surface Pro 8 (on sale from $1,070) might be more appealing options that still deliver powerful performance and portability.

BEST FOR ANDROID USERS

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Tablet

Although Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 is also a great option, the new 11-in. Galaxy Tab S9 is one of the best tablets for Android users who want a display and speed that rivals the iPad. If you want maximum screen quality and size, the tablet is available with an OLED display in the 12.4-inch S9+ (from $1,000) or the 14.6-inch S9 Ultra (from $1,200 at Samsung with eligible trade-in). New to the Tab lineup is face ID, so you can rest assured your documents are safe and secure.

Students, gamers and movie lovers alike can thank the 120Hz refresh rate and the incredibly fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that multitasks with ease. The impressive battery life, DeX (which offers a PC-like experience with mouse, keyboard and monitor integration), Microsoft 365 and speedy Wi-Fi 6E compatibility round out this powerful device with productivity in mind.

The S9 tablet comes with the S Pen, which now has nine-millisecond latency for quick responsiveness, so you can take notes right after unboxing. The Samsung Note app lets you convert your handwriting into searchable text, sync your notes and voice recordings, manage all of your pages and organize files. You can use the included stylus to control presentations, and your files and content can be synced with other compatible Samsung devices.

If you prefer the functionality of a laptop without the extra weight, the tablet can be expanded with Samsung’s Bluetooth book cover keyboard that acts as a screen protector. For entertainment, the tablet boasts an edge-to-edge display and Dolby Atmos surround sound on quad speakers for a cinematic viewing experience on the go.

2024 Apple 11-inch iPad Air with Wi-Fi (6th Gen)

The 2024 Apple iPad Air weighs in at just one pound, making it one of the best lightweight tablets for taking notes. The sixth-gen model works with the second-gen Pencil and the Pencil Pro, both offering a responsive writing and drawing experience. Powered by an M2 8-core CPU chip and Neural Engine, the 11-inch Liquid Retina screen has a 120Hz refresh rate that makes it a breeze to quickly jot down notes or doodle without any lag. If you prefer to type, connect the Magic Keyboard (on sale for $279) to turn the tablet into a laptop.

Like the iPad Pro, expect easy cross-device access to your documents on iCloud, convenient handwriting indexing on the Notes app, and compatibility with many other note-taking apps that let you add photos, links and more to your docs.

BEST BUDGET APPLE TABLET

2022 Apple iPad (10th Gen) with A14 Bionic Chip

There are plenty of cheap tablets for note-taking that offer basic functionality, but Apple’s 2022 iPad boasts the A14 Bionic chip, larger screen, longer battery life, better cameras and more. The 10th-gen tablet is 20 percent faster than the 2021 model, allowing users to seamlessly switch between taking notes, browsing the web or playing games. Apple also swapped the Lightning connector for the industry standard USB-C, and the graphics boast a 10 percent improvement over the previous model.

The 10.9-in. screen features Apple’s TrueTone technology (which automatically adjusts to the color temperature of the room), making it easier on your eyes whether you’re taking notes in a giant lecture hall or outdoors. It also has a new and improved rear 12MP camera that takes better photos in low-light settings compared to its predecessor (which had an 8MP rear camera), so you can easily take clear visual notes.

The 2022 iPad pairs with the first-gen Apple Pencil (on sale for $79) and the new Magic Keyboard Folio (on sale for $220, reg. $249) so you can write down your thoughts on the Scribble note-taking app, mark up PDFs and screenshots, highlight items, convert your handwriting into text, sketch illustrations and design logos. The Liquid Retina display promises vibrant details and colors, and the tablet weighs about one pound, making it a travel-friendly option for mobile entertainment.

Best family-friendly

2024 Lenovo Tab P12 Tablet

For its latest Tab P12 tablet, Lenovo has increased the screen size and quality, upgraded the cameras, added a fingerprint scanner for improved security and thrown in the Tab Pen Plus and the Folio Case. At only $268 for the 8GB RAM/128 GB storage model, the Lenovo Tab P12 makes a great option for anyone who wants a powerful and affordable multi-tasking tablet.

This family-friendly screen is equipped with a MediaTek Helio 7050 processor and brighter and bigger 12.7-inch 3K OLED screen, delivering seamless graphics on a vibrant 400-nit display. Speaking of portable entertainment, the Dolby Atmos-enhanced quad JBL speakers round out your immersive on-the-go experience.

The device comes pre-loaded with Microsoft Office apps, and you can connect Lenovo’s wireless keyboard (from $100, sold separately) for easy note-taking in class or at the office. The stylus has 4,096 levels of pressure and tilt detection — so artists and note-takers alike can get an accurate writing or drawing experience — and you can upgrade to the Tab P12 Pro (on sale for $500) that comes with Bamboo Paper and Squid illustration apps. Whether you’re a college student or an executive, you can easily jot your thoughts on OneNote, write papers on Word and organize your files, among other productivity tasks.

BEST BUDGET WINDOWS TABLET FOR TAKING NOTES

Microsoft Surface Go 3 Tablet

Windows users will have no problem adapting to Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 (on sale from $351), which is now equipped with Bluetooth and a brighter screen. Just like its predecessor, it’s compatible with the brand’s Surface Pen ($60, sold separately) that writes as smoothly as a regular writing tool on paper and includes a natural-feeling “eraser,” making it a favorite among digital artists. Clocking in at just 1.2 pounds, the Surface Go 3 isn’t going to replace your desktop computer or laptop — but it’s one of the best note-taking tablets for anyone seeking a lightweight device that can also handle lighter tasks such as answering emails, streaming videos and browsing the internet.

As far as writing things down, the tablet is equipped with the latest version of Microsoft’s OneNote app, which lets you create and edit Word documents, convert your handwriting to text, search notes and more. With the Surface Pen, you can also take notes on web pages using Microsoft Edge and even write reminders to yourself directly into Cortana.

MOST PORTABLE NOTE-TAKING TABLET

2021 Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen)

The sixth-gen iPad Mini is expected to get an upgrade sometime this year, according to Macworld. In the meantime, the 2021 iPad Mini is still a great buy (the Renewed model is on sale for $265). It’s compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil, has a Liquid Retina screen size of 8.3 inches and weighs under one pound, making it one of the best travel-friendly note-taking tablets that’s also powerful enough to edit and watch content, play games and snap photos. The IPS LED display delivers vibrant images and video with 500 nits of brightness, while the TrueTone adaptive display adjusts to your environment’s lighting. The combination of the A15 Bionic chip and battery life lets you play or work for up to 10 hours.

Rounding out the sixth-gen iPad Mini’s features are 12MP front and back camera and 4K video recording. Eco-minded users will like that the tablet is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure, rare earth elements in the speaker and magnets and tin in the main logic board.

BEST E-READER FOR TAKING NOTES

11. Amazon Kindle Scribe

Amazon’s newest Kindle Scribe is one of the best e-readers that’s also a note-taking tablet, making it a great option for students, avid readers and writers. At 10.2 inches with a 300ppi glare-free display and 35 LED lights, the screen is the largest and brightest in Amazon’s e-reader lineup. Similar to Amazon’s other e-readers, the front light adjusts automatically and you can customize the display’s warmth and text size.

The battery can last for up to 12 weeks (based on 30 minutes of reading per day) or up to 3 weeks (based on 30 minutes of note-taking daily) on a single charge, and you can get as much as 64 GB of storage for e-books and notes. The included Premium Pen lets you create sticky notes by tapping the screen, highlight sentences in books, create documents and notebooks (including bullet journals, keep track with to-do lists and more.

BEST E-INK TABLET FOR TAKING NOTES

ReMarkable 2 with Marker

Prefer the feel of paper but want the perks of technology without digital distractions? Named Time‘s Best Invention of 2020, the ReMarkable 2 (from $299 without Marker and Folio) features a monochrome digital display that lets you turn your handwritten notes into searchable text, organize your notes across devices, review documents and write directly onto PDFs. And that’s it— no distracting bells and whistles, such as social media notifications or email chimes.

At just .2 inches thick, the e-paper device is the thinnest tablet out there, and the 8GB internal storage can accommodate about 100,000 pages. The device also works on 5G, and you can sync files between ReMarkable’s apps for Android, iOS, MacOS and Windows 7 and newer.

BEST REUSABLE SMART NOTEBOOK

Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook

Though it’s not quite a tablet, those who prefer a screen-free, budget-friendly experience will find one in Rocketbook’s reusable smart notebook. The size of standard printer paper, the 36-page erasable notebook uses a specially-coated dot grid surface that tracks what you write using the included Pilot FiXion pen. Connect it to Rocketbook’s free iOS or Android app to scan and save each page to your preferred destination (including Google Drive, iCloud, Evernote, Dropbox, email and more), then erase the pages with a microfiber cloth (included) to clear your notebook.