Best E‑Ink tablets for 2025 — a practical buyer’s guide

E Ink tablets blend the tactile feel of pen‑and‑paper with the convenience of digital storage. In 2025 the category grew more diverse — from Kindle Scribe updates to color E Ink models and powerful Android‑based devices. They’re excellent for distraction‑free reading and note‑taking, but they carry tradeoffs in refresh, color and app support.

Here are the key takeaways and what to look for when choosing an E Ink tablet.

Top devices to consider

• Amazon Kindle Scribe 3 / Colorsoft — thinner, lighter Scribe with faster page turns; Colorsoft brings the first full‑color Scribe experience and a multi‑color pen.
• Onyx Boox Tab X C — 13.3″ Kaleido 3 color E Ink, Android 13, octa‑core CPU and strong multitasking; priced at the premium end (~$820–$970 with accessories).
• reMarkable Paper Pro — focused writing experience with advanced pen tools; note recent price adjustments (example: US bundle rose to $629).
• Lenovo Smart Paper — solid hardware but tied to a companion cloud service; good Google Drive integration but limited software flexibility for some users.
• Onyx Boox Tab Ultra — Android‑based all‑purpose E Ink tablet for those who favor reading and eye comfort but still want Android apps.

Are E Ink tablets worth it?

They’re ideal for a specific group: people who prefer paper‑like writing and low‑eye‑strain reading, and those who want fewer distractions than typical LCD/LED tablets. However, they’re not a full replacement for mainstream tablets — refresh behavior, color accuracy and app performance are different. If you rely heavily on app ecosystems like OneNote or need fast, colorful video, a standard tablet may be better.

What to look for

• Writing & latency: The writing feel depends on the screen refresh approach and stylus latency. Test handwriting responsiveness and check whether a stylus is included.
• Reading support: Screen size, supported ebook formats, and DRM compatibility matter — Kindle and Kobo devices often offer the smoothest ebook experience for their stores.
• Search & handwriting recognition: Look for on‑device search and OCR/handwriting recognition if you plan to archive and reuse notes.
• Connectivity & sharing: Wi‑Fi, cloud sync and export options (PDF, PNG, text) determine how easily you can move notes to other apps.
• Price: Expect $300–$800+ depending on size and features; recent price increases have pushed some models higher.

Practical tips

• If you value distraction‑free writing more than app flexibility, choose a device focused on notes (reMarkable, Kindle Scribe).
• If you need Android apps and color, consider Onyx Boox models — but expect higher costs and bulkier hardware.
• Try to test latency and writing feel in person if possible; what feels great to one user may be sluggish to another.

For a full roundup and hands‑on impressions, see the original guide (opens in a new tab): Engadget: Best E‑Ink tablets for 2025.

Discussion: Do you prefer the tactile simplicity of E Ink devices or the versatility of a regular tablet with a stylus? Which E Ink model would you buy and why?