Best Digital Notebooks for 2025: UK Edition

What makes a digital notebook better than writing in your £10 notebook with your 99p ballpoint pen?

If you’re perusing our guide in search of the ideal digital notebook, it’s likely that you’ve already decided that an e-reader is the next technology item on your shopping list. Maybe you’re someone who jots down notes frequently, often shares your work with colleagues, tends to misplace physical notes, or are seeking a digital notebook that doubles as a tablet.

In addition to jotting down notes, electronic notepads serve as a storage space for various digital files like PDFs, pictures, and Microsoft Word docs. Moreover, you can trust that all your notes will be easily accessible through a search function.

Yet, it’s important to note that there are other excellent digital notebook options available, each tailored for specific needs. The ones we suggested earlier have been honored with ‘Best for’ awards, such as the ‘Best for Students’ or ‘Best for Book Lovers’, to highlight their unique strengths.

Let’s take a look.

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Jump to:

Best digital notebooks at a glance
What is a digital notebook?
What does a digital notebook do?
What to consider when buying a digital notebook
Best digital notebooks and tablets in the UK

Best digital notebooks at a glance:

Best for: Affordability | Kobo Libra Colour for £209.99
Best for: Book lovers | Kindle Colorsoft for £269.99
Best for: All-rounder | Apple iPad (10th gen) for £309
Best for: Office workers | reMarkable 2 from £349
Best for: Android Lovers | BOOX Go 10.3 for £379.99
Best for: Annotating | Kindle Scribe for £429.99
Best for: Students | reMarkable Paper Pro from £559

What is a digital notebook?

A digital notebook, essentially, stands in for the conventional pen-and-paper notebook; it’s a tablet. This modern version of a notebook is designed to transcribe your handwritten notes into digital, typed text. However, these days, it offers a lot more functionality beyond that.

What does a digital notebook do?

An excellent digital notebook doesn’t just help users digitize study or work notes and organize their ideas, but also emulates the familiar sensation of writing with a pen on paper.

Intelligent notebooks offer an array of functions: you can jot down notes directly onto PDFs or e-books, import documents from Microsoft Office, retrieve web articles, and serve as a combined diary, tablet, laptop, and notebook in just one convenient location.

For every digital notebook, we’ve outlined their unique features as well as any functionalities that may not measure up to those found in other similar products.

What to consider when buying a digital notebook

Before deciding to buy a technological product, like a digital notebook which can often be pricey, it’s crucial to contemplate several factors first: What is the purpose behind my purchase of this digital notebook? Which features matter most to me in this device? Additionally, determining your budget and examining aspects such as warranty are essential steps to take.

With this in mind, we’ve put together some questions to ask yourself:

Is this digital notebook within my budget?
Does it do what I want it to? For example, can you read and annotate on e-books?
Can I buy it from a UK retailer I trust?
Is there a warranty?

Best digital notebooks and paper tablets in the UK to buy today

Kindle Scribe

Best for: Annotating

As a passionate reader and tech enthusiast, I’ve come across eight distinct Kindle models that cater to various preferences: the classic Kindle, the premium Kindle Oasis, the illuminated Kindle Paperwhite, its Signature Edition counterpart, the kid-friendly Kindle Kids, the children’s version of the Paperwhite, the note-taking Kindle Scribe, and the brand spanking new Kindle Colorsoft.

Instead of suggesting the Kindle Scribe, we’ve opted for it due to its combination of standard Kindle functionalities plus an integrated digital notebook. This means that in addition to reading e-books, you can also jot down ideas, write, draw, and take notes conveniently wherever you are.

The Kindle Scribe distinguishes itself from other Kindles due to its unique features: it’s the only one equipped with a digital notebook and stylus, and this writing area is separate from the e-reader to minimize distractions. Additionally, its expansive, front-lit screen is twice as large as the Kindle Paperwhite, providing ample space for expressing your ideas on paper.

With the Kindle Scribe, there’s also the option to add three months Kindle Unlimited.

Kindle Colorsoft

Best for: Book lovers

If you prefer to mark your favorite sections in color when reading e-books, then the Kindle Colorsoft might be the perfect digital notebook for you. Although it doesn’t have as many features as other digital notebooks mentioned in this guide, like the two reMarkable tablets, we understand that some readers may be seeking a straightforward digital tablet to highlight memorable parts within their e-books.

The Kindle ColorSoft is an electronic book reader with access to over 15 million global titles, ranging from novels, magazines, textbooks, and more. Some popular books like “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas and “Funny Story” by Emily Henry can be found on this Kindle model. The ColorSoft features a waterproof design for reading by the pool, USB-C and wireless charging options, as well as an auto-adjusting front light.

Compared to the traditional Kindle, the standout feature of the Kindle Colorsoft lies in its ability to color-code passages for easier navigation. You can mark specific sections using colors such as yellow, orange, blue, or pink, and then quickly locate these highlights based on their color.

If you enjoy reading deeply, don’t forget to explore the recommended sequence for reading Rebecca Yarros’s books as well as the correct order for Silo books.

reMarkable 2

Best for: Office workers

If you’re seeking a digital notepad designed to simplify your workday, we recommend checking out the reMarkable 2.

Using the reMarkable 2, it’s straightforward to bring in Microsoft Office documents, PowerPoint presentations, and web articles, and you can access these articles through the reMarkable’s Read on reMarkable feature. Additionally, you can link the reMarkable 2 with Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and other platforms, which proves quite useful in a professional setting.

In a more conversational style, let me ask: How do you manage to keep your digital notebook tidy? By categorizing your notes and files using folders and labels, it maintains its order. Plus, you can write on PDFs directly and transform handwritten notes into typed text instantly, ensuring it remains clean and organized.

When it comes to writing, the reMarkable 2 includes a Marker and Type Folio, much like a conventional pen, providing you with an almost immediate response on the page. And remember when we discussed digital notebooks that mimic the feel of real paper? The reMarkable 2 delivers with its textured surface reminiscent of a traditional notebook. To modify your notes, take advantage of tools such as undo, move, and layers to organize your content.

reMarkable Paper Pro

Best for: Students

In simpler terms, the reMarkable 2 is an earlier model to the reMarkable Paper Pro, and these digital notebooks let you jot down notes, highlight documents, and arrange your tasks neatly in folders. But why do we suggest the reMarkable Paper Pro for students? Primarily because it allows you to work flexibly, anytime and anywhere.

The reMarkable Paper Pro features a 11.8-inch full-color screen with an adjustable reading light, mimicking the sensation of writing on paper due to its textured glass surface. This adaptable lighting system allows you to work in various locations, including during late-night study sessions. Additionally, the display’s brightness can be tailored to your surroundings, ensuring clear visibility even under direct sunlight, and it is easy on the eyes as well.

The reMarkable Paper Pro comes equipped with a pen for jotting down handwritten notes, which it can then transform into typed text. This digital notepad is capable of importing files from Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox, and allows you to sync your notes across mobile and computer devices.

Apple iPad (10th gen)

Best for: All-rounder

The Apple iPad (10th generation) isn’t just envious of what a digital notebook might offer; it outshines them all and is, in fact, an exceptional tablet overall. So, let’s delve deeper.

The latest 10th generation iPad from Apple is ideal for individuals seeking a versatile digital notebook, whether for work or study purposes. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, it offers an array of capabilities, including creating graphs, browsing recipes, jotting down notes, collaborating with others, editing 4K videos in iMovie, arranging travel plans for clients, and many more tasks.

We chose the 2022 Apple iPad because it fits the bill for those seeking a digital notebook without bearing the high cost of the newest iPad Pro (£309 compared to £999 for the 2024 iPad Pro). It’s worth noting that the 2022 Apple iPad has also been updated from its previous model.

On the 10th generation Apple iPad, the Liquid Retina screen stretches right to the edges, providing users with an expanded screen space for using apps, playing games, working, and enjoying shows like XO, Kitty. Additionally, a new feature in the 10th generation iPad is Touch ID, which has been relocated to the top button for a smoother user experience during searches.

Additionally, the Apple iPad (10th generation) is equipped with a 12MP Wide Angle rear camera. This camera allows for taking pictures, recording videos, scanning, and marking up documents. After capturing your content, you can enhance photos and modify videos in 4K resolution.

Kobo Libra Colour

Best for: Affordability

As a fellow movie buff who appreciates a good deal, if you’re seeking a digital notebook to scribble thoughts on your favorite e-books and transform your tablet into a personal journal, the Kobo Libra Colour should be your top pick! Not only is it an excellent choice for a digital notebook, but it also comes at a budget-friendly price.

Despite not boasting as many features as tablets like the Apple iPad (10th gen), the Kobo Libra Colour still packs a punch with its unique capabilities. For instance, it allows you to annotate and highlight sections of your favorite e-books in vibrant colors, making reading more interactive than ever. Moreover, this device lets you store up to 24,000 e-books or 150 Kobo Audiobooks with its 32GB storage capacity, enabling you to carry a vast library with you wherever you go.

In addition to marking up your e-books, you can also utilize the Kobo Libra Colour as a personal journal for jotting down thoughts and organizing your schedule for the week. You can save these notebooks on Kobo Cloud, and connect it to Dropbox and Google Drive for added convenience.

BOOX Go 10.3

Best for: Android users

Why do we like the BOOX Go 10.3? Because it runs Android and third-party apps.

The BOOX Go 10.3 offers extensive access to the Google Play Store, functioning as a customized Android 12 variant primarily tailored for reading and writing experiences. This device is equipped with Evernote, OneNote, Dropbox, and Google Drive support, but it’s worth noting that you can also download additional apps should you choose to do so.

The BOOX Go 10.3 offers a user-friendly control center that grants you quick access to various features like the AI assistant, storage options, Kids Mode, Split Screen, and the E Ink Center for managing your digital notebook settings, all in an intuitive manner.

Regarding note-taking, the digital notebook offers a variety of five pen styles to select from, each having up to five different thickness options. This versatile note-taking tool allows you to incorporate shapes and layers into flowcharts, embed links within your notes, and convert handwritten notes into text. Similar to reMarkable tablets, the BOOX Go 10.3 is ideal for editing PDF files, as you can make changes and export them directly to your computer or cloud storage service.

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2025-02-05 18:36