Products at a Glance
How we picked
We looked at and researched various options from different brands and compared them based on their battery life, display size, weight, and other important features to present you with the best options to make an informed decision. We’re always updating our guides with the latest information, so check back for newer additions.
Product Reviews
- Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- Has an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
- Comes with the S Pen
- Aluminum finish provides extra durability
- High price point
- Wall charger is sold separately
If you want the best note-taking tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a good fit with many premium features.
To start with, the Tab S9 boasts a superfast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip running on Android 13, which should provide enough processing power to tackle dense workloads like gaming or photo editing without breaking a sweat.
As for the display, you have an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz refresh rate for stunning, smooth visuals and a Vision Booster that enhances screen visibility in well-lit rooms or under sunlight.
Combined with the fact that it only weighs around 1.65 pounds, taking it along on adventures should be easy, and the good screen visibility should make using it outdoors, during traveling or hiking, a breeze. Plus, the accompanying S Pen lets you quickly sketch diagrams or take notes and enjoy a smooth pen-to-paper feeling.
Regarding fast storage and memory, the base model comes with 8GB RAM, which should be enough for efficient multitasking, and 128GB of storage capacity for storing multiple photos, videos, music, and other personal files. However, if that doesn’t cut it, upgrading to 12GB RAM and 512GB of storage capacity for a higher price is available.
Coming to the design, the Tab S9 features a refined Armor Aluminium finish with ultra-slim bezels, which should help maintain your focus and provide extra durability in case of any bumps or drops, which should also make it an ideal choice for seniors and children. If you’re interested in exploring more options, check out our best tablet for seniors guide for the best picks.
Other than that, it features a 12MP ultra-wide front and 13MP back camera for photo and video lovers, as it should provide crystal clear images and videos, which is great, especially if attending meetings or conferences is on the agenda. Besides that, the 45W fast charger ensures the battery is powered up quickly, keeping you running for longer with minimal downtime.
Overall, the tablet offers good value for money, considering that it supports the latest WiFi 6E and 5G cellular network for fast streaming or downloads, the quad speakers with Dolby Atmos deliver an immersive sound experience, and pairing it with a keyboard while utilizing its DeX Mode for a PC-like experience should streamline workflows. However, that has to be purchased separately and could ramp up the overall price. If you’re interested in exploring more options, check out our best tablets with a keyboard guide for the best picks.
- Features a design of 4.7mm
- Weighs approximately 1.05 pounds
- No backlight or glare for less eye strain
- Not made for gaming or streaming content
- Comes in the high-end price bracket
If you’re looking for a tablet that offers the experience of writing on paper, then check out the reMarkable Bundle 2, which lets you quickly take notes and read and review all sorts of documents.
For starters, the digital tablet has a portable and thin design of 4.7 mm (0.19 in), making it one of the lightest tablets on our list. Its lightweight should allow for increased portability, and using it for extended sessions shouldn’t fatigue your hands or wrists. Plus, it operates on the Linux OS, which eliminates distractions such as pop-ups or notifications, which should allow for better concentration.
Along with this, you get a 10.3-inch LCD screen with 1872 x 1404 resolution. A nifty feature of this tablet is that it doesn’t have any backlight or glare, which should make reading notes, eBooks, or PDFs for hours easier on the eyes. Other than that, the Marker Plus pen with a built-in eraser lets you take notes or drafts and use powerful tools like undo, erase, and resize, which should provide a paperless and digital experience.
As for the storage, you get 8GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for taking notes, to-do lists, and sketches. Combined with the 12-month Connect subscription, you get unlimited cloud storage through platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive and added device protection – which should take care of storage and potential security issues or concerns.
Regarding battery life, the manufacturer claims two weeks of operation on a single charge, which basically means that this device needs to be charged twice a month. However, keep in mind that the battery performance may vary due to many factors, such as the amount of usage, ambient temperature, and more.
Besides that, the mobile and desktop apps provide the option to write, edit, and refine notes across all devices, such as a phone or a laptop which should keep you on top of your work at all times.
It’s important to note that this tablet comes with a USB-A to C cable for charging and 9x spare Marker tips that should serve you well for longer periods. All in all, considering the features and specifications of this tablet, it doesn’t come as a surprise that this is the best tablet for taking handwritten notes.
- Has an 11-inch screen size
- Has a low price point
- Comes with four swappable templates
- Doesn't require charging
- Offers no features for entertainment
If you’re on the hunt for a tablet for note-taking that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, then check out the Boogie Board Blackboard tablet.
To kick things off, this tablet comes in a very affordable price bracket and offers the functionality of being reused. What this means is that college students, professionals, kids, or basically anyone can learn to write, draw, or sketch on it and then do it all over again as many times as they want.
Other than that, it features an 8.5” x 11” semi-transparent writing surface, requires no power, and lets you use your own handwriting using the Blackboard stylus pen, which should provide a more hands-on and personalized approach for everyone.
On top of that, it weighs approximately 1.09 pounds, and the stylus pen firmly attaches to the magnetic penholder on the digital tablet, which should make carrying and storing it a breeze. Besides that, it comes with four easy-to-swap templates that include lines, dots, grids, and a blank template that should make taking quick notes, drafts, or sketching diagrams easy.
Coming to the quick functions, you get Exact-Erase on the pen, which lets you erase the parts you want or completely clear the writing surface with the QuickClear technology. However, you can lock the writing board to avoid accidentally erasing notes or sketches via the Erase-Lock feature.
For versatility, you can download the free Blackboard app for Android or iOS that lets you scan diagrams and images to save, enhance, or organize notes using your smartphone. Other than that, it is compatible with cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, and Evernote, meaning that you can store, edit, and access all your notes and work from anywhere. If you’re interested in exploring options that offer more functionality, then check out our guide for the best tablets with a stylus pen guide.
- Features an 11.5-inch 2K display
- Comes with a keyboard and pen
- Has 128GB of internal storage
- Software could use some tuning
If you were scouring the market for the best mid-range tablet for note-taking, then look no further than the Lenovo Tab P11.
To begin with, it features a powerful MediaTek octa-core processor with 4GB RAM. What this means is that it should offer decent performance for efficient multitasking between applications and casual gaming and streaming. As for the storage, the model offers 128GB of storage capacity, which should be enough for storing multiple files, applications, and other data without clearing other stuff first.
Regarding the display, you get an 11.5-inch Full HD screen that supports 2K resolution. What this translates to is that you should experience razor-sharp and vibrant images and videos and get a pleasant viewing experience overall, whether you’re gaming or streaming content. If you’re interested in exploring more options, then check out our guide to the best large-screen tablets for the best picks.
Coming to connectivity options, it has 4G, WiFi, and Bluetooth, which should provide enough options to connect to different peripherals and keep things running even if one option stops working. Besides that, it features USB-C for fast charging, which can also connect to a compatible headset, giving it dual functionality.
Regarding the battery life, it sports a 7700 mAh battery, which the manufacturer claims lasts up to 10 hours, but depending on the usage, it might last longer or deplete quickly before the claimed time frame. This tablet also has an 8MP front and a 13MP rear camera, which should provide good enough pictures and videos for conference calls, causal video calls, or random snaps.
An additional feature of this tablet is its quad speakers, which are tuned by Dolby Atmos and should provide an immersive experience when watching videos or playing games with speakers on. Saving the best thing for last, the Lenovo Tab p11 comes with a keyboard and pen, making it an ideal option for dynamic workflows and even casual activities. If you’re interested in exploring more options, check out our best tablets with a keyboard guide for the best picks.
How to pick the best tablet
Before investing in anything, it’s important to consider some important factors so that you can make an informed decision. Regarding tablets, there are a couple of aspects that you should keep in mind before choosing an option – here are some of those factors:
Purpose
What you plan on using the tablet can filter the options presented to you. For example, if you plan on using it for some casual school work, then a low to mid-range tablet should be able to sustain your workload. However, if you’re a professional designer, a high-end tablet with good processing power and storage will be more suited for you. So, consider your purpose for investing in a tablet, and you’ll see that you can avoid clutter and needless research.
Battery Life
How long a tablet lasts depends on how you use it and what you’re using it for. If you use it for reading or casual browsing, then it might last a long time on a single charge. However, if you’re playing games, then it might need to be recharged in a few hours, which may be well before the claimed time by the manufacturer. So, keep these things in mind, but going for an option with a large battery capacity is recommended to keep the odds in your favor.
Display
The display of the tablet is one of the most crucial elements. An off-brand panel might display images and get basic work done, but it won’t provide a good experience as your pen or fingers might not glide as smoothly as they would on a high-end panel. On top of that, they might also be prone to getting scratched much quickly. So, always pay attention to the type of panel utilized in the tablet and choose an option that offers a good display within your budget.
Extra Features
Having extra features is always nice because you’re getting more while paying the same amount. So look for a keyboard, stylus, and other peripheral support and compatibility with cloud services such as Google Drive, as it’ll help you remain productive in the short and long term.
Is it better to write notes on paper or tablet?
Each option has its pros and cons. Taking notes on paper might feel more natural and familiar as we’ve been doing that for ages; however, that practice has an environmental effect, and paper is prone to water damage, crumbling up, or getting lost.
On the flip side, tablets nowadays offer a paper-like writing experience. You can write a lot more notes on tablets as they offer large storage options, and you can back up your notes and other data as you write them down via cloud synchronization, so your data is always readily available. However, as with all electronics, there is a risk of the device failing, and in that case, you will have to purchase another or ask for a replacement if it is under warranty. So, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, but it boils down to preference and comfort.
Our Verdict
After looking at all the features and specifications of the tablets on this list, there was a clear winner among that ranking: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. First, it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and features an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which should provide top-notch performance and a stunning viewing experience whether you’re at home or on the go. Other than that, it weighs around 1.65 pounds, making it light enough to carry with you, and the accompanying S Pen should make taking notes, editing, writing, and drawing a pleasant and seamless experience.