Skip to main content
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories.
To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories
Sign In
- Backchannel
- Business
- Culture
- Gear
- Ideas
- Politics
- Science
- Security
- Merch
- Podcasts
- Video
- Wired World
- Artificial Intelligence
- Climate
- Games
- Newsletters
- Magazine
- Events
- Wired Insider
- Jobs
- Coupons
Medea Giordano
Gear
These nifty tools combine the ease of jotting notes by hand with the power of saving them digitally.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Do You Need a Digital Note Device?
The Pros and Cons
Read more
Our Favorite
reMarkable 2
Read moreA Close Runner-Up
Supernote A5 X
Read moreA Pricey Upgrade
Boox Tab Ultra
Read more4
/
11
Do you take a lot of notes? Whether you're in school or working in a job that requires lots of jotting down ideas, you may opt for typing notes on a laptop, but physically writing something down helps you remember and learn more. Putting real pen to paper also just feels good. However, having a digital backup is convenient for on-the-go organization and studying.
There are E Ink tablets, smart pens, and notebooks made to save digital files of your handwritten notes or drawings. You can save files as PDFs, images, and Word Docs, or transcribe them to a text file in Google Docs to make all your notes searchable. Some of these devices can record too, which is great for lectures and interviews. If your notes need an upgrade, we recommend giving these a try. Be sure to check out our Best Dorm Essentials guide, as well as our Best Tablets, Best Laptop Backpacks, and Best Totes guides.
Updated September 2023: We've added the ReMarkable 2, Supernote A5 X, and Boox Tab Ultra.
Most Popular
Gear
Crying in Apple Vision ProLauren Goode
Business
17 Tips to Take Your ChatGPT Prompts to the Next LevelDavid Nield
Gear
This Is Why Tesla’s Stainless Steel Cybertrucks May Be RustingCarlton Reid
Gear
The 20 Best Portable Chargers for All of Your DevicesSimon Hill
Most Popular
Gear
Crying in Apple Vision ProLauren Goode
Business
17 Tips to Take Your ChatGPT Prompts to the Next LevelDavid Nield
Gear
This Is Why Tesla’s Stainless Steel Cybertrucks May Be RustingCarlton Reid
Gear
The 20 Best Portable Chargers for All of Your DevicesSimon Hill
Most Popular
Gear
Crying in Apple Vision ProLauren Goode
Business
17 Tips to Take Your ChatGPT Prompts to the Next LevelDavid Nield
Gear
This Is Why Tesla’s Stainless Steel Cybertrucks May Be RustingCarlton Reid
Gear
The 20 Best Portable Chargers for All of Your DevicesSimon Hill
Most Popular
Gear
Crying in Apple Vision ProLauren Goode
Business
17 Tips to Take Your ChatGPT Prompts to the Next LevelDavid Nield
Gear
This Is Why Tesla’s Stainless Steel Cybertrucks May Be RustingCarlton Reid
Gear
The 20 Best Portable Chargers for All of Your DevicesSimon Hill
Medea Giordano turned her shopping problem into a career as a product writer for WIRED. She covers a little bit of everything but loves health, beauty, and pet tech. Prior to WIRED, she was an assistant editor at Wirecutter and an assistant in the newsroom of The New York Times.... Read more
TopicsShoppingpensOfficebuying guidesPapernotebooks
Here’s a guide to all the models—plus case recommendations and hidden software tricks to try.
Julian Chokkattu
Chatty assistants from Amazon, Apple, and Google are popular. But which one is right for you?
Parker Hall
Raising your computer screen is a simple fix for healthier posture. These stands, lap desks, mats, and risers may help.
Medea Giordano
Want speedy, reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home? Snag one of these router deals ahead of President’s Day.
Simon Hill
Gearing up to shred the slopes or dive into the seas? These photography tools are made for danger.
Scott Gilbertson
This week, Stellantis became the last major North American automaker to announce its move to the Tesla-invented charging connector. But there’s still work to do before the US has a truly great charging network.
Aarian Marshall
Forget about patchy internet connections and dead spots in the house. These WIRED-tested mesh systems will get you online in no time.
Simon Hill
Ditch the cards and flowers. Gift yourself or your partner(s) something more buzz-worthy.
Jaina Grey