Handwritten notes are back. More students, managers, writers and designers are swapping paper notebooks for tablets that can store thousands of pages, search your handwriting and sync to the cloud. But the “best” note taking tablet depends a lot on how you work.
Some people want a do everything tablet that also happens to be great for notes. Others want a focused, distraction free writing device that feels like real paper. In this guide we compare the top choices of 2026 so you can pick the right one.
Our top picks at a glance
| Tablet | Best for | Screen | Pen included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad Air M4 | Best overall for most people | 11 or 13 inch LCD | No, Apple Pencil Pro sold separately |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 | Best Android tablet for notes | 11 inch AMOLED, 120Hz | Yes, S Pen |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra | Biggest writing canvas | 14.6 inch AMOLED | Yes, S Pen |
| reMarkable Paper Pro | Distraction free writing | 11.8 inch Canvas Color E Ink | Depends on bundle |
| reMarkable Paper Pro Move | Most portable | 7.3 inch Canvas Color E Ink | Bundled with Marker Plus |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE | Best value | 10.9 inch LCD, 90Hz | Yes, S Pen |
1. Apple iPad Air M4: best overall
Several 2026 buying guides, including ITechGuides, named the iPad Air with M4 the best note taking tablet for most people. The reason is simple: apps. GoodNotes, Notability, Apple Notes, OneNote and Nebo are all excellent on iPad, and features like handwriting search, audio recording synced to your notes, and PDF annotation are incredibly polished.
Pair it with the Apple Pencil Pro and you get pressure sensitivity, squeeze gestures for quick tools, barrel roll for brush angles and subtle haptic feedback. It feels natural for both writing and drawing.
The downsides are the 60Hz screen, which is not as smooth as some rivals, and the price of the Pencil Pro, which was listed at $129 in the US. Still, for students and professionals who want one device for notes, reading, video calls and entertainment, the iPad Air is hard to beat.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: best Android choice
The Galaxy Tab S11 is the strongest Android option for note takers, and it has a big advantage over the iPad: the S Pen comes in the box. That alone saves you over a hundred dollars.
Its 11 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen runs at 120Hz, which makes ink feel smooth and immediate. Samsung Notes is genuinely excellent, with handwriting to text conversion, PDF markup, voice recording and syncing with Samsung phones and Windows PCs. You can also add a microSD card to store years of notes and documents.
If you already use an Android phone, this is the one to get.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra: the biggest canvas
If you write a lot of math, draw diagrams or like to have a textbook and notes open side by side, the Tab S11 Ultra’s huge 14.6 inch AMOLED screen is a game changer. Technobezz called it the most powerful Android tablet for note taking. It also includes the S Pen. The catch is size and price: it is large to carry around and costs much more than the standard Tab S11.
4. reMarkable Paper Pro: best for focused writing
The reMarkable Paper Pro is a completely different kind of device. Instead of a bright LCD or OLED screen, it uses an 11.8 inch Canvas Color E Ink display that looks and feels much more like paper. There are no social media apps, no notifications and no YouTube. It is just you, your notes and your documents.
Writing on it has a slight paper like texture and very low lag, and the battery lasts for many days rather than hours. It is excellent for reading and marking up PDFs, journaling, planning and brainstorming without distractions. As one 2026 guide put it, the iPad Air does everything, while the reMarkable does writing and reading, period.
Prices vary by bundle, but expect to pay roughly $579 to $679 depending on which marker and folio you choose.
5. reMarkable Paper Pro Move: most portable
The reMarkable Paper Pro Move takes the same idea and shrinks it down to a 7.3 inch color E Ink screen, small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. 9to5Mac compared it to the iPad mini and said it fares better for one big reason: price. Bundled with the Marker Plus, it typically costs around $449 to $499.
It is ideal for quick meeting notes, to do lists and journaling on the go. It is less suited to heavy textbook reading because of the smaller screen.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE: best value
On a budget? The Galaxy Tab S10 FE still offers a 10.9 inch 90Hz screen and includes the S Pen, often for around $450 to $550. It is not as fast or as vivid as the Tab S11, but for lecture notes and PDF reading it does the job very well. Some guides also mention it has strong water resistance and long software support for this price.
LCD and OLED tablets vs E Ink notebooks
Before you buy, decide which type of device fits you:
- Full tablets (iPad, Galaxy Tab): Do everything, including notes, video, web, email, drawing and apps. Great value if you only want one device. The downside is distraction and shorter battery life.
- E Ink notebooks (reMarkable): Feel more like paper, are easier on the eyes, last much longer on a charge and keep you focused. The downside is that they cannot replace a tablet for apps, video or color heavy work.
What to look for in a note taking tablet
- Pen quality and latency: The lower the lag, the more natural it feels.
- Is the pen included? Samsung includes it, Apple does not. That can change the real price a lot.
- Note apps: Check that your favorite app works on the platform, especially if you use GoodNotes, Notability, OneNote or Samsung Notes.
- Screen size: 11 inches is the sweet spot for most people. Go bigger for diagrams and textbooks, smaller for portability.
- Battery life: E Ink devices win by days, not hours.
Final verdict
For most people, the iPad Air M4 with the Apple Pencil Pro is the best note taking tablet thanks to its app ecosystem. If you prefer Android or want the pen included, the Galaxy Tab S11 is the best value premium choice. And if you want to write without distractions and with a true paper feel, a reMarkable Paper Pro or Paper Pro Move is worth every penny.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tablet for note taking in 2026?
The iPad Air M4 is the best overall choice for most people, while the Galaxy Tab S11 is the best Android option.
Is reMarkable better than an iPad for notes?
It is better if you want a paper like, distraction free writing experience with very long battery life. The iPad is better if you also want apps, video and color.
Which tablet includes a stylus?
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11, Tab S11 Ultra and Tab S10 FE all include the S Pen. reMarkable devices are often sold in bundles with a marker. Apple sells the Pencil separately.
Is the Galaxy Tab S11 good for students?
Yes. Its included S Pen, 120Hz AMOLED screen, microSD support and Samsung Notes app make it one of the best value tablets for students.
