E-ink tablets are great. I love them. If you’ve found this article, you probably love them too. My one true dream is to find an e-ink tablet that’s sort of like the iPad, except e-ink. I want to be able to download apps, use the internet, and of course read ebooks. Ebooks are what e-ink devices are known for, after all, but there are some e-ink tablets that go above and beyond. These are those tablets. These are the best e-ink tablets of 2020.
MobiScribe
The MobiScribe is a cute little tablet that’s a lot like any other Android tablet, except everything is in e-ink. It has an internet browser, the ability to read ebooks, and, since it runs on Android 4.4, the ability to run some Android apps. Its anti-glare, backlit display can be turned on or off, making it easy to read in both the brightest sunlight and the dead of night.
The thing that sets the MobiScribe apart from other Android tablets (other than the e-ink) is that it lets you take handwritten notes. You write your notes directly on the tablet and the MobiScribe records your writing without any lag, just like a real pen and paper.
The original MobiScribe came out last year after being crowdfunded, and the creators are already working on the newest version: MobiScribe Origin. It improves on the original with handwriting to text, folders to manage your notes, and a newer version of android.
The Origin isn’t available for preorder yet, but you can sign up to their mailing list to find out when it comes out and get a $70 discount.
reMarkable
The reMarkable website is very honest about what their tablet can do. They straight up admit that conventional tablets can do everything your computer can do, and that the reMarkable is for “writing, reading, and visualization only.” That kind of honesty is refreshing, dare I say remarkable?
You’d think admitting that other tablets have more functionality would be a terrible strategy, but the reMarkable’s limitations are its true strength. The reMarkable tablet isn’t trying to replace your computer or tablet. Instead, it aims to be a simpler device that does away with distraction. I could use a device like that because I’m so distracted right now I can barely write this article.
If you’re constantly going on the internet to browse your dozens of open tabs instead of doing what you’re supposed to, the reMarkable is for you. It doesn’t even have a browser. All it does is let you read and take notes, with some extra features like annotation for PDFs and handwriting to text. It’s a little expensive for a device with such limited functionality, but if you’re really distracted and you have the money, the reMarkable could help you stay focused.
Boox Nova 2
This is the mother of all e-ink tablets. It does apps, it does internet, it does ebooks. It has an appstore of e-ink optimized apps, and you can also activate the Google Play store. It does everything I want and more. Like the other two devices I mentioned, the Boox Nova 2 lets you take notes with its stylus, but unlike the other two, it lets you annotate directly on your ebooks.
It has a backlight display that not only lets you adjust its brightness, but also lets you adjust its warmth. This means you can give the backlight more of an orange tint if you’re reading in a dark room. The screen won’t be as stark against the darkness or your eyes.
The Boox Nova 2 is truly the tablet I’m looking for. The only thing that holds it back for me is the price. It does a lot, but $339 is a lot to ask for, especially when I look at the MobiScribe, which goes for $179-$269. If it were somewhere in the $200s I would say it’s worth it, but the current price is too much.
Still, I really do love all the features the Boox Nova 2 offers. If it ever goes down in price, I’ll be there.
These are the best e-ink tablets I could find. I never knew there was a world of e-ink devices that weren’t the Kindle until I randomly thought, “Are there any e-ink tablets that aren’t just ereaders?” It turns out there are, but a lot of them are really expensive. These are the cheapest e-ink tablets I could find that are more than just ereaders. I hope this helps someone find the e-ink tablet they’re looking for.
