10 Best Electronic Note Taking Tablets in 2024

The conventional method of note-taking using pen-and-paper has its benefits, but it is not as handy as relying on technology for note-taking.

Tablets offer the best of both digital and analog worlds by allowing you to use a stylus to take notes and store them on internal memory or the cloud. This makes tablets the perfect note-taking device for college students because it removes the need to carry different books for different classes. 

Furthermore, most tablets in the market are multi-purpose and can be used to play games, browse social media, and view movies and TV shows. 

But with hundreds of seemingly perfect options in the market, finding the right tablet for your needs can get confusing.

In this post, we’ve reviewed the ten best tablets for note-taking. The buying guide below should help you understand what to look for in your tablet. 

Things to Consider Before Buying Electronic Note Taking Tablets

Learning about the different kinds of tablets available and their many differences is essential before you begin your search for the best note-taking tablet. 

Type of Device

There are three types of tablets: 

• Graphics Tablets – These are the simplest types of tablets available in the market. They don’t have a display and must be connected to a monitor or a smartphone to see what you’re doing. They are affordable, lightweight, and portable and are typically used by graphic designers for various tasks.  If you’re a graphic design student, having one of these can be invaluable inside and outside class. The resolution of these tablets is measured in Lines Per Inch. Even the most affordable graphics tablets have 5080 LPI, which is sufficient to detect strokes accurately.
• Pen Display Tablets – These tablets have a display, which means when you draw on the tablet’s surface, you will see your stroke appear on the display. These tablets make for more intuitive drawing and note-taking.  Since these tablets come with a display, they are much more expensive than graphics tablets. While most of these tablets have a full HD resolution, some boast a 4K display. A high-resolution display may be worth looking into if you’re doing art. However, for note-taking, a full HD display will suffice.
• Tablet Computers – Tablet computers are powerful devices made by companies such as Samsung and Apple that offer excellent note-taking and drawing functionality. Tablet computers are the most versatile tablets you can buy since they allow you to play games, consume media, and browse websites and social media.  These tablets tend to be much more expensive than the other kinds of tablets, and therefore, they’re only worth buying if you intend to use the other features. Depending on which tablet computer you get, you may need to buy a stylus separately. It’s important to consider your budget and factor it into your decision.

Stylus Functionality

Most tablets come with a stylus included. Therefore, the functionality of the stylus will depend on the tablet you buy. For instance, Wacom tablets come with pens that can detect 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. This ensures that your strokes are detected accurately.

Most tablet computers come with a pen that can detect the angle at which the pen is held and register the shape and thickness of the lines accordingly. The best styluses are the ones that have the least parallax, which is the distance between the tip of the stylus and the on-screen cursor. The best styluses also have a lot of buttons that enable other functionality, such as erasing.

If you’re getting an Apple tablet, you will have a limited number of stylus options to choose from. On the other hand, Android tablets can work with a range of styluses. Since many of these tablets don’t detect pressure, you should avoid them if you’re a graphic design student. But for note-taking, almost any stylus will work.

It’s best to purchase a Samsung tablet and S pen since they can detect pressure sensitivity and provide an excellent note-taking and drawing experience.

• Screen Size – Note-taking tablets come in different sizes. A ten-inch tablet will be large enough for you to take notes comfortably if you’re a student. Smaller tablets are also lighter and easier to carry, which counts for a lot for a student that’s on the move. On the other hand, if you’re studying graphics design or are a creative professional, you may want to go with a larger tablet. A 12-inch tablet will allow you to draw, edit, and take notes without much hassle. Graphics tablets often have a smaller working area than their actual size, so it’s important to consider how much space you’ll need to work comfortably.
• Internal Memory – The storage capacity of the tablet dictates the number of files you can store on it. Ideally, getting a tablet with 64GB of internal space or more is the right way to go. Often, tablets take up a quarter or more of the internal memory for the operating system. The leftover memory should be enough for storing all the files you need locally. Many tablets allow you to insert an SD card to expand the memory, which is a nice plus. However, with several pocket-friendly cloud storage options out there, you don’t have to buy a tablet with an SD card slot.
• Connectivity – Remaining connected to the internet is critical for most students, and not all tablets allow you to access LTE cellular data. If you’re always on the move and need to be able to access the internet from anywhere, you must get a tablet that offers LTE connectivity. However, if you have reliable Wi-Fi at home and on-campus, you should be able to get away with a tablet that can only connect to Wi-Fi.

10 Best Electronic Note-Taking Tablets

#1 Surface Go 2

The Surface Go 2 is one of the only tablets on this list that allows you to scribble notes with a pen and type notes using a keyboard.

The type cover has a keyboard embedded, allowing you to carry it around with ease and use it as you need it. The tablet also comes with a mobile mouse. 

The Surface Go 2 is essentially a small Windows laptop that you can use as a tablet in the tablet and studio modes.

#2 iPad 2021

The iPad 2021 has one of the most impressive displays of any tablet in the market. The immersive 10.2-inch retina display will allow you to study or work in any lighting.

The built-in note-taking app makes it easy to take notes for both students and professionals. Since it enables you to read and respond to emails and collaborate on meetings, you could also buy a compatible keyboard for easier use.

#3 Galaxy Tab S7+

The S7+ tablet is one of the most impressive tablets for note-taking since the included S pen has a 9ms latency. Taking notes, marking papers, controlling presentations, and drawing is a smooth experience on this tablet.

The tablet may not have the largest screen on this list, but the edge-to-edge 12.4-inch screen is large enough for students and professionals. Since it is an sAMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, you can expect a smooth media consumption experience.

#4 2020 Apple iPad Air

Compact, feature-rich, and affordable, the 2020 iPad Air is by far the best tablet for note-taking by Apple. It’s lightweight, weighing just one pound, and the 10.9-inch screen is enough for comfortable note-taking and multi-tasking.

It comes with a 7MP front-facing camera, allowing you to take online classes on it. However, it’s important to note that you cannot use the camera and another app on it simultaneously.

You can take notes on it while in an online class, but your camera will be turned off. 

#5 Surface Pro X

One of the bigger tablets on this list at 13”, the Surface Pro X offers everything you’d expect from a premium device. 

You can connect to the internet over Wi-Fi or LTE Advanced Pro and take notes conveniently using the Surface Slim Pen. It recognizes tilt and pressure, capturing your thoughts quickly and conveniently.

The included Surface Pro X Keyboard offers an excellent typing experience, and since it’s lightweight, carrying it around with the tablet is easy. 

#6 2021 Apple iPad Mini

At 8.3 inches, the iPad Mini is the perfect size for taking notes. The liquid retina display is bright and colorful enough to allow you to take notes anywhere you go. The built-in Notes app offers all the functionality you need to take notes effectively.

It comes with a powerful A15 Bionic chip, so if you’re learning to illustrate, it may be the perfect device to go for.

#7 Wacom DTK2420K0 Cintiq Pro

The Wacom DTK2420K0 Cintiq Pro has a 24 LCD 4K display, taking your note-taking to the next level. The built-in eraser and lag-free tracking make it convenient to use.

It comes with 17 programmable buttons, and the on-screen keypads enable more shortcuts. It’s the right tablet to get if you’re learning graphic design and also want to be able to take notes.

#8 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

The slim metal design of the S6 Lite tablet makes it stand out on this list. The included S Pen allows you to take notes without charging the pen. It is also helpful in editing photos and videos.

The 13-hour battery life makes it the right tablet to get if you’re on the move all day.

#9 Lenovo IdeaPad Duet

One of the most affordable options on this list, the IdeaPad Duet features a 10.1” 1080p display. It comes with a keyboard built into the case, making interfacing with the tablet convenient.

The touchscreen display makes note-taking easy, but you will need to buy a compatible USI pen separately.

#10 HUION KAMVAS

The HUION KAMVAS boasts the biggest screen on this list, measuring 15.6 inches and offering 92% AdobeRGB colors.

The battery-free pen registers strokes without any lag, and since the screen is etched, working on it feels like drawing on paper.

Its six customizable keys and touch bar make for convenient access to shortcuts, and since it’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS, you can use it with any computer to take notes.

Check this: 10 Best Digital Writing Pad for e-Learning in 2023

Top 10 Electronic Note Taking Tablets Compared

	Screen Size	Internal Memory	Connectivity	Stylus Included?	Warranty
Surface Go 2	10.5”	128GB	Wi-Fi	Yes	One year
iPad 2021	10.2”	256GB	Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi + Cellular option available)	No	One year
Galaxy Tab S7	12.4”	128GB	Wi-Fi	Yes	One year
2020 Apple iPad Air	10.9”	64GB	Wi-Fi	No	One year
Surface Pro X	13”	128GB	Wi-Fi + Cellular	Yes	One year
2021 Apple iPad Mini	8.3”	64GB	Wi-Fi	No	One year
Wacom DTK2420K0 Cintiq Pro	20.55 x 11.57 inches	–	–	Yes	Two years
Galaxy Tab S6	10.4”	64GB	Wi-Fi	Yes	One year
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet	10.1”	64GB	Wi-Fi	No	N/A
HUION KAMVAS	15.6”	–	–	Yes	One year

Conclusion: Which Tablet Should You Buy for Note-Taking?

There is no shortage of quality tablets in the market, and the best ones are highlighted above. But there’s no such thing as the “ultimate” note-taking tablet since every user’s needs are unique.

Understand the features by reading the buying guide and jot down the features you require. You can then use the comparison table and skim through the product’s pros and cons to determine whether it’s right for you or not.