Comparing E-Ink Devices: Amazon Kindle Scribe vs Onyx Boox vs ReMarkable

5 min readJun 14, 2024

In the past couple of years, I’ve had the chance to use three popular e-ink devices: Amazon Kindle Scribe, Onyx Boox, and reMarkable. I like to read (as you might have recognized from my many book reviews on here), but I’m also a huge advocate for the power of digital planning.

With that in mind, today I wanted to write about:

What is an e-ink device?
Which e-ink device is best?
How to get the most from your e-ink device?

As always, happy to answer questions! Let’s hop into it…

What is an E-ink Device?

An E Ink device is a type of electronic device that uses E Ink (electrophoretic ink) technology to display text and images. E Ink is known for its paper-like display properties, which make it ideal for reading and other applications where long battery life and readability in various lighting conditions are important.

Which E-ink Device is Best?

Choosing between the Amazon Kindle Scribe, Onyx Boox, and reMarkable tablet depends on your specific needs and preferences.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a device introduced by Amazon as part of its Kindle lineup, designed to combine the traditional e-reading experience with note-taking and digital writing capabilities.

The Onyx Boox is a series of e-readers and e-note devices produced by Onyx International. These devices are designed to offer a versatile reading and writing experience, leveraging E-Ink technology for a paper-like display.

The reMarkable tablet is a device designed primarily for note-taking, reading, and sketching, aiming to replicate the feel of writing on paper. Developed by the Norwegian company reMarkable AS, the tablet features a high-quality E-Ink display and focuses on providing a distraction-free digital writing experience.

Visit the Amazon Kindle Scribe Digital Planner Shop
Visit the Onyx Boox Digital Planner Shop
Visit the ReMarkable Digital Planner Shop

Kindle Scribe, Onyx Boox, ReMarkable 2 Tablet — Amazon Kindle Scribe, Onyx Boox, reMarkable 2

Here’s a guide to help you decide which device is best for you based on various factors:

1. Primary Use Case:

- Reading:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Best if your primary focus is reading eBooks, thanks to Amazon’s extensive library and excellent reading features.
Onyx Boox: Suitable for reading a wide variety of file formats (PDF, EPUB, MOBI) and supports third-party reading apps due to its Android OS.
reMarkable Tablet: Adequate for reading, but less emphasis on eBook store integration and more on document reading (PDFs, EPUBs).

- Note-Taking and Annotation:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Good for basic note-taking and annotating books.
Onyx Boox: Great for extensive note-taking and annotation, with versatile note-taking apps and stylus support.
reMarkable Tablet: Excellent for detailed note-taking and a natural writing experience, with a focus on replacing paper notebooks.

- Creative Work (Sketching, Drawing):

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Basic sketching capabilities but not specialized for artistic work.
Onyx Boox: Good for creative work with various drawing and note-taking apps available through Android.
reMarkable Tablet: Best for artists and designers seeking a natural sketching and drawing experience.

2. Device Features:

- Operating System and App Support:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Proprietary OS, limited to Amazon’s ecosystem.
Onyx Boox: Android OS, offering flexibility to install various third-party apps.
reMarkable Tablet: Proprietary OS, focused on a distraction-free experience.

- Display Quality:

All three devices feature high-quality E-Ink displays that are easy on the eyes, suitable for long reading and writing sessions.

- Stylus Experience:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Good stylus experience, suitable for basic note-taking.
Onyx Boox: Highly responsive stylus with pressure sensitivity, suitable for detailed note-taking and drawing.
reMarkable Tablet: Excellent stylus experience, closely mimicking the feel of writing on paper.

3. Portability and Battery Life:

- Portability:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Portable with a focus on being an e-reader first.
Onyx Boox: Various sizes available, from compact to larger formats.
reMarkable Tablet: Lightweight and portable, designed to replace notebooks.

- Battery Life:

All three devices offer long battery life due to their E-Ink displays, typically lasting several days to weeks on a single charge.

4. Ecosystem and Integration:

- Cloud Sync and Backup:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Syncs with Amazon’s cloud services.
Onyx Boox: Supports multiple cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
reMarkable Tablet: Offers reMarkable Cloud for syncing notes across devices.

- File Compatibility:

Amazon Kindle Scribe: Best for eBooks within the Amazon ecosystem.
Onyx Boox: Supports a wide range of file formats and third-party apps.
reMarkable Tablet: Focuses on PDF and EPUB for reading, with strong note-taking capabilities.

5. Budget and Value:

Consider the cost of the device in relation to the features that are most important to you. Evaluate whether the additional features of one device justify its price compared to the others.

Decision Summary:

Choose the Amazon Kindle Scribe if: You are primarily an avid reader looking for a device with excellent eBook support and basic note-taking capabilities within the Amazon ecosystem.
Choose the Onyx Boox if: You need a versatile device that can handle a wide range of reading materials, extensive note-taking, and app flexibility, making it ideal for both professional and academic use.
Choose the reMarkable Tablet if: You want the best digital writing and sketching experience, with a focus on a distraction-free, paper-like experience for note-taking and document annotation.

By considering your primary use case, device features, portability, integration with existing tools, and budget, you can determine which device best suits your needs. Still not sure? Ask us for help!

e ink device featuring Key2Success Digital Planner in use

How to get the most from your E-Ink Device?

Digital planning is a great way to maximize your device! You paid a lot for this tablet, so why not get the most out of it?

The Key2Success Digital Planner is a comprehensive digital planning system designed to help users organize their personal and professional lives effectively. It is available in various formats to suit different digital devices, including the Amazon Kindle Scribe, Onyx Boox, and reMarkable tablet.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Organization: The planner covers all aspects of personal and professional life, making it easy to stay organized and focused.
Flexibility: Available in formats compatible with various digital devices, allowing users to choose their preferred platform.
Customization: Users can tailor the planner to fit their specific needs and preferences, ensuring it works effectively for them.
Productivity Boost: With structured planning tools, users can enhance their productivity, track progress, and achieve their goals more efficiently.

The Key2Success Digital Planner is an excellent tool for anyone looking to maximize their productivity and organization. Whether you are using an Amazon Kindle Scribe, Onyx Boox, or reMarkable tablet, this planner can help you streamline your tasks, set and achieve goals, and maintain a balanced and productive lifestyle.