For anyone who still prefers handwritten notes but doesn't want to carry notebooks, pens, and highlighters everywhere, an e-ink writing tablet offers a middle ground: the feel of writing on paper with the storage and organization of a digital device. The reMarkable 2, released in 2020, was reMarkable's flagship for years and remains a capable device — but it's no longer the company's newest or most capable one, and that context matters for anyone deciding whether to buy it today.
Where reMarkable 2 Fits Today
Since the reMarkable 2 launched, reMarkable has released the Paper Pro, a larger 11.8-inch tablet with a color front-lit display, and the more compact Paper Pro Move (launched September 2025), a 7.3-inch, more portable device aimed at people who want something closer to pocket-sized. The reMarkable 2 is now positioned as the company's lower-priced, monochrome option rather than its flagship. It still has a 10.3-inch E Ink display and the same paper-like writing feel reMarkable is known for — it just no longer has a front light or color, and the newer Paper Pro has a notably larger battery.
In short: the reMarkable 2 still makes sense if you want the core writing experience at a lower price and don't need a front light (useful for reading/writing in low light) or color. If either of those matters to you, the Paper Pro is the more current choice.
Build and Design
Per reMarkable's own published specifications, the reMarkable 2 uses an aluminum casing (rather than an all-plastic shell) and measures just 4.7mm thick — thin enough to slide into a bag alongside a laptop without adding noticeable bulk. Its 10.3-inch display (1872×1404 resolution) is large enough to view a standard 8.5"×11" PDF page without excessive shrinking, which is a common limitation on smaller e-ink devices.
reMarkable 2 vs. Kindle Scribe
| reMarkable 2 | Kindle Scribe | |
| Primary use case | Note-taking and PDF markup first | E-reading first, with note-taking added |
| Ecosystem | Standalone notebook app, cloud sync | Tied into the Kindle/Amazon ecosystem |
| Price | Lower than Kindle Scribe at launch pricing | Bundles a stylus by default |
If reading Kindle books is a priority alongside note-taking, the Scribe's tighter Amazon integration is the more natural fit. If note-taking and PDF annotation are the main goal, the reMarkable 2's interface is built around that from the ground up.
reMarkable 2 vs. Supernote
Supernote devices generally offer more flexible file-format support and, on some models, expandable storage — the reMarkable 2 does not support external storage expansion and relies on its cloud sync for backup and transfer instead. Which matters more depends on whether you prefer managing files locally or are comfortable relying on cloud sync.
Who the reMarkable 2 Is (and Isn't) Still For
- Good fit: readers who mainly want a paper-like note-taking and PDF-annotation device, don't need a front light, and want reMarkable's lower-priced tablet.
- Consider the Paper Pro instead: if a front light, color markup, or the larger battery capacity matters to you, or if you want reMarkable's current flagship rather than its budget option.
Sources: reMarkable's own product pages for current specifications on the reMarkable 2 and the Paper Pro.
