Kindle Scribe vs BOOX Note Air2: Which E-ink tablet is Right for You?

When it comes to e-readers, there are a lot of options available in the market. Two very well known e-readers are the Kindle Scribe and BOOX Note Air2.

Both of these e-readers are designed to provide an excellent reading experience, but they differ in terms of their features, specifications, and price

How are they different? The BOOX Note air 2 has the ability to take on more complex projects that creative professionals may require. The Kindle scribe works well as a e-reader with the ability to write, annotate, and store/share notes.

The Kindle Scribe is a well-known e-reader that has recently appeared to take on the reMarkable 2 and Supernote in particular. It is known for its excellent display quality, long battery life, and affordable price.

Related: Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2: Which is better?

On the other hand, the BOOX Note Air2 is a e-reader/e-paper tablet that is gaining popularity due to its advanced features and high-end specifications.

Let’s dive into how these device compare, and what you should know before making a decision.

Key takeaways – Differences I found after testing both devices

• Onyx BOOX tablets are capable of running Android applications, which includes the Kindle app. Not only does this make it a great choice for reading books, but also for working on digital notebooks, writing out handwritten notes, or browsing the internet
• I noticed quickly that the Kindle Scribe is not suitable for easy web browsing during my test; same goes for using my preferred apps, watching YouTube videos, listening to music, or playing games.
• The Onyx BOOX Note air 2 doesn’t have an adaptive light like the Kindle Scribe, however you can adjust the temperature of its front light to get the perfect amount of warmth. So display isn’t a deal breaker for most.

Related: BOOX Note air 2 vs SuperNote A5x/A6x (Hands-on Comparison)

Differences between functionality with apps, PDF, and annotation:

• Both devices are capable of displaying PDFs in full scale without any issues. However, the Boox devices offer more advanced tools for navigating and marking up PDFs through their Neoreader, which provides additional capabilities beyond what the Kindle offers.
• Boox Note Air 2 Plus supports third-party note-taking applications due to their open Android operating system – Kindle Scribe lacks this.
• However The Scribe is capable of playing an audiobook, but only when the screen displaying the audiobook is active. Once you leave that screen, the audiobook will stop playing.

What are the key difference between the Boox Note air2 Plus and the Kindle Scribe?

The Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus and Amazon Kindle Scribe are both e-ink tablets, but they have some significant differences.

One advantage of the Onyx Boox is its ability to run Android apps, including third-party note-taking applications, giving it a greater range of functionality than the Kindle Scribe. Additionally, the Boox Note Air 2 Plus has more advanced tools for navigating and marking up PDFs through their Neoreader, which offers features beyond what the Kindle provides.

Related: What is E-Paper Technology and How does it Work?

However, the Kindle Scribe has some strengths, including a smooth writing experience with no lag, a sharp and crisp screen, and a backlight. It also has note-taking templates and a “Send to Kindle” function, which allows users to transfer content from other devices.

Design and Build Quality

Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe is a well-built device with a sleek and slim design. It has a matte black finish that gives it a premium look and feel. The device is lightweight and easy to hold with one hand – which was as expected from a Kindle product (premium overall design)

It has a 10.2-inch E Ink display that is glare-free and easy on the eyes. The device has a plastic body, but it feels sturdy and durable.

BOOX Note Air2

The BOOX Note Air2 has a premium design and build quality. It has a slim and lightweight body with a metal frame that feels sturdy and durable.

The device has a 10.3-inch E Ink display that is glare-free and easy on the eyes. The device has a front-lit display that makes it easy to read in low light conditions. The device also has a fingerprint sensor for added security.

See the comparison between the BOOX Note Air 2 vs BOOX Note Air 2 Plus

Overall, both devices have a sleek and modern design with a focus on portability and ease of use. The Kindle Scribe is smaller and more compact, while the BOOX Note Air2 is larger with a more premium feel. Both devices are well-built and durable, with high-quality materials used in their construction.

Display

One small difference between the two devices is the display. The Boox Note Air2 features a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta HD display with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels, while the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch E Ink Carta display (slightly smaller, not very noticeable).

Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe features a 10.2-inch E-Ink Display. The display is also glare-free, making it easy to read in direct sunlight. The Kindle Scribe also features an adjustable front light, which allows you to read in low light conditions.

BOOX Note Air2

The BOOX Note Air2 boasts a 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta HD display with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels. The screen has a pixel density of 227 PPI, which is slightly lower than the Kindle Scribe but still provides clear text. The display is also glare-free, making it easy to read in direct sunlight. The BOOX Note Air2 also features an adjustable front light, which allows you to read in low light conditions.

One of the standout features of the BOOX Note Air2 is its color temperature system, which allows you to adjust the color temperature of the screen to reduce eye strain. The BOOX Note Air2 also features a flush glass screen, which provides a more premium look and feel compared to the Kindle Scribe.

Overall, both the Kindle Scribe and BOOX Note Air2 have high-quality displays that are easy to read in various lighting conditions. The BOOX Note Air2 has a larger screen size and additional features such as the color temperature system and flush glass screen, but the Kindle Scribe has a higher pixel density (227 vs 300). Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and needs.

Performance

A important difference between the two devices is the operating system. The Boox Note Air2 runs on Android 10, which gives users access to a range of apps and features, including note-taking, web browsing, and more. T

he Kindle Scribe, on the other hand, runs on the proprietary Kindle OS, which is optimized for reading and offers a more streamlined experience – both work well for turning handwriting into text.

Related: Best Apps to Convert Handwriting to Text

Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe is a reliable e-reader that offers good performance. It has a 10th-generation e-ink display that provides clear and crisp text. The device is powered by a quad-core processor that ensures smooth performance.

One of the standout features of the Kindle Scribe is its ability to connect to Wi-Fi and cellular networks, allowing users to download books from anywhere. The device also comes with Amazon’s proprietary software, which provides access to a vast library of books, magazines, and newspapers.

BOOX Note Air2

The BOOX Note Air2 is a high-performance e-reader that offers a lot of features. It has a 10.3-inch e-ink display that provides clear and crisp text. The device is powered by an octa-core processor that ensures smooth performance.

The device also comes with a stylus that allows users to take notes and draw on the screen. In terms of performance, both the Kindle Scribe and BOOX Note Air2 offer impressive performance overall – but the Kindle Scribe is more focused on reading, while the BOOX Note Air2 is more versatile and feels more like a computer.

Battery Life

The Kindle Scribe has a battery life of up to 12 weeks (I found it lasted slightly less than this), depending on usage. This is based on 2 hours of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 13. Battery life of course varies depending on usage and settings; but i found this to be the average.

The device charges fully in approximately 7 hours.

The BOOX Note Air2 also has a long battery life, with up to 4 weeks of use on a single charge. This is based on 1.5 hours of reading per day with Wi-Fi off and the front light at 65%. Both devices have impressive battery life and can last for weeks on a single charge. The Kindle Scribe has a slightly longer battery life, but the difference may not be significant for most users.

Software and Features

Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe is a powerful e-reader that offers a range of software and features. The device is equipped with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate through the various functions. One of the standout features of the Kindle Scribe is the integration with Amazon’s vast library of books and other content.

This allows users to easily access a wide range of reading materials, including books, magazines, and newspapers.

Another great feature of the Kindle Scribe is the ability to customize the reading experience. Users can adjust the font size, line spacing, and margins to suit their preferences.

BOOX Note Air2

The BOOX Note Air2 is another great e-reader that offers a range of software and features. The device runs on Android 10, which means users have access to a wide range of apps and features. The interface is easy to navigate, and users can customize the reading experience to suit their preferences.

One of the standout features of the BOOX Note Air2 is the ability to take notes and annotate documents. The device comes with a stylus that allows users to write and draw directly on the screen. This makes it a great choice for students, professionals, and anyone else who needs to take notes or mark up documents on a regular basis.

In addition to note-taking, the BOOX Note Air2 also offers a range of other features, including the ability to browse the web, listen to music, and access social media. The device also includes a range of security features, including a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition.

Advantages of BOOX Note Air 2 Plus

Features	Kindle Scribe	Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus
Smooth writing experience	Yes	Yes
Backlight	Yes	Yes
Screen quality	Sharp and crisp	Sharp and crisp
Writing on screen	Yes	Yes
Proprietary software	Yes	No
Operating system	Amazon’s proprietary software	Android 11
Note-taking templates	Yes	Yes
Third-party note-taking apps	Limited	Yes

The Boox Note Air 2 holds several advantages over the Kindle Scribe for note-taking and as an e-paper tablet, primarily due to its superior note-taking app, expanded input options, and versatile Android operating system.

One key advantage of the Boox Note Air 2 is its advanced note-taking app, which offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing users to create more natural and precise handwritten notes. It also provides different pen styles and erasing options, enhancing the overall writing experience. Additionally, the app supports layers, handwriting conversion, and the ability to insert recordings, images, and web links into notes.

The Boox Note Air 2 also allows for more input methods, including audio recordings and the use of Bluetooth keyboards. Its open Android operating system enables the use of third-party note apps, providing flexibility and customization to meet various user needs.

The Boox Note Air 2’s e-book app supports direct writing on most e-book formats, unlike the Kindle Scribe, which only offers sticky notes for annotations. Overall, the Boox Note Air 2 is a more versatile and feature-rich option for note-taking and e-paper tablet usage when compared to the Kindle Scribe.

Advantages of Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe has some notable advantages over the Boox Note Air 2 for note-taking and as an e-paper tablet, mainly due to its superior screen quality, seamless integration with Amazon services, and user-friendly sticky notes feature.

One significant advantage of the Kindle Scribe is its 300 PPI high-resolution display, which offers a sharper and more comfortable reading experience compared to the Boox Note Air 2. The Scribe’s screen also benefits from adjustable dual-tone LED front lighting, making it more versatile for various reading conditions.

Another advantage is the Kindle Scribe’s integration with Amazon’s ecosystem, providing easy access to a vast library of e-books and seamless syncing with other Kindle devices. This integration also allows users to import documents and take notes using the Kindle app or desktop web browser, making it a more cohesive experience for those already invested in the Amazon platform.

Note: The Kindle Scribe’s sticky notes feature, while limited compared to the Boox Note Air 2’s direct writing capabilities, offers a clutter-free annotation experience. Sticky notes provide ample space to write without obstructing the main text and remain accessible regardless of changes made to the e-book’s formatting. Overall, the Kindle Scribe presents a user-friendly and well-integrated option for note-taking and e-paper tablet usage.

Disadvantages of Kindle Scribe and BOOX Note Air2

While both the Kindle Scribe and BOOX Note Air2 are excellent e-readers, they do have some disadvantages that potential buyers should consider before making a purchase.

Disadvantages of Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe has several drawbacks, such as the limited writing tools, (though, the premium pen does work well overall). It also has a non-adjustable screensaver timeout, no ability for zooming in or out, slower than i wanted regarding navigation, and no shortcuts.

The device’s primary focus appears to be as a Kindle reader and store, and it lacks features such as templates and layers.

Disadvantages of BOOX Note Air2

To fully understand the BOOX Note Air 2 Plus, it’s important to recognize some of its potential drawbacks. Firstly, due to the Android operating system and broad range of features, there may be a steeper learning curve for some users. Another issue is that while the Android OS provides versatility, some users might face compatibility issues with certain apps or services.

The BOOX Note Air 2 Plus may be more expensive than some competitors, making it less accessible to those on a budget. The device may be heavier and thicker compared to other e-paper tablets, which could impact its portability.

Conclusion

The advantages of the Boox Note Air 2 Plus, such as its ability to run Android applications, support for third-party note-taking apps, advanced tools for PDF navigation and markup, and a comfortable reading experience with the MOON Light 2 technology. Some drawbacks of the Boox Note Air 2 Plus, including a steeper learning curve and higher price point.

Related: 7 Best Remarkable alternatives (E-ink Paper Tablets)

The Kindle Scribe was praised for its smooth writing experience, nice backlight, and sharp screen, as well as its note-taking templates and “Send to Kindle” function. However, it was noted that the Kindle Scribe lacks the advanced features and functionalities of the Boox Note Air 2 Plus, such as third-party app support and more advanced PDF tools.