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Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2: Which is better? (Comparison)

Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2: Which is better? (Comparison)

It can be hard to make a choice between the Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2, especially when none of the options stand out for you. If you’re in the market for a digital device, narrowing your selection down to the Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2 could be the toughest part of your journey.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe and reMarkable 2 are two popular digital tablets, specifically made for note taking, sketching and making general annotations – Kindle scribe is competing closely with Remarkable 2 in many ways, but how does it compare?

Important: Neither of the devices let you color doodles or watch content through platforms like Netflix – if you want something like this, consider a remarkable 2 alternative, a digital writing pad or a drawing tablet.

Related: 7 Best Remarkable alternatives

Which one should you choose then? In this article we will delve deeper into both tablets – their pros and cons – so that you can finally decide on which is best suited to your needs. Let’s take a look at what each has to offer! 

What are the main differences between the Kindle Scribe and Remarkable 2?

What are the main differences between the Kindle Scribe and Remarkable 2

The Kindle Scribe is the first e-reader from Amazon that allows users to jot down notes, create lists, and supplement their reading materials with additional information. It’s lightweight and comes with a variety of features, such as a warm display and touch screen.

The Remarkable 2 is the next generation of paper tablets, perfect for taking handwritten notes, reviewing documents, and reading. It’s slim, sleek, and has an e-ink display that mimics the feel of real paper.

Related: 8 Best Digital Writing Pads

When deciding between the two, it’s important to consider the differences in display size, type, weight, connectivity, and features. These elements can influence how you use the device and help you decide which one is the right fit for you.

Related: Best Remarkable 2 Templates (+ Custom & How to make your own)

Is Kindle Scribe better than Remarkable 2

Is Kindle Scribe better than Remarkable 2

The Kindle Scribe and the Remarkable 2 are two digital tablets specifically made for note-taking and sketching. They differ in terms of design, display size & type, weight, connectivity, and features.

The Kindle Scribe offers a crisper display of the text while the The Remarkable 2 has a textured finish which mimics real paper.

Related: Remarkable 2 Review: Is it worth it?

Kindle scribe was built to compete with Remarkable 2 and is doing a good job. Along with Amazon’s brand name, it’s tough to not give the Kindle scribe a go, especially when it comes to reliability (backed by Amazon).

Though Remarkable 2 favors those that enjoy a minimalist aesthetic to the device. As far as features go; they do compete closely. However, Kindle Scribe takes the win – that doesn’t mean its significantly better in every area though, let’s take a look deeper…

Related: 7 Best Drawing Tablets that Dont Need a Computer (Standalone)

Design Comparison

Design Comparison 1

After using the Kindle Scribe and the Remarkable 2, we noticed some design differences which offer different user-experiences. Both devices have a tablet-like design with front-facing E Ink screens and notable bezels framing the displays.

Related: Why is my Kindle Paper white slow?

Remarkable 2 design review hands on with keyboard

The Kindle Scribe has a sleek and modern design, while the Remarkable 2 has a more minimalist and refined look.

Related: Is the ReMarkable 2 good for drawing?

Display Size & Type

Display Size Type

The Amazon Kindle Scribe and ReMarkable 2 offer remarkable displays to read books, documents, and take notes seamlessly, but there are a few differences which make the devices suitable for unique needs.

The Kindle Scribe boasts a 10.2-inch 300 PPI Paper-white display with 35 LED lights. During our tests, we found this to be incredibly useful while reading and jotting down notes in the dim light. The Kindle adjusts the brightness automatically depending on the light in the room and lets you schedule the warm light of the screen, allowing you to read at night without straining the eyes.

Related: Fire HD vs Kindle Paperwhite: Which is Better for Reading?

The ReMarkable 2 offers a 10.3-inch monochrome digital paper display with a sharp 226 PPI resolution and a textured finish which feels like paper, making it great for writing. But, there is no front lighting, which makes it difficult to use in low light conditions.

The Kindle Scribe features tidy, uniform bezels on three edges, while the ReMarkable 2 has a white surround with a silver-accented grip strip and a thicker bottom bezel.

The Kindle Scribe offers a crisper display of the text and is ideal for readers who love to read at night. On the other hand, the ReMarkable 2 is perfect for users who constantly take notes.

Related: How to use Layers on the Remarkable 2

Battery Life

Battery Life 1

Battery life is a critical factor to consider when picking any electronic devices, especially when you are going to use them for reading and writing notes.

When we tested the Remarkable 2 and the Kindle Scribe, we were surprised with the results.

The Remarkable is advertised to last for about 2 weeks, boasting a 3000 mAh battery. But when we put it to test, it only lasted for a day of constant note-taking. This is great for users who take occasional notes or use the device for short periods throughout the day.

Related: Fire Tablet Hacks: How to Jailbreak the Amazon Fire HD Tablet (8 & 10)

Amazon advertises the Kindle Scribe has a long-lasting battery life, capable of lasting up to 12 weeks with just 30 minutes of reading per day, or 3 weeks with 30 minutes of writing. According to our test results, the Scribe had a 48% battery remaining after two-weeks of every use at high brightness and Wi-Fi disabled.

If you are someone who is constantly traveling and needs to use the device for extended periods without worrying about recharging, the Kindle Scribe is a great choice.

Note: Both the devices support charging via USB-C with no wireless charging feature.

Related: SuperNote A5x/A6x vs reMarkable 2

Pen Options

Pen Options

The pen is an integral aspect of the note-taking experience. Both the Kindle Scribe and Remarkable 2 offer unique pen options to the users.

We were happy to find Amazon includes a basic pen with the Kindle Scribe at no additional cost. You also have the option to pick the Premium Pen for $59, which features an eraser and a shortcut button, allowing you to switch between pen settings.

Related: What can you do with the Amazon Fire Tablet? (Fire HD)

The Remarkable 2 doesn’t include its stylus in the box. You can separately purchase the standard Marker for $79 and the Marker Plus with an eraser for $129.

While it seems a deal-breaker, we loved the stylus experience more. This is because the Remarkable 2 offers eight different pen brush options, including ballpoint pen, fine-liner, marker, pencil, mechanical pencil, paintbrush, highlighter, and calligraphy pen.

But the best part is all the pen settings support the 4,096-level pressure sensitivity. We loved how it felt like writing on a piece of paper. The tablet also has tilt detection and you can set it to left- or right-hand writing.

Related: BOOX Note air 2 vs SuperNote A5x/A6x

Say you are a student who loves taking notes in unique formats, and markups the information to make it visually appealing and overall organized. The Remarkable 2 is the way to go. But if you need an e-reader with the added functionality of taking notes with fewer customization options, the Kindle Scribe is superb.

Weight & Size

Weight Size 1

The weight and size of your e-reader is critical if you are going to carry it to your class, office, on trains, etc. You need a lightweight device which occupies minimum space in your bag-pack.

The Kindle Scribe is more elevated than the Remarkable 2 by 9 mm, whereas the Remarkable 2 is broader by 17 mm. Both e-readers are slim, with the Kindle measuring 5.8 mm and the Remarkable 2 measuring 4.7 mm, making them slimmer than most smartphones.

Related: Boox Note air 2 Plus vs ReMarkable 2

For example, the taller Kindle Scribe is easier to hold for someone with larger hands, while the wider Remarkable 2 is better for reading documents or notes in landscape mode.

The Kindle Scribe is heavier at 433g, whereas the Remarkable 2 is lighter at 404g, making it more comfortable for extended reading sessions.

If you’re looking for a slightly larger and heavier e-reader for reading books, the Kindle Scribe is the right choice for you. But if you prioritize a slimmer and lighter device for note-taking or reading documents, the Remarkable 2 is the better option.

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

Accessories Available

Accessories Available 1

Both the Kindle Scribe and Remarkable 2 can be paired with accessories to improve your experience.

The Kindle Scribe comes with a pen, USB-C cable, extra tips, a tool to change the tips, and a battery that can be charged. You can purchase additional accessories like a magnetic fabric folio, screen protector, and the premium pen.

Related: Kindle Scribe Review

The Remarkable 2, on the other hand, comes with a USB-C charger and cable out of the box. You can purchase a magnetic fabric folio, screen protector, and stylus with replaceable tips separately.

Related: reMarkable 2 Vs iPad Pro & Air – Which is better?

Extra Features

Extra Features

The extra features offered by e-readers are the defining points for users make a pick. These features are just as important as the basic functionality.

The Kindle Scribe and Remarkable 2 both offer some unique extras which set them apart from each other.

The Remarkable 2 offers 51 templates to help you create notes in many formats. For example, you can pick many lined paper, storyboards, blank sheets, word templates to create notes for specific usage.

The Kindle Scribe offers notebooks, checklists, and layouts to help you organize your reading and notes.

If your reading library features files of many formats, the Kindle Scribe supports a wide range of formats, including PDF, ePUB, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, and BMP.

The Remarkable 2, on the other hand, supports PDF, ePUB, and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint formats.

Processing power is also an important factor in the smooth functioning of the device. Amazon doesn’t disclose the processor used in the Kindle Scribe, but the Remarkable 2 uses a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM processor, which we found handles multiple notes smoothly and is helpful for those who need a bit more speed for their work.

The Kindle Scribe is a good choice for those who want a wider range of files format support, while the Remarkable 2 is great for those who need more template options or a faster processor for their work.

Connectivity and Storage Comparison

Connectivity and Storage Comparison

The Kindle Scribe and the Remarkable 2 allow file sharing via USB-C and support Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity, making it easy to stay connected on the go. While the storage option varies, both offer the ability to store your books and notes in the cloud.

Cloud Service Availability

Cloud Service Availability

While e-readers offer built-in space to store your downloaded books, notes and documents, the ability to store on cloud servers is a lifesaver, especially if you are running low on storage on your device.

The Kindle Scribe comes in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB variants, and offers unlimited Amazon Cloud Storage for your documents. This is great if you wish to keep all your reading materials and notes in one secure place, without worrying about running out of storage space.

The Remarkable 2, on the other hand, has only a 8 GB variant and offers unlimited cloud storage with a Connect subscription. The subscription comes with a one-year trial, after which you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of $2.99.

But compared to Kindle Scribe, the Remarkable 2 allows users to use cloud services from Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and My ReMarkable, allowing you to access all your synced documents on your mobile phone, laptop, and desktop devices.

Those who want an e-reader with ample built-in storage and easy access to Amazon Cloud Storage, Kindle Scribe is the suitable option. The Remarkable 2, with its Connect subscription and compatibility with other cloud services, is better suited for those who need more flexible cloud storage options.

Remarkable connect feature

Remarkable connect feature

Remarkable Connect is an attractive option for those seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly note-taking solution. This feature-packed service provides users with unlimited cloud storage, allowing them to store and sync their notes across multiple devices effortlessly.

Its affordable pricing, seamless integration with the reMarkable 2 paper tablet, and exclusive offers make it a worthy addition to any user’s toolkit.

Cost

Introducing Remarkable Connect, a versatile subscription service designed to elevate the user experience of the reMarkable 2 paper tablet.For a modest fee of $2.99 per month, subscribers also gain access to exclusive offers, enhancing the value of their investment in the reMarkable ecosystem.

Why use it?

One compelling reason to use Connect is its seamless integration with the reMarkable paper tablet, making it a one-stop solution for all your note-taking needs. Busy professionals and creative individuals alike can capture ideas, jot down notes, and continue their work across different devices without missing a beat.

Limitations

Despite its numerous advantages, the Connect subscription does have limitations for users who choose not to subscribe.  Without a subscription, access to cloud storage is limited, retaining only files used and synced within the last 50 days. This might be a deal-breaker for those who rely heavily on cloud-based services for their workflow.

However, it’s worth noting that even without a Connect subscription, reMarkable paper tablet users can still enjoy various features such as Integrations, Handwriting conversion, Screen Share, and Send by email.

Price Comparison

Amazon released the Kindle Scribe in September 2022, and its price varies with  the storage capacity: 16 GB for $340, 32 GB for $390, or 64 GB for $420.

A Basic Pen is included, but if you want the Premium Pen, you can get it for an additional $59. The good news is the 32 GB and 64 GB variants include the Premium Pen.

NOte: Remarkable also has a 2.99/mo subscription fee if you want to use the “connect” feature – Kindle Scribe does not require this.

In contrast, the Remarkable 2 has just one version, with 8 GB of non-expandable storage, priced at $279/. If you want the standard Marker, you’ll need to pay an additional $79, while the Marker Plus costs $129.

Overall, the Kindle Scribe offers more storage options with the basic pen included in the box, while the Remarkable 2 offers only a straightforward 8 GB option at a lower cost.

Pros and Cons of Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2

Both the Kindle Scribe and Remarkable 2 have their set of pros and cons, which define the product in its own unique way for different user segments.

In the following section, we’ll go through all the pros and cons of both products, allowing you to make an informed decision about which e-reader is right for you.

Pros of Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe has some great features that make it an excellent choice for many users:

  1. It offers a range of storage variants to choose from, including 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB, and provides unlimited cloud storage for documents with no additional subscriptions.
  2. The Kindle Scribe supports a wider range of file formats like PDF, ePUB, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, BMP, making it more versatile than other e-readers.
  3. It has a front-lighting which allows you to take notes and read even in dimly lit environments.
  4. It comes with a basic pen in the box, and the premium pen is cheaper than the standard marker sold separately with the Remarkable 2.
  5. You can create sticky notes in Microsoft Word and other compatible Word documents.

The Kindle Scribe is ideal for users who want a versatile e-reader that offers a range of features at an affordable price.

Cons of Kindle Scribe

While the Kindle Scribe has several pros, there are some cons to consider as well:

  1. It doesn’t have a waterproof body compared to alternatives in the market.
  2. The Kindle Scribe is heavier than the Remarkable 2, making it less comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
  3. Amazon doesn’t disclose the processor used in the Kindle Scribe.
  4. The Kindle Scribe’s pen doesn’t offer the convenience of the 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity like the Remarkable 2 does, which may not be ideal for those who need precise handwriting.
  5. It only offers cloud storage options from the Amazon Cloud, which may not be sufficient for users who rely on other cloud services.
  6. You also don’t get the feature to recognize handwriting and convert to text.

Considering these cons, the Kindle Scribe is best for users who prioritize file format support and a variety of storage options but don’t need a waterproof device or the highest level of pressure sensitivity for their pen.

Pros of Remarkable 2

The Remarkable 2 has several pros that make it a great option for certain types of users:

  1. It’s lighter than the Kindle Scribe, making it easy to carry around, which is helpful for students or professionals who need to take their notes with them on-the-go.
  2. It’s powerful 1.2GHz dual-core ARM processor means it can handle multiple notes with ease.
  3. The Remarkable 2 offers a wider range of cloud storage options, including popular services like Google Drive and Dropbox, providing users with more flexibility.
  4. Its distraction-free design and eight different pen brush options, along with the 4,096-level pressure sensitivity, make it feel like writing on paper.
  5. Unlike the Kindle Scribe, the Remarkable 2 recognizes your handwritten notes and seamlessly converts them into text.

Overall, the Remarkable 2 is an excellent choice for those looking for a dedicated, high-quality digital paper tablet.

Cons of Remarkable 2

Despite its many advantages, the Remarkable 2 has some drawbacks that some users might find limiting:

  1. It only offers 8 GB of non-expandable storage, and you have to purchase a Connect subscription to access unlimited cloud storage.
  2. The Remarkable 2 only supports PDF and ePUB files, and users cannot read Kindle ebooks on the device.
  3. It lacks front-lighting, making it tough for users who frequently take notes in dimly lit environments.
  4. The stylus is sold separately.
  5. It does not support creating sticky notes in Microsoft Word and other compatible Word documents, and it cannot send documents in DOC or DOCX formats.
  6. The Remarkable 2 is not waterproof.

For users who are looking for a lightweight device with a paper-like feel for note-taking and organization, and will compromise on storage and file format support, the Remarkable 2 is a superb pick.

Some users also consider another product called Supernote, which is similar device built for those who write and need to organize notes, as it converts the traditional notepad with digital formats.

Related: How to convert handwriting to text (using apps).

Winner: Kindle Scribe

After extensive analysis, our experts have concluded that the Kindle Scribe outshines the reMarkable 2 as the leading option. Boasting an expansive collection of e-books and flawless integration with the Amazon ecosystem, the Kindle Scribe delivers an unparalleled experience. Its longer battery life further enhances its appeal.

Related: 15 Best e-ink Tablets for Reading, Note Taking, and Annotation

Moreover, the Kindle Scribe presents an exceptional value, melding reading and note-taking functionalities within an accessible interface. Though the reMarkable 2 stands out in the realm of note-taking, the Kindle Scribe’s comprehensive and engaging platform earns it the top spot for readers and writers of all types.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ