Remarkable 2 vs Supernote A5X | E Ink Note Buyer’s Matchup

Both devices share a 10.3-inch E Ink display and identical 1404 × 1872 resolution, but they diverge sharply on storage, battery capacity, and how they handle your notes. The reMarkable 2 is the purist’s choice—a distraction-free writing slate with a thin 4.7 mm profile and a stripped-down feature set. The Supernote A5 X packs more hardware and an Android-based system that supports handwriting search, tags, and deeper file management. The right pick for you comes down to a single question: do you want the quietest possible writing tool, or the one that helps you organize everything you write?

Hardware at a Glance: Key Specs

The two tablets feel different in the hand and under the pen. The reMarkable 2 is noticeably thinner and slightly heavier, while the Supernote A5 X offers more storage and a larger battery. Here is how the core specs compare:

Writing Feel and Pen Experience

The reMarkable 2 is widely praised for its paper-like friction and low-latency writing. The surface texture and the optional Marker Plus with an eraser make long note-taking sessions feel natural. The Supernote A5 X uses a different approach—the screen has a self-healing film that gives a slightly softer, more tactile feel, and the included pen has a ceramic nib that never wears down. Neither device feels like writing on an iPad; both excel at replicating pen-on-paper. The difference is mostly in the friction level: reMarkable leans closer to a fine-tip pen on paper, while Supernote feels closer to a felt-tip marker.

Software and Note Organization

This is where the two tablets are most different. The reMarkable 2 runs a locked-down, minimalist Linux-based system. You can write, sketch, read PDFs, and organize notes into folders, but you will not find handwriting search, tags, or any third-party app support. The Supernote A5 X runs on a custom Android system that includes handwriting keyword search—you can jot down a word in your own handwriting and later find every instance of it. It also supports note titles, star ratings, keywords, and a more robust file hierarchy. For professionals who need to revisit and retrieve notes often, the Supernote’s organizational tools are significantly stronger.

Ecosystem, Cloud, and Subscription

The reMarkable 2 ties you to reMarkable’s own cloud service. Basic cloud sync is free, but features like unlimited cloud storage, screen share, and longer auto-sync intervals require a Connect subscription. The Supernote A5 X does not impose a monthly fee; you sync via Wi‑Fi to Supernote’s free cloud or any third-party service (Dropbox, Google Drive) through the device’s export tools. The reMarkable ecosystem has a larger accessory ecosystem, but the annual subscription cost for full cloud features is a real consideration for long-term ownership. For a broader look at which digital notepad fits your workflow, check out our full roundup of the best digital notepads for more practical guidance.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the reMarkable 2 if: you want the most focused, minimalist writing tool available and do not need handwriting search or heavy file organization. Its thinner body and simpler software make it ideal for long writing sessions without distractions. Buy the Supernote A5 X if: you take notes for work or study and need to retrieve them months later. The handwriting search, tags, and larger storage make it the better long-term investment for anyone whose notes have value beyond the moment they were written. Both are excellent E Ink tablets—the choice is not about quality but about how you use a notebook once it is full.