In the digital handwriting and paperless productivity, two heavyweight contenders have emerged in 2025—each offering unique strengths for professionals, creatives, and everyday users seeking a premium E Ink writing experience. The Supernote A5 X2, also known as the Manta, and the reMarkable Paper Pro are among the most discussed e-ink tablets on the market today. While they share the same core goal—to provide an effortless and distraction-free note-taking experience—their approaches couldn’t be more different.
On one hand, the Supernote A5 X2 focuses on an ultra-organized workflow and superior writing durability thanks to its ceramic pen tips and exceptional paper-like feel. On the other, the reMarkable Paper Pro doubles down on a premium build, the vibrant Gallery 3 color screen, and a smooth, pencil-like experience that creatives will find hard to ignore.
Whether you’re a student annotating PDFs, a designer sketching concepts, or a lawyer organizing case notes, this comparison dives deep into every detail that matters. We’ll cover screen technology, stylus options, workflow tools, reading capabilities, app ecosystems, cloud syncing, durability, and much more. Let’s see which device truly stands tall as the best digital notepad of 2025.
Build Quality & Design:
When it comes to build materials and physical feel, the Supernote A5 X2 and reMarkable Paper Pro diverge quite a bit. The Manta adopts a plastic chassis with a matte soft-touch back and a flexible Mobius screen. This makes it more impact-resistant and less prone to cracks, aligning with its modular philosophy that allows DIY repairs and easier long-term maintenance.
The reMarkable Paper Pro, on the other hand, features a premium metal body with glass screen. While this gives it a sleek, high-end aesthetic and more heft in the hand, it also adds fragility. As JerryRigEverything likes to say: “glass is glass, and glass breaks.” So if durability is a concern—especially if you’re always on the move—the Manta’s all-plastic design might be the better choice.
In terms of thickness and portability, the Manta is lighter at 375g, compared to over 520g for the Paper Pro. Once you add the pen and folio, the reMarkable becomes even heavier, which may affect comfort during long sessions.
One bonus for reMarkable is the premium folio options, including magnetic snap-on covers. Supernote’s folio system uses hooks and rubber feet, which some users find less elegant or harder to detach. However, Supernote’s design allows you to access internal components more easily—like the microSD slot or battery—supporting its repair-friendly nature.
Both tablets are minimalist in design, with clean bezels and no front buttons. Supernote’s USB-C port is located on the top, while reMarkable’s is on the bottom. Some users may prefer Supernote’s layout when charging while in use. Overall, if you prioritize ruggedness, upgradability, and comfort, the Manta shines. If you lean toward aesthetics and a premium feel, the Paper Pro wins out.
Screen Technology & Display:
When it comes to display technology, the Supernote A5 X2 (Manta) and reMarkable Paper Pro take noticeably different paths. The Manta features a 10.3-inch monochrome E Ink Carta 1300 Mobius screen with a high PPI, delivering crisp black-and-white visuals and excellent contrast. This makes it an ideal choice for pure writing, reading, and sharp text rendering. Its flexible plastic-backed screen also adds durability and reduces glare for outdoor or brightly lit environments.
On the other hand, the reMarkable Paper Pro uses the new Gallery 3 color E Ink panel. While this screen allows for colored highlights and creative drawing, it introduces trade-offs. The overall contrast between blacks and whites is reduced compared to the Manta, and ghosting can be more noticeable—especially when zooming or scrolling in color mode. However, the reMarkable compensates for this with a built-in front light, making it far more usable in dim environments.
The Paper Pro’s smart localized rendering reduces ghosting better than the Manta, though at times you may still notice a subtle yellowish background hue. In contrast, the Manta allows you to swipe up to refresh the entire screen manually—a simple solution, but one that may feel repetitive.
For users who prioritize screen vibrancy, particularly for highlighting, coloring, or light sketching, the Paper Pro’s Gallery 3 panel shines. But if sharpness, reading comfort, and consistent contrast are your top priorities, the Manta’s Carta 1300 screen is simply unmatched.
Writing Experience & Stylus:
One of the biggest points of divergence between these two tablets is the writing experience. The reMarkable Paper Pro uses its proprietary Marker Plus stylus with replaceable nibs and built-in eraser. It’s based on USI active stylus technology, delivering ultra-low latency and pencil-like resistance. If you enjoy sketching, shading, or precision in line pressure, it’s among the best experiences you can find today. The stylus recharges magnetically and has around 3–4 months of life between charges, depending on usage.
The Supernote A5 X2 offers a different feel—more pen-on-paper than pencil-on-paper—thanks to its ceramic-tipped styluses and the FeelWrite 2 film. Ceramic tips never wear down, removing the need for replacements, and provide an exceptionally smooth yet tactile writing feel. This is especially great for those who write a lot and prefer low maintenance.
Stylus selection is another win for Supernote. It supports any Wacom EMR pen and includes options like the Heart of Metal, Lamy Safari Twin Pen, and more. In comparison, reMarkable’s stylus is proprietary, meaning lost pens could be costlier to replace. If you value durability and customizability in your writing tools, the Manta gets the edge.
Organization & Workflow:
Supernote also includes a customizable toolbar, floating menu options, and an infinite canvas with pinch-to-zoom and scroll. The interface may take a little getting used to, but once mastered, it’s powerful and efficient. The Manta feels like a digital notebook that thinks with you.
The reMarkable Paper Pro takes the opposite approach: clean, minimalist, and distraction-free. But this simplicity comes at a cost. You can’t zoom or scroll fluidly inside notebooks, and organizing notes requires manual tagging. There’s no background OCR, meaning keyword searches are limited unless you’ve added specific tags. It’s great for analog purists but might feel restrictive for power users.
If your work demands deep organization and seamless content retrieval, the Manta has a serious advantage. But if you just want to focus on writing and sketching without distractions, reMarkable’s simplicity might be all you need.
Reading & File Support:
When it comes to reading capabilities and file format support, Supernote clearly takes the lead. It supports Kindle (via app sideloading), EPUB, PDF, CBZ, and even comic formats—making it versatile for casual reading, research documents, and visual content. You also get expandable microSD storage, so large book libraries or academic files are no problem.
ReMarkable is more restrictive, supporting mostly PDF and EPUB formats. It lacks Kindle compatibility and requires most content to be converted before use. The Chrome extension is excellent for clipping web articles, but it doesn’t make up for the lack of native file support.
Supernote also allows full Android app sideloading, enabling apps like Libby or Hoopla—something not possible on the reMarkable. However, reMarkable’s front light does make reading in the dark much easier, while Supernote requires an external light source.
For pure readers and heavy file consumers, Supernote is far more versatile. But for those who stick to PDFs and love a minimalist reading experience, reMarkable still performs well.
Battery Life & Charging:
Both devices offer excellent battery life, easily lasting several days of heavy use or weeks of casual note-taking. Supernote uses USB-C with the port placed at the top, allowing users to write comfortably while charging. The reMarkable’s USB-C port is on the bottom, which might bother some users during active use.
Neither device includes fast charging, but their battery efficiency compensates well. One key advantage of Supernote is the removable SD card for backup and storage expansion, potentially prolonging the device’s useful life without needing frequent syncing or cloud access.
The difference in battery longevity is minor—both perform admirably—but Supernote’s top-positioned port and modular storage edge out reMarkable slightly in terms of long-term convenience.
Pricing & Value:
Pricing plays a major role in deciding between the Supernote A5 X2 (Manta) and the reMarkable Paper Pro. The base price of the Manta starts lower, typically around $599–$629 depending on your region and bundle. However, if you choose a premium pen or add accessories like the Half-Folio, the cost can climb above $700, especially in Europe where VAT and shipping raise the total.
The reMarkable Paper Pro, on the other hand, starts at $699 and increases with upgrades. If you opt for the Marker Plus and a premium folio, your total can easily reach $750 or more. What’s more, to unlock cloud sync, handwriting conversion, and other core features, you’re required to pay an additional $2.99/month for the Connect subscription.
In contrast, Supernote offers cloud sync and updates completely free. You also get expandable storage via microSD, which boosts its long-term value. While both devices are premium-priced, Supernote provides more value out of the box without locking key features behind a paywall. The reMarkable may feel more polished, but its ongoing costs could be a dealbreaker for budget-conscious users.
App Ecosystem & Connectivity:
When evaluating the app experience and ecosystem, both the Supernote Manta and reMarkable Paper Pro offer dedicated platforms for syncing and remote file access—but with distinct approaches.
The Supernote Manta runs on a customized version of Android 11, giving it a significant advantage in flexibility. While it doesn’t have the Google Play Store out of the box, you can sideload apps like Kindle, Libby, or Hoopla. This means you can tailor the Manta to suit your preferred reading, productivity, or even task-management apps. It also integrates with third-party cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
The reMarkable Paper Pro, while more polished in its UI, runs on a closed Linux-based system. It restricts apps entirely, relying instead on its own ecosystem. While this keeps the experience fast and clean, it limits third-party functionality. You’ll only have access to basic file types and the built-in tools unless you jailbreak it, which voids your warranty.
One noteworthy difference is the reMarkable Connect subscription. For $2.99/month, you get access to cloud sync, Google Drive and Dropbox integration, and mobile app support. Supernote, by contrast, offers these capabilities free of charge, which can make a significant impact over time.
On desktop and mobile, both companies offer apps to access, sync, and upload documents. However, users report that the reMarkable app is smoother and more seamless, while Supernote’s sync occasionally lags or has conflicts.
In terms of connectivity hardware, the Manta supports USB-C, Wi-Fi, and even NFC (used creatively for authentication), and it includes a microSD card slot. The reMarkable has USB-C and Wi-Fi, but lacks expandable storage or other hardware perks. Ultimately, if flexibility and app integration are your priorities, the Manta is the clear winner.
“Pros and Cons” of Supernote A5 X2 and reMarkable Paper Pro:
Supernote Manta – Pros:
- Ceramic-tipped pen never wears down and provides a natural writing feel
- Modular and durable plastic design with microSD card support
- Rich organizational tools: tags, keywords, headlines, and background OCR
- Supports Android apps like Kindle, Libby, and more via sideloading
- Free cloud syncing (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive)
- Expandable storage and dual customizable E Ink buttons
Supernote Manta – Cons:
- No frontlight limits usage in dark environments
- Higher ghosting without smart refresh zones
- Limited language support in UI
reMarkable Paper Pro – Pros:
- Vibrant color Gallery 3 screen with frontlight for dark reading
- Best-in-class latency and ultra-smooth handwriting
- Minimal, distraction-free interface perfect for focus
- Excellent drawing experience with new Shader tools
- Seamless syncing via polished mobile and desktop apps
- Durable glass and metal design with premium folio options
reMarkable Paper Pro – Cons:
- Locked ecosystem with no Android app support
- Requires monthly Connect subscription for full cloud sync features
- Limited file format support, no Kindle or comic reader
Final Verdict:
Choosing between the Supernote Manta and the reMarkable Paper Pro depends entirely on your priorities as a digital note-taker. If your workflow revolves around customization, organizational features, and flexibility with apps, the Supernote Manta stands tall. It offers ceramic-tipped pens that never wear down, a robust modular design, expandable storage, and one of the most intuitive systems for managing and organizing handwritten content.
On the other hand, if your goal is to keep distractions to a minimum and you value the cleanest and fastest writing experience with color support, the reMarkable Paper Pro makes a compelling case. Its Gallery 3 display with frontlight brings visual vibrancy, and its software is more fluid—though limited in scope.
The Manta delivers more tools, more integrations, and more hardware perks—making it better suited for users who want their E Ink tablet to do more. The reMarkable wins on refinement, latency, and visual appeal, especially for creative users who want a minimalist canvas.
At the end of the day, both are excellent devices in their own right. The Supernote Manta is for the power user. The reMarkable Paper Pro is for the purist. Either way, you’re getting one of the best E Ink experiences available today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the Supernote Manta better than the reMarkable Paper Pro for note-taking?
- Yes, the Supernote Manta is better suited for advanced note-taking due to its ceramic-tipped pens, organizational tools like keywords, headlines, and built-in handwriting recognition with background OCR. It supports more workflows, linking, and even calendar/task integration.
Does the reMarkable Paper Pro support color note-taking?
- Yes, the reMarkable Paper Pro features a Gallery 3 color E Ink display. While not as sharp as black and white screens, it supports vibrant highlighting and shading—great for creative work and digital sketching.
Can I install Android apps on the reMarkable Paper Pro or Supernote Manta?
- You can sideload Android apps on the Supernote Manta via ADB. Apps like Kindle, Libby, and Hoopla run well. The reMarkable Paper Pro does not support Android apps and is a closed ecosystem.
Which device is better for reading PDFs and books?
- The Supernote Manta supports more file formats including EPUB, MOBI, CBZ, and even Kindle. It’s better for reading a wide range of content. The reMarkable is limited mostly to PDFs and doesn’t support Kindle or comics.
Do either the Manta or Paper Pro support expandable storage?
- Only the Supernote Manta supports microSD cards (up to 2TB). The reMarkable Paper Pro has fixed 64GB internal storage without expansion options.
Which E Ink tablet has the better writing feel?
- It depends on your preference. The Supernote Manta feels like a pen on paper and uses ceramic nibs. The reMarkable Paper Pro offers a pencil-on-paper texture with best-in-class latency for smooth strokes.
Is a frontlight available on either device?
- Only the reMarkable Paper Pro has a frontlight, making it better for low-light reading or sketching. The Supernote Manta deliberately omits a frontlight to maintain a paper-like writing experience.
Are there any ongoing subscription fees with these devices?
- The reMarkable Paper Pro requires a $2.99/month Connect subscription for cloud syncing and extra features. The Supernote Manta provides cloud syncing for free with support for Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.
Which tablet is more durable and repairable?
- The Supernote Manta is more modular and user-repairable due to its plastic construction. The reMarkable is built with metal and glass and must be sent to a certified repair center.
Which device is better overall?
- For power users who value customization, file format flexibility, and Android apps—the Supernote Manta is the better choice. For creatives and minimalists who prioritize latency, frontlight, and a focused interface—the reMarkable Paper Pro stands out.
