Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
reMarkable Paper Pro vs Supernote A5 X2 Manta
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best E-Ink Tablets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The reMarkable Paper Pro is the most polished writing tablet, with a color display, frontlight and the best paper-like feel, so long as you accept its closed system and subscription. The Supernote Manta is the smarter-value pick: monochrome and plainer, but repairable, subscription-free and superb at organizing notes.
reMarkable Paper Pro
Buy itThe closest-to-paper writing tablet money can buy, if you accept a walled garden and a subscription.
- reMarkable describes its writing feel as paper-like, and owners commonly rank it at the top of the category
- Large 11.8-inch color display with an adjustable frontlight
- Deliberately closed, distraction-free OS that keeps you writing, with strong PDF markup and handwriting-to-text
- The priciest option, and unlimited cloud storage and sync, note-taking in the mobile and desktop apps, and AI conversion sit behind the paid Connect subscription
- No third-party apps, and color e-ink looks muted with slower refreshes
Supernote A5 X2 Manta
Buy itA repairable, subscription-free note-taker with a ceramic nib designed not to need replacing and strong organization tools.
- Ceramic NeverReplace nib and a modular design for user self-repair, with microSD storage expandable up to 2 TB
- No subscription, plus in-device note linking, keywords and organization that owners praise
- Writing on a flexible 10.7-inch E Ink panel with a soft-film surface
- Monochrome only, and Supernote lists it as frontlight free, so no light for writing in the dark
- Software is functional but less polished, and the app ecosystem is small and enthusiast-driven
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| reMarkable Paper Pro Our pick | Supernote A5 X2 Manta | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Writers and professionals who want the best pure writing experience and zero distractions, and don't mind paying for it. | Note-taking purists who value repairability, no recurring fees, and serious organization over color and flash. |
| Price tier | $$$$ · flagship | $$$ · premium |
| Writing feel | Paper-like, a category benchmark | Excellent, ceramic nib, low latency |
| Display | 11.8" color, frontlight | 10.7" mono, no frontlight |
| Note software & organization | Strong and focused | Linking and keyword tagging |
| App & ecosystem flexibility | Closed, no third-party apps | Closed but open file formats |
| Cross-device sync & export | Robust (fuller with Connect) | Manual but no lock-in |
| Subscription for full features | Yes (Connect) | None |
| Repairability & longevity | Sealed, nibs wear | Modular, self-repair design, ceramic nib |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the reMarkable Paper Pro if
writers and professionals who want the best pure writing experience and zero distractions, and don't mind paying for it.
Know before buying: the priciest option, and unlimited cloud storage and sync, note-taking in the mobile and desktop apps, and AI conversion sit behind the paid Connect subscription.
Pick the Supernote A5 X2 Manta if
note-taking purists who value repairability, no recurring fees, and serious organization over color and flash.
Know before buying: monochrome only, and Supernote lists it as frontlight free, so no light for writing in the dark.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the reMarkable Paper Pro - The closest-to-paper writing tablet money can buy, if you accept a walled garden and a subscription. Choose the Supernote A5 X2 Manta instead if note-taking purists who value repairability, no recurring fees, and serious organization over color and flash.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best E-Ink Tablets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).