Digitize Your Notes and Drawings with A Smart Notebook
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We carefully reviewed this guide in June 2023 and updated our picks according to recent testing in the Media & Tech Lab.
A smart notebook is a clever way to bridge the gap between the traditional experience of using pen and paper with the digital world. Most smart notebooks are reusable in their nature so you can stop wasting paper, and work alongside an app on your smartphone so you can save (and never lose) your notes, homework or grocery shopping lists. Some smart notebooks require a quick snap of a photo to then upload your notes into an app (or do so automatically), while others store your scribbles on the devices themselves so you can later share them via email or to platforms like Google Drive.
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test everything from tech gadgets to home office accessories, including tablets, laptops and desks. To find the best smart notebooks, our pros reviewed at least 11 smart notebooks, evaluating each one for its ease of setup and use, design (including its size, portability and feel), performance, app intuitiveness and overall user experience. We also asked at-home testers to share feedback on their experience using each notebook. According to our pros, these are the best smart notebooks of 2023 to help you get organized and never lose track of a to-do list again.
Our top picks
After our top picks, continue reading to learn what to look for when shopping for a smart notebook.
Core Smart Reusable Notebook
The 14,000+ glowing Amazon reviews say it all: This 32-page lined notebook comes with a Pilot Frixion pen and microfiber cloth, so you can wipe away your notes or doodles and start anew. After jotting down your notes, let the ink settle for about 15 minutes for it to bond to the notebook's pages. Then sign into the Rocketbook app on your iOS or Android device to send your notes to cloud services, like Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack and iCloud.
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