Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) Review: Handwritten Notes Kindle an Entirely New Reading Experience

Amazon Kindle Scribe Review

Switching from the Kindle Oasis to the Scribe isn’t just a device upgrade—it’s a shift from a refined, purpose-built reading tool to an expansive digital notebook with reading at its core. The Oasis, with its ergonomic design and page-turn buttons, has been my steady companion—one-handed, lightweight, purpose-built for immersion. But the Scribe shifts the center of gravity—literally and metaphorically.

The screen is massive at 10.2 inches, and it’s glorious. At 300 ppi, text still looks sharp, but now there’s space to breathe. PDFs finally feel readable without constant zooming or squinting. Margin notes aren’t just theoretical anymore—I can write directly on documents, underline passages, and even sketch rough diagrams in the margins. That’s a leap the Oasis never even tried to make.

Then there’s the pen. I opted for the Premium Pen, and it makes a compelling argument for handwriting in a digital space. No batteries, just magnetically clips to the side. The shortcut button is a productivity enhancer—one tap and I’m in highlighter mode, flipping back through my notes without jumping between menus. The eraser on the end feels natural, and the whole experience is just… smooth. This isn’t stylus-on-glass friction. Amazon clearly spent time dialing in the feel.

I still struggle with note-taking on the Scribe, as my iPad Air handles the majority of my brainstorming tasks. However, I can’t take notes on Kindle books on the iPad, books I’m usually reading on the Kindle anyway. Thus, the Kindle becomes a platform for research and reflection while reading. Its more purpose-fit design that also eliminates the distraction associated with all the other possible ways not to read on an iPad.

That’s where the Scribe finds its niche for me: I’m a writer when I read, so the Kindle is perfect for giving me a place to capture thoughts in context, or in their own space, without switching devices. And with AI-powered features like handwriting-to-text and note summaries, I’m no longer treating handwritten notes as siloed scribbles—I’m actually using them.

As with previous Kindles, battery life is still measured in weeks, not days. That part of the Kindle DNA remains intact, and I’m grateful for it. I don’t need another thing to plug in nightly.

The one thing I miss: waterproofing. The Oasis was tub-friendly. The Scribe, not so much. And yes, it’s heavier. I’m still reading it one-handed in bed, but now I’m balancing it on my chest. I have always liked to think in ink, and the Amazon Kindle Scribe supports that, even after the lights go out.

This isn’t a Kindle for everyone. But it’s the first one in years that feels like it’s trying to evolve. For someone who’s spent decades in the Kindle ecosystem, the Scribe is the most thoughtful expansion yet. I don’t just read, I contribute (beyond the fact that most of my books are available on Kindle).

Amazon Kindle Scribe Specifications

Display	`10.2” Paperwhite display technology with built-in light, 300 ppi, optimized font technology, 16-level gray scale.
Size	Device: 7.7” x 9.0 x .22 (196 x 230 x 5.7mm excluding feet)  Premium Pen: 6.4” x .35” x .33” (162 x 8.8 x 8.4 mm)
On-Device Storage	16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB
Weight	Device: 15.3oz (433g device only)  Premium Pen: .60 oz (17g)  Actual size and weight may vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
Wi-Fi Connectivity	Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks with support for WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.
Content Formats Supported	Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX). Learn more about supported file types for personal documents.
Accessibility Features	VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, provides spoken feedback allowing device navigation and books reading with text-to-speech (available in English only). Amazon Kindle Scribe also includes the ability to invert black and white, adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins.
Battery Life	A single charge lasts up to 12 weeks based on a half hour of reading per day, with wireless off and the light setting at 13. For writing, a single charge lasts up to 3 weeks, based on a half-hour writing period per day, with wireless off and the light setting at 13. Battery life may vary and be reduced based on usage and other factors, such as Audible audiobook streaming and annotating content.
Charge Time	Fully charges in approximately 7 hours from a computer via USB-C cable; or fully charges in approximately 2.5 hours with a 9W USB-C power adapter.

What we like

Pros

• Large 10.2” 300 ppi E Ink display
• Smooth and responsive handwriting experience
• Premium Pen with eraser and shortcut button included
• Direct on-page writing and handwriting-to-text conversion
• Long battery life lasting weeks
• Supports a variety of file formats for annotation
• AI-powered note summarization and handwriting refinement
• Sustainably built with recycled materials 

The Amazon Kindle Scribe’s 10.2-inch E Ink display with a 300 ppi resolution offers a crisp and clear reading experience, making it ideal for extended reading sessions. The large screen size is particularly beneficial for reading PDFs and other documents that benefit from a bigger display.  The latest Scribe version (2024) comes in metallic jade and tungsten colors.

The handwriting experience on the Kindle Scribe is impressively smooth for an E Ink device, striking a balance between responsiveness and the tactile feel of writing on paper. The Premium Pen, included with most models, doesn’t require charging and features both an eraser tip and a customizable shortcut button that speeds up common tasks like highlighting or jumping to notes.

Amazon has optimized the stylus-to-screen interaction to minimize latency. While it doesn’t quite reach the paper-like realism of the reMarkable 2 or the fluid precision of the iPad with Apple Pencil, it’s more than adequate for annotating text, sketching ideas, or capturing in-the-moment thoughts. The integration with Kindle books—letting you write directly in the margins—is a unique strength that brings handwriting into the reading experience rather than siloing it in separate apps.

With the introduction of features like Active Canvas, users can now write extensively on eBook pages, and the device supports handwriting-to-text conversion, making note-taking more versatile. These features are complemented by AI-powered tools that can summarize notes and refine handwriting, such as those that turn handwriting into text, adding to the device’s utility.  I’d like to see the tools more integrated into the UI. Rather than apply AI at the page level, I’d like to see Amazon bring the AI tools directly into the writing experience, using selection, for instance, as the target context.

The Scribe boasts an impressive battery life, lasting several weeks on a single charge, depending on usage. This longevity ensures that users can rely on the device for extended periods without frequent recharging.  I have not yet picked it up and have not been able to use it, even after extended periods of testing other devices. This is not a claim I could make about the smaller Oasis.

The device supports a variety of file formats, including PDFs, DOCs, and TXTs, allowing users to annotate and mark up different types of documents with ease.  

Amazon has incorporated sustainability into the Scribe’s design, using recycled materials in its construction. Amazon reports that the Kindle Scribe is made from 18% recycled materials, the aluminum parts are made from 100% recycled aluminum, and 100% recyclable packaging (not counting the shipping packaging). This commitment to environmental responsibility is a positive step towards reducing electronic waste.

What could be improved

Cons

• Can be large for one-handed use
• Limited annotation features compared to competitors
• Active Canvas notes not visible across devices
• Not compatible with some books
• No waterproofing
• High price compared to similar devices
• Pen can become wonky

The Scribe’s size makes it somewhat less portable than other e-readers. At nearly a pound, it’s cumbersome for one-handed use and may not be ideal for on-the-go reading.  

While the Scribe has made strides in note-taking capabilities, it still falls short compared to competitors like the reMarkable 2 or Kobo Elipsa 2E. Features like handwriting-to-text conversion are limited, and the overall annotation experience can feel restrictive.  That said, if your book collection lives on Kindle, it changes the way you read, returning to a more organic experience from earlier Kindle UI’s and their mechanical treatment of notes and annotations.

Notes made using the Active Canvas feature are not visible across other devices, limiting the ability to access annotations on different platforms. This lack of synchronization can be a hindrance for users who switch between devices.  

I have a couple of Kindle titles that are not compatible with the Kindle Scribe. I’m not sure why. A couple of them are Little Golden Books. The issue appears to be with graphics, although comic books work fine. If the Scribe can handle pacing me through an Avengers book with the Kindle’s aplomb for panel magnification, then it should be able to take me through a Golden Book teaching ABCs through Star Trek.

Unlike some other Kindle models, the Scribe lacks waterproofing, making it less suitable for use in environments where exposure to water is a concern. So no reading in the bathtub unless you sheath it in something like the DRLOKPAK Floating Waterproof Tablet Case to repel your splashes.

Priced starting at $399.99 for the 16GB model, the Scribe is on the higher end for e-readers, especially considering that many of its new features are available on the previous model through software updates. This raises questions about the value proposition for the latest version. The entry-level Apple iPad (128GB) costs $349, with the basic Apple Pencil (USB-C version) priced at $79. The Kindle Scribe starts at $399.99 for 16GB, rising to $419 for 32GB and $449.99 for 64GB.

Finally, when I say the pen can become “wonky,” what I mean is that it misbehaves, broadcasting its presence to the Amazon Kindle Scribe even when not touching the writing surface. I looked up the fix, which worked. I rather solidly struck the pen on my desk’s writing pad, which righted the pen’s behavior.

Amazon Kindle Scribe: The bottom line

The Kindle Scribe stands out with its large, high-resolution display and enhanced note-taking features, making it a solid choice for those deeply integrated into the Amazon ecosystem. However, its large size may also be a negative for those seeking a smaller, more intimate device, which of course, Amazon is ready to provide in one of its other Kindle models. While limited in annotation capabilities compared to competitors such as Apple’s iPad or the ReMarkable tablet, the Kindle serves the need for more dynamic annotations on Kindle books and those imported into the device, and a seamless way to capture thoughts and sketches while writing.

Kindle has always been a special-purpose device, and the Scribe version makes it even more special.

The relatively high price may deter some users. For those seeking a dual-purpose device for reading and basic note-taking, the Scribe delivers, but those looking for a more holistic digital experience will need to look at alternative options. But I have to say, when I’m using the Amazon Kindle Scribe, I kind of like that I don’t have apps to distract me. Kindle has always been a special-purpose device, and the Scribe version makes it even more special.

Amazon provided the Kindle Scribe for review. Images courtesy of Amazon unless otherwise noted.

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