TCL Tab A1 NxtPaper Alternatives: Best Paper-Like Tablets

The TCL Tab A1 NxtPaper is a budget-friendly tablet with a matte, paper-like screen, but it has limited performance and availability. If you want a better paper-like display tablet, the top alternatives are the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C, the reMarkable 2, the Supernote Nomad, and the Amazon Kindle Scribe. Below is a detailed comparison to help you choose the right one for reading, note-taking, and drawing.

What Makes a Display “Paper-Like”?

Paper-like displays fall into two main categories: E Ink (electronic ink) and matte LCD with a textured screen protector. E Ink screens use microcapsules filled with charged black and white (or color) particles that move when an electric field is applied. They reflect ambient light like real paper, causing zero glare and very low eye strain, but they have a slower refresh rate and are usually monochrome (or limited color). Matte LCD screens, like the NxtPaper, use a standard LCD backlight with a diffusing layer that scatters light, reducing reflections and adding a subtle paper-like texture. They are faster and support full color, but they still emit blue light and can cause more eye fatigue than E Ink over long sessions.

The choice between E Ink and matte LCD is the first major decision. If you primarily read books and take handwritten notes, E Ink is superior for battery life (weeks vs. days) and outdoor readability. If you need color for magazines, comics, or web browsing, a matte LCD like the TCL NxtPaper or the Boox Tab Ultra C is better.

Top Alternatives to the TCL Tab A1 NxtPaper

Here are the most popular paper-like tablets currently on the market, each with different strengths:

• Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C – A 10.3-inch color E Ink tablet with a front light, Android 12, and stylus support. It runs full Android apps, so you can use Kindle, Kobo, and note-taking apps. It is the closest to a do-everything paper-like tablet.
• reMarkable 2 – A 10.3-inch monochrome E Ink tablet focused solely on distraction-free writing and reading. It has the best writing latency (feels like pen on paper) but no backlight, no color, and no third-party apps.
• Supernote Nomad – A 7.8-inch E Ink tablet known for its soft, felt-tip writing feel and a unique “ceramic tip” stylus that never needs replacing. It runs a Linux-based system with a few essential apps (Kindle, calendar, notes).
• Amazon Kindle Scribe – A 10.2-inch E Ink tablet that combines a Kindle e-reader with basic note-taking. It is the cheapest option with a large screen, but its note-taking features are limited compared to the others.
• Boox Tab Ultra C – A 10.3-inch color E Ink tablet with a faster refresh rate and a built-in camera. It is heavier and pricier than the Note Air 3 C but offers a more responsive feel for web browsing.
• TCL NxtPaper 11 – If you want to stay with TCL, the NxtPaper 11 is a larger (11-inch) matte LCD tablet with better specs than the Tab A1. It is not E Ink, but it has a more powerful processor and a higher resolution display.

E Ink vs. Matte LCD: Which Is Better for Your Eyes?

Both technologies reduce glare compared to glossy screens, but E Ink is generally considered better for eye comfort because it does not emit light. Instead, it reflects the ambient light around you, just like paper. This means no blue light exposure and no flicker, which can reduce eye strain and headaches during long reading sessions. However, E Ink requires adequate lighting—reading in the dark is impossible without a front light (available on Boox and Kindle Scribe, not on reMarkable 2). Matte LCD screens are still backlit, so they are not as gentle on the eyes but are perfectly fine for most users. If you have severe eye fatigue from screens, choose E Ink. If you just want to reduce glare and like the paper feel, matte LCD is a good compromise.

Note-Taking and Drawing: Which Tablet Feels Most Like Paper?

For handwritten notes, the writing feel and latency are crucial. The reMarkable 2 is widely praised for its low latency (about 20ms) and the slight friction of the Marker Plus stylus on the textured screen. The Supernote Nomad uses a ceramic nib that feels like writing with a fine pen on a smooth surface, and it never wears out. The Boox Note Air 3 C uses a standard Wacom EMR stylus, which feels good but slightly more slippery. The Kindle Scribe’s basic pen is decent but not as refined. For drawing, the Boox Note Air 3 C and reMarkable 2 are the best, but neither supports full-color drawing (the Boox has limited color). If you need color for art, you are better off with a matte LCD tablet like the TCL NxtPaper 11 or an iPad with a paper-like screen protector.

Software and App Support: What Can You Install?

This is the biggest differentiator. The reMarkable 2 runs a proprietary Linux OS with no app store—you can only use its built-in notes, PDF annotation, and e-reader. The Supernote Nomad has a small app store with essentials like Kindle, Google Calendar, and a web browser. The Boox tablets run full Android, so you can install any app from the Google Play Store, including Kindle, Kobo, Libby, Evernote, OneNote, and even games (though they run slowly on E Ink). The Kindle Scribe is locked to Amazon’s ecosystem, so you can read Kindle books and take notes, but you cannot install other apps. The TCL NxtPaper tablets run Android, so they have full app access, but the matte LCD screen may cause some apps to look slightly blurry due to the diffusing layer.

Battery Life and Portability

E Ink tablets have phenomenal battery life because they only use power when the screen changes. The reMarkable 2 lasts about two weeks on a single charge, the Boox Note Air 3 C lasts about a week with moderate use, and the Kindle Scribe lasts up to three weeks. The Supernote Nomad lasts about two weeks. In contrast, matte LCD tablets like the TCL NxtPaper last only a day or two with typical use. If you travel frequently or forget to charge devices, E Ink is the clear winner. Portability-wise, the Supernote Nomad is the smallest (7.8-inch) and lightest, making it easy to carry. The reMarkable 2 and Boox Note Air 3 C are 10.3-inch and weigh around 400g, similar to a paperback book. The TCL NxtPaper 11 is heavier (about 500g) but still portable.

Price and Value for Money

Prices vary widely. The Kindle Scribe is the most affordable, often around $300–$350 with a basic pen. The Supernote Nomad is around $450 (including the stylus). The reMarkable 2 is $279 for the tablet alone, but you must buy the Marker Plus ($129) and a case ($49), bringing the total to over $450. The Boox Note Air 3 C is the most expensive, at around $500. The TCL Tab A1 NxtPaper is the cheapest at around $150, but it has a low-resolution screen (1280×800) and a slow processor. If you are on a tight budget, the Kindle Scribe is the best value. If you want the best writing experience, the reMarkable 2 is worth the extra cost. If you need Android apps, the Boox Note Air 3 C is the best investment.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

One common issue with E Ink tablets is ghosting—a faint residual image from the previous page. You can minimize this by enabling “full refresh” in the settings, which clears the screen after each page turn. Another issue is the slow refresh rate, which makes scrolling feel laggy. For reading and note-taking, this is not a problem, but for web browsing, it can be frustrating. On the Boox tablets, you can adjust the refresh mode to “Speed” or “A2” to reduce lag, but this increases ghosting. Another issue is the lack of a backlight on the reMarkable 2—if you read in low light, you need a clip-on light. Finally, some users find the matte LCD screen of the TCL NxtPaper to be slightly grainy, which can make text look less sharp. To avoid this, look for a tablet with a high pixel density (at least 200 PPI) and a good anti-glare coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a paper-like tablet for reading in the dark?

Only if the tablet has a front light. The Boox Note Air 3 C, Kindle Scribe, and TCL NxtPaper have built-in lights, so you can read in the dark. The reMarkable 2 and Supernote Nomad do not have lights, so you need an external light source.

Which paper-like tablet is best for drawing?

For monochrome drawing, the reMarkable 2 is excellent due to its low latency and natural feel. For color drawing, you need a matte LCD tablet like the TCL NxtPaper 11 or an iPad with a paper-like screen protector, because E Ink color is still limited and not suitable for professional art.

Can I install the Kindle app on a Boox tablet?

Yes, Boox tablets run Android, so you can install the Kindle app from the Google Play Store. You can also install Kobo, Libby, and other reading apps.

Is the TCL Tab A1 NxtPaper good for note-taking?

It is adequate for basic note-taking, but the stylus is not included (you must buy it separately), and the screen is lower resolution. The writing feel is not as refined as E Ink tablets. If note-taking is your primary use, consider a dedicated E Ink tablet.

How long does the battery last on a paper-like tablet?

E Ink tablets last anywhere from one to three weeks depending on usage. Matte LCD tablets typically last one to two days. If battery life is critical, choose E Ink.

Can I use a paper-like tablet as a second monitor?

Some Boox tablets support this via a USB-C connection or Wi-Fi, but it is not a standard feature. The reMarkable 2 does not support it. For a second monitor, a standard tablet or a dedicated portable monitor is better.

Related

• Best Social Media Widgets for Websites
• AI-Generated Game Listings and Artwork in Retro Collecting
• AI-Generated People: What Identity Checks Verify