Onyx Boox
Boox Note Air5 C
$499.99
Released 2025-10
Best E Ink Tablets · head-to-head
Boox Note Air5 C vs Supernote Manta (A5 X2)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Supernote Manta (A5 X2) is cheaper at $459. Every spec and price links to its source.
Ratta Supernote
Supernote Manta (A5 X2)
$459Cheaper
Released 2024-12
Which is better: the Boox Note Air5 C or Supernote Manta (A5 X2)?
The Boox Note Air5 C wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Supernote Manta (A5 X2) is the cheaper at $459. Get the Boox Note Air5 C for the stronger spec sheet, the Supernote Manta (A5 X2) to spend less.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Boox Note Air5 C | Supernote Manta (A5 X2) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $499.99 | $459 |
| Brand | Onyx Boox | Ratta Supernote |
| Released | 2025-10 | 2024-12 |
| Screen size (in) | 10.3 | 10.7 |
| Ppi | 300 | 300 |
| Storage (GB) | 64 | 32 |
| Color display | Yes | No |
| Front light | Yes | No |
| Pen included | Yes | No |
| Waterproof | No | No |
| Battery weeks | — | — |
Sources — Boox Note Air5 C: shop.boox.com (verified 2026-07-11). Supernote Manta (A5 X2): supernote.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Boox Note Air5 C and Supernote Manta (A5 X2)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Screen size (in): Boox Note Air5 C 10.3 vs Supernote Manta (A5 X2) 10.7
- Storage (GB): Boox Note Air5 C 64 vs Supernote Manta (A5 X2) 32
- Color display: Boox Note Air5 C true vs Supernote Manta (A5 X2) false
- Front light: Boox Note Air5 C true vs Supernote Manta (A5 X2) false
- Pen included: Boox Note Air5 C true vs Supernote Manta (A5 X2) false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Boox Note Air5 C
Two whitelisted testers reviewed this exact model: TechRadar (lab-tested, benchmarked) and Digital Trends (hands-on, no measurements). Both praise the Pen 3 writing/note-taking experience and Android 15's open Play Store ecosystem, and rate it strong value against the pricier Kindle Scribe. TechRadar flags typing lag, heavy 440g weight, weak battery life, and muted colors; deep-lab outlets like RTINGS are absent. (2 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Pen 3 writing/note-taking experience is among the best, with paper-like friction; Runs full Android 15 with an open Play Store app ecosystem and versatility; Strong value versus the pricier Kindle Scribe / reMarkable Paper Pro.
Flagged: Noticeable typing lag on both the on-screen and physical keyboard folio; Disappointing battery life for an Android e-notebook; Heavy (440g); uncomfortable for long one-handed use.
Supernote Manta (A5 X2)
Only one whitelisted outlet (Engadget) has hands-on time with the Supernote Manta A5 X2, and it appears inside a combined Supernote buying-guide entry (nominally the A6 X2 Nomad) rather than a dedicated Manta review. The take is qualitative with no measured benchmarks: the reviewer praises the larger 10.7-inch writing surface, the user-repairable build and the smoother FeelWrite 2 protector, while flagging the absent backlight and the pen sold separately. Dedicated Manta reviews came only from non-whitelisted outlets and were excluded. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Larger 10.7-inch writing surface vs the smaller Nomad, better for big or cursive handwriting; User-repairable with replaceable battery and microSD slot; Smoother, less-scratchy FeelWrite 2 screen protector for a paper-like writing feel.
Flagged: No backlight / front light, useless in dark environments; Stylus costs extra ($89 or more).