Moleskine Smart Notebook Pocket Ruled Black Soft Cover - Smart Pen

In this review the Moleskine Smart Notebook is assessed for people who prefer writing by hand but need a reliable way to capture notes digitally. The bottom line: this pocket-sized ruled notebook pairs with the Moleskine Smart Pen and the Moleskine Notes app to transfer handwritten pages to your device in real time, making it a practical bridge between analog and digital workflows for busy note-takers and planners.

Key Features

• Real-time transfer: The notebook works with the Smart Pen to send everything you write to the Moleskine Notes app on iOS or Android in real time, so ideas are digitised as you create them.
• NCoded paper: Special NCoded technology on the pages enables accurate positioning so digital copies preserve the layout and order of handwritten content.
• Classic Moleskine build: The soft black cover, ruled pages and elastic closure deliver the familiar pocket-sized durability and portability of a traditional Moleskine.
• High-quality paper: 100 g/m2 acid-free paper gives a substantial feel and reduces bleed-through for most pens, improving the look of scanned notes.
• Easy organisation: Notes taken on the notebook can be revised, organised and sent as digital notes from a tablet or smartphone via the companion app.

Who It's For

This product suits students, professionals and creatives who prefer handwriting but need searchable, editable digital copies without scanning each page manually. The pocket size makes it convenient for quick lists, meeting notes and on-the-go ideas where carrying a larger notebook is impractical.

Those who do not want to buy and maintain a separate Smart Pen or who prefer full-size notebooks for extended writing sessions should look elsewhere; this model is optimized for portability and quick capture rather than long-form journaling at a desk.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Seamless digitisation with the Smart Pen and the Moleskine Notes app removes the need for separate scanning steps.
• NCoded paper ensures accurate capture of page layout and written content for organised digital notes.
• Compact pocket dimensions and elastic closure make it easy to carry and protect in a pocket or bag.

Cons

• Requires the Moleskine Smart Pen and the companion app to access smart features, so benefits are limited without that ecosystem.
• Pocket size (3.5 in x 5.5 in) may be too small for users who prefer larger writing areas for longer notes.

Specifications

Brand	Moleskine
Model	Smart Notebook, Pocket, Ruled, Black, Soft Cover
Size	3.5 in x 5.5 in (pocket)
Paper	Ruled, 100 g/m2 acid-free
Cover	Soft cover with elastic closure
Smart tech	NCoded paper for use with Moleskine Smart Pen
App compatibility	Moleskine Notes app on iOS and Android

Our Verdict

The Moleskine Smart Notebook in pocket ruled format is a good value choice for anyone who writes by hand and needs quick, reliable digital capture. Its NCoded paper and 100 g/m2 pages preserve handwriting quality while the companion app workflow turns scraps and lists into organised digital notes, making it worth choosing for mobile note-takers who already plan to use the Smart Pen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special pen to digitise notes?
The Smart Notebook requires the Moleskine Smart Pen to capture handwriting digitally; without the pen the notebook functions as a regular ruled pocket notebook.

Which devices work with the notebook?
Captured notes are sent to the Moleskine Notes app, which is available for iOS and Android tablets and smartphones.

How is the paper quality?
The notebook uses 100 g/m2 acid-free paper, which provides a substantial feel and reduces bleed-through for most pens.