Top Reading Tablets: Choose Perfect Devices for Books, Comics

Books are wonderful, there's no doubt about it. However, they can take up a lot of space – just ask the stacks of books that don't fit on my already overflowing bookshelf. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a home library, congratulations! For those of us without that luxury, a reading tablet is a fantastic solution. While you might miss the tactile experience of a physical book, a tablet makes building a personal library much easier and less cluttered. Plus, you can access free books without leaving your home. We've identified some of the best tablets to enhance your reading experience, wherever you are.

TL;DR - These Are the Best Tablets to Read on:

Our Top Pick### Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

0See it at Amazon### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

0See it at AmazonSee it at AppleSee it at Best Buy### Apple iPad Pro (2024, M4)

0See it at AmazonSee it at Apple### OnePlus Pad 2

0See it at OnePlus### Kobo Libra Colour

0See it at AmazonReading tablets come in various forms, each with unique capabilities. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, are designed specifically for reading books, often featuring screens that mimic the look of a page. These devices are more limited in functionality – don’t expect to scroll through social media or stream shows during your reading breaks. On the other hand, general-purpose tablets, such as the iPad Mini, offer much more versatility, but their displays can cause eye strain and drain batteries faster. Features like notetaking, as seen in the Kobo Libra Colour, are great for students or those who enjoy annotating their books. Choosing the right tablet depends on your specific needs and preferences.

1. Kindle Paperwhite

The Best Kindle and Best Reading Tablet

Our Top Pick### Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

0The Kindle Paperwhite provides a reading experience similar to that of a physical book, enhanced with a backlight and numerous useful features. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsScreen size7" E InkScreen resolution300ppiFront light19 LEDsStorage16GBBattery12 weeksDimensions5" x 7" x 0.3"Weight211gPROSGreat battery lifeWater-resistantCONSPlastic buildIf reading is your primary focus, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best tablet for the job. It keeps things straightforward, with no colorful screen, stylus support, or access to emails, apps, and notifications. This simplicity helps eliminate distractions, offering an easy-to-read display that reduces eye strain and conserves battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite features a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, which minimizes blue light and glare. It includes a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast, and the 19 LEDs surrounding the screen ensure comfortable reading in various lighting conditions, from the beach to a dimly lit tent. Adjusting the warm backlight for darker settings is easy, and for automatic adjustments and additional enhancements, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite offers a 20% performance increase, resulting in swift page turns and smooth navigation through your book collection. Its 16GB storage capacity is sufficient for thousands of books, though audiobooks consume more space. Cloud storage is available if you ever run out of room. Other features include text and font adjustments, an easy-to-access dictionary, and the ability to send borrowed books from the Libby app to your Kindle.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic construction keeps it thin and light, preventing arm and wrist fatigue. Despite its simple design, it's sturdy and waterproof. With a remarkable 12-week battery life on a 2.5-hour charge, it's clear why this is our favorite Kindle model.

2. iPad Mini (7th Gen)

Best iPad for Reading

### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

0This compact iPad weighs just over half a pound and features a vibrant 8.3-inch display, making it an excellent portable option. See it at AmazonSee it at AppleSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsScreen size8.3” Liquid Retina IPSScreen resolution326 ppiFront lightN/AStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GBBattery10 hoursDimensions7.69” x 5.3” x 0.25”Weight293gPROSFantastic displayCompact and portableCONSScreen glare due to glossy screenMost Apple iPads have displays over 10 inches, which can be too large for avid readers. Meanwhile, iPhone screens are often too small. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch display, strikes the perfect balance, roughly the size of a paperback and weighing just 10.4oz. It's easy to carry anywhere and comfortable to hold with one hand, all while retaining the capabilities of top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, offers a delightful viewing experience. However, be prepared for some glare due to the glossy screen. Pairing it with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations while reading, though the vibrant screen will drain the battery faster than the e-ink display of the Kindle Paperwhite, lasting only 10 hours.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same as in the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPad Mini offers ample performance for its size and supports Apple Intelligence. It handles reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd effortlessly. When you need a break from reading, it's equally adept at social media scrolling, streaming, and everyday tasks.

iPad Pro 2024 – Photos

View 7 Images3. Apple iPad Pro (2024, M4)

Best Tablet for Reading Comics and Manga

### AppleiPad Pro (2024, M4)

0The iPad Pro, equipped with the Apple M4 processor and an OLED display, is the most premium Apple tablet available. See it at AmazonSee it at AppleProduct SpecificationsScreen size11-inch, 13-inchScreen resolution264 ppiFront lightN/AStorage256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBBattery10 hoursDimensions9.74" x 7.02" x 0.23", 11.09" x 8.48" x 0.20" Weight444g, 582gPROSStunning OLED displayPowerful Apple M4 processorCONSOverkill for some usersFor fans of comics and manga, the iPad Pro is the top choice. Its 11-inch or 13-inch display remains thin and lightweight, making it ideal for immersive reading.

The iPad Pro's OLED display is a first for iPads, delivering vivid and accurate colors with excellent contrast, bringing images to life. In IGN’s review of the iPad Pro, Jackie Thomas praised the display while reading Star Wars: The High Republic comics.

The M4 processor provides the necessary power for heavy workloads, including gaming and design, with its 8GB GPU. Creatives looking to make their own comics or graphic novels will find the iPad Pro a powerful tool. The Apple Pencil Pro support enhances artistic capabilities, and with a keyboard, it can serve as a laptop replacement. However, the cost can add up quickly with these extras.

OnePlus Pad 2 – Photos

View 4 Images4. OnePlus Pad 2

Best Android Tablet for Reading

### OnePlus Pad 2

0Experience excellent performance, an elegant and smooth display, and overall great quality with the OnePlus Pad 2. See it at OnePlusProduct SpecificationsScreen size12.1”Screen resolution303ppiFront lightN/AStorage256GBBattery12 hoursDimensions10.6" x 7.7" x 0.26"Weight584gPROSAmple storage80W fast charging supportCONSHeavier than other tabletsOnePlus, known for our favorite smartphones, offers the OnePlus Pad 2, a stellar option for Android users. Its 12.1-inch, 3K display features 10-bit color depth and HDR support, providing crisp, vibrant, and clear visuals. In our hands-on review of the OnePlus Pad 2, our tester noted its visibility in morning sunlight due to increased brightness.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus Pad 2 matches the performance of the best Android tablets. Page turns are instantaneous, and navigating reading apps is smooth. With 256GB of storage, you can store numerous novels, comics, audiobooks, and more. The included AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist in writing, and stylus support allows for easy annotations.

Though the tablet's size and premium build make it heavier, it features a robust 9,510mAh battery that lasts 12 hours. When it needs a recharge, 80W charging gets it back to full in under 75 minutes.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0This colorful, lightweight e-reader is easy to see and supports stylus use. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsScreen size7” E-Ink Kaleido 3Screen resolution300ppi (black and white), 150ppi (color)Front lightYesStorage32GBBattery40 daysDimensions6.34 x 5.69 x 0.33Weight201gPROSColorful e-Ink display for easy viewingStylus support for note-takingCONSOnly good for reading and writingThe Kobo Libra Colour is a strong contender against Amazon's Kindle lineup. Its 7-inch display is ideal for reading, with ample room in the margins. The design features wider bezels on one side and is lightweight, making it comfortable to hold with one hand. Page turns can be managed using buttons or the touchscreen.

The E-Ink Kaleido 3 display offers a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color, with subdued hues reminiscent of a newspaper. This makes it perfect for reading comics and graphic novels with minimal glare in bright sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro ensures a comfortable reading experience in darker settings and reduces blue light.

Powered by a dual-core 2.0GHz processor, the Kobo Libra Colour is responsive for most tasks, including note-taking. It integrates seamlessly with the OverDrive library. However, it's designed exclusively for reading and writing, without the ability to scroll social media or check emails.

The Kobo Libra Colour supports writing with the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing users to annotate books and highlight passages with a finger. It also offers various notebooks for jotting down notes and sketching, some of which can convert handwriting to text. For a larger display for notetaking, consider the Kobo Elipsa 2E, a grayscale alternative.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Selecting the perfect reading tablet involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Whether you enjoy fiction, need it for textbooks, or want to manage work PDFs, the right tablet can enhance your reading experience significantly.

The display quality is crucial, as your eyes will spend most of their time there. Eye comfort is essential for long reading sessions, and tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which resembles paper, can help minimize eye strain. E-Ink screens are gentler on the eyes, while LCDs offer more versatility if you plan to use the tablet for multiple purposes.

Battery life is vital for uninterrupted reading, especially on the go. Opt for tablets with robust battery life to enjoy your books, magazines, or documents without the constant need to find a power outlet.

Finally, consider the size and weight, which affect how comfortably you can hold the tablet for extended periods. Larger screens provide a more immersive experience but should not compromise portability. A lightweight, slim design enhances ease of use and transport.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

Reddit users on the r/androidtablets subreddit often recommend the Aldocube 50 Mini and Mini Pro for their lightweight design and good reading screens. Others suggest Barnes & Noble's Nook for its e-paper technology, which closely mimics the reading experience of a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets can be great for reading books, though regular LCD screens may cause more eye strain compared to e-ink models. Also, consider battery life, as standard tablets typically don't last as long as devices like the Kindle due to more demanding hardware.

What is the best tablet for reading outside?

For outdoor reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is ideal. Its e-ink display mimics printed paper, reducing glare, brightness, eye strain, and battery consumption compared to LCD screens. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it suitable for poolside or rainy conditions.