Top Reading Tablets: Ideal for Books and Comics

Books are undoubtedly wonderful, but they can also take up a lot of space, as anyone with stacks of books around their apartment can attest. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a dedicated home library, congratulations! For those of us with limited space, a reading tablet is an excellent alternative. While you might miss the tactile experience of flipping through pages, these devices make building a personal library more manageable and less cluttered. Plus, you can access a wealth of free books without leaving your home. We've selected some of the best tablets to enhance your reading experience, whether you're at home or on the go.

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 offer a range of capabilities to suit different needs. E-readers, such as our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, focus primarily on book formats and often feature screens designed to mimic the look of paper. These devices are optimized for reading and may not support other functions like social media scrolling or video streaming. In contrast, general-purpose tablets like the iPad Mini can handle a wider array of tasks, though their displays might cause more eye strain and consume battery life more quickly. Features like note-taking, offered by the Kobo Libra Colour, are particularly useful for students or those who enjoy annotating their reading material. 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 that closely resembles that of a physical book, complete with a backlight and numerous practical features. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsScreen size7" E InkScreen resolution300ppiFront light19 LEDsStorage16GBBattery12 weeksDimensions5" x 7" x 0.3"Weight211gPROSGreat battery lifeWater-resistantCONSPlastic buildIf your primary goal is to read, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best tablet for the task. This e-reader keeps things straightforward, focusing solely on reading without the distractions of colorful screens, stylus support, or access to emails and apps. Its simple, easy-to-read display helps prevent eye strain and extends battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite features a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, designed to reduce blue light and glare. It includes a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast and 19 LEDs around the screen for comfortable reading in various lighting conditions, from bright beaches to dimly lit camping tents. You can easily adjust the warm backlight for darker environments, and for automatic adjustments and additional enhancements, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite boasts a 20% performance boost, resulting in faster page turns and smooth navigation through your book collection. With 16GB of storage, you have ample space for thousands of books, and while audiobooks take up more room, cloud storage is available if needed. Additional features include customizable text and font settings, an easy-to-use 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 lightweight, reducing arm and wrist fatigue. Despite its seemingly delicate build, it's sturdy and waterproof. With a remarkable 12-week battery life on a single 2.5-hour charge, it's easy to understand why this is our preferred Kindle model.

2. iPad Mini (7th Gen)

Best iPad for Reading

### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

0Compact iPad weighing just over half a pound and offering a colorful 8.3-inch display, making it a solid handheld 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 of Apple's iPads feature screens larger than 10 inches, which can be cumbersome for avid readers. On the other hand, iPhone screens may be too small. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch display, strikes the perfect balance, similar in size to a paperback and weighing just 10.4oz. Its portability makes it ideal for use anywhere, and it's comfortable to hold with one hand. Plus, it retains all the capabilities of the top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, offers a pleasant viewing experience in various settings, though it may experience some glare. The Apple Pencil compatibility enhances the reading experience by allowing easy annotations. However, the bright, colorful screen consumes more battery life than the e-ink display of the Kindle Paperwhite, lasting only 10 hours.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same as the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPad Mini delivers robust performance for its size and supports Apple Intelligence. It seamlessly runs top reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd. When you need a break from reading, it's just as capable for social media scrolling, streaming, and other daily tasks.

iPad Pro 2024 – Photos

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

Best Tablet for Reading Comics and Manga

### Apple iPad Pro (2024, M4)

0The iPad Pro, equipped with an Apple M4 processor and an OLED display, offers the most premium Apple tablet experience yet. 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 those immersed in the world of comics or looking to create their own, the iPad Pro is the top choice. Despite its large 11-inch or 13-inch display, the device remains slim and lightweight.

The iPad Pro's OLED display, a first for iPads, delivers vivid, accurate colors and excellent contrast, making images pop. In IGN's review of the iPad Pro, Jackie Thomas praised the display while reading Star Wars: The High Republic comics.

The M4 silicon powers the iPad Pro, handling heavy workloads like gaming or design with ease, thanks to its 8GB GPU. Aspiring comic creators will find this tablet ideal for their artistic endeavors.

Apple Pencil Pro support enhances artistic work, and adding a keyboard transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. However, be prepared for the cost of these accessories to add up quickly.

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 its impressive smartphones, also offers a compelling reading tablet. The OnePlus Pad 2 boasts a 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support. Its crisp, vibrant screen is easy to read even in bright sunlight, as noted in our hands-on review of the OnePlus Pad 2.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus Pad 2 rivals the best Android tablets. It offers smooth page turns and effortless navigation through reading apps. With 256GB of storage, it can hold a vast library of books, comics, and audiobooks. The included AI toolbox helps summarize articles and assists with writing, while stylus support enables easy annotations.

While the OnePlus Pad 2's size and premium build make it heavier, it features a robust 9,510mAh battery that lasts 12 hours. Additionally, 80W charging support means it can be fully charged in under 75 minutes.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0A colorful, lightweight e-reader that's easy to see and offers stylus support. 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 margin space. The wider bezels and lightweight design make it comfortable to hold with one hand, and two buttons allow for easy page turning, though you can also use the touchscreen.

The E-Ink Kaleido 3 display offers a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color, providing a subdued color palette reminiscent of a newspaper. This makes it perfect for graphic novels and comics, adding life to the screen while minimizing glare in bright sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro enhances readability in darker environments and reduces blue light exposure.

The Kobo Libra Colour is powered by a dual-core 2.0GHz processor, ensuring responsive page turns and smooth navigation. It also supports note-taking with the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing you to annotate books and highlight passages with your finger. Kobo offers various notebooks for jotting down notes and sketching, some of which can convert handwriting to text. For a larger display dedicated to note-taking, consider the Kobo Elipsa 2E, a grayscale alternative.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Choosing the best reading tablet involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Whether you're a fiction enthusiast, a student reviewing textbooks, or a professional managing PDFs, the right tablet can enhance your reading experience.

The display quality is crucial, as your eyes will be focused on it for extended periods. Features like blue light reduction or e-ink technology, which mimics the look of paper, can minimize eye strain. E-ink screens are more comfortable for long reading sessions, while LCD screens offer greater versatility for multi-purpose use.

Battery life is essential for uninterrupted reading, especially when you're away from an outlet. Tablets with long battery life allow you to enjoy your reading materials without constant recharging.

Size and weight also play a significant role in comfort. Larger screens may offer a more immersive experience, but they should remain portable. A lightweight, slim design ensures you can easily carry and use the tablet for extended periods.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

According to users on the r/androidtablets subreddit, the Aldocube 50 Mini and Mini Pro are popular choices for reading due to their lightweight design and good screen size. Some users also recommend the Barnes & Noble Nook for its e-paper technology, which provides a reading experience similar to that of a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are suitable for reading books, but traditional LCD screens may cause more eye strain than e-ink models. Battery life is another consideration, as standard tablets often have shorter battery life than e-readers like the Kindle due to their more demanding hardware.

What is the best tablet for reading outside?

For outdoor reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is an excellent choice. Its e-ink display resembles printed paper, reducing glare and eye strain while offering better battery life than most LCD tablets. Additionally, its IPX8 water-resistant rating makes it suitable for use near water, whether at the beach or in the rain.