Top Tablets for Reading: Ideal for Books and Comics

Books are wonderful, but they can be cumbersome and space-consuming—just ask the stacks of books cluttering my apartment, which no longer fit on my overcrowded bookshelf. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a dedicated home library, congratulations! If not, consider switching to a reading tablet. While you may miss the tactile pleasure of flipping through paper pages, tablets offer a convenient and tidy way to build your personal library, including free books you can access from the comfort of your home. We've rounded up some of the best tablets to enhance your reading experience, no matter where 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 with varying capabilities. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, are designed specifically for book formats, often featuring screens that mimic the look of paper. These devices are more limited in functionality—don't expect to scroll through social media or stream shows while taking a break from reading. On the other hand, general-purpose tablets, such as the iPad Mini, offer more versatility, but their displays may cause eye strain and drain the battery faster. Note-taking features, as found on the Kobo Libra Colour, are particularly useful for students or those who like to annotate their reading materials. 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 offers a reading experience similar to 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 your primary goal is to read, the Kindle Paperwhite is the top choice. This e-reader keeps it simple, focusing solely on reading without the distractions of colorful screens, stylus support, or access to emails and apps. Its display is easy on the eyes and helps conserve battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite boasts a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, designed to reduce blue light and glare. It features a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast, and 19 LEDs surrounding the screen ensure readability in various lighting conditions, from bright beaches to dimly lit tents. The warm backlight can be adjusted for darker environments, and for those seeking automatic adjustments and additional enhancements, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite offers a 20% performance boost, enabling quick page turns and smooth navigation through your library. With 16GB of storage, you'll have ample space for thousands of books, though audiobooks will consume more. Cloud storage is available if you ever run low on space. Other features include customizable text and font settings, an accessible dictionary, and compatibility with Libby, allowing you to send borrowed books to your Kindle from another device.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic build keeps it slim, reducing arm and wrist fatigue compared to heftier hardcover books. Despite its lightweight design, it's durable and waterproof. With a remarkable 12-week battery life from just 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 for reading. 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. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch display, strikes the perfect balance, offering the size of a paperback and weighing only 10.4 ounces. It's easy to carry and comfortable to hold with one hand, yet it retains all the capabilities of Apple's top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, ensures a pleasant reading experience in various environments. However, be aware of potential screen glare due to its glossy finish. Pairing it with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations. Keep in mind that the vibrant display will drain the battery faster than the e-ink display on the Kindle Paperwhite, lasting about 10 hours.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same found in the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPad Mini delivers robust performance for its size and supports Apple Intelligence. It runs top reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd smoothly. When you need a break from reading, it's equally adept at handling social media, 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, powered by the Apple M4 processor and featuring 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 those looking to dive into the vibrant world of comics or create their own, the iPad Pro is the ultimate choice. Despite its large 11-inch or 13-inch display, the device remains thin and lightweight.

The iPad Pro's OLED display is a first for iPads, offering vivid and accurate colors with 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 stunning display, handling heavy workloads, gaming, and design tasks with ease, thanks to its 8GB GPU. Creatives looking to produce comics or graphic novels will find the iPad Pro an invaluable tool, especially with its support for the Apple Pencil Pro. Adding a keyboard transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement, though the cost of accessories can 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, offers a fantastic reading tablet with the OnePlus Pad 2. It features a 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support, providing crisp, vibrant visuals. Our hands-on review highlighted its ability to remain readable in bright sunlight, thanks to enhanced brightness.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus Pad 2 competes with the best Android tablets, ensuring smooth page turns and seamless transitions between reading apps. With 256GB of storage, it can hold numerous novels, comics, and audiobooks. The included AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist with writing, and stylus support facilitates annotations.

Despite its premium build and larger size, the OnePlus Pad 2 can be heavy for extended one-handed use. However, it features a robust 9,510mAh battery, lasting up to 12 hours. With 80W fast charging, it can reach full charge in less than 75 minutes.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0This colorful, lightweight e-reader offers easy viewing and stylus support for note-taking. 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 competitor to Amazon's Kindle lineup. Its 7-inch display is ideal for reading, with ample room in the margins. The wider bezels and lightweight design allow for comfortable single-handed use, and two buttons facilitate easy page turns, which can also be done via the touchscreen.

The E-Ink Kaleido 3 display offers a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color, providing a newspaper-like appearance with subdued hues. This makes it perfect for reading comics and graphic novels, with minimal glare in bright sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro enhances readability in darker environments and reduces blue light exposure.

The Kobo Libra Colour features a dual-core 2.0GHz processor, ensuring responsive performance for page turns and navigation. Note-taking is smooth, and integration with the OverDrive library is a nice touch. However, this e-reader is dedicated to reading and writing, lacking the versatility of general-purpose tablets.

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

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Selecting the best reading tablet involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Whether you're a fan of fiction, a student studying textbooks, or a professional managing PDFs, the right tablet can enhance your reading experience significantly.

The quality of the display is crucial, as it's where you'll spend most of your time. Eye comfort is essential, especially for long reading sessions. Tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which resembles paper, can minimize eye strain. While e-ink screens are gentler on the eyes, LCD screens offer more versatility for multiple uses.

Battery life is another critical factor, particularly for reading on the go. Opt for tablets with long-lasting batteries to enjoy uninterrupted reading without the constant need to recharge.

Lastly, consider the size and weight of the tablet, as these impact comfort during extended use. Larger screens provide a more immersive experience but should not compromise portability. A lightweight, slim design makes it easier to carry and hold with one hand.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

Reddit users, particularly on the r/androidtablets subreddit, recommend the Aldocube 50 Mini and Mini Pro for their lightweight design and good reading screens. Others suggest the Barnes & Noble Nook for its e-paper technology, which offers a reading experience similar to a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are great for reading books, but keep in mind that regular LCD screens can cause eye fatigue more quickly than e-ink models. Also, consider battery life, as standard tablets typically don't last as long as e-readers 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 issues, eye strain, and conserving battery life better than LCD screens. Additionally, its IPX8 water-resistant rating makes it perfect for poolside or rainy conditions.