Top Tablets for Reading: Ideal for Books and Comics

Books are wonderful, no doubt about it. Yet, they can take up a lot of space—think of the stacks of books cluttering your apartment that won't fit on your already packed bookshelf. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a dedicated home library, fantastic! If not, consider investing in a reading tablet. While you may miss the tactile sensation of flipping through pages, these devices make building a personal library much easier and less messy. Plus, they offer access to countless books you can read for free from the comfort of your home. We've curated a list of 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 a range of capabilities. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, focus on book formats with screens designed to mimic the look and feel of printed pages. These devices are more specialized and won’t support activities like scrolling through social media or streaming shows. Conversely, general-purpose tablets like the iPad Mini offer broader functionality, though their displays might cause more eye strain and drain the battery faster. Notetaking features, as seen in the Kobo Libra Colour, are particularly useful for students or those who enjoy annotating their reads. The choice of the best 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 akin to a physical book, enhanced 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 reading, the Kindle Paperwhite stands out as the best tablet for the job. It keeps things straightforward, without the bells and whistles of a colorful screen, stylus support, or access to emails and apps. By minimizing distractions, it provides a simple, easy-to-read display that reduces eye strain and conserves battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite boasts a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, designed to minimize blue light and glare. Enhanced with a new thin-film transistor for better contrast and 19 LEDs around the screen, it ensures readability in various lighting conditions, from bright beaches to dimly lit tents. The warm backlight can be adjusted for darker spaces, and for those seeking automatic adjustments and additional enhancements, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature is an excellent choice.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite offers a 20% performance increase, enabling swift page turns and smooth navigation through your library. Its 16GB of storage might seem modest next to other tablets, but it's more than sufficient for thousands of books. Audiobooks take up more space, but cloud storage is available if you ever run out of room. Other features include customizable text and font settings, an accessible dictionary, and compatibility with borrowed books from the Libby app, albeit indirectly.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic construction keeps it slim and lightweight, preventing arm and wrist fatigue. Though it might not appear as durable, it's sturdy and waterproof. With a battery life of 12 weeks on a single 2.5-hour charge, it's easy to understand why this is our top 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 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 come with screens that are 10 inches or larger. For avid readers, these sizes can be unwieldy, while iPhone screens might be too small. The iPad Mini fills this gap perfectly. With its 8.3-inch display, it's about the size of a paperback and weighs just 10.4 ounces, making it easy to carry and comfortable to hold in one hand, even when relaxing. It retains all the capabilities of top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display is a draw for readers, offering adjustable brightness and True Tone technology for a comfortable reading experience in any setting. However, be aware of potential glare from the glossy screen. An Apple Pencil can be used for annotations, though the vibrant screen will consume battery life faster than the e-ink display on the Kindle Paperwhite, lasting around 10 hours.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same as in the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPad Mini has ample power for its size and supports Apple Intelligence. Reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd run smoothly. Beyond reading, it's perfect for 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

### Apple iPad Pro (2024, M4)

0The iPad Pro, equipped with an 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 usersIf you're into comics or want to create your own, the iPad Pro is the ultimate choice. Despite its large 11-inch or 13-inch display, it remains thin and lightweight.

The OLED display on the iPad Pro is a game-changer, offering vivid and accurate colors with excellent contrast. In IGN’s review of the iPad Pro, Jackie Thomas praised the display while reading Star Wars: The High Republic comics.

The iPad Pro's M4 processor handles the demands of such a high-quality display effortlessly. It's capable of heavy workloads, including gaming and design, with an 8GB GPU. For those interested in creating comics or graphic novels, this tablet is an ideal tool.

With Apple Pencil Pro support, your artistic endeavors can reach new heights, and adding a keyboard transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. Just be mindful of the costs, as accessories can quickly add up for this already pricey device.

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 a compelling reading tablet with the OnePlus Pad 2. It features a stunning 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support. The screen's clarity and vibrancy were evident in our hands-on review of the OnePlus Pad 2, where our tester found it readable even 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 switching between reading apps is seamless. With 256GB of storage, it can hold numerous books, comics, and audiobooks. An AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist in writing, while stylus support enables easy annotations.

Though its premium build and size make it heavier, the 9,510mAh battery lasts up to 12 hours. With 80W fast charging, it can be fully recharged in under 75 minutes if needed.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0This colorful, lightweight e-reader is easy to view 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 rivals Amazon’s Kindle lineup as a versatile e-reader. Its 7-inch display is ideal for reading, with ample margin space. The design, with wider bezels on one side and a lightweight build, allows for comfortable one-handed use, while two buttons facilitate easy page turns.

The E-Ink Kaleido 3 display offers a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color. The colors are more subdued, similar to a newspaper, but they enhance the viewing of graphic novels and comics without glare. The ComfortLight Pro ensures a pleasant reading experience in low light and reduces blue light exposure.

Powered by a dual-core 2.0GHz processor, the Kobo Libra Colour is responsive for most tasks, including note-taking. It integrates well with the OverDrive library. However, it's designed solely for reading and writing, not for other activities like social media or email.

The Kobo Libra Colour supports writing with the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing you to annotate books and highlight passages with your finger. Kobo also provides various notebooks for note-taking and sketching, with some capable of converting handwriting to text. For those needing a larger screen for note-taking, the Kobo Elipsa 2E is a great grayscale option.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Selecting the best reading tablet involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs, whether you're a fiction enthusiast, a student, or a professional dealing with PDFs. The display's quality is crucial, as your eyes will be focused on it for extended periods. Features like blue light reduction or e-ink technology can minimize eye strain. E-Ink screens are gentler on the eyes, while LCDs offer versatility for multiple uses.

Battery life is vital for uninterrupted reading, especially when traveling. Tablets with long battery life are ideal for enjoying your content without worrying about recharging.

Size and weight also matter for comfort during long reading sessions. Larger screens provide a more immersive experience, but the device should remain portable. A slim, lightweight design enhances portability and one-handed use.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

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

Are tablets good for reading books?

Absolutely, though LCD screens may cause more eye strain compared to e-ink models. Battery life is another consideration, as standard tablets typically don't last as long as 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 ideal. Its e-ink display resembles printed paper, reducing glare and eye strain. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it perfect for use near water without worry.