Top Reading Tablets: Perfect for Books and Comics

Books are fantastic, no doubt about it. However, they can be quite the space hogs—just ask the stacks of books cluttering my apartment that can't even fit on my already packed bookshelf. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a real home library, congratulations! If not, consider doing yourself a favor and investing in a reading tablet. While you might miss the tactile pleasure of flipping through pages, tablets offer a far more manageable way to build your personal library, including access to free books without leaving home, and they keep your space tidy. We've rounded up 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 offer a range of functionalities. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, focus on book formats and often feature screens designed to mimic the look of a page. These devices are tailored specifically for reading and don't support multitasking like social media browsing or video streaming. Conversely, general-purpose tablets, such as the iPad Mini, provide a broader range of uses but may cause eye strain due to their displays and have shorter battery life. Notetaking features, like those found on the Kobo Libra Colour, are particularly useful for students or anyone who enjoys annotating their books. Choosing the right tablet depends on your personal needs and preferences.

1. Kindle Paperwhite

The Best Kindle and Best Reading Tablet

Our Top Pick### Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

0The Kindle Paperwhite offers an experience akin to reading a physical book but with added features like a backlight. 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 things straightforward, focusing on a simple, easy-to-read display that minimizes eye strain and conserves battery life. It lacks colorful screens, stylus support, and access to emails, apps, and notifications, ensuring a distraction-free reading environment.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite boasts a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, which helps reduce blue light and glare. It also features a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast. With 19 LEDs surrounding the screen, it's easy to read in any lighting condition, from bright beach days to dim camping tents. You can easily adjust the warm backlight for darker spaces, but for automatic adjustments and additional features, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite offers a 20% performance increase, resulting in quicker page turns and smoother navigation through your library. With 16GB of storage, you have ample space for thousands of books. While audiobooks take up more space, cloud storage is available if you run low. Other useful features include text and font adjustments, an easy-to-access dictionary, and compatibility with borrowed books from the Libby app.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic build keeps it slim, similar to a hardcover book, reducing arm and wrist fatigue. Despite its lightweight design, it's sturdy and waterproof. With a remarkable 12-week battery life on a single 2.5-hour charge, it's no wonder this is our favorite Kindle model.

2. iPad Mini (7th Gen)

Best iPad for Reading

### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

0Compact and weighing just over half a pound, the iPad Mini offers an 8.3-inch colorful display, making it an excellent handheld reading 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 displays larger than 10 inches, which can be cumbersome for avid readers. Conversely, iPhone screens may be too small. The iPad Mini bridges this gap with its 8.3-inch display, similar in size to a paperback and weighing just 10.4oz. It's easy to carry and comfortable to hold in one hand, yet it retains all the capabilities of the top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, ensures a comfortable viewing experience in various settings. However, be mindful of potential glare from the glossy screen. The Apple Pencil enhances the reading experience by allowing for easy annotations. Keep in mind, though, that the vibrant screen consumes battery life more quickly than the e-ink display on the Kindle Paperwhite, lasting up to 10 hours.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same as in the iPhone 15 Pro, the latest iPad Mini delivers robust performance and supports Apple Intelligence. It effortlessly runs top reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd. 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

### Apple iPad Pro (2024, M4)

0The iPad Pro, with its Apple M4 processor and OLED display, offers the most premium reading experience from Apple. 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 seeking to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of comics or even create their own, the iPad Pro is the top choice. Despite its large 11-inch or 13-inch display, it remains thin and lightweight.

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

To support such a stunning display, the iPad Pro is equipped with the powerful M4 chip, capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and design with its 8GB GPU. Creatives looking to design comics or graphic novels will find this tablet ideal. The Apple Pencil Pro support enhances artistic endeavors, while a keyboard transforms it into a laptop replacement. Be aware, however, that these additional accessories can significantly increase the cost of this already premium device.

OnePlus Pad 2 – Photos

View 4 Images4. OnePlus Pad 2

Best Android Tablet for Reading

### OnePlus Pad 2

0Experience excellent performance and a high-quality display 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 the OnePlus Pad 2, a capable reading tablet. It features a spectacular 12.1-inch, 3K display with 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 bright morning sunlight.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus Pad 2 competes with the best Android tablets. It ensures smooth page turns and effortless navigation between reading apps. With 256GB of storage, you can store a vast library of novels, comics, and audiobooks. An AI toolbox assists with summarizing articles or writing, and stylus support enables easy annotations.

Despite its premium build, the tablet's weight makes it less comfortable for prolonged one-handed use. However, its 9,510mAh battery lasts up to 12 hours, and 80W charging ensures a quick recharge in less than 75 minutes.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0The Kobo Libra Colour features a colorful, lightweight e-reader with stylus support for easy viewing and 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 contender against Amazon’s Kindle lineup. Its 7-inch E-Ink Kaleido 3 display offers a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color, creating a newspaper-like appearance with subdued hues. This makes it ideal for reading comics and graphic novels with minimal glare in bright sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro feature enhances readability in low-light conditions and reduces blue light.

The Kobo Libra Colour's dual-core 2.0GHz processor ensures responsive performance for reading and note-taking. Its integration with the OverDrive library is a notable advantage. However, this e-reader is designed solely for reading and writing, lacking support for social media or email.

The Kobo Libra Colour supports the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing you to write directly on any Kobo book and highlight passages with your finger. Kobo also offers various notebooks for jotting notes and sketching, some of which can convert handwriting to text. For a larger display, consider the Kobo Elipsa 2E, a grayscale alternative.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Choosing the best reading tablet requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Whether you're a fiction enthusiast, a student studying textbooks, or a professional handling PDFs, the right tablet can enhance your reading experience significantly.

First, focus on display quality. Your eyes will spend a lot of time on the screen, so eye comfort is crucial, especially for long reading sessions. Tablets with blue light reduction or e-ink technology, which mimics paper, can minimize eye strain. While e-ink screens are gentler on the eyes, LCDs offer more versatility for multitasking.

Battery life is another key factor, particularly for on-the-go reading. Tablets with long battery life ensure uninterrupted reading without the need to constantly find a power outlet.

Lastly, consider the size and weight of the tablet. Larger screens offer a more immersive experience, but they should not compromise portability. A lightweight, slim design is essential for comfortable, one-handed use.

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 suitable screen size. Some also recommend the Barnes & Noble Nook for its e-paper technology, which closely resembles the experience of reading a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are excellent for reading books, though traditional LCD screens may cause more eye strain than e-ink models. Battery life is also important, as most standard tablets have shorter battery life compared to e-readers like the Kindle.

What is the best tablet for reading outside?

For reading outdoors, the Kindle Paperwhite is ideal. Its e-ink display mimics printed paper, reducing glare and eye strain while offering superior battery life. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it suitable for poolside or rainy conditions.