Top Reading Tablets: Perfect for Books and Comics

Books are undeniably wonderful, but they can take up a lot of space, as anyone with stacks of books around their home can attest. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a dedicated home library, that's fantastic! For the rest of us, a reading tablet is a practical solution. While you might miss the tactile experience of a physical book, a tablet offers a convenient, clutter-free way to build your personal library, including access to free books from the comfort of your home. We've identified 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 offer a range of functionalities. E-readers, such as 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 their capabilities, so you won't be able to use them for social media or streaming. In contrast, more versatile tablets like the iPad Mini can handle a variety of tasks, though their displays might cause more eye strain and drain the battery faster. Features like notetaking, as seen on the Kobo Libra Colour, are beneficial 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 offers an experience akin to reading a physical book, enhanced with a backlight and numerous convenient 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 focuses on simplicity, lacking a colorful screen, stylus support, or access to emails, apps, and notifications. Instead, it provides an easy-to-read display that minimizes eye strain and conserves battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite features a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, reducing blue light and glare. It also includes a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast. With 19 LEDs around the screen, it's easy to read in various lighting conditions, whether at the beach or in a dimly lit tent. Adjusting the warm backlight in darker environments is straightforward, and for automatic adjustments and other enhancements, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite offers a 20% performance boost, ensuring quick page turns and smooth navigation through your book collection. Its 16GB of storage is sufficient for thousands of books, though audiobooks take up more space; cloud storage is available if needed. Additional features include text and font adjustments, and an accessible dictionary. While Libby users can't download the app directly to their Kindle, they can send borrowed books from the Libby app installed on another device.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic build keeps it slim and lightweight, preventing arm and wrist fatigue. Despite its seemingly less durable design, it's sturdy and waterproof. With a compact size, it boasts an impressive 12-week battery life on a single 2.5-hour charge, making it our favorite Kindle model.

2. iPad Mini (7th Gen)

Best iPad for Reading

### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

0This compact iPad, weighing just over half a pound, offers a vibrant 8.3-inch display, making it a great handheld 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 displays larger than 10 inches, which can be too big for avid readers, while iPhone screens might be too small. The iPad Mini fills this gap perfectly. With an 8.3-inch screen and weighing just 10.4oz, it's easy to carry around and can be comfortably held in one hand. 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, offers a pleasant reading experience, though it can produce some glare. Pairing it with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations. However, its vibrant screen drains the battery faster than the e-ink display on the Kindle Paperwhite, lasting only 10 hours.

The latest iPad Mini is powered by an A17 Pro chip, the same as in the iPhone 15 Pro. While not as powerful as the M-series chips in the iPad Air and Pro, it's more than sufficient for this compact device and supports Apple Intelligence. It runs top reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd smoothly. Additionally, it's great for breaks from reading, handling social media, streaming, and everyday tasks with ease.

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 usersFor those interested in comics and manga, 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 offers vivid, accurate colors and excellent contrast, making images pop. In IGN's review, Jackie Thomas praised the display while reading Star Wars: The High Republic comics.

The M4 processor powers this stunning display, handling heavy workloads, gaming, and design tasks with ease. The 8GB GPU is perfect for those looking to create their own comics or graphic novels. The Apple Pencil Pro support enhances artistic capabilities, while adding a keyboard turns the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. However, the cost of these extras can quickly add up.

OnePlus Pad 2 – Photos

View 4 Images4. OnePlus Pad 2

Best Android Tablet for Reading

### OnePlus Pad 2

0The OnePlus Pad 2 offers excellent performance, a smooth and elegant display, and overall high quality. 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 smartphones, also offers a great reading tablet. The OnePlus Pad 2 features a 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support. The screen is crisp, vibrant, and clear, and our hands-on review confirmed its visibility in morning sunlight due to enhanced brightness.

The OnePlus Pad 2 matches the best Android tablets, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM. This ensures smooth page turns and navigation between reading apps. With 256GB of storage, it can hold numerous books, comics, and audiobooks. An AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist with writing, and stylus support allows for easy annotations.

While the tablet's size and premium build make it heavier, its 9,510mAh battery lasts 12 hours. Support for 80W charging means it can be fully charged in less than 75 minutes.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0This colorful, lightweight e-reader is easy to see and offers 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 competes with 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 single-handed, and two buttons facilitate page turns, though the touchscreen can also be used.

Kobo uses an E-Ink Kaleido 3 display, offering a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color. The colors are more subdued, resembling a newspaper, but graphics novels and comics look great with minimal glare in bright sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro enhances reading in darker environments and reduces blue light.

The Kobo Libra Colour's dual-core 2.0GHz processor ensures responsive performance, with smooth page turns and navigation. Note-taking is fluid, and integration with the OverDrive library is a nice addition. However, it's limited to reading and writing, so don't expect to use it for social media or emails.

The Kobo Libra Colour supports writing 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 focused on notetaking, 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 meet your specific needs. Whether you're a fiction enthusiast, a student reviewing textbooks, or a professional dealing with PDFs, the right tablet can enhance your reading experience.

The display's quality is crucial, as it's where you'll spend most of your time. Eye comfort is vital for long reading sessions, and tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which mimic paper, can help reduce eye strain. E-ink screens are gentler on the eyes, but LCDs are more versatile for multiple uses.

Long battery life is essential for uninterrupted reading, especially on the go. Tablets with robust battery life ensure you can enjoy your reading without constantly searching for a power outlet.

Size and weight also matter, affecting how comfortably you can hold the tablet. Larger screens offer a more immersive reading experience, but they shouldn't compromise portability. A lightweight, slim design makes it easier to carry and hold for extended periods.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

Reddit users on the r/androidtablets subreddit recommend the Aldocube 50 Mini and Mini Pro for their lightweight design and good screens, ideal for reading. Others suggest 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 good for reading books, but LCD screens can cause more eye strain compared to e-ink models. Battery life is also a consideration, as standard tablets typically don't last as long as devices like the Kindle due to their more demanding hardware.

What is the best tablet for reading outside?

For reading outdoors, the Kindle Paperwhite is ideal. Its e-ink display resembles printed paper, reducing glare, brightness, and eye strain while extending battery life. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it suitable for use at the beach or poolside.