Top Tablets for Reading: Choose the Best for Books and Comics

Books are wonderful, but they can take up a lot of space—those of you with piles of books around your apartment know exactly what I'm talking about. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a home library, congratulations! For the rest of us, a reading tablet is the perfect solution. While you might miss the tactile experience of turning pages, the convenience and accessibility of digital books are undeniable. Plus, you can enjoy free reads without ever leaving your home, all while keeping your space clutter-free. Here are some of the best tablets to enhance your reading experience anywhere.

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, are designed specifically for books, often featuring screens that mimic the look of paper. These devices focus purely on reading and may not support other activities like social media or video streaming. On the other hand, more versatile tablets like the iPad Mini can handle a variety of tasks, but their displays may cause eye strain and drain batteries faster. Features like notetaking, as offered by the Kobo Libra Colour, are great for students or anyone who likes to annotate their reading material. The choice depends on your personal preferences and needs.

1. Kindle Paperwhite

The Best Kindle and Best Reading Tablet

Our Top Pick### Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

0The Kindle Paperwhite offers an experience similar to reading an actual book, enhanced with a backlight and numerous handy 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 job. This e-reader keeps things simple, focusing solely on reading without distractions like colorful screens, stylus support, or notifications. Its display prevents eye strain and helps conserve battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite features a 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, which reduces blue light and glare. A new thin-film transistor improves contrast, and the 19 LEDs around the screen ensure easy reading in various lighting conditions, from the beach to a dimly lit tent. You can easily adjust the warm backlight for darker environments, and for automatic adjustments and other enhancements, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

With a 20% performance boost over its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite ensures speedy page turns and smooth library navigation. Its 16GB storage is ample for thousands of books, though audiobooks use more space. Cloud storage is available if needed. Additional features include text and font adjustments and an easy-to-access 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 thin and light, reducing arm and wrist fatigue. Despite its seemingly less durable design, it's sturdy and waterproof. With a compact size and an impressive 12-week battery life on 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 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 have large displays, which can be too big for avid readers. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch screen, is about the size of a paperback and weighs just 10.4oz, making it perfect for portability and comfortable one-handed reading. It retains all the capabilities of top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, offers a pleasant reading experience, though it may produce some glare. Pairing with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations. However, its 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 in the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPad Mini provides ample performance for its size 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 efficient 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

### AppleiPad Pro (2024, M4)

0The iPad Pro, equipped with an Apple M4 processor and an OLED display, is the most premium Apple tablet 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 usersIf you're diving into the vibrant world of comics or looking to create your own, the iPad Pro is the best choice. Despite its large 11-inch or 13-inch display, it remains thin and lightweight.

The OLED display on the iPad Pro is a first for iPads and delivers stunning, vivid 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 chip powers the iPad Pro, handling heavy workloads like gaming or design with ease, thanks to its 8GB GPU. Creatives will find this tablet perfect for making comics or graphic novels, with its powerful performance and design capabilities.

With Apple Pencil Pro support, your artistic work can reach new heights, and adding a keyboard transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. Keep in mind that these extras can quickly add up the cost of this already expensive 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 the OnePlus Pad 2, an excellent reading tablet. It features a 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support, providing crisp, vibrant visuals. In our hands-on review of the OnePlus Pad 2, the screen was easily visible in morning sunlight due to its improved brightness.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus Pad 2 rivals best Android tablets. Page turns are instantaneous, and navigating between reading apps is smooth. With 256GB of storage, you can store countless books, comics, and audiobooks. The included AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist in writing, and stylus support allows for easy annotations.

Though its premium build and size make it heavier, the OnePlus Pad 2 offers an impressive 9,510mAh battery, lasting 12 hours in testing. With 80W charging support, 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. 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 margin space. The design, featuring wider bezels on one side and a lightweight build, allows for comfortable single-handed use, with two buttons for simple page turns or touchscreen navigation.

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

A dual-core 2.0GHz processor powers the Kobo Libra Colour, ensuring responsive performance for reading and note-taking. Its integration with the OverDrive library is a nice perk, though it's designed exclusively for reading and writing.

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

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Selecting the best reading tablet involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your needs, whether you're reading fiction, studying textbooks, or handling PDFs. The quality of the display is paramount, as it's where your eyes will focus. Tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which mimics paper, can reduce eye strain. E-Ink screens are gentler on the eyes, while LCDs offer more versatility for multiple uses.

Long battery life is essential for uninterrupted reading, especially when traveling. Choose a tablet with a robust battery to avoid constant recharging. Size and weight also matter for comfort during extended reading sessions. While larger screens enhance immersion, they should remain portable and comfortable to hold, even with one hand.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

Reddit users on the r/androidtablets subreddit often 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 closely resembles reading a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are excellent for reading books, but keep in mind that LCD screens may cause more eye strain than e-ink models. Battery life is another consideration, as standard tablets typically don't last as long as devices like the Kindle due to more demanding hardware.

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, brightness issues, eye strain, and conserving battery life compared to LCD screens. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it perfect for poolside or rainy conditions.