Top Reading Tablets: Choose the Best for Books and Comics

Books are undeniably wonderful, yet they can quickly take over your living space. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a home library, congratulations! For the rest of us, a reading tablet is a smart solution. While you might miss the tactile experience of a physical book, tablets make it incredibly easy to build a personal library from the comfort of your home, complete with free books, and without the clutter. We've selected 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 different capabilities suited to various needs. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, are designed specifically for books and often use screens that mimic the look of paper. These devices are great for reading but not for other activities like social media or streaming. On the other hand, general-purpose tablets, such as the iPad Mini, offer a wider range of functions, though their displays might cause more eye strain and drain the battery faster. Some tablets, like the Kobo Libra Colour, also provide notetaking features, which are excellent for students or those who enjoy annotating their books. Choosing the right tablet depends on your personal preferences and reading habits.

1. Kindle Paperwhite

The Best Kindle and Best Reading Tablet

Our Top Pick### Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

0The Kindle Paperwhite offers a reading experience close to that of a physical book, enhanced by 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 reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is the top choice. It focuses on simplicity, with no colorful screen, stylus support, or access to emails, apps, and notifications, which helps minimize distractions. Its display is designed to prevent eye strain and save 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 better contrast and 19 LEDs around the screen for easy reading in various lighting conditions, from bright beaches to dim camping tents. You can easily adjust the warm backlight for darker environments, or opt for the Kindle Paperwhite Signature for automatic adjustments and additional enhancements.

With a 20% performance boost over its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite ensures quick page turns and smooth scrolling through your book collection. Its 16GB of storage is ample for thousands of books, though audiobooks take up more space; cloud storage is available if needed. Features like text and font adjustments, an easy-access dictionary, and compatibility with Libby (though not directly downloadable) add to its appeal.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic build keeps it thin and lightweight, reducing fatigue during long reading sessions. Despite its lightweight design, it's sturdy and waterproof, boasting an impressive 12-week battery life on a single 2.5-hour charge. This makes 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, features a vibrant 8.3-inch display, making it an excellent handheld reading device. 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 Apple iPads feature displays over 10 inches, which can be too large for avid readers, while iPhone screens may be too small. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch screen, strikes a perfect balance, similar in size to a paperback and weighing just 10.4 ounces. It's easy to carry and can be comfortably held in one hand, yet it retains all the capabilities of top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, ensures a pleasant reading experience, though it may suffer from glare. Pairing it with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations. However, its bright, colorful screen drains the battery faster than e-ink displays, lasting about 10 hours.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same as the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPad Mini offers plenty of power for its size and supports Apple Intelligence. It's compatible with leading reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd, and is also great for other tasks like social media and streaming.

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, powered by the Apple M4 processor and featuring an OLED display, is the most premium Apple tablet to date. 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 who love comics or want to create their own, the iPad Pro is the ideal 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, offering vivid, accurate colors and excellent contrast that bring images to life. In IGN's review, Jackie Thomas praised the display while reading Star Wars: The High Republic comics.

The iPad Pro's M4 silicon provides ample processing power for heavy workloads, including gaming and design, with an 8GB GPU. This makes it perfect for creating comics or graphic novels. The Apple Pencil Pro support enhances artistic capabilities, and adding a keyboard turns it into a laptop replacement. However, the cost can add up quickly.

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, an elegant and smooth display, and overall great 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 produces a capable reading tablet. The OnePlus Pad 2 features a spectacular 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support. Its brightness upgrade makes it easy to read outdoors.

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

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

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0The Kobo Libra Colour is 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 competes with Amazon's Kindle lineup, offering a 7-inch display perfect for reading. Its design, with wider bezels on one side, allows for comfortable one-handed use, and physical buttons enable easy page turns.

The E-Ink Kaleido 3 display provides a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color, with subdued hues reminiscent of a newspaper. This makes it ideal for comics and graphic novels, with minimal glare in sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro feature enhances readability in darker environments and reduces blue light.

The Kobo Libra Colour's dual-core 2.0GHz processor ensures responsive performance for page turns and navigation. It also supports note-taking with the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing users to annotate books and highlight passages. Integration with the OverDrive library is another advantage, though the device is limited to reading and writing.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Choosing the best reading tablet involves considering several factors to meet your specific needs. Whether you're reading fiction, studying textbooks, or reviewing 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 important for long reading sessions, and features like blue light reduction or e-ink technology, which mimics paper, can help reduce strain. E-Ink screens are gentler on the eyes, while LCDs offer versatility for other tasks.

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

Size and weight also impact comfort during extended use. Larger screens offer a more immersive experience but should not compromise portability. A lightweight, slim design is ideal for carrying and one-handed use.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

Reddit users, particularly on r/androidtablets, 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 closely resembles reading a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are suitable for reading books, though LCD screens may cause more eye strain than e-ink models. Battery life is also a consideration, as general-purpose tablets often don't last as long as dedicated e-readers like the Kindle.

What is the best tablet for reading outside?

For outdoor reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is ideal. Its e-ink display, similar to printed paper, minimizes glare, brightness, eye strain, and battery concerns compared to LCD screens. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it perfect for poolside or rainy conditions.