Books are fantastic, no doubt about it. But let's face it, they can take up a lot of space—just ask the stacks of books cluttering my apartment that won't fit on my already packed bookshelf. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a real home library, congratulations! If not, consider getting a reading tablet. While you might miss the tactile experience of flipping through pages, tablets make building a personal library much easier and less messy. Plus, you can access a wealth of free books without leaving your home. We've identified 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### AppleiPad 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 varying capabilities. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, are designed primarily for book formats, often featuring screens that mimic the look of pages. These devices are more limited in functionality—don't expect to scroll through social media or stream shows when you need a break from reading. On the other hand, more versatile tablets like the iPad Mini offer a broader range of features, though their displays might strain your eyes and drain the battery faster. Notetaking functionality, such as that offered by the Kobo Libra Colour, is particularly useful for students or anyone who enjoys annotating their reading materials. 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 a reading experience akin to 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 reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best tablet for you. This e-reader focuses on simplicity, so don't expect a colorful screen, stylus support, or access to emails, apps, and notifications. Instead, it minimizes distractions with a clear, easy-to-read display that reduces eye strain and conserves battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite features a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, designed to minimize blue light and glare. It also includes a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast. Coupled with 19 LEDs that wrap around the screen, it ensures easy reading in various lighting conditions, whether you're at the beach or in a dimly lit tent while camping. Adjusting the warm backlight for darker environments is straightforward, but for automatic adjustments and additional enhancements, consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Kindle Paperwhite boasts a 20% performance increase, resulting in swift page turns and smooth navigation through your book collection. Its 16GB of storage may seem modest, but it's ample for thousands of books. Audiobooks take up more space, but cloud storage is available if you ever run low. Other features include customizable text and font options for easier reading and a built-in dictionary. If you use Libby, you won't be able to install the app directly on your Kindle, but you can send borrowed books to your Kindle from the Libby app on another device.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic build keeps it slim and lightweight, similar to a hardcover book, reducing arm and wrist fatigue. Despite its seemingly fragile design, it's sturdy and waterproof. With compact dimensions, this e-reader achieves an impressive 12-week battery life on a single 2.5-hour charge, making it our top choice among Kindle models.

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 an excellent 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 that are 10 inches or larger. For avid readers, these sizes can be cumbersome, while iPhone screens may be too small. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch display, strikes the perfect balance, similar in size to a paperback and weighing just 10.4 ounces. It's easy to carry and comfortable to hold in one hand while lying down. Moreover, it retains all the capabilities of the top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's stunning Liquid Retina display features adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience in various environments. However, be aware of potential glare from the glossy screen. Pairing it with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations during reading, though its vibrant screen will drain the battery faster than an e-ink display like 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 offers robust performance for its size and supports Apple Intelligence. It handles top reading apps such as Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd with ease. When you need a break from reading, you can smoothly transition to social media, streaming, or other 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 the 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 looking to dive into the colorful world of comics or even create your own, the iPad Pro is your best bet. Despite its large 11-inch or 13-inch display, the device remains thin and lightweight.

The iPad Pro's OLED display is a first for iPads and is truly captivating. Its vibrant, 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.

Such a stunning display demands significant processing power, which the iPad Pro's M4 chip delivers effortlessly. It's capable of handling heavy workloads, including gaming and design, with its 8GB GPU. Those interested in creating comics or graphic novels will find this tablet invaluable, as it's designed for such tasks.

The Apple Pencil Pro support can elevate your artistic endeavors, and attaching a keyboard turns the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. However, be prepared for the cost of these accessories to add up quickly on an 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 tabletsApple isn't the only brand producing capable reading tablets. OnePlus, known for our favorite smartphones, offers an excellent alternative. The OnePlus Pad 2 features a stunning 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support. In our hands-on review of the OnePlus Pad 2, our tester appreciated its visibility in morning sunlight due to enhanced brightness.

The OnePlus Pad 2 competes with the best Android tablets, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM. This ensures smooth page turns and effortless transitions between reading apps. With 256GB of storage, you can store plenty of novels, comics, and audiobooks. The included AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist with writing, and stylus support facilitates annotations.

Due to its size and premium build, the tablet is somewhat heavy, making one-handed use less comfortable for extended periods. However, it boasts an impressive 9,510mAh battery that lasted 12 hours in our tests. If it runs low, the 80W charging support can bring it back to full power in under 75 minutes.

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 is a strong contender against Amazon’s Kindle lineup. Its 7-inch display is ideal for reading, with ample margin space. The wider bezels on one side and lightweight design make it easy to hold single-handedly, with physical buttons for page turns or the option to use the touchscreen.

Kobo's E-Ink Kaleido 3 display offers a 300ppi resolution in black and white and 150ppi in color. While the colors are more subdued than those on traditional tablets, they resemble a newspaper, making graphics novels and comics vibrant and easy to read with minimal glare. The ComfortLight Pro enhances readability 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 snappy page turns and smooth navigation. Note-taking is also fluid, and integration with the OverDrive library is a bonus. However, this e-reader is designed exclusively for reading and writing, so don't expect to use it for social media or email.

The Kobo Libra Colour supports the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing you to annotate books and highlight passages with your finger. Kobo also provides 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

Selecting the best reading tablet involves considering several factors to ensure it fits 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.

The display quality is crucial, as it's where your eyes will focus most of the time. Eye comfort is vital, especially for long reading sessions. Tablets with blue light reduction or e-ink technology, which simulates paper, can minimize eye strain. E-ink screens are gentler on the eyes, but LCDs offer more versatility if you need a multifunctional device.

Battery life is essential for uninterrupted reading, particularly when traveling. Opt for tablets with robust battery life to enjoy your books, magazines, or documents without constantly seeking a power outlet.

Size and weight also matter, as they affect how comfortably you can hold the tablet for extended periods. Larger screens provide a more immersive experience, but they shouldn't compromise portability. A lightweight, slim design makes it easier to carry and use one-handed.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading according to Reddit?

Reddit users on the r/androidtablets subreddit recommend several options. The top suggestion is the Aldocube 50 Mini and Mini Pro for their lightweight design and good reading-sized screens. Others praise Barnes & Noble's Nook for its e-paper technology, offering a reading experience similar to physical books.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are suitable for reading books, but regular LCD screens can cause eye fatigue more quickly than e-ink models. Consider battery life as well, as standard tablets often 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 outdoor reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is ideal. Its e-ink display mimics printed paper, reducing glare, brightness issues, eye strain, and battery consumption compared to LCD screens. It's also IPX8 water-resistant, making it perfect for poolside or rainy day reading.