Top Tablets for Reading: Ideal for Books and Comics

Books are undeniably wonderful, but they can also be cumbersome and take up a lot of space—just ask the stacks of books cluttering my apartment that can't fit on my already packed bookshelf. If you're fortunate enough to have room for a dedicated home library, consider yourself lucky! For the rest of us, a reading tablet is a smart solution. While you might miss the tactile pleasure of flipping through pages, tablets make building a personal library much more manageable and less messy. Plus, you can access free books without leaving your home. We've rounded up 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 a range of capabilities. E-readers, like our top pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, are designed specifically for book formats, often featuring screens that mimic the look of paper. These devices are more limited in functionality—don't expect to scroll through social media or stream shows during breaks from reading. On the other hand, general-purpose tablets like the iPad Mini offer more versatility, though their displays might cause eye strain and drain batteries faster. Notetaking features, such as those 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 a reading experience akin to a physical book, enhanced with a backlight and numerous useful 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 straightforward, so don't expect a colorful screen, stylus support, or access to emails, apps, and notifications. Instead, it minimizes distractions with a simple, easy-to-read display that reduces eye strain and conserves battery life.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite boasts a slightly larger 7-inch e-ink display with a 300ppi resolution, designed to minimize blue light and glare. It also features a new thin-film transistor for improved contrast. Coupled with 19 LEDs surrounding the screen, it ensures easy reading in various lighting conditions, from the beach to a dimly lit tent on a camping trip. 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 offers a 20% performance boost, resulting in swift page turns and smooth navigation through your book library. Its 16GB of storage might seem modest compared to other tablets, 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 settings, a built-in dictionary, and the ability to send borrowed books from the Libby app to your Kindle.

The Kindle Paperwhite's plastic build keeps it slim and lightweight, reducing arm and wrist fatigue. While it may not appear as durable, it's sturdy and waterproof. Despite its compact size, this e-reader boasts an impressive 12-week battery life on a single 2.5-hour charge. It's easy to see why this is our favorite Kindle model.

2. iPad Mini (7th Gen)

Best iPad for Reading

### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

0A compact iPad weighing just over half a pound, featuring 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 feature displays larger than 10 inches, which can be too big for avid readers, while iPhone screens are often too small. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch display, strikes the perfect balance, resembling a paperback in size and weighing just 10.4oz. It's easy to carry anywhere and can be comfortably held in one hand, ideal for relaxed reading. Plus, it retains all the capabilities of the top iPad models.

The iPad Mini's stunning Liquid Retina display, with adjustable brightness and True Tone technology, ensures a pleasant reading experience in various environments. However, be prepared for some glare due to the glossy screen. Pairing it with an Apple Pencil allows for easy annotations. Keep in mind that the vibrant screen consumes battery life more quickly than the e-ink display on the Kindle Paperwhite, offering only 10 hours of usage.

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 processors in the iPad Air and Pro models, it's more than sufficient for this compact device and supports Apple Intelligence. Using top reading apps like Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, comiXology, Libby, and Scribd is seamless. When you need a break from reading, the iPad Mini handles social media scrolling, 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 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 usersIf you're looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of comics or even create your 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, and 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.

Such a stunning display requires significant processing power, and the iPad Pro's M4 silicon delivers. It can handle heavy workloads, including gaming or design, with its 8GB GPU. Those interested in creating comics or graphic novels will find this tablet to be an excellent tool, as it's designed for such tasks.

The Apple Pencil Pro support can elevate your artistic work, while adding a keyboard transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. Be aware, though, that accessories can quickly add to 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, a smooth and elegant 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 its impressive smartphones, also offers a top-notch reading tablet. The OnePlus Pad 2 features a stunning 12.1-inch, 3K display with 10-bit color depth and HDR support. Its crisp, vibrant, and clear visuals were easily visible in morning sunlight, as noted in our hands-on review of the OnePlus Pad 2.

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 numerous novels, comics, audiobooks, and more. The included AI toolbox can summarize articles or assist with writing, while stylus support enables easy annotations.

Due to its size and premium build, the OnePlus Pad 2 is somewhat heavy, making it less comfortable for prolonged one-handed use. However, it boasts a 9,510mAh battery that lasted 12 hours in our tests. If the battery runs low, 80W charging can bring it back to full power in under 75 minutes.

5. Kobo Libra Colour

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

### Kobo Libra Colour

0A colorful, lightweight e-reader with easy-to-see display and 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 formidable competitor to 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-handed, while two buttons facilitate simple page turns. You can also use the touchscreen to navigate.

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, resembling a newspaper, they add life to graphics novels and comics while minimizing glare in bright sunlight. The ComfortLight Pro feature ensures a comfortable reading experience in darker environments and reduces blue light exposure.

The Kobo Libra Colour's dual-core 2.0GHz processor is responsive for most tasks, ensuring snappy page turns and smooth navigation. Note-taking is surprisingly fluid, and integration with the OverDrive library is a nice touch. However, this e-reader is designed solely for reading and writing, so don't expect to use it for social media or email.

The Kobo Libra Colour supports writing with the Kobo Stylus 2. You can annotate any Kobo book with the stylus 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 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 your eyes will spend most of their time on it. Eye comfort is essential for long reading sessions. Tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which mimics paper, can help reduce eye strain. E-ink screens are gentler on the eyes, but LCDs offer more versatility for multiple uses.

Long battery life is vital for uninterrupted reading, especially on the go. Tablets with robust battery life ensure you can enjoy your reading materials 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 makes it easier to carry and hold for long periods.

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 reading due to their lightweight design and good screen size. Others suggest Barnes & Noble's Nook for its e-paper technology, which provides a reading experience similar to a physical book.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Yes, tablets are suitable for reading books, but standard LCD screens may cause more eye strain than e-ink models. Battery life is another consideration, as most tablets don't last as long as a 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, which resembles printed paper, minimizes 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 conditions.