Best Reading Tablets: Get the Right Tablet for Your Books and Comics

Reading your favorite books on the go can be a difficult thing to do, especially if you’re already carrying about a million things with you, so turning to e-books may end up saving you from a backache. Whether you prefer an actual e-reader, like one of the best kindles or if you’d rather just read on one of the best tablets, that’s up to you – there are advantages to either.

TL;DR – These are the best tablets to read on:

To have a great experience when reading an e-book, you need a tablet with a good screen that’s easy to handle. While dedicated e-readers are fantastic, you can simply install apps to read your e-books on a regular tablet as well.

1. Kindle Paperwhite

The Best Kindle and Best Reading Tablet

Pros:

• Great illuminated display and battery life
• Water-resistant

Cons:

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is king among e-book readers. It’s small enough that you can carry it anywhere, with battery that’ll last for days. The Kindle Paperwhite features a 6.8-inch e-Ink screen with a 300 ppi resolution, which is ideal for reading since there’s no glare to speak of and little to no blue light. Even better, the Paperwhite has 17 LEDs to light up the display from the sides, making it super comfortable to read in any condition.

The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best ways to read books, allowing us to focus on the book and eliminating all outside distractions such as app notifications, emails, calls, and so on. It’s just you and your book. If necessary, the Kindle’s browser gives you access to anything you need to research.

2. iPad Mini

Best iPad for Reading

Pros:

• Fantastic display
• Compact and portable

Cons:

• Screen glare due to glossy screen

If you’re caught in the Apple universe, then you’re going to want an iPad mini to read your books. It’s a smaller tablet, measuring just 8.3 inches, but it’s still an iPad. It has a Liquid Retina display, which is gorgeous and you can adjust the screen brightness to match whatever you need when reading. Thanks to the True Tone technology, the iPad will automatically adjust the display’s color temperature based on the ambient light conditions, which is always great.

At the same time, the iPad mini features Apple’s A15 chipset, which means it’s quite a powerful device, being able to run any app you want, from social media to streaming to games. This is also a super light tablet so you can easily carry it with you anywhere you go while also holding it in a single hand when lying in bed and trying to get through another chapter. The only downside is battery life – at least when compared to an e-reader – because you’ll need to charge the iPad mini pretty frequently. Apple boasts that it has battery life of about 10 hours, but if you watch videos and so on, you’ll get much less than that.

3. Kindle Fire HD 8

Best tablet for reading comics

Pros:

• Affordable
• Long battery life

Cons:

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly tablet that will also serve as a great platform to read comics on, then the Fire HD 8 may be a solid option. Not only is this Amazon tablet compact enough to carry anywhere you want to go or to hold in one hand when you’re trying to finish another issue, but it’s also super affordable. Since you can get this one for as low as $65 during sale events, you can’t expect it to be a speed devil with a fantastic screen and fabulous battery.

So, while it may not be the best tablet out there, you can launch the Kindle app to read your books or comics, use Alexa to control various smart home devices or scroll through TikTok while still reeling from that one scene you just finished reading. The Fire HD 8 even has a decent battery life, so you’ll do just fine using this tablet for reading.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Best Android Tablet for Reading

Pros:

• Large and bright display
• Comes with an S-Pen for note-taking

Cons:

• LCD screens could tire your eyes easily

If you want an Android tablet, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a great option. While it’s slightly larger than other tablets on our list, we picked it over other models for its screen quality. With a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, you’ll get crisp and clear letters even if you do go for a smaller font size.

The Tab S6 Lite also comes with an S Pen, so you can easily take notes based on what you read. What’s more, since this is an Android tablet, you can do everything you do on your phone – watch movies, doomscroll through social media, play games, and so on. You also get a wide range of e-book and audiobook apps to choose from.

5. Boox Note Air3

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

Pros:

• Large E-Ink display
• Allows note-taking

Cons:

The Boox Note Air3 is a bit more expensive than other tablets for reading, but it will easily cover all your reading and writing needs. This is an Android tablet with an E-Ink screen, meaning you get the same fantastic reading experience as a Kindle. There’s no glare and your eyes will be less tired than when reading on an LCD screen since there’s no blue light to speak of.

The Boox Note Air 3 will also replace your notebooks because you can use the stylus to write down your thoughts, make lists, and so on. You can install whatever Android apps you want to, but keep in mind that the E-Ink screen has loads of limitations when it comes to watching videos or playing games. So, while the tablet does have the power to do everything else an Android tablet can do, not even setting the maximum refresh rate available will help this screen deliver a decent video.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Choosing the best reading tablet requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure that the device meets your specific needs. Whether you’re an avid reader delving into novels, a student reviewing textbooks, or a professional keeping up with all the files your boss keeps sending, selecting the right tablet can significantly enhance your reading experience.

One of the main things you have to look into is the display’s quality. The screen is where your eyes will spend most of their time, making display quality paramount. Eye comfort is also crucial, especially for extended reading sessions. Tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which mimics the appearance of paper, can help reduce eye strain. E-Ink screens are easier on the eyes, but LCDs are more versatile if you want to use the same tablet for multiple purposes.

Long battery life is essential for uninterrupted reading, especially when on the move. Looking into tablets with a solid battery life will ensure that you can enjoy your books, magazines, or documents without constantly worrying about finding the next power outlet.

Lastly, size and weight affect how comfortably you can hold the tablet for long periods. While larger screens provide more immersive reading experiences, they should not compromise the device’s portability. A lightweight, slim design makes it easier to carry your tablet in a bag or even hold it with one hand.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading?

If you want a device that’s fantastic for reading, then the Kindle Paperwhite is the one to choose. It has a great screen, it’s comfortable to use for long hours, has a great battery life and it’s even IPX8 waterproof. If you’re looking for a device that can help you multitask, then you’re going to want to get the iPad Mini or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, depending if you prefer iOS or Android.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Sure they are, but you’re going to be well aware that regular LCD screens will tire your eyes much faster than an e-Ink model. Battery life is also something you’ll want to keep in mind because tablets don’t last as long as a Kindle, for instance, since their hardware is more demanding.