If you're looking for the best tablet for reading, you've come to the right place.
As you probably know, tablets are a 'do-it-all' type of device, designed to be both portable and multi-functional. Whether it's watching movies, surfing the net, or even working, they're an excellent alternative to lugging around a laptop when you're on the go.
But when it comes to reading, it's not quite as simple as picking up any old tablet. In fact, there are certain devices designed specifically with reading in mind...
These tablets are called eReaders, and you've likely come across them before. While they don't have all the bells and whistles of more traditional slates, they often have 'e-ink' and anti-glare displays, which give the effect of reading from a physical book itself.
They also have various eye-care solutions, such as adjustable backlights, and generally house upwards of 8GB of storage - more than enough for even the biggest of e-libraries.
Add that to incredibly lightweight builds and more narrow designs than most tablets, and you have something that's both easy to hold and easy on the wrists...
We've chosen our picks based on specs, features, and anything else which we thought made them great for reading, and we've included some other options for those looking for a more everyday tablet too.
Here are what we think are the best tablets for reading.
Best tablet for reading
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
- Kobo Clara HD 6
- Apple iPad Pro 11
- Amazon Fire 7
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Best tablet for reading - Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Amazon’s Kindle made e-reading much more mainstream. Kindle’s tabs are exclusively for reading, and the new Signature Edition elevates the experience with some more tweaks.
To begin with, the tablet has 32GB storage, which is about 4x more than a standard Kindle. Along with this, users get free cloud storage, so you can keep on piling e-books without worrying about space.
Coming to the reading experience, the tablet sports a 6.8-inch, 300 PPI, anti-glare display with thinner bezels to give you more viewing space.
These combine to make for a fantastic reading experience, both in low or brightly-lit environments.
This, coupled with the e-ink technology, should make the display look like printed paper. E-ink delivers high contrast to offer readability under different lighting conditions.
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The Signature Edition's backlight adjusts automatically - the display can go from warm to cool, depending on your surrounding conditions. You can also manually set up the backlight or schedule it according to your preference.
As far as battery performance is concerned, the device has a 10-week battery life. If you run out of juice, you can choose to go wireless with the Qi charger or use the USB-C port. The tablet is also IPX8 waterproof, which along with the hassle-free charging should make it easier to travel with.
If you’re an avid e-reader with a vast library or a Paperwhite fan looking for an upgrade, the new Signature Edition can be a great investment. And of course, you can always go with the more affordable option, the Kindle Paperwhite, if you're sticking to a budget.
Best budget tablet for reading - Kobo Clara HD 6
Kobo Clara HD is an affordable Kindle alternative, and for good reasons. The tablet serves the purpose of e-reading well and goes easy on the pocket.
Kobo's tablet comes with a 6-inch, 300 PPI, anti-glare display with ComfortLight PRO - a feature that enables users to adjust the blue light and colour temperature for comfortable reading under any lighting conditions. For instance, you might prefer a warmer yellow backlight for your night reads.
This, coupled with the e-ink and customizable fonts, should give you an uninterrupted reading experience without straining your eyes.
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To build your e-library, the tablet gives you 8GB of storage to work with. Considering that an e-book takes up little space, the storage should be sizable. You can borrow over 6 million books from Kobo and build your e-library.
If you're a reader-on-the-go, then Kobo Clara is quite lightweight and portable. The battery will probably not be a concern either, as the tab's battery life will last you for weeks.
For first-time Kindle buyers and e-reading enthusiasts, Kobo Clara is a good start.
Best premium tablet for reading - Apple iPad Pro 11
While the iPad Pro 11 may seem like overkill for something as simple as reading - it's suitable for users who work on iPad and do some reading on the side.
Apple's iPad Pro 11 sports an 11-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display that delivers stunning visuals. With a 2388x1668 resolution and True Tone technology, you can view your books comfortably under any lighting conditions. A True Tone display makes images look natural, regardless of the surrounding light.
The base model comes with 128GB of storage, which is sufficient to hold all your e-books and other activities. You can choose to go for a model with 246GB, 512GB, or even 1TB. With this iPad, you can get access to iBooks and Amazon Kindle - so you can choose from millions of books.
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The iPad Pro 11 complements the storage with speed. The device features an A12Z Bionic chip, which should make flipping pages, browsing, watching, and gaming a breeze.
As far as multi-utility is concerned, the device is compatible with the latest Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard. So along with reading, the iPad lets you take notes and type as a bonus.
The tablet weighs 471 gm - which is expected since it has an aluminum build. However, it's still very sleek and portable and would fit into your backpack.
If you're looking for something premium and prefer quality above everything, the Apple iPad Pro 11 is worth splurging on.
Best lightweight tablet for reading - Amazon Fire 7
Amazon Fire tablets are known for their affordability - they get the job done without burning a hole in your pocket.
The Fire 7 tab comes with a 7-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution - which may not look impressive, but it's sufficient for reading. The display brightens up enough and should give you a comfortable reading experience under bright lights.
The tablet has 16GB storage, and you can choose to increase it up to 512TB with a microSD card. If you want more internal storage, there's a 32GB + 1TB variant as well.
Coming to the tab's performance, the device has a Quad-core 2.0 GHz processor, which is an improvement over its predecessor. Combined with 2GB RAM, you should have a smooth scroll through your book.
You can easily carry the tablet around, as it weighs only 282 gm. You get a 10-hour battery life with a single charge, which is sufficient if you're just reading.
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Interestingly, the Fire 7 tab has a 3.5mm audio jack for listening to audiobooks. Moreover, users can get hands-free Alexa support on the tab as an added bonus.
If you're looking for an affordable option for e-Reading along with some entertainment, Amazon Fire 7 can be a great buy at this price.
Best tablet for reading comics - Samsung Galaxy Tab A
For reading comics, along with browsing and everyday use, Samsung's Galaxy Tab A can cater to your needs very well.
The tablet comes with 64GB storage, which can be expanded up to 512GB with an SD card. With such massive storage, you can fit in your entire digital library, and still have enough space for everything else.
To read colourful comics, browse, and watch, you get an 8-inch full-HD display with narrow bezels. For immersive entertainment, the tablet features dual speakers that deliver surround sound.
With 2GB RAM and a 2GHz processor, the tablet lets you turn pages smoothly. The processor is enough for seamless browsing, streaming, and some light gaming as well.
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As far as portability is concerned, Samsung's tab is lightweight - it should slide into your bag without taking up much space. With a single charge, the battery can last for 13 hours, which is sufficient
If you're looking to buy a tablet that you would also use for reading, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab A can cross most of the things on your checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tablet size for reading?
For reading, 7-inch or 8-inch tablets are comfortable because as the screen size gets bigger, the weight increases. Further, a bigger tablet is uncomfortable to hold for a longer period and may cause wrist fatigue.
Is it better to read on an eReader or a tablet?
An eReader is designed with readers in mind - so they deliver a seamless reading experience. These devices are lightweight, and the display doesn't cause eyestrain in the long run.
So if you're an avid reader, eReaders can be the way to go. However, if you also intend to use the device for browsing, taking notes, and entertainment, then a tablet might be a better fit.
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