Best tablet for reading in 2024
E-readers are still as popular as when they first made their debut. There are dozens of options, and we sifted through them to provide you with a definite list of the best tablets for reading in 2022
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If you are someone who loves to read in their downtime, you will want to be on the hunt for the best tablet for reading. Digital consumerism is on the rise, and readers have gone digital in recent years as well. While many would argue that nothing beats a good old traditional book, the convenience of a tablet for reading is too hard to ignore.
First off, you are saving a lot of space. Secondly, the best tablets for reading such as Kindle devices are waterproof to some degree. On top of all that, services such as Audible, Libby, Apple Books, and of course, Kindle Unlimited allow you to keep track of all of your titles. You can also find newer titles faster.
We’ll talk about the benefits and what to look out for later on. For now, here are our top three choices for the best tablet for reading.
Best tablet for reading: products at a glance
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Display
6.8-inch, E-ink, 1648 x 1236
Processor
MT8113 1GHz
Storage
8GB
Weight
205g
Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen
Display
8.3-inch, 2266 x 1488, IPS
Processor
A15 Bionic
Storage
64GB / 256GB
RAM
4GB
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Display
10.5-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels
Processor
Unisoc Tiger T618
RAM
3GB / 4GB
Storage
32GB / 64GB/ 128GB
Amazon Kindle Oasis
Display
10.5-inch, 1920 x 1200, TFT
Processor
Unisoc Tiger T618
Storage
32GB / 64GB / 128GB
RAM
3GB / 4GB
Amazon Kindle
Display
6-inch, E-ink, 800 x 600
Processor
Cortex-A9
Storage
4GB
Weight
172g
Best tablet for reading: our top picks
Best tablet for reading: in-depth review
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Display
6.8-inch, E-ink, 1648 x 1236
Processor
MT8113 1GHz
Storage
8GB
Weight
205g
- Superb Interface
- Sharp and bright screen
- Still quite affordable
- Finally adds USB-C
- Signature Edition costs extra, with not many upgrades
No surprise here, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has been the best tablet for reading for a while now. Much of this is due to how impressively Amazon dominates the market, and they have the quality to back up their claims. The 2021 version of the Kindle Paperwhite is better than ever and should be your top choice.
First off, the Kindle Paperwhite comes with a 6.8-inch e-ink display. This screen gets plenty bright outdoors, the sharpness is excellent, and of course, it is quite comfortable to read for hours on end.
Adaptive brightness is available on the Signature Edition, which also adds wireless charging and 32GBs of storage. The base model has 8GBs of storage (still enough for thousands of books) and costs less. While the signature edition is nice, you will have to buy a wireless charger separately. Considering the costs, the upgrades are not worthwhile.
Regardless, the 2021 Paperwhite is the best tablet for reading. We finally get USB-C on this thing, and we also get faster charging. The interface is excellent and will allow you to read without any distractions.
This one is a no-brainer for the quality and the ease of use.
Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen
Display
8.3-inch, 2266 x 1488, IPS
Processor
A15 Bionic
Storage
64GB / 256GB
RAM
4GB
- Excellent portability
- Stellar overall performance
- Great size for reading
- Great battery life
- Quite Pricey
If you need a bit more versatility with your tablet, the iPad Mini is by far the best tablet for reading. While it costs considerably more than any of the Kindle devices, it can get more stuff done as well. While the Pro and Air might be too big for comfortably reading, the Mini is perfect.
The iPad Mini was updated quite recently in 2021. It now has thinner bezels, a better display, better performance, and works with the second-generation Apple Pencil. The size is perfect for note-taking, and that is why it is so popular among students.
You get access to all of the excellent apps on the App Store. Procreate is a joy to use with the Apple Pencil, and might actually kick you into picking up digital art as a hobby. As for reading, the high-resolution LCD display and the form factor are perfect for it.
If you don’t mind the cost and can make good use of an iPad, then this may very well be the best tablet for reading in your case.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Display
10.5-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels
Processor
Unisoc Tiger T618
RAM
3GB / 4GB
Storage
32GB / 64GB/ 128GB
- Excellent value
- Highly versatile for its price
- Great display for reading
- Slow charging
- Weak cameras
You might not be aware of this, but Android tablets can be a great choice when it comes to the best tablet for reading. A few companies are still making cheap Android tablets, and Samsung is leading that charge. The Galaxy Tab A8 is a great choice if you want a cheap Android tablet.
Of course, you get the excellent customization and versatility that comes with Android. You can download emulators to play retro games, get access to thousands of apps, and do just about anything you can think of.
We think the Tab A8 truly deserves to be considered when it comes to the best tablet for reading. It has a great display, the performance is excellent, and storage is plentiful to keep as many books as you’d like on your device.
If you feel like you’re more comfortable with Android and want a regular LCD screen, then this is the one to get.
Amazon Kindle Oasis
Display
10.5-inch, 1920 x 1200, TFT
Processor
Unisoc Tiger T618
Storage
32GB / 64GB / 128GB
RAM
3GB / 4GB
- High-end Premium design
- Physical buttons to skip pages
- Great display for reading
- Small upgrades over the Paperwhite
- Still uses a micro-USB port
On paper, the Kindle Oasis is by far the most impressive if we’re talking about the best tablet for reading. The design is slicker than any Amazon device so far, and it’s an overall luxurious experience.
Most e-readers have a design similar to mini-tablets. This one does not use plastic anywhere. Instead, it uses a metal build and the relatively lightweight design makes it quite slick compared to other e-readers. One half is noticeably thicker and gives you a ridge to hold the device.
This works well in theory, but realistically it’s not that comfortable. Other new features include adaptive brightness, physical buttons to skip pages, and a larger display. While it’s slightly better than the Paperwhite, we believe most people are better off with the latter.
This is Amazon’s best tablet for reading, but the price may drive buyers away.
Amazon Kindle
Display
6-inch, E-ink, 800 x 600
Processor
Cortex-A9
Storage
4GB
Weight
172g
- Extremely affordable price
- Lightweight and super portable
- Decent performance
- No waterproof
- Relatively low-res display
On paper, the 2019 Kindle is a far cry from the other options in this roundup of best tablets for reading. While you may think this is quite a simple option, it’s an excellent e-reader if you are on a budget.
The performance is decent enough, as this tablet never feels slow at all. The size is good enough for reading, and the small form factors allow you to chuck it into any backpack. For reading, the screen is decent enough but does not hold a candle to the Kindle Paperwhite.
Not much else to say here. While this tablet may not have a lot going for it, it’s by far the best tablet for reading if you want to save a considerable amount of cash.
Best tablet for reading: things to consider
While you are on your search for the best tablet for reading, there are a few things you need to consider. Thankfully, buying a tablet for reading is less complicated than looking for one for drawing or work. Still, there are subtle things you need to keep in mind. Let’s take a quick look.
Digital reading services
Your reading experience on tablets will largely depend on what service you are using. The best tablet for reading is only as good as the service you use alongside it. Thankfully, there are a lot of options, including the top three…
Kindle Store and Kindle Unlimited
In the Kindle app, there is a store where you can buy titles separately. These are added to your library and they are yours to keep forever. There are more titles than you could ever read on this store.
On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited is more of a subscription service. It works like an online library. You have access to 1.5 million titles, and you can keep up to 10 at a time. If you want to borrow one more book, just check out one from the ten you already have, and you can do so
Libby
Many people love to use Libby, as it works directly with your local library. You need a library card from your local library and need to see if it supports Libby. If the stars align, you can access all of the books in your local library from the Libby app.
Local libraries are great as they have a tonne of books and quite a few classics from big publishers. For example, Kindle Unlimited does not have any books from Dan Brown but your local library likely does.
Audible
Audible is an audiobook service and many people know how it works, but what does it have to do with the best tablet for reading?
Well, with the help of a feature called Whispersync, you can sync your titles between Audible and your Kindle device. This means if you were listening to an audiobook on your drive home, you can pick it up right where you left off your Kindle.
Of course, all Kindle tablets work with Audible seamlessly.
E-ink vs regular displays
Not many people are familiar with how e-ink displays work, but they do know the benefits of it. Here’s a short but sweet explanation: tiny microcapsules are suspended in a liquid that is covered in a film layer. The display then shines two electric fields, allowing the black and white particles to float to the surface.
This resembles a look similar to printed paper, the type you would normally see in high-quality newspapers. On the other hand, we’ve all used LCDs in our lives and know how they work.
LCDs are more dynamic, more common, and less expensive. E-ink displays on the other hand are more comfortable for longer reading sessions, and the battery lasts for longer.
The decision comes down to whether you want to do more than reading. For example, tablets with an e-ink display do not work for video streaming, so if you want one device for reading, watching videos, and getting work done, then a regular tablet is your best bet.
Versatility vs comfort
This is something people are not aware of while on the hunt for the best tablet for reading. Here’s a quick example: The iPad Mini might very well be excellent for reading, and general use as well. It has a great display, thin bezels, beastly performance, and Apple Pencil support. You can use it for drawing, watching videos, playing games, and so much more than reading.
However, while the iPad has great battery life, you’ll be charging it more often than a Kindle. The LCD will also start to strain your eyes quicker than on a Kindle. Of course, the battery life is longer on an e-ink tablet because you won’t be using it for anything more than reading.
This is something that plays directly into the conversation we had above about e-ink vs LCDs. Recently, Onyx released their Boox Nova3, an e-ink tablet that can display colors. However, the results still need some improvements.
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Final word
As you can see, there are several great options when it comes to the best tablet for reading. However, if we were to recommend just one, it would be the Kindle Paperwhite.
It’s an easy choice to make. It’s affordable, has a great display, and features that make it still feel like a modern device in 2022. The versatility of Android and iPad tablets is great, but you can’t beat a Kindle when it comes to pure reading enjoyment.
After writing up the first draft for this guide, we truly tried to get our hands on some Kindle alternatives. It just so happens while there are a lot of them, some of them cost more, some of them are not as reliable, and others are just downright bad. As such, Amazon continues to dominate the space.
If you need a regular tablet for reading, we included two great options above. However, Kindles are hard to beat, and it’s evident here.
