We all wish we could take our library of books with us wherever we go, but that would make for one heavy backpack or suitcase. Thanks to e-readers and tablets with incredible displays and massive book library apps, you can have a library worth of reading on a single device.
The thing that sets tablets for reading apart from e-readers is versatility. When you don’t feel like reading, you can use your tablet to watch a movie, surf the web, or get a little work done. Those are attributes that many e-readers aren’t capable of doing. And now that tablets displays are so sharp and well-lit, reading on a tablet is just as enjoyable as reading a book.
How did we determine the best tablets for reading? You’ll want to find a tablet that has:
- Good battery life
- Crisp and sharp display
- Access to the Kindle App or other library apps
Instead of getting a device that can only do one thing, get a tablet for reading and have a library of books at your fingertips as well as all the extra entertainment, apps and all-around utility that tablets offer.
Here are our recommendations for the best tablets for reading.
1. Apple iPad
BEST OVERALL
Whether you are reading for enjoyment or reading and taking notes for class, the iPad is a great tablet for reading. It’s priced right for college students so they can ditch their bulky laptop for a tablet. Pair it with an Apple Pencil or alternative to take notes for class and write directly on documents. Regardless, you have access to Kindle, iBook and a number of different book apps to get your bookworm on. For the price and everything you get, you can’t go wrong with an iPad as your tablet.
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2. Kindle Paperwhite
BEST E-READER
If you can go without all the added functionality a tablet provides, and all you really care about is the best digital reading experience possible, then a Kindle Paperwhite is the way to go. The backlighting and display reduce strain on your eyes and provides the most natural reading experience possible (it really does look like you are reading text off paper). Not to mention, it’s thin, lightweight and waterproof, so you can take it with you to the beach and not worry if it takes a spill in the water.
3. Apple iPad Mini
GREAT FOR TRAVELING
The iPad Mini has the same insanely speedy A12 Bionic chip found in the iPad (regular size) and an incredibly crisp Retina Display with True Tone color — it’s just smaller. And that bodes well for those who like to get the majority of their reading done while on the go. It’s less than a quarter of an inch thick and weighs just over half a pound, yet you still get 10 hours of use on a single charge and all of your favorite reading apps are available at your fingertips.
4. Amazon Fire HD 10
KINDLE COMPATABILITY
If you’re stuck between deciding to buy a Kindle or a tablet for reading, a great choice that bridges the gap between the two is the Amazon Fire HD 10. Its integration with the Kindle app is seamless, but you also get all the perks of owning a tablet, like entertainment apps such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus to name a few. While it only has up to 64GB of storage and 3GB of RAM, you can always upgrade the storage with an SD card, and the 12-hour battery life outlasts even the iPad. Plus, it’s half the price of the iPad and the same price as a Kindle Paperwhite.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
BEST SAMSUNG TABLET
The 11-inch LCD panel is a delight to watch movies, play games and read on. The tablet also includes an S Pen to jot down notes while you’re reading in class, or making a quick note while you’re at work. It has strong battery life that lasts around eight hours of continuous use, but even when it’s time to charge, it won’t be down long thanks to 45W charging speeds.
6. Fire 10 Kids Edition
BEST FOR KIDS
For the tiny bookworms in the house, a Fire 10 Kids Edition comes with a one-year subscription of Amazon Kids, which opens up a library of over 20,000 books, apps and games for kids. That’s more content than your kid will be able to go through in a year. Beyond access to the expansive library, the Kids Edition tablet comes with a worry-free two-year warranty and a kid-proof case for those butter finger moments that are bound to happen.
7. Samsung S6 Tablet
BUDGET SAMSUNG
A smart way to save a couple of bucks on a premier Samsung tablet for reading is to go with the S6. Don’t worry, you still get an incredible AMOLED display that’s slightly smaller (10.5 inches), and the S6 comes with an S Pen as well. If you’re more of an e-listener as opposed to an e-reader, keep in mind the S6 doesn’t have a headphone jack, so you’ll want to pair it up with a quality pair of wireless earbuds to listen to your favorite books.
8. Apple iPad Pro
BEST SPLURGE
If you have the cheddar, you can’t go wrong with the iPad Pro. It has an incredibly brilliant and detailed Liquid retina display that helps your eyes focus while you read. For bookworms, you have access to Kindle, iBooks, Kobo and other reading apps to get your reading fix. When you add in the massive storage (up to 1TB) and 10 hours of battery life, you’ll likely fall asleep before your iPad Pro runs out of battery life.
9. reMarkable 2 Tablet
BEST FOR NOTE TAKING
When you need a tablet for reading documents and taking notes, the reMarkable 2 Tablet is what the doctor ordered. The relationship between the stylus and the display truly feels like you are writing on paper. And you are able to write on any document or PDF. When you want to share your notes with co-workers, the notes to text feature automatically creates your notes into organized documents, plus it saves your co-workers from seeing your chicken-scratch.