To help you find the best tabs for reading, we spent hours identifying the top options available today and ranking them based on their display quality, battery life, and portability. We recommend purchasing a reading tablet that stays powered on through long reading sessions, as well as one that offers a solid display quality so the text is clear and sharp. We also recommend getting a reading tablet that offers access to online books stores with plenty of options so you don’t have to buy them on a computer and then load them onto your device.
After our testing and analysis, we found the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite to be the best tab for reading available on the market today. Keep reading to learn more about this powerful eReader and some of the best tablets on the market.
Top 10 Best Tabs for Reading
#1 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Tab for Reading
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Everything about this tab for reading is centered around books and reading them. With its E Ink display, fully waterproof design, and seamless connection to the Amazon Kindle bookstore, this eReader is the best option for the widest amount of readers out there.
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- Sharp and crisp display
- Fully waterproof
- 8GB of onboard storage
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- Base model is ad-supported
- Rudimentary web browser
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The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is an eReader tablet through and through, which is a really good thing if all you need is a tablet for reading. An important thing to note before going further is the fact that Kindle does not pretend to be anything other than an eReader. Yes, it has a web browser but it’s rudimentary at best and completely unusable at worst. Fortunately, the Kindle knocks the ball out of the park when it comes to a reading platform. You’ll have seamless access to the Amazon Kindle store and can easily purchase and download books from there.
The Paperwhite also lives true to its name with its E Ink display. This closely mimics the look and feel of real paper. The display is backlit for night reading, but it’s also completely visible in direct sunlight, as well. This beats out any other tablet for outdoor readers. Other features worth noting in the most recent version include increased storage to 8GB, Bluetooth audio for listening to audiobooks, and a fully waterproof design. Yes, that does mean you can take your Kindle Paperwhite into the pool with you without worry about it getting ruined. It’s a great complement to the best rugged tablets on the market, as it’s meant to be fairly resistant to the elements.
#2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A Tab for Reading
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This tab for reading spots a durable and modern design while providing snappy overall performance and a bright display that’s perfect for reading books and magazines. Plus, with its long-lasting battery life and simple user interface, you’ll be able to read for longer periods of time without getting frustrated.
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- All-metal body is durable, comfortable
- Responsive, user-friendly UI
- 8GB of onboard storage
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- Speakers only on one side
- No fingerprint sensor
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The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is an excellent all-around option for readers who also want access to other features and functionality like mobile video games and web browsing. This 10.1-inch tablet features a bright, colorful display that lends itself well to both reading books and watching movies or playing games. The display features a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, which is perfect for reading. The user interface is also very easy to learn and use, making this a good overall tablet for a broad range of people. If you prefer something more versatile, check out the best convertible tablet.
This tablet is powered by a Samsung Exynos 7904 octa-core processor, which keeps everything running smoothly throughout the day, including video games, streaming services, and reading apps. Samsung’s design is also worth noting. With an all-metal body, the device is more durable and long-lasting. The speakers are loud and produce rich audio, but they’re only on one side of the tablet, so audio can sound a little uneven at times if you’re listening to an audiobook. The Galaxy Tab A also features a microSD card slot that allows you to expand the internal storage space up to 512GB, meaning you’ll have nearly unlimited space for your books. Thanks to all of these features, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is the best tablet for reading and web browsing. It’s certainly one of the best gaming tablets on this list.
#3 Apple iPad Mini Tab for Reading
Award: BEST PORTABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: With a sharp, 7.9-inch Retina display, this tablet gives you an amazingly portable and crystal clear reading experience. Plus, the device features Apple’s powerful A12 Bionic processor and famously-seamless user interface so you’ll always have a smooth, responsive experience.
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- Powerful A12 Bionic processor
- Long-lasting, 10-hour battery life
- Sharp Retina display great for reading
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- Display has large bezels
- Only supports first-gen Apple pencil
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If you’re looking for portability and functionality in the same package for your reading tablet, then you can’t go wrong with the Apple iPad Mini. This premium tablet gives you a compact display size of 7.9-inches, which is perfect for both reading and other applications, especially if you’re on the go all the time. On top of this small screen size, the iPad Mini also weighs a mere 0.66 pounds and is only 6.1mm thick. The iPad’s design is of premium quality, with an aluminum body and a high-resolution Retina display. The only downside here is the fact that the iPad has larger bezels than what many new-generation options have.
You’ll also get a ton of value out of the iPad Mini’s internal processing power and overall performance. This tab for reading packs a powerful A12 Bionic chipset to keep the operating system and all of your apps running without any annoying stutters or hesitations. Speaking of the operating system, you’ll be impressed with Apple’s iPadOS, which creates a user-friendly experience with seamless pairing to the entire Apple ecosystem. All in all, the iPad Mini’s compact size, performance, and user-friendliness create a good bet for an excellent reading tablet. It’s one of the best iPads for reading and portability.
#4 Kobo Clara HD 6 Tab for Reading
Award: BEST FOR EYE HEALTH
WHY WE LIKE IT: With a sharp E Ink display that’s easy to read in both darkness and direct sunlight without using blue light, this tab for reading is one of the best options for keeping your eyes healthy, even after extended periods of use. This option is also lightweight and extra-portable, with plenty of internal memory to keep you reading as long as you want.
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- Crystal clear display quality
- Lightweight for one-handed use
- 8GB of internal storage
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- Somewhat limited book store
- Polarizing back case design
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The Kobo Clara HD 6 eReader is an excellent addition to our lineup of the best tablets for reading. For starters, it features a sharp and bright E Ink display with six inches of reading area. E Ink technology works in both darkness and direct sunlight without the use of blue light, which means your eyes will stay healthier, even during extended periods of reading. Of course, it’s true that E Ink will only display in black and white, but the text in books is sharp and incredibly easy to read. Plus, you’ll be able to adjust the font size for a more tailored reading experience.
You can buy e-books on the Kobo Clara’s online store, which is accessible directly from the tablet’s interface. The store is a little limited, especially when compared to the Kindle store, but it offers a vast majority of the best-selling and most popular books. The Kobo e-Reader is also designed really well, with a thin and compact body that’s easy to carry around. The back of the case features a somewhat polarizing, curved design that doesn’t lay flat on surfaces. However, the Kobo Clara HD 6 is an excellent tab for reading, no matter how you look at it. It’s a great option if you’re looking for the best tablets for seniors as well.
#5 Apple iPad Pro 11 Tab for Reading
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: From its premium aluminum construction to its extra user-friendly interface, this tab for reading is your best bet if you’re looking for quality over anything else. This device also sports an impressive, high-resolution display and compatibility with extras like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
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- Blazing fast A12Z Bionic processor
- Excellent camera array for sharp pictures
- Stunning, color-accurate display
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- Limited internal storage options
- Apple Pencil costs extra
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The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch offers a high level of quality and functionality, especially when compared to many of the mid-range tablets available today. It rides the line between large and portable with an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, which offers high resolution and extra-vibrant colors. The display is also compatible with the newest version of the Apple Pencil, which is an excellent accessory that enables you to draw, take notes, or just navigate easier around the iPad’s interface. The other good part about the iPad Pro 11’s design is the aluminum body, which is durable and made to feel comfortable in your hands.
Premium design aside, the iPad Pro also performs really well as both a reader and a standard tablet. With access to iBooks, Amazon Kindle, and other online book retailers, you’ll get access to the widest variety of books here. Plus, everything is powered by the A12Z Bionic chipset, which is one of Apple’s fastest yet. We were even more impressed that the iPad Pro 11 is compatible with Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, one of the best tablet keyboards available. With all of these features, the iPad Pro 11 is the best tablet for reading and writing that your money can buy today. It’s also one of the best tablets for note-taking on the market.
#6 Huawei MediaPad M5 Tab for Reading
Award: BEST FOR ANDROID USERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: With an excellent 8.4-inch display, a stock version of Android, and powerful Kirin 960 processors, this option is the best Android tablet for reading available today. Plus, it features premium speakers tuned and certified by Harman Kardon for an even better audiobook experience.
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- Durable metal unibody design
- 2-hour fast charge time
- Snappy octa-core processor
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- Doesn’t include a headphone jack
- Not resistant to spills
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If you prefer the Android operating system for your reading tablet, then you’re in luck with the Huawei MediaPad M5. For starters, the tablet features a stock version of the Android operating system, without all the bloatware and unwanted apps that you find so often in today’s Android tablets. This streamlined interface paired with a powerful Kirin 960 processor makes for a reliable and smooth user experience without freezing or hiccups, especially while reading.
The MediaPad M5 is also designed incredibly well. It features a durable metal casing and excellent display quality that’s hard to beat. The 8.4-inch screen sports an impressive 2560 x 1600 resolution and high pixel density with sharp details and vibrant colors. While reading a book, you’ll notice the text is clear and easy to read. If you’re a fan of audiobooks, then you’ll also love the MediaPad M5’s speakers, which are tuned and certified by premium audio brand Harman Kardon. It’s certainly one of the best Chinese tablets on our list.
#7 Apple iPad Pro 12.9 Tab for Reading
Award: BEST FOR PDFS
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you want to read PDFs, magazines, or graphic novels, then this tablet’s huge, vibrant display and powerful internal processor will create the best experience for you. The tablet also features a premium design that’s compatible with the Apple Pencil and Magic for even greater functionality and versatility.
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- Fast performance with A12Z processor
- Colorful, vibrant Retina display
- Long-lasting 10 hours of battery
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- Camera doesn’t feature Night Mode
- Large size can be awkward
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If you’re looking for the best tablet for reading PDF textbooks or the best tablet for reading magazines, then you can’t pass on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9. This powerful iPad sports an impressive 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with bright, vibrant colors and a high resolution. This cutting-edge display is to thank for the iPad’s ability to display PDFs, magazines, and other color-heavy media with ease. The large screen size can be a little awkward to hold if you haven’t before, but it’s easy to get used to.
The iPad Pro also performs incredibly well with its A12Z Bionic processor, which is one of Apple’s fastest chipset to date. Plus, the compatibility with accessories like the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil and the new Apple Magic Keyboard makes this option a powerful productivity tablet, as well. You’ll also get 10 hours of battery life with the iPad Pro 12.9, which is impressive for a large, bright screen and high-performance battery. Just make sure you purchase one of the best tablet cases to keep it protected.
#8 Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tab for Reading
Award: BEST DURABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This tablet for reading includes a durable rubber case with your purchase, making it an excellent choice for kids or accident-prone readers. Plus, it gives access to the Amazon Kindle store and expandable internal storage so you always have a new book to read.
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- Expandable internal storage
- Durable rubber case and kickstand
- Extensive parental controls
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- Some app store limitations
- Disappointing display quality
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Before we dig deep into the specifics of the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, it’s important to note that this is a tablet specifically made for kids. Its durable rubber case is made to protect the tablet from drops and bumps, but this can be removed if you want to use the tablet as normal. That being said, if you are buying this for your kids, it’s an excellent choice thanks to the case and the extensive parental controls you can adjust.
The Fire HD 8 makes for such a great reading tablet because of its compact size, bright display, and access to the Amazon Kindle store for ebooks. Plus, it gives you the ability to insert a microSD card for an additional 1TB of storage. This way, you can store as many books, games, and photos on the device as you need. The Fire HD 8 is also incredibly affordable for anyone on a budget. It’s also one of the best kid tablet options on our list as it is great for one the go and very kid-friendly.
#9 Amazon Fire HD 10 Tab for Reading
Award: BEST USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 10-inch tab for reading offers one of the most user-friendly and simple experiences for readers. Plus, with a high-quality display and access to Amazon’s ecosystem, this makes for an excellent reading device with added functionality when you want it.
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- Handy USB-C port
- User-friendly Fire OS 7
- Long-lasting 6300 mAH battery
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- Camera could be improved
- No Google Play Store
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With recent improvements in the current generation of the Amazon Fire tablets, their streamlined and simple design makes them excellent for readers who don’t need a lot of added bells and whistles. The Fire HD 10 tablet is one of Amazon’s best additions yet, especially with the specific improvements it has made with its release. The tablet features a 6300 mAh battery, which lasts upwards of 12 hours.
On top of the long-lasting battery, the Fire HD 10 also features a reliable processor that maintains a stutter-free user experience. It’s not the fastest processor available on the market, so you might not be able to play the most intense mobile video games, but it keeps you consistently reading without force closing or freezing. We were also really impressed by the tablet’s Fire OS 7 user interface, which is simple and user-friendly. The Fire HD 10 also provides a USB-C port for faster charging and added flexibility with connecting to other devices. It’s a great model if you’re looking for the best tablets for travel and have a lot of ebooks to get through.
#10 Amazon Fire 7 Tab for Reading
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re on a strict budget for your next reading tablet, then this option is the perfect choice for you. The device gives you a bright, 7-inch display that’s perfect for reading, expandable storage with a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack for listening to audiobooks.
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- Hands-free Alexa functionality
- Storage upgradable to 512GB
- Includes headphone jack
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- Sub-HD display resolution
- Not as many apps as other
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The Amazon Fire 7 features a 7-inch display that’s bright with vivid colors, making it perfect for reading on the go and in the dark. However, keep in mind the fact that this tablet doesn’t have as high a resolution as you will find in other tablets. Since this is the best budget tablet for reading, this sacrifice in display quality is to be expected for a lower cost. However, if you’re purchasing this tablet solely for reading, the lower display quality isn’t too big of a detractor, though you may notice the lower quality when watching movies or playing video games.
This reading tablet has also been upgrading from previous models specifically in the processor department. The quad-core 1.3GHz processor keeps everything on the Fire 7 running with ease and powers advanced features like hands-free Amazon Alexa voice control. We were also impressed by the Fire tablet’s inclusion of both a headphone for easier audiobook listening and a microSD card slot, which allows you to upgrade your internal storage up to 512GB. With this kind of storage, you’ll be able to store as many books as you want directly on your device. Paired with the best headphones and you’ve got a top-notch audiobook experience.
How We Decided
The first big consideration we made when ranking the best tablets for reading was display quality. We awarded the most points to tablets with high-resolution displays that allow you to read in any condition. E Ink displays are the best for reading, so those tablets got the most points in this regard, especially since they can be read in direct sunlight and are healthier for your eyes in the long run. However, traditional LCD or LED displays were awarded points based on their brightness and sharpness, especially with text.
Next, we considered battery life and overall design. The best tabs for reading are lightweight, compact, and portable. As such, we preferred tablets in the 7-10 inch range. However, we did still include a couple of tablets bigger than this, since they are good for reading magazines and textbooks. Reading tablets with longer battery life was also rated higher in our evaluation since they better enable you to read for longer periods of time without needing to stop to recharge.
Finally, we considered additional functionality like good-quality speakers and headphone jacks for listening to audiobooks. We also awarded points for tablets that allow you to browse the web or download apps and video games. All in all, having a more versatile reading tablet gives you a more comprehensive entertainment solution for all of your on-the-go needs.
Best Tabs for Reading Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- eReader vs. Tablet
When it comes to types of reading tablets, you have two main choices:eReader: While an eReader is technically a tablet, it focuses solely on providing a reading platform and nothing else. Some of these tablets may include a web browser, but they’re often rudimentary enough to be annoying to use. The biggest selling point of eReaders is their innovative and unique E Ink displays, which closely mimics real paper, but still features a backlight so you can read in the dark. E Ink tends to be better for your eyes, especially over long periods of reading, because it doesn’t use blue light.
Standard tablet: Everyone is familiar with the standard idea of a tablet, which features a backlit touchscreen and access to a wide variety of features and functionalities. If you want your reading tablet to do more than just give you access to books, then these tablets are the best choice for you. - Display
As mentioned previously, you have two choices in display technology when it comes to reading tablets. You can either opt for an E Ink display or a standard LCD/LED display. However, you should also consider what size of display you want. If you’re just reading books, anything from a 7-inch tablet to a 10-inch tablet will work perfectly fine. However, if you want to play games, watch movies, or read PDFs and magazines, then a larger, brighter, and more colorful display is your next best bet. - Portability
One of the best things about using a tablet for reading is the fact that you can take thousands of books with you without taking up a ton of space in your bags or pockets. Consider the space you have to carry a tablet with you and purchase an option that fits that space. Remember that reading tablets only need to be large enough to display text in a size that works for you, unless you want to use it for work and watching movies, as well. Consider screen size, thickness, and weight when measuring based on portability. - Internal Storage Space
The size of e-books fortunately isn’t as large as movies, video games, and other apps. However, there are plenty of tablets available today that offer the bare minimum when it comes to internal storage space. We recommend getting a tablet with at least 8GB of internal storage space for books, but if you’re planning on also using your tablet for games, apps, and movies, then we recommend starting with at least 16GB of internal storage. You should also consider purchasing an option with a microSD card slot so you can expand internal storage. - Battery Life
Anyone who is an avid reader knows how easy it is to get caught up in a good book and read for hours at a time. This is why it’s important to purchase a tab for reading that offers a long-lasting battery. eReaders typically offer the longest-lasting batteries that can run for days at a time since their E Ink displays don’t draw nearly as much power as an LCD or LED screen.
