Love To Read? Check Out The 5 Best Tablets For Reading Books In 2023
Despite short-form content taking over everyone’s daily lives in 2023, a large chunk of users still love to read. In this age of digital content, reading books is now more convenient than it ever was, and tablets are the go-to choices for reading today. Likewise, we have handpicked a few tablets that offer the most ideal reading experience.
If you do not want to spend time on a dedicated reading device like a Kindle, a tablet is an excellent alternative that can serve you in other ways too. You could read, watch movies, listen to music, and take notes for work or school using just one tablet. Hence, it’s essential to keep an eye out for tablets that can help you every day in case you want to buy one.
The best tablets for reading books in 2023
- 1. Apple iPad (9th Generation): Overall the best tablet for reading
- 2. Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation): Best compact tablet with high performance
- 3. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Best cheap Android tablet for reading
- 4. Amazon Fire HD 10: Cheapest tablet for reading
- 5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: Best Android tablet for reading
Note: Products on this list aren’t in any order of preference.
1. Apple iPad (9th Generation): Overall the best tablet for reading
Firstly, the iPad (9th Generation) makes it the list of the best tablets for reading books. While the 9th Gen iPad isn’t the latest model that Apple offers, it still is the tablet that offers the highest value for money, making it a suitable choice for reading books. The 2021 iPad is great for reading books and everyday tasks and can handle all essential workloads easily.
It offers a great display and long-lasting battery life in a compact and easy-to-carry package. While the A13 Bionic on the 2021 iPad is an older chip, it’s sufficient for most readers who want an everyday device for reading or watching media. All in all, the 2021 iPad is an appropriate choice for readers that will prove its worth.
| SoC | Apple A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Display | 10.2-inch 2160 x 1620 Retina Display |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours |
| OS | Apple iPad OS |
| Weight | 1.06 pounds (or 484.77 g) |
| Compatible Accessories | Apple Pencil (1st Gen), Apple Keyboard |
2. Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation): Best compact tablet with high performance
The iPad Mini received a lot of mixed thoughts about it when it first launched. It was a smaller iPad Air was around a similar price point, offering great hardware. Although it had its very limited use cases, reading is inevitably one of them.
Having an extremely compact tablet for reading that can also serve you in everyday tasks that require high performance sounds too good to be true for book lovers. Likewise, the iPad Mini checks all boxes and is an excellent choice among the best tablets for reading books. If you can spend a little higher, the iPad Mini may just be the ‘perfect’ device you’ve been looking for.
Tip: You can also get a deal on a refurbished 2021 iPad Mini from Apple’s website to save some money.
| SoC | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Display | 8.3-inch 2266 x 1488 Retina Display |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours |
| OS | Apple iPad OS |
| Weight | 0.64 pounds (or 294.8 g) |
| Compatible Accessories | Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), Apple Smart Folio Case |
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Best cheap Android tablet for reading
Samsung is widely known for its premium S-series tablet range, but it’s lesser known for its budget tablet options. One of these tablets is the Galaxy Tab A8, which is an ideal choice if you just want a device for reading books and browsing the internet.
Moreover, it’s extremely inexpensive for tablets as you can buy one for under $200. Likewise, it doesn’t have a high-performing CPU, but it’s perfectly adequate for reading and scrolling through social media apps. Overall, it’s an ideal choice among the best tablets for reading books in 2023.
| SoC | Unisoc T618 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | 10.5-inch 1920 x 1200 Display |
| Battery | Up to 8 hours (advertised) |
| OS | One UI based on Android 11 |
| Weight | 1.12 pounds (or 508 g) |
| Compatible Accessories | Samsung Book Cover |
4. Amazon Fire HD 10: Cheapest tablet for reading
Next up, the Amazon Fire HD 10 makes it to the list of the best tablets for reading books in 2023. While it may seem underwhelming from the spec sheet, it’s an excellent device for reading without emptying your pockets. The Fire HD 10 can easily let you read books without issues and has a great battery life, all under $200.
If you only require a tablet to read books and occasionally watch media, the Fire HD 10 provides excellent value for the price. Moreover, a large 10.1-inch screen wouldn’t be an issue on this compact tablet. Above all, it supports all mainstream apps and has extensive Kindle support because it’s from Amazon itself.
| SoC | MediaTek MT8183 |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 Display |
| Battery | Up to 12 hours (advertised) |
| OS | Fire OS |
| Weight | 1.02 pounds (or 485 g) |
| Compatible Accessories | Smart Case |
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: Best Android tablet for reading
Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is the last entree on the list of the best tablets for reading books. Samsung re-entered the tablet market dramatically and has been quite successful. There haven’t been many good high-performing Android tablets that are also affordable, but the Tab S7 FE changes that.
It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon SM7225 CPU and is an excellent choice for everyday tasks – including reading and watching media. The Android tablet experience has seen its ups and downs, but it’s an excellent time for Android tablets in 2023. Moreover, unlike almost everyone in the market, Samsung also includes the S-Pen to use with it for taking notes and designing.
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon SM7225 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Display | 12.4-inch 2560 x 1600 Display |
| Battery | Up to 11 hours (advertised) |
| OS | One UI based on Android 12 |
| Weight | 1.34 pounds (or 610 g) |
| Compatible Accessories | S-Pen, Samsung Book Cover |
Which tablet should you get for reading?
While the tablet market is quite saturated right now, we have only picked the ones that offer the best reading experience and can also help you with other tasks. If you want a great tablet that can also handle everyday things, the 2021 iPad is a suitable choice. Or you can get the 6th Gen iPad Mini if you need a high-performing device that’s also quite compact. Moreover, the Galaxy Tab A8 is also an excellent choice if you need something only for reading and browsing the internet.
Things to remember before getting a tablet for reading books
If your highest priority is reading, there are some things that you should keep in mind before finalizing on one tablet.
Display: If a tablet is a replacement for actual books, it should have a display that makes your experience better. An ideal tablet should have a display that is large, but also compact at the same time so you can carry the tablet everywhere.
Battery: If you’re someone who finishes books in no time, then a great tablet should be able to withstand your long reading sessions without running out of battery. Preferably, look for something that could easily last you more than a day.
Weight: Generally, any tablet will be heavier than an actual book, but if its weight management is done right, you wouldn’t feel its weight. Hence, look out for something that isn’t too heavy to read comfortably over longer sessions.
Like this list? Check out the best tablets for students in 2023.
