I have owned more e-readers and tablets than any one person probably needs. Over the years, I have used the Kindle, the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Scribe, Kindle Oasis, Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Boox tablet, reMarkable 2, iPad, iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy S9 FE+ tablet, older Samsung tablets, and multiple Amazon Fire tablets for my kids.
At one point, I thought I might find one perfect device that could handle reading, writing, digital planning, work notes, library books, advance reader copies, and everything else. That device does not exist. What I have learned instead is that the best device depends less on technical specifications and more on the small, everyday details. Things like whether a book syncs with StoryGraph, whether I can access all three of my library cards, whether a device correctly tracks the day I read, and whether I can comfortably hold it in bed matter more to me than most of the features listed on a product page.
Quick Summary
Here are my recommendations if you do not want to read the entire comparison:
- Best e-reader for most people: Kindle Kindle
- Best e-reader for StoryGraph users: Kobo
- Best e-reader for handwriting: Kindle Scribe
- Best flexible e-reader for multiple reading apps: Boox
- Best general tablet for Apple users: Basic iPad
- Best premium tablet for handwriting and creative work: iPad Pro (but make sure to get a matte screen protector to enhance the writing experience)
- Best tablet for Android users: Samsung Galaxy FE series tablet
- Best tablet for younger kids: Amazon Fire Kids tablet
- Best free kids environment on an existing device: Samsung Kids
If every device I owned disappeared tomorrow and I could only repurchase one, I would buy another Kindle Paperwhite. I genuinely love my Kobo, and there are some areas where it fits my routine better, but the Kindle meets the greatest number of my reading needs with the least amount of friction.
The Kindle Paperwhite Is Still the Best E-Reader for Most People
I know Amazon is a complicated company for a lot of people, and I completely understand why someone may want an alternative. I also genuinely love my Kobo and do not want to discount it. However, when I look at the entire reading experience, Kindle still makes the most sense for my life.
My Kindle Paperwhite is small, lightweight, and easy to carry, and waterproof for when I’m in the bath. I put a PopSocket on the back, which makes it incredibly comfortable to hold one-handed, especially while reading in bed.
The screen is also probably the best of the e-readers I own. The text is crisp, and the traditional black-and-white display is easier on my eyes than the color screen on my Kobo. The screens across my e-readers are comparable enough that I would not choose based on display quality alone, but I do think the Kindle has a slight advantage.
Kindle also works extremely well with Libby. I have three different library cards connected to my Libby account, and I can send books from any of them to my Kindle. That may sound like a small feature until you regularly use several library systems. Kobo currently makes this more difficult because it only works smoothly with one library card at a time, which is a significant limitation for the way I borrow books.
Another small difference is how the devices handle offline reading data. Kindle remembers which days I read even when it is not connected to the internet. When it reconnects, the reading activity is assigned to the correct day. Kobo does not always do that. If I read offline one night and reconnect the next morning, Kobo may assign the updated percentage to the day it reconnects rather than the day I actually read. Since I track my reading and listening every morning, that is frustrating.
Kindle also integrates well with Goodreads, but I fell off using Goodreads since the UI is just so bulky and I like the StoryGraph monthly stats so much better.
Where the Kindle Struggles
The Kindle is not perfect, especially when it comes to books from NetGalley. Most NetGalley books integrate beautifully with Kindle, which is one reason the device remains so important to me, but formatting can occasionally be a problem.
I have read books that included fake text-message conversations, diary entries, or other specially formatted sections that became almost impossible to see on the Kindle. The same passages displayed correctly on my phone or Kobo. Kindle has the best overall screen and reading ecosystem for my needs, but it does not always handle unusual formatting well.
NetGalley matters a lot when I choose which device to use. When a book can only be sent to Kindle, that often decides the issue for me. When I have the choice between sending a book to Kindle or Kobo, though, I usually choose Kobo because of its StoryGraph integration. Goodreads also doesn’t handle books from NetGalley very well, it tracks it as an unknown document, so I have to go and erase it from my reading challenge.
Why I Keep Reaching for My Kobo
I love my Kobo Libra Colour, even though I do not actually love the color screen. The color gives the display a slightly yellow or muted appearance, and I prefer the cleaner look of traditional black and white e-ink. I would not personally choose the Kobo specifically because it has color. (I’ve heard the Kindle Colorsoft also has these issues.)
What keeps pulling me back is StoryGraph and the integration they just launched with Kobo. I track my reading and listening every morning, and Kobo’s StoryGraph integration makes the process much easier. Instead of manually updating my progress, the information syncs automatically. That convenience has changed which device I pick up.
Lately, I have often reached for either my Kobo or my Boox instead of my Kindle, even though I may slightly prefer the Kindle hardware. The screen quality among the devices is comparable enough that the software integration becomes the deciding factor.
There are still limitations. Kobo does not handle my multiple library cards as smoothly as Kindle does, and I don’t like the way it assigns offline reading progress to the day the device reconnects. Not every NetGalley title can be sent to Kobo either. Even so, when I have a book available on both devices, I often choose the Kobo because I know my reading progress will sync with StoryGraph.(This is recent as the integration just launched!)
The Boox Is Flexible, but I Am Still Testing It
My Boox tablet gives me more flexibility than a standard Kindle or Kobo because it can run multiple reading apps. That makes it appealing for someone whose books are spread across Kindle, Kobo, Libby, NetGalley, and other services.
I have also ordered a pen so I can begin experimenting with writing on both the Boox and Kobo. I haven’t used the Boox for handwritten notes yet, so I am still forming an opinion about that experience. At this point, its biggest advantage for me is flexibility. Its biggest challenge is that flexibility often comes with more setup and complexity than a dedicated Kindle. My biggest complaint with the Boox tablet is it has to completely reset before it starts up, so you can’t just grab and start reading.
A Kindle and Kobo are simple: you pick it up, open a book, and start reading. The Boox can do much more, but it may require more adjusting and tinkering along the way. For some people, that flexibility will be worth it. Others may prefer a device that does fewer things but makes those things easier.
The Kindle Scribe Has the Best E-Ink Writing Experience
For pure handwriting, the Kindle Scribe is my favorite e-ink device. Writing on it feels incredibly smooth, and I prefer it to my reMarkable 2 because the experience remains consistent across the entire screen.
With my reMarkable 2, writing near the edges of the display can become difficult or less responsive. I don’t experience that same problem on the Scribe. The large screen is also wonderful for reading and works especially well when I want larger text or need to view a document with a more complicated layout. I also feel like I read faster when I read on the bigger screen.
If someone wanted one e-ink device for both reading and writing, I would choose the Kindle Scribe over the reMarkable. The Scribe integrates directly with my Kindle library, while importing reading material onto the reMarkable feels much more cumbersome.
That said, the Scribe has one major weakness: getting handwritten notes off the device is not easy. The writing experience is excellent, but the workflow afterward is not. If I am taking notes that I need to use for work, accessibility matters as much as the way the pen feels on the screen.
I Thought Writing Tablets Would Change My Life
The Kindle Scribe and reMarkable 2 both changed my mind after I owned them for a while. At first, I thought they would be life changing. I used to really love digital planning, and I loved the idea of replacing paper notebooks with a tablet. Both devices are genuinely enjoyable to write on.
However, I don’t currently do as much digital planning as I once did, and both devices became harder to justify when I looked at how the notes fit into my actual workday. For work, I need my notes to move easily between devices. I need to be able to see them on my computer, organize them, search them, and use them alongside everything else I am doing.
The reMarkable requires a subscription for some of its automatic syncing features, which makes the process feel more cumbersome. The Kindle Scribe also makes exporting and managing notes more difficult than it should be.
The writing tablets are so fun to write on and I feel so organized in the moment, but they just don’t integrate into my work life as well as simpler options. If I were primarily writing for personal reasons, that might not matter nearly as much. For work, however, the ability to move and access my notes is more important than having the most paper-like writing experience.
The iPad Is Better for Work Integration
When I was taking handwritten notes more frequently, the iPad worked better for my job since it integrated directly with my company OneNote. I could write something on the iPad and then immediately see it on my computer. That seamless workflow matters more to me than having the most paper-like screen.
If I decided to return to serious handwritten digital planning or work notes, I would probably buy an iPad Pro again. I would add a matte screen protector to make the surface easier and more paper like to write on. Without one, writing directly on the glass doesn’t feel as natural.
For someone who is already in the Apple ecosystem and wants a general-purpose tablet, I would recommend the basic iPad rather than immediately jumping to the iPad Pro. The basic iPad is enough for most people. It works well for reading, streaming, browsing, apps, schoolwork, and everyday tasks without the higher price of the Pro. I also have an iPad mini that works well for reading books, but I prefer the e-ink screens.
The iPad Pro makes more sense for someone doing heavier creative work, advanced multitasking, or a significant amount of writing and drawing. It is a great device, but most people who simply want a capable tablet probably do not need to spend that much.
The Samsung Tablet Has a Fantastic Writing Experience
For someone who is not in the Apple ecosystem, a Samsung tablet is an excellent choice. The writing experience on my Samsung tablet is one of its strongest features. The pen feels great, and unlike an iPad, my Samsung tablet came with the pen instead of requiring a separate purchase.
That makes it a strong value for someone who wants to write, draw, take notes, read, watch videos, and use regular Android apps. It may not get quite as much attention as the iPad, but it offers a polished tablet experience and particularly strong handwriting features.
I recently repurposed an older Samsung tablet for my daughter to use while we were driving, and that gave me a chance to explore Samsung Kids. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it is.
Amazon Fire Tablets Are Still My Pick for Younger Kids
When my children were younger, the Amazon Fire Kids tablets made the most sense for us because price, parental controls, and durability all mattered. The thick bumper cases were excellent when the kids were still likely to drop their tablets, and the Amazon Kids subscription offered a strong collection of child-friendly books, games, and shows. The price was also not too bad.
Since my children also have Amazon Echo devices for kids in their rooms, having one subscription across those devices is convenient. The Fire tablets were not the fastest or most flexible tablets available, but they did what we needed them to do at a reasonable price without making me panic every time one slipped out of someone’s hands or they used their sticky fingers on them.
As children get older, durability may become slightly less important, and the limitations of the Fire tablets become more noticeable. My kids love iPads, but I suspect part of that is because iPads give them more freedom to watch whatever they want. That is not necessarily a benefit from a parenting perspective.
My biggest advice to parents is not to automatically trust YouTube Kids. Content appearing inside a children’s platform does not guarantee that every video is appropriate. For younger children, I would lean toward a device with stricter parental controls, such as an Amazon Fire Kids tablet.
Samsung Kids Is a Surprisingly Good Free Alternative
After setting up Samsung Kids on an older Samsung tablet, I was impressed. It works well, it is free, and it gives parents a controlled environment without requiring an Amazon Kids subscription. It also made it easier for us to access some YouTube content than it had been on the Fire tablets.
My daughter now seems to enjoy the Samsung tablet, and I think it may be a better option as children get older and outgrow the more restrictive Fire experience. For younger kids, I would still choose the Fire because of the durability, price, and parental controls. For an older child, especially if you already have an unused Samsung tablet, Samsung Kids is absolutely worth exploring.
Who I Think Each Device Is Best For
The Kindle is the best e-reader for most people. It is lightweight, comfortable, reliable, and easy to use. It works especially well for library readers and people who receive books through NetGalley.
The Kobo is my choice for readers who care about automatic StoryGraph syncing. I love the overall experience, even though I prefer black and white e-ink screens to the muted appearance of the Kobo Libra Colour. It’s also more affordable than the Kindle equivalent.
The Kindle Scribe is the e-ink device I would recommend for handwriting. It offers the smoothest and most consistent writing experience of the e-ink devices I own, while also giving you access to your Kindle library. Exporting and organizing notes is still more difficult than it should be.
The Boox is a good fit for someone who wants access to several reading platforms and apps on one e-ink device. It is more flexible than a Kindle or Kobo, but that flexibility comes with a little more complexity and it’s need to restart every time you want to use it is frustrating.
The basic iPad is the best general-purpose tablet for most Apple users. It is capable, familiar, and versatile without the cost of the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro is better suited to someone who plans to use the tablet heavily for handwriting, drawing, creative projects, or advanced multitasking.
The Samsung Galaxy S FE+ tablet is my recommendation for Android users, especially those interested in handwriting. The included pen and excellent writing experience make it a particularly strong value.
For children, I would choose the Amazon Fire Kids tablet for younger kids because of its durability, parental controls, content, and price. For older children, Samsung Kids is a great free option, particularly if you already have an older Samsung tablet available.
What I Would Buy Again
If all of my devices disappeared, I would repurchase a Kindle first. For reading alone, I still think it is the best overall device.
I would miss my Kobo, especially the automatic StoryGraph syncing. I would miss the Scribe’s large screen and smooth handwriting, and I would miss the flexibility of the Boox. But the Kindle fits the greatest number of my real-life needs. It works with all of my library cards, integrates well with NetGalley, remembers my reading activity correctly even when I am offline, and is small enough to carry everywhere. With a PopSocket on the back, it is also easy to hold for long reading sessions.
The important thing is to choose based on how the device fits into your routine, not just how impressive it seems when you first open the box. I thought writing tablets were going to transform my life, but instead I learned that the tool with the smoothest handwriting can still end up sitting unused if the notes do not integrate into the rest of my day.
Meanwhile, a tiny convenience such as automatic reading progress syncing can make me choose one e-reader over another, even when I prefer the other device’s screen. The best device is not always the one with the most features. It is the one that creates the least friction between you and the thing you actually want to do.