The Kindle is the go-to choice for anyone who wants to read eBooks. But if you don’t already own one, don’t rush out to buy it just yet. You already own a lot of devices that work pretty well as eReaders, and some might even suit your needs better.
Your smartphone
The device you always have with you
When I decided that I wanted to start reading more, by far the biggest change I made was to remove the social media and other distracting apps from my phone’s home screen, and put the Kindle app right up front and center instead. Now, whenever I’ve got five minutes to kill, sitting in the dentist’s waiting room or whatever, I don’t jump straight onto Reddit, I read a couple of pages of my book instead.
The Kindle app’s great because it syncs across all the other devices where you’ve got it installed, and you don’t need a Kindle to use it. You aren’t limited to just that, though. You can use any reading app and store that you want.
On a larger screened phone, or even a foldable, with dark mode activated and the blue light filter running, it’s a comfortable read. And you’ll have it with you all the time.
An iPad or Android tablet
Enjoy the benefits of a bigger screen
A tablet comes with many of the same benefits as a smartphone when using it as an eReader. The main trade-off is that you won’t carry it with you everywhere, while the advantage is that you get a bigger screen, which is even more comfortable on the eyes.
A 10+ inch device might be a little heavy for some, especially with extended use, but it’s far better than a Kindle for things like graphic novels or cookbooks. An 8-incher is the perfect size for regular novels. In both cases, it’s easy to go distraction-free simply by disconnecting from Wi-Fi while you’re reading.
A laptop
The hands-free option
Even though I own a Kindle and a phone, I also sometimes read on my laptop. I probably wouldn’t want to do it with an 18-inch gaming machine, but my MacBook Air is thin and light enough to make it comfortable. The clamshell design makes it almost hands-free as well.
The benefits are similar to those of phones and tablets. You get your choice of stores, file formats are less of an issue, and the large screen is perfect for anything with images. Apps for most of the most popular stores are available for Windows and Mac, or you can use the excellent Calibre app to both manage your library and read it.
Any web browser
Access your library without installing anything
You don’t need to install apps to read on a computer. If you’re on a platform that doesn’t support your preferred eBook store, or you’re using one that doesn’t have a desktop app, you can normally access these services through any web browser.
Kindle, Kobo, and Google Play Books are three examples of commercial stores that you can read on the web. Plus, there are countless free eBook sites that make all the literary classics completely accessible.
Your old phone
Turn that old device into a dedicated reader
Using your main smartphone as an eReader is an obvious choice, but many of us have an older device lying unused in a drawer somewhere. You can turn that old phone into a dedicated eBook reader.
Clear out all the extra apps and put it into airplane mode (except when buying or downloading new titles), and the battery life will be excellent, even on an older model. Go even further with a few extra steps, like installing a matte screen protector for the ultimate experience.
A TV
Niche for reading, maybe, but good for audiobooks
Okay, bear with me. You probably aren’t going to want to read a novel on a TV. However, it is suited to things like following recipe books in the kitchen, for greater accessibility thanks to the big screen, or for shared reading among children. You can get apps for this on a Fire TV Stick or through an Android TV.
A TV also works for a different kind of reading: audiobooks. You can listen to them via the Audible or Spotify apps on a Fire TV device, or through your Plex setup, and you can take advantage of your TV’s superior sound quality. It’ll be infinitely better than the sound that comes through a Kindle.
Of course, if we’re opening this topic up to audiobooks, then numerous other devices become relevant, including game consoles, smart speakers, smartwatches, or even your old iPod.
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- Storage
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16GB
- Screen Size
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6-inches
Even in the budget department, the Amazon Kindle is a stellar value, from its light and compact design, to its adjustable front light and 6-inch display.
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- Brand
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Amazon
- Screen
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7-inch, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale
With a 7-inch display, high contrast, and sharp image quality, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite will help you fall in love with eReaders. It even supports Bluetooth devices for setting aside the eReader and enjoying audiobooks through headphones or earbuds.
Try these other devices before you buy
There’s a lot to love about the Kindle. If mine broke tomorrow, I’d totally go out and replace it. But I don’t use it exclusively. I also read on my phone and laptop, and I’ve got audio books in my Plex library. Sometimes, these options are more convenient to use; sometimes, I just choose to use them for no obvious reason.
So, if you don’t own a Kindle or have an old model that’s no longer supported, check out the gear you already own before you buy.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
