Which are the best tablets for reading PDFs? We test nearly every tablet released in Germany, and here are our favorites.
January 26, 2024
More and more people are using tablets to read books, newspapers, or magazines in PDF format. This is not surprising, as these handy devices promise a pleasant reading experience in a contemporary interpretation. At the same time, they offer numerous useful features that make printed texts on paper look outdated.
Find out which tablets are the best choice for reading PDF files.
According to Statista, in 2023, around 11.6 million people in Germany used e-book readers, tablets, or smartphones for reading books. This marks an increase of almost 3 million since 2019. These are quite impressive numbers, especially considering the overall decline in the number of people reading books.
Manufacturers have not overlooked this trend and are responding with tablet models designed to be particularly reader-friendly. However, this isn’t always achieved convincingly: Some “reading tablets” reveal technical weaknesses and limitations upon closer inspection. More on that later.
In this article, we focused on devices that skillfully balance the reading experience and everyday usability. The emphasis on tablets for reading PDFs is for a good reason: whether scientific papers and academic literature or exciting eBooks, PDF is the standard format for all types of texts.
The necessary PDF readers to open these files are available from various providers for every operating system.
But enough of the introductory words. Let’s take a look at some tablets that are suitable for reading and leave you wanting more.
Admittedly, the iPad 9, released in September 2021, is not a “brand-new” device. This means that the design is no longer among the most modern, and there are already iPads with better displays.
Nevertheless, Apple continues to produce the iPad 9, which is good news for those looking for a practical tablet for reading. It’s primarily the overall package that makes this iPad so consistently convincing.
The value of the Apple iPad 9 is fantastic. Because of its Apple A13 processor it is faster than every premium tablet running Android right now. We also get a great built quality, a solid screen, up-to-date software, Apple Pencil support, and the TouchID fingerprint scanner. Sadly, the design looks a bit outdated and the display continues to be not laminated.
03/26/2024 08:13 pm GMTDue to its affordable price, the Apple iPad 9, in my opinion, has the best price/performance ratio on this list. It supports the Apple Pencil 1, and the software is the same as on the iPad Pro. While the 10.2-inch 60Hz display is not laminated, this won’t be a problem for most users, especially students.
For example, the A13 chip, which still outperforms the majority of Android tablets more than two years after the release of the iPad 9. Additionally, there’s a 10.2-inch Retina display with Apple’s True Tone technology. Those who want to read in challenging lighting conditions will appreciate this feature.
Using the Apple Pencil 1, you can add handwritten notes to PDF documents. Or you can use the Smart Keyboard as an extension keyboard.
All of this comes at a starting price of €429 for the 64GB storage version. Since even extensive eBooks in PDF format take up only a few megabytes of storage space, you’ll be well served with this standard configuration. Those with a lower budget may find a good deal with a refurbished device.
As a tablet for reading, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a good choice, provided you are fine with a somewhat cheap-looking keyboard.
While this device bears the name “Mini,” you get more than just the essentials: No other tablet combines compactness with practicality as convincingly as the Apple iPad Mini. The build quality, hardware, and performance leave nothing to be desired. The only downside is the jelly effect when scrolling, which slightly dampened the enthusiasm.
Unquestionably, the Apple iPad Mini is currently the best 8-inch tablet on the market. It works with the Apple Pencil 2, has a sleek and small 60Hz display, and the software is excellent. The only drawback is that it is unrivaled, and Apple doesn’t feel the need to make the iPad Mini even better.
Best 8-Inch Tablet
The Apple iPad Mini 6 is the best 8-inch tablet on the market today. It offers a premium design, is more powerful than every Android tablet, supports the Apple Pencil 2, and ships with up-to-date software. We get premium features like great speakers and a fingerprint scanner. Sadly, the otherwise excellent 8.3-inch screen has a jelly effect which is a bit of a bummer.
With a height of around 20 cm, the Apple iPad Mini is roughly the size of a pocket book. This makes it ideal for reading on the go, such as while traveling on the train. The Apple Pencil 2 with automatic handwriting recognition transforms the tablet into arguably the smartest notepad.
Despite its compact size, the Apple iPad Mini does not compromise when it comes to battery life. It easily keeps pace with its larger counterpart, the Apple iPad 9. When reading eBooks and PDFs at medium brightness, you can expect a long usage time without recharging.
However, keep in mind that at least the S9 FE+, weighing 627g, is not lightweight. The reading experience may suffer if you have to hold the device for an extended period.
Gamers and hardware enthusiasts may not find joy in the FE series, as the processor performance may be insufficient for demanding tasks. However, for working with texts or documents, this is not a significant concern.
The latest generation of iPads also qualifies as a suitable tablet for browsing books or learning.
Certainly, with its 10.9-inch display, it offers a good size for reading or editing PDF texts. Unfortunately, the screen is not laminated. For a tablet that costs a little over 800 € with some accessories, one might expect more here. The battery life, in our test, turns out to be shorter than its predecessor, the Apple iPad 9.
Great Mid-Range Tablet
The Apple iPad 10 is faster than all Android tablets. Especially compared to its predecessor, it offers a better and more modern design, a bit lager and bright 10.9-inch display, as well as a new and good keyboard cover. Overall, it's a great tablet but it does have a bunch of downsides. The screen is not laminated and I noticed a jelly effect. You can get it with the first-generation Apple Pencil. However, for that one to work you have to buy an extra adapter which is ridiculous. And, sadly, the price has increased.
03/26/2024 08:23 pm GMTIn many aspects, the iPad 10 resembles the iPad Air but is considerably more affordable. Few users will notice a real performance difference. It is well-crafted, has a sleek display, and a good keyboard cover. However, it’s unfortunate that the display is not laminated, and it only works with the Apple Pencil 1.
The computing power, however, is convincing. The robust CPU of the Apple iPad 10 outperforms all Android tablets. Additionally, the stereo speakers are a positive aspect.
With an 11-inch display, the tablet has a size that will be suitable for many users. The high-quality AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and beautiful black levels makes reading for an extended period comfortable.
The only drawbacks we can mention are the high price and the fact that the Tab S9 lacks a traditional headphone jack.
As the last device in our selection of reading tablets, we chose the Apple iPad Air. Admittedly, nobody will use this premium tablet solely as an eBook reader. However, the iPad Air offers modern software and features that prove incredibly practical in daily life.
Great Premium Tablet
The Apple iPad Air 5 is a fantastic premium tablet. It's cheaper than the iPad Pro but offers the same super-fast Apple M1 processor. We get a premium metal body, good speakers, a fingerprint scanner, two keyboard options, and the fantastic Apple Pencil 2. The 10.9 inch LCD screen is a good one but a bit darker than the Pro and supports 60Hz only.
03/26/2024 08:18 pm GMTThe Apple iPad Air is an excellent alternative to the 11-inch iPad Pro. It has a similarly good 10.9-inch display, only slightly brighter. While the performance is slightly weaker, thanks to the M1 chip, it is significantly stronger than any Android tablet on the market. The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil 2 and the Magic Keyboard.
The M1 chip, originally from the iPad Pro, makes the tablet a real workhorse. The iPad Air competes with most notebooks and laptops. The Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard or the Smart Keyboard Folio contribute to its versatility. However, the price quickly rises with these accessories. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, the Apple iPad Air unfortunately does not include the stylus for free.
There is nothing to criticize about the high-quality, fully laminated display, as well as the design and craftsmanship.
Some readers might have expected tablets with E-Ink displays in this article. After all, these screens closely resemble printed paper and are especially designed for readers.
Devices like the Lenovo Smart Paper or the Huawei MatePad Paper represent a range of tablets that attract customers with stylish black-and-white displays.
The reason why no device made it into our selection is the generally poorer price-performance ratio of these tablets. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that almost all E-Ink devices have technical limitations. Very few tablets have an Android operating system. If you want to do more than just read PDF files, such as sending emails or participating in video calls, you may quickly encounter limitations with many of these tablets.
In conclusion, a multitude of devices are suitable if you are looking for a tablet for reading. High-quality screens and good battery life are crucial. A stylus as an accessory is also highly advantageous for adding margin notes to PDF files.
In the lower price range, tablets like the Apple iPad Mini or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite are recommended. Mid-range all-rounders like the FE series of the Galaxy Tab S9 and the iPad 9 also bring strong arguments. Those seeking premium quality and abundant CPU power should consider the iPad 10, iPad Air, or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.
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