Planning your holiday reading? An e-reader and a tablet can both hold a whole library in your bag, but they're built for different things. Here's how to choose.
E-readers
Dedicated reading devices with a paper-like e-ink screen that's easy on the eyes, readable in bright sunlight and glare-free — plus battery life measured in weeks and a light, pocketable design. The trade-off: they're for reading, little else. Best for: bookworms and beach holidays.
Tablets
Full-colour screens that do everything — books, magazines, streaming, games, email and web. The trade-offs: screens can glare in sunshine and the battery lasts hours, not weeks. Best for: all-round entertainment. Browse tablets.
Quick comparison
- Reading comfort & sunlight: e-reader wins.
- Battery life: e-reader (weeks) beats tablet (hours).
- Everything else — video, web, apps: tablet wins.
- Colour (magazines, comics): tablet.
Which should you pack?
If you mostly read novels, an e-reader is blissful in the sun and lasts the whole trip. If you want one device for reading and streaming, take a tablet.
Final thoughts
Pure readers love e-readers; everyone else is better served by a tablet that does it all. Browse tablets online or ask in any of our 60+ stores.
