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eReaders are best if all you want to do is have something as close to a paper book as possible. However, if you need something more than that, a tablet makes more sense as a general-purpose device that can also read e-books.

Modern tablet computers have much improved screens and battery life compared to the early days of these popular devices. However, e-readers haven't stagnated either, and if you love reading e-books, there's a legitimate dilemma as to which is the best option.

In this section:

The main differences between e-readers and tablets

If you're unfamiliar with tablets or eReaders, there are some key differences that set them apart from each other.

E-readers typically use E Ink screens, which are easier on the eyes and allow for more comfortable extended reading sessions. Conversely, tablets typically use LCD screens, which are brighter and more vibrant, but can be harder on the eyes during long reading sessions.

Additionally, eReaders are generally smaller and lighter than tablets, making them more portable and easier to hold for long periods of time.

E-readers also have longer battery life than tablets, allowing for longer periods of use without recharging. That's mainly thanks to E Ink technology, which only uses power to change what's on screen, not to maintain it.

Tablets, on the other hand, offer more multitasking capabilities than e-readers, allowing you to browse the web, check email, watch videos, and read e-books. They're basically full-featured personal computers, while e-readers are more limited. However, some eReaders also offer basic web browsing and audio playback functionality.

The advantages and disadvantages of e-readers for reading ebooks

If you choose to use an eReader for your digital reading needs, you'll enjoy several benefits, but you'll also give up some of the benefits of reading on a tablet.

Let's look at the good stuff first:

Dedicated eReaders use E Ink screens, which are easier on the eyes and allow for more comfortable extended reading sessions, especially in direct light, which feels like paper.
They are smaller and lighter than tablets, making them more portable and easy to hold for long periods of time.
The battery life of an eReader is generally longer than that of tablets, which allows for longer periods of use without recharging. We're talking weeks or months here.
Some eReaders are waterproof, making them ideal for reading at the beach or by the pool. Don't try this with your iPad!

If you leave your tablet at home, some aspects of e-readers might annoy you:

Dedicated e-readers are primarily designed for reading e-books, so they don't offer the same multitasking capabilities as tablets.
These devices usually have a more limited selection of reading apps available (if any), so you may not be able to access all the eBooks you want.
These devices usually don't have audio (although some do), so you might not be able to listen to audiobooks or music.
They usually have less storage than tablets, so you might not be able to store as many ebooks on your device. Although in practical terms, you'll probably never be able to read the thousands of books an eReader can typically hold.
If you like to read comics, magazines, or other color materials, an e-reader might not be the right choice. Although color E Ink will become available, it will take some time before it is as affordable as the black and white models.

The bottom line is that e-readers are ideal for reading books and printed materials without color illustrations. Still, you'll need a different device if you want to do almost anything else.

The advantages and disadvantages of tablets for reading ebooks

If you can't imagine leaving your tablet at home in exchange for a dedicated playback device, you're not in for a bad experience, but some sacrifices have to be made.

That being said, there are good reasons to choose a tablet for your reading pleasure:

They offer more multitasking capabilities than e-readers, allowing you to browse the web, check email, watch videos, and read e-books.
Tablets generally have a more comprehensive selection of apps, so you'll have more options for finding and accessing ebooks.
They often have more storage than eReaders, so you can store more ebooks on your device.
Many tablets offer both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity options, giving you more flexibility to access eBooks even when you're not connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Now for the less enjoyable side of using tablets to read ebooks:

Tablets typically use LCD screens, which are brighter and more vibrant, but can be harder on the eyes during long reading sessions. OLED and mini-LED screens may be better in this regard.
They're typically larger and heavier than eReaders, making them less portable and potentially uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time.
Tablets generally have shorter battery life than e-readers, so you'll need to charge them more frequently.
These devices are more expensive than e-readers, especially if you want a high-end model with lots of features.

As reading devices, tablets suffer from the jack-of-all-trades syndrome, but that doesn't mean the reading experience is bad altogether.

If you can only choose one, choose a tablet

E-readers are the best digital substitute for paper books, thanks to their readability, durability, autonomy and cost. However, most people need to do more than just read books on their portable devices; if you have to choose between the two options, a tablet makes more sense.

A tablet is a multifunction device that can even replace a traditional laptop or desktop computer for most people. It can do everything an eReader can, but not so well when reading books in particular. A tablet might be a "master of nothing," but it's good enough for a variety of jobs to be the most economical and logical choice.

Your smartphone is already an excellent reader

You may not have a tablet or e-reader yet, but you probably have an iPhone or Android smartphone. In this case, for reading in particular, you might want to say no to the tablet and eReader options.

Your smartphone is already an excellent reader because it has many features to comfortably read ebooks. It's always with you, so you can easily access your ebooks anytime. And like a tablet, your smartphone can do more than just read ebooks; you can listen to music, watch streaming shows, play games, browse the web, etc.

There has also been a trend towards larger phone screens with better sunlight visibility. So you might find that reading on your phone isn't particularly taxing, even if the OLED or LCD technology doesn't quite match the sunlight readability of E Ink.

If you've never tried reading e-books on your smartphone, give it a try and decide if you really need to spend money on another device specifically to read books.