Best tablets for reading ebooks: Apple versus Android

If the thing you care about the most when it comes to your next tablet is how good it's going to be when it comes to reading ebooks, you've come to the right place.

Although this particular use case isn't as flashy as content creation or gaming, it's still a solid fit for the tablet form factor. What's more, you don't have to spend that much more on a tablet than you might on one of the nicer ereaders out there to get a lot more bang for your buck from a tablet like an iPad.

To help you save time and come to a decision, here's our guide to the best tablets for reading in Australia.

While the lower asking price seen in the standard Apple iPad is likely to be pretty tempting to those looking to pick one up for reading, there are a few good reasons to consider the iPad Mini instead.

Updated in 2021, the new iPad Mini features a gorgeous 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and comes powered by the same A15 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 13. It's also got a significantly more modern design, incorporating a USB Type-C port rather than Apple's own Lightning cable, support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and 5G connectivity.

Even if it's not the absolute cheapest tablet, the new iPad Mini sets a high bar for cheap tablets to aspire towards and the compact form factor makes it a great choice for on-the-go ebooks. You can also get it on a postpaid plan through providers in the widget below.

There are plenty of cheap Android tablets out there that you could use instead of a dedicated ereader. Some have nicer screens. Some have faster processors. However, the TCL Nxtpaper Tab 10S is unique in that it features an e-reader-esque form factor and display.

It's very much one of those tablets that's a jack of all trades and master of none, but it is very cheap and it goes one step further than most when it comes to offering a quality ereader experience on a tablet. If you can't afford something like the iPad Mini or don't want to lock yourself into the Apple ecosystem, then the TCL NXTPAPER 10s is one to consider.

Although the iPad Mini is easily the better buy for those who want a tablet that's ideal for ereading, the old-school 9th Gen iPad might be a good alternative for those who can't stretch their budget that far.

It's almost half the cost and the sizing isn't as well suited for longer sessions, but it still offers many of the advantages that those who are looking to pick up a tablet instead of an ereader will appreciate. Compared to the average, it's got a nicer screen and a much faster processor. Since it runs on iOS, it'll also play nice with numerous ebook stores and library apps rather than just one.

It might not be as good at going beyond the brief of being a tablet that you read ebooks on, but the baseline iPad still offers plenty of thrills at a relatively affordable price. You can even snag one on a plan through select mobile providers using the widget below.