Best Tablets For Reading Comics
Geekyslug is supported by its readers. We independently analyze, test, review, and recommend the latest tech products—learn more about our process. When you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
If you are into reading comics and manga, you would know how hard it is to acquire and find comic books, and even more troublesome are the prices of physical copies. You would also be familiar with the frustration of finding space to store your comics books, especially as most of them release weekly.
And to quell all these prevailing problems, tablets have emerged as the best option for reading comics. Even comic companies like Comixology and Marvel Unlimited have shifted their attention towards the digital model of comics and provided the fans with a vast shelf of their new releases.
With all these conspicuous advantages, the only issue that you will face is the selection of the best tablets for reading comics. Should you go for that 10-inch tablet to get a bigger viewing space or the mini-tablet to save some money? The choices and questions are limitless.
It is a question that every new user faces when selecting their first device. And it is fair because being stuck with a useless device after paying a lot is everyone’s fear. But worry not. Choosing the best tablet for comics is a tough task but not impossible.
We have answered and compiled all the things that you could possibly need to know about the best tablet for comics and handpicked the best choices available in the market.
List of Best Tablets For Reading Comics
1. Amazon Fire HD10
Performance
The first recommendation on our list of the best tablets for reading comics is Amazon Fire HD 10 with an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor and 3GB of RAM, it is certainly better equipped than its predecessor, although the speed can use some work.
Switching from apps or going to the home screen takes longer than absolutely necessary. With its additional 1GB RAM than the previous model, it is speedier but still not enough to be really smooth.
Gaming is also full of lags and visible stutters, that ruins the entire experience. Although if you want it for only reading comics it will suit it you should expect some lag while changing comics or flipping pages.
Design
It is a pretty simple build with a matte plastic shell as the back cover and a screen on the front that gives a good grip while reading comics.
Unlike its predecessors, it has a slightly smaller build with its dimensions coming down to 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches, hence also reducing its weight down to 16.4 ounces. The 2021 version comes with a USB port giving it an edge over the iPad which is still stuck with a lightning port.
Display
For its price, it comes with a pretty bright and colorful display that is very pleasing to the eyes. It really accentuates every single detail of your comic and the full HD display of 1920 x 1200-pixel, with an excellent screen build, brings clarity to the comics and doesn’t blur out spaces.
It certainly has an improved quality from the 2019 release with 106.5% of the sRGB spectrum measured on K10-A colorimeter while also boasting of brightness that can go up to 420 nits. The display can come out to be a bit reflective, as with every tablet with this display, but it isn’t essentially obstructing your view in any way.
Storage
It comes with two storage options: 32 GB and 64 GB and you can easily choose one that suits your comic book reading requirements. You can spend $40 more to double the storage.
Speakers
The speakers giving just a decent performance that isn’t too impressive. Bass is hardly noticeable and the notes produced are too sharp.
Camera
The cameras too are suited for basic performance rather than any fine photography. It has a 5.0-megapixel sensor in the back that will allow you to take photos in softer tones but sharp photographs are out of the question. The front camera too gives a similar performance so don’t expect too many details from it.
Battery life
The life of the tablet is probably the best part of this model. The tablet is pretty reliable in terms of it and would not obstruct your reading with the constant need to charge it repeatedly.
With default settings, it will last 13 hours 14 hours while using Automatic Low Power Mode makes it last 13 hours and 46 minutes.
- Impressive battery life
- Bright and colorful screen
- Type C charging model
- The speakers and camera is just decent
- Does not come with Google apps
2. Apple iPad Air
Performance
The iPad Air 4 is geared by an A14 Bionic chip and hexa-core CPU and a quad-core GPU, which gives it a noticeable edge over its competitors over speed and performance. Even while loading several tabs together with background activities going over on the apps it hardly gave a stutter.
So in the case of reading comics, you can keep several of them open while also doing something in the background and you won’t notice any difference.
Design
The iPad air looks so much like an iPad pro that you might almost look as if Apple just gave new colors to it and release it as a new product. The specs come down to dimensions of 9.7 x 7 x 0.2 inches, which is the same as the iPad Pro, and a weight of 1 pound.
But you can certainly notice the differences. With the removal of the home button, you now have more screen space, with a 10.9-inch screen. This is the perfect tablet for reading comics as it allows a full-page view with a large view without having to zoom in to view the dialogues.
Not only for reading comics but Apple iPad Air can also be used as a drawing tablet and is one of the finest tablets under $500.
The lock button also doubles as a fingerprint scanner, which sticks out and gives itself clear visibility. Another welcome change is the shift from lightning port to USB type C port, which means that you can save yourself money on buying another cord. Again, it lacks a headphone jack as with every other Apple product.
Display
The display provided is sharp but not just as bright as you would expect. The display focuses more on details so it is perfect for reading comics and mangas.
Besides that, the color reproduction is pretty sleek but with 102.9% of the sRGB color spectrum based on the Klein K10-A colorimeter and 440 nits of brightness, it falls a little behind from its competitors.
The one thing that you will find exclusively with this model is the full lamination and an anti-reflective coating, which means that it won’t leave behind fingertip marks and is anti-glare as well.
Storage
It comes with a basic 64GB configuration which can be extended to 256 GB for $150. And frankly, that is a lot of storage, even without extension you are getting 64GB which is fairly suited for comics.
Speakers
The sounds produced by this iPad are LOUD. It won’t just fill your small room but easily spill over in the adjacent rooms. It gives true stereo mode in landscape mode that is adjusted according to the orientation, thanks to its ‘smart’ detection.
Camera
It comes equipped with a 12-megapixel wide-angle webcam that successfully captures all the color hues. The 7MP front camera is also good enough to capture all the major details without dulling out the colors.
Battery life
The tablet promises an all-day battery life. With 10 hours and 29 minutes life, it is longer than iPad pro but falls a little behind its competitors but it is enough and probably more for a single sitting read. Though the difference isn’t that noticeable to make a big impact.
- Thin and lightweight
- Super fast processor
- Excellent camera and audio quality
- USB type C
- No face ID
- Does not come with a headphone jack
- Accompanying accessories are pretty expensive
3. MEBERRY M7 tablet
Performance
With the Android 10.0 operating system, you are getting yourself the latest system that is susceptible to change and upgrade, so you won’t be compromising on that. Besides that, you get an Octa-Core processor that claims to run several programs and apps simultaneously though there is a limit of just three or four after which you would start noticing visible stutters and lags.
As for the best tablet for reading comics, it is a viable option for those who only want it for one purpose and do not require it for any heavy performance.
Design
The Merberry M7 is a pretty cheap tablet and is suited for ones who are looking for a budget tablet model. It has a metal chassis build and is pretty sturdy with no defects whatsoever. All its parts are pretty firm and do not deviate from their places and nor does the SD card shift around in its slot.
The back is prone to get littered with fingerprints. The bezels are pretty small as well which allows you to have more screen space for reading. At just 235 grams it is very lightweight in comparison to normal tablets and is far easier to carry around.
Display
The display is beautiful with a large and sturdy screen that reflects major colors. It is pretty efficient in getting across the purpose of reading comics and mangas and with a 10.1-inch FHD display with a screen resolution of 1280x 800 pixels it certainly does its job.
The G+G glass screen is extremely efficient in keeping your tablet out of harm’s way by offering shock resistance and large bearing capacity. This also makes it resistant to dust and scratches.
Storage
It comes with 4 GB operating memory and 64 GB of storage memory. It can be further extended to 128 GB by paying money. Again this is a fairly fine capacity that you can use to store your comics.
Speakers
It comes with a double surround sound that falls a little behind on heavy performance. The sound on speakers isn’t all that much so the use of headphones would be required for better sounds.
Camera
It is equipped with a Front Camera of 5.0 MP and an 8.0 MP Rear Camera, which is just enough to capture decent photos. It is not suited for professional or sharp photography.
Battery life
The tablet comes with an 8000mAh battery that can last you 7-8 hours of video playback (720P and 1080P). Though it might not sound much in terms of number when compared to the tablets of this range it is a steal. But in terms of reading comics, it might require you to charge it repeatedly, so it is better suited for mild readers.
- Large display
- Comes with a lot of accessories
- G+G protective glass screen
- Not A Famous Brand
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (SM6115) processor and 3 Gb RAM look like a big deal but its performance is limited to just daily usage and even then you can start noticing the lags. Opening multiple tabs while watching videos will definitely slow down its performance. The processor is fairly modest that wouldn’t sustain high-level usage.
While reading comics you will not notice much difference but if you keep several tabs open, there is some lag to be expected.
Design
This Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 has a minimalist look and probably in the best way possible. The tablet has extremely thin bezels that make it an extremely large screen to read on. The aluminum shell is sturdy and gives you a strong feel. With a weight of 1.1 pounds and dimensions of 9.8 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches.
It is thinner and lighter than the competitors of this range and if you want a tablet to read comics for travel, then this is the best option.
It has a type C charger adapter with a microSD card option that allows you to expand your storage. A headphone jack is also available on the tablet.
Display
The display is decent with not an extremely bright display and the colors don’t pop out. The reason for it is the 224 pixels-per-inch density that does not give it many colors incentive to give a colorful view. So you should expect some difference in the actual colors and the colors shown to you while reading comics.
It produces 101.7% of the sRGB spectrum according to the Klein K10-A colorimeter and has a brightness of 329.3 nits. It is the low level of brightness that gives it a dark look when viewed from a 30-degree angle.
Storage
It has initial storage of just 32 GB that can be expanded to 64GB by paying $50 extra, which is less than what you get from other tablets. Even though comics tend to be in the lower end of file size it is best to avail tablets that give you a good amount of storage.
Speakers
The tablet gives an extremely good streaming experience with the notes being crisp and sharp. The catch is though that the clear audio remains until it is kept at lower levels. At higher levels, it tends to break and become distorted.
Camera
While the 8-megapixel rear camera and 5MP front camera sound good enough it is hard to really compliment its performance. Pictures taken from the front camera are very smooth and glaze over details while being too bright. Sharpness is something that you shouldn’t expect from it.
Battery life
If you are an avid reader who craves long battery life, then this might be the tablet for you cause this packs a ton of battery. At high battery usage, it lasted an impressive 13 hours and 13 minutes, easily beating the iPad pro.
- Long-lasting battery life
- Facial recognition security
- Thin bezels
- The camera isn’t good enough
5. TECLAST M40 tablet
Performance
In terms of performance, the TECLAST M40 tablet gives a decent performance as it comes with 6GB RAM, which is enough for multitasking. You won’t notice any lags while flipping the pages of comics or switching between apps while reading.
However, the processor and GPU are quite weak, thus, the tablet is not ideal for playing high-end games like Genshin impact or COD mobile on HD or ultra settings. You can play on medium or low settings only.
Design
It has a bulky and thick design with large bezels, that limit the screen size which stands at 10.1 inches. The entire build feels a little cheap but there isn’t anything wrong with it. Besides that though the bulky and heavy build can strain your hands if you keep the tablet on your hands while reading.
Display
The 1920×1200 pixelated screen is again just decent and suffers from low brightness. The colors are popping and not too washed out so you can clearly see your characters. Although lack of lamination coupled with a highly reflective screen means that you won’t be able to read comics in the sunshine.
Storage
It has a grand 128GB storage and the price which you are getting this tablet for this is certainly a steal. You can save a lot (and we mean a huge amount) of comics without worrying about the storage running out and paying more for it.
Speakers
It has dual speakers system that gives a good surround sound. The speakers are well positioned as well.
Camera
It has dual 8MP cameras on the front and an 8MP rear camera that gives an acceptable quality of photographs, though nothing too sharp or professional.
Battery life
It has a 6000mAh battery that will last you 7 hours of heavy usage. In terms of reading comics, it can last you around 9 to 10 as the consumption is lower. And it has decent charging speed, taking almost 4 hours to charge it fully.
- Large 128 GB storage
- Android 10 operating system
- Powerful chipset
- Sluggish response time
6. Lenovo Smart Tab M10
Performance
Performance-wise this tablet falls a little bit. If you keep several tabs of your comic open it will start showing visible in switching and opening in new ones. Cheaper tablets than this Lenovo tablet gave better performance. Though the lag won’t ruin your experience when you are paying this much for a tablet you would expect better performance.
Design
Lenovo has probably come with the best-looking tablet with thin bezels and a slender frame. It is extremely light, and small and gives an elite look, certainly a bonus for a budgeted model.
Given its structure, it is extremely easy to hold and read and does not overwhelm you with its size. In fact, the size of 9.5 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches implies that you can focus on any part of the comics without having to zoom in.
Display
The display is highly satisfactory and given its price you are getting yourself quite a deal. The details can get a little lost but the colors are clearly visible and vivid. The touch is as smooth as butter and gives your fingers a gliding feeling. While flipping through pages of your comics you would get a very smooth experience.
But even though the colors are vibrant, the brightness is a little flaky and comes down to just 322 nits of brightness.
Storage
The budgeted piece comes with just 32GB of eMMc flash storage which isn’t much when it comes to storing comics. You can upgrade to the 64GB storage but it will cost you more.
Speakers
This tablet comes with a dual-speaker system that amplifies the sound well and is capable of filling up a large room. Though the notes feel snappy and fall a bit flat. The bass is amiss as well.
Camera
The camera is again nothing noteworthy. The photos lack sharpness and detailing and are way too oversaturated. Besides that, it does not work in low-light situations. The only good thing that you would get with the camera is the facial recognition that works like a charm.
Battery life
It has a very unremarkable battery life of just 8 hours and 55 minutes. If you plan to keep a lot of your comics open while reading another, then expect the batter to drown even faster. It is best suited for ones who have less dedicated time to read comics.
- Smart display
- Vibrant and colorful display
- Slim and stylish build
- Mediocre battery life
- Cameras and speakers lack quality
- Andriod OS is outdated
7. Apple iPad Mini
Performance
The Apple iPad Mini comes with an A12 Bionic chip with Apple’s Neural Engine that easily makes it the fastest mini-table ever. Thanks to the iOS 12 you will experience the smoothest transitions and flow through the apps.
Transitioning from one comic to another is utter bliss. It can easily juggle several tabs without showing any sign of lag.
Design
The first thing that you will probably notice about the iPad mini is its bezels and they are huge. The upper and bottom bezels are probably the biggest out of any tablets we have covered so far and gives it an old-school look. Given its size, it is extremely lightweight and easy to carry out, so you can read comics on the go.
Display
Without a doubt the screen and display are gorgeous. The colors simply pop out of the screen and highlight all the details of your comic. The detailing is so worth the effort to zooming in to read the comic. And with the brightness of 490 nits, you would be getting a wonderful reading experience.
Storage
The starting model will come in 64GB with just wifi connectivity. You can either upgrade to 256GB by paying $150 more. Availing cellular connectivity would cost you $129 more than the basic model.
You can go forth with the basic model if you are always around some form of wifi. But it is recommended to go with the upgraded model so that you can read comics without having to look for wifi and the extra storage doesn’t hurt as well.
Speakers
You get two speakers in the bottom that gets covered up while reading. The sound is good enough for a small model and has enough bass.
Camera
The cameras are just decent and do not serve the purpose of taking photographs professionally. The 8MP camera produces too whitewashed and the details tend to get lost. The camera works okay outdoors but struggles indoors.
Battery life
The tablet guarantees you 10 hours of battery life when used continuously. However, when you use it for reading just comics or manga it will last even longer. The endurance level is pretty impressive.
- Smooth performance
- Vibrant display
- Long-lasting battery
- Supported by Apple pencil
- Extremely large bezels
- Just decent cameras
What to look for While Choosing Best Tablet for Reading Comics?
You cannot just close your eyes and pick out a tablet. There are certain things that make you need to look out for in a tablet and match them according to your requirements. The market has a lot of options available in the market so you need not compromise on the specifications. We have also penned down an in-depth guide on How to Choose the Right Tablet for Yourself, that not only helps you to pick the right tablet, but also provides you with a list of the best tablets.
Performance
Buying a tablet that lags while working and refuses to open comic books fastly is frustrating and ruins the entire experience of reading books. If you are paying so much money on buying a tablet then be sure to check out the RAM to ensure that its performance is flawless and smooth. For reading comics and mangas, it is, particularly, a RAM of 2GB is good enough and you can obviously go for more.
Display Size
Display size is perhaps the most important thing that you need to be on the lookout for. The screen size should be feasible with your eyesight and comfortableness. Big screens allow you to focus better on the art and have less stress on your eyes. The accompanying texts are more readable as well. In contrast on smaller screens, you would have to constantly pinch in and out of the screen.
Battery life
No one likes interruptions when reading. Imagine when you are finally going to read the fate of your favorite character, and then the battery flashes to be charged again. Having to leave the exciting chapter unread for the sake of charging, no one likes that.
So when deciding which tablet to buy be sure to pick one that has a great battery line. Most of the tablets out there offer you a continuous reading time of 8 to 10 hours which is enough to last through one sitting. Kindles are much better in terms of battery line, with a single charge lasting a complete week.
Storage
Storage is another important thing that can influence your decision. Although comics aren’t really large in size it is still a rational decision to have enough space to sustain a large number of comics. And since lack of space for physical copies is one of the reasons for going digital you need not compromise on the space of tablets.
Screen Type
There are two choices of tablets that are best suited for reading comics. They are the combinations of screen types:
- LCD display with an IPS panel – The display is very bright and is in tune with the quality of the image given by the IPS panel.
- LED display with AMOLED technology – Amoled technology-supported tablets are best suited for reading texts.
Cellular Connectivity
If you want a truly portable tablet then it is best to go with one that gives you cellular connectivity rather than solely rely on a wifi connection. It allows you to download and read your comics at any given point despite being out of range from the wifi.
Waterproofing
Even if you aren’t prone to using your tablet near water, it is always a clever choice to go for a waterproof tablet. You never know when a circumstance would come when your tablet comes into the contact with water. It is best to avoid this situation altogether by investing in a tablet that wouldn’t be ruined by water.
Verdict
Our favorite choice as the best tablet for reading comics would be Apple iPad Air 4. It has an amazing interface with even smoother performance. Add to it the large battery life coupled with a massive screen and vibrant display, you would be getting the best tablet for reading comics. It is hassle-free with no need to pinch in and out to focus on dialogues nor you are required to zoom in and see what the character looks like.
Related Articles:
By Sam Rhodes
Hi, I’m Sam Rhodes, a passionate tech reviewer, and gamer. I started Geekyslug with the motive of sharing my knowledge about tech gadgets like gaming laptops, tablets, graphic cards, keyboards, and whatnot.
I also share troubleshooting guides, helping people resolve issues with their gadgets. When I’m not writing, I prefer playing Valorant, Call of duty, GTA5 or outdoor activities like skateboarding and off-roading on my bike.