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E-reader or a tablet? Which reading device is better for your child? As a parent, you need to decide what is most important between the type of screen, computing power, and even price.

An eBook reader (or eReader) shares similar physical attributes with a tablet in terms of shape, thickness, and size. You can use both devices to conveniently consume content wherever you are, but which is the better option?

In this post, we’ll take a look at both eReaders and tablets, so that you can make your decision with confidence. We’ll also give you our recommendations for the best eReaders and tablets for kids.

eReader vs Tablet: A Quick Comparison

An eReader is typically lighter and smaller than a tablet. It is designed primarily for reading electronic books and other text-based content. Swap or tap the screen of the eBook reader, and it flips through the pages.

Many of these devices are waterproof, making them ideal for reading by the pool or on a beach. They do not have an LCD screen that produces glare, so they are gentle on the eyes and can be used outdoors. Plus, they are generally more affordable than tablets, with some exceptions.

Tablets are a slim device with lots of computing power, making it an excellent choice for reading, plus browsing the web, watching videos, playing games, listening to music, and more.

Think of tablets as laptops without a mouse and keyboard. They are great for interactive reading and research.

Questions to Help You Choose Between an eReader vs Tablet

Choosing between these devices for your kids might seem like a difficult decision. However, we’ve come up with 4 questions designed to help make this easier. Keep reading (an answering the questions) to discover if an eReader or tablet is your best fit.

What type of books does your child like to read most?

An eReader is ideal for reading fiction because these books are mostly black-and-white and do not require interaction and have fewer pictures.

Tablets can be better for reading non-fiction because these books may involve working with the text (textbook activities, highlights, taking notes, etc.) instead of mere reading. Tablets are also better for books with colorful images (fiction or non-fiction) since they can display all of the colors on their screens.

Does your child read for long periods of time?

If your child spends more than an hour reading, eye strain could be an issue with a tablet. You’ll want to give your kid an electronic reader that will protect their eyes from radiations and glare.

The screen of an eReader is not backlit, making it safer for prolonged reading and even for use outdoors in bright sunlight.

Staring into tablets for long periods is the same as looking into a light source and may not be healthy for your child’s eyes.

Does your child want to read enhanced eBooks?

Enhanced eBooks come with embedded video and audio clips or interactive elements, such as animated charts, maps, and more.

Tablets support enhanced eBooks, but eReaders don’t. Plus, tablets allow kids to access book apps, such as Khan Academy Kids, The Monster at the End of This Book, Teach Your Monster to Read, and Bible for Kids.

Do you want your child to have constant access to the internet?

Whether to allow your child access to the web depends on his or her age. However, if you prefer reading without distractions from social media and the internet, an eReader is the better choice.

A tablet is best if your child needs to quickly and easily reference the web during reading or research. On a tablet kids will see push notifications and this might prevent focused reading.

Recommended eReaders for Kids

Kindle Kids Edition

Kindle by Amazon is the most popular eReader available. The Kindle Kids Edition with its beautiful pink cover has parental controls. It includes a 1-year Amazon Kids+ subscription to popular kid titles and series (no ads, games, videos, or distractions), and it provides weeks of battery life.

Barnes & Noble Simple Touch & GlowLight Plus

Barnes & Noble is another popular eReader and digital book company. Users can go for the inexpensive Simple Touch eBook reader, especially if the device is specifically for a child. If you want something that the entire family can use, you should consider investing in a more expensive option, such as the GlowLight Plus. It’s waterproof and supports reading in any light condition.

Kobo

Lastly, there is Kobo, an eReader brand common with eBook readers. If this is your preferred company, consider the Glo HD that features a 6-inch high-definition screen and touchscreen functionality, giving an almost book-like experience. Another excellent choice is the Clara Carta E Ink, featuring a touch screen and 8GB internal memory for storing up to 6,000 eBooks.

Recommended Tablets for Kids

When it comes to picking an age-appropriate tablet for your child, it is important to consider parental control features.

We recommend the following products for children between the ages of 2 and 12:

Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

This is a widely popular tablet for kids. The 7-inch device is equipped with 16GB of internal storage and supports up to 512GB Micro-SD card for expanded storage. It comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ subscription offering more than 20,000 books, apps, games, TV shows, audio-books, and more for kids age 3 - 12.

Samsung SM-T290NZSKXAR Galaxy Tab

This 8.0-inch Samsung device is fitted with 32GB internal storage for downloading a ton of content from the web. Kids can use the device for their favorite activities (playing games, browsing the web, watching movies) for up to 13 hours before charging the device.

Pritom Kids Tablet

This tablet is pre-loaded with free kids’ software and apps for learning and play. It runs on Android 10.0 OS with 16GB internal memory and can be expanded to 32 GB. At only 7-inches, the tablet is portable and lightweight for kids between the ages of 2 and 12.

If you have older kids, you may want to invest in a more expensive tablet such as an Apple iPad mini.

Bottom Line

Choosing between an eReader and tablet for your child essentially comes down to what they will primarily do with the device and the reading experience they want. Of course, your budget is another important factor.

An eReader is a smart choice if you are looking for a portable, affordable, and dedicated reading device for your child. If you are looking for something that can be more interactive, and includes other forms of entertainment (internet, videos, etc.) besides reading, then a tablet is a better option.

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, our blogposts about the Best Gaming Laptops for Kids and the Best Coding Laptops for Kids might help you find what you’re looking for.

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