Table of Contents
Last Updated on December 20, 2020
The time when you had to use a computer to read PDF files is long gone. These days you can do it on almost any device. But, computers are too big, smartphones are too small for this purpose.
The alternative? The solution is finding one of the best tablets for reading PDFs. These devices are compact and easy to use, but they do have large screens that resemble A4 format which is what most of us want. Today, we will help you choose the best model, the one you are going to adore and use for many years to come.
Best Tablet for Reading PDFs of 2020
1. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB)
Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) is considered one of the best tablets for reading PDFs and one of the best tablets in general. This particular model has 256 GB of storage and 11 inches screen (edge to edge Retina). The screen also offers Truetone and wide color.
Neural Engine and A12X Bionic chip are there to provide smooth operations at all times. Face ID is more secure than a fingerprint scanner and the same variation can be seen on Apple iPhone X or 11.
The unit comes with 2 cameras. The primary camera is on the back and it is 12MP. The front-facing module has 7MP but with True depth feature. Sound is generated with the help of 4 speakers and enhanced with stereo capabilities. Battery life is up to 10 hours. Operating system is iOS. In addition, users can choose different storage options.
For connections, you can use Wi-Fi. A model with Wi-Fi and cellular support is offered.
Pros:
- Great display
- Perfect cameras
- Sound quality
- Plenty of storage space
Cons:
- Expensive
- Silver and gray color options only
2. BOOX Note Ereader,Android 6.0 32 GB 10.3″
BOOX Note Ereader, Android 6.0 32 GB 10.3″ has the aforementioned E ink screen. It offers 4096 Degrees of Pressure Sensitivity. Basically, this gives you thinner or thicker lines when pressing the screen, especially when using a stylus which is included here. The screen size is 10.3 inches.
The operating system is Android 6.0 (a separate version that doesn’t have much in common with smartphone OS). Users can have MOBI or EPUB and another app open at the same time. This is useful when you want to take or add notes. We must add that you can use fingers or stylus to navigate.
Storage is 32GB and the battery included is 4100mAh Polymer Li-on. As all E ink screens, the battery can last for days and even weeks, depending on the usage. The resolution of the screen is 1872×1404 and has 227 PPI. CPU powering the tablet is 1.6G Quad Core. 2GB of RAM memory are included.
There are 16 levels of grayscale and the charging and connections are done via type C USB. This model doesn’t support 5G but does have a Wi-Fi module.
Pros:
- Ideal for handwriting
- Stylus is included
- Battery life
- Dual speakers
Cons:
- 32GB of storage only
- Sensitive screen
3. Dragon Touch Y88X Plus 7” Quad Core Google Android Tablet PC
No products found.
No products found.
Dragon Touch Y88X has a few main advantages. It is one of the most affordable models here and one the smallest. It is great if you want to use it every day, and you are on a budget. The operating system is Kitkat Android. The storage is 8GB but you do get an SD card slot so you can expand it when needed. For smooth performances, the tablet uses A44 chipset. Other features included are Google Play app (pre-installed), 1-year warranty, and also Wi-Fi. You do get Bluetooth if that is what you seek.
The size of the tablet is 8.50 x 6.00 x 2.00 inches, and the weight is 0.57 pounds. It has 7 inches screen with Smart Color setup. The resolution is 1024 x 600 Pixels. 512MB of RAM memory are used. The rear camera is 2MP. G sensor is included in the tablet. To summarize, the tablet is small, compact, and comes with all the right ingredients you need when reading PDFs. Just to add, other file formats, same as with any Android device are supported and you can even play games.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Small and compact
- Android operating system
- Versatile applications
Cons:
- Slow
- Poor battery life is possible
4. Kobo Aura – the eBook reader – 4 GB – 6″
No products found.
No products found.
Kobo Aura is primarily designed as an eBook reader. However, thanks to many interesting features, design, and a few other things, we had to recommend it as a PDF reader. The unit has an E ink screen and the battery can last for weeks. This model does have a backlight which makes usage possible even at night.
The backlight is soft and won’t affect your eyes and cause any eye fatigue. The size of the screen is 6 inches. It is considered a smaller tablet and this can be an advantage if you are planning to carry it all around. The dimensions are 5.91 x 4.45 x 3.54 inches and the weight is 6.3 ounces.
The User Interface is one of the simplest out there. On the other hand, the page swipe isn’t supported, so you will have to use touch. There is no SD card slot here. Keep in mind that this model isn’t related in any way with Amazon Kindle, so you cannot use their Store and download eBooks.
Pros:
- Appealing design
- Storage space of 4GB
- Very easy to use
- Backlight
Cons:
- Lack of advanced features
- Expensive
5. Lenovo Yoga Book
No products found.
No products found.
Lenovo Yoga Book is 2 in 1 model. What this means is that you can use it as an ordinary tablet but you can use a drawing pad when needed which makes it similar to a laptop. Specifications include Atom x5-Z8550 and 4GB of RAM memory. The storage space is 64 GB but it is based on the SSD module. This boosts the performance over 10 times compared to conventional HDD. The battery life is 15 hours.
One of the main advantages is the thickness. It is known as the thinnest 2 in 1 tablet out there with a thickness of 0.38 inches. Lenovo Yoga Book has 10 inches screen and the other half is used as a track pad with a stylus so you can write, control the tablet, or more. These two are connected using a 360-degrees hinge. Color options include champagne, carbon black, and grey. An interesting advantage is the ability to choose it with Android or Windows operating systems. Both have the same design and specifications.
Pros:
- 2-in-1 model
- Clever and usable design
- The battery life of 15 hours
- SSD for better performance
Cons:
- 64GB of storage
- The keyboard isn’t comfortable
What To Look In The Best Tablet For Reading PDFs
In order to find the best tablet for reading PDFs, you need to consider several factors. Of course, if you are a tech geek you can skip this section. On the other hand, if you are an average user, you will want to know all about the parameters needed and how you can make the right choice within minutes.
Screen
Here, we are not referring to the size of the screen. We are referring to the type. In general, we can see two options. The first one is E Ink screens and it is ideal if you want to use a device for reading only. You can see these screens on Amazon e-book readers and some other devices. There is even a smartphone with this screen but isn’t very popular.
The battery life is extraordinary, the reading is possible at all lighting conditions and eye fatigue is non-existing. Drawbacks? Although they have other features, E Ink screens are not designed for watching videos, writing, texting, drawing, or playing games. They are primitive.
The second option is a colored screen with high resolution. Battery life is shorter than in the first case, but you can use this tablet for literally anything. It has the same screen as your smarphone so you get an idea. We prefer this type.
Size
Size makes a tablet more compact or more usable. Ideal size is 10-11 inches. These models can be used for literally anything and you will never need to use a laptop again. They also offer great compatibility with A4 formats. Smaller models are great if you plan on carrying them all around or you don’t want to watch videos, play games, and more.
Operating system
Here you can choose between two options, Android or iOS. Android is more common and usually found on cheaper models. It is very customizable and comes with countless options. iOS is reserved for Apple devices only. It can do the same things as Android, but in a different way. Pick the one you like or the one you are used to.
Stylus
Some models come with a stylus, which is a pen used to control the screen. Some models can use it as an optional extra. This addition isn’t much needed but can be mandatory if you want to draw when you must sign something or similar applications.
Battery life
All tablets are handheld devices, so they have a battery. An average and most common battery life for regular screen models is 10-15 hours. Almost all models have a battery life of this duration. E Ink screens can last up to 2 weeks.
Final Thoughts
If you are still looking for the best tablet for reading PDFs, take a look at 5 models above and get one. All of these were tested with various PDF projects, files, and in the real-world scenarios. Our ranking is obvious, but yours may be different. Take into account the buyer’s guide from above and make the right choice within 5 minutes and get a tablet you will be 100% happy with.