It’s not perfect, but the iPad mini (6th generation) is pretty-much the perfect Kindle for me.
Sure, the Kindle – or any eBook reader for that matter – beats an iPad when it comes to battery life, use in direct sunlight, and for being waterproof. And of course those are very important things… some of the time. For the majority of my usage, however, I reach for the iPad mini any time I want to read a book.
I’m not going to go feature by feature and make a head-to-head comparison post, but for me, the brighter screen, the sharpness, and the fact that I can read books in the Kindle App, Apple’s Books, and from my local Canadian library’s awful ‘cloudLibrary’ app (how I miss thee, Libby!) – not to mention any article online, make the iPad mini a better choice for me.
For some reason, I always found reading on a Kindle to be a chore, yet, reading on the iPad mini is a pleasure. Plus, if I get bored of my story, or need a quick diversion, a swipe over for a few minutes of a quick game seems to rejuvenate me for another reading session.
I try to not check email, or get sucked into any social media on my iPad – it’s meant to be primarily an eReader – but the odd times I’m out and about and feel the urge to do more than just read, I have the option. Having my entire Apple Ecosystem available to me is also a bonus, especially having access to Apple Music. Sometimes a little light music can provide a nice background soundtrack to whatever story I’m into that moment (usually some sort of Crime or Legal ‘thriller’).
None of the above means I’ll never use my Kindle – at less than $100 on Prime Day, it’s a great value, and great to have for reading in or near the pool – but for the majority of the time I read (which is mostly before bed), I find the iPad to be the best choice for me.
Your milage may vary of course, but if you find yourself asking ‘What’s the Best eReader in 2024?’ you may be surprised to find the iPad mini is a solid answer.