For the past several years, I’ve done almost all my reading on an 11-inch iPad Pro. However, holding my iPad for an hour or more in a reading position has become uncomfortable. Placing a pillow on my lap to set the iPad on has been the only fix, but when one of my cats is on my lap sleeping (which is almost every morning and evening), the pillow isn’t an option.
I wanted to see whether I could use a smaller, lighter device to read from. As an experiment, I ordered a Kindle Colorsoft and an iPad Mini to compare the two in practical use. I knew I would likely return one of them.
I owned an iPad Mini several years ago, but I sold it because I felt the screen was too small. But I wanted to compare one with a Kindle to see which would better serve my needs now.
The Screen That Settled It at a Glance
Reading books on the Kindle Colorsoft versus the iPad Mini was similar but also different in significant ways.
On both devices, I could change the font size to whatever best fit the situation. That matters to me because I have older eyes and have difficulty reading very small type.
While the Kindle was somewhat lighter than the iPad (219 g vs. 293 g), I couldn’t tell an appreciable difference when holding them. Both felt comfortable to hold for long periods.
The iPad Mini’s screen is about a third larger than the Kindle’s, 8.3” vs. 7”. That meant I could fit more text of the same size on the iPad Mini’s screen. It also helped with diagrams, photos, or graphic novels.
The displays on the two devices could not have been more different. The Kindle used an e-ink display, which was overall dull and not very bright. The iPad used what Apple calls a Liquid Retina display, which was bright, clear, and crisp.
I had looked at e-ink devices in the past and hadn’t been very impressed with the text quality; it seemed blurry and dull. Still, I knew the field had advanced, so I thought I’d try a newer device. While some people may prefer reading on an e-ink reader, I am not that person. I much preferred reading from the clear, crisp text on the iPad Mini.
The iPad’s color screen was vastly superior to the Kindle’s. The screen comparison was striking. I compared the Kindle library book cover thumbnails viewed side by side on both devices. The iPad’s thumbnails had vibrant, crisp, clear colors, while the Kindle’s looked dull and washed out.
When I read nonfiction, I often highlight text that resonates with me or that I want to recall later. Highlighted text syncs with the Readwise service, which stores it and presents me with 15 random passages each morning as part of my routine.
Highlighting on the Kindle was awkward and required several steps every time I wanted to highlight text in yellow. On the iPad, it was simple: I just swiped the text with my finger or an Apple Pencil. Quick and easy.
Overall, reading books on the iPad Mini was a much more enjoyable experience than reading on the Kindle Colorsoft.
The Single-Purpose Argument I Stopped Buying
Before I conducted my experiment, I knew the Kindle did only one thing: read books (or other text added) in the Kindle app. I thought the benefits of the color e-ink Kindle might outweigh the benefits of the iPad Mini enough to make it worth using the Kindle only for reading books.
My experience proved otherwise.
I use an iPad every day for many purposes. In the early morning, my entire routine revolves around my iPad. I use it to read my Readwise highlights, blog posts, newsletters, and other blogs in the Readwise Reader; read Substack; and review my daily plan in NotePlan. I also dictate responses to my journaling prompts in NotePlan.
During the day, I’ll often use my iPad to check the weather or perhaps ask Siri a question. I’ll mark off tasks from my NotePlan list as I go through the day. I’ll look up a quick question on Safari or use Claude AI, or order something on Amazon. I’ll open a recipe and follow it as I prepare dinner.
The iPad Mini syncs with all of my other Apple devices, including my iPhone, Mac, and 11” iPad Pro. On the Mini, I have access to all the files on my iCloud Drive, all my photos, emails, messages, and most of my other apps.
The Kindle can’t do any of those things. So, in practice, the only time I ever used my Kindle was to sit and read a book. And I could do that just as well, if not better, on the iPad.
Some would argue that devices such as the Kindle are superior precisely because they have only one function. Writers such as Oliver Burkeman in Four Thousand Weeks recommend one-purpose devices to reduce distraction.
However, Apple’s Focus Modes make the iPad Mini a single-purpose device whenever you want it to be one. Focus Modes are built into the iPad Mini and other Apple devices and are simple to set up. When I read a book on my iPad in my Kindle app, my Reading Focus Mode automatically turns on and blocks all notifications except phone calls and messages from my wife.
To me, owning and maintaining an extra device to make up for not using Focus Modes is a bad trade. And the fact is, most distractions don’t come from the outside; they come from the inside. If I want to distract myself, I can certainly set aside my one-purpose device and go find something else to do. Focus takes discipline, regardless of what type of device you use.
It Wasn’t Even Close
You’ve probably guessed by now that I put the Kindle Colorsoft back in the box and returned it to Amazon. I’ve kept the iPad Mini and use it daily.
The iPad Mini was a better device to read on than the Kindle Colorsoft, and it did so much more. In the end, it was really no competition.
Day to day, I enjoyed using the iPad much more than the Kindle, and its one-device, multiple-functionality made it a better value, even though it cost almost double the Kindle Colorsoft.
10 Days on the Road With One Device
A week after returning the Kindle, my wife and I went on a 10-day road trip to the West Coast. The only device I took with me besides my iPhone was my iPad Mini.
Before we left, I opened a trip note in Bear and included our itinerary, daily travel times, and hotel reservations. I referred to the note every day of the trip.
When my wife was driving, I sat in the passenger seat with my iPad Mini and read the classic Lonesome Dove novel on my Kindle app. When there was cell coverage, I’d scope out upcoming towns and find restaurants or travel stops near the interstate when we were ready to stop.
Each morning in the hotel, I did my entire morning routine on my iPad Mini. I also used it to write messages and emails, and dictated my journal entries into NotePlan.
Throughout the trip, the iPad Mini served as an excellent resource. Because it had multiple functions, I could both use it for iPad tasks and do what I would have done on a Kindle. But I only had to take and worry about one device.
Which Should You Buy?
In many ways, the decision to use a Kindle or an iPad Mini for reading books comes down to individual preference.
Different features will appeal differently to different people. There really are no right or wrong answers here. It depends on your needs, desires, and preferences.
Your Turn to Run the Test
Most retailers, including Amazon and Apple, give you a return window, so a side-by-side test costs nothing except a couple of weeks of attention. That’s what made my experiment possible, and it’s why I’m confident in the result.
If you’ve been wondering whether a Kindle or an iPad Mini fits your reading life better, try both and see which one you keep reaching for.
Note: I wrote this blog post myself using my own words and thoughts for the initial draft. I used AI only to suggest headlines, section headings, images and text improvements.
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