• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

The Travel Bite logo

  • Travel Tips
  • Recipes
  • Destinations
  • Work From Home
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel Destinations
  • Travel Tips
  • Contact
  • Work From Home
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Travel Tips / Kindle vs iPad: Best Tablet Readers For Travel

    03/27/2017

    Kindle vs iPad: Best Tablet Readers For Travel

    Kindle or iPad — which is the best tablet for travel?  I find myself asking this question every time I pack. And to be honest, I feel a little indulgent and guilty sometimes for having two tablet e-readers, but they’re both great for different reasons. My decision over the best tablet to bring is usually based on the length of the flight, and if I’m in more of a movie-mode or reading-mode.

    Most planes have a great selection of entertainment, but every once in awhile I’ll hop on a connecting flight, look up at a fabric-backed seat, and be completely bummed that it’s tech-free.  But now that Netflix allows downloading movies and episodes to watch without wifi, and Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime offer a never-ending library of books and magazines right at your fingertips, it is so easy to pack your own entertainment.

    Which brings me back to my original question – which is the best tablet to pack?  Let’s look at the pros and cons for both.

    Kindle vs iPad - Best Tablets For Travel

    Kindle vs iPad – Reading Magazines

    iPad Pro or iPad Mini 4

    There are two compact iPad models out right now perfect for travel – the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the iPad Mini 4.  The biggest difference between the two (besides price) is the quality of the display and the processor speed.  The iPad Pro also has more speakers, but let’s be honest, most of us are using headphones anyway (especially on a plane or public place).  So, for comparing the iPad to the Kindle, I’m just going to go over the basic pros and cons below.

    PROS

    • Can watch movies and TV shows
    • Read magazines just as they are printed
    • Read books through iBooks and Kindle app

    CONS

    • Screen Glare (Even with the new antireflective coating)
    • Limited Battery Life (8 – 10 hours)
    • Weight (0.65 pounds/298.8 grams to 0.96 pounds/437 grams)
    • Price (Starts at $399)
    Kindle vs iPad - The Best Tablet For Travel

    Kindle vs iPad – Reading Magazines

    Kindle 

    The Kindle is a bit more limited in the type of entertainment, but as an e-reader, it can’t be beat. When I want to go on a digital detox during a trip, this is what I bring as I can download all of my favorite books without having the temptation of social media and email in the background.

    PROS

    • Price (Starts at $79)
    • Super lightweight (4.6 oz/131 g to 7.2 oz/205 g)
    • No screen glare, easier on the eyes for reading
    • Really long battery life. Can last for up to two weeks, so you will likely not even have to charge it on your trip.

    CONS

    • No movies or tv shows
    • Magazines are articles only, and there is a limited choice
    Kindle vs iPad - Best Tablet For Travel

    Kindle vs iPad – Books vs Movies

    Want to compare them? Take a look at the available Kindles to see which size might be the right one for you.

    If you’re looking to upgrade, which one do you splurge on?  If you have both, which one do you bring?

    Overall, if you’re a voracious reader and don’t want the distraction (or temptation) of being online to check email or social, Kindle Paperwhite is the best choice.  It is so light, I have no problem holding it up with one hand.  And it is super slim and easy to tuck into any carry-on bag or purse (though, I would recommend getting a screen protector for it as I already scratched mine)  As I see more people looking for a digital detox during their vacation, the Kindle is the one electronic device I think you could get away with.

    On the other hand, if you want to spend your flight-time or vacation catching up on your latest Netflix series, than the iPad is definitely the way to go. Personally, I love them both.

    **Disclosure:  Some of the links above are affiliate links.  This means if you purchase something through Amazon, we make a small commission, but at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Travel Bite!

    Filed Under: Packing and Planning, Travel Tips Tagged With: Packing Tips

    About Rachelle Lucas

    Rachelle is the founder of TheTravelBite.com and was named one of USA Today's 10Best Food and Travel Bloggers. She believes the best way to learn about a destination is through its flavors and collects recipes from her trips to recreate them here on The Travel Bite. In her spare time she enjoys running and yoga to balance out her food obsession.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Harry says

      08/30/2017 at 12:37 am

      This is perfect for me. I read a lot when I travel. Thanks for sharing this.

      Reply
    2. edit it org - specialists paper proofread says

      12/14/2017 at 7:32 am

      I always use my tablet on the road because it perfectly helps to pass the time and learn something new and useful.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    Best Culinary Travel Blog
    How To Start A Blog

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Web Stories
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy

    Recipes

    • Recipes
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel & Food Blog
    • Packing and Planning

    Travel

    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • Caribbean and Central America

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Travel Bite All Rights Reserved