This article will look at the 10 best e-readers for manga. Some brands like Kindle and Kobo are repeated, but each tablet has unique features. With screens ranging from 6 inches to over 10 inches, we have plenty to choose from at different points.
To save some time the very best e-reader for manga is the Kindle Oasis because it directly mimics the size of a manga page when reading and has enough storage to hold the entire one-piece manga including 30 other completely finished manga. It also has a high 300 PPI or pixels per inch, meaning it’s extremely crisp.
How do we know this? We are manga readers too.
Let’s get to the rest of the list!
Here is a list of the top three compared side by side:
Table of Contents
1.) Kindle Oasis
The Kindle Oasis is one of the best e-readers for any purpose. It’s beloved by my manga readers. It’s known as the last manga book you will ever need to buy.
- Waterproof
- Adjustible screen warm light
- 32 GB of storage
- 7-inch screen (manga page size)
The Kindle Oasis is one of the best e-readers for any purpose. It’s great for reading books, comics, articles, and of course, manga. This makes it an excellent investment, as it can be maximized for any use.
It has a color-adjustable integrated light, so you can change the screen’s tone from cool to warm. This would make it easier for your eyes, especially if you’re reading for long periods.
There is also an option for the screen to update on its own automatically. It will then shift once it senses the sunrise or the sunset.
It is fully waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about reading manga on vacation. When you’re reading physical tankobons, you may be concerned about spilling water on them. But with the Kindle Oasis, you can read the latest chapters by the beach or even in the pool.
Now, manga files can get heavy. This is especially true if you’re reading long series such as One Piece. The good thing is that the Kindle Oasis has a range of memory sizes, from 8 GB to 32 GB. For reading manga, we suggest that you get 32 GB.
The screen is also around 7 inches, so it’s just about the size of an actual manga page. This makes the reading experience more convenient and realistic. It’s also very light, so you can take it with you wherever you go. Imagine having hundreds of volumes of manga on just one device.
2.) Kobo Forma
The Kobo Forma is the Kobo counterpart of the Kindle Oasis. It is the brand’s premium e-reader
- Water proof
- Adjustible screen warm light
- 32 GB of storage
- 8-inch screen (manga page size)
It also has the ability to change the backlight tone, so you can read comfortably regardless of whether it’s night or day.
Still, it has a variety of features that sets it apart from the Kindle Oasis. For starters, it has an 8-inch screen. This means that you have a larger reading area as compared to the Oasis.
Now, this would depend on your preference. Personally, I find that reading manga on a bigger screen gives a more pleasant experience. On the flip side, it is bigger does mean that it’s a little less portable than the Oasis.
It is also lighter than the Oasis as it is only 0.16 inches thin. This could make up for its bigger size.
However, this doesn’t mean that it feels more premium. It has a soft-touch body, so it’s less firm and luxurious. In contrast, Oasis has a gunmetal-gray aluminum body.
On the other hand, the plastic body makes the Kobo Forma more flexible and, arguably, more durable.
3.) Kobo Clara HD
Consider the Kobo Clara HD at less than half the price, thank the other ones.
- You can downlaod manga files but uploading your own you need CBZ files.
- 8 GB of storage
- 6-inch screen
Although it only has a 6-inch screen and an 8 GB capacity, it is still decent enough to read manga on. You can also change the backlight tone as you read. So, even if you have to squint at times, it won’t be too tedious for your eyes.
It only reads in black and white, which shouldn’t be a problem unless you read colored manga. At a resolution of 300 PPI, it is just as sharp as its more-expensive counterparts.
The Kobo Clara HD can have a hard time loading manga in EPUB. You can directly purchase manga from Kobo to ensure compatibility. But if you’re importing your manga onto the device, make sure that you upload them as CBZ files.
It is fundamental, but it does what it’s supposed to. This makes it an excellent choice for readers on a budget!
4.) Kindle Paperwhite 5
The fastest E-reader for manga on this list.
- No lag time between page flips
- 17 white and amber LED lights
- 32 GB of storage
- waterproof
- 6.8-inch screen (manga page size)
Of course, Kindle also has its budget e-reader. The Kindle Paperwhite is long considered to be the standard of entry-level e-readers. They just released the 11th generation version in 2021, and it’s the best one yet.
The Kindle Paperwhite 5 uses a brand new E Ink Carta 1200 Display. This means that the pages flip faster by 20%, and the overall e-reader performance has improved by 50%.
It has a 6.8-inch display, which makes it a bit larger than the Kobo Clara HD. Given that manga is typically a little over 7 inches, it’s close enough to make the reading experience feel authentic.
It also has 17 white and amber LED lights that go across the screen. This gives the effect of reading a book by candlelight.
The convenience of buying directly from Amazon on the tablet is a bonus. This means you can purchase digital manga from Amazon and download the volume with a few taps.
Still, as an entry-level e-reader, it only has a storage of 8 GB. You then have to delete files and work them around as you read along.
However, you can also go for the newly-released Amazon Paperwhite It has all the same features as the Paperwhite 5. But as an upgrade, it has a storage capacity of 32 GB and a sensor that can automatically change its backlight.
5.) Pocketbook Inkpad X
More than just a reader, with its browser, gaming additions allow you to be more versatile than others on this list. Also, if the screen size is an issue for you, look no further. This has the biggest screen on the list.
- smart light tech that adjusts your light
- 32 GB of storage
- Note Taking App
- 10.3-inch screen (manga page size)
The Pocketbook Inkpad X is the most prominent e-reader on this list. It has a 10.3-inch screen, which means that you not only get to read manga full-sized. You can even scale them up if you want to! No need to pinch and zoom to read the dialogue.
It has 227 PPI, which is a tad less than the Kobo and Kindle e-readers. This means that the display is less crisp. Given that the screen is larger, this may be more apparent as you go along.
On the upside, it has intelligent light technology. This automatically detects your lighting conditions and changes the screen tone accordingly.
It also has a stock note-taking app that lets you choose from a variety of pens. You may or may not use a stylus as you wish. If you’re the kind of reader who needs to take down quotes and process what happened, this would be great for you.
However, Pocketbook does not have an integrated marketplace like Kobo and Kindle. This means you have to sideload everything. It can load PDF files on the bright side, unlike its counterparts. If you have a stock of downloaded manga somewhere in PDF format, it will work well with this.
This next feature is unconnected to the Pocketbooks Inkpad X’s ability as an e-reader. However, there are also games on its home screen like Chess and Sudoku. This would be good if you took a break from reading for a while.
The browser feature is also helpful if you want to visit different websites. You can even access forums to see what fellow fans say about the latest manga chapter.
6.) Onyx Boox Nova Air
You can read and draw manga using this device. So if you are an inspiring manga artist who also likes to read manga, this is the best reader for you. It has the best screen resolution on this list.
- Google 10
- not taking app
- 1872 x 1404 reselution screen
- 32 GB of storage
- Comes with a styluss
- 7.8-inch screen (manga page size)
The Onyx Boox Nova Air is an e-reader that runs on Google Android 10. This means that it has complete access to the Google Playstore. There, you can purchase different books and manga apps.
For instance, you can download the Shueisha manga app. From there, you can directly access your subscription. This makes the reading process easy and seamless for you.
It has a 7.8-inch screen, which makes it slightly bigger than tankobons. This would make it perfect for reading manga. Like other premium e-readers, its screen can be adjusted from cool to warm. With 300 PPI and an 1872 x 1404 pixel resolution, it’s a screen to beat.
The Onyx Book Nova Air also functions as a note-taking device, so it comes with a Wacom stylus. You can take notes accordingly, and if your manga is on a PDF file, you can even draw or write on the pages!
In fact, if you’re an aspiring mangaka, you can use this to practice drawing. Its stylus has 4,096 degrees of pressure sensitivity. While it’s not good enough to publish manga, it can be helpful in drafting and improving skills.
It weighs 235 grams, so it’s easy to travel with. Given that it’s 32 GB, it has enough space to store your manga, your notes, and your drawings. With its impressive features.
7.) Boyue Likebook Ares
Out of all the E-readers on this list, this one is the best feeling one while having a glass screen instead of a paper one. Also, it has the most storage making it the best one for people who want to house their entire manga collection in one device forever.
- WACOM Stylus
- 1872 x 1404 resolution screen
- SD card cabatability
- 160 GB of storage
- 7.8-inch screen (manga page size)
Similar to the Onyx Boox Nova Air, the Boyue Likebook Areas has a screen of 7.8 inches. It also has a resolution of 1872 x 1404, with 300 PPI, making it a direct competitor to the previous product.
It also has a WACOM layer and stylus. It’s slightly heavier at 268 grams, and it comes with a glass screen instead of an e-paper screen.
One advantage that the Likebook Ares has is that it comes with a 128 GB SD card. This is on top of its 32 B internal storage, giving us a total of 160 GB. That is a lot of manga! This means that you can just put all your manga on there without worrying about removing files.
And, if you manage to fill up that entire space, you can use another SD card. Just swap out the old one for the new one. You would never need to delete any files in this way.
The Likebook Ares doesn’t have access to the Google Playstore or Amazon. However, you can install the Lite edition of Kindle on the device. This helps you access and download manga that you bought from Amazon.
8.) Kobo Libra H2O
Cheaper than the others on this list yet still competitive with similar features.
- Comfort light tech
- Waterproof
- E- ink technology
- 32 GB of storage
- 7-inch screen (manga page size)
Some people say that the Kobo Libra H2O is the stockier version of Kobo Forma. To an extent, that may be true. After all, the Libra H2O has a smaller screen. But, it is more responsive than the more expensive Forma’s.
This e-reader was created to compete against Forma and Paperwhite. People complained those were expensive, so this became a contender. However, it doesn’t skimp on the features.
Its 7-inch screen makes it great for reading manga. Plus, its E Ink technology makes it on par with more premium e-readers.
It even comes with the ComfortLight Pro screen technology that Kobos are known for. This makes your eyes less exposed to blue light.
You can also set the screen tone to change according to your time zone. It doesn’t sense the sunlight, but it just shifts to brighten and darken depending on your time. Interestingly enough, this feature continues to work even if left on sleep.
True to its name, the Kobo Libra H2O is waterproof so that you can bring it anywhere. You can lay it on the table as you drink coffee and just read without concern.
As mentioned, its design resembles the Forma, but one bezel is slightly thicker than the rest. Think of it as a grip to ensure that you won’t accidentally drop the tablet as you read.
9.) Barnes and Noble Glowlight Plus
Since you buy manga from Barnes and noble already, you might take advantage of its E-reader since there are plenty of perks that go with its manga purchases.
- Read any book from barnes and Noble while in the store.
- Page-terner buttons
- super bright display
- 7.8-inch screen (manga page size)
Not many people know that Barnes and Noble came out with its e-reader in 2019. The Glowlight Plus is their answer to the Kindly Paperwhite and Kobo Clara. Hence, it is best compared to these respective devices.
However, it is a tad bigger with a 7.8-inch screen. Again, this dimension makes it great for reading manga. It also has a 300 PPI E Ink display, so speed and sharpness should not be a problem.
It has a color-changing front light that can be manually adjusted or set on a timer. The display is roughly 50% brighter than the Paperwhite. Now, this may be attractive to readers who enjoy digital screens. However, if you’re going for a paper look, the Paperwhite’s dimmer screen would better fit your preference.
There are physical page-turn buttons on both sides of the screen. Hence, you don’t have to swipe and flip the pages on the screen. You can use the device with both hands and press as you read along.
Now, there are a few store perks since it is a Barnes and Noble tablet. For instance, when you are in a Barnes and Noble store, you can read any book from its library for an hour. The Glowlight Plus will also auto-connect to the store’s hotspot.
The downside? It does not support CBZ or CBR, so you must use an EPUB or PDF file for your manga. This can be subpar and buggy, as CBZ or CBR is the ideal format for manga on e-readers.
Still, it can easily connect to the Nook store, so you have your choice of manga from there.
10.) Onyx Boox Poke 3
The Kindle Oasis is one of the best e-readers for any purpose. It’s beloved by my manga readers. It’s known as the last manga book you will ever need to buy.
- App based e-reader
- Adjustible screen warm light
- 32 GB of storage
- 6-inch screen (manga page size)
The Boox Poke 3 is one of the newer tablets from Onyx. It came out in 2020, although it still has the classic e-reader hallmarks.
For instance, it has a 6-inch screen and 300 PPI, making it similar to some of the other e-readers we’ve looked at. However, unlike Paperwhite and Kobo, it doesn’t have raised bezels. The screen is flush, making it appear more premium and expensive than it is.
It is also thinner and lighter than its counterparts. But, this does not mean that it is less durable. Its screen is hardened glass from Asahi, and it is strong enough to forego a cover.
Now, its screen tone can be changed via two sliders: a cool slider and a warm slider. This is unlike other e-readers that are cool and warm on a singular temperature slider. It’s a little more complicated and doesn’t have any benefit, so it can be considered an inconvenience.
This tablet doesn’t have an ecosystem, unlike other e-readers. This means that you can download external apps like manga readers and Kindle. You can even access Reddit forums from RedReader, one of its compatible apps.
Come with 32 GB of memory, which is helpful for reading manga. Overall, its features are appealing for manga readers, and they come at a fair price.
Again here are our top three picks:
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Now, it’s time to hear from you:
Did I miss anything?
Which e-reader are you most interested in?
Whatever your answer is, let’s hear it in the comments below.