Affordable ebook readers and small tablets

WHETHER YOU’RE AFTER A DEDICATED READER OR A VERSATILE TABLET, WE’VE PUT A BUNCH OF BOTH TO THE TEST.

THANKS TO RELENTLESS technology upgrades and increasingly cheap Chinese manufacturing, it’s possible to buy brand new tablets and ebook readers from around $100. With a focus on portability and reading on the go, we’ve put together five budget small tablets, as well as the five most affordable ebook readers. While both perform different roles, there is a lot of overlap. Of course, a dedicated reader gives a better ebook experience, but a small tablet gives access to other content, such as video and games. The options tested all run Android, and devices such as the iPad Mini are noticeably absent, as the only way to get an ‘affordable’ option is to buy second hand.

In Australia, there are relatively few e-readers, and only a few flagship models fall outside our list. For small (7–8-inch) tablets, the same is true (without opting for grey imports), as larger 10-inch models are more popular. It’s worth noting that while a sub-$100 tablet can be a great deal, it’s not going to offer the same build quality and features of a unit four times the price.