Kindle or iPad — I ask myself this query each and every unmarried time I pack. I generally select one or the opposite in accordance with the duration of the flight and whether or not I’m in additional of a studying temper or binge-watching temper.


Maximum planes have first rate leisure in this day and age, however each and every every now and then I’ll hop on a connecting flight with out a displays and in an instant feel sorry about my packing alternatives. That’s the place having your individual leisure downloaded makes the entire distinction. With Netflix downloads, Kindle Limitless, and Apple Books, you’ll pack a whole library and watch record with out depending on in-flight wifi.
So which pill will have to you in fact deliver? Right here’s my truthful tackle each.




iPad Air (My Present Commute Better half)
The iPad Air is what I trip with now. It’s my go-to for longer flights once I need a couple of leisure choices and possibly wish to do some paintings too. At house, I take advantage of it continuously within the kitchen, both following recipes (together with my very own right here on The Commute Chunk) or observing presentations whilst I prepare dinner. It’s additionally what I take advantage of for piano classes on YouTube.
PROS
- Watch motion pictures and TV presentations (very important for 12-hour flights)
- Learn magazines precisely as they’re revealed
- Get right of entry to Apple Books, Kindle app, and my library’s Libby
- Highest for kitchen use at house with recipes and movies
- Nice for YouTube tutorials and studying
CONS
- Display screen glare, even with more recent fashions (now not nice poolside or outdoor)
- Battery existence is solely round 10 hours (you’ll wish to re-charge)
- Heavier at 16 ozfor the 11-inch style
- Dearer beginning at $599
- Too many distractions if you wish to in fact disconnect


iPad Mini (Taking into account It Once more)
I used to have an iPad Mini after they first got here out and I’d surely imagine getting one once more. At $499, it’s extra budget-friendly than the Air and tremendous compact for trip. The 8.3-inch display is huge sufficient to revel in presentations however sufficiently small not to really feel cumbersome for your bag. It’s a little bit of the goldilocks of eReaders for trip in dimension and capability. I’ll replace this if I finally end up getting one!




Kindle Paperwhite (My Bedside Very important)
The Kindle Paperwhite is a little more restricted in the kind of leisure, however as an e-reader, it could’t be beat. It lives on my bedside desk at house and springs with me once I need a true holiday from the entirety. Once I need to pass on a virtual detox right through a travel, that is what I deliver as I will be able to obtain all of my favourite books with no need the temptation of social media and electronic mail within the background. And bonus: I will be able to obtain books from my native library in the course of the Libby app, this means that loose studying!
PROS
- Extremely light-weight at 7.2 oz. (you’ll cling it one-handed)
- No display glare. You’ll learn in direct daylight on the seaside
- Latest style is 20% sooner
- Battery lasts as much as 12 weeks, so that you received’t even pack a charger
- Inexpensive at $160
- Obtain library books at no cost via Libby
- Forces you to in fact unplug and calm down
- Highest for bedtime studying
- Tougher (I’ve dropped mine a time or two and it nonetheless purposes nice)
CONS
- Books solely, No motion pictures or television presentations
- Magazines are text-only (now not the total mag revel in)
- Can really feel restrictive if you wish to have a number of leisure alternatives




My Present Setup
Wish to examine them? Check out the to be had Kindles to peer which dimension could be the correct one for you. In case you’re taking a look to improve, which one do you splurge on? When you have each, which one do you deliver?
General, when you’re a voracious reader and don’t need the distraction (or temptation) of being on-line to test electronic mail or social, Kindle Paperwhite is your best choice. It’s so mild, I haven’t any drawback retaining it up with one hand. And it’s tremendous narrow and simple to tuck into any carry-on bag or handbag (regardless that, I might counsel getting a display protector for it as I already scratched mine) As I see extra folks searching for a virtual detox right through their holiday, the Kindle is the only digital instrument I believe it’s worthwhile to escape with.
Then again, if you wish to spend your flight-time or holiday catching up to your newest binge sequence, then the iPad is surely how one can pass. Individually, I really like them each.


Which One Must You Pack?
Right here’s a snappy record to lend a hand you make a decision:
Pack the Kindle if:
- You’re happening a seaside holiday (no glare!)
- You need an actual virtual detox
- You’re a major reader who’ll undergo a couple of books
- You’re looking to pack mild
- Your flight has just right leisure already
- You basically need bedtime or poolside studying subject matter
Pack the iPad if:
- You’ve gotten an extended flight and want leisure
- You need to compensate for presentations and flicks
- You favor studying magazines of their complete structure
- You want to paintings just a little to your travel
- You’re k with bringing a charger
My Present Selection: I deliver my iPad Air for many journeys now since I recognize the flexibility. However for a real holiday the place I simply need to learn and disconnect? The Kindle wins each and every time.


Kindle vs iPad for Commute
Is Kindle or iPad higher for lengthy flights? iPad wins for lengthy flights since you’ll watch motion pictures and presentations. A Kindle’s battery would possibly last more, however 10+ hours of simply studying can get outdated.
Are you able to learn on an iPad in vibrant daylight? No longer in point of fact. Even with anti-glare coatings, iPad displays are onerous to learn in direct solar. Kindle’s e-ink show is much higher for seaside or poolside studying.
Which is lighter to pack? Kindle Paperwhite is lightest at 7.2 oz., adopted via iPad Mini at 10.6 oz., then iPad Air at 16 oz.. The variation issues while you’re retaining it as much as learn for prolonged sessions.
Do I want wifi to make use of both one? No longer when you obtain content material prior to your travel. Obtain books to Kindle (or via Libby for library books), and flicks/presentations to iPad, and also you’re set for offline leisure.
Can I obtain library books to my Kindle? Sure! The Libby app means that you can borrow virtual books out of your native library and ship them at once in your Kindle. It’s certainly one of my favourite options.
For me, the iPad Air has turn out to be my trip very important as a result of I really like the versatility. I will be able to watch presentations and nonetheless learn. However I’ll at all times stay my Kindle for bedside studying and the ones journeys the place I really need to disconnect.
The selection in point of fact is dependent upon what sort of holiday you’re taking. Natural rest? Kindle. Longer trip days with selection? iPad.
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