Wondering whether real books or Kindles are better? The real books vs. Kindles debate is as old as time (well, at least as old as Kindles and e-readers are) and is a question that many book enthusiasts and readers have asked over the years.
Should you read on a Kindle? Or should you stay with print books? Kindle has its advantages and disadvantages and so do books, but if you’re wondering what’s best then read on to learn about the differences between Kindle vs. actual books and discover which is right for you!
Why Kindle Is Better Than Books
In the Kindle vs. real books debate, let’s first start with taking a look at the things Kindle does better than books. Don’t worry, we’ll discuss why books are better than Kindle in a moment…but for now, here’s why you might choose to read a Kindle instead of a real book!
1. Easier to carry around
One of the top reasons for using a Kindle vs paper books is that they are incredibly easy to carry!
Kindles are lighter and smaller than most books, and you can carry practically unlimited books in your pocket in just the space of this small e-reader.
You also don’t have to worry about ruining pages, accidentally scrunching the pages up in your bag or backpack, or accidentally spilling water or something on the Kindle (since most are waterproof these days!).
Whereas with a real book you’d have to be more careful to not ruin it on-the-go, and have to carry multiple books if you want more than one reading option, with a Kindle you solve both of these problems in one easy-to-carry device.
2. More books in the space of one small tablet
As mentioned just a moment ago, Kindles also offer you the ability to keep multiple books with you in the physical space of just a tablet.
Remember when you used to have to carry multiple books with you? Take a suitcase full of books on vacation? With the Kindle, you no longer have to do that, as you always have a backup book if you’re not feeling the one you’re currently reading or you finish it and need a new read while you’re out.
This also allows you to read a lot more and have more books in your digital library than you might be able to have in a physical one, especially if you live in a small space or move often and it’s not practical to have a huge physical library.
3. Kindle ebooks are cheaper than real books
When asking if Kindle is better than books, you also have to consider that Kindle ebooks are often far cheaper than print books.
For instance, this copy of Pride and Prejudice is at the time of writing $19.95 for the print book but you can get the Kindle version for $0.49. Now, price differences aren’t always this drastic. But in general, you’ll find Kindle ebooks are cheaper than their physical counterparts and this is definitely one of the big advantages of Kindle over books.
are kindle books cheaper than real books
4. Built-in dictionary and translation features
In the Kindle vs physical book debate, we’d also be remiss not to mention how the Kindle is superior because of its built-in dictionary and translation features.
Ever read a book that has a word you don’t know? Or a book that uses a phrase from a language you don’t know? Well, with physical books you’d have to go find that word or phrase in a dictionary to see what it means. Which, let’s be honest, can be a bit frustrating if you’re reading a book that relies heavily on older word choices or often intersperses foreign languages.
But with the Kindle, there are built-in dictionaries and translations that allow you to highlight the word or phrases you’re confused on and it will translate or define them for you in real time! This is an incredible perk of Kindle reading, especially when reading books with language choices that are unfamiliar to you.
5. Better for accessibility
Lastly, Kindles also beat out books when it comes to being more accessible for people with disabilities or health issues.
Because they’re lighter and don’t require repetitive movement like page turning, they can be an easier-to-hold reading choice for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel, etc.
Additionally, the Kindle can be helpful for readers with dyslexia or with eyesight issues, as it allows you to change the font type and size to be more readable for your specific needs.
These are only a few examples of the way Kindles are transforming the reading space and making it more accessible for everyone, so you can see that Kindles are much better than books in situations like these!
Why Books Are Better Than Kindles
Ok, so we’ve talked about how reading books on Kindles are better than reading physical books…but now how about the ways reading print books are better than reading on Kindles? Here’s the reasons you might decide that physical books remain the reigning champion for reading:
1. Books are…books
First up is the most compelling reason to ditch the Kindle and stick with real books: they’re books.
If you’re a reader, you likely know exactly what I mean. The reading experience of holding a physical book, turning the pages, the smell of the paper…well, it’s a whole experience that in itself contributes to the joy of reading.
This experience is something that can’t ever be replaced by an electronic tablet, so if the experience of reading is just as important (or more important) to you than the material you read, you’ll definitely find books to be superior in this regard!
2. You might absorb more information
There’s also some evidence that suggests the old school, analog reading of print books allows you to absorb more information and remember more of what you read than reading an ebook does.
It’s also possible that you’ll be more immersed in the book, since you’re engaging more of your senses when holding and reading a physical book. Since it’s more tactile, you might find this helps you remember more.
3. Physical books are easier to loan
Another way physical books can be far better than reading on Kindle is that your print books are easier to loan out to family or friends!
Ebooks on Kindle are remarkably difficult to loan out, and in fact the only way to do so currently would be to give someone your Kindle or to give them access to your Amazon account. Physical books, on the other hand, are as simple as picking up off your shelf and handing them to a friend.
So if you’re the type of bookworm who loves getting others to read your new or old favorite books, you’ll find physical books are so much better for this.
4. You can sell physical books if you want
While Kindle ebooks are cheaper than print books, another way physical books can be superior is that you actually own them so you can do whatever you want with them—including selling them when you’re done reading.
If you’re like me and many other bookworms, books become your friends and it can be hard to let any of them go. However, if you do find occasionally that after reading a book you don’t like it enough to keep on your shelves, you can sell or donate it to someone who will enjoy it more.
This isn’t something you can do with a Kindle ebook, as you’ve purchased a license for yourself and it’s not something you can pass along to someone else. So this is another way print books win the day in the real book vs. Kindle debate.
5. Print books won’t run out of battery
Lastly, print books win against Kindles when it comes to battery life—aka you can be certain that your physical book won’t randomly run out of battery and die on you!
The Kindle has a remarkably long battery life of several weeks, but if you forget to charge it regularly then you might find it has died when you go to read a book. Or it might even die while you’re reading!
Print books never have this problem, as they’re not electronic and don’t require a battery. So you can be certain your book is ready to read whenever you want it!
So Which is Better: Kindle or Books?
Now that we’ve discussed the ways Kindles are better than real books and the ways real books are better than Kindle, what is the verdict? Which is actually better, print books or Kindles?
Fortunately or unfortunately, there’s no one “right” answer to this…only answers of what is right for you. Each individual might have a different answer to this, but after reading the pros and cons above it’s likely you’ve already come to a decision for yourself.
I love the feeling of reading real, print books. It’s one of my favorite things to do at home or at a coffee shop where I don’t need multiple books and find the experience is more part of my enjoyment. In these cases, real books are the winner and the “better book” in my book. 😉
However, I’m also a HUGE fan of my Kindle. I love it for traveling especially, or when I don’t have as much space and need something smaller to carry with me. I think in cases like these, the Kindle wins and is far superior.
So for me, the answer to “which is better?” is that each is better in its own specific circumstances. For me, those circumstances dictate which style of book I take with me or want to read and some days that’s real books and some days that’s Kindles.
But what do you think? Which way do you lean on the Kindle vs. real book debate? Your answer might be the same or similar to mine, or you might feel that one or the other is clearly superior in all cases. Feel free to drop a comment and let us know what you think!
Ready to give Kindle reading a try? Get the Kindle Paperwhite here!
Kindles vs. Real Books FAQ
After considering all the angles on print books vs Kindles earlier in this article, you may still have a few questions. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Kindles vs. real books, but if you don’t see your question answered here feel free to leave it in the comments below!
1. Does Kindle feel like a real book?
For being an e-reader, Kindle does feel remarkably like a real book when it comes to reading on the screen. This is because it has an e-Ink screen, which is anti-glare and reads more like reading on real paper instead of a typical electronic tablet or phone screen.
However, the experience of holding a Kindle feels more like holding a tablet than like holding a book. This is because of its slim, rectangular profile. You also don’t get the experience of flipping pages or the heft of a book, so in these ways Kindle feels less like a real book and more like the electronic device it is.
2. Is it better to read a book or a Kindle?
Is reading better on Kindles or paper books? The experience of reading Kindles vs. reading a print book is different for each, but some people claim reading a print book is better for memory and information retention.
However, if you’re reading for entertainment purposes and asking is a Kindle or actual book better, you’ll likely find they’re pretty interchangeable (unless you specifically love the feeling of holding a book in your hands—in which case, a physical book is obviously the better choice).
3. Are Kindle books the same as real books?
Kindle books are the same as real books in the sense that they’ll have the same content. So, for instance, if you’re reading Howl’s Moving Castle in paperback form you’ll find the same content inside as if you read Howl’s Moving Castle in Kindle form.
However, Kindle books are not the same as real books in that Kindle books are electronic versions and real books are print, physical versions. Content is the same, but the form differs.
4. Are Kindle ebooks cheaper than real books?
Is it cheaper to use a Kindle or books? Kindle ebooks are cheaper than real books, so if you read a lot on your Kindle you will find it is cheaper overall to use Kindle than to buy physical books.
However, you do have to factor in that Kindle has a higher upfront cost required to buy the Kindle device itself. If you read a lot, it should be a good deal over time, though.
And you should also be sure to buy during a Kindle sale to get a better deal on the e-reader! Sales happen often throughout the year, and you can see when the best time is to buy a Kindle here.
5. Is Kindle as good as a book?
In some ways, yes, Kindle is as good as a book…or even better. This is true if you need to save space in your home (or in your bag while on-the-go) or if you find the accessibility functionality or features like dictionaries helpful. In these ways, a Kindle is actually often better than an actual book!
However, in other ways, no, Kindle is not as good as a book. This is in cases like the experience of reading and holding a book or in loaning out a book or selling it, where physical books are far superior to Kindles.
6. Are real books better than ebooks?
Real books and ebooks both have their functions and times they are better than each other. Some people prefer real books, others prefer ebooks. But in general, you’ll find that each has their positives and can be better than the other in specific instances.
7. Is a Kindle worth it if you like physical books?
If you like physical books, should you still give a Kindle a try? Unless you are a die-hard physical book fan who can’t even imagine trying an e-reader, giving a Kindle a try can still be a really good idea.
While you’ll likely find physical books remain your go-to in general, giving a Kindle a try might make you realize how useful it can be in specific circumstances. You might find you come to prefer the Kindle for traveling or commuting, or for taking with you to read at the beach, in the pool (waterproof Kindles are the best for summer days!), and in other similar circumstances.
So even if you like physical books, getting a Kindle can still be a really good idea for all the times its more practical to bring a small (and waterproof!) device with you instead of a stack of books.
8. Can Kindle replace books?
So can a Kindle replace reading physical books? For some people, yes it can and they will find the Kindle is exactly what they’ve been wanting all along. For others, the Kindle might end up being a supplement to their reading of print books. And for yet a third category, they’ll hate reading on Kindle and find it’s not at all for them.
Which category are you? Well, you likely already have an idea if you think you’ll hate it and never use it. In that case, no worries—stick to print books! But if you think you’ll fall into either of the first two categories, it can definitely be worth getting a Kindle and giving it a try!
9. What would you choose between Kindle and real books?
For me personally, I choose between Kindle and real books based on my activities and plans for the day. I find it hard to choose between them with any finality, but I generally pick my Kindle for days where I need the lightweight and space-saving functionality or waterproof capability, while for slower days or at home I tend to go with physical books.
Ready to join the world of reading on an e-reader? Get your Kindle now!