Reading outdoors is a great way to relax, but bright sunlight can turn your standard tablet into a reflective mirror. The glare and reflections make text hard to see, leading to eye strain and frustration. That's why having a tablet specifically designed for outdoor use is a game-changer.
Why Outdoor Reading Needs a Special Tablet
Traditional LCD tablets rely on a backlight, which struggles to compete with direct sunlight. This causes significant glare and reflections, making the screen unreadable. Staring at a backlit screen in a bright environment can also quickly lead to eye fatigue.
Outdoor-ready tablets solve this problem by using either Reflective LCD (RLCD) or E-Ink technology. Instead of using a backlight, these displays use ambient light to show content. The brighter the sun, the clearer the screen, providing a paper-like reading experience without the glare.
Key Features to Look for in an Outdoor Tablet
When choosing a tablet for outdoor reading, keep these essential features in mind:
• Glare-Free Display: RLCD or E-Ink screens minimize reflections for comfortable reading in direct sunlight.
• Long Battery Life: A long-lasting battery is a must for all-day outdoor use.
Portability & Lightweight: Easy to carry whether traveling, commuting, or reading in the backyard.
• Stylus/Note-Taking Support: Great for students and professionals who need to annotate or take notes.
• Durable Build: Resistant to sunlight and minor bumps.
Top Tablets for Outdoor Reading in 2025
The Paper 7 RLCD Tablet stands out in 2025 thanks to its innovative color RLCD technology. It not only solves the glare problem but also delivers a truly blue-light-free display, protecting your eyes at the source.
• Price: From $299
• Display: 7.8" glare-free, blue-light-free RLCD color screen
• System: Android 14
• Battery: All-day battery life
• Features: Stylus support for notes and annotation
• Outdoor Performance: The RLCD screen uses ambient light — the brighter the sun, the clearer the display. With zero blue light emission, it reduces eye strain and makes long reading sessions more comfortable.
2. Kindle Paperwhite (E-Ink)
• Price: $149
• Display: 6" E-Ink Carta display
• Battery: Weeks of battery life
• Features: Waterproof, lightweight
• Outdoor Performance: Pure E-Ink screen eliminates glare for a paper-like reading experience.
3. Boox Nova Air 2 (E-Ink + Android)
•Price: $499
•Display: 7.8" E-Ink Mobius screen
•Features: Android-based, stylus support, note-taking
•Outdoor Performance: Combines E-Ink’s eye-friendliness with Android’s app versatility.
RLCD vs. E-Ink: Which is Better For You?
•RLCD: Offers a color display, stylus support, reduced glare, and no blue light. It’s ideal for those who need color and interactivity for textbooks, PDFs, and notes.
•E-Ink: Is extremely eye-friendly with very long battery life. It's the best option for long-form, pure text reading like novels and non-fiction.
Our Recommendation: If you need a color screen and want to maximize eye protection, the Paper 7 RLCD Tablet is the clear winner. If your priority is a classic black-and-white reading experience and unmatched battery life, an E-Ink device is a great choice.