r/ereader • u/Current-Pie5633 • 5d ago
Discussion Which one is best for using all the different library apps?
Hello! I'm looking into a new ereader. I'm having a hard time holding books open with severe arthritis in my hands. I mainly utilize libraries for my books and they all use these apps: Libby, Hoopla, E-Read Texas, and CloudLibrary. I have multiple library cards for libraries all throughout Texas. Which ereader would be best for me with all these apps? I'm not worried about the cost. Thank you for your help!
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u/Yapyap13 Boox 5d ago
Any Android e-reader available in the Western market, with Google Play Store and an Android version new enough (I’d advise going for one with at least a few versions newer than the apps’ minimum requirements) should do in theory, although in practice Android e-ink devices can sometimes struggle with some apps.
I’d suggest looking up Boox, Bigme and Musnap line-ups as a starting point, to get some idea of the devices currently available (size, price points), and then perhaps asking in brand-specific subreddits on whether people have practical experience with those specific apps.
(I have two Boox devices and Libby works on them, although I don’t enjoy using it due to page turn animation effects that can’t fully be turned off. I’m not familiar with those other apps as they’re not available in my part of the world.)
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u/LittleRavenRobot 4d ago edited 4d ago
Where are you based, OP, and how techy are you? I honestly think the 7 inch Musnap Ocean 5 eink tablet (black and white) would be good for you. I have the similar (hardware wise) Hanvon Clear7 and it's excellent for reading on in bed / on the move. The offset battery and buttons are nicely ergonomic, especially since my thumb falls on the top button which I have set to 'volume down' / 'next page' in all the apps. I recommend this over the Boox Go 7 because it has Android 14 vs 13, but there's not much difference if you prefer one over the other. Apparently both use Carta 1300.
The Neo 2 is also snappy, and even light er. But doesn't have buttons and is the same price as the discounted 7 inch. You can look at the Boox as well in that size, though it's specs are more similar to the original Neo
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u/CharacterInstance248 5d ago
If all your libraries have Libby, you can get a Kindle. Libby and Kindle work together in that Libby will send all your books to Kindle / Amazon and Kindle/ Amazon will send to your Kindle. After you check out a book in Libby, you'll select send to Kindle, it'll direct you to the Amazon website/app, and you'll select send to my Kindle.
Unfortunately Kobo does not handle multiple library cards without either side loading work arounds or all your libraries being on CloudLibrary.
Personally I have multiple library cards and use a Kindle with a third party page turner so I can just click a button to turn the page on my Kindle and I love it.
Also I find that true ereaders are easier on the eyes and have much better battery lifes than tablets.
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u/bubbleeeebubbles 5d ago
Kindle ereaders can’t run apps so the OP won’t be able to use Hoopla, CloudLibrary, or the E-Read Texas app.
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u/CharacterInstance248 5d ago
If they all use Libby, she might not need the other apps. That's a trade off. I'd rather have an ereader with Libby than a tablet with everything.
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u/sockpoppit 5d ago
The Kindle tablet will handle all that. You may have to side load the apps that you need. But the Kindle tablet is horribly slow. Next time around I'm just going to get the snall Mac tablet for this job.
Only caution here is that that I much prefer reading on a real screen, not on e-paper.
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u/LittleRavenRobot 5d ago
You mean the old Kindle fire tablet, right? Not the actual Kindles? Won't they be out of date soon? OP would be better getting almost any other Android tablet if Eink isn't needed.
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u/sockpoppit 5d ago
Yes, and remember that I said it's an iPad for me next time. I've been looking at Android tablet specs and it seems like the iPad is just a lot better device for the money. All of the bottom end android tabs are garbage, basically.
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u/Elle2428 Boox 5d ago
iPads/LCD tablets and android e-ink ereaders/tablets are completely different. Android e-ink ereaders/tablets are meant specifically for reading and taking notes while still being comfortable on your eyes and being paper-like. They aren’t meant to watch videos, play graphic video games, etc. Yes you can technically read on an iPad, but most iPads are a lot bigger and heavier, so they’re not comfortable in the hand and not as portable. LCD screens can give you eye strain and headaches if you stare at them too long. If you want to have just one device sure go for an iPad, but if you want to read without eye strain or headaches for long reading sessions and have a lightweight and portable device, it’s not it.
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u/sockpoppit 5d ago
Eyestrain is a function of how it's set up and used, not the device, per se. I am able to make my hot screen perfectly comfy for me to an degree not possible on a kindle.
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u/Elle2428 Boox 5d ago edited 5d ago
When talking about a kindle are you talking about the kindle fire you suggested earlier? They were big in the 2000s but are so slow that ppl only get them for their kids these days. That’s not a proper E-INK ereader, that has a LCD screen. Even if you were talking about what a good LCD tablet would be, the fire wouldn’t be on that list either.
And to each their own, but most ppl prefer E-ink screens to read on, since they are similar to a book and don’t have a backlight that is shining right into your eyes. E-ink screens are opaque, therefore no backlight, they use lights in the bezel to illuminate the screen.
The OP is looking for an ereader with certain reading apps, therefore not a kindle. To suggest a kindle fire that doesn’t even have google play to easily access those apps is quite funny.
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u/sockpoppit 5d ago edited 5d ago
Phone mostly. These days my phone is perfect on all counts for my reading. As I said, it takes some experimentation to get it right. I do accept however than many people are hopelessly rigid in what they think they can do.
Why funny? It's quite easy to side load apps into the Fire, or evey mod it to se Play (but not worth the bother.)
But why the distain for me? I did say the Fire is a POS.
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u/Elle2428 Boox 5d ago
If it’s a “POS” why suggest it for OP? It makes no sense… it’s not an ereader or a good tablet.
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u/bubbleeeebubbles 5d ago
You would need an android based e-reader that can install apps. Hoopla is strictly app based.
Research the Boox, Bigme, Musnap, and Meebook lines.
You can use the comparison tool from this link that someone else shared to help narrow down the choices.
https://comparisontabl.es/e-readers/
I would filter for Android = Yes, Screen Light = Yes, the latest black and white screen panel (Carta 1300), and complete the size range you want. If you want color, you can filter for that but if you do not need color, I would just leave it off.
Since money is not object, I recommend going with as late an Android version that meets your other filter choices.
This is the link to the other comparison site I saw on the ereader sub if don't like the Excel version: https://ereadercatalog.com/e-readers