Should You Switch to an E-Reader? (My Honest Experience After 3 Years)

Are you someone who loves to read, but can’t decide whether an e-reader is right for you?

I was the person who was adamant that I would always stick to physical books.

Then, in November 2022, I decided that it was time to try a Kindle. The main reason was simply that I realised I wasn’t reading certain books because they felt too big and awkward to hold or carry with me.

Moving over to an e-reader was the best decision I ever made for my reading, and today I want to talk about some of the benefits I’ve found and share my personal experiences in making the switch.

📚Reasons to Make the Switch

As I mentioned, the main reason I moved over initially was to combat the size of certain books.

Over the last three years, I’ve realised some huge benefits that have helped me read more: 

1. Ease of Use: Holidays and commutes are a big standout, so I’m no longer having to lug several books in my bag.
2. The In-built Lighting: Being able to use your Kindle at any time of the day, thanks to the lighting system, is a huge plus. It also means that you don’t have to worry about disturbing someone else by needing to have the lights on.
3. The E-Ink: I can still remember my surprise when I received my Kindle and how impressed I was by the e-ink display. It doesn’t replicate paper exactly in look, but I was surprised how close it is.
4. Battery Life: Of all the modern gadgets I have, this is the one where battery life has never been a problem. Depending on my usage, it tends to last me around 10 to 12 weeks before needing a charge.
5. Kindle Store Deals: Amazon runs some incredible deals on Kindle books, which means you may just pick up a book you’ve always wanted to read for an amazing price that isn’t possible with physical books.

❓Does This Mean The End of Physical Books

A big concern for me when making the switch to an e-reader was whether that would be the end of my physical book-reading days.

To give you a full breakdown of my reading stats since buying my Kindle in November 2022, I have read 50 books, with a split of:

41 e-books

9 physical books

This is an 82% / 18% split, and it’s worth pointing out that 5 of the physical books I read were in 2025.

Initially, I must admit, I was worried that my small but incredible physical book library would go to waste, as I read e-book after e-book. But this, in my opinion, is the wrong approach. This problem works itself out naturally, with some people leaning more towards one, rather than the other, but it’s definitely not the end of physical books in my opinion.

🪜Some Downsides of an E-Book

After all this positivity about e-books, it seems only right to share some of the issues that people may face when moving over to e-books:

1. It’s Just Different: If you love the feel (and for some even the smell) of a physical book, you should be aware that some magic is missing. If you love a physical book, I’m sure you’ll know what I mean.
2. Too Much Data: With a physical book, you can see with your own eyes your progress through a book. E-readers can give you this information in the form of time left in the chapter or the book, based on your reading speed. It can be addictive, and I went through a phase where I got super focused on the time left in the book, rather than enjoying the read.
3. It's Not a Tablet: E-readers are designed to be slower in use, so don’t expect something that resembles your smartphone or tablet with E-ink. Sometimes the speed can feel a little bit clunky, but I feel that’s part of its charm.

💭Closing Thoughts

I’m sure my enthusiasm for e-readers has come through quite strongly, and I’m certain this is because I started as a reluctant user. Then it changed my reading habits, and I’m so glad I made the change.

But three years later, I am starting to find a great mix between e-books and physical books. There is something amazing about a physical book, and it feels great to have found a balance that gets me reading more.

Check out my latest YouTube video on this very subject:

If you’re passionate about reading or the debate over physical or e-books, I’d love to hear from you. So please drop me a message.

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