eBooks vs Printed Books: Which are better?

Opening up hundreds of worlds as the pages flip, books are a secret door to an undiscovered place. Do the pages flip or are they swiped? With the advent of technology, printed books are both the only format available to readers worldwide. eBooks have taken the world by storm since their inception and continue to enthrall readers with various advantages. Picking one over the other can be a nerve-wracking dilemma, and the conflict of ebooks vs printed books seems nowhere near ending.

This blog is an attempt to pitch one against the other and see the advantages and disadvantages of eBooks vs Printed Books. If you are one of those million readers facing the problem, join the club and read this blog to make a satisfactory pick. 

What is an eBook?

When a book is made available in digital form, it is referred to as an eBook. The phrase “available” refers to a book that is offered, saved, distributed, and read in digital mode. It consists of text, images, tables, and other elements that may be viewed on a flat panel or touch-screen device, such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, mobile device, or eBook reader. In more technical terms, an eBook is a non-editable book with a reflowable layout that can be read on any electronic device with a configurable viewing display. They are easily accessible by just downloading them from the internet.

What is a Printed Book? 

Printed books are books in their physical form, consisting of pages or sheets of paper glued together inside the cover. A printed book, in other words, is a lengthy published literary creation. A printed book is laid out in a precise manner known as a “book’s layout.” The basic layout includes a front cover, a rear cover, and body copy or content pages.

Main Difference Between eBooks vs Printed Books

Here is a simple table showing the main differences between eBooks and printed books for easy understanding:

Point of Difference	eBooks	Printed Books
Format	Digital (read on screen)	Physical (made of paper)
Device Needed	Yes – like a mobile, tablet, or e-reader	No – just the book itself
Portability	Very easy to carry many in one device	Heavier and takes up space
Reading Experience	On screen, adjustable font and brightness	Real pages to turn, natural feel
Battery Required	Yes	No
Storage Space	Takes up digital space, not physical	Needs a shelf or physical storage
Eye Strain	It can cause eye strain if read for too long	No screen, so less eye strain
Smell and Feel	No smell or touch feel	Has a paper smell and a real book feeling
Eco-Friendly	Saves paper, but uses electronic devices	Uses paper, may impact trees
Cost	Often cheaper or free	It can be more expensive

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eBooks vs Printed Books: Portability

eBooks transform reading by allowing thousands of titles on one device. Travelers and commuters benefit from lightweight options like e-readers or smartphones, eliminating heavy bags. Features such as adjustable fonts, built-in dictionaries, and search functions enhance usability.

Printed books require physical carrying and storage space. They suit relaxed home reading but prove less practical on the go.

• eBooks excel in:
  • Instant downloads and offline access.
  • Storing entire libraries in pocket-sized devices.
  • Quick annotations and highlights without extra tools.
• Printed books offer:
  • No battery life worries.
  • Easy flipping through pages for reference.
  • Sharing with others without digital restrictions.

Digital formats lead to mobility and multitasking.

eBooks vs Printed Books: Features

When comparing eBooks vs Printed Books, one of the biggest differences lies in technology. Modern eBook readers come with a wide range of built-in features that traditional printed books cannot offer. From bookmarking, highlighting, and digital note-making to integrated dictionaries and search functions, eBooks provide a seamless and interactive reading experience. These smart features make eBooks highly convenient and perfectly suited for today’s fast-paced digital lifestyle.

Printed books, on the other hand, do not offer such tech-enabled tools. While they deliver a classic reading experience that many still love, they lack the digital enhancements that make eBooks more adaptable and efficient for learners and frequent readers.

eBooks vs Printed Books: Connectivity

Being a creation of the world of technology, ebooks require connectivity at all times for readers to access ebooks. However, for printed books, connectivity is not a prerequisite, making it possible for readers to read in areas with less or no connectivity. A trusty book is never likely to disappoint. Printed books are reliable and can be accessed at any time, anywhere, without any potential connectivity inhibitions. 

eBooks vs Printed Books: Eye-strain

Ebooks can be hard on the eyes when constantly used. Printed books are a savior because they cause no eye strain and are therefore recommended for avid readers. Even with ‘low light’ and ‘anti-glare’ technology, ebooks can create pressure on the eyes and make it hard to read in the sunlight. That is never an issue with a good old printed book. Open the page of a printed book, and you are good to jump right into the story, anytime, in any light.

eBooks vs Printed Books: Availability 

Have you ever ordered a book and waited for it with bated breath? The wait is never-ending, isn’t it? With ebooks, this concern can be overcome because ebooks give access to all the books in a digital version at a moment’s notice. Ebooks can never go out of stock and there is no waiting time. Great, right? With printed books, from ordering or buying to finally being able to read the book involves a long and tenacious process that can often seem exasperating.

Printed books may be purchased both online and offline. You may also purchase books online from different e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Flipkart, and others. The ebooks, on the other hand, may be simply downloaded from the internet or purchased from Amazon (Kindle version of any book).

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eBooks vs Printed Books: Layout 

The rear cover of a printed book has two purposes: it protects the book and attracts readers. The cover may be either hardback or softcover (paperback). An eBook, on the other hand, has a front cover that is shown on online purchasing sites or e-commerce sites to attract visitors. Aside from that, printed books have a set layout that cannot be altered after printing, but eBooks have a reflowable layout. The capacity of the text to wrap the words according to the device, user preferences, and application is referred to as flowability. As a result, the eBook allows the reader to enjoy the books according to their requirements and tastes.

eBooks vs Printed Books: Price 

An eBook is less expensive than a printed book; nevertheless, the initial cost of an eReader is more than that of a print book. In order to become an e-reader, you are required to invest in good e-reading gadgets like laptops, phones, PC, Kindles, Nooks, Rocket eBooks, etc. So the initial investment of having an ebook is more than getting a conventional or traditionally printed book. Research also found that the e-reader is more expensive, implying that it has a premium price that the user must endure. Furthermore, it has some type of yearly fee.

eBooks vs Printed Books: Storage 

In our debate of ebooks vs printed books, our next comparison point is related to storage. As we know that printed books are the physical form of books, it is apparent that they require a specific location for storage. In contrast, eBooks are kept in the device or program itself, thus physical storage of the books is not necessary.

eBooks vs Printed Books: Shareability 

What’s better when you share and recommending your favorite books to your friends, cousins, family, etc? Hence, the next point of our debate on ebooks vs printed books is on the shareability of these books. A printed book is simple to exchange with friends, acquaintances, and family. It can also be resold after it has been used. In the event of a purchased eBook, only one account may be used to access the books, limiting its shared usage, because sharing requires you to provide your login details to that individual.

Now that you have evaluated all the possible differences between ebooks and printed books, here is a bonus list of Best Business Books of all Times for you!

eBooks vs Printed Books: Pros and Cons

Here is a simple table showing the pros and cons of eBooks and printed books to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each format:

Type	Pros	Cons
eBooks	– Easy to carry many books in one device – Often cheaper or free – Adjustable font size and brightness – Instant download anytime	– Needs an electronic device and a battery – Eye strain from the screen – No physical touch or smell
Printed Books	– Real book feel and paper smell – No screen, no eye strain – Easy to share or gift – Helps focus better	– Heavy to carry – Needs space to store – Can be more costly – Not eco-friendly if overused

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These are some ways to compare ebooks vs printed books but both have their importance in their own ways. Do stories in books inspire you to write your own masterpiece? Are you longing to unleash your thoughts through the power of a pen? Some of the renowned universities across the world offer esteemed degrees in creative writing. Experts at Leverage Edu will help you in applying for these universities and in reviewing your applications. Register today for a free counseling session and get ready for the time of your life!