Is E Ink Ghosting Worse With PDF Novels Compared To EPUB?

I've been reading on e-ink devices for years, and I can definitely say that PDFs tend to ghost more than EPUBs. The reason is simple: PDFs are fixed-layout formats, which means the device has to render the entire page as an image. EPUBs, on the other hand, are reflowable, so the text adjusts dynamically, reducing the strain on the e-ink display. Ghosting happens when the previous image doesn't fully disappear, and since PDFs require more intensive rendering, they leave more residue. I notice it most with dense novels or manga scans in PDF format. EPUBs just feel cleaner and smoother overall.

As someone who juggles both academic texts and light novels on my e-reader, I've observed a clear difference between PDF and EPUB ghosting. PDFs, especially those with complex layouts or scanned pages, almost always leave faint traces of previous text. This is because e-ink screens refresh slower with static content, and PDFs force the device to treat each page like a high-resolution image. EPUBs, being text-based, allow for partial refreshes, which minimizes ghosting.

Another factor is the device itself. Older e-readers with slower processors struggle more with PDFs, making ghosting more noticeable. Newer models handle it better but still can't match EPUB's efficiency. I've tested this with 'The Lord of the Rings' in both formats—the EPUB version was crisp, while the PDF had slight shadows after page turns. For novels, EPUB is the clear winner unless you're dealing with a PDF specifically optimized for e-ink, like some publisher releases.

Interestingly, ghosting isn't always bad. Some readers barely notice it, while others find it distracting. It also depends on the book's design. A novel with uniform text blocks ghosts less than a PDF full of illustrations or mixed fonts. If you're picky about screen clarity, EPUB is the safer choice.

Ghosting on e-ink displays is way more obvious with PDF novels, and here's why. EPUB files are like liquid—they adapt to your screen, so the e-reader doesn't have to work as hard to refresh. PDFs are rigid, like a photo, and each page turn demands a full-screen update. That's why you see those faint remnants of past pages lingering. I tested this with 'Pride and Prejudice' in both formats, and the EPUB version was flawless, while the PDF had this annoying haze.

It's worse with novels that have intricate formatting or embedded images. Plain text EPUBs barely ghost at all because the e-ink screen can refresh selectively. If you're stuck with a PDF, try adjusting your reader's refresh settings or converting the file to EPUB. The difference is night and day.