Can I Read Novels On An E Ink Smart Watch?

I tested reading on an e ink smartwatch for a week. The verdict? It’s more of a gimmick than a viable reading tool. The screen’s resolution is decent, but the refresh rate feels sluggish compared to a proper e-reader. I tried loading 'The Hobbit' onto mine, and the constant page turns became exhausting. Some watches let you adjust font size, but even then, you’re limited to a few lines at a time.

On the upside, if you’re into minimalist tech, it’s a cool party trick. I’d only use it for short-form content like Twitter threads or news digests. For anything longer—say, 'Project Hail Mary' or 'Dune'—you’ll miss the comfort of a larger screen. E ink watches are great for their primary purpose, but reading novels? Not their forte.

Reading novels on an e ink smartwatch sounds like a futuristic dream, but reality is a bit more complicated. I own one of these watches, and while the e ink display is easy on the eyes, the size makes it impractical for long reads. Most models don’t support EPUB or MOBI formats natively, so you’d need to convert files into plain text or use a third-party app, which often lacks formatting. The lack of touchscreen precision means endless finger swiping, and the monochrome display kills the vibe of illustrated books.

That said, if you’re into micro-reading—like poetry or flash fiction—it’s a quirky fun option. Some watches, like the ones with larger displays (2 inches+), might handle paragraphs better, but they’re rare. For classics like 'Pride and Prejudice' or modern page-turners like 'The Silent Patient', the watch just doesn’t cut it. I’d save it for notifications and fitness tracking, and stick to a Kindle or even a phone for actual reading. The novelty wears off fast when you’re squinting at a single sentence for minutes.

I’ve tried reading on my e ink smartwatch, and while it’s technically possible, the experience isn’t ideal. The screen is tiny, usually around 1.3 to 1.6 inches, which means you’re constantly scrolling or swiping to read even a single paragraph. Most e ink watches lack proper e-reader apps, so you’re stuck with basic text files or clunky PDFs. Battery life takes a hit too, since e ink is efficient but not when you’re refreshing the screen every few seconds. If you’re desperate to sneak in a few lines during a commute, it works, but for real immersion, a dedicated e-reader or tablet is way better. I’d only recommend it for short snippets, like quotes or reminders, not full novels.