This Kindle accent critically improved my studying expertise (and it is on sale)

What is the deal?

The Strapsicle silicone band for Kindle is 30% off proper now in choose colours of the Small Strapsicle dimension. Get a pair for for under $14.

ZDNET’s key takeaways 

• The Strapsicle silicone straps improve the grip choices in your Kindle and supply a safe maintain to forestall drops. 
• At $21, Strapsicle is a simple and inexpensive Kindle accent to make your studying expertise much more snug. 
• For those who choose extra ergonomic grips or do not just like the look of straps throughout the again of your Kindle, an alternate safety possibility could also be greatest. 

For those who’re an avid e-reader like me (and even in case you’re new to the Kindle world), you most likely rapidly found out how uncomfortable it may be to make use of the e-reader. That is not as a result of my Kindle Paperwhite is dangerous, however as a result of it is generally laborious to search out the proper place for optimum studying enjoyment. 

Kindles should not have built-in help, making studying in mattress, on the pool, on the seaside, or anyplace much more difficult, particularly in case you wish to learn mendacity down or at odd angles. 

Additionally: Amazon simply launched 4 new Kindles, together with a full-color mannequin. Here is what’s new

And similar to it is in style to outfit our smartphones with grips, rings, and different equipment for stability, it is fairly en vogue to do the identical for our different tech, together with Kindles. After one too many occasions dropping my Kindle Paperwhite onto my face (that factor does, in reality, depart a mark), I lastly caved and was critically out there for a grip system. 

Throughout my journey, I encountered among the ordinary accent contenders: conventional grips like PopSockets, instances that convert to stands, and enormous, clunky holders. However one thing else caught my eye — Strapsicle. 

I stumbled upon them on-line. Strapsicle is a stability possibility created for e-readers just like the Kindle and Kobo to make sure a snug grip while you learn, and a safe maintain on your Kindle while you’re not (you understand, like while you go to sleep with the system in your hand). Strapsicles are easy silicone items that pop over the corners of your system and create a strap to deal with your Kindle securely. 

So, the place had this accent been all my life? The reply is that Strapsicle has a big cult following of customers, many derived from BookTok, however the accent hasn’t fairly made it mainstream. However that scenario could also be about to alter. Simply this month, the Australian-based model sealed a $250,000 deal on Shark Tank Australia. And as a brand new adopter of Strapsicle, here is why I am a fan for the foreseeable future. 

The Strapsicle matches most e-readers, creates a safe grip, and provides a layer of safety, too. The accent is available in a number of enjoyable colours, together with blush pink (pictured on this article), lilac, sage inexperienced, and extra. The staps are available in 4 sizes: Small, Medium, Giant, and Kindle Oasis, and a useful dimension chart makes it straightforward to match the Strapsicle together with your respective e-reader mannequin. 

Since I’ve the Kindle Paperwhite 6.8-inch eleventh Gen 2024 mannequin, I bought the big dimension. Within the field, I acquired two silicone straps labeled “prime left” and “prime proper”, which made it straightforward to arrange my Kindle (critically, it took lower than 60 seconds to set them up). 

Additionally: The most effective e-readers I’ve examined isn’t a Kindle or a ReMarkable

You need to use each straps concurrently or select to solely use one strap in your system, relying in your desire. I examined each approaches, and I choose having each straps on, particularly for the reason that silicone corners add some safety, too. 

Having a Strapsicle permits me to position my hand wherever I would like on my Kindle with out worrying about safety. This function is why I selected to do this strap mannequin as an alternative of extra standard strategies, like a PopSocket, which may solely be mounted in a single spot. I can flip my Kindle the other way up and throughout, and it does not budge. 

PopSocket vs. Strapsicle

Earlier than I begin, let me say that I’m not anti-PopSocket. I loved utilizing a PopSocket on my iPhone all through my teenagers, however as soon as I started working at ZDNET, it grew to become more and more impractical to proceed utilizing one on my telephone. 

I spent a variety of time testing MagSafe equipment, and it grew to become annoying to alter instances each time I examined merchandise. I additionally did not love utilizing a PopSocket sufficient to buy a more moderen MagSafe model. All that stated, a PopSocket was nonetheless my first thought when contemplating a grip for my Kindle. 

In keeping with Reddit, PopSockets are extensively used by avid readers on their units. They’re an inexpensive and personable possibility for including a grip to your Kindle. I do see the enchantment. 

My greatest concern with including a PopSocket to my Kindle was its placement. Ought to I put it within the middle? Off to 1 facet? It seems that some Redditors had the identical points. Whereas some stated they most well-liked a PopSocket for its extra ergonomic grip, others agreed that it was fairly annoying to solely be capable of grip your Kindle from one spot. One Redditor even admitted utilizing two PopSockets on her Kindle to fight this difficulty. 

Additionally: This viral PopSocket different is my new favourite iPhone accent (and it helps MagSafe)

The position issues, and different adherence points (wouldn’t it follow my case?), finally pushed me away from the PopSocket possibility and in the direction of making an attempt Strapsicle. Plus, whereas primary PopSockets are underneath $12 on Amazon, some extra intricate and enjoyable designs price as much as $35, which I believe is sort of costly. 

Different Redditors stated that they favored the Strapsicle for its added safety, due to its silicone corners, customizable placement (which lets you grip from anyplace in your Kindle), and the truth that it did not pinch their pinky like PopSockets do for some folks. 

I agree with these people. I expertise no pinching or cramping in my fingers utilizing Strapsicle, even for lengthy studying stints, and I like that I can learn securely from anyplace and at any angle with out fear. Plus, the Strapsicle is straightforward to scrub and wipe down, and I can take away the accent with out trouble. The Strapsicle, in brief, is phenomenal, and I can not imagine it price me only a smidge greater than $20 as a result of I’d’ve paid far more for one thing that brings this type of performance. 

If I am being choosy (which I’m; it is my job), the criss-cross Strapsicle look is probably not for everybody. I do not care an excessive amount of concerning the again of my Kindle. However if you’re into aesthetically pleasing tech, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about the PopSocket route. 

The straps might additionally match round my case just a little higher. I’ve a easy, versatile, clear case on my Kindle Paperwhite, and whereas the straps match high quality across the corners, they do have a kind of puckering that stops them from laying flush. Nevertheless, I do not thoughts as a result of the straps add padding to my Kindle’s corners and work so effectively. 

Simply remember the fact that there’s an opportunity that the Strapsicle could not match together with your present case, so that you’d want to purchase a brand new one or go with out. Strapsicle does promote its personal clear case to accompany the straps. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

My backside line right here: Strapsicle has created lightning in a bottle in a near-monopolized Kindle accent market. These easy silicone straps are purposeful, straightforward to make use of, and inexpensive. At $21, a pair of Strapsicles seems like a a lot better purchase than a singular PopSocket, however to every their very own.

I don’t doubt that Strapsicle will most likely be on retailer cabinets sooner or later and grow to be synonymous with the e-reader expertise. I’ve nothing dangerous to say about this accent as a result of my face is now protected against my Kindle, which was precisely the issue I wanted to resolve. Props to Strapsicle, and I hope I can get these straps for my iPad sometime.