This Kindle accessory seriously improved my reading experience (and it's on sale)

What is the deal?

The Strapsicle silicone band for Kindle is 30% off proper now in choose colours of the Small Strapsicle measurement. 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 straightforward and inexpensive Kindle accent to make your studying expertise much more comfy. 
• In case you desire extra ergonomic grips or do not just like the look of straps throughout the again of your Kindle, another safety choice could also be finest. 

In case you’re an avid e-reader like me (and even should you’re new to the Kindle world), you in all probability shortly discovered how uncomfortable it may be to make use of the e-reader. That is not as a result of my Kindle Paperwhite is unhealthy, however as a result of it is generally onerous to seek out the proper place for optimum studying enjoyment. 

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

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

And identical to it is well-liked 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 instances dropping my Kindle Paperwhite onto my face (that factor does, in reality, depart a mark), I lastly caved and was severely available in the market for a grip system. 

Throughout my journey, I encountered a few of the typical accent contenders: conventional grips like PopSockets, instances that convert to stands, and huge, clunky holders. However one thing else caught my eye — Strapsicle. 

I stumbled upon them on-line. Strapsicle is a stability choice created for e-readers just like the Kindle and Kobo to make sure a cushty grip if you learn, and a safe maintain in your Kindle if you’re not (, like if you go to sleep with the machine in your hand). Strapsicles are easy silicone items that pop over the corners of your machine 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 vary. Simply this month, the Australian-based model sealed a $250,000 deal on Shark Tank Australia. And as a brand new adopter of Strapsicle, this is why I am a fan for the foreseeable future. 

The Strapsicle suits 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 4 sizes: Small, Medium, Massive, and Kindle Oasis, and a helpful measurement chart makes it simple to match the Strapsicle along with your respective e-reader mannequin. 

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

Additionally: Top-of-the-line e-readers I’ve examined shouldn’t be a Kindle or a ReMarkable

You should utilize each straps concurrently or select to solely use one strap in your machine, relying in your desire. I examined each approaches, and I desire 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 need on my Kindle with out worrying about safety. This function is why I selected to do this strap mannequin as a substitute of extra typical strategies, like a PopSocket, which might solely be fixed in a single spot. I can flip my Kindle the other way up and throughout, and it would 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 turned more and more impractical to proceed utilizing one on my cellphone. 

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

In accordance with Reddit, PopSockets are broadly utilized by avid readers on their gadgets. They’re an inexpensive and personable choice for including a grip to your Kindle. I do see the attraction. 

My largest concern with including a PopSocket to my Kindle was its placement. Ought to I put it within the heart? Off to at least one aspect? It seems that some Redditors had the similar points. Whereas some mentioned they most popular a PopSocket for its extra ergonomic grip, others agreed that it was fairly annoying to solely have the ability to grip your Kindle from one spot. One Redditor even admitted utilizing two PopSockets on her Kindle to fight this problem. 

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

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

Different Redditors mentioned that they preferred 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 individuals. 

I agree with these people. I expertise no pinching or cramping in my arms utilizing Strapsicle, even for lengthy studying stints, and I really 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 am unable to consider it value me only a smidge greater than $20 as a result of I might’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 will not be for everybody. I do not care an excessive amount of concerning the again of my Kindle. However if you’re into aesthetically pleasing tech, chances are you’ll need to think about the PopSocket route. 

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

Simply remember that there’s an opportunity that the Strapsicle could not match along with your current 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 useful, simple to make use of, and inexpensive. At $21, a pair of Strapsicles looks like a a lot better purchase than a singular PopSocket, however to every their very own.

I don’t doubt that Strapsicle will in all probability be on retailer cabinets sooner or later and turn into synonymous with the e-reader expertise. I’ve nothing unhealthy to say about this accent as a result of my face is now shielded from my Kindle, which was precisely the issue I wanted to unravel. Props to Strapsicle, and I hope I can get these straps for my iPad sometime.