My favorite Kindle accessory seriously upgraded my reading experience (and it only costs $20)

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. 
• When 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. 

When you’re an avid e-reader like me (and even when you’re new to the Kindle world), you in all probability rapidly 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 typically arduous to seek out the proper place for optimum studying enjoyment. 

Kindles shouldn’t have built-in help, making studying in mattress, on the pool, on the seashore, or wherever much more difficult, particularly when you prefer 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 common 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 truth, depart a mark), I lastly caved and was critically out there for a grip system. 

Throughout my journey, I encountered among the typical accent contenders: conventional grips like PopSockets, circumstances 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 choice created for e-readers just like the Kindle and Kobo to make sure a snug grip whenever you learn, and a safe maintain in your Kindle whenever you’re not (you understand, like whenever you go to sleep with the gadget in your hand). Strapsicles are easy silicone items that pop over the corners of your gadget 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 state of affairs 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, this 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 helpful measurement 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 measurement. Within the field, I obtained 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: Among the finest e-readers I’ve examined is just not a Kindle or a ReMarkable

You need to use each straps concurrently or select to solely use one strap in your gadget, 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 put my hand wherever I need on my Kindle with out worrying about safety. This characteristic is why I selected to do this strap mannequin as an alternative of extra typical strategies, like a PopSocket, which might solely be fixed in a single spot. I can flip my Kindle the wrong 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 turned more and more impractical to proceed utilizing one on my telephone. 

I spent loads of time testing MagSafe equipment, and it turned annoying to alter circumstances each time I examined merchandise. I additionally did not love utilizing a PopSocket sufficient to buy a more recent 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 greatest concern with including a PopSocket to my Kindle was its placement. Ought to I put it within the middle? Off to at least one aspect? It seems that some Redditors had the similar points. Whereas some mentioned they most well-liked a PopSocket for its extra ergonomic grip, others agreed that it was fairly annoying to solely be capable to grip your Kindle from one spot. One Redditor even admitted utilizing two PopSockets on her Kindle to fight this challenge. 

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

The position considerations, and different adherence points (would it not stick with my case?), finally pushed me away from the PopSocket choice and in the direction of attempting Strapsicle. Plus, whereas primary PopSockets are beneath $12 on Amazon, some extra intricate and enjoyable designs price as much as $35, which I believe is sort of costly. 

Different Redditors mentioned that they preferred the Strapsicle for its added safety, because of its silicone corners, customizable placement (which lets you grip from wherever 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 palms utilizing Strapsicle, even for lengthy studying stints, and I really like that I can learn securely from wherever and at any angle with out fear. Plus, the Strapsicle is simple to scrub and wipe down, and I can take away the accent with out trouble. The Strapsicle, briefly, is phenomenal, and I am unable to 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 in case you are into aesthetically pleasing tech, chances are you’ll need to contemplate the PopSocket route. 

The straps may 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 advantageous across the corners, they do have a form of puckering that forestalls 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 nicely. 

Simply needless to say there’s an opportunity that the Strapsicle could not match together 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 purposeful, straightforward to make use of, and inexpensive. At $21, a pair of Strapsicles appears like a significantly 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 grow to be 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.