My favorite Kindle accessory seriously upgraded my reading experience (and it’s on sale for Black Friday)

What is the deal?

The Strapsicle silicone band for Kindle is 25% off (or extra) proper now in most colours and sizes of the Strapsicle hand straps. Seize most pairs on sale for between $13-$16 (save between $5-$7). Snag the identical deal straight from Strapsicle, too. 

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 comfy. 
• In the event you want extra ergonomic grips or do not just like the look of straps throughout the again of your Kindle, another safety possibility could also be greatest. 

In the event you’re an avid e-reader like me (and even when 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 typically laborious to search out the right place for optimum studying enjoyment. 

Kindles shouldn’t have built-in help, making studying in mattress, on the pool, on the seaside, or wherever much more difficult, particularly when you wish to learn mendacity down or at odd angles. 

Additionally: Amazon just launched four new Kindles, including a full-color model. Here’s 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 actual fact, go away a mark), I lastly caved and was severely available in the market for a grip system. 

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

I stumbled upon them online. Strapsicle is a stability possibility created for e-readers just like the Kindle and Kobo to make sure a cushty grip once you learn, and a safe maintain in your Kindle once you’re not (you recognize, like once 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 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, 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, Massive, and Kindle Oasis, and a helpful measurement chart makes it straightforward 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 big measurement. Within the field, I acquired two silicone straps labeled “prime left” and “prime proper”, which made it straightforward to arrange my Kindle (severely, it took lower than 60 seconds to set them up). 

Additionally: One of the best e-readers I’ve tested is not a Kindle or a ReMarkable

You should utilize each straps concurrently or select to solely use one strap in your gadget, relying in your desire. I examined each approaches, and I want 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 characteristic is why I selected to do that strap mannequin as an alternative of extra typical strategies, like a PopSocket, which might solely be mounted 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 telephone. 

I spent loads of time testing MagSafe accessories, and it turned annoying to vary circumstances each time I examined merchandise. I additionally did not love utilizing a PopSocket sufficient to buy a more recent MagSafe model. All that stated, a PopSocket was nonetheless my first thought when contemplating a grip for my Kindle. 

In line with Reddit, PopSockets are widely 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 largest concern with including a PopSocket to my Kindle was its placement. Ought to I put it within the middle? Off to at least one facet? It seems that some Redditors had the same issues. Whereas some stated 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 subject. 

Additionally: This viral PopSocket alternative is my new favorite iPhone accessory (and it supports MagSafe)

The location considerations, and different adherence points (wouldn’t it stick with my case?), finally pushed me away from the PopSocket possibility and in the direction of making an attempt Strapsicle. Plus, whereas fundamental PopSockets are under $12 on Amazon, some extra intricate and enjoyable designs cost up to $35, which I feel is sort of costly. 

Different Redditors said that they liked 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 individuals. 

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 problem. The Strapsicle, briefly, is phenomenal, and I can not imagine 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 sort 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, you could wish to take into account the PopSocket route. 

The straps might additionally match round my case a bit of 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 type 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 needless to say there’s an opportunity that the Strapsicle might 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 own 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 practical, straightforward to make use of, and inexpensive. At $21 (or much less whereas Black Friday gross sales final), a pair of Strapsicles looks 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 change into synonymous with the e-reader expertise. I’ve nothing unhealthy 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.