Editor’s Choice Kindle Strap Under 20 Dollars

Occasionally, a small product solves a big problem.

That’s why we awarded the Strapsicle Kindle Straps our Editor’s Choice: they make one-handed reading a cinch, keep your device safe, and run under $20. After a few extended testing periods on numerous Kindles and a handful of Kobo models, this simple silicone set worked better than bigger grips with the added benefit of being much easier to live with day-to-day.

Why This Kindle Strap Is Editor’s Choice

Reading on an e-reader is fairly comfortable already, but during marathon sessions your hand can still fatigue or suffer the occasional accidental device slip. The Strapsicle set fixes that with two wide, flexible bands that drape over your Kindle’s corners to give you an easy-to-adjust, natural handhold. It works with left or right hands and several grips — thumb-through, fingertips, or full palm — without committing you to any one position.

Our award criteria are impact-to-price ratio, ease of use, and build quality. This accessory was lightning-quick to install, completely unobtrusive in use, and stood up well to being tossed in a bag, reading on the subway, or lots of couch marathoning. It also got around the most common source of agony in adhesive grips: nothing to stick, unstick, or leave sticky gunk on your device.

Non-adhesive comfort and secure gripping for e-readers

The bands are smooth, washable silicone that adds traction without bulk. On a Kindle Paperwhite, which Nemes says weighs about 205 grams, I notice an immediate difference: you can just let the strap do the holding — your fingers can take a rest. In contrast to the hard rings or discs, the elastic tension can adjust for different hand sizes and reading angles, whether you’re lying in bed on your side all hopped up with Ambien or balancing the device from a subway strap with one free hand.

Nothing permanently attaches to the back, so with wireless charging stands you can also read in a snug travel sleeve, or take along just your naked device, and be ready for note-taking on a larger e-reader in seconds. The bands rinse off under water and dry quickly, a plus if you read at the beach or in the kitchen.

Compatibility, sizes and setup for popular e-readers

Strapsicle has various sizes for popular e-readers such as Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle (basic), Kindle Oasis, and some Kobo devices. That’s easy enough; a fast size chart from the manufacturer shows you all you need to know about fitting it — measure your device or look up the model name for small, medium, large, and Oasis-specific fits.

Installation is easy — simply stretch the first band around one pair of top corners, and stretch the second band around one pair of bottom corners. They sit on the corners and bezels to protect the screen and buttons. Slim snap-on cases tend to fit comfortably under the straps, while bulging folio covers may affect tension, and case users should measure before they buy.

Real-world use proves the design’s everyday benefits

In our testing, the straps prevented one killer of bedtime reading — the “Kindle-to-the-face” drop — while enabling a more secure grip while standing on trains or buses. They also made it easier to hold with one hand and tap to flip pages with a thumb. And that little ergonomic update makes a difference: The Association of American Publishers says ebooks account for well over a billion dollars in annual U.S. trade revenue, and Pew Research Center reports that about one-third of adults have read an ebook in the past year — enough to suggest plenty of people spend significant time on their e-readers where comfort counts.

The aesthetic element won us over, too. The straps are also available in multiple colors — think understated neutrals and soft pastels — for those times you want to keep it simple (or lend a minor note of personality) without switching out your case.

Great value for money at under twenty dollars

Its retail price is usually around twenty dollars, and it tends to dip below that. For the price of a paperback, you receive a pair of bands that should outlast multiple devices. There’s no learning curve, no adhesives to reapply, and nothing that’ll affect charging or sleep covers, so the value proposition is unusually clear here for a sub-$20 accessory.

Who should buy these straps for Kindle and Kobo readers

Anyone unafraid to commit to mystery.

What you need to know before buying these Kindle straps

If you’re reading with one hand, have smaller hands, or want more control when you’re on the go, absolutely. It’s also a good add-on for anyone giving the gift of a Kindle or Kobo — useful, inexpensive, and immediately effective. The main caveats involve a sleeve’s compatibility with thick folios and sizing for your model.

Bottom line: Strapsicle’s Kindle Straps offer a sweet spot of comfort, security, and simplicity at a price that makes them a no-brainer. That’s why they’re our Editor’s Choice — and why they’ll be occupying space on our e-readers long after the novelty wears off.