If reading is getting harder, you have more good options than ever — and the right one depends on your specific situation. This guide covers all three formats honestly: what each does well, what it costs, and who each one actually works best for.
Vision changes — whether from macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or just age — force a decision that most people don't want to make: stop reading, or find a different way to read.
The good news is that "a different way to read" now includes several genuinely good options. The challenge is that they all have real trade-offs, and most reviews are written by people who don't have low vision and don't understand what the actual priorities are.
Here's an honest breakdown.
Large print editions are printed at 16–18pt type — roughly 1.5–2x the size of standard paperback text. They're real physical books: you can hold them, mark them, lend them to a friend. Publishers like Thorndike, Isis, and Wheeler produce large print editions of most major bestsellers.
Best for: Readers who want a traditional reading experience, use the library regularly, and find technology stressful or unfamiliar. Also ideal as a secondary format for people who use e-readers but enjoy physical books for certain types of reading.
Audiobooks have gone from niche to mainstream in the last decade. Services like Audible, Libby (library audiobooks), and Spotify now make it easy to listen to almost anything. For people whose vision has deteriorated significantly, audiobooks are often the format that keeps them reading — or more precisely, keeps them in stories.
Best for: Readers with significant vision loss who find reading stressful or tiring. Also excellent as a complement to other formats — many people listen to audiobooks during household tasks and read print or e-reader when they sit down.
For fiction and narrative non-fiction, audiobooks are often excellent. For cookbooks, reference books, or anything with charts and tables, they're not the right tool.
A dedicated e-reader (Kobo, Kindle) is not a tablet. The screen uses e-ink technology, which looks closer to paper than a phone or iPad.
There's no flicker, lower blue light, and much longer battery life — weeks, not hours. The key advantage for low-vision readers: you control the font size completely, from tiny to very large, on every book.
Best for: Readers who want to keep reading independently, want font control that goes beyond large print, and are comfortable with basic tech. E-readers have the best cost-to-value ratio long-term for people who read regularly.
The Kobo Libra Colour (~$219 CAD) is our top pick for Canadian low-vision readers. See our full e-reader guide for low vision.
| Format | Year 1 Cost | Year 3 Cost | Library-friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large print books (purchased) | ~$300–$500 | ~$900–$1,500 | Yes — free at library |
| Audiobooks (Audible) | ~$200/yr + device | ~$600+ | Yes — free via Libby |
| E-reader (Kobo + library) | ~$219 device + $0 | ~$219 total | Yes — native Libby support |
| E-reader (Kobo + buying books) | ~$219 + ~$150 | ~$219 + ~$450 | Optional |
| iPad + apps | ~$599 device | ~$599 total (library apps free) | Yes — via Libby app |
The numbers above assume using your public library where possible. If you're not currently using your library's digital collection, it's worth setting up — it's free and the selection is substantial. See our guide on free large print resources in Canada for how to access CELA, NNELS, and library programs at no cost.
Start with an e-reader (Kobo recommended for Canada). Set the font to whatever size is comfortable — there's no ceiling.
Use your library card to borrow ebooks for free through Libby. This keeps costs low and keeps you reading without depending on anyone else.
Audiobooks. Set up the Libby app on a phone or tablet and borrow audiobooks from your library for free.
If you want a richer selection, CNIB's free audiobook service and CELA's library are both excellent options. You don't need to buy a subscription to start.
Large print books from your public library, combined with a reading stand and good task lighting. Check what large print titles your library holds — most Canadian libraries have solid large print collections. Supplement with e-reader for titles that aren't available in large print editions.
A Kobo e-reader set up with the person's library card is one of the most practical gifts for a low-vision reader — and it keeps giving as they discover how much easier reading becomes. If they're not ready for tech, a large print bestseller from Chapters/Indigo with good lighting is always welcome. See our gift guide for seniors and low-vision readers.
Macular degeneration creates a blind spot in the centre of vision, which makes standard reading positions difficult. E-readers with large fonts help because less of the page is in the affected area per glance.
Audiobooks are excellent for bad days. See our detailed guide on reading with macular degeneration.
Large print combined with dyslexia-friendly fonts (OpenDyslexic, Lexie Readable) makes a significant difference. Kobo e-readers have OpenDyslexic built in.
Audiobooks are also excellent for dyslexic readers. See our guide on large print and e-readers for dyslexia.
The cleanest takeaway from years of talking to low-vision readers: most people end up with a combination. They use their Kobo for most reading, check out audiobooks from the library for drives or household tasks, and still pick up a physical large print novel when they want that experience.
You don't have to choose one format and commit to it. Start with what's free (library large print books, library audiobooks via Libby), figure out what works for your eyes and your routine, then invest in hardware if it makes sense.
The goal is to keep reading — whatever that looks like.