Students Prefer Print Books for Learning: New Research

The broad majority of students worldwide, regardless of their country of origin, prefer to read academic course materials in print, defying the pervasive push towards digital. This isn't just a preference; it's a global trend showing how reading format impacts learning and retention.

E-readers offer immense convenience, storing entire libraries in a pocket. Yet, readers consistently report better focus and retention with physical books, especially for longer or academic texts. This tension between digital ease and cognitive engagement shapes our reading habits.

Expect a sustained demand for physical books, particularly for education and intensive reading. Digital formats will thrive as a complementary tool for casual reading and portability, leading to a lasting hybrid reading landscape.

Reading remains a significant part of adult life. A Pew Research Center survey from October 2025 found 75% of U.S. adults read at least one book in the past year. Even more striking, a global survey of 10,293 tertiary students revealed that country of origin has little influence on preferred reading format, according to pmc. This suggests a universal cognitive response to reading formats, transcending cultural or geographical differences.

Why Do Readers Prefer Print?

Students globally consistently choose print for academic materials, even with digital options readily available, according to pmc. Participants in the same study reported superior focus and greater information retention with print. This points to a clear cognitive advantage for physical books, especially for deep engagement. Educational institutions pushing digital-first curricula may inadvertently hinder student learning outcomes; global research consistently shows print formats lead to better focus and retention for academic texts, a preference that transcends geographical boundaries.

What Makes Digital Reading Convenient?

E-readers, like those reviewed by The New York Times, offer immense convenience. They store entire libraries in a device smaller than a paperback and boast weeks of battery life. The entry-level Amazon Kindle, for instance, provides a 6-inch screen with sharp text, a bright display, 16 GB of storage, and USB-C charging. These features showcase the portability and technological prowess of digital formats. Yet, companies like Amazon and Kobo, while optimizing for convenience, may be overlooking the fundamental cognitive preferences of serious readers, especially students, who consistently choose print for deeper engagement and retention, according to pmc's global survey.

The 2024 Amazon Kindle, its most affordable model, is widely recommended as the best e-reader for most consumers, according to The New York Times, showing a strong market for accessible digital reading. Alternatives like Kobo e-readers, such as the Kobo Clara BW with its 6-inch screen and OverDrive integration, offer competitive choices outside the Amazon ecosystem. This diverse e-reader market, combined with the consistent preference for print in academic settings, suggests readers will strategically select formats based on their specific needs and content. By 2026, the reading landscape will likely solidify into a hybrid model, where physical books retain their dominance for deep learning and digital devices serve as indispensable tools for casual reading and portability.