Boox Tappy review: The ultimate accessory for lazy late-night reading

A pocket-sized remote that lets you flip e-reader pages without ever leaving the comfort of your duvet.

Keep your hands warm under the covers while flipping pages with the Tappy. Picture: Boox

There is nothing better than curling up in bed with an e-reader and settling into a good book. However, reaching for the screen can break your concentration or even wake you up if you are trying to stay in the dark. This is where the Boox Tappy comes in. You can prop your Boox e-reader on a pillow right in front of your face and keep your hands tucked under the covers, using only the Tappy to progress through your story. It is the ultimate way to enjoy a late-night read without moving an arm. I even tested this on a train with the Go 10.3 on the table in front of me. Even with my hands tucked in my pockets, I could flip through pages without ever having to touch the screen. It’s like a magic trick.

Design

Keep your hands warm under the covers while flipping pages with the Tappy. Picture: Noel Campion

The Tappy is seriously cute and weighs a mere 29g. It’s available in either green or orange, and it looks just as good as it works. It has a glossy finish that feels almost like ceramic in your hand. The retro-style buttons are reminiscent of an old typewriter, with pixelated icons for a steaming cup of coffee and a love heart. Boox has even included two extra buttons in the box (X and O) if you prefer a different look. There are holes for a lanyard and four tiny rubber pads on the base to prevent it from sliding across a flat surface.

Features

You can swap out the buttons or use the two extras included in the box. Noel Campion

I did most of my testing on the Boox Go 10.3 II Lumi, but I couldn’t get it to work on other branded e-readers. Setting up is easy with standard Bluetooth pairing. It charges via USB-C, so you can use the same cable as most modern gadgets, and the tactile on/off slider feels great to click. The device offers three modes: flipping pages for novels, scrolling through news articles, and controlling audiobooks. Switching between these tasks is a simple matter of holding both buttons for five seconds.

Verdict

The Boox Tappy is easy to recommend. It adds convenience and comfort when you just want to kick back and relax with a good book.

€30 eu.boox.com