The Musnap Ocean is a 7" black-and-white e-reader with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. I bought it as a bundle with the case from Amazon for $262 USD, and after using it I'm very impressed with how fast and pleasant it is to read on.
Display and speed
The screen is the highlight. Page turns are quick and the refresh rate is excellent, so reading feels smooth instead of laggy. Menus, library browsing and opening large documents all respond promptly, and the 4GB of RAM clearly helps. I haven't hit the sluggishness that holds back many e-ink devices.
Build quality and comfort
The Ocean feels solid and well made without being heavy. It is very light, so one-handed reading sessions are comfortable for long stretches. At 7" it is big enough to read on easily and small enough to slip into a bag.
Physical buttons
The volume buttons double as page-turn buttons in books and long documents. It's a small detail that makes one-handed reading easier, and it's handy when you'd rather not tap the screen.
The case
The bundled folio case folds into a stand and protects the screen when it's in a bag. Even with the case on, the device is still very light, and it sits securely in it.
Stylus support
I use the Amazon Pen for the Alexa tablet, a USI 2.0 stylus, and it works excellently with the Ocean. I bought the pen separately at Best Buy, so it's good to know that a widely available USI 2.0 pen works without special pairing.
Storage
64GB holds thousands of books plus documents and PDFs, so there is no need to manage the library constantly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast, responsive screen with excellent refresh rates
- Solid build quality
- Light and comfortable for long sessions, even with the case on
- Volume buttons double as page turners
- 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
- Works well with a USI 2.0 stylus
Cons
- Battery life can drain quickly depending on your settings and how you use it
- The device isn't certified, which can cause problems installing and using some apps
What I paid
| E-reader + case bundle (Amazon) | $262 USD |
| Amazon Pen USI 2.0 stylus (Best Buy) | $59 USD |
Verdict
If you want a fast, light, well-built e-reader that's a pleasure to hold, the Musnap Ocean is an excellent choice, and the stylus support is a bonus. Keep an eye on battery settings, and check that the apps you depend on will run, since the device isn't certified. For reading, it's easy for me to recommend.