Even with relatively clean and straightforward designs, many websites can be “simplified” using a reading mode. There are several extensions compatible with Chrome and Firefox focused on offering this resource, but one of the best we’ve found so far is Unclutter, which also saves articles automatically and lets us organize our reading sessions more efficiently.
The concept of a “reading mode” isn’t exactly new. If my memory serves me right, the Firefox browser already has a similar feature, but its problem is that it often “breaks” some articles, removing essential information like videos or animations. If you’re interested in that mode, it’s best to look for a third-party extension that does a more precise job, and with that in mind we arrived at the doors of Unclutter. It’s a relatively young open-source project, but we’re surprised by how well it works.
Unclutter: A More Effective “Reading Mode” for Chrome and Firefox
In general terms, using Unclutter comes down to clicking its icon once we’ve finished loading the article. The interface is divided into two parts: On the left we find a list with the title, headings, and the number of saved articles, and on the right we have options to hide highlights and social comments, increase or decrease font size, force dark mode, report errors, and access settings.
The extension doesn’t have too many elements in its advanced settings, but one of the most important is automatic activation on specific websites. A click on the Saved Article section will give us access to the library, where we can store sites to read later, evaluate our progress, and create special notes (the aforementioned highlights). Returning to standard mode is as simple as clicking the Unclutter icon again, but if you prefer a keyboard shortcut, the combination is Alt+C (you can customize it).
If you have any doubts, Unclutter has a GitHub profile, but the official store versions are up to date, and I recommend starting there. Don’t hesitate: If you want a reading mode in your favorite browser, Unclutter is what you’re looking for.
Official site and downloads: Click here
