ebook reader reviews

The best ereader for 2024: top ebook readers from Kindle, Kobo and more

The best ereaders are perfect for reading and productivity too

• Best overall
• Best budget
• Best mid-range

Best Kindle

• Best large screen
• Best premium
• Best compact
• Best durable

Best for kids

• Best Android
• How we test

The list in brief 1. Best overall 2. Best budget 3. Best mid-range 4. Best Kindle 5. Best large screen 6. Best premium 7. Best color screen 8. Best compact 9. Best durable 10. Best for kids 11. Best Android

When it comes to choosing the best ereader for you, you are no longer restricted to Amazon 's Kindles. There are more choices to explore, with competition from Kobo, Onyx Boox and PocketBook.

There was a time when ereaders did one thing – let you read without any distractions from other apps. Today, however, you get ereaders that do more, and not just jot notes. For example, most of the higher-end Onyx Boox devices give you access to the Google Play Store, so you can use a plethora of apps on the e-paper tablet. So how do you choose the best ereader for you?

You do that by answering a few questions, questions like: is waterproofing important to you? Do you prefer to hold and operate your ereader in one hand? Do you need to borrow library books (particularly if you live outside the US)? Do you read a lot of comics and graphic novels that are better on a color screen? Do you scribble notes in margins or require something for research and journaling?

Once you've figured out what exactly you want from your reading device, you can use our list of the best ereaders below to find what's right for you and your budget. We also have suggestions for the best tablets and best Kindles , if you have a more specific idea in mind.

Whatever your needs, all ereaders use similar E Ink technology which, at the time of writing, is the Carta 1200 screen for black-and-white models, although the next-gen E Ink Carta 1300 display is making it to market. This display is responsive, and text on the screen has good contrast to make reading in any lighting condition easy. The best color display is the E Ink Kaleido 3 screen technology, although colors appear slightly muted compared to what you'd see on your phone or tablet. A new display called E Ink Gallery 3 was supposed to debut a while back that would add more saturation and sharpness, but that seems to have run into issues unknown. Until then, below are your best options.

Recent updates

May 1, 2024: With new products hitting the market, we've updated some of the categories in this buying guide with the latest ereaders where necessary. This means we have a new pick for the best overall ereader, and we've added a couple of new categories for the best compact and best large-screen ereaders too.

Sharmishta is TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor and spends most of her free time buried in a good book. It's how she got into ereaders in the first place – going digital due to a lack of space to store her books and being able to carry her entire library with her wherever she went. She's been testing ereaders for about six years now and has appeared on Singaporean radio twice to speak about these underrated tablets.

The quick list

Want to cut to the chase and find out which ereaders are the absolute best? Take a look below. You can also jump to a more detailed review of each ereader further down the page, and our price comparison tool will help you find the best deals.

Best for most people

Keeping everything that made the Kobo Libra line our pick of the best ereader for years, the Kobo Libra Colour adds a color screen to mix, plus stylus support. And at a price that's not all that much more than its predecessor, it's excellent value for a full-featured ereader.

Read more below

Best budget ereader

The 2022 edition of the Amazon Kindle base model ereader is lighter than any previous iteration. But it's not as cheap as its previous siblings. Still, despite a small markup in price, it's the best ereader for anyone on a tight budget or looking for a small, pocketable Kindle.

Best mid-range ereader

With a body made mostly from recycled plastic and a 6-inch screen that's clear, crisp and responsive, this ereader also offers waterproofing that the base Kindle model doesn't. There's also audiobook support here. In fact, it's a very worthy upgrade to the original Kobo Clara HD.

Released in 2021, the latest Kindle Paperwhite is bigger and better than any that came before. It boasts a bigger 6.8-inch screen and a bigger battery. It was also the first Kindle to get a USB-C charging port. And, if you have the extra cash, the Signature Edition also gets you wireless charging.

Best large-screen ereader

A 10.3-inch note-taking ereader is expensive, but a large screen is not just great for reading, but writing on as well. You'll find it useful if you're a student, researcher or do a lot of journaling. You can scribble in the margins of books or create notes from scratch, with a plethora of writing tools at your disposal.

Best premium ereader

It's that screen! Amazon has used the same E Ink Carta 1200 screen on its first ever note-taking ereader and yet made it look brighter than any others. It's got a 300ppi resolution as compared to the 227ppi on competing ereaders. A metal finish rounds up the luxurious reading experience on a large screen. 

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Best color ereader

It may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the other ereaders on this list, but if it's a color screen on a budget you're after, the Kobo Clara Colour is it. This compact 6-inch package is arguably the cheapest color ereader on the market, but you won't get any writing features here.

Best compact ereader

It looks remarkably like a phone but it won't make any calls. It will, however, allow you to download Android apps from the Google Play Store and read in black and white without as much eye fatigue. It's not cheap, but there's really nothing like it on the market right now.

Best durable ereader

It's got a great design that makes it stand apart from the crowd and boasts a speaker too. While the latter doesn't have great sound quality, it's the screen that's the standout here. It's got an anti-scratch coating that not a lot of other ereaders boast, in addition to the IPX8 waterproofing rating.

While the obvious choice for a kid-friendly ereader would be the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids, it isn't available in all markets. The Kobo Nia, however, is more widely available and is cheaper too. Borrowing books is easy if OverDrive support is available at your local library, but keep in mind the Nia is not waterproof.

A 7.8-inch color display, a stylus in the box and full access to the Google Play Store makes the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C one heck of an e-paper tablet. It's heavy, but that's only because of its massive battery. It's also expensive, but this Android 11 tablet will let you take notes, read and even play mobile games.

The best ereader for 2024

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best ereaders in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best ereader overall

1. Kobo Libra Colour

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You want a mid-range ereader with plenty of features:  The balance between price and feature set is really good, offering good bang for buck.

✅ You want to operate your ereader in one hand:  The page-turn buttons and asymmetrical design makes it easy to hold and use the Libra Colour in one hand. 

✅ You want a relatively open ecosystem:  Other than its audiobooks, Kobo doesn't lock you into its own platform, allowing you to easily sideload files or borrow from a library.

❌ You plan to make a lot of notes:  The 7-inch screen feels too small to take full advantage of Kobo's Advanced Notebooks. A larger screen would be better for that.

❌ You don't need a color display: You can save money by opting for a grayscale ereader if color content isn't important to you.

Announced in April 2024, Kobo has replaced its Libra 2 ereader with a color version and also added stylus support. Launching at a price not all that much more than its predecessor, the Kobo Libra Colour takes over as our best overall ereader by offering a good balance between price and feature set.

Like the previous two Libra ereaders before it, the Libra Colour is the right size for the average reader – not too small, not too large – and it retains the asymmetric design that makes it handy to use single-handed. In fact, it's a touch lighter than its predecessor, coming in at 199.5g compared to the Libra 2's 215g.

The color screen is the headline here, though. Even if you don't read much color content like comics or graphic novels, just seeing a book cover displayed the way it's meant to be can enhance the reading experience. 

Plus you now get writing features on Kobo's mid-range ereader. You need to buy the Kobo Stylus 2 separately though, but considering the Libra Colour is launching at a price only slightly higher than the previous model, we'd say that's a fair bargain.

And not only is 85% of the ereader body made with recycled plastics, the packaging it ships in is fully recycled and recyclable, with the ink used to print the images and text on the box made from soy, which makes it biodegradable. It's also IPX8-rated waterproof.

Kobo is also hoping to make this device repairable in the near future, partnering with iFixit to provide users with repair kits and guides to extend the lifespan of the device. There's still no information on how this will work or what kind of kits are going to be available, but it's still a change in the right direction.

Everything else we love about the more premium Kobo devices is here – 32GB of storage, access to OverDrive, Pocket and Kobo Plus directly from the tablet, plus cloud file transfer via Google Drive and Dropbox. File and font support is also still pretty good.   

Read our full Kobo Libra Colour review

• ^ Back to the top

The best budget ereader

2. Amazon Kindle (2022)

✅ You want a compact ereader:  At 6 inches, the Kindle can fit into any bag, even a large pocket, so you can take it anywhere.

✅ You're budget-conscious:  It might be more expensive than its predecessor, but it's still well priced considering it's got more features than the older model.

❌ You want a larger screen:  As portable as it is, you may find a 6-inch screen too small as you could be turning pages frequently, thus eating into the battery life.

❌ You don't want to spend extra on a case:  There's not a lot of grip here, which could make this small ereader feel insecure in your hand. A case will help add that grip.

It took Amazon about five years to update the base Kindle model, but what an absolutely fantastic upgrade the 2022 edition is! A different blue color than the usual black is an option and, like the Kobo Clara 2E, is partially made from recycled plastics. 

A slight design refresh aside, the screen is way better now than the older Kindle models, with the E Ink Carta 1200 tech adding snappier responses, clarity and, more importantly, a 300ppi resolution (a massive jump from the older 167ppi) that really makes everything on screen pop. The display even supports a dark mode.

However, there's still no way to change light temperature here, and it also misses out on any kind of waterproofing. We also found that the smooth rear panel makes the 2022 Kindle a little insecure in the hand, and you'd likely want a case to get some grip. Plus the 6-inch screen could be too small for anyone who likes the font size on the larger side, which means you're turning pages quite often, eating into the battery life. Still, the small size makes it very portable indeed.

While we think the waterproofing and the additional features of any Kobo ereader make the Clara 2E a more worthwhile option for a small-sized ereader, the Kindle is cheaper in comparison and it would be remiss of us to leave it out of this buying guide.

Read our full Amazon Kindle (2022) review and find out how it compares in our Amazon Kindle (2022) vs Kobo Clara 2E guide

The best mid-range ereader

3. Kobo Clara 2E

✅ You like eco-friendly products:  Environmentally-conscious readers will be glad to know this ereader is made from a lot of recycled plastic, including some that were bound for our oceans.

✅ Features matter to you:  It might be another 6-inch ereader, but you get waterproofing, Pocket and OverDrive support, and much more for your money. 

❌ You want good battery life:  While you can get up to four weeks of battery life between charges, its performance can be a little inconsistent.

The Kobo Clara 2E is a worthy upgrade over its predecessor, the Clara HD, getting the E Ink Carta 1200 screen tech, plus double the internal storage space to 16GB. Where the predecessor had no waterproofing, the 2E carries an IPX8 rating, so you can read in the bath or the pool and not worry too much. 

Kobo says the body is made out of recycled plastic, 85% of it to be precise, 10% of which were ocean-bound plastics. It was the first eco-conscious ereader to hit shelves.

Other updates over the older model include the now standard USB-C charging port and Bluetooth connectivity so you can listen to audiobooks (albeit only those purchased from the Kobo Store).  All the other usual Kobo perks are here: adjustable light temperature, OverDrive support for library books, wide font and file support, and a very streamlined user interface that makes it easy to navigate through the device's features.

While we found the battery life a little inconsistent, it could just have been teething issues on our review device only, or easily fixable via a firmware update. Overall, though, it's a huge upgrade over the older Clara HD and worth every penny if you're after a very portable and capable ereader that isn't caught up in a closed ecosystem like Amazon's.

Read our full Kobo Clara 2E review

The best Kindle

4. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

✅ You predominantly source titles from the Kindle Store:  If you're already locked into Amazon's ecosystem, the Paperwhite offers a good balance between price and feature set.

✅ Screen size matters:  A bright and larger screen means your reading experience is better any time and anywhere. 

❌ You have your own collection of ePUBs:  While you can sideload the epub file format now to a Kindle, you still have to jump through a hoop or two.

❌ You've got a tight budget:  Opting for a smaller screen will save you money and get you similar features too.

We still think the Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle you can buy, thanks to its water-resistant design and crisp, bright E Ink display. The basic Kindle 2022 is catching up fast, but the Paperwhite's 6.8-inch display is a great size for reading on as compared to a 6-inch tablet.

We like the adjustable warm light for reading in the dark, and the slim design with a flush screen is appealing and easy to read.

At launch this only had 8GB of storage, but in 2022 Amazon added a 16GB model to the mix, making it all the more desirable. Or you can shell out for the 32GB Paperwhite Signature Edition if you have the cash to spare. The Signature Edition also adds wireless charging, a unique ereader feature. We don't think that's terribly necessary though, so we rate the standard Paperwhite higher once you factor in the price. 

Even the standard Paperwhite is a little pricey for a Kindle, but perhaps a refreshed model will see more features added without the price hiking up, thus adding more value for money. Even so, the Paperwhite is an excellent ereader, and our pick of the best Kindle, particularly if you're already embedded in Amazon's ecosystem (aka already subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and Audible).  

Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite review

The best large-screen ereader

5. Kobo Elipsa 2E

✅ You take a lot of notes or are into journaling:  The note-taking features here are par excellence, particularly the Advanced Notebook option, which makes it the perfect replacement for pen and paper.

✅ You want your scribbles exported as typed text: While handwriting recognition is available on other models, Kobo does it well... just as long you're not scribbling badly.  

✅ You want a rechargable stylus: Kobo's updated stylus can be charged via USB-C, making it lighter and longer lasting.

❌ Writing is a superfluous feature:  Considering its feature set, the Elipsa 2E offers good value for money, but only if you will make full use of its writing capabilities.

❌ Looks matter:  It might have great features, but the Elipsa 2E is just another plastic tablet.

If you can't decide between a tablet or an ereader, the Amazon Kindle Scribe might be a tempting option, but Kobo Elipsa 2E wins here for a few simple reasons.

It offers a bit more open ecosystem than a Kindle, with plenty of file and font support, plus the usual Kobo perks of Dropbox connectivity (to transfer your notes and ebooks wirelessly), OverDrive support (to borrow library ebooks) and the baked-in Pocket app to read long-form web articles offline. 

And, if you will make full use of its extensive writing tools, there's a lot more value for money here than the Kindle Scribe or the Onyx Boox Note Air series tablets.

Its 10.3-inch screen is great for reading, particularly if you're into comics and graphic novels (albeit displayed in black and white), and an upgraded processor means it's a lot faster and more responsive than its predecessor (we're replacing the original Kobo Elipsa with the new model on our best ereader list for that reason).

Our only gripe with the new Elipsa 2E is that it no longer ships with a sleepcover like the older model did, meaning you're spending a little extra to ensure the redesigned Kobo Stylus 2 – which is also better than the older pen Kobo made – is stowed away securely at all times.

Read our full Kobo Elipsa 2E review

The best premium ereader

6. Amazon Kindle Scribe

✅ You want a bright screen:  With an ambient light sensor on board, the Scribe's screen is hands-down the best ereader display on the market.

✅ You deal with a lot of MS Word and PDF files:  You can edit both Microsoft Word files and PDFs easily, then export back to your computer. 

❌ You need a full writing suite:  As lovely as the screen is to write on, the Scribe's writing features are comparatively limited.

❌ Money is tight:  Getting the best reading experience possible means shelling out a decent chunk of change, especially if you throw in the optional sleepcover too.

If money is no object and you want the most luxurious reading experience a digital ebook reader can give you, then the Amazon Kindle Scribe takes over from the Kindle Oasis . That's because the Oasis is now aging, lacking the speed of the newer, larger model.

The metal body of the Kindle Scribe is reminiscent of the Oasis, but lacks the two page-turn buttons on the larger bezel, but that 10.3-inch screen is just beautiful to read on. Admittedly it's not quite as portable and can feel heavy when held in one hand, it's still marvelous to use... and write on.

Yes, like the Kobo Elipsa 2E, the Scribe ships with a stylus for writing and drawing. At launch, its writing capabilities were very limited, but Amazon has slowly but steadily been expanding its flagship ereader's features, so much so that you can actually read Microsoft Word documents on it. Signing on documents in PDF format is a breeze – just email it to your associated Kindle email address. And the stylus glides beautifully over that bright screen – it's hands-down the best writing experience according to our review. That said, we'd still recommend the Kobo Elipsa 2E as the better writing tablet because of its Advanced Notebook feature.

No matter how wonderful the writing experience and how great it is to read on, the Scribe is expensive. So you could still opt for the Kindle Oasis for a premium reading experience if your main criteria is digital reading and portability, but there's no getting away from the fact that the large screen has some serious oomph.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Scribe review

The best color ereader

7. Kobo Clara Colour

✅ You want an affordable color ereader: Arguably cheaper than any other color ereader out there, the Clara Colour is making color content more accessible.

✅ You want to borrow library books:  Whether ebooks or digital magazines, if your local public library supports OverDrive, you can save money by borrowing titles.

❌ You want a stylus:  This is an entry-level ereader, with no writing features.

❌  You need a larger screen:  A 6-inch display isn't for everyone. If you think you need more screen real estate, opt for a 7-inch ereader instead.

When it comes to color ereaders, it's hard to recommend any particular one as the displayed colors on all of them look slightly washed out. That's not the fault of the ereader; that's just the tech. However, if you ask us, we'd pick the Kobo Clara Colour as arguably the cheapest mainstream color ereader available right now.

While the 6-inch color display may not be ideal for comics or graphic novels, it's still a good entry point to making color content accessible. In fact, we think it would be a good first ereader for someone looking to get started with digital reading. Sure, there are cheaper grayscale options available, but something has got be said about seeing a book cover displayed in color on an ereader.

And, as a Kobo ereader, it's got a lot more going for it with a relatively more open ecosystem than Amazon's Kindle, plus good file and font support. 16GB of onboard storage, Bluetooth connectivity to pair wireless headphones for audiobook enjoyment and IPX8 waterproofing rounds up its other important features. 

Importantly, it gets an upgraded processor that improves performance over the Clara 2E and the Kindle base model significantly.

Like the Libra Colour (listed above) it was launched alongside, the Clara Colour has also been made with recycled plastic and comes in fully recycled and recyclable packing. It's also supposed to be repairable but we're still waiting on confirmation on how exactly Kobo's new partnership with iFixit will work.

Read our in-depth Kobo Clara Colour review

The best compact ereader

8. Onyx Boox Palma

✅ You want a phone-sized ereader: The only e-paper device to mimic the look and size of a phone, the Palma easily slips into a pocket.

✅ You want access to Android apps:  From reading apps to mobile games, you get full access to the Google Play Store as the device runs Android 11.

❌  You need a larger screen:  A 6.13-inch display with a 2:1 aspect ratio isn't for everyone.

❌  You want something cheaper: Being an unique device and boasting a lot of features makes this a rather expensive – and novel – purchase.

The Onyx Boox Palma is a unique device that can easily be mistaken for a phone. Except it won't make any calls and it's got an e-paper screen. It's even lighter than some of the phones it mimics, making it the perfect device for anyone looking to move away from reading on an LCD or OLED screen to a more comfortable E Ink display.

It also has a lot of onboard storage, but if 128GB isn't enough for you, there's also a microSD tray to expand the capacity. That means you can load up thousands of ebooks, several audiobooks, music files (yes, there's a player app built in) and anything else you can think of to take on your travels without affecting your baggage allowance. It lacks waterproofing, though.

Like any phone today, there's a built-in speaker and, also like a phone, it sounds better if you use the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity to pair wireless headphones to enjoy your music and audiobooks.

Running a fat-free version of Android 11, the Palma gets you access to the Play Store and, with a pretty powerful CPU and decent graphics, you can actually play some mobile games – it really is impressive how well the screen handles graphics... albeit in black and white only.

There really is a lot to recommend the Palma, but it would have been a better device if Onyx had added stylus support too. It would also make it easier to justify the high price tag as there are 6-inch ereaders that are a lot cheaper than it. However, there's nothing quite like it on the market and that alone could be justification enough for some users.

Read our in-depth Onyx Boox Palma review

The best durable ereader

9. PocketBook Era

✅ You want a good-looking ereader:  With cut-off corners and a metallic trim, the Era is a fine-looking tablet with a design that no other brand can offer.

✅ You don't want to spend on a case:  Sleepcovers can protect your screen from scratches, but this ereader allows you to save that little bit of money.

✅ You don't like wearing headphones:  There's a built-in speaker that can be useful for listening to audiobooks without pairing a set of Bluetooth headphones.

❌ You live outside of the European Union:  Purchasing content from the device is difficult if you live outside of select European countries, so you will need to source your books from elsewhere and sideload.

❌ You want a streamlined UX:  PocketBook's user interface can be a little clunky if you've experienced setups on other ereaders before.

The PocketBook Era is our favourite ereader from the brand. It looks gorgeous and far nicer than other ereaders. And although it feels heavier than other 7-inch ereaders, the weight is well-distributed. The display looks good with an additional layer on the latest E Ink Carta 1200 display also adding scratch-resistance to its IPX8 waterproofing. Low on-screen contrast is a downside but you learn to live with it and, honestly, it won't bother you for the most part.

Elsewhere, the PocketBook Era has a built-in speaker that you'll probably rarely use, although Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair a set of wireless headphones if you're listening to audiobooks (or music – yes, you can load it up with MP3 files but this takes up a lot of storage). We're big fans of its long-lasting battery life, although decent performance is mildly hampered by a clunky interface. 

There are four physical buttons on this device, sitting right at the edge of the larger bezel, and they're snappy enough to work well. However, the positioning of the buttons can be a little tiring on the fingers when used one-handed.

Its unique chassis shape and metallic trim make PocketBook Era an attractive ereader, even if it's flawed, and it would be remiss of us to not include it here as an alternate to the likes of the Kobo Libra 2 or the Kindle Oasis. 

Read our full PocketBook Era review

The best ereader for kids

10. Kobo Nia

✅ Affordability is important:  It's one of the cheapest ereaders on the market today.

✅ You live outside the US:  Considering the Kindle Paperwhite Kids can be purchased in some markets and will allow you to borrow books from an American library, the Nia is the better choice where the Amazon option isn't available. 

❌ Waterproofing is important:  Accidents can happen and if you think that's a big possibility with your kids, you might want to get an ereader with an IPX8 rating.

It might be getting a little long in the tooth now but the Kobo Nia is a good option if you want your kids to get into digital reading. While Amazon has a Kindle designed specifically for kids, our pick goes to the Kobo as it's more widely available. Moreover, like with any Kobo ereader, the option to borrow library books is built in, as long your local public library has OverDrive support.

With Amazon having replaced its base Kindle model in 2022 with a more expensive (but improved) upgrade, it makes the Kobo Nia one of the more affordable ereaders on the market today. 

That said, the Nia isn't as full featured as new ereaders. It lacks waterproofing, which could be an important consideration if you're shopping for your kids (you could opt for the Kobo Clara 2E if this is important), and there's no Bluetooth support for audiobooks.

It also has older screen technology, but don't hold that against it. It still boasts a decent 212ppi resolution with good contrast, so text is clear. And, if you'd like to get your kids access to Kobo Plus, that can be done directly from the device itself as well.

The best Android ereader

11. Onyx Boox Tab Mini C

✅ You read a lot of comics and graphic novels:  Sometimes you really just need a color screen to appreciate a particular title.

✅ You want access to the Google Play Store: Running Android 11, you can download apps from the Google Store, including mobile games and other reading applications. 

✅ Note taking is important to you: It might be overkill but Onyx's note-taking native app is arguably the most full-featured option available.

❌ You want an easy-to-use interface:  There's a plethora of customizations available here and that can get overwhelming.

❌  You already own a multimedia tablet:  Fans of comics and graphic novels who already own an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab won't enjoy a color ereader as much.

With a color screen, stylus support and running slimmed-down version of (the now dated) Android 11, there's a lot going on with the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C. But it's the operating system that makes it easy to recommend. Not only does it come with some decent native apps for reading, note-taking and browsing the internet, you can download any Android app you deem useful onto the device. This includes YouTube if you want to watch videos... in black and white and looking like the moving pictures from a newspaper in the Harry Potter movie franchise.

You can always download the Kindle or Kobo app to read your existing library if you already have one, or opt to use any note-taking application you might like. 

The 7.8-inch display is a good size for comics and graphic novels, although the device itself is rather heavy to hold for long reading sessions. And it gets heavier if you opt to use a sleepcover for it, which you will need to ensure the stylus is securely stuck to the side of the tablet as the magnet isn't very strong.

The weight, though, is mostly due to the 5,000mAh battery pack that gives you 8-10 weeks of use on a single charge – that's a lot! Even when multitasking with it, the battery performance is quite impressive. 

The one thing to note here is that because of its larger screen size compared to the two other color ereaders on this list, the pixel density is lower, meaning the colors appear less saturated. If you already own a multi-media tablet like an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab, you're better off using those instead if saturated colors are important to you.

There's even built-in speakers here, so you can listen to music – there's a native player here too – or audiobooks. The sound quality isn't great, but there aren't too many ebook reading tablets with speakers.

As good as the Tab Mini C is as an e-paper tablet, it is expensive and not widely available, which is a real shame. But we appreciate how wonderful the contrast on screen is, making it a pleasure to read, even in the brightest of sunlight.

Read our in-depth  Onyx Boox Tab Mini C review

Ereader FAQs

What is an ereader.

It might look like a boring tablet, but an ereader is designed specifically only for digital versions of books, whether novels or comics, fiction or non-fiction. All ereaders – also called ebook readers – use a special display that makes reading in any kind of ambient lighting condition easy. These displays have a look that resembles the texture of paper (not the feel), and that's easy on the eyes.

Since they perform only a single task – display ebooks – they don't use powerful processors and can be slow to refresh. However, this doesn't affect the performance of an ereader and, in fact, allows the battery life to go on for weeks on a single charge.

An ereader typically comes with 8GB of storage, if not more, and can store hundreds of titles. That means you can carry your entire library with you on holiday.

Do you really need an ereader?

Whether you need a dedicated ereader will depend on how much you read books and whether you're comfortable spending the extra money on a reading device. If you're an avid reader and keep buying new titles, you'll find that going digital can help you save on storage space for your books as well as save you money in the long run as ebooks are typically cheaper than the printed versions. Admittedly you'll be spending a decent chunk of change on the ereader itself, but you'll find that it pays for itself soon enough. Moreover, some ereaders allow you to borrow library books, which can save you even more. 

And if you have the habit of reading during your morning commute, an ereader is a lot lighter than carrying an actual book.

It can be argued that reading on your phone or tablet is just as good, and while that's true for the most part, the e-paper screen on an ereader is designed to reduce eye strain. So if you read a lot before bed, it's definitely worth considering an ereader, particularly one that allows you to adjust its frontlight's temperature to warmer hues.

Kindle vs Kobo: what is the difference?

While the devices themselves are largely similar, there are a few differences between Kindles and Kobo ereaders. For starters, the former is widely available in any market Amazon operates in, but Kindles can lock you into Amazon's ecosystem by pushing you to purchase titles only from the Kindle Store.

Kobo also has its own bookstore accessible via its ereaders, but the ecosystem is a lot more open and sideloading books you already own is a lot easier. Kobo's file support is wider, as is its font support. In fact, you can even sideload Amazon's dedicated fonts like Bookerly and Ember if you prefer them. 

Then there's borrowing library books – while both devices give you that option, Kindle users can only do so if they live in the US. If you happen to reside elsewhere, you might want to consider a Kobo, provided your local library has OverDrive support (you can ask them before you decide to buy an ereader). 

Kobo devices are typically a little more expensive, but then you also get more device choices from the Japanese-Canadian ereader brand. And if you're after a note-taking device, we think Kobo is the way to go.

Find out more about how to choose between a Kindle and a Kobo ereader . 

Kindle vs Kobo: which one should you buy?

Pretty much everything about the two platforms is competitive, including pricing, so the choice of device ultimately rests on where you live and how you plan on getting your books. 

If you plan on buying books from the device maker's service, both are great. We like the Kobo hardware and software a bit better here at TechRadar, but the Amazon Kindle Store is much larger. 

If you'd like to borrow free books from your library, the Kobo is the better choice for more regions. Kindle devices can borrow from public libraries, but that service only works in the US currently. Kobo devices can borrow in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore (be sure to check with the library of choice first though). 

Moreover, at the time of writing, there are more Kobo models to choose from than Kindle, although there's no arguing that the latter is, hands down, the most popular brand and is synonymous with the word 'ereader'.

Which ereader is better for library books?

If your main source of reading material would ebooks from your local library, then it's best to opt for a Kindle or a Kobo device. Both with allow you to access your local library's ebook catalogue from anywhere (as long as you are connected to a Wi-Fi network), but keep in mind that Kindles only support borrowing from American libraries. If you live outside of the US, a Kobo would be a better option.

Kobo devices work with the OverDrive service that lets you borrow in regions including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore (amongst others). If you want to own your books, the Amazon marketplace is much larger than Kobo, and has a huge self-publishing component for finding independent authors. 

Can I listen to audiobooks on an ereader?

As long as an ereader has Bluetooth connectivity, you should be able to pair a set of wireless headphones to listen to supported audio files. While brands like Onyx and PocketBook will allow you to sideload audio files, including audiobooks, Kindle and Kobo devices only support those purchased from their respective stores.

In fact, some Onyx and PocketBook ereaders have built-in speakers, so you may not even need headphones to listen. However, don't expect great sound quality from them because, like your phone, they're small drivers and the sound would be better via a connected pair of headphones.

Also keep in mind that audio files are typically larger than ebook formats, so if you're storing a lot of these on your device, you'll need to keep an eye on how much space you've got left. 

What fonts can my ereader support?

Most ereaders will support some basic fonts natively and you won't need to tinker with them at all. However, if you do want to change things up, a Kindle or a Kobo is a good idea as they both make it easy to change fonts on the device.

You'll find that the Kindles have some custom fonts designed by Amazon, with Bookerly and Ember being the most popular ones. We found that the list of fonts on Kindles is extensive enough that we didn't find the need to sideload more, but you can if you need to.

Kobo devices also have their own set of default fonts, but there's no rule against sideloading more, including Amazon's own custom ones like Bookerly. And sideloading is as easy as plugging your Kobo ereader into a computer and moving your desired font to the device's fonts folder.

What is the difference between an ereader and a tablet?

If you already own a tablet – whether an iPad or an Android – do you really need another device for reading digital books? An ereader has limitations, but for reading it can be far superior to a more extensible tablet.

1. E Ink technology The main difference between an ereader and an iPad you will notice immediately. The ereader screen is almost always grayscale, using special E Ink technology that is very crisp and specialized for fonts and text. It refreshes relatively slowly and it sometimes leaves a trace (ghosting) that needs to be refreshed. 

E-ink screens also don't flicker like a normal screen, making it more comfortable to read for a longer period of time.

2. Battery life While you might hope to get a day of use out of your iPad, an ereader tablet measures battery life in weeks. Because the screen only refreshes when you turn the page, it draws very little power. Our favorite ereaders have a backlit screen, but those LED lights don't use much battery. If you read for 30 minutes a day or so, you can get a few months of battery life with our top pick devices. 

3. Blue light filter While dark mode has become quite common in recent times and many modern electronic screens automatically adjust their displays depending on ambient lighting, there's no filter to reduce blue light. The best ereaders, however, use front lights with a white to yellow hue that's  better for the eyes (and your sleep pattern) as compared to phones and tablets.

4. Affordable and convenient If you are mostly reading books, an ereader tablet is a bargain over an iPad. The base model Amazon Kindle 2022 is a bare fraction of the price of an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab, while large-screen ereaders like the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Elipsa can be had for an equivalent price or for not that much more than a base model iPad (depending on where you live). If books are your main thing, stick with an ereader and save money versus a tablet. 

How we test the best ereaders

There might be ereaders aplenty in some markets, but not all of them are available extensively. So our first step in testing an ereader is to determine whether it can be purchased by a wider audience than just a single market, even if it's an import. 

If an E Ink tablet meets that criteria, we then test ereaders based on the display and specs – aka the responsiveness of the touchscreen as well as clarity, plus things like storage and Bluetooth connectivity. This, in combination with its price tag, will determine its value-for-money rating, which is quite important in our books.

We follow that up with how user-friendly the interface is and whether there's easy access to ebooks and audiobooks via a native store or third-party apps. We also take into consideration file support for each device, which is necessary if you already have an existing library of digital books.

With several years under the belt in testing ereaders in all shapes and sizes, we're confident that our star-rated reviews are the best indication of quality and usefulness of the ereaders in this list. There are no sales/marketing teams involved in our verdicts, which means if we don't like it, we simply won't recommend it. 

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While she's happiest with a camera in her hand, Sharmishta's main priority is being TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor, looking after the day-to-day functioning of the Australian, New Zealand and Singapore editions of the site, steering everything from news and reviews to ecommerce content like deals and coupon codes. While she loves reviewing cameras and lenses when she can, she's also an avid reader and has become quite the expert on ereaders and E Ink writing tablets, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about these underrated devices. Other than her duties at TechRadar, she's also the Managing Editor of the Australian edition of Digital Camera World, and writes for Tom's Guide and T3.

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The Best E-Reader

By Caitlin McGarry and Nick Guy

A dedicated ebook reader puts an entire library of books in the palm of your hand, without the distractions of a phone or tablet. E-readers are smaller than a paperback, last for weeks on a single charge, and give you an excellent reading experience. After testing every competitive ebook reader available in the US, we can say that Amazon’s cheapest Kindle is the best for almost everyone.

Everything we recommend

Amazon Kindle (2022)

The best e-reader for most people.

Amazon’s most affordable Kindle is also its most portable, with a 6-inch screen that has finally been upgraded with a higher pixel density for sharper text and support for USB-C charging. Those features bring it in line with far more expensive e-readers. The Kids version costs an extra $20 but comes with a slew of perks that make it an excellent option if you can spend a little more.

Buying Options

Upgrade pick.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Larger screen and waterproof.

The waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is worth upgrading to if you want a bigger screen for reading more text at a time, if you want to adjust the color temperature as well as the lighting, and if you do a lot of reading at the beach or by a pool.

Rakuten Kobo Clara 2E

An amazon kindle alternative.

If you have no interest in buying into the Amazon ecosystem, Kobo e-readers are a solid option. This waterproof model splits the difference between the entry-level Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite by giving you a 6-inch screen with adjustable light and color temperature for late-night reading. OverDrive integration makes checking out library books a breeze.

The entry-level Amazon Kindle finally got an upgrade, with the same crisp display and USB-C charging as on the pricier Kindle Paperwhite (and double the storage space of the previous model). If you have $20 more to spend, the Amazon Kindle Kids is worth it even if you’re not a parent; it comes with a case, a year free of Amazon Kids+, a two-year warranty (compared with the standard version’s one year of coverage), and no ads. Getting rid of ads on the base model costs $20 alone. Amazon’s well-stocked store of ebooks remains its biggest selling point, along with the ease of checking out library books via Libby and sending them directly to a Kindle.

If you want a bigger display, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite ’s 6.8-inch screen can showcase more text at a time than the 6-inch entry-level Kindle. Its 17 LEDs are a huge bump up from the basic Kindle’s four lights, and they let you adjust the lighting as well as the color temperature if warm or cool lighting is easier on your eyes. The Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof, too, so you can tote it to the beach or relax by the pool without worrying.

Kobo is one of Amazon’s few rivals when it comes to e-readers, and Rakuten’s Kobo Clara 2E is the best of the non-Amazon alternatives. With a 6-inch screen, 300 pixels per inch (ppi), and a body made of recycled plastic, it’s lightweight, portable, and a joy to read on, and it’s also waterproof for peace of mind when you’re reading by the pool or in the bathtub.

The research

Who this is for, why you should trust us, why you shouldn’t just read ebooks on an ipad, how we picked and tested, our pick: amazon kindle (2022), upgrade pick: amazon kindle paperwhite (2021), an amazon alternative: kobo clara 2e, what to look forward to, the competition, frequently asked questions.

An ebook reader is a dedicated device on which you read electronic books—usually those you buy from an ebook store, but also some you can download elsewhere (through your local public library, for example). Over the past few years, the prices of ebook readers have fallen dramatically while the hardware has improved significantly, and high-end features such as a backlit, high-resolution screen and waterproofing have become standard. If you don’t have an ebook reader, there’s never been a better time to get one.

If you have an ebook reader but struggle with finding light to read, get frustrated with slow page turns or low resolution, or merely hate how big your current device is, upgrading to a new one might be worthwhile.

Caitlin McGarry is Wirecutter’s senior editor overseeing technology coverage and has used multiple generations of Amazon Kindles, dating all the way back to the one with a physical keyboard (RIP). She has covered consumer technology devices—including e-readers, tablets, and smartphones—for more than a decade for Macworld, Tom’s Guide, Gizmodo, and other outlets. She has also written about why checking out ebooks from the library can be so complicated.

Nick Guy contributed reporting to this guide.

If you already own an iPad or another tablet, you might wonder why an ebook reader is necessary. And it’s not: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo all offer apps that allow you to access your library on an iOS or Android tablet or smartphone , and you can also use a tablet or phone to read ebooks from Apple Books (on iOS) and the Google Play store (on iOS and Android).

But if you’re a regular reader, dedicated e-readers are a better option for a number of reasons. Nonreflective, electronic-ink displays give you a more paperlike visual experience (including enjoyable reading outdoors and less eyestrain compared with an LCD or OLED screen), plus they’re lighter weight and offer significantly longer battery life. And a dedicated ebook reader offers fewer distractions—you won’t be tempted to mindlessly scroll through Instagram or watch a video on YouTube or TikTok. Being able to sync progress from an ebook reader app to the cloud means you can easily read a few pages on your phone or iPad and then pick it up again on whichever e-reader you own—it’s the best of both worlds.

Few companies make e-readers, and Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo are the only major hardware makers with digital bookstores to back up their respective devices.

Here’s what we looked for in determining the best ebook readers:

• Built-in lighting: Most e-readers provide their own light for reading in dark environments. Unlike tablets such as the iPad, ebook readers use a side-lighting system that provides a glow across the screen, rather than from behind it. Because this feature is so prevalent, we didn’t test any readers without it.
• Screen quality: We gave preference to devices with a pixel density of 300 dots per inch, the highest available in any ebook reader and what most models offer. Anything lower produces less-crisp text and images.
• Build quality and size: While most ebook readers are made of plastic, some feel better than others in your hands. The most common screen size is 6 inches, which is also the most portable. Newer e-readers pack larger screens into similarly sized bodies, which is a bonus.
• Battery life and storage: Most e-readers promise battery life somewhere between six and eight weeks, depending on usage, and offer 8 GB or 32 GB of storage. Because e-readers tend to be so similar in this regard, specs like these are less important than how good an ebook reader feels in the hand.
• Other features: Features like waterproofing and Bluetooth audio can make a good e-reader great, but they’re not required.
• Library: Ebook readers can’t stand on the strength of their hardware alone. Though all readers allow you to side-load unprotected content, it’s important that they provide easy access to a large library of commercial books.

The cheapest Amazon Kindle is also the best e-reader for most people. Its affordable price, portability, upgraded display, 16 GB of base storage, and USB-C charging compatibility check the most-important boxes, plus Amazon offers a massive ebook catalog that frequently offers better prices than the competition. Checking out ebooks from the library via the Libby app on a phone or tablet and then having them delivered to your Kindle is also fairly intuitive.

The screen is on a par with that of the pricier Kindle Paperwhite. The Kindle’s 6-inch display is smaller than the 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite display, but both E Ink screens are 300 ppi, so text is sharp and clear to read on both. And while the entry-level Kindle doesn’t have the same level of screen illumination as the Kindle Paperwhite—with just four front LEDs compared with the premium version’s 17 lights—it gets plenty bright enough. I had no issues reading in a dark bedroom, on a dimly lit plane, or poolside in direct sunlight. You don’t get the same color-temperature controls as on the Kindle Paperwhite, but if you’re not sensitive to warm or cool light, this model gets the job done.

The battery life is excellent, and the switch to USB-C is a godsend. The main reason I prefer reading on a Kindle compared with my phone or iPad is that I can go weeks—sometimes even a month or two if I’m reading very slowly—between charges. But as basically every modern tech device has moved to the USB-C charging standard, the cheapest Kindle stubbornly clung to Micro-USB. The 2022 Kindle finally caught up with 10-year-old technology, and now you can use the same USB-C charging cable that charges your laptop and Android phone to juice up your Kindle.

The base Kindle comes with double the base storage of the Kindle Paperwhite. If you have a huge ebook collection or like to listen to audiobooks on your Kindle, the 16 GB of storage in this model is a blessing. The Kindle Paperwhite comes with 8 GB; you have to pay more for 16 GB.

The Kindle ecosystem is huge. The collection of services that Amazon and its partners offer is a major reason we love Kindles in general. You can share purchased books with people on your Amazon Prime account; use X-Ray, which helps identify notable people and terms in your books; subscribe to the optional Kindle Unlimited service, which gives you on-demand access to a huge catalog of books for a flat rate every month; and opt for Amazon Kids+ , which provides access to kids books, movies, TV shows, and more (a free, one-year subscription is included with the Kindle Kids model, which costs an extra $20 but also comes with a cover, a longer warranty, and no ads).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s not waterproof. I love a hotel pool, and the Kindle is the first thing I throw in my tote on vacation. But it doesn’t offer any water resistance, so I have to be extra careful to avoid splashes. Similarly, if you like to relax in the tub with an e-reader, the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is a better bet for your peace of mind.

Downloading EPUB files requires some extra steps. Prior to 2022, Amazon didn’t offer support for EPUB files, the open-standard format for unprotected ebooks that’s common for public-domain and other freely available books. Now, Kindles are EPUB compatible, but loading them onto your e-reader requires extra work. You have to download the file on an iOS or Android device, find it in the phone’s Files app, and then use the “Send to Kindle” feature to send it wirelessly to your e-reader. You can also email an EPUB file to your Kindle’s email address, which sends the file directly to your Kindle. (To find that email address, log in to your Amazon account on the web, and then navigate to your devices. Click the name of your Kindle, and you’ll see an email address that ends in @kindle.com. Attach the EPUB file to an email sent to that Kindle address, and then sync your Kindle to see the file pop up.)

Kindles don’t have cell service. Previous generations had 3G connectivity, but newer models are Wi-Fi only. This isn’t a problem for most people, though, since it’s easy enough to load up on as many books as you might need when you do have access to Wi-Fi, and you don’t need to be connected to read them.

You have to pay $20 more to get a version without lock-screen ads. That’s annoying.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite from 2021 is still just as good two years in, and if you need a few more bells and whistles than what the entry-level Kindle offers, it’s worth the extra money.

We used to recommend the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids —which is about $20 more than the base-model Kindle Paperwhite—because it comes with a cover, a two-year warranty, no lock-screen ads, and a free year of Amazon Kids+. That’s still a good deal, especially if it’s on sale. But with a list price of $180, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is a little expensive for a device that was released two years ago, and the cheaper Kindle (or the Kindle Kids) might be a better option.

It has a nice, big screen. This display is a noticeable upgrade over the entry-level Kindle’s smaller, 6-inch screen. When you’re reading on the Kindle Paperwhite, you can easily turn a page with a tap or swipe. The screen is evenly lit across its entire surface, and the text is impressively crisp. Amazon also got the small details right: Tapping to call up a footnote, for example, opens it on the current page instead of taking you to a separate page, and you can dismiss the footnote with a simple tap. And actually hitting the footnote is easier than on other e-readers, thanks to a much larger touch target. It’s a little more challenging on the cheaper Kindle.

It offers precise control over brightness and color temperature. You can change how much blue light the Kindle Paperwhite’s screen emits, going from a typical white glow to a darker yellow in 24 increments, either manually or on an automatic schedule tied to sunset and sunrise. Wirecutter has written extensively about whether blocking blue light makes it easier to fall asleep (maybe) or helps you avoid eyestrain and headaches (probably not). Even if there’s no demonstrable benefit, color-temperature adjustment isn’t a bad feature to have and might just make for a more comfortable reading experience.

Did we mention it’s waterproof? Author Nick Guy tested the Kindle Paperwhite’s IPX8 waterproofing by submerging it in a pitcher of water for an hour; Amazon says it can survive for that long in water up to 2 meters deep. The e-reader worked just fine afterward, although we were surprised how much water came out of the USB-C port when we shook it. We could even hear water sloshing around inside, but after we kept it upright for a few minutes, the moisture was gone.

Seamless Audible integration is useful for audiobook lovers. You can pay for an Audible subscription or buy audiobooks à la carte. You have to use Bluetooth headphones or earbuds , however, because the Kindle Paperwhite doesn’t have a headphone jack. But the feature works well, and if you have both the ebook and audiobook version of a title, you can switch between reading and listening wherever you left off. You can also use the Bluetooth streaming for VoiceView, Amazon’s accessibility program that helps folks with low vision navigate the screen.

Amazon has dominated e-readers for many, many years, and for good reason. While we generally prefer the Kindle line’s hardware and ease of use, we’re glad Amazon isn’t the only good option. Kobo e-readers are very good, especially if you haven’t already bought into the Kindle ecosystem (owning a lot of Kindle books makes switching extremely difficult). For a first-time e-reader owner who’s platform-agnostic, or for someone who simply doesn’t like Amazon, Rakuten’s Kobo Clara 2E is a solid alternative.

This Kobo reader offers Kindle Paperwhite features for a Paperwhite price. The Kobo Clara 2E costs about the same as the Kindle Paperwhite, and while it feels a bit more like the regular Kindle in terms of materials and design, you get the same IPX8 waterproofing, adjustable screen brightness and color temperature, USB-C charging, and a 300 ppi E Ink screen for crisp, clear text.

It’s lightweight and portable. Like the entry-level Kindle, the Kobo Clara 2E has a 6-inch screen surrounded by a slightly raised bezel. Rakuten says it’s made from 85% recycled plastic, and though we didn’t independently confirm whether the company diverted plastic that was bound for oceans or landfills, it is lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite (but not quite as light as the basic Kindle).

Borrowing ebooks from the library is seamless. I prefer to check out books from my public library system rather than buy them because, well, they’re free, and Kobo makes borrowing ebooks even easier than Amazon does. The Kobo Clara 2E offers integration with OverDrive, a platform for borrowing ebooks from libraries, so you can link your public library account to OverDrive and then see options for purchasing a specific ebook from the Kobo Store or borrowing it from the library directly on the device itself—no need to navigate to a third-party website to send the ebook to your Kobo e-reader. (OverDrive has shut down its standalone app in favor of Libby, another ebook lending platform it owns, but Kobo devices’ OverDrive integration remains functional and works well.)

Rakuten will release three new Kobo e-readers on April 30, including two devices with color E Ink screens. The $150 Kobo Clara Colour and $230 Kobo Libra Colour will replace the company’s Clara 2E and Libra 2, which are being discontinued. A black-and-white version of the Kobo Clara will be available for $130. All three new e-readers are waterproof and support the same OverDrive integration as previous models, so buyers will be able to seamlessly check out library books on their devices. The Libra Colour is compatible with the $70 Kobo Stylus 2 and offers 32 GB of storage, whereas the Clara Colour and Clara BW only offer 16 GB of storage. We plan to test the new models to see how they compare to Amazon’s Kindles, which do not have color E Ink screens.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is the first Kindle to support note-taking with an included stylus. The Scribe is much larger than the Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite, with a 10.2-inch screen at 300 ppi. E Ink tablets that let you read books and take notes have become more popular in recent years, and the Kindle Scribe is the latest in a line of steadily improving models. The included basic pen attaches magnetically to the e-reader and never needs to be charged. Although it’s a delight to use, for $340, you’re better off with a more full-featured tablet than a dedicated e-reader.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (11th generation) is identical to the 2021 Paperwhite and Paperwhite Kids, save for three small differences: It has 32 GB of storage space (four times that of the other models), it supports Qi wireless charging, and the backlight automatically adjusts thanks to a sensor above the screen. These are all nice-to-have features, but they’re not worth the premium price for most people.

Amazon’s Kindle Oasis has an asymmetrical body (0.13 inch on the thinner edge, 0.33 inch on the thicker edge) with physical page-turn buttons along one edge. It has a 7-inch screen, it’s waterproof, and it offers an auto-brightness feature that automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness level based on ambient light. It also has a night-mode feature that shifts the display’s color temperature; you can set it to change automatically on a custom schedule or at sunrise and sunset, but it doesn’t automatically adjust based on ambient lighting conditions. Its starting price, about $250, is significantly higher than that of our top pick , so we can’t recommend it for most people.

In addition to the Clara 2E, Kobo has a handful of other options that offer more features for a higher price. The Kobo Libra 2 is our former also-great pick, and while it’s still very good, it’s also $180. The Kobo Sage has an even larger, 8-inch screen than the Kobo Libra 2 and offers a slew of custom accessories, including a charging cover and a stylus for note-taking. But those benefits come with a hefty $260 price tag, so unless you know you want to write on your e-reader’s screen or will definitely benefit from a larger display, it’s not worth the higher cost. The Kobo Nia is the company’s entry-level reader, but it’s pricier than an entry-level Kindle and has a lower-resolution screen.

Barnes & Noble is still making its Nook line of e-readers. We tested the $150 Nook GlowLight 4 and $100 GlowLight 4e . The GlowLight 4e’s low-res screen represents a huge downgrade from the entry-level Kindle. The GlowLight 4 is pricier than the Kindle Paperwhite but has a smaller screen and isn’t waterproof.

This article was edited by Jason Chen and Arthur Gies.

What is the difference between an e-reader and a tablet?

Unlike tablets, which can do as much as a laptop, ebook readers are (mostly) dedicated to one task: reading. The hardware and software are designed to make the reading experience top-notch. The monochromatic, E Ink screens on our picks render text sharply while using very little battery, but they’re not great for most other tasks. E-readers weigh less than tablets. And since they can do less, ebook readers are also generally cheaper.

Which e-reader is best for library books?

Both top e-reader lines—Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo—support checking out books from your local public library. E-reader owners who relied on OverDrive to browse library ebooks in 2022 were shifted to Libby, which offers a similar experience. (Kobo devices have retained OverDrive integration even though OverDrive is being phased out for non-Kobo e-readers.) If you own a Kindle, you have to install the Libby app on your phone or log in to Libby on a computer and then send your checked-out books wirelessly to your e-reader.

Meet your guides

Caitlin McGarry

Caitlin McGarry is a senior editor at Wirecutter. She previously oversaw Gizmodo’s consumer technology coverage and has been reviewing Apple products and wearable devices for almost a decade.

Nick Guy is a former senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter. He has been reviewing iPhones, iPads, and related tech since 2011—and stopped counting after he tested his 1,000th case. It’s impossible for him not to mentally catalog any case he sees. He once had the bright idea to build and burn down a room to test fireproof safes.

Further reading

The Best Tablets

by Wirecutter Staff

We think Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad is the best all-around tablet thanks to great hardware and apps. We also have picks for Android tablets, ebook readers, and more.

The Best Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Cases

by Nick Guy

If you want a case for your Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon’s cover is comfortable to hold and uses magnets to keep the cover stowed either open or closed.

The Best Accessories for Your iPhone and iPad

by Dan Frakes, Nick Guy, and Wirecutter Staff

We’ve spent hundreds of hours over the past few years testing hundreds of iPhone and iPad accessories to find the best ones.

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

by Haley Perry

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

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The Best Ebook Readers

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Best Overall Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation) Read more

A Color Kindle Alternative Kobo Libra Colour Read more

A Cheaper Color Screen Without Notes Kobo Clara Colour Read more

The Most Affordable Amazon Kindle (2022, 11th Generation) Read more

I dearly love a paperback book that I can bend, touch, smell, and display on my bookshelf when I’m done. But there’s no doubt that ebook readers (also called e-readers) make life easier—they might just make you read more too . E-readers let you carry thousands of books or dozens of audiobooks in a single, slim, rectangular tablet; they have paper-like screens that are easy on the eyes; and they won’t inundate you with distracting notifications. Books can also be expensive and take up a lot of physical space, but that’s not a problem with ebooks. Even better, you can check out digital books from a library without leaving your house.

Naturally, when you hear “e-reader,” you might think Kindle. Amazon makes the best ebook reader, which is why we have a separate Best Kindles guide that breaks down the entire lineup. But there are a few Kindle alternatives out there in case you don’t want to support Amazon or you just want a different set of features. WIRED’s Gear team has spent months, if not years, reading on these tablets—these are our favorites.

Updated May 2024: We've added Kobo's new color E Ink readers, the Libra Colour and Clara Colour. We're also currently testing Nook's newest Lenovo reading tablet.

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Best Overall

Amazon's Kindles are the best e-readers around. It's dead simple to get new ebooks from Amazon directly, and the Overdrive integration makes it easy to check out books from a local library instantly. E Ink screens in most ebook readers are a little slow when you interact with them, but Kindles are some of the most responsive devices on the market. It's worth noting that Kindles almost always see steep discounts a few times a year, particularly on Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday , so try to wait for a sale.

Any of the models in Amazon's current lineup are better than the competition, but the Kindle Paperwhite is my favorite. I reviewed the Signature Edition ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ), but the standard $150 model is quite capable too. I recommend paying a little extra for no ads. Both are waterproof, so you can read in the pool or tub without worry, and the 6.8-inch screens also have adjustable warm lighting so you can read in bed. The Signature supports wireless charging, has a front light that can adjust automatically, and has more storage at 32 gigabytes. But the 16 GB on the standard Paperwhite is plenty—it can hold thousands of books. There's a Paperwhite Kids Edition too, which we recommend below.

Check out our Best Kindles guide for more advice and recommendations.

A Color Kindle Alternative

Kobos have always been a close second to Kindle. The newest Libra Colour ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) brings it even closer, thanks to a fun color E Ink screen. You can highlight and mark up book pages, and also utilize the notebook section for notes, to-do lists, or doodles. It's pricey, and you'll need the $70 Stylus 2 for writing. It's still cheaper than the brand's Elipsa 2E and the Kindle Scribe, which are both meant for note-taking.

The Libra Colour is waterproof, has physical page-turn buttons (a feature I really like), and is made from recycled materials. There's Bluetooth support so you can connect headphones and listen to audiobooks, and Kobo slates have Overdrive integration, which makes reading library books simple. You get 32 gigabytes of storage and a speedy 7-inch screen, which has an adjustable front light and even a dark mode that offers up white text on a black background to make reading in the dark easier on the eyes. If you prefer, you can even read it in landscape mode. It's also repairable .

A Cheaper Color Screen Without Notes

If you like the idea of a color screen but aren't going to write or doodle on an e-reader, consider Kobo's Clara Colour. It's more affordable, but you still get to see book covers or graphic novels in full color and you can highlight in color too. Some books weren't as easy on the eyes, like the blue and yellow color scheme of Curious George , but that was one small gripe in an otherwise seamless reading experience.

The Clara lacks page-turn buttons, but the 6-inch screen size is comfortable for one-hand use. It has 16 gigabytes of storage rather than 32, but that's still about 12,000 books. There's Overdrive integration and Bluetooth support. It's also waterproof, made from recycled materials, and is repairable . There are several other Kobo devices available too, including a new black and white Clara.

The Most Affordable

If you want to spend the least amount of money, you'll still get a great e-reader with the 16-gigabyte base Kindle. It's 6-inch screen is the smallest of its lineup, but that means it's easy to hold and read with one hand while sipping an ice tea with the other. It's not waterproof, however, so no ice teas on a pool float. And there's no warm lighting or auto-adjusting light option here. Otherwise, you get the same ease of use as with any Kindle, and you can listen to audiobooks if you connect headphones or a speaker via Bluetooth.

Brenda Stolyar

Julian Chokkattu

Aarian Marshall

Nooks Work Too

Barnes and Noble now has three Nook Glowlights available and a new Nook tablet made in collaboration with Lenovo (we're testing that one now). The 4 Plus is the only waterproof option, and it has the biggest screen at 7.8-inches, with 32 gigs of storage. That screen size is a pleasure to read on. I love the physical page-turn buttons, and there's a headphone jack for listening to audiobooks—you can also connect a Bluetooth pair. It was often slower than my Kindle, though, and it had moments of freezing too.

Barnes and Noble has a large library with cheap and even free ebooks, but it isn't as good a selection as Kindle Unlimited—if you're following recommendations on #booktok, you might not find everything here. Also, the process of trying to get a book from the library on a Nook is beyond frustrating. Depending on what type of computer you have, you'll need to download either Adobe Digital Editions or Android File Transfer , before connecting the device to your computer physically, and then transfer the files. It feels very old-school when Kindle makes this process instantaneous.

You don't necessarily need a kid-specific e-reader, so you should go with whichever one you can afford. However, if you're like us and prefer Kindle's interface and ease of use, the brand has two specific models for tots. Both come with a free cover, a year of Amazon Kids+ , and a two-year worry-free warranty—if your kids are particularly accident-prone, you may appreciate this. A parent dashboard lets you adjust age filters and monitor reading progress too. Both come with their internet browsers restricted by default, and you can disable it if you’d like.

The Paperwhite Kids ($170) is waterproof and has the same adjustable warm light that the standard Paperwhite has—it also gets bright, with 17 LEDs. The newest base Kindle Kids ($120) is $50 less for the same 16 gigabytes of storage, but it isn't waterproof and doesn't have adjustable warm light.

For Heavy Note Taking

We’ve tried a few e-ink tablets meant for taking “handwritten” notes that can be organized and searched digitally. E-readers with that capability still prioritize reading. If the Kobo Libra Colour isn't big enough for your note-taking needs, you might prefer these two. The downside is the prices.

The $340 Kindle Scribe ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) and $400 Kobo Elipsa 2E ( 7/10, WIRED Review ) are just plain fun, thanks to the included styluses that allow you to mark up PDFs, create notebooks, and doodle. Both have whopping 10.3-inch screens for easy reading and writing. Kindles generally have nicer interfaces, but Kobo has one big advantage—it lets you mark up books directly, while the Scribe only allows you to make sticky notes.

You Can Use Your Phone or Tablet

You don't have to buy a separate device to read ebooks. Smartphones and tablets are perfectly viable for this purpose. You can use Amazon's Kindle app to read ebooks ( iOS , Android ), and even download OverDrive's Libby app ( iOS , Android ) for library book access anywhere as well. However, the E Ink screens found in e-readers are just plain nicer to look at—there's no getting around that fact. I also like that these devices are one-trick ponies; there are no notifications to be distracted by or social media feeds to doomscroll through .

If you'd still rather have one smart device you can read on and use for other purposes, take a look at our Best Tablets and Best iPads guides for recommendations.

How to Get Ebooks for Free

Ebooks can be cheap, but the cost can add up if you're rapidly flying through the digital pages. You should take advantage of your library card and check out ebooks instantly from the comfort of your home. We have a detailed guide that explains how to get free library books , but most library branches use OverDrive , often through the Libby app, making it quite simple. These ebooks are automatically removed from your device and returned to the library when they're due.

There are a few Kindle-specific ways to get free ebooks too, if that's the device you end up with. You can subscribe to Kindle Unlimited for $12 a month , which includes millions of titles, including audiobooks and magazines. Amazon's Prime Reading also offers a handful of free books every month, which is good to know if you already have a Prime account . You can even lend books to friends and family for a short while (or have them share a book with you).

Parker Hall

Nena Farrell

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The best Kindles in 2024 — our top picks

These are the best Kindles and e-readers you can buy, based on our testing and hands-on use.

• Best overall
• Best for kids

Best for wireless charging

Best premium kindle, best kindle alternative.

• Battery life compared
• How to choose
• How we test

The quick list 1. Best overall 2. Best value 3. Best for kids 4. Best for wireless charging 5. Best premium Kindle 6. Best Kindle alternative 7. Battery life compared 8. How to choose 9. How we test

The best e-readers are usually Amazon Kindles these days, because the tech giant has sunk lots of money and effort into designing affordable, durable e-readers that last for days.

But finding the right Kindle for you can be tricky, because Amazon now sells not only basic Kindles but the fancier Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Scribe, as well as a kids edition of the Kindle. What once was simple as reading a page-turner is now not so easy.

Luckily, we can help! We've reviewed all the major Kindles and e-readers for years, so we know how the latest models stack up to the competition because we've used them ourselves. No matter your budget, these are the best Kindles on the market.

If you want something to read on your new Kindle, check out our tips for how to get free ebooks . And if you absolutely, positively have to start reading right now (or just want an option to keep reading while your e-reader is charging) we've curated the best e-book reader apps for those who want to read on a smartphone or tablet.

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the tablets on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever tablet catches your eye.

Best Kindle overall

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite (2021) strikes a nice balance of price and performance, offering you a dependable e-reader with a nice screen for under $200.

Read more below

Amazon's basic Kindle is a good e-reader that can be yours for $99 if you're willing to put up with lockscreen ads. The latest model has great battery life and USB-C charging at last, but it's still not waterproof.

Best Kindle for kids

The Amazon Kindle Kids Edition is a simplified version of the basic Kindle with good enough resolution, a kid-friendly interface, cute colorful cases and a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. 

Best Kindle for wireless charging

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is like the Paperwhite but $50 more expensive. In return, you get support for wireless charging, which is a luxury worth splurging on for some.

The Amazon Kindle Oasis costs nearly twice as much as a Paperwhite, but you're paying for a more comfortable chassis with a rounded back, the ease of physical buttons and a waterproof rating high enough to survive an hour-long bath.

The Nook GlowLight 4 is a great alternative to Kindles if you'd rather not enter Amazon's ecosystem. It looks very similar and while it's not waterproof the way great Kindles are, we think the Nook interface is a little more usable than what you'll find on a Kindle.

The best Kindles you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best Kindle overall

1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Small changes lead to great products staying great, and such is the case with the new Kindle Paperwhite (2021). It's got the same basic look as previous Kindles and Kindle Paperwhite models, a matte black shell and an e-ink screen, but this time it's larger, with a 6.8-inch panel. The bezels are also smaller, so the device didn't have to grow too much to accommodate the growth from a 6-inch panel. 

While it's still a super-sharp 300-ppi display, it's now supported by an array of 17 LED backlights, for incredibly even lighting. And it's still got a great waterproofing (IPX8-rated) protection. 

After the larger display, the big change this year is the move from microUSB charging to USB-C. It's a welcome change if only for the reversible port. Faster charging doesn't appear to be on the table, but the microUSB port has been around for way too long, and is often fragile, so we're happy to see it go.

The Paperwhite costs slightly more than half as much as the $250 Kindle Oasis, coming in at $139 ($10 more than in previous years). That said, it's gained one of the Oasis' once unique features: display warmth. Our testing of the Paperwhite 2021's waterproofing included a 20 minute bath in our sink. It worked just as well as it did before when we took it out. 

Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review .

The best value

2. Amazon Kindle (2022)

The Amazon Kindle (2022) is a great e-reader that meets every need by being bright, long-lasting and comfortable to carry on long trips. The fact that you're locked into Amazon’s ecosystem is a drag, but you can’t knock the Kindle itself for Amazon's customer-unfriendly business practices.

That's not to say it's perfect, of course. There's room for improvement, like the fact that it's still not waterproof. This remains the biggest differentiator between it and the more expensive Paperwhite, and it feels like a slightly arbitrary difference intended to justify charging more for the Paperwhite. 

Also, our reviewer missed having the option adjust the warmth of the display light, another minor but meaningful Paperwhite feature — though if you’re fine with using dark mode it’s easy to move past that shortcoming. Admittedly, if Amazon fixed those things there would be no reason to get the Paperwhite, so while we're disappointed, we aren't shocked that the base Kindle doesn't get these useful features.

Ultimately though, the Kindle 2022 is probably the best Kindle for most people. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, the display is bright and crisp — a massive improvement over earlier models — and the battery lasts for ages. Unless you really need a waterproof Kindle, it’s tough to advocate spending more than the $100 you'll pay for a new Amazon Kindle (2022).

Read our full Amazon Kindle (2022) review .  

The best Kindle for kids

3. Amazon Kindle Kids Edition

Amazon's latest Kindle improves on the $90 Kindle by adding what's missing and chipping away at the cruft that fills up a regular Kindle. Kids will like it for the colored cases, while parents will love Amazon's 2-year no-questions-asked warranty. Even better, there are no lock screen ads. In fact, the Kids Edition is so close to our ideal Kindle interface, we wish Amazon would offer it as a mode for adults who just want to read the book, and not dabble in the Goodreads community.

Otherwise, the Kindle Kids Edition is the same tablet as the 2019 Kindle. You get the same 6-inch, 167 ppi display and front lighting, and the display is still inset, not flush with the frame. Oh and it's even got helpful vocabulary building tools and a free year (a $60 value) of Amazon's Amazon Kids+ (fka FreeTime Unlimited), which has thousands of titles. The Kindle Kids Edition was so popular that Amazon's making a Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition, which we will review soon. 

Read our full Amazon Kindle Kids Edition review .  

4. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

What if you're tired of small, incremental change? Yes, the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) has lighting warmth and USB-C and a slightly larger screen, but for those who think this update's a bit slight, Amazon has the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. It's got the same 6.8-inch, 300-ppi panel as the regular Paperwhite, with smaller bezels and fantastically-even backlighting plus IPX8-rated waterproofing protection. But there's more on top.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition can be charged via Qi-based wireless chargers, plus its backlighting is automatically-adjusting. Plus, 4x as much storage and no on-screen ads. Not all of those features may be huge for everyone, but we're betting at least one is interesting for all. But at $189, it's a pretty pricey tablet. It's sitting right between the normal Paperwhite and the Oasis, and a good option if you have the money.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review .

5. Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)

The new Kindle Oasis still offers Amazon's most luxurious reading experience, with its machined aluminum back, larger screen, physical buttons, automatic lighting adjustments and very well-lit screen (using 25 LEDs) — screams "first class." Its Oasis moniker is earned from its IPX8-rated water resistance, which allows it to survive hour-long baths. The device also supports Audible's audiobooks, as long as you've got a Bluetooth device handy.

The Oasis's curved back and physical buttons give you an easier way to get a grip and a way to read your book without tapping the screen. While the Oasis is the best Kindle for those who can splurge, we just wish it didn't cost nearly twice as much as the Kindle Paperwhite. It's the Kindle with more effort put into its design, losing the simple and utilitarian aesthetic of the regular Kindle and the Paperwhite.  

Read our full Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) review .

6. Nook GlowLight 4

Amazon doesn't run the whole e-reader world, so we occasionally test competitors' e-readers. And while the Nook Glowlight 4 isn't better than any Kindle, it's got minor tweaks and updates that give us reason to give it some attention here. One of its best features is it's no-fuss reading interface, which gets out of your way when it's time to read (Amazon could do this, and we wish it would).

That said, for a $140 e-reader, it's lacking waterproofing, which the Paperwhite offers. Oh, and loading up library books, proved to be a frustrating process. But for the reader who doesn't want to use an Amazon-made device? The Glowlight 4 may be the best Kindle alternative for them. We're looking into testing more competitors to find them a better option.

Read our full Nook GlowLight 4 review .

Battery life claims compared

E-readers are built to go weeks between charges, a clear advantage these pint-sized slates offer over bigger, brighter, more capable tablets like the iPad . Sure, you can read ebooks on any tablet with the right apps, but an e-reader will last a week-long vacation in your bag without needing to be plugged in—can your iPad do that?

In fact, the lengthy battery life of these slates makes them challenging for us to test, because we have to use them for months at a time to see if the battery claims are accurate. We have done that on occasion, and we've found that in general manufacturer claims are pretty close to what we actually see in real-world use.

Since battery life is a key data point that can help some people choose between e-readers, we've compared the advertised battery life of all the tablets on this page below so you can quickly see which last the longest.

As you can see, the Kindle Paperwhite is the clear leader of the pack with an advertised battery life of up to ten weeks. Note that Amazon typically couches these recommendations with the caveat that it's based on you using the tablet to read for about 30 minutes per day, with the brightness set a few pegs lower than max. If you tend to read more often, you'll likely need to charge more often too.

How to choose the best e-reader for you

Let's start with your budget, as that's the easiest way to make this call. If you're running tight right now, the $90 Kindle is a solid recommendation. Its lighting is good enough for a handful of situations and its battery life is nothing to sneeze at. 

If money is no option, then you're going to be choosing between the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis, and this is sort of tough. If you prefer your devices to be built with a harder plastic, that still feels reliable, then you've probably got the Paperwhite in mind. It offers the same water resistance as the Oasis, and is similar in many regards.

But if you're tired of futzing with menus, and changing brightness, you will probably want the Kindle Oasis. Its display automatically adjusts to ambient lighting situations, maybe its best unique feature overall — as its metallic, not-symmetrical design is a bit divisive in our office.

How we tested these e-readers

To start, we read a lot on these Kindles. We don't just do that to see how much battery life is drained in a set of time (and to then compare against the estimations these manufacturers provide), but to discover what we like and don't like about a given Kindle. We then keep reading. At home, on the bus, in the park and anywhere else where the lighting changes. 

In addition to evaluating e-readers' size, weight, claimed battery life and design choices, we test their brightness using our light meter. The experience of reading on the device also plays a huge role in these reviews. For instance, we look at the intuitiveness of the interface, the size of the available library and how well the special features (such as web browsers or dictionaries) work. 

We've also tried alternatives to the Kindle, such as the Kobo Nia . While it's not one of our best picks, its interface is great for those who want to stay focused on books, and isn't as focused on supplementary content as Amazon's Kindles are.

We even drop water-proof Kindles into our makeshift dunk tank, and watch as they survive — the first time it was surprising, and now it's become something we expect. Lastly, we try and see if Amazon's changed anything about how Kindles work with public libraries. It's the one thing we prefer about competitors.

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing e-readers coverage and reviewing man himself every year.

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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• The Best Ereaders for 2024

Whether you're considering joining the digital book revolution or simply want a new ebook reader, these are our top lab-tested picks for every type of bookworm.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids

Apple iPad (2022)

Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C

Amazon Kindle (2022)

Amazon Kindle Scribe

Kobo Clara 2E

Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4

Step away from the monitor and give your eyes a rest. Ebook readers, also called ereaders, rely on E Ink screens that let you read for long periods without the brain burn from a radiant LCD or OLED screen. They have long battery life and look terrific in sunlight. Amazon's Kindles dominate the ebook reader market in the US, but if you're shopping around, it's a good idea to also look at models from Kobo, Nook, and Onyx.

Here are the best ebook readers we've tested, followed by everything you need to know before deciding which one is right for you.

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Deeper dive: our top tested picks, why we picked it.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) might be a few years old, but it's still one of the most advanced ebook readers available. It's waterproof, the battery lasts for weeks, and the 300ppi E Ink display is sharp and easy to read.

Who It's For

This ebook reader is for anyone who loves to read and wants to switch to a digital format. It's lightweight, fits easily in a bag or purse, and can last longer than your entire vacation on a single charge.

• Larger screen shows more per page than previous generation
• Water-resistant build
• Flat-front design
• Color-changing front light
• No Immersion Reading mode

The Kindle Paperwhite Kids uses the same hardware as the regular Paperwhite but comes with a protective case and an extended warranty. It also bundles a one-year subscription to the Amazon Kids+ service, which includes plenty of age-appropriate books for them to read.

The Amazon Paperwhite Kids is the best choice for current or budding bookworms. If you want to save some money, the smaller, non-waterproof Kindle Kids is also an option.

• Waterproof, flat-front design
• Long warranty
• Comes with a case
• Kids+ subscription content library
• Kids+ subscription only lasts one year

The Apple iPad's color LCD is much more suitable for watching movies, playing games, and browsing online than the grayscale-only E Ink displays on most ebook readers. Its eyestrain-inducing backlight isn't ideal for especially long reading sessions but its huge selection of apps means you can access all your digital books, no matter what platform you prefer.

The base model iPad is best for readers who have collections of ebooks from multiple sources and want to read them easily on a single device. Just steer clear if your eyes are particularly sensitive to digital light.

• Appealing iPad Pro-like design
• High-quality cameras
• Good speakers
• Fast performance
• No traditional Touch ID button

The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C might be expensive, but its color E Ink display gives it an advantage over grayscale-only competitors. It also comes with a stylus for handwriting notes and marking up ebooks and PDFs. The device runs a simplified, intuitive version of Android and gets full access to the Google Play Store, too.

If you are looking for a robust E Ink tablet for work or school, the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C should appeal. You won't be able to play games or watch videos on its color display, but access to the Google Play Store means you won't have any shortage of reading apps at your disposal. The built-in reading and note-taking apps are also excellent.

• Large, crisp color E Ink display
• Excellent note-taking capabilities
• Access to multiple reading platforms
• Long battery life
• Weak speakers

Amazon's most basic Kindle has the same sharp screen as the Paperwhite, along with more storage and better battery life than its predecessor. You can't adjust the color temperature of the front light or get the device wet, but the starter Kindle still offers an enjoyable reading experience for an affordable price.

If you are on a budget or are looking to get into reading ebooks, the entry-level Kindle is a good place to start. It comes with enough storage to hold an entire library, displays crisp text, and integrates a handy front light for reading in the dark.

• Much sharper screen than previous Kindle
• Supports plenty of file formats
• Not waterproof
• Front light color temperature isn't adjustable

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is the company's first large-screen E Ink tablet that is made for both reading and writing notes. It comes with a stylus, but strangely does not let you freely annotate your Kindle books. Instead, you have to use Amazon's sticky note app, which will then link to the page in which you took your note.

The Kindle Scribe is a worthy choice if you like to take general notes or jot down ideas while you read. But if you need to write directly in the margins of books, you should look elsewhere.

• Big, sharp, responsive screen
• Temperature-adjustable front light
• Smooth note-taking experience
• Appealing design and hardware
• Lacks tools for serious drawing
• Awkward to use one-handed

The Kobo Clara 2E is a compact, waterproof ebook reader that rivals Amazon's Paperwhite. It's a little slower than Amazon's device and doesn't support Kindle books, but you should be able to access your local library's digital collection through Kobo's partnership with OverDrive. In testing, it worked flawlessly with the New York Public Library system.

Get this ebook reader if you do most of your reading through your library via OverDrive. You should make sure to check that yours partners with OverDrive first, however, as not all do.

• Built-in public library support
• Supports many ebook file formats
• Bright, high-resolution screen
• Made with recycled materials
• Sluggish performance
• Only supports Kobo audiobooks

Barnes & Noble still makes ebook readers and the Nook GlowLight 4 is the best of the bunch. It's a simple, compact device that works well, though it lacks the features of many of its similarly priced rivals.

The Nook GlowLight 4 is for those who have already invested in a large collection of Nook books and are determined to stick with the platform.

• Small and light
• Physical page-turn buttons
• Recessed screen
• Clunky public library support

Buying Guide: The Best Ereaders for 2024

What's the best ereader screen type and size.

Basic ebook readers use monochrome E Ink screens to display text. E Ink, or digital ink (often manufactured by the E Ink company), looks a lot like paper, but it's easier on your eyes for reading over long periods than text on a traditional digital display. More affordable models don't have backlights, however, so you might need a light to see the text, just as you would with a printed book. Others now include adjustable edge lighting. On the lowest settings, you can read in the dark while your partner sleeps undisturbed next to you.

In all cases, E Ink is much easier to read in bright sunlight—glossy color touch screens on traditional tablets tend to wash out and show distracting reflections.

Most E Ink readers in the past were limited to 6-inch screens, but the panel sizes are slowly growing. We've found that you start to have balance issues with one-handed reading at a screen size above 7 inches, however.

Screen resolutions and quality also vary. Some older Kindles use 167ppi displays that look rough and jaggy compared with the 300ppi displays on more modern models. Amazon and Kobo's latest readers go one step further with Carta 1200 technology, which enables faster page turns and even better contrast.

If you haven't updated your ebook reader in many years, the responsiveness of the latest E Ink readers might surprise you. Frequent, startling screen flashes are really a thing of the past.

The Best Color Ereaders

If you need to read more than books, tablets with color screens offer many other benefits. Magazines and comic books look great on larger tablets. Even lower-cost tablets  let you browse the web, stream video from Hulu, Netflix, and others, play music, and run apps. Because of its high-quality screen and general power, however, we recommend the base-model iPad for most people trying to read rich, full-page color content.

We've recently seen a breakthrough in color E Ink displays, with several readers implementing the E Ink Kaleido or E Ink Kaleido Plus technologies. We've tested a few, and while they aren't perfect, they show some of the exciting possibilities of color E Ink.

The Best Ereaders for the Beach

If you like reading in the bath, by the pool, or on the beach, consider a waterproof ebook reader. Amazon and Kobo both make models that can withstand some amount of submersion in water, and we note those ratings in each of our reviews. Other readers aren't as resilient.

The Best Ereaders for Taking Notes

All ebook readers let you highlight or tag particular phrases for later reference. Some include digital pens that let you take notes directly on the screen. In general, they let you annotate on PDFs and other kinds of documents, plus take freehand notes on a blank page. We detail which file formats each model supports in our reviews. A larger screen usually works best for annotating documents.

The Best Ereaders for Audiobooks

Sometimes you'd rather listen than read. Sometimes you'd like to read and listen at the same time. Kindles can now connect to Bluetooth headphones to play Audible audiobooks, and many Amazon books can synchronize with Audible audiobooks on Kindle ebook readers. Kobo uses a proprietary audiobook format, for comparison.

Oddly, Amazon saves its slickest audiobook feature, Immersion Reading, for its Android app. That feature synchronizes words that appear on the page with those you hear aloud.

Where Can You Get Ebooks?

The ebook reader you choose determines which ecosystem you can use.

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo all use copy protection on most of their books, which prevents you from reading titles on other brands' ebook readers. Removing the copy protection is possible, but you might also remove features such as formatting and character summaries in the process. It's also gotten much harder to strip the protection specifically from Amazon books in recent years. Ereaders with access to the Google Play Store are convenient because they let you download and use whatever reading apps you prefer on a single device.

Amazon's Kindle Unlimited offers more than three million ebooks for $9.99 per month. Amazon Prime subscribers can access a smaller library as part of Prime Reading without paying extra. For kids, the Amazon Kids+ subscription service unlocks a lot of children's books and starts at $4.99 per month. You get a free year of it when you buy the Kindle Kids Edition.

For public library lending, Libby has mostly replaced Overdrive. If you have a Kobo device with built-in Overdrive support , however, you can continue to borrow and read books as normal. Libby just lets you send books to Kindles and others that support Adobe Digital Editions .

Book selection, size, and pricing vary from store to store. Books by big publishers generally appear in the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo stores. But Amazon also has exclusive authors and imprints. Many of them are self-published and not very good, but Amazon definitely has the advantage in quantity.

For more, see our article on how to put free ebooks on your Amazon Kindle . And for an in-depth comparison of supported formats across various ebook readers, check out  Wikipedia's article comparing ebook formats .

How Much Should You Spend on an Ereader?

If you're reading mainstream fiction or nonfiction books, the sweet spot right now is $100 to $150 for a good 6- or 7-inch Amazon or Kobo device. You can get a low-end model that costs less or a larger model that costs more, but ebook readers at this price point tend to strike the best balance between screen quality and size.

Onyx's tablet-sized readers cost considerably more than other ebook readers. But they're also much more powerful, letting you run multiple reading apps, annotate PDFs, and read large-format documents on big screens. We see these primarily for academics, lawyers, and doctors.

If you're getting a Kindle, check out our  Amazon Kindle tips every reader needs to know . And if you prefer a device that can also handle your entertainment needs, head over to our  top tablet picks .

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About Sarah Lord

I’m a Mobile Analyst at PCMag, which means I cover wireless phones, plans, tablets, ereaders, and a whole lot more. I’ve always loved technology and have been forming opinions on consumer electronics since childhood. Prior to joining PCMag, I covered TVs and home entertainment at CNET, served as the tech and electronics reviews fellow at Insider, and began my career by writing laptop reviews as an intern at Tom's Hardware. I am also a professional actor with credits in theater, film, and television.

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Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products .

The best ereaders for 2024

Kindles aren't your only ebook reader option..

Ereaders can stuff an entire bookcase into a device that fits in your pocket. They beat reading on a phone or tablet thanks to their E Ink screens that are easier on your eyes. And the text displays so clearly, printed pages look almost fuzzy by comparison. Some screens are even available in color now. We’ve tested models from all the major brands to come up with recommendations for a budget pick, one with buttons and the best ereader overall.

Kobo Clara Colour

Best ereader overall, kindle (2022 release), best budget ereader, kobo libra colour, best ereader with buttons, boox page 7-inch ereader, best android ereader with an e ink screen, honorable mention, what to look for in an ereader.

Plenty of apps, including the Kindle app, will let you download and read digital books on a phone or tablet. But what makes ebook readers different is the screen: nearly all of them use technology from a company called E Ink. It manufactures electronic paper displays (EPD) composed of three sheets: one containing millions of microcapsules filled with black and white ink particles sandwiched between transparent electrode layers. When a charge is applied, either the black or white particles shift to the top, forming letters and the whitespace around them.

Because these displays are so different from standard LED panels, you can expect most ereaders to do a number of things well. They’ll be easier to stare at for long periods of time and easier to read in direct sunlight. Also, since E Ink displays only require power to rearrange the ink, these devices have much longer battery lives than even the best tablets: we’re talking weeks, not days.

The ereader market is not as saturated as, say, the smartphone market, but there are still plenty of options out there and they do have small but important differences among them. They tend to range from around $100 to more than $400, though usually the higher end options are stylus-enabled read/write E Ink tablets like the Kindle Scribe. Beyond price, you should consider physical properties like buttons, lights, storage and resolution, as well as how the software lets you find and access books.

Reading features

With any ereader, you’ll navigate the OS via taps and swipes, and some add physical page-turn buttons. Most with built-in buttons have an auto-rotating screen so you can press with your right or left hand.

As E Ink technology has advanced, resolution has greatly improved – even the budget Kindle ereader has a 300 ppi display. You can still find models with lower resolution, but we don’t recommend them.

Some ereaders have front LEDs that support light temperature adjustment. That means you can switch to a warmer light after the sun goes down, which will feel easier on the eyes. If you’re concerned about blue light, you should go for a reader with that feature.

Other features

The capabilities of these pocket libraries have advanced considerably since the early days. In addition to storing books, some let you browse the web, run apps and play music. The screen’s frame rate can’t handle gaming, but it’s good enough to show you the Wikipedia entry for New Zealand’s South Island while you read Birnam Wood .

If you listen to audiobooks, you may want a Bluetooth-enabled ereader capable of playing them. Most of the models we tested have that ability, with the notable exception of the Nook ereader we tried. Keep in mind that audiobook files can take up more space than print files so you'll probably want a device with a higher storage capacity if you plan on doing a lot of listening.

Above all, you should consider where and how you intend to find books to read. Most ereaders make it easiest to shop through their own ebook store, but all of them (even Kindles ) will now let you download titles from other sources, like libraries, unaffiliated ebook sellers and free public domain sites.

How to get books for your ereader

Kindle, Nook and Kobo all have their own stores that you access directly from each brand’s devices. Prices are fairly competitive among the sellers, too – as I write this, the current NYT bestselling fiction ebook is $13 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, eBooks.com and the Kobo store. The top nonfiction release, The Anxious Generation , costs $16 at all four.

Amazon offers Kindle Unlimited for $12 per month, and it includes four million titles from which you can pick your next read. It includes audio and ebooks, but you won’t find many big, new releases or older bestsellers. Kobo has a subscription called Kobo Plus with about 1.3 million titles: it goes for $8 per month for ebooks only, $8 for audiobooks only or $10 for both.

Buying a book from a proprietary store instantly delivers it to your device, provided you’re connected to WiFi. It also syncs your reading across devices and apps, so you can pick up where you left off on your phone if you forgot your ereader at home. It truly is the most convenient way to go, but if you don’t want to be locked into one brand’s store, or if you opt for an ereader without its own marketplace, you do have options.

How to upload ePubs onto an ereader

Stores like ebooks.com and Google Play have millions of ebooks for sale as digital rights-managed (DRM) ePub files, which nearly all current ereaders (excluding Kindles) can display. Titles from some publishers like Tor and public domain classics from sites like Project Gutenberg are also sold as ePubs, but without the added DRM. Consequently, Kindles do support those files. Books you get from third-party sources will look just like ones you bought from a proprietary store, thanks to the flowable, formatted nature of ePub files. While these device-agnostic ebook collections give you extra options for finding your next read, they require a few additional steps to get the files onto your ereader.

To do so, you’ll typically need a computer running a free program called Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). After buying and downloading the ePub file, open ADE and plug your ereader into your computer. Your device should pop up in the left panel. Drag and drop the ePub file from your downloads folder into the main panel in ADE. The file will display as an image of the book cover. Drag that image onto your device on the left panel. If the file includes digital rights management (which protects against unauthorized copying) you’ll need to authorize your ereader, which requires using or creating a free Adobe ID . Once you’ve finished adding files to upload, eject the reader from your computer to complete the transfer process.

Kindles use a web-based uploader instead of the ADE method. But since Kindle uses its own proprietary DRM technology instead of Adobe's, the only files it can accept from third parties are non-DRM files, such as from Tor Publishing or Project Gutenberg. After downloading a compatible ePub file, drag and drop it into your browser with the Send to Kindle page open. As long as you’re signed into Amazon, this wirelessly transfers the files to your associated device.

Boox also uses a browser uploader called BooxDrop (along with many other methods ) to deliver ePubs to the device. Open it from the Boox App menu and you’ll see a device-specific url. Type that into your browser to access a file delivery portal that uploads to your library. Boox’s built-in ereader app, NeoReader, also doesn’t support files with DRM, so you won’t be able to read current titles from most publishers using that app. Fortunately, Boox devices run nearly every ereader app out there, Kobo and Kindle included, letting you access ePubs any number of ways.

How to read library books on an ereader

Your local library card lets you borrow audio and ebooks through a program called Overdrive and its companion app Libby . On a Kobo , you have have built-in access to Overdrive in a separate tab. Once you’ve linked your library card, the search function will include results for titles available from your local library; a few taps will upload your selections to your device for the length of the loan. I personally find it easiest to borrow the title I want through the Libby app on my phone. After that, the book pops up on my Kobo’s home screen once the device syncs.

To read library books on a Kindle , you can either go through the Libby app or the Overdrive section of your library’s website. Once you click Borrow, you’ll see the option to “Read now with Kindle,” which takes you to Amazon’s site to sign in. After that, the book will be delivered to your device the next time it connects to WiFi.

For other ereaders, you’ll go through your library’s Overdrive portal and download the ePub after clicking the Borrow button. You can then use the ADE process we described above. Devices that run external apps, like the Boox Leaf 2, allow you to read library books via the Libby app, just as you would on a smartphone or tablet.

You can also use the Libby app to borrow audiobooks, but you won’t be able to access them through your ereader. (The exception is an ereader, like the Boox Leaf 2, that allows external apps). I found it was easier to listen to an audiobook on my phone anyway, regardless of whether I borrowed it through Libby or bought it from Kindle or Kobo.

How we tested

When putting together any guide, the first thing we do is spend hours researching the field. We look at what’s available, what’s new, and what shoppers and professional reviewers have to say. Then we narrow a list to the best candidates for hands-on testing.

I ended up getting eight ereaders, representing five different brands: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Boox and PocketBook. I bought, borrowed and uploaded books for each device using the methods above. Over the course of four weeks I evaluated each one in the areas of book access, ease of reading, extra features and overall value. Here’s everything we tested so far:

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Boox Leaf 2

Boox Poke 5

Kobo Libra 2

Kobo Clara 2E

NOOK GlowLight 4

PocketBook Era

The best ebook readers for 2024

Screen size : 6” | Resolution : 300 dpi black & white, 150 dpi color | Capacity : 16GB | Waterproof rating : IPX8 (submergible to 6 feet for 60 minutes) | Warm light : Yes | Lock screen ads : No

Read our full Kobo Clara Colour review

Our previous pick for this category, the Kobo Clara 2E was an excellent ereader with a crisp display, a warm glow and responsive, intuitive touch controls all housed in a waterproof device that felt premium. When Rakuten announced the Clara would be updated, I worried we’d see a device with superfluous revamping to justify an inflated price. Thankfully, that’s not the case. The Kobo Clara Colour not only adds color and a faster processor, it’s just $10 more than the previous generation.

As the name suggests, this ereader adds color to the page, lending a little vibrance to book covers, tables and graphs, and even the panels of graphic novels. The technology comes from E Ink, in the form of the Kaleido 3 module that incorporates a color filter layer on top of the standard black and white microcapsule layer. That results in two different resolutions on one screen: 150 dpi for color and 300 dpi for text.

Full-color pages remind me of comic book art from the ‘60s, muted but saturated. Color makes book covers more enticing and adds a little variety to headings, and tables in some non-fiction books. It’s certainly not a necessary feature, but it adds vibrance and it’s fun. There is a slight difference in clarity between the color and non-color version of the Clara. If you look closely, you can see a bit of noise on the white parts of the page. That's due to the added color filter layer. It's not distracting and only something I noticed when comparing the two generations side-by-side. but if absolute clarity is your primary goal, you may be better off with a non-color ereader.

Probably the more useful upgrade here is the dual 2GHz processor, a bump from the Clara 2E’s 1GHz CPU. There’s a noticeable improvement in the speed of the page turns and navigating from the menu to the page and back again is nearly instantaneous. As with the 2E, the Colour rarely mistakes a swipe for a tap or a page turn gesture for a menu request.

The adjustable warm front light is still here (it’s actually a little warmer on the Colour) and makes reading at night easy on the eyes. The operating system is the same, with intuitive access to the Kobo store, your personal books and titles from your local library via Overdrive. You can customize your reading experience with options for font, font size, line spacing, margins and so on. Kobos don’t have a way to save a group of display settings like the Kindle does, so I’d love to see that added with future OS upgrades. But for now, the customizations are just enough to get your book how you want it to look.

The Colour is nearly identical in shape and size, and has the same premium feel as the 2E, though the plastic has a grainier finish. The bezels are noticeably less flush with the screen now, though that didn’t alter my reading enjoyment.

Now that it costs $150, the Kobo Clara Colour is $50 more than the base model Kindle. But the waterproof build, warm front light, responsive controls and lack of ads (which cost $20 to get rid of on Amazon's device) make it worth it. And, in great news for the right to repair crowd, it’s even designed to be user-repaired once it falls outside of warranty through a partnership with iFixit.

• Customizable settings
• Even more responsive touch controls
• Color is pleasant and text is crisp
• Kobo's store not as vast as Kindle's.

Screen size : 6” | Resolution : 300dpi | Capacity : 16GB | Waterproof rating : None | Warm light : No | Lock screen ads : Yes

Amazon has dominated in the ereader space for so long that I was surprised when a Kindle device didn’t win me over. A Kobo may have taken the top spot here, but nothing can beat the standard Kindle when it comes to price. It’s listed at $100 but has gone on sale every few months since its debut in October 2022, sometimes for as low as $75.

With it, you can access the best of what Amazon has to offer, including many exclusive titles. Kindle Exclusive is a catalog made up of a million titles, including books by established authors as well as newer, self-published writers; Kindle Unlimited offers the widest selection of any subscription-based reading service out there; and Audible Originals is made up of narrated titles and podcasts you can only hear through a Kindle device or Amazon-owned app.

If you like to switch between audiobooks and ebooks, Kindle is the way to go. When you buy both iterations of a title, you not only get a discount, but the Whispersync feature lines up where you are in the e-printed version with the narration, too. Say you listen for an hour and then want to read – the synchronization lets you pick up on-screen where you left off audibly. (Though we should point out that you can’t listen and read simultaneously on the same device.) In tests, the feature was fairly accurate, getting me close enough on the page or in the audio to figure out my spot.

The standard Kindle doesn’t feel particularly luxurious, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. The shell has a velvety finish that doesn’t collect fingerprints, but I found myself wishing it had more texture for a better grip. Navigating from a page to the menu isn’t as speedy as Paperwhite or the Kobos we tried. And it takes a few moments to wake from sleep after hitting the button and swiping.

Page turns are quick, but the touchscreen gestures didn’t always do what I wanted them to. I’d often find the page skipping forward when I thought I’d tapped to go back. There’s no warm light, which didn’t bother me during the day, but at night it felt like I was still staring at my computer.

Kindle’s reading customization is great, letting you dial in the font, size and margins. You can even save a set of settings as a “theme,” something not offered by other devices. I created one with larger text and wider line spacing called “tired eyes.”

Some people won’t be bothered by the lock screen ads that come standard on every Kindle device (unless you pay to remove them). They’re fairly innocuous, mostly promoting Kindle book deals or specific titles (it’s not like you’ll see promos for TVs or robotic pool cleaners). 

Personally, I like being able to set the sleep screen to the book cover of what I’m currently reading, but it’s easy to get over that if all you want is a more convenient way to consume books at the lowest price. It's also worth noting that the Kindle Kids is the same device but comes with a cover, a longer warranty and goes on sale more frequently than the standard version. 

• Kindle ebook selection is huge
• Nice integration between ebooks and audiobooks
• Good customization options
• Not waterproff
• No warm light
• Lock screen ads

Screen size : 7” Resolution : 300 dpi black & white, 150 dpi color | Capacity : 32GB | Waterproof rating : IPX8 (submergible to 6 feet for 60 minutes) | Warm light : Yes | Lock screen ads : No

When Kobo came out with the new Clara Colour, it also debuted the new Libra Colour , which might be the more exciting of the two devices. In addition to color technology from the E Ink Kaleido panel and an upgraded processor, the Libra now has stylus support. It’s the only ereader on this list with that feature, making it a lot like a small E Ink tablet — but all of its new features actually make it a better ereader.

When I wrote about the previous generation ereader, the Libra 2, I was impressed by how comfortable it was for reading. None of that has changed; the buttons and auto-rotating screen adapt the device to just about any reading position you chose and the thin design, textured back and soft-touch plastic give it a premium feel.

Kobo’s interface is nearly the same here as with other models, nicely organized to let you easily find your current reads or browse and search new titles from Kobo’s store or your local library in the Overdrive tab. The customizations for light and text let you get the page looking just how you like it, but there aren’t so many options that it feels like you’re writing code.

The new features add to the experience. In color, book covers all look more enticing — though, if your TBR list is already three feet long, this won’t not help things. The new processor makes waking from sleep, turning pages, navigating the menu and changing orientation zippy fast.

Then there’s the status compatibility. Try as they might, some new technologies don’t yet beat their real-world counterparts. That’s mostly how I feel about styluses — I’m just a big fan of pen on paper. But Kobo’s stylus makes it so fun to highlight text and scribble notes in the margins of a book that I’m starting to come around. Plus, it neatly and magnetically attaches to the side so it doesn’t get lost.

Pressing and holding the button on the side of the stylus highlights text while flipping it around erases. I accidentally pressed the button a few times when I was trying to write, but I got used to the placement after a few minutes of using it. You can pick from four different highlighter colors and view your written notes and spotlighted text in the notes section of any title — which I could see being pretty useful for book club reads, school assignments or just refreshing yourself on a past read before you dive into the sequel.

Writing in the margins or directly on the text worked on every book I tried. Though I should point out that if you change the font size in a book, your handwritten notes will be converted to a sticky note-type box. Going back to the original font restores your original scribbles.

The Kobo Libra Colour is $30 more expensive than the Libra 2, but you get a lot for $220. If it were just an ereader, the lovely colors, responsive reading experience, fast page turns and easy highlights would make it worth the price. But you also get features that make it more than just an ereader, like Dropbox and Google Drive integration, a beta web browser and free-writing and text-converting notebooks.

Of course, the stylus costs extra and you won’t get features like notebooks and writing in the margins without it. Together, the set costs $290, which is still $50 cheaper than the most popular stylus-enabled ereader, Amazon’s Kindle Scribe . That one does have a bigger, 10-inch screen, which, for me, is a little big for an ereader. The Libra Colour on the other hand has just the right features at the right size, plus some extras that stretch its usefulness.

• Premium build that's comfortable to hold
• Crisp text and lovely colors
• Responsive and intuitive touch controls and buttons
• Adding the stylus allows for margin notes
• Kobo's store is less vast than Kindle's

Screen size : 7” | Resolution : 300dpi | Capacity : 32GB | Waterproof rating : None | Warm light : Yes | Lock screen ads : No

Boox released the Page in the middle of last year as a replacement for the now-discontinued Leaf 2. Stacked side-by-side, the two look identical: both have 7-inch E Ink screens, two manual page-turn buttons and a thin, lightweight design.

Inside, the Page has an extra gig of RAM, an upgraded Qualcomm CPU and a bigger 2,300mAh battery, up from 2,000mAh on the Leaf 2. The batteries last so long already — on the order of a few weeks — so I didn’t notice a significant difference there, but the extra processing power and memory has noticeably upped the wake speed, efficiency in opening apps and page-turning speed.

It still runs on a fork of Android 11, which means the Page acts more like a tablet than a conventional ereader. Like the Leaf 2, it’s best suited for the tech-savvy — you’ll get little hand-holding in setup and usage. The tablet is impressively customizable, with programmable buttons and fine-tunable settings. Boox users have created APK files to tweak and improve your experience further. The device even has speakers and can run apps like Spotify. In short, the Page can do far more than a typical ereader can, if you’re willing to experiment.

But the ereader experience is also pretty good. The soft, adjustable front light with temperature control makes for pleasant low-light reading and the flush, glare-free, 300dpi screen is crisp and detailed. Boox has its own app library or you can use Google Play to search for and download apps much like on a smartphone or tablet. You can even get ereader apps from other manufacturers, including Kobo and Kindle, and install Libby to read borrowed books from the library.

Boox’s built-in ereader app, NeoReader, is nicely featured with a good amount of control over the look of the text. But it only handles DRM-free ePubs from sites like Project Gutenberg or publishers like Tor . If you want to read ePubs with digital rights management, which make up the vast majority of current ebooks, you’ll need to use a different app. Of course, you could remove the rights management from the files, but that’s technically illegal, even after you “own” the book.

• Capable, customizable tablet
• Supports multiple ereader apps
• Solid build with a crisp screen
• Not easy for beginners

Screen size : 6.13” Resolution : 300 dpi | Capacity : 128GB | Water resistant : Yes, splashes and spills | Warm light : Yes | Lock screen ads : No

Boox makes two sizes of its ereader. The Poke 5 is smaller than the Page , doesn’t have buttons and goes for about $80 less. But after trying it, I don’t recommend it. It’s laggy and getting the Google Play Store to work was a pain. Once I did, page turns in apps like Kindle were excruciatingly slow.

The Boox Palma , however, is quite fun. It’s the same size and shape as a smartphone and, in a lot of ways, acts like one. The home screen is a muted black and white version of what you might find on a standard Android — you can even add a few widgets. Like the Page, it can download and run apps from the Google Play Store and has speakers to play music and videos. The E Ink screen (a Carta 1200) renders text crisply, but images, particularly moving ones, look far grainier and rougher than they would on a real phone’s LED screen. That said, the video quality is the best I’ve seen on an E Ink screen, thanks to a software improvement Boox calls Super Refresh Technology.

But make no mistake, it’s not going to replace your phone. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are the only connectivity and the 16MP camera is just for making document scans you can convert to PDFs. But the phone-like build is comfortingly familiar and the E Ink screen is lovely to read. At $280, it’s more expensive than a standard ereader — and some E Ink tablets — but it’s a highly portable way to read Kindle, Kobo, Google Books and other ePubs, while also handling simple games and apps like a smartphone. If you’re sick of the glow of your handset, the Boox Palma is a charming alternative.

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We’ll always love a good paperback or hardcover book, but let’s be honest: e-readers have changed everything. Perfect for when you’re reading something you’d… rather people not know about, or just want to pack in a 10-part ebook series for vacation, there’s no easier, suitcase-friendly way to do it than with an e-reader. You’ll find the latest from Amazon’s Kindle lineup below, along with key competitors like Kobo and Nook.

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Jason Snell over at Six Colors has a review of the Boox Palma, a strange E Ink device that straddles the line between a phone and an e-reader.

The $280 Palma is not a phone, per se, as it doesn’t have any cellular connectivity. But it’s a six-inch, phone shaped thing that runs Android 11 and comes with an E Ink screen.

Snell notes that it works better than prior Boox devices because of some new software tweaks from Boox and the fact that Android apps still run best on a phone-shaped screen as opposed to a tablet. Still, I think I’ll wait for Boox to put these features on a larger screen.

[ Six Colors ]

It’s always refreshing when a promising new product enters an Amazon-dominated market, which is why I’m excited about Barnes and Noble’s Nook Glowlight 4 Plus . Available on September 6th, it seems to share much in common with the best e-readers , like waterproofing, a sharp display, and page-turning buttons. We’ll likely be testing it soon, so stay tuned.

[ Good e-Reader ]

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Article updated on May 29, 2024 at 8:00 PM PDT

Best E-Reader for 2024

Pick up one of the best e-readers available and hit those reading goals this year.

Our Experts

• Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Amazon or not?

There are a lot of Amazon-made e-readers out there, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for your personal needs.

Depending on the time of year, e-readers can range from as low as $75 to more than $400.

Waterproofing

Are you planning to read poolside or in a bath tub? Make sure you know your e-reader can handle that.

Screen quality

The resolution and pixel density of an e-reader display dramatically impacts how easy it is to read different fonts and text sizes.

Physical buttons

Do you want to be able to swipe to turn a page or press a button? It makes a bigger difference than you might think.

What's the best e-reader overall?

While some people still prefer reading physical books, e-readers have become wildly popular over the last few years. If you’re looking for the best e-reader for you then this list will help you on your way. The list below is mostly populated by Amazon's Kindle e-reader devices, including the entry-level Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite , because I believe Amazon still has the best digital "ecosystem" for ebooks. The Paperwhite is our Editors' Choice in the category, and when it goes on sale, it's the best e-reader for the money. That said, Amazon has improved its entry-level Kindle, and now it's a good choice for a lot of people.

If you want to steer clear of Amazon products, even though Barnes & Noble still makes its Nook e-reader, I'd suggest opting for a Kobo model.

I've been reviewing e-readers since 2007 when the first Kindle was released. Unlike phones and tablets, which have screens that can get washed out in direct sunlight, most e-readers use E Ink, a super energy-efficient monochromatic display technology that's designed to resemble printed paper. And while E Ink has some inherent latency issues, over the years, e-readers have become zippier and more durable, adding improved lighting schemes, touchscreen interfaces, and even full waterproofing with some models, including the Kindle Paperwhite. Larger format e-readers like the Kindle Scribe also come with stylus support for note-taking.

Read more :  How to Get Free E-Books From Your Local Library

Best e-readers of 2024

• Slightly lighter and smaller design than previous model
• 300 ppi high-resolution display
• Built-in light and USB-C charging
• Good value ($40 less than Kindle Paperwhite)
• Not waterproof
• Lacks more premium feel of Kindle Paperwhite
• Costs $20 to remove ads

Best-value e-reader

Amazon kindle (2022).

Amazon has released a new baseline Kindle E Ink e-reader for $100 that no longer seems so entry-level. While its 6-inch screen makes it a smaller and lighter e-reader than the step-up Kindle Paperwhite ($140), its display has the same 300-ppi resolution as the Paperwhite. However, that step-up model adds waterproofing and incorporates a more sophisticated front lighting scheme, with 17 LEDs compared to the Kindle 2022's four.

In the past, we've recommended stepping up to the Paperwhite if you could afford it, mainly because it had a higher resolution display than the entry-level Kindle, which allowed text to appear more crisp. But with both models now featuring similar displays (at least as far as resolution goes), we may have to revise that recommendation.

The sharper screen is a nice upgrade. 

• More premium design than entry-level Kindle
• 6.8-inch 300 ppi high-resolution display
• More advanced lighting scheme than entry-level Kindle
• Fully waterproof
• USB-C charging
• No dedicated page-turn buttons
• A little more expensive than the previous model

Best all-around e-reader

Kindle paperwhite (2021).

With Amazon upgrading the Kindle 2022's display resolution to match the Paperwhite's, it's become a significantly more appealing entry-level e-reader — the gap between the two models has narrowed. That said, the Paperwhite does feel more premium and durable, and has a handful of key extra features: a bigger screen, waterproofing and a more sophisticated and adjustable lighting scheme. It's our CNET Editors' Choice Award winner in the e-reader category.

Note that the step-up model, the Paperwhite Signature Edition, adds wireless charging and offers more storage space — 32GB instead of 16GB — as well as an auto-adjusting light sensor for $190. A Kids Edition is also available. As with previous Kindle models, expect the Paperwhite to go on sale sporadically throughout the year. It should cost around $100 during sales.

• Sharp 10.2-inch, 300 ppi display
• Writing feels smooth and natural
• Adjustable warm light with 35 LEDs
• Can mark up PDFs, other docs
• Easy to send documents to device
• Pretty weighty and pricey
• Needs a cover with a built-in stand
• Can't mark up Kindle ebooks (or DRM-free EPUB ebooks)

Best jumbo e-reader you can draw on

Amazon kindle scribe.

A handful of competing  stylus-equipped touchscreen E Ink e-readers  that double as digital notepads are available from other companies, including Kobo and ReMarkable. But the Kindle Scribe is the only front-lit, 10.2-inch e-reader with a high-resolution, 300 pixel-per-inch E Ink display.

The Scribe's size and weight make it more of a burden to carry around, especially when you consider the smaller baseline Kindle can fit into a coat pocket. But in all, the Scribe strikes a very good balance between a large-format e-reader and an E Ink note-taking tablet. Folks will probably have some quibbles about the Scribe's high price and the robustness of its mark-up and note-taking capabilities, although Amazon continues to improve its functionality and feature set with firmware upgrades.

• Built-in light
• Feels like it could be slightly cheaper

Best value non-Amazon e-reader

Kobo clara 2e.

If you can't afford the larger Kobo Libra 2, the Kobo Clara 2E costs significantly less and delivers good bang for the buck. It has a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with 1,448x1,072 resolution (300 ppi), is powered by a 1GHz processor and comes with 16GB of storage. It's also fully waterproof with an IPX8 rating, which means it can be fully submerged in up to 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes. With the waterproofing, this fells like an enhanced version of Amazon's entry-level Kindle, which is not fully waterproof (though the Kindle Paperwhite is). 

• 7-inch HD screen (300 ppi)
• Built-in light with adjustable brightness and color temperature
• Page-turn buttons
• Pricier than Kindle Paperwhite

Best non-Amazon e-reader

Kobo libra 2.

Rakuten makes a line of Kobo e-readers that are not only powered by the Kobo store but also support 14 file and ebook formats natively (EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ and CBR). In other words, if you get your ebooks — or any other digital documents — from any place besides Amazon, this device is a Kindle alternative that will probably read them. The Kobo device has its own ebook store  with thousands of books, and it has built-in support for checking out ebooks from local libraries via the OverDrive service. (You can get library books onto Kindles via OverDrive's Libby app , but it's not as smooth a process.)

The Kobo Libra 2 sits in the middle of the line and, like its predecessor, the Libra H20, is fully waterproof. It has a 7-inch, 1,680x1,264-pixel resolution, E Ink display, a built-in light, 32GB of storage and no ads (you have to pay $20 to remove them from Kindle devices). 

Available in black or white, you can use the Kobo Libra in portrait or landscape mode. Other Kobo e-reader devices include the entry-level Kobo Nia ($110) and the flagship Kobo e-reader, the Kobo Sage ($270), which has a larger 8-inch high-resolution screen.

• Large 10.3-inch display
• Upgraded processor
• Writing feels pretty smooth and natural
• Supports lots of file types
• Amazon's Kindle Scribe has a sharper 300 ppi screen

Best non-Amazon tablet e-reader

Kobo elipsa 2e.

I used Kobo's original jumbo e-reader, the 10.3-inch Elipsa, and now Kobo has a new, slightly upgraded version of that model called the Elipsa 2E. The previous model came with a cover and stylus as part of an Elipsa Pack (you can still buy it for $350), but now you get the new Stylus 2 and have to buy a cover separately.

The screen is pretty sharp and easy to read with an E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen that has 1,404x1,872 resolution (227 ppi) and a dark mode. The Kindle Scribe has a sharper 300 ppi screen.

You get Kobo's upgraded ComfortLight Pro with adjustable brightness and color temperature and an upgraded 2GHz quad-core processor (instead of 1.8GHz) with 32GB of storage. Even with the slight speed boost, an E Ink device like this still feels relatively sluggish compared to an iPad (using an Apple Pencil). But the performance is decent enough and battery life remains a big strong point for E Ink devices — like other e-readers, the Elipsa's battery life is rated in weeks rather than hours. The Elipsa supports 15 file formats natively (EPUB, EPUB3, FlePub, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR). 

It weighs in at 13.5 ounces, plus the cover (if you purchase it) adds additional weight, making this a pretty heavy e-reader. However, you can use the case to prop up the e-reader so you don't have to hold it while reading, taking notes or reviewing and marking up documents. Big e-readers aren't for everybody, but if you like to see a lot of words on a page or bump up the font size, this Kobo e-reader is an appealing option. They're also good for looking at PDF files.

• More premium design than Kindle Paperwhite
• Slightly more advanced lighting scheme than Paperwhite
• Micro-USB charging (no USB-C)

Best premium e-reader (Update: Discontinued)

Kindle oasis.

Amazon has now discontinued the Kindle Oasis in the US, if you're looking to purchase one you'll need to look for refurbished models or those from resellers.

Amazon's top-of-the-line E Ink e-reader was slightly updated in 2019, but this Kindle e-reader device is basically identical to the  previous Kindle Oasis  except for one key difference: It got a new color-adjustable integrated light that allows you to customize the color tone from cool to warm, depending on whether you're reading during the day or at night. You can also schedule the screen warmth to update automatically with sunrise and sunset — not unlike  Night Shift mode  on Apple devices.

At $250 for the basic configuration, the Oasis was expensive for an e-reader, but at $150 for a refurb it's a better value. Most people will be happy with the more affordable Paperwhite for their Kindle ebook reading, but if you want the best of the best with an anti-glare screen for your reading experience — and don't mind paying getting a refurb — the Oasis is arguably the one. The Kobo Sage, which lists for $270, has an 8-inch screen, bigger than the Oasis' 7-incher. 

Other e-readers we tested

Kobo Sage : With a larger 8-inch high-resolution screen, the Kobo Sage is the bigger sister to Kobo's Libra 2. It represents a good option for someone who wants a larger e-reader but doesn't want to go up to a jumbo tablet-sized e-reader. However, it's a little too pricey at around $270. 

Factors to consider when buying an e-reader

The big question for a lot of folks is simply whether to go with an Amazon e-reader — and Amazon's ebook ecosystem — or not. Amazon does dominate the e-reading market but there are alternatives, including Kobo, Barnes & Noble and other "open" e-readers that allow you to important both DRM (copy protected) and DRM-free file formats. Amazon does now let you send DRM-free ePub files to its Kindle e-readers . 

Naturally, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on a new e-reader. Amazon's entry-level Kindle is the most affordable with a list price of $100 (the price has dipped to as low as $75 during flash sales). Larger format e-readers like the Kindle Scribe are closer to $400. 

Screen size

Some people are fine with smaller e-readers with 6-inch screens but others prefer a little bit larger screen (the Kindle Paperwhite has a 6.8-inch screen). You can also step up to a jumbo model with a 10.3-inch screen if you want a more tablet like experience, but the bigger e-readers do weigh more.

If you plan on using your e-reader in the tub, around the pool or at the beach (or any body of water), you may want to consider getting a model that is rated as being fully waterproof (it can actually be submerged in water and survive).

Lighting scheme

Some of the more advanced lighting schemes feature more LED lights and the ability to adjust both brightness and color temperature. 

Screen resolution and pixel density

Even entry-level e-readers now come with so-called "HD" E Ink displays so you don't have to worry so much about having a crisp enough screen with sharp text. The key spec to look for is pixel density. 300 ppi (pixels per inch) is what you ideally want though some larger displays don't offer that.

Physical page-turn buttons

Most e-readers now have touchscreens, so you you can turn pages by simply touching or swiping the screen. However, some e-readers do have physical buttons that you can press to turn pages. Some people like having those physical page-turn buttons.

How we test e-readers

We test e-readers based on four key criteria:  design ,  performance ,  features  and  value .  Design : We assess the look and feel of the device along with its build quality and ergonomics. We also note if the e-reader has physical page-turn buttons and whether it's made out premium materials such as aluminum and what the texture of its finish. Screen resolution and pixel density (how crisp text appears on the screen) also goes into the design evaluation. And if the e-reader is rated as being waterproof, we fully submerge the e-reader to confirm that.  Performance : Performance not only includes how zippy/responsive the e-reader is but how often the screen flashes to prevent ghosting of text and images (every so often the display essentially resets itself to wipe away any E Ink artifacts so to speak). We also take a look at the quality of the integrated light and how uniformly the light splays across the display. With e-readers that include support for a stylus, we check how much latency there is when using the stylus. And while we don't try to get exact battery life numbers (because e-readers are often rated for having weeks of battery life), we do use the e-reader for several days, first with WiFi on and then with WiFi off. Features : Most e-readers have a baseline set of features, but some have added features that we take into consideration.  Value : We determine value after considering the strength of the e-reader against all these criteria and what it's able to deliver compared to other e-readers. 

Best e-readers FAQ

What's the advantage of having a dedicated e-reader.

Sure, you can read an ebook on your phone or tablet (there are plenty of ebook apps, including Amazon Kindle, iBooks and Kobo), but it can be hard to read on a phone or tablet screen in direct sunlight and you also can get distracted by incoming emails, texts and variation notifications. Using a dedicated e-reader is more like reading a printed book. E-readers also have great battery life. 

Can I get library ebooks on my e-reader?

Yes, you can set up an account with your library on read library books on your e-reader for free. However, note that there's often a wait time for popular ebooks at your local library. 

Do e-readers have a web browser?

Yes, some do, including all Kindles. But you don't really want to use the built-in web browser because it's such a sluggish and underwhelming experience thanks to the sluggish nature of E Ink. The main use of the web browser is so you can get onto a public WiFi network (or a hotel WiFi network) that requires some sign-in process through the Internet. 

Can I get other file formats on an e-reader?

Yes, most e-readers are compatible with a variety of file formats, including PDF and Word files as well as some image files (though the images will only be shown in monochrome, not color). You can also read digital comic books, though, again, they will not appear in color. 

Is it easy to crack an e-reader's screen?

E-readers that are waterproof tend to have an extra layer over the display that provides some protection, making you less likely to crack the screen. However, you can indeed damage your screen if you drop your e-reader. You can buy a protective cover that will greatly reduce the probability of your e-reader getting damaged but it does add a little weight to the e-reader. 

How much storage should I get?

Since ebook files are small, even 8GB of storage allows you to store hundreds if not thousands of ebooks on your device. That said, even the entry-level Kindle now comes with 16GB of storage, which is more than enough. Larger format e-readers tend to come with 32GB of storage because people tend to load up those devices with larger files (PDFs and whatnot) that use up more storage space.  

The 6 Best E-Readers to Take Your Library With You Everywhere

Put down the phone and tablet and pick up one of these.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Nothing can replace the tactile experience of flipping through an actual hardcover or paperback, but e-readers have proven that they’re here to stay for people who want the convenience of carrying multiple books around without the extra bulk. Take a look below at things to keep in mind when buying one, followed by our reviews of the best.

What to Consider

Sure, you could download e-books to your phone or tablet, but e-readers feature anti-glare E Ink screens that are much easier on your eyes than those bright LCDs. Plus, having a device dedicated to reading ensures you won’t be as distracted by apps, and they have more power efficiency, storage space, and special features designed for bookworms.

There are three main brands on the e-book reader market, including Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and Kobo. If you already have one of these e-readers and are looking to upgrade to a new one, we’d generally recommend staying with the same brand to make transferring data easier. However, each have their own unique features, software, and app compatibility that may make it worth making a switch.

How We Selected These E-Readers

To select these e-readers, we consulted reviews from six expert sources like Tech Radar , CNET, and Wirecutter , as well as consumer reviews on retail sites like Amazon. We evaluated the products based on features like brightness and color adjustability, waterproofing, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and overall design for the price. In addition to the devices themselves, we considered complete user experience, including what apps and software are built into the devices, as well as if they’re compatible with library apps—such as OverDrive—to download e-books or audiobooks for free.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The latest Kindle Paperwhite is now not only thin and lightweight but also waterproof with a rating of IPX8, so you can take it with you to the beach, pool, or bath. With a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (ppi) and five LEDs, the six-inch touchscreen will be easy on the eyes. All of these features make it an especially great option if you’re looking to trade in your old Kindle, which you can do through Amazon to save 20 percent.

We also like that this Kindle is equipped with Bluetooth, so you can pair it with wireless headphones to listen to audiobooks on Audible (though you can also send books to your Kindle to read for free if your local library uses OverDrive). However, keep in mind that there are no hard page-turn buttons, and you have to pay $20 more to get the model without ads.

Kobo Clara HD

If you’re looking for an Amazon alternative, Rakuten’s line of Kobo e-readers is the best option for perusing ebooks as well as digital documents in a huge variety of file formats. It’s also the best for library users, since it has built-in support for OverDrive (you can still send e-books from OverDrive’s Libby to Kindles, just not directly—which means you can’t browse for books right from the device). Unlike most other e-readers, it can also support Pocket, an app for saving and reading articles from the internet. An excellent affordable Kobo is the Clara HD, which compares to the Paperwhite with a six-inch screen, 8GB of storage, 300 ppi, and a 16Hz processor.

Amazon Kindle Oasis

The Oasis is the most premium Kindle you can buy, starting at $250. Its design is thin and light, with a large seven-inch screen. Like the Paperwhite, it’s waterproof with 8 and 32GB storage options, 300 ppi, and Bluetooth connectivity. However, it has a more powerful screen with 25 LEDs, an adjustable warm light, auto-adjusting brightness sensors, auto rotating, and page turn buttons.

Kobo Libra H2O

Now, if you want a reading experience comparable to the Kindle Oasis, just not at that price, Kobo’s Libra H20 has all of the features you’d want while being more affordable at under $200. Despite its plastic (instead of metal) construction, it boasts a seven-inch screen that can switch to landscape mode, as well as manual page-turn buttons. It’s also waterproof rated at IPX8, and it comes with all of the same benefits as the Kobo Clara HD in terms of library app compatibility.

Nook Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight Plus

Amazon Kindle Kids Edition

If you want to get your kid reading but don’t need the added distraction of yet another multi-purpose screen in their life, consider an e-reader like the Kids Edition of a Kindle. Instead of playing games or watching videos, they can immerse themselves in titles from Amazon Kids+, which you get a free year’s subscription to (it typically costs $2.99 per month). The Parent Dashboard also allows you to adjust age filters, add books to their library, and view their reading progress. Though it’s unfortunate that a device made for kids isn’t waterproof, you’ll at least appreciate the generous two-year warranty to give you some peace of mind.

Paige Szmodis is an editor for Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics, who researches and writes home, tech, and outdoor product reviews and news.

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The Best E-Readers of 2024

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Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)

Crisp, bright display

Responsive and easy to use

Compact and value-packed

Raised bezels

Not waterproof

No color temperature control

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen, 2021)

Unparalleled selection of content

Gorgeous display

Must pay a premium to remove ads

Light, comfortable to hold

Provides paid and unpaid reading options

User-friendly interface

Low display resolution

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)

Large, bright display

Speedy performance

Comfortable writing experience

Too large for some reading situations

Lacks water resistance

Note-taking experience merely adequate

Kobo Elipsa 2E

Bright, reasonably crisp display

Pocket, Kobo Bookstore, and Overdrive integration

Improved note-taking experience over last model

User Interface needs work

Inaccurate stylus eraser

Distracting screen refreshes

Updated June 3, 2024

Our pick for The Best Kindle Alternative, the Kobo Libra 2, has been discontinued. It is being replaced by a new e-reader: the Kobo Libra Color. We're currently testing this device and will have a review for you, soon.

With so many distractions that come from modern life, it can be hard to settle down to read a good book. Investing in an e-reader makes escaping into a book easier, letting you step away from the constant notifications that come with a smartphone or tablet.

Not only do the best e-readers hold, literally, thousands of books, but they also provide a more focused reading experience. They’re also easy to hold, can be read in any lighting condition, and have outstanding battery life, going weeks between recharging.

The 11th-generation Kindle comes with so many desirable features, you'll forget that it's a base model device.

• Display size: 6 inches
• Screen resolution: 300 PPI
• Storage: 8 or 16 GB
• Waterproof: No

The 11th-Generation Amazon Kindle (2022) is the best e-reader, for most people, offering most of the features of a Kindle Paperwhite for a lower price.

The 2022 Kindle is a joy to use—it’s small enough to slip into a purse or the back pocket of a pair of jeans and light enough to hold, with one hand, for hours at a time to read.

Text is crisp and legible at any of the numerous font sizes the Kindle supports, making it easy to avoid eyestrain. With four LEDs to light its e-ink display, the display was bright enough to be able to read in any lighting conditions. Compared to the Kindle Paperwhite, however, which has 17 LEDs, its lighting was uneven.

We tested the 2022 Kindle with 16 GB of storage, which is the option we suggest for most people. That’s enough room to hold thousands of ebooks to read or dozens to listen to via a pair of Bluetooth earphones. You’ll find that menus, options, and most importantly, page turns are all incredibly responsive to the touch.

Also, the e-reader’s portal to the Kindle Store is easy to navigate. You’ll find millions of titles to read on the Kindle Store. Those looking for even more could consider a monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited service. The 2022 Kindle is not perfect, however. It’s not waterproof, and it doesn’t feature adjustable warm lighting.

The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite offers a decadent, waterproof step-up from Amazon's base model Kindle.

• Display size: 6.8 inches
• Storage: 8GB or 32GB (Signature Edition)
• Waterproof: Yes (IPX8 rating)

The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is slightly larger and about an ounce heavier than its predecessor, but it’s still light enough to hold with one hand during a long reading session. Like the previous version, this updated Paperwhite is waterproof. With an IPX8 rating, the Paperwhite will continue to function even if it’s left in close to 7 feet of fresh water, for up to an hour.

However, there are several improvements with the latest version that we love. It has a 6.8-inch e-ink display, a significant upgrade over previous models. During testing, text and grayscale images were crisp and side lighting was consistent because of 17 LEDs.

Charging has gotten faster, too, thanks to Amazon’s sunsetting of Micro USB in favor of a USB-C charging port. And, for the first time, it features adjustable warm light, which can help reduce eye strain and help to diminish the amount of blue light that you’re exposed to.

What hasn’t changed is that Paperwhite owners still have access to Amazon’s unrivaled collection of e-books, comics, newspapers, and periodicals, as well as Audible audiobooks and podcasts.

The 8GB of storage that comes with it is more than enough space and wireless charging doesn’t seem worth the extra cost because the Paperwhite can go weeks between charging.

Other E-Readers We Tested

• Screen resolution: 212 PPI
• Storage: 8GB

The Kobo Nia provides a very similar user experience as the Kobo Libra 2 at a more affordable price, but it isn’t waterproof and lacks the physical buttons and adjustable colored front lighting found with the Libra 2.

The Nia is one of the smallest and lightest e-readers around, but its 212-PPI e-ink display can’t match the text sharpness of other ebook readers we tested. That said, we could read on the Nia for an hour at a time without eye strain.

The Nia offers the same access to the Kobo Store book subscription service, Overdrive, and Pocket as the Libra 2, so it could be perfect for some readers.

• Display size: 10.2 inches
• Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB

The size of the Kindle Scribe’s display makes it feels as if you’re reading a full-sized hardcover book. Its screen is sharp, and images look fantastic. It’s also possible to listen to audiobooks from Audible or side-load books using software like Calibre.

Thanks to a recent update, the Scribe now comes with a better selection of note-taking tools than when it was first released. It still only comes with a small number of page templates, but there are a number of new pen style options, which makes it easier to personalize your notes, along with a number of line thicknesses. Notes are organized in their own section, away from your Kindle content, and can be organized using folders and nested subfolders.

Jotting down annotations in books, however, feels a little clunky. It’s not possible to simply write on the page of a Kindle book like you would in a paper volume. You have to choose a spot for the note, open a note-taking field, and write your thoughts there. I’d have liked to have seen a system that allowed Scribe users a little more flexibility.

We were disappointed by the slow transfer of personal documents to the Scribe: It’s only possible to move PDFs to the device by sending them to the Scribe’s unique email address, or, using Amazon’s clunky Send to Kindle app on a PC or Mac. Documents are slow to show up, using either method. To consider this seriously as a productivity device, a less pokey transfer system is required.

• Display size: 10.3 inches
• Screen resolution: 227 PPI
• Storage: 32 GB

The Kobo Elipse 2E has a large 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen, with 227 PPI. That’s not the highest-resolution display of the devices featured in this guide. But during testing, we still found it easy enough on the eyes, especially with the Elipse 2E’s variable temperature front lighting turned on.

Like the rest of the Kobo devices here, in addition to letting you read side-loaded books or content from the Kobo Store, the Elipse 2E also gives users access to content saved from their tablet or computer, via Mozilla’s Pocket app and, free material from their local library through the use of Libby/Overdrive. This makes it a compelling purchase for anyone with a voracious reading habit.

It’s also a capable note-taking device. Unlike the first -generation of this device, the Elipse 2E’s input latency is minimal. We like its native Dropbox integration: write a note and, if you’re connected to Wi-Fi, it’ll sync to your account as a PDF. But we’d appreciate more writing templates to leverage.

• Display size: 8 inches
• Storage: 32GB

You’d be forgiven for mistaking the Kobo Sage for the Kobo Libra 2. Their design language is very similar. However, the Sage's e-ink display is an inch larger and boasts adjustable color temperature front lighting.

Both the Sage and the Libra 2 come packing a pair of navigation buttons built into a large bezel, which makes using the buttons and holding either of the devices quite comfortable.

The Sage is waterproof and offers all of the reading features that the Libra 2 does. However, the Sage does a party trick that the Libra 2 can’t match: it can be used to create digital, handwritten notes and document annotations. Unfortunately, you’ll need to purchase a Kobo Stylus for that, which adds to the overall cost of ownership for the Sage.

Additionally, I was disappointed to note a considerable amount of input lag while writing notes or drawing on the Sage’s display. This, along with its lack of writing templates and the fact that its note-taking functionality is hidden away in a submenu, makes it difficult to recommend over the Libra 2, or Kobo’s more capable digital notepad, the Elipsa.

Bright, crisp display

Pocket and Overdrive access

Stylus sold separately

noticeable input lag

• Display size: 7 inches
• Storage: 32GB (expandable via MicroSD)

If being locked into just one e-book ecosystem makes you uncomfortable, or, a large amount of your reading time is spent consuming long-form web content, you might want to consider the Onyx Boox Page. It uses a customized Android operating system, which allows any reading app available via the Google Play Store, to be downloaded and enjoyed.

While we appreciate this device’s ability to host any number of reading apps---during testing, we devoured text using Pocket, Libby, Kindle, Kobo, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy apps---Android, as an operating system, isn’t designed to run on E-Ink and other similar technologies. Whole interface elements can disappear as they’re not designed to appear on displays with a slow refresh rate. Text can quickly become unreadable unless the device’s display is manually refreshed each time a page is advanced. Onyx has done considerable work to get past these issues: The Boox Page’s various screen refresh settings help. But the results are far from perfect and distract from an uninterrupted reading experience.

Crisp, well-lit display

Excellent design

Ample Storage with MicroSD slot

Android apps run poorly

Questionable first-party apps

The Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4, smaller and lighter than most of the devices in this guide, was crisp and easy to read under all lighting conditions, thanks to the device's adjustable front lighting. That the lighting's color temperature can be tweaked made reading a book on it all the more pleasant.

Despite its readability, it is aggravating that the GlowLight’s e-ink display is recessed under the device's wide plastic bezel—something we’d expect from a last-generation device or a less expensive one. During testing, dust and small pieces of debris easily became wedged between the bezel and display. This large bezel does serve a purpose, however. You'll find page-turn buttons embedded into both sides of it, making it a reasonable option for left or right-handed readers.

While the GlowLight 4 has a number of redeeming qualities if you own a large library of Barnes & Noble e-books, we don’t recommend this device for most people. For around the same price point, there are a number of other more capable e-readers out there, the Kindle Paperwhite among them.

Unlike the Paperwhite or some of the e-readers Kobo offers, the GlowLight 4 isn't waterproof. Nor does it provide access to the extensive collection of books and periodicals that Amazon and Kobo devices offer. And even if a significant portion of your electronic book library consists of side-loaded files stored on your computer, the GlowLight 4 is still less than ideal, as it only supports two file types: PDFs and EPUB.

How We Test E-Readers

We spent weeks using each e-reader in this roundup in order to get a feel for how they performed.

I’m Séamus Bellamy, senior editor for Reviewed's electronics team. I'm a voracious reader who doesn’t have space in my home for more than a handful of paperbacks. Over the past decade, I’ve relied on e-readers to satisfy my passion for reading.

The best way to test an e-reader is by reading—a lot. I spent several weeks with each device, using them to PDF files, trashy mystery masterpieces published in a number of e-book file types, digital comic books, and image files,in an attempt to get a feel for how each one performed. I also noted the amount of content that could be accessed by each e-reader.

I paid attention to the quality of text displayed on its screen, its refresh rate (how often the device erases the artifacts left on its display from the previous pages you’ve perused), and the effectiveness of its front lighting. I noted how responsive its user interface was.

What to Consider Before Buying an E-Reader

Screen size.

A good e-reader should have a large enough screen for easy readability, but be compact enough to slip into your bag without having to shuffle things around. For that, you’ll want something around 5 to 6.8 inches max, but if you’re looking for a big device to read on from home, a larger screen is a great option.

Waterproof Rating

If you plan on reading poolside or at the beach, you should consider a waterproof e-reader. When shopping for a waterproof e-reader, look for one with an IPX8 water resistance rating, which means it can be submerged in up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) of freshwater for an hour at a time. It should be noted that being waterproof doesn’t mean your e-reader is corrosion-proof, so you should still take care when close to water.

Battery Life

Unlike smartphones, e-readers should typically last at least a couple weeks on a single charge, but ideally more. Nearly all of the e-readers we tested have weeks of battery life.

File Support

Many e-readers support a wide variety of file formats, but the most crucial are ePub for general purpose, .mobi or .AZW3 for Kindle devices, as well as .txt and .pdf for other general files.

Outside of those, any other file formats supported may come in handy, but they also may not depending on what you plan to do with your device.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the tester

Séamus Bellamy

Senior Editor: Mobile Devices & Wearables

Séamus Bellamy is a senior editor on Reviewed's Electronics Team. Before coming to Reviewed, his work was featured in The New York Times, The Globe & Mail, BBC World, Macworld and Maximum PC.

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5 Best E-Readers to Buy in 2023, According to Tech Experts

Whether you're looking to dive into a new library book, or just need a budget-friendly buy for your favorite classics.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Before you dive into our picks for the best e-readers of 2023, remember these tips below when selecting your digital reader.

How to buy an e-reader:

• Screen type: Traditional e-readers use e-ink, but more “tablet” like e-readers use LCD screens. Some styles feature a hybrid that offers both. E-ink models have a more paper-like experience with users reporting less eye strain, and comparably, are usually more lightweight with a longer battery life. E-readers with LCD screens likely have more features besides reading books.
• Portability: Take into account the screen size and weight of the device. Many e-reader models are 6” wide, whereas tablet styles are available in larger sizes.
• Waterproof: Look for IP ratings to ensure the e-reader is waterproof if reading poolside or at the beach – at least IPX7 is preferred. Note that a waterproof rating does not mean they're sand-proof, so always be careful with your e-reader on the beach.
• Book access: Each model of e-reader has different options to access books. Kindle has their own library and doesn’t support ePub, which is what many public libraries use.
• Built-in lighting: Most high-quality e-readers have a built-in light, so it’s easy to read in the dark, perfect for in-bed reading without waking up your partner.
• Resolution: The pixel density can help you determine the screen quality. Opt for 300 dots per inch (ppi) for crisp text and images.

And now, take a look at our top 5 e-book readers based on quality, sizes, and book availability:

Amazon Kindle Oasis

For the ultimate bookworm, the Kindle Oasis is the top of the line for e-readers. The newest model features a color adjusting front light, designed to be easier on the eyes when reading at night . There are also page turning buttons for easy reading and an IPX8 waterproof rating. You can choose an upgraded model with free cellular connectivity to download new books on the go without a WiFi connection.

Kobo Clara HD eReader

This e-reader makes it easy to use ePub for access to your public library's eBook selection. The bright screen will reduce blue light as the day goes on for more comfortable night time reading. It has a simple touch screen display that's easy to use and navigate. We love that it's a more affordable model at $120.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is the best value Kindle on the market as it's super lightweight, waterproof, and has a 300ppi display for easy reading – for less than $130. This model can connect to Bluetooth headphones to listen to audiobooks too. It weighs less than half a pound and is only 0.3" thick, taking up barely any space when traveling.

Kobo Libra H2O

When reclining by the pool or on the beach, you want it to be easy to flip pages. This model from Kobo has page turner buttons on the side . It includes 11 different font types and 40 different sizes for easy reading in bright light. It's also IPX8 rated, so it's waterproof if it accidentally gets wet.

Amazon Kindle Kids Edition

To keep up with your little readers, the Kindle Kids can hold picture books and chapter books as they learn. The parental dashboard lets you control what books your child can download , while watching their progress. Kids can also click on words they don't know and a definition will appear. Plus, all the words they look up will go into a "vocabulary builder" for parents to review with them later on.

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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Your guide to the best e-book readers for 2022

Books are wonderful things, and if you have a mini library at home, we're willing to bet you wouldn't trade all of them for an e-book reader loaded down with your favorites. But while they may lack the tactile nature of a book, an e-book reader is still something every keen reader should consider. Many of the models available come with backlights so you can read in lower light, can make the font bigger to suit your needs, and are small enough to slip into a pocket — and e-book readers are always going to beat physical books when it comes to going on holiday, especially if you're a fast reader.

But which e-book reader should you buy? There's no shortage of great readers out there, and while Amazon's Kindle Oasis may be the biggest name that nearly everyone knows, there are other options available if you're looking to get an e-reader that's not tied to the world's largest shopping site. Here are the best e-book readers for 2022.

We've also found some of the best Kindle deals going on right now if you're looking for a new e-book reader on a budget.

Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)

Best e-book reader.

• Excellent screen that’s perfectly readable outdoors
• Comfortable to hold
• Color-adjustable front light allows for better nighttime reading
• Good performance
• IPX8 water resistance
• No USB Type-C charging port
• User interface could use a visual refresh

Why you should buy this:  You already have a library of Kindle e-books, use your e-book reader for audiobooks, or just love the WhisperSync feature.

Who it's for: The hardcore reader who's heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem.

Why we picked Amazon's Kindle Oasis (2019):

Amazon's latest Kindle Oasis (2019) is a minor revision over the 2017 model. It's still the best Kindle available, though it's also the most expensive. So what makes it such a great device? Featuring a beautiful 7-inch display, a pixel density of 300 pixels per inch, and well-placed navigation buttons, the Kindle Oasis revels in an excellent design.

Amazon claims the Kindle Oasis can last up to six weeks on a single charge, though you'll likely need to plug it in after a week or two of use (depending on your settings). It's still more than good enough for most people, and it's impressive it can go for so long given how thin the device is. There are also built-in ambient light sensors, which adapt to your surroundings so that you don't have to constantly adjust the screen.

All e-books are pretty lightweight, so internal storage isn't generally as important for an e-book reader as it might be for a tablet or smartphone. The Kindle Oasis offers 8GB of storage, which is enough for thousands of books, but there's a 32GB option that may be preferable for those who enjoy listening to audiobooks from Audible via Bluetooth earbuds. It's possible to get library books on your Kindle, too. Overdrive has a simple interface that lets you send e-books to your Kindle over the internet — no plugging-in required. You can also highlight passages from your favorite books and share them on social media, look up the meaning of words, and get context for fictional and nonfictional characters, places, settings, and more through a feature called X-Ray.

As far as new features go, the 2019 Kindle Oasis has a color-adjustable front light. The screen's color tone can shift to warmer hues at night, making it easier on the eyes and protecting you from blue light . There's also IPX8 water resistance, which means it's protected against immersion in up to 6.5 feet of freshwater.

Sadly, it still only accepts select e-book formats — you can read EPUB files, but it requires some manual work . Also, it still has a Micro USB port, rather than the more updated USB-C port you'll find on the newer Kindles. Regardless, the Oasis is our favorite Kindle and the one you should buy if you don't mind shelling out extra money for this e-book reader.

Kobo Libra 2

Best kindle alternative.

• Ergonomic design
• Blue light filter
• Still expensive
• Not tied into Amazon's storefront

Why you should buy this: It's a great e-book reader that's free from the restrictions Kindle owners face and has support for a large range of e-book formats.

Who it's for:  Anyone who wants a waterproof e-book reader that isn't tied to Amazon.

Why we picked the Kobo Libra H2O:

Amazon may dominate the space, but it's definitely not the only game in town. Kobo's e-book readers are excellent and offer a place to read your e-books that isn't ruled exclusively by Amazon, and it has support for more e-book formats. The Kobo Libra 2 isn't at the top of Kobo's offerings, but it is probably the best standalone e-book reader Kobo offers.

We'll start with the design. Kobo has made a few improvements to the design from the previous Kobo Libra H2O , smoothing out the harsher edges and adding a more svelte style. There's a dotted texture on the back for grip, and the device now curves down on the edge with the page buttons, but it's still largely a familiar design for Kobo fans. The aforementioned page buttons can be used to turn pages without swiping the screen (handy for wet fingers) and can be used after rotating the device whichever way you prefer.

Yes, we mentioned "wet fingers" back there for a reason. The Libra 2 is fully waterproof, so you can read in the bath without worrying about water ruining your experience. There's also a blue light filter to stop the 7-inch screen from messing with your sleep instincts at night, and the two-week battery life means it won't need recharging very often either.

Best of all, it's not excessively expensive. With a design that's similar to the Kindle Oasis, and specs that match — and even, where USB-C is concerned, exceed — Amazon's most expensive Kindle, the Kobo Libra 2 still starts at $180 — a full $70 less than the Oasis' RRP. A great deal if you prize flexibility in your e-reader, but don't want to compromise on pure quality.

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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Best cheap kindle.

• Bigger, brighter screen
• Warmer color temperature adjustments
• USB-C charging port
• Screen smudges easily
• No auto-adjusting light

Why you should buy this: The updated Kindle Paperwhite offers unrivaled value for money, thanks to top-tier features at a reasonable price.

Who it's for:  Anyone who wants a fully-featured Kindle at a lower price.

Why we picked the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021):

How could we not? Amazon's Paperwhite is simply one of the best pure e-book readers available, and the best option to pick if you want a solid reader on more of a budget.

While Amazon hasn't tinkered with the Paperwhite's design too much, it has made two big changes to the overall formula — a larger 6.8-inch display, and USB-C charging. Why should you be excited about USB-C? It means faster charging speeds, but the biggest reason to celebrate is that it potentially cuts down on the number of cables you need to have ready at any one time. If your current smartphone or tablet of choice uses USB-C, as many modern devices do, well, there's no need to grab another cable just to charge your Kindle. In practice though, it's still likely a convenience more than a requirement, as the two-week battery life means it won't need to be recharged very often.

The new, larger, e-ink display has the same clear 300 pixels-per-inch (ppi) as its predecessor, so there's no drop in readability. The display changes brightness automatically and comes with a blue light filter for nighttime reading. Since it's an e-ink display, it can also be used perfectly well in strong sunlight as well — though the screen does seem to lack any real smudge resistance, which was annoying. It's also fully waterproof, which is one of the biggest reasons to buy this over the basic Kindle, as waterproofing does offer peace of mind that can't be replaced easily.

Alright, so prices starting at $140 means the Paperwhite isn't the cheapest of the cheap e-book readers. However, we still think it's one of the best value-for-money options out there, where Kindles are concerned. But if price is a real sticking factor, then the basic Kindle is also excellent — or, wait for a sales event, as Kindles are often heavily slashed in price during these events.

However, the Kindle Paperwhite's position in this list looks to be under threat, as there's strong competition from the new basic Kindle . The new $100 Kindle sports a USB-C connection, a boosted 16GB of storage, and a dark mode with adjustable front light. Basically, everything the Paperwhite has, except for the water resistance. Is being able to read in the shower worth the extra $40? You'll have to wait until we've had a chance to review the new Kindle to find out — but it's probably worth holding off for now if you were going to buy the Paperwhite.

Kobo Clara HD

Best cheap kindle alternative.

• Excellent battery life
• ComfortLight Pro removes blue light
• High-res screen offers crisp text and illustrations
• Activity mode provides detailed information on your reading
• Pocket integration makes reading articles offline easy
• Lacks Overdrive integration found on other Kobo models
• Not water resistant

Why you should buy this:  You're looking for an inexpensive e-book reader with a front-lit HD display and plenty of storage.

Who it's for: The reader on a budget who enjoys purchasing media in multiple formats.

Why we chose the Kobo Clara HD:

The Kobo Clara HD features a gorgeous 300 ppi screen and 8GB of storage — just like the Kindle Paperwhite. The battery is large enough that you should get around a month of reading from a single charge. It also offers the same innovatively illuminated ComfortLight Pro as the more expensive models in Kobo's range. This feature uses red and orange LEDs to illuminate the screen without the need for blue light, which can cause trouble sleeping.

Just like the Libra 2, the Kobo Clara HD is compatible with many more formats than Kindle e-book readers, giving you the freedom to purchase your e-books directly from the publisher, as well as dozens of other third-party retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kindle is Amazon's line of e-book readers, and it debuted in 2007. Over the years, Amazon introduced new types of Kindle devices, from the basic Kindle to the Kindle Oasis, which comes with more features, like water resistance and a blue light filter.

Amazon also launched a line of tablets under the Kindle Fire branding — which confused many, as Kindle Fires are not e-book readers, but Android-based tablets. Thankfully, Amazon dropped the "Kindle" part of the name, rebranding the range as the "Fire tablet," as in the Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Plus .

A Nook is an e-book reader from Barnes & Noble, a large U.S. book retailer. Like Amazon, the company also has a line of Nook Tablets that run Android, but the Nook originally launched as an e-book reader with an electronic paper screen.

A Kobo is an e-book reader from Rakuten, a Japanese electronic giant. Unlike Amazon, Rakuten has less skin in the bookstore game, so it’s easier to put e-books from outside of the Kobo store on your device. As such, Kobo devices are seen as more open than Amazon’s Kindle range.

One of the most annoying things about e-books is that there are many file types, and certain e-book readers don’t support certain formats. Here’s a breakdown of which e-book readers support which formats.

HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, EPUB, and BMP files are only supported through conversion. Amazon has a free downloadable software called Kindle Previewer , which you can use to upload and convert these files into a readable format on your Kindle. You'll need to manually plug your Kindle into a computer to transfer them.

Kindle files and Apple iBooks are not supported, but Kobo supports the most file formats natively of any e-book reader.

A tablet is akin to a smartphone but larger. You’ll get a full-color touchscreen with a high refresh rate. You can play games, watch movies and TV shows, and be productive with them. E-book readers are limited to reading because the electronic paper display has a low refresh rate. The screens look like paper, making them ideal for reading books, news, or magazines.

Whether you have a Kindle from Amazon or a Kobo from Rakuten, most e-book readers have a respective store accessible through the device where you can purchase books and more. You can also buy content on a computer and transfer the file to the e-book reader by physically connecting it with a cable.

When's the best time to buy an e-book reader?

This is an interesting question because the kneejerk answer is "when you want one". But the reality is there are some times in the year when it's just better to buy your e-book reader. Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday are two such occasions, and if you're looking for an Amazon Kindle, then this advice applies even more. Amazon regularly discounts its Kindles heavily for both sales, and previous sales have seen the basic Kindle go down to half price and the Paperwhite down to below $100.

So really, while you should buy an e-book reader when you need one, if you can, try waiting for Prime Day in July, or Black Friday in November to get a great discount on your device.

How we test

Here at Digital Trends, we believe we're the most fortunate employees on the planet because we get to test e-book readers. So, essentially, we get to read for fun at work. It's incredible, and we're not complaining. The testing process involves more than just reading, though. When we experiment with e-book readers, we conduct a bunch of different tests. Some of these include testing the screen's brightness in different lighting and examining its durability by putting it in a variety of environments. If it claims to be waterproof, we take the reader for a swim in the bathtub and see if it measures up after a bubble bath. 

We also transfer current e-book files onto the e-book reader, rent some e-books from the library, and buy books from various stores. We understand the e-book files are incredibly hard to convert, so our hearts go out to you and the many other avid readers who'd rather read in a different file format. Believe us, we've done our research, and we feel your pain. 

The most critical piece of our testing process is our home simulation experiment, where we read these e-books in the comfort of our own humble abodes.

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Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient & Medieval History, which obviously makes him a shoo-in to write about technology for a living. He currently contributes to the Mobile section on Digital Trends, with a particular emphasis and expertise on exploring the weirder side of smartphones, from tiny rugged phones to massive gaming phones. You'll most often find him seeking out leaks and rumors on upcoming devices, and playing with a variety of new apps for both Android and iOS.

Freelance tech and travel writer living in (somewhat) sunny Scotland. Gamer, tea addict, never without a good book.

Digital bookworms should turn their attention to Amazon today, as the retail giant has some impressive Kindle deals taking place. Numerous Kindle models are seeing massive discounts, with savings reaching as much as $80. Kindle discounts are fairly uncommon, and to see deals this significant is a total rarity. This is a good opportunity to grab a Kindle if you have an eye on one, as these are some of the best tablet deals you’ll find. Read onward for more details on the best Kindle deals this Amazon sale has to offer right now.

Kindle Paperwhite — $100, was $140

Memorial Day sales have kicked off across the internet, and the electronics sections of some of the largest retailers in the world are ready to clear out some inventory. Out there to be had right now are some great Memorial Day laptop sales and Memorial Day TV sales, and even Memorial Day mattress sales, among discounts on other great tech and electronics as well. We’ve rounded up some of the best Memorial Day sales when it comes to electronics, from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, and with sales prices starting as low as $5. Make this Memorial Day a shopping opportunity as well as a holiday, and read onward for more details on where to find some of the best discounted electronics available right now. Dell -- from $130

With Dell being one of the most popular computer brands, it’s no surprise to find it here amongst the best places to track down some Memorial Day electronics deals. Dell laptop deals lead the charge when it comes to sales taking place at Dell right now, and you can find things like the 15-inch Dell Inspiron 3000 laptop for just $230. That’s a pretty amazing price for any laptop, let alone one from as quality of a name as Dell. If a new laptop is of interest to you because you’re more of a gamer, some great gaming laptop deals are being offered at Dell as well, with the G15 gaming laptop seeing discounts as high as $650. If a desktop computer is more what you’re looking to escape with this Memorial Day sales season, Dell’s XPS desktop computer is being discounted, as well as several accompanying monitor options that start at $130.

We've tested dozens of smartwatches, including many luxury models that specifically target watch enthusiasts. Our rigorous real-world testing gives us unmatched insight into the smartwatch market. The best Android smartwatch today is either the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic or the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3. Both represent the best their respective operating systems have to offer, with slick performance, attractive hardware, and clever control systems.

If you want a smartwatch for your Android phone, the number of choices can be overwhelming. Our list does not only include smartwatches that use Google's Wear OS software but Samsung's Tizen software and other operating systems too. Almost all smartwatches will work with your Android phone, except for the Apple Watch. If you own an iPhone, take a look at our list of best smartwatches to see why the Apple Watch is our overall recommendation.

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Best Kindle 2024: Our pick of the best Amazon e-readers tested and reviewed

If you’re in the market for an e-reader, Amazon’s Kindle range is likely your top choice. Our team of reviewers has consistently been impressed with each new generation of Kindle since we first reviewed the original many years ago

However, with Amazon now offering a variety of different Kindle models, choosing the right one for your budget and needs can be a bit more challenging. In the past, you could simply buy the latest Kindle, but now there are multiple variations, each with different features.

All the Kindle models reviewed below have the same basic features. They all use Amazon’s excellent Kindle Book store, run on some well-designed software and all have a screen that has a number of LEDs around the edge to allow for night reading. This wasn’t always the case with Kindles, but you don’t need to worry about buying a new Kindle without a light now. The differences are noticeable though and range from the size of the screen, how resistant each model is to water and extras like stylus support, USB-C charging and wireless charging.

Unlike iPads and other tablets, Kindle readers generally have a very long shelf life and models are often sold for around three years without getting updated. We wouldn’t expect the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite to be updated until 2024 or 2025, although we could finally see a new Kindle Oasis this year.

To help you find the right Kindle for your budget and specific needs, we have created this guide that details the best options that we have reviewed and are still available for purchase. 

Each Kindle included in the list below has been thoroughly reviewed and used by one of Trusted Reviews’ product experts for at least a week, although often a lot more. During that time, we check all the most important aspects of an e-reader, including ease of use, portability, build quality, battery life, and display clarity and brightness, to ensure our advice is as accurate as possible.

But before you scroll down, keep in mind the Kindle app is available on most tablets and offers access to the same library of content. So if you only sporadically read books and don’t need a Kindle’s lengthy battery life it may be worth checking out our best tablet list as well.

Best Kindle: At a glance

• Best for most people – Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) – check price
• Best premium option – Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition – check price
• Best for travellers – Kindle Oasis – check price
• Best for kids – Amazon Kindle Kids Edition (2022) – check price
• Best affordable option – Amazon Kindle (2022) -check price
• Best for writing – Amazon Kindle Scribe – check price

How we test

We use any Kindle we review as our main e-reader for at least a week when reviewing it. During this time we will check its battery life with regular use and how much it discharges on average after an hour with the screen on. On top of this we will check battery recharge times, max brightness levels and how easy it is to read in a variety of different conditions, including outdoor sunlight. We check performance, ease of use and build quality to ensure it is pleasant to use and rugged enough to survive use on the go, or with small children.

• Excellent screen
• Durable design
• Not much support for content that isn’t from Amazon
• Physical buttons for flipping pages would be welcome

• Great screen
• Wireless charging is a handy extra
• Switch to USB-C
• The cheaper model is the better buy for most people

• Big and sharp display
• Page-turning buttons are great
• New “warmth” display setting is nice on the eyes
• With the Paperwhite being so good, the oasis is a hard sell
• Lack of USB-C is annoying
• Minimal updates from the previous model

• Excellent value
• Two-year guarantee including accidental damage
• Easy-to-read front-lit screen
• Only available in blue and pink
• Lots of big books aren’t free

• Compact size sets it apart from the larger Paperwhite and Oasis
• Very sharp display makes reading a pleasure
• The switch to USB-C is welcome
• Access to Amazon Prime’s ebook and audiobook ecosystem
• Slight price increase
• Misses out on a waterproof body
• Feels a bit cheap

• Great to write on
• Pen included
• Sharp display
• The software is lacking
• No handwriting recognition
• Sharing notes is tricky and limited

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

The best option for most people.

With a durable design, easy to read display and an impressively long battery life, the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) is Amazon’s current flagship e-reader and a fantastic option for most avid readers.

A hefty upgrade from its predecessor, the Paperwhite now features a larger screen, a 20% faster user interface and a much welcome USB-C port. Now 6.8-inches and paired with slimmer bezels, this larger screen offers a more comfortable reading experience and looks better to the eye too. 

What does remain the same as its predecessor is the monochrome E-Ink screen, which isn’t surprising as it’s much kinder on your eyes and feels closer to reading actual paper than a typical LCD or OLED screen. With that said, its lack of colour means the Kindle isn’t ideal for comics or cookery books. 

Constructed from smooth, matte plastic, the Paperwhite is lightweight and easy to hold in one hand, making it comfortable for extended reading sessions. Despite its portability, it still feels durable, and thanks to the IPX8 water-resistant rating it should survive an accidental drop in the bath or pool too. 

Like all of its hardware, you really do need to be part of the Amazon ecosystem to make the most of the Paperwhite. If you don’t plan on ever using the Amazon Kindle Store or Audible’s audiobook service, or you prefer to borrow books from local library apps then you’d be much better off with an e-reader from a brand like Kobo. 

Amazon states that the Paperwhite can last for up to a whopping 10 weeks, with 30-minutes of reading each day but with the wireless features disabled. We found that after a week’s use with over an hour of reading each day, the battery only dropped 25%. 

If you’re happy to utilise the Amazon ecosystem then you really couldn’t do much better than the Kindle Paperwhite (2021).

Reviewer: Max Parker Full review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

The best premium option.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature is, at its core, a slightly more beefed up Paperwhite. While the extra features are nice, they won’t be for everyone and that’s the reason this isn’t our number one pick.

All the features of the regular Paperwhite are present here, plus the additions of wireless Qi charging , more onboard storage and a light that automatically changes depending on your surroundings.

Wireless charging is a neat addition, and as it uses the same Qi standard as many of the best phones around, you won’t need to invest in another charger if you’ve already got one. Qi charger is a bit slow here but it’s handy for small top ups.

The additional onboard is another feature we like – although it’s far from vital. The regular Paperwhite has 8GB, while this version has 32GB. eBooks are generally very small in size, so 8GB is plenty of space for hundreds of reads, however 32GB is much better is plan on downloading long audiobooks from Audible. There are no speakers here though, so both the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition need to be connected to Bluetooth earphones to make use of the audio features.

The automatic brightness is the least interesting addition, as it doesn’t really work that well. We tend to prefer just altering it manually. If those three features appeal, you should choose the Signature Edition.

Reviewer: Max Parker

Full review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review

Amazon Kindle (2022)

The best affordable option.

The cheapest Kindle is, as you can probably guess, is the most basic option in this list. If you want a device purely for reading and aren’t fussed about design flourishes then this a great choice for the price.

Compared to the Paperwhite above and the Oasis below, the Kindle is missing a few features. There’s no waterproofing, meaning this isn’t a great choice for poolside or beach reading nor does it have the warm light you’ll find elsewhere.

What it does have is a light behind the display, a feature that used to be kept for the pricier Kindle models. The amount of LEDs is only 4 (as opposed to 17 on the Paperwhite and 25 on the Oasis) so the light isn’t as bright, but it still works well enough in regular daylight based on our tests.

A big upgrade this time around is the sharper, 300PPI display which actually matches the pricier models for resolution. It looks great, and is a pleasure to read on. There’s a USB-C port for charging too – you won’t even find that on the Oasis.

For many people the Kindle is a great choice. It has access to the same books as the other models and the smaller form-factor might be a benefit to some.

Reviewer: Max Parker Full review: Amazon Kindle (2022) review

Kindle Oasis

The best for travellers.

The Kindle Oasis is a good e-reader, however it is starting to age slightly and could do with a healthy refresh, hence its place this far down on the list. Still, it remains the best looking Kindle model thanks to a metal body and is the only one to have physical buttons for flipping through pages.

It’s also the only model to offer 4G connectivity for downloading books away from Wi-Fi and it has the brightest, most accurate display light. The 4G connectivity is particularly important as, with a sim installed, it makes it the only option there that can download content without relying on a WiFi connection.

However, its use of the older micro USB port along with the high price make it hard to recommend to anyone other than those who really want wider connectivity options and a premium build. For most the high price that make this feel like an e-reader for a very specific users.

Reviewer: Max Parker Full review: Amazon Kindle Oasis review

Kindle Kids (2022)

The best for kids.

• Excellent, sharp display
• Two-year guarantree
• Free access to Kids+
• It’s literally an Amazon Kindle (2022) with a jacket
• Kindle Kids+ not a comprehensive library
• Not waterproof

While all Kindle devices can be locked down with parental controls, the Amazon Kindle Kids Edition is well worth it. Undr

It comes with Amazon’s excellent two-year worry-free guarantee (a staple of all Amazon’s Kids edition products): if the device is broken, accidentally or otherwise, Amazon will simply replace it.

Secondly, it comes with a year’s subscription of Kids+, which gives you thousands of books thrown in for free, ranging from comic books, educational titles and bigger books. That said, there are still plenty of big children’s authors whose books aren’t included, so expect to splash out on some titles to keep your kids amused.

Parental controls are built-in as standard, controllable through the web interface. For each child in your house, you can set up a profile, locking down content to titles that are suitable for their age only. Crucially, the controls also prevent children from buying books through your account. Parental controls work brilliantly and, combined with Kids+, it means you can leave children to explore and find a range of books, without the worry that they’ll download something inappropriate.

Otherwise, this is a standard Kindle 2022 you’ll find higher up in this list. It’s got a 6-inch screen and a light making reading at night or in the car easy. We found the screen to be sharp and detailed and a big improvement over the previous model. There’s a healthy 16GB storage and USB-C for charging, although no waterproofing.

Reviewer: Jon Mundy Full review: Amazon Kindle Kids Edition (2022) review

Amazon Kindle Scribe

The best for writing.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is very different to the other readers on this list. For one, the 10.2-inch screen makes this the largest option and a good choice for those who find the smaller screens above tough to read.

It’s also the priciest model on this list and hard to recommend to anyone on a budget. But, most importantly, it’s the only Kindle you can write on. The Scribe comes with a pen and a few software tweaks to turn it from a pure e-reader to a smart, modern notebook.

The writing experience is great – the low latency ensures your scribbles are mirrored quickly on screen and the slightly textured display gives a good feeling of paper. There’s even a Premium pen option that includes an eraser and a shortcut button.

The Scribe is let down by its raft of missing features though. Notes can quickly become jumbled up in the messy software, sharing with other devices is tricky and the hardware is missing some basics like an IP rating, physical page turning buttons and a cellular option.

Reviewer: Max Parker Full review: Amazon Kindle Scribe review

We also considered…

A large tablet for kids with excellent parental controls

A good fit for a general-use family tablet

We’ve reviewed

There currently isn’t any version of a Kindle with 5G. Outside of the Oasis, which has LTE connectivity, to download books and magazines you need an active WiFi connection. The content is stored locally, however, so you can read it offline

Kindle’s all use black and white e-ink screens. Amazon doesn’t currently sell a colour screen Kindle.

Numerous companies have and do make e-readers including Kobo, Sony, Huawei and many more. We generally recommend Kindles over rivals due to the wealth of content available on the store.

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Comparison specs.

You can see a detailed breakdown of the all the devices mentioned in this guide’s specs in the table below.

Max is the Editor of Trusted Reviews, and has been a mobile phone and technology specialist for over nine years. Max started his career at T3 straight after graduating from Kingston University. Max ha…

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New Boox Go Color 7 Released with Page Buttons and Color E Ink Screen

June 6, 2024 by Nathan 1 Comment

As expected, Onyx has announced the release of a new Kindle Oasis clone with a 7-inch color E Ink screen, but the name is rather unexpected. The new device is called the Boox Go Color 7 , and it’s part of Onyx’s new Go Series , but it looks a lot like the Boox Page model from last year.

The Go Color 7 is available in both white and black colors, and it has the same 7-inch Kaleido 3 screen as all the other similar color models that have been coming out this year, like the Kobo Libra Colour and the PocketBook Era Color .

The new Boox Go Color 7 has some advantages over those devices, though, like the fact that it runs Android 12 and has Google Play built-in to install apps. The Go Color also has a ridiculous amount of storage space (64GB) and more RAM (4GB), and it has a microSD card slot, along with a built-in speaker and a microphone.

It has a recessed screen like the Libra Colour, but unlike the Kobo, it doesn’t support stylus input.

One interesting detail, Onyx is advertising it as “water-repellent”, but the fine print says that it is not waterproof, and that the water-repellent effect may decrease over time. Onyx is one company that just isn’t into the waterproofing thing; this is as close as they’ve gotten.

Introducing BOOX Go Color 7

BOOX Go Color 7 Unboxing

The Boox Go Color 7 is priced at $249 and it’s available to order now from Onyx’s Boox Shop . It’ll be interesting to see if Onyx sells it from their Amazon store as well. They don’t usually sell their smaller ereaders on Amazon, but they are selling the Palma there now. If not, it might show up at Onyx’s other retailers like B&H and Best Buy at some point.

Boox Go Color 7 Specs

• 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display.
• Resolution: 1680 x 1264 (BW 300 ppi, Color 150 ppi).
• Capacitive touchscreen.
• Frontlight with warm and cool temperature control.
• OS: Android 12 with Google Play.
• CPU: 2.4GHz octa-core.
• 64GB storage space.
• MicroSD card slot.
• WiFi (2.4GHz + 5GHz).
• Bluetooth 5.0.
• USB-C port with OTG support.
• Battery: 2,300mAh Li-ion Polymer.
• Rotation sensor.
• Speakers and mic.
• Supported document formats: PDF, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX.
• Dimensions: 156 x 137 x 6.4 mm.
• Weight: 195 grams.
• Price: $249 USD.

Reader Interactions

June 6, 2024 at 10:23 am

I messaged a bit with an Onyx rep on reddit after the announcement for additional details on the Boox Go Color 7:

For clarification, the black model has a flush screen while the white is recessed. It was also mentioned that only the black model is available to order for now – the white one will be available at a later date.

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TCL 40 NXTPAPER Wants Your Phone to Be an E-reader

One area where you don’t tend to see a whole lot of differentiation is in displays. Budget smartphones have started to ship with faster refresh rate screens, but beyond that you’re almost always staring at a basic LCD display with bezels and the manufacturer’s choice of either a teardrop or holepunch to house the front-facing selfie camera.

Powered down, you might think that the TCL 40 NXTPAPER was playing from that classic budget phone playbook. It features a 6.78 inch LCD 90Hz screen with a holepunch dead centre at the top. So far, so normal.

A combination power button/fingerprint sensor sits on the right-hand side beneath the volume rocker, while the left-hand side houses a dual Nano-SIM plus microSD card slot. At the base there’s a USB-C for charging and data as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. Powered down, about the only eye-catching feature of the TCL 40 NXTPAPER is the sparkly “Midnight Blue” back casing, predictably in plastic at this price. 

Power the TCL 40 NXTPAPER up, however, and it reveals its core selling point, and the reason why it bears TCL’s NXTPAPER suffix. 

While the TCL 40 NXTPAPER has an LCD display, it’s been engineered and software modified to allow for a visual mode that’s meant to replicate the look of an e-Ink reader in either colour or straight monochrome ink modes. The idea here is that it reduces blue light glare and offers a visual experience that’s less fatiguing to your eyes over time. 

It’s important to note that while it mimics the look of an e-Ink display as you might find on an Amazon Kindle , it’s not e-Ink, just a screen that looks like it could be.

You switch between the regular colour display and NXTPaper modes via a toggle in the notification blind, with an animation that’s eye-catching the first time you see it and quite tiresome the fiftieth time you encounter it. 

While it’s a minor grumble, I do wish TCL had incorporated a direct button on the side of the phone for toggling, as it’s otherwise a multi-tap process anyway. Maybe a feature for the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s successor?

The regular colour display of the TCL 40 NXTPAPER has a matte finish, which does mark it out against most other phones that go out of their way to push genuinely OTT colour washes, but again that’s in service to the idea that this is a phone that might be kinder to your eye health than other devices.

Does it work? I’m going to say… maybe.

The issue with assessing a product like the TCL 40 NXTPAPER is that a lot of my observations on it having tested it out over the last week have to be mostly subjective. 

I don’t have a control clone of myself (though damn, that would be SO HANDY) to give me a proper evidence-based assessment of whether my time with the TCL 40 NXTPAPER has been kinder to my vision than competing smartphones, after all. A lot of blue light products are clearly snake oil , although it’s pretty clear that staring at phones for as long as (let’s be honest here) we all do isn’t great for us .

Using the TCL 40 NXTPAPER as an e-reader is a genuinely good experience, and I did feel as though I was able to read more and for longer than I might have on a regular screen without feeling a lot of eye strain. At the same time, I was keenly aware of the fact I was thinking about this a lot more than I might have with a regular screen. I didn’t have a mathematical way to quantify that level of improvement, or remove perceptual bias based on the fact this is the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s key selling point.

It is nice that you can opt for either a colour e-ink style if you’re reading a lot of web pages with photos or colour illustrations if needed, or a straight-up black and white look for more classic book reading. It works fairly well for the web, but it’s much less impressive – as you might expect – for most video sources unless you’re going for that classic noir look.

The NXTPAPER technology is the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s big selling point, but as I mentioned at the start, a lot of budget phones have compromises to meet their price points. The TCL 40 NXTPAPER is no different, because elsewhere, it’s a much less compelling phone.

Camera is just OK, even at this price

The camera recipe for the TCL 40 NXTPAPER is quite familiar one for the budget space right now, packing in a 50MP wide, 5MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lens at the rear, as well as a 32MP front-facing selfie camera. 

Smartphone photography is more than the sum of its megapixel counts, however, and while the TCL 40 NXTPAPER isn’t a terrible camera phone for the money, there’s not much here that’s all that compelling.

If you never really take your photos off your phone, they’re actually going to look just a tad more flat on the TCL 40 NXTPAPER. This is thanks to that matte display, but even examining them on a brighter and sharper screen quickly shows where its limitations lie. 

Images are generally on the dull side, detail in dark areas is lost and like every other phone with a 2MP macro lens, you’ll struggle to get particularly pleasing close-up shots with the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s macro camera.

The 32MP front-facing selfie camera does a fair job of capturing detail, even in trickier lighting situations, though TCL’s AI-assisted portrait mode did still leave me feeling as though I’d been green-screened into my own photo here:

All of this is just average, not necessarily bad; there are precious few smartphone cameras in the $349 price space that have genuinely good cameras. But if photography is your passion, you really don’t have to jump too much further up the pricing scales to get something a bit more compelling.

Where the TCL 40 NXTPAPER really has its compromises is in the more general Android performance arena.

Low performance, even at this price

Expecting flagship performance out of a $349 phone would be a fool’s errand, but the reality here is that TCL does have a lot of competition at the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s price point and also it turns out based on its performance, in substantially cheaper phones.

The TCL 40 NXTPAPER runs on a MediaTek Helio G88 processor with a Mali 52 GPU, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Helio G88 is by no stretch a particularly new processor, and it really did show in benchmark terms with the TCL 40 NXTPAPER. 

Its Geekbench 6 CPU scores (430 single core/1407 Multi-core) were only a shade above that of the much cheaper Samsung Galaxy A05s but also considerably below phones like the Motorola Moto G84 … which is also a cheaper phone. It’s the same story on the graphics front, where the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s Wild Life Extreme score of 174 sits well below that of similarly priced competitors.

The TCL 40 NXTPAPER isn’t supremely slow, to be clear, but it’s equally not fast even by the standards you might expect at this price. Including 256GB of storage on the phone is nice, and I’m always a fan of phones that do offer microSD card storage. 

I’m much less of a fan of phones that have a lot of bloatware pre-installed, and TCL’s gone all out on that score, with Amazon, Booking.Com, Facebook, LinkedIn, OfficeSuite, Jnotes, Super Chinese and folders of links to install a range of “Hot Apps” – hot in the sense that money was placed into TCL’s hot little hands to include them – all part of the standard install.

I know I’m screaming into the void just writing this, but I truly wish phone makers wouldn’t go down the bloatware route. It’s kind of saddening to think that the primary manufacturer who doesn’t clobber you with lots of extra apps is Google, they know they’re going to clobber you with ads and data harvesting instead…

The TCL 40 NXTPAPER is an Android 13 phone with TCL’s own TCL UI 5 on top of it. That’s a needed step in this case to enable features like the NXTPAPER mode in the notification blind, but it does mean you’re absolutely at TCL’s mercy when it comes to Android updates… and they don’t appear to be coming along all that fast.  

Android 13 is already behind the pace, and while some reports suggest it should get an Android 14 update, that hasn’t happened as yet. To further complicate that picture, at the time of writing, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s security updates were only running up to the November 2023 level, which really isn’t good. There’s been a long trend for budget phone makers to offer slower and fewer updates to their phones, but the TCL 40 NXTPAPER is notably poor in this respect. 

The TCL 40 NXTPAPER is a 4G-only phone that’s performed perfectly adequately on Telstra’s Sydney network during my testing time. From the looks of it, TCL does have a 5G variant of the TCL 40 NXTPAPER in some international markets, but that’s not what we’re getting here in Australia. Again, if that matters to you, there’s a number of 5G-ready handsets that can be yours for this kind of money.

Can an e-ink screen run longer than a colour one? Let’s find out

On the battery front, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER packs in a 5010mAh battery, which is technically 10mAh above the average of 5,000mAh you can expect out of just about every Android phone right now, not that you’re going to get a lot out of that additional 10mAh in real-world use.

I ran the TCL 40 NXTPAPER through the Official Gizmodo Australia Battery   Test , pitting it against the entirety of  Avengers Endgame in both regular colour modes and ink paper modes to see if the use of a monochrome display might make a little more out of its battery. 

The results were honestly mixed; at the one hour mark the TCL 40 NXTPAPER in colour mode had 93% battery compared to 92% for the ink paper mode. At the two hour mark positions reversed, with the ink paper mode retaining 83% of its battery compared to 79% on the colour display, before finishing out with 66% of the battery power remaining in colour or 68% in Ink Paper mode.

Essentially Ink Paper mode might be slightly more power efficient than having a full colour display, but not by that much, and the actual endgame here was that the TCL 40 NXTPAPER is a very mid-range battery performer. 

Although I will say that watching Avengers Endgame in monochrome is a very weird experience; the dramatic moments have maybe a little more punch, but it’s awful for action sequences where details quickly disappear into the murk.

Having that much Tony Stark to watch also made me painfully aware of one of the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s shortcomings if you’re a fan of using your smartphone as an ad-hoc speaker. The TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s speakers are really soft even at maximum volume. That’s maybe good for not getting punched in the face for blasting your music into a quiet train carriage (seriously, don’t do that), but it’s also not terribly satisfying if you did want decent audio output when you’re making a phone or video call in speaker mode.

Should you buy the TCL 40 NXTPAPER?

If it was just another basic LCD-screen smartphone, especially for $349, I’d say hell no. The lack of Android updates, the mediocre app performance and the weak base speaker are all downsides to the TCL 40 NXTPAPER experience.

However, there is, I think, a phone user out there for whom the TCL 40 NXTPAPER might be a very good buy. That’s if you spend a lot of your time glued to your phone reading, whether it’s web pages, documents, eBooks, comics or other essentially static media where the glare of a regular screen may leave your eyes dried and crusty.

You probably should stop before the crusts form on your eyelids and the spiders move in, of course, but let’s be real here. 

You’re not going to do so until you have to, and the TCL 40 NXTPAPER may allow you to sneak in just a few extra pages before bedtime.

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