Share with your friends!

The latest reviews highlight the best e-readers available, catering to various preferences and budgets.

The Best Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Score: 8

Pros: The best-looking screen on any e-reader, slightly larger screen without a noticeably larger device, faster page turns, loading, and a more responsive UI, a splash of color (without a color screen).
Cons: Upgrades aren’t as significant as the last Paperwhite, lacks stylus support and page turn buttons, Signature Edition wireless charging is frustrating without magnets, Signature Edition back panel feels less grippy.

Where to Buy: $159.99 at Amazon (ad-supported), $159.99 at Best Buy (ad-supported), $159.99 at Target (ad-supported)

Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.3 inches / Weight: 211 grams / Screen area and resolution: 7-inch screen, 300ppi resolution / Storage: 16GB / Other features: IPX8 waterproofing, Bluetooth audio support.

If you primarily purchase ebooks from Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best choice for most users. Priced at $159.99, it offers a competitive alternative to the Kobo Libra Colour, which I will discuss later. The Paperwhite features a spacious 7-inch 300ppi display, providing rich contrast levels and an adjustable warm white frontlight. This combination enhances the reading experience and helps reduce blue light exposure, which can interfere with sleep.

The warm white frontlighting is a significant advantage over the cool white of the base-model Kindle, which retails for $109.99. Additionally, the Paperwhite boasts IPX8 water resistance, making it suitable for reading by the pool or in the bath. The $199.99 Signature Edition Paperwhite adds features like an auto-adjusting frontlight and no lockscreen ads, along with wireless charging—a rare feature in e-readers.

Amazon’s dominance in the US ebook market provides Kindle owners with unique advantages. The company frequently offers discounts on ebooks, especially for Prime members, who also gain access to additional free content through Prime Reading. While rivals like Kobo offer sales, they often cannot match the steep discounts Amazon provides.

However, the Kindle Paperwhite does have some drawbacks. It comes with lockscreen ads unless you pay an additional $20 to remove them. Its size can also make it uncomfortable to hold with one hand for extended periods. A more significant limitation is that the Kindle ecosystem is somewhat closed; it does not support EPUB files, a common format used by other ebook retailers. Therefore, if you frequently purchase books from other platforms like Kobo or Google Play Books, you may find it challenging to read those titles on a Kindle without converting file formats, which can be cumbersome.

Nonetheless, if you primarily shop on Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite is an excellent choice.

The Best Non-Amazon Ebook Reader

Kobo Libra Colour (32GB, ad-free)

Pros: Nice color screen with sharp, 300ppi black-and-white resolution, physical page-turning buttons, built-in stylus support, compatible with Overdrive.
Cons: Getting books from other stores onto the device can be tough, more expensive than the Kindle Paperwhite, lacks the vibrancy of other color e-readers, no wireless charging.

Where to Buy: $229.99 at Amazon, $229.99 at Rakuten Kobo, $229.99 at Target

Dimensions: 5.69 x 6.34 x 0.33 inches / Weight: 199.5 grams / Screen area and resolution: 7-inch screen, 300ppi (black-and-white), 150ppi (color) / Storage: 32GB / Other features: Physical page-turning buttons, waterproofing, Kobo Stylus 2 support, Bluetooth audio support.

The Kobo Libra Colour serves as an excellent alternative to Amazon’s Kindle lineup, particularly for readers outside the US or those who prefer not to engage with Amazon’s ecosystem. This device features many standout characteristics similar to the Kindle Paperwhite, including waterproofing, USB-C support, and a 300ppi display. However, it also introduces some unique features that enhance the reading experience.

The most notable feature is its color display, which employs E Ink’s Kaledio color screen technology. This technology provides soft, pastel-like hues that remain visible even in direct sunlight. Although the resolution drops to 150ppi for color content, it adds a pleasing dimension to book covers and comics. While the colors are not as vibrant as those on traditional LED tablets, they still enhance the overall reading experience.

Another advantage of the Kobo Libra Colour is its compatibility with the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing users to highlight text in various colors and take notes within the device. This functionality is particularly useful for students or professionals who wish to annotate their readings. The device also supports advanced capabilities found in the Kobo Elipsa 2E, such as solving math equations and converting handwriting into typed text. While the seven-inch display may feel cramped for extensive note-taking, it serves well for quick annotations.

Unlike the Kindle Paperwhite, the Libra Colour does not feature lockscreen ads, which adds to its appeal. The physical page-turning buttons provide a more intuitive reading experience compared to the touchscreen controls on Amazon’s devices. Additionally, the Kobo supports a wider range of file formats, including EPUB files, making it easier to borrow books from library systems like Overdrive.

However, at $229.99, the Libra Colour is $70 more than the entry-level Paperwhite, and the stylus is sold separately for $69.99. This price gap can widen further during sales, which are more frequent for the Paperwhite. Furthermore, Kobo’s ecosystem does not easily integrate with Amazon’s vast library of ebooks, which can be frustrating for users with existing Kindle collections. While conversion is possible, it requires additional steps that may deter some users.

Despite these drawbacks, the Kobo Libra Colour offers an exceptional digital reading experience and is a top choice for those seeking a non-Amazon alternative.

The Best Cheap Ebook Reader

Kindle (2024)

Pros: Excellent, high-resolution display, easy to hold with one hand, faster than its predecessor with improved battery life, fun color options.
Cons: Lacks waterproofing, no adjustable color temperature, slightly more expensive than its predecessor.

Where to Buy: $109.99 at Amazon (with ads), $109.99 at Best Buy (with ads), $129.99 at Amazon (without ads)

Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches / Weight: 158 grams / Screen area and resolution: 6-inch screen, 300ppi resolution / Storage: 16GB / Other features: USB-C support, Bluetooth audio support.

The base-model Kindle, priced at $109.99, stands out as the best budget-friendly ebook reader. Its 300ppi resolution ensures that text appears clear and easy to read, surpassing the lower-resolution screens found in other devices within the same price range. The inclusion of USB-C allows for relatively fast charging, enhancing the overall user experience.

While the six-inch screen may feel a bit cramped compared to larger models, its compact size makes it lightweight and easy to handle, especially for children. The Kindle Kids Edition, available for $20 more, shares the same specifications but is ad-free and includes parental controls, a two-year extended replacement guarantee, and a protective case. It also provides six months of Amazon Kids Plus, granting access to thousands of children’s books and audiobooks for free.

However, the base Kindle lacks features such as waterproofing, which is available in the entry-level Kobo Clara BW and Paperwhite. It also does not include physical page-turning buttons, which can be found on other entry-level e-readers like the Nook GlowLight 4e. Additionally, as an Amazon device, users are somewhat locked into the Amazon ecosystem and must pay extra to remove ads.

Despite these limitations, the Kindle delivers essential features for under $110, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious readers.

The Best Ebook Reader for Taking Notes

Kobo Elipsa 2E

Pros: Intuitive note-taking features, great e-reader, adjustable warm light, useful note-taking capabilities, including handwriting-to-text conversion.
Cons: Lacks native support for Kindle books, 227ppi display isn’t as sharp as the competition, no note-summarization features.

Where to Buy: $399.99 at Walmart, $399.99 at Target, $399.99 at Rakuten Kobo

Dimensions: 7.6 x 8.94 x 0.30 inches / Weight: 390 grams / Screen area and resolution: 10.3 inches, 227ppi resolution / Storage: 32GB / Other features: Handwriting to text conversion, magnetic stylus, Bluetooth audio support.

The Kobo Elipsa 2E distinguishes itself as an excellent e-reader with solid note-taking capabilities. Users can write directly on pages, mimicking the experience of using a physical book. In contrast to the Kindle Scribe, which complicates note-taking with resizable text boxes, the Elipsa 2E offers a more intuitive and natural experience.

This device includes various note-taking tools, such as the ability to solve math equations, insert diagrams, and convert handwriting into typed text. Users can also sync their notes with Dropbox or view them online. While the Kindle Scribe offers similar capabilities, the Elipsa 2E executes these features more efficiently within the original notebook document.

Although the Elipsa 2E’s 227ppi display is slightly less sharp than the 300ppi screens found on other models, the 10.3-inch size makes text easier to read. Additionally, the adjustable warm light feature enhances nighttime reading comfort, a quality that many competing devices lack.

However, the Elipsa 2E does not support Kindle books natively, which may be a drawback for users heavily invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. Despite this limitation, the overall note-taking experience and e-reading capabilities make the Kobo Elipsa 2E a strong contender for those who prioritize these features.

Other Ebook Readers We Tested

Several other ebook readers have been tested that did not make the main list but are still noteworthy:

Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is the first Kindle to feature E Ink’s color screen technology. It offers improved contrast, vibrant colors, and faster screen refreshes. Priced at $279.99, it is the most expensive Kindle model currently available without stylus support for note-taking. If you want a color screen while remaining within Amazon’s ecosystem, this model is your best option.

Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon has introduced a more affordable alternative to the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition called the Kindle Colorsoft, priced at $249.99. It delivers a nearly identical reading experience but lacks some features to achieve a lower price point. Notably, it does not include wireless charging and has halved storage at 16GB, which may not suffice for users who prefer graphic novels. The absence of an auto-adjusting front light is a significant drawback, especially for nighttime readers.

Kobo Clara Colour

The Kobo Clara Colour, priced at $159.99, is a more affordable non-Amazon alternative to the Kobo Libra Colour. It features a six-inch display and IPX8 waterproof design, along with color capabilities. While it lacks physical buttons and stylus support, it offers a faster user experience than its predecessor, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious readers.

Nook Glowlight 4 Plus

Barnes and Noble’s Nook Glowlight 4 Plus, released in 2023, is a viable Kindle alternative for users with a collection of digital books from Barnes and Noble. Priced at $199.99, it features a 300ppi screen, waterproofing, and physical page-turning buttons. However, its slower performance and occasional screen freezes may detract from the overall user experience.

Boox Palma 2

The Boox Palma 2 is a smartphone-sized E Ink device that offers more capabilities than a standard e-reader. Priced at $275.98, it runs Android 13, allowing users to install productivity apps. While it lacks cellular connectivity, its compact size makes it a convenient alternative for readers seeking portability.

Boox Go 10.3

The Onyx Boox Go 10.3, priced at $409.99, is another ad-free ebook reader that offers a range of features. However, its higher price point may not appeal to budget-conscious consumers.

In summary, the current e-reader market