The best e-reader to buy right now

Any ebook reader will let you cram a Beauty and the Beast-sized library’s worth of books in your pocket, but so will your phone. An ebook reader offers a more book-like reading experience, with fewer distractions and less eye strain, and many include extra features, like adjustable frontlighting. Some really are pocketable. Others are waterproof or offer physical page-turning buttons, while a few even let you take notes. I’ve been using ebook readers for more than a decade, and I’ve gone hands-on with dozens, from the Kindle Paperwhite to lesser-known rivals like the PocketBook Era. Whether you want something your kid can throw against the wall or a waterproof, warm-glow Kindle that won’t ruin your spa ambiance, these are the best ebook readers for everyone.

Key takeaways

• The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) is the top choice for most Amazon users, offering a great screen, waterproofing, and adjustable warm light at $159.99.
• For those outside the Amazon ecosystem or seeking color, the Kobo Libra Colour (32GB) provides a vibrant experience, physical buttons, and stylus support for $229.99.
• The base-model Kindle (2024) is the best budget-friendly option, delivering a high-resolution display in a pocketable design for $109.99.
• The Kobo Elipsa 2E stands out for its intuitive note-taking capabilities on a large screen, making it ideal for students and professionals.
• A growing segment of e-readers now feature color E Ink displays, enhancing the experience for graphic novels and visual content, though vibrancy varies.

What happened

The e-reader market has seen continuous innovation, with manufacturers like Amazon, Kobo, and Boox introducing new models that push the boundaries of display technology, features, and form factors. Recent releases highlight a shift towards color E Ink, improved note-taking functionalities, and more versatile devices that balance dedicated reading with additional capabilities like stylus support and app access. This evolving landscape offers consumers a wider range of choices tailored to specific needs, from basic reading to advanced digital journaling.

Why it matters

While smartphones offer convenience, dedicated e-readers provide a superior, distraction-free reading experience that significantly reduces eye strain thanks to E Ink technology. The ability to carry a vast library, combined with features like adjustable lighting, waterproofing, and now color screens, makes e-readers indispensable for avid readers. Choosing the right device is crucial as it dictates access to content ecosystems, support for open formats, and specialized functionalities, directly impacting the overall reading and productivity experience.

Key details / context

Our extensive testing reveals several standout e-readers catering to different preferences and budgets.

The best Kindle for most: Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

The 12th-gen Kindle Paperwhite (2024) is the best option for most users, particularly those integrated into Amazon’s content ecosystem. At $159.99 (with ads), it offers a spacious 7-inch 300ppi display with excellent contrast, IPX8 water resistance, and an adjustable warm frontlight to reduce blue light. While the $199.99 Signature Edition adds wireless charging, its benefits are limited by the device's long battery life. Amazon's dominance in the US ebook market means Kindle owners benefit from frequent sales and Prime Reading access. However, the Paperwhite's proprietary format doesn’t natively support EPUB, requiring file conversion for books from other stores, and it includes lockscreen ads unless an additional $20 is paid to remove them.

The best non-Amazon e-reader: Kobo Libra Colour

For those seeking an alternative to Amazon or living outside the US, the Kobo Libra Colour is an excellent choice. Priced at $229.99, it matches many Paperwhite features like waterproofing and a 300ppi display, but adds E Ink's Kaleido color technology, providing soft, pastel hues. While color resolution drops to 150ppi, it enhances graphic content. Uniquely, it supports a stylus (sold separately) for multi-color highlighting and annotations, and includes physical page-turn buttons. It supports EPUB and integrates seamlessly with OverDrive libraries, making borrowing books straightforward. The primary downsides are its higher cost compared to the Paperwhite and the inability to easily access Amazon's ebook library.

The best cheap ebook reader: Kindle (2024)

The base-model Kindle (2024), starting at $109.99 (with ads), is the best budget e-reader. It boasts a sharp 300ppi resolution on its 6-inch screen, making text clear and readable, and features USB-C charging. Its compact size makes it highly portable and easy for one-handed use, also making it ideal for children, especially the Kids Edition ($20 more) which includes parental controls, a case, a two-year guarantee, and six months of Amazon Kids Plus. The trade-offs include a lack of waterproofing and an adjustable color temperature, along with the standard Amazon ecosystem lock-in and ad presence.

The best ebook reader for taking notes: Kobo Elipsa 2E

For users prioritizing note-taking, the Kobo Elipsa 2E stands out. At $399.99, it offers a 10.3-inch screen and intuitive annotation features, allowing users to write directly on pages like a physical book. It includes advanced tools such as math equation solving, diagram snapping, handwriting-to-text conversion, and syncing notes with Dropbox. While its 227ppi display is slightly less sharp than some rivals, the large screen compensates, and it includes an adjustable warm light for comfortable night reading. Like other Kobo devices, it supports a wide range of file formats but doesn't natively support Kindle books.

Other Notable E-reader Options

• Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition ($279.99) & Kindle Colorsoft ($249.99): Amazon's first color Kindles, offering improved contrast and vibrant colors. The Signature Edition adds wireless charging and auto-adjusting front light, making it a better value for the slight price increase.
• Kobo Clara Colour ($159.99): An affordable, ad-free non-Amazon color option with a 6-inch display, IPX8 waterproofing, and noticeably faster performance than its predecessor.
• Nook Glowlight 4 Plus ($199.99): A decent Kindle alternative for Barnes & Noble customers, offering a 300ppi screen, waterproofing, and physical buttons. However, it suffers from sluggish performance and occasional screen freezes.
• Boox Palma 2 ($299.99): A smartphone-sized E Ink device running Android 13, offering a 6.3-inch display for reading and the flexibility to install productivity apps via Wi-Fi.
• Onyx Boox Go 10.3 ($409.99): An excellent note-taking device with a crisp 300ppi display and Google Play Store access, but lacks a front light, has a steeper learning curve, and can be distracting with app access.
• Boox Go Color 7 Gen II ($279.99): A water-resistant Android color e-reader with physical page-turning buttons and Google Play Store access, though it felt sluggish compared to the Kobo Libra Colour in testing.
• Kindle Scribe Colorsoft ($629.99): Amazon’s large-format color note-taker with an 11-inch display, praised for its design and battery life. However, its size can be unwieldy for reading, colors are muted, and advanced annotation features are limited outside of Amazon's own content.

What happens next

The e-reader market is poised for continued growth, with manufacturers likely to further refine color E Ink technology, integrate more advanced AI-powered note-taking and summarization tools, and explore new form factors. Consumers can expect a more diverse selection of devices, allowing for greater customization based on reading habits, professional needs, and ecosystem preferences. As the technology matures, e-readers will increasingly cater to a broader range of digital content consumption beyond just text, including graphic novels, educational materials, and interactive media.

FAQ

Q: Are e-readers better than phones for reading? A: Yes. E-readers use E Ink displays that mimic paper, reducing eye strain and glare, unlike backlit phone screens. They also offer a distraction-free, book-like reading experience with extended battery life.

Q: What's the main difference between Kindle and Kobo e-readers? A: Kindles are deeply integrated into Amazon's ecosystem, using proprietary formats, while Kobo devices support open standards like EPUB and offer easier integration with public libraries via OverDrive.

Q: Do I need a color e-reader? A: For basic text reading, a monochrome e-reader is perfectly sufficient. Color e-readers are beneficial for content like graphic novels, comics, and magazines, where visual elements enhance the experience, though colors are typically more subdued than on a tablet.