Buying guide for best e-readers
Reading is an excellent hobby that everyone should find time for, whether you want to learn more about a subject, wind down after a hard day of work or kill time while traveling. There’s nothing wrong with reading a good old-fashioned paperback or hardcover book, but it can be inconvenient to lug around a really big book or a bunch of them, which limits your options to however many you can carry at one time. So it’s no wonder more people are turning to e-readers.
An e-reader is a tablet-like device specifically designed for reading. It offers access to thousands of e-books and allows you to store all your favorites so you can read them whenever you want. E-readers offer razor-sharp displays that mirror the crispness of real paper, letting you delve into stories wherever you go. While waterproof options offer worry-free beach reads, there's an e-reader out there to perfectly suit your reading style.
The BestReviews Testing Lab researched and tested the top e-readers on the market and found the Amazon Kindle E-Reader with its 16GB of storage, glare-free display and easy-to-use interface to be the very best.
Our top picks
Product Specifications
Display Size and Type: 6” e-ink | Resolution: 300 ppi | Lighting: 4 LEDs | Storage Capacity: 16GB | Battery Life: Up to 6 weeks
Of all the e-readers we tested, this 2022 Kindle delivered the best results, earning itself the top spot on our list. Its lightweight and compact design is particularly impressive, and its performance is excellent, making it suitable for both avid and casual readers.
With a pixel density of 300 ppi, it renders sharp images and text, and the glare-free paper-like display makes you feel as if you’re reading on actual paper. Our testers had no issue with clarity in natural light indoors, under standard incandescent light and even fluorescent light. You can choose from three themes, and navigating settings for customization is fluid and intuitive. Under standard settings, this unit’s battery drained to 72% after four days of consistent reading.
Boasting a user-friendly interface, this terrific e-reader provides a reading experience that’s so close to the real thing that you’ll often forget you’re using an e-reader. It’s perfect for reading in bright environments, and the comprehensive library makes it one of the best e-readers.
Best bang for the buck
Product Specifications
Display Size and Type: 6.8” e-ink | Resolution: 300 ppi | Lighting: 17 LEDs | Storage Capacity: 16GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 weeks
Forget the "Kids" in the name — the Amazon Kids Paperwhite is a fantastic e-reader for everyone! It's thin, light and boasts a 10-week battery life but offers the same high resolution as the pricier Kindle Oasis for $100 less. Plus, it's completely waterproof (unlike the standard Kindle), has a better warranty, includes a protective case, has no ads and offers more storage space.
In addition to all of that, what makes the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids such an excellent e-reader for children is that it’s specifically designed for reading, unlike tablets that might tempt them with games and videos. What also sets it apart is the incredible content included: a whole year of Amazon Kids+ with thousands of kid-friendly e-books and audiobooks, plus the entire "Harry Potter" series and first books from other popular series like "Artemis Fowl." It's a treasure trove of reading adventures waiting to be explored!
Best waterproof e-reader
Product Specifications: Display Size and Type: 6.8” e-ink | Resolution: 300 ppi | Lighting: 17 LEDs | Storage Capacity: 8GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 weeks
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has always been a terrific e-reader, but when we tested it, we found that this latest model is even better, thanks to a large 6.8-inch display that’s easy on the eyes. Despite having a larger screen than its predecessor, it still maintains a lightweight build at 7.23 ounces, making it easy to take anywhere — even the tub (it also has an IPX8 water-resistance rating).
On-device storage is 8GB, which is enough to hold thousands of e-books, PDFs and other reading files. We found the battery fully charges in just two and a half hours when plugged into an outlet. You can also charge it from a computer, but it takes twice as long to get it completely juiced up that way.
The Kindle Paperwhite supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connections, and you get free cloud storage for all Amazon content. This means that as long as you have an internet connection, you can access your favorite books at any time.
Best for note-taking
Product Specifications: Display Size and Type: 10.2” | Resolution: 300 ppi | Lighting: 35 LEDs | Storage Capacity: 16GB, 32GB or 64GB | Battery Life: Up to 12 weeks
Forget bulky tablets — the Kindle Scribe redefines the e-reading experience by seamlessly merging reading and writing into one sleek device. Ideal for students and note-takers, it caters to those who prioritize a focused, distraction-free environment for learning and creativity. While tablets offer multifunctionality, the Scribe's tailored experience eliminates the temptations of web browsing and streaming, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in words. Weighing in at a comfortable 15.3 ounces, it's light enough for portability without compromising on-screen space.
The Kindle Scribe bridges the gap between reading and writing, offering a natural pen-on-paper experience. Jot down thoughts directly on virtual sticky notes within your favorite books for easy reference later. You can choose from four brush types and write on your preferred medium: lined paper, grid paper, checklists and other templates. During testing, we found that, unlike competing e-readers, the Scribe boasts lightning-fast loading times, keeping your creativity flowing. Just remember, it's best kept away from water as it lacks waterproofing.
Best for a large display
Product Specifications: Display Size and Type: 7” HD E Ink Carta 1200 | Resolution: 300 ppi | Lighting: NA | Storage Capacity: 32GB | Battery Life: Up to 21 hours
The Kobo Libra 2 is a terrific e-reader, and we recommend it to anyone who wants a slightly larger display than what Amazon offers with its Kindle e-readers. The Libra 2 has a 7-inch display and a responsive touch screen for quick page turns. Plus, it offers a dark mode to read white text on a black background.
It has a more ergonomic design than Amazon Kindle e-readers, but the shape is more squared than rectangular. However, depending on your preference, you can use this e-reader in portrait or landscape mode. Weighing 7.58 ounces, it’s fully waterproof for up to 60 minutes in 2 meters of water and offers 32GB of local storage for keeping up to 24,000 books saved on the e-reader.
How we tested
After researching what each e-reader offers, we tested the Kindle Paperwhite to see how it did in the following areas.
Ease of use
- Setup: We tested the entire setup process, from opening the package to charging the e-reader, connecting it to Wi-Fi, and following the on-screen prompts.
- Responsiveness: We tested its responsiveness by analyzing page-flipping speed and other accessibility functions, like the VoiceView screen reader.
Quality
- Display screen: We paid close attention to the brightness of the screen, which can be easily adjusted on the fly to reduce eyestrain.
- Speakers: We tested the sound quality of the built-in speakers to determine how well they sound when listening to an Audible audiobook.
Advanced features
- Water resistance: We held the e-reader underneath running water to see if its performance or functionality would be affected by water.
What to know before buying an e-reader
Screen size
The screen size you pick is probably the most important decision you’ll make during the purchase process. E-reader screens range from 6 to 11 inches, so there’s a lot of variety, although most feature 7-inch screens. If you’re accustomed to paperback books, a 6- or 7-inch screen would probably be right in your comfort zone. If you’re more into hardcovers, you might appreciate a larger model. Just be forewarned: The bigger the screen, the higher the cost.
Pixel density
Most e-readers have a resolution indicated by pixels per inch (ppi). The best e-readers have screens that contain many small pixels for superior depth, clarity and contrast. On the other hand, an e-reader with a lower ppi looks less crisp. To make sure you’re getting a quality e-reader, look for one with a ppi of at least 300.
Format
If you have an existing e-book collection, check to see what format the files are in, and make sure the e-reader you buy works with that format. E-books come in a variety of formats, including *.PUB, *.MOBI and even *.PDF files. If you buy an e-reader that doesn’t work with your e-book files, you may need to find conversion software to create compatible versions.
E-reader features
Waterproof enclosures
Having a waterproof e-reader is more about peace of mind than convenience. If you like to read near the pool, in the bath or at the beach, you may want to get a waterproof e-reader to help protect your digital library from water damage.
Auto-adjusting light sensors
While this might not sound like a marquee feature, it really is. With automatic light sensors, e-reader screens can adapt to the optimal brightness at any time based on the current conditions. So, if you’re reading in a sunny spot, the level of brightness decreases. If you’re in a dimly lit room, it increases. Most e-readers include manual settings for brightness, but having them automated is a lot more useful.
LTE connectivity
Most e-readers nowadays have built-in Wi-Fi. But sometimes, Wi-Fi isn’t enough. If you want to be able to download content onto your e-reader when you’re away from Wi-Fi, you’ll need one with LTE functionality. This allows you to pair it with your mobile wireless provider and add it to your data plan.
Keep in mind that LTE subscriptions cost money, so if you plan on buying an e-reader with LTE onboard, you’re going to have to pay the additional monthly charges.
Case
A scratched or cracked e-reader screen can make it really difficult to read, so investing in a case that protects yours from damage is worth it. Take your time browsing e-reader cases; some include useful features like built-in reading lights.
FAQ
Q. How much do e-readers cost?
A. Basic e-readers typically cost between $100 and $150. For $125 to $200, the e-readers look just like their less-expensive counterparts but are often lighter and include more storage. These are suitable if you read more than a few hours a week or want an e-reader with features such as Bluetooth connectivity.
Some e-readers can cost up to $400, but those are usually versatile devices that let you read and write. Most also have 300-ppi screens, are waterproof and come with more storage than cheaper models.
Q. If I buy an Amazon Kindle, can I get digital books from other sources, like my local library?
A. It depends on the library. Most modern libraries have digital lending programs where you can borrow e-books at no cost. Check with your local library to understand what digital programs they offer. Some even have video streaming services like Kanopy for cardholders.
Q. I sometimes have a hard time reading small text. Can I still use an e-reader?
A. Absolutely. All e-readers have built-in controls that let you adjust the size of the text so you never have to squint. When you first open your e-reader, spend some time picking out the perfect font size and setting it as your default. After that, you won’t have to think about it again.
Our expertise
Our team of testers and writers has used many e-readers in real-world environments to analyze design, quality and performance. BestReviews reporter Kevin Luna has read dozens of books on Kindle e-readers and has been writing about tech for over three years. He’s knowledgeable about what to look for in a quality e-reader, and his knowledge of tech and computers allows him to make the best recommendations for those who want a high-quality unit. He also reviews and incorporates testing results into all his product recommendations to provide an unbiased report and allow shoppers to draw their own conclusions based on the data and reviews gathered.
