When you cannot change the texture of paper, the great thing about certain hardcovers, and the ritual of turning the web page, an e-reader brings comfort and portability {that a} guide simply cannot beat. Certain, you’ll be able to throw a guide in your tote bag, however what about a complete library?
Once you consider e-readers, your first thought is probably going an Amazon Kindle, and whereas it wasn’t the primary e-reader to hit the market, it’s certainly the one to dominate it. Whereas Kindles are nice — there is definitely no denying that — you will discover a few equally great alternate options.
However a giant query is when to purchase an e-reader. Whereas annual purchasing occasions like Black Friday and Prime Day usually provide the very best offers, we’re all the time on the lookout for gross sales on these units all year long. Subsequent up is the Amazon E book Sale from April 23 to twenty-eight, a very good time for e-reader customers. The sale is dropping costs not simply on e-books however e-readers, too. The Kindle Scribe bought an early low cost of $85 off forward of the sale.
For those who’re gearing as much as learn extra books in 2025, an e-reader will provide help to get there, and these are the very best ones you should buy.
Which e-reader is the very best?
From left to proper: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Until you are attempting to keep away from the Amazon ecosystem in any respect prices, the Kindle Paperwhite is the very best e-reader for most individuals. (And if you wish to de-Amazon your life, go for the Kobo Libra Color). Nonetheless, that does not essentially imply it is the very best e-reader for you.
Select an e-reader based mostly on worth, particular options, and the place you get your books. As an illustration, most e-readers and tablets are simply suitable with Libby, however Kindles and iPads work finest with the favored library app. And when you use Kindle Limitless, your selection is even simpler.
Take into account the general design that most closely fits you as properly. Is a touchscreen okay, or do you want buttons? If you wish to take your e-reader close to water, whether or not it’s a tub or a pool, you will additionally must be sure to have a water-proof gadget.
Plus, it is value contemplating particular options. Are you an annotator who needs to scribble, doodle, and write within the margins of your e-book? Or would you like a pill you could learn and stream on? All of those questions provide help to decide which e-reader or pill will mix into your habits.
Nonetheless, I can definitively let you know what’s not the very best e-reader. Amongst all of the e-readers I’ve examined, the one gadget I can not suggest is Barnes & Noble’s Nook. In comparison with the opposite e-readers right here, it has sluggish and glitchy efficiency, no Libby integration, and a brief battery life.
No Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version?
For those who’re acquainted with the Kindle line-up, it might come as a shock that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is not on this checklist. Do not get me unsuitable, it is nice, however I feel there are higher choices. The Signature Version is an upgraded model of the Paperwhite, and we have in contrast the units face to face. The brief model? The Paperwhite is a greater worth, even with the SE’s added options like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.
If you’re ready to spend $200 on an e-reader, although, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version and go for the Kobo Libra Color.
How we examined
Over a number of weeks, I examined every of those e-readers, studying at the least one guide per gadget. I evaluated their ease of use on each degree, from the scale of the e-reader to the consumer interface and general design.
I used the e-readers at totally different hours of the day, from vivid sunshine to a darkish bed room, adjusting the brightness and heat tone settings. I additionally explored all the font and show settings to see how customizable every was.
I additionally took under consideration how straightforward it’s to get books on every e-reader. All e-readers got here with a built-in bookstore, however I primarily learn utilizing the Libby app to convey my library books to the e-readers. That additionally helped me assess how straightforward it’s to get library books on every e-reader.
Since every e-reader’s battery life supposedly extends over a number of weeks, I used to be in a position to assess how lengthy the batteries lasted throughout testing.
I additionally regarded into particular options, together with note-taking talents.
Different e-readers to check
My colleague has examined the Kobo Clara Color and had optimistic issues to say about it, however I’m within the technique of testing it myself, so I left them out of my suggestions for now. Whereas I used to be in a position to take a look at most of Amazon’s 2024 Kindle fashions, I’ve but to check the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Version.
We’re within the technique of testing the Outstanding PaperPro, a distraction free pill that emulates the texture of paper and even gives shade shows.
Beforehand included on this checklist was the Barnes and Noble Nook. After additional testing, I’ve taken it off the checklist as I feel its brief battery life and glitchy interface make it an e-reader to keep away from.
We’ve not and won’t be testing Onyx units on this round-up. After studying the corporate’s privateness coverage, we have now main issues concerning the model’s safety.
