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Best E-Readers

Updated April 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Amazon Kindle E-Reader
Amazon
Kindle E-Reader
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Best of the Best
Bottom Line

Lightweight and compact, the Kindle E-Reader was a joy to use when we tested it, thanks to its clear, bright screen, long battery life, and many handy features. Plus, it offers plenty of storage for all your books.

Pros

This e-reader has a 300-pixels-per-inch high-resolution display for sharp text and images and a battery life that can last up to 6 weeks on a full charge. It boasts 16GB of internal storage for keeping thousands of your favorite titles available for offline reading. It also offers several accessibility features including Bluetooth audio for listening to audiobooks.

Cons

No cellular connectivity option, meaning you can only download e-books from a laptop or using Wi-Fi.

Best Bang for the Buck
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids E-Reader
Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite Kids E-Reader
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Best Bang for the Buck
Bottom Line

The Amazon Kids Paperwhite offers a great value with its long battery life, waterproof design, better warranty, protective case, ad-free experience and increased storage, all for a low price.

Pros

Features a 6.8-inch glare-free display screen with adjustable lighting. Offers increased battery life and double the storage compared to the base Kindle. Includes a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, a protective case and warranty that covers accidental damage.

Cons

Setting up requires creating a "child" account first, even if you plan to delete it later. While parental controls vanish after deletion, be aware there are no independent reading restrictions for adults using the device.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader (11th Generation)
Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader (11th Generation)
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Best Waterproof E-Reader
Bottom Line

The upgraded Kindle Paperwhite offers a larger display, adjustable warm light and waterproofing, making it perfect for reading more text comfortably at night, on the beach or by the pool.

Pros

With its 300-ppi resolution display, text and images appear significantly sharper and crisper, closer resembling printed paper. Screen warmth can be set to user preference or on a schedule. USB-C port is a welcome addition. Resistant to splashes and immersion.

Cons

Only has 8GB of storage.

Amazon  Kindle Scribe
Amazon
Kindle Scribe
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Best for Note-Taking
Bottom Line

The Kindle Scribe goes beyond reading with its crisp 10.2-inch display, letting you take handwritten notes directly on your e-books, annotate documents or draw.

Pros

The Scribe stands out for the large 10.2-inch screen that can take notes with the included stylus pen. The stylus doubles as a highlighter and includes an eraser function. It has an auto-brightening function that helps reduce glare regardless of your lighting conditions. Delivers a smooth and satisfying lag-free writing experience.

Cons

Its display shines for comics, graphic novels and manga, but the Scribe might feel bulky to some for casual reading.

Kobo Libra 2
Kobo
Libra 2
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Best for a large display
Bottom Line

Easy to read, the Kobo Libre 2 offers a slightly larger display compared to Kindle e-readers. Plus, you can read an e-book in the bath or at the pool, thanks to its fully waterproof design.

Pros

The IPX8 fully waterproof design allows use in the tub or by the pool. Comfortable 7-inch, HD e-ink screen with adjustable brightness and reduced blue light to ease eyestrain. Uses Overdrive software to access public library collections.

Cons

It’s not compatible with proprietary Kindle titles.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

30
Models
Considered
169
Consumers
Consulted
24
Hours
Researched
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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

Amazon Kindle E-Reader 

Hand holding Amazon Kindle E-Reader
The testing team loved the user-friendly interface on the Amazon Kindle E-Reader.

Best of the best 
 

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.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids on white background
The Amazon Kids Paperwhite features a waterproof design and thousands of titles just for young 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!

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th generation) 

Hand holding Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 11th generation
The testing team was impressed by the easy-to-read display of the 11th-generation Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.

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.

Amazon Kindle Scribe

Amazon Kindle Scribe
An excellent gift for students, the Amazon Kindle Scribe lets you jot down notes and boasts fast loading times.

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.

Kobo Libra 2

Kobo Libra 2 on white background
The Kobo Libra 2 features a large display and a completely waterproof design.

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.