Here are the best e-readers to consider. The eleventh-generation Kindle Paperwhite introduces major upgrades to the Kindle lineup, including improved lighting customization, faster charging, and a waterproof design. It’s our top recommendation based on this extensive feature set and ultra-portable build. If you enjoy audiobooks, you can sync the Paperwhite to headphones or speakers to listen to your books through Audible. It also has enough storage to house thousands of books to create your own virtual library. Students and bookworms alike might find the dictionary, translation, and highlight features useful for looking up and saving specific passages. In a departure from past models, this version is also waterproof in up to 6.5 feet of water for an hour. If you want more screen protection and grip, you can add the charging case separately or in a bundle. The Kobo Clara HD comes with numerous customization features for a personalized reading experience. You can adjust the text to suit your vision with various font weights, sharpness, and margin settings. This e-reader also offers highlighting, note-taking, and can hold up to 6,000 books in a lightweight build—less than 6 ounces. Multiple compatible third-party note apps make note-taking easy and smooth, and the built-in stylus is perfect for taking notes during class. However, extras like a protective case and different pen tip options, like the matching BOOX Pen2 Pro that mirrors a handwriting experience, require an extra investment. Another high-end feature of this e-reader is the adaptive front lighting that automatically adjusts based on the surrounding lighting conditions. You can also adjust the screen from white to warm amber to minimize eye strain and light stimulation. Like other Kindles, you can pair headphones to listen to Audible books, and an ad-free experience costs a bit extra. The Oasis also supports many document types, including PDFs and DOCX, and offers life-like turn paging motions for comfortable reading. The large format and multi-touch screen makes this an optimal option for note-taking in margins, opening multiple documents at once, adding bookmarks, and adjusting the size of the text. While expensive, the Boox Note Air2 also has Android capabilities, so you can use third-party apps from the Google Play store, such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Support for these productivity apps makes the Air2 perfect for students looking for an e-reader to use in class or for studying. Another plus is the curved ergonomic design that accommodates both left- and right-handed page-turners for customized comfort. You can read books in portrait or landscape mode and set it to automatically adjust the orientation based on how you hold it. While this e-reader has many positive aspects, it can be prone to lagging at times and delayed syncing. The power button is also quite stiff and takes time to engage. Still, this lightweight model is easy to personalize and great for library-goers. The Poke 3 runs on the Android operating system, which gives you more settings and access to various reading programs. Discovering the right customizations could come with a learning curve, but with a touchscreen and internet browser, this e-reader makes it easy to browse books and surf the web, all on one device. Aside from reading, you can use this device to surf the web, scroll through social media, watch videos, shop, email, work, and access virtually any iOS app. Using your iPad as an e-reader also allows you to read picture books or textbooks in full color, a feature that sets it apart from most e-readers.
Battery Life
All e-readers have to be recharged eventually. Some models only last a few hours, while others can have a battery life that goes on for weeks. Most e-readers use Micro USB charging cables, which can take several hours to provide a full recharge. If your e-reader comes with internet connectivity and many other features, battery life could deplete faster depending on your usage. Alternatively, if you leave your reader in standby (sleep) mode, the battery could last up to eight weeks.
Storage Capacity
Most e-readers allow you to store a healthy selection of files. A capacity of 8 gigabytes (GB) is common, which is enough space to hold thousands of books. If you plan on keeping a wide range of books on your device for the long haul, along with storing audiobooks, photos, and apps, you might want a model with at least 64GB or the option to expand storage. Extra storage room often comes with a heftier price tag.
Size and Weight
While most e-readers are portable, some are more comfortable to hold or transport than others. If you want something smaller and lighter that is easy to toss in a bag and go, slim and compact builds will probably be most suitable. If you need more screen space to view and annotate larger documents or want an option that allows you to also draw, bigger 10-inch screen models could be more compatible with your needs.
Why Trust The Spruce
Theresa Holland has significant experience in researching, reviewing, and writing about tech products and books. She’s an avid reader and Kindle owner and is always on the hunt for the most comfortable reading experience. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more.
