Ereaders are ideal for bibliophiles who prefer a print-like reading experience but want the option to take their entire library with them wherever they go. There are lots of manufacturers and reading platforms to consider, so it can be confusing to figure out which is right for you. PCMag has been reviewing ereaders for nearly two decades since the very first Kindle, so you can trust that our top picks are based on sound analysis. The Editors’ Choice-winning Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and the nearly identical Paperwhite Kids currently top our list since they provide access to a vast digital library and work reliably. Of course, one of the other models here might suit your needs better, so it’s worth clicking through to our full reviews. Below the list, we also provide some buying advice to help you during your search.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Kindle Overall
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Pros & Cons
Larger screen shows more per page than previous generation
Water-resistant build
Flat-front design
Color-changing front light
No Immersion Reading mode
Why We Picked It
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) might be a few years old, but it’s still one of the most advanced ebook readers available. It’s waterproof, the battery lasts for weeks, and the 300ppi E Ink display is sharp and easy to read.
Who It’s For
This ebook reader is for anyone who loves to read and wants to switch to a digital format. It’s lightweight, fits easily in a bag or purse, and can last longer than your entire vacation on a single charge.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
6.86 by 4.91 by 0.32 inches
Weight
7.2 oz
Screen Size
6.8 inches
Storage Capacity
8 GB
Book Formats
AZW, MOBI, PDF, TXT
Learn More
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Review
Best for Kids
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids
Pros & Cons
Waterproof, flat-front design
Long warranty
Comes with a case
Kids+ subscription content library
Kids+ subscription only lasts one year
Why We Picked It
The Kindle Paperwhite Kids uses the same hardware as the regular Paperwhite but comes with a protective case and an extended warranty. It also bundles a one-year subscription to the Amazon Kids+ service, which includes plenty of age-appropriate books for them to read.
Who It’s For
The Amazon Paperwhite Kids is the best choice for current or budding bookworms. If you want to save some money, the smaller, non-waterproof Kindle Kids is also an option.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
5.09 by 6.91 by 0.53 inches
Weight
7.2 oz
Screen Size
6.8 inches
Storage Capacity
8 GB
Book Formats
MOBI, PDF, TXT, AZW
Learn More
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids Review
Best Multipurpose Device
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
Pros & Cons
Appealing iPad Pro-like design
USB-C port
High-quality cameras
Good speakers
Fast performance
No traditional Touch ID button
No Face ID
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad’s color LCD is much more suitable for watching movies, playing games, and browsing online than the grayscale-only E Ink displays on most ebook readers. Its eyestrain-inducing backlight isn’t ideal for especially long reading sessions but its huge selection of apps means you can access all your digital books, no matter what platform you prefer.
Who It’s For
The base model iPad is best for readers who have collections of ebooks or comics from multiple sources and want to read them easily on a single device.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches
Weight
1.1 lb
Screen Size
10.9 inches
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Book Formats
All (through apps)
Learn More
Apple iPad (10th Generation) Review
Best for Color Display
Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C
Pros & Cons
Large, crisp color E Ink display
Excellent note-taking capabilities
Access to multiple reading platforms
Long battery life
Why We Picked It
The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C might be expensive, but its color E Ink display gives it an advantage over grayscale-only competitors. It also comes with a stylus for handwriting notes and marking up ebooks and PDFs. The device runs a simplified, intuitive version of Android and gets full access to the Google Play Store, too.
Who It’s For
If you are looking for a robust E Ink tablet for work or school, the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C should appeal. You won’t be able to play games or watch videos on its color display, but access to the Google Play Store means you won’t have any shortage of reading apps at your disposal. The built-in reading and note-taking apps are also excellent.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
8.90 by 7.60 by 0.23 inches
Weight
15.2 oz
Screen Size
10.3 inches
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Book Formats
All (through apps)
Learn More
Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C Review
Best Color Ereader
Onyx Boox Go Color 7
Pros & Cons
Colorful E Ink display
Enjoyable reading experience
Google Play Store support
Dependable performance
Long battery life
Some features limited to default reading app
Back-panel material feels cheap
Why We Picked It
The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 is small and impressive. Its 7-inch display uses the same color E Ink tech as more expensive Boox models, and its two physical page-turn buttons on the side make for easy one-handed reading. It also has fast performance, intuitive software, and broad app compatibility via the Google Play Store, which makes it more versatile than most ereaders.
Who It’s For
The Go Color 7 is for avid readers who want broad app compatibility along with physical page turning buttons in a portable design.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
6.1 by 5.4 by 0.25 inches
Weight
6.9 oz
Screen Size
7 inches
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Book Formats
All (through apps)
Learn More
Onyx Boox Go Color 7 Review
Best Kindle for Taking Notes
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Pros & Cons
Big, sharp, responsive screen
Temperature-adjustable front light
Smooth note-taking experience
Appealing design and hardware
Lacks tools for serious drawing
Awkward to use one-handed
Not waterproof
Why We Picked It
The Amazon Kindle Scribe is the company’s first large-screen E Ink tablet that is made for both reading and writing notes. It comes with a stylus, but strangely does not let you freely annotate your Kindle books. Instead, you have to use Amazon’s sticky note app, which will then link to the page in which you took your note.
Who It’s For
The Kindle Scribe is a worthy choice if you like to take general notes or jot down ideas while you read. But if you need to write directly in the margins of books, you should look elsewhere.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
9.06 by 7.72 by 0.23 inches
Weight
15.3 oz
Screen Size
10.2 inches
Storage Capacity
16 GB
Book Formats
AZW, EPUB, HTML, MOBI, PDF, TXT
Learn More
Amazon Kindle Scribe Review
Best for Library Books
Kobo Libra Colour
Pros & Cons
Colorful E Ink display
Good OverDrive library integration
Long battery life
Waterproof
Stylus costs extra
Limited note-taking features
Loading books can be tricky
Why We Picked It
The Kobo Libra Color is a compact, waterproof, color ebook reader with deep library integration that makes borrowing books simple. It doesn’t support Kindle content, but you should be able to access your local library’s digital collection through Kobo’s partnership with OverDrive. In testing, it worked flawlessly with the New York Public Library system.
Who It’s For
Get this ebook reader if you do most of your reading through your library via OverDrive. You should make sure to check that yours partners with OverDrive first, however, as not all do.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
5.69 by 6.33 by 0.33 inches
Weight
7.04 oz
Screen Size
7 inches
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Book Formats
EPUB, EPUB3, FlePub, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR, Kobo Audiobooks
Learn More
Kobo Libra Colour Review
Best Nook Overall
Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4
Pros & Cons
Small and light
Physical page-turn buttons
Sharp text
Recessed screen
Not waterproof
Clunky public library support
Why We Picked It
Barnes & Noble still makes ebook readers and the Nook GlowLight 4 is the best of the bunch. It’s a simple, compact device that works well, though it lacks the features of many of its similarly priced rivals.
Who It’s For
The Nook GlowLight 4 is for those who have already invested in a large collection of Nook books and are determined to stick with the platform.
Specs & Configurations
Dimensions
6.2 by 4.7 by 0.2 inches
Weight
6 oz
Screen Size
6 inches
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Book Formats
PDF, EPUB
Learn More
Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Ereaders for 2024
What’s the Best Ereader Screen Type and Size?Basic ebook readers use monochrome E Ink screens to display text. E Ink, or digital ink (often manufactured by the E Ink company), looks a lot like paper, but it’s easier on your eyes for reading over long periods than text on a traditional digital display. More affordable models don’t have backlights, however, so you might need a light to see the text, just as you would with a printed book. Others now include adjustable edge lighting. On the lowest settings, you can read in the dark while your partner sleeps undisturbed next to you.In all cases, E Ink is much easier to read in bright sunlight—glossy color touch screens on traditional tablets tend to wash out and show distracting reflections.Most E Ink readers in the past were limited to 6-inch screens, but the panel sizes are slowly growing. We’ve found that you start to have balance issues with one-handed reading at a screen size above 7 inches, however.
Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4 (Credit: Sascha Segan)
Screen resolutions and quality also vary. Some older Kindles use 167ppi displays that look rough and jaggy compared with the 300ppi displays on more modern models. Amazon and Kobo’s latest readers go one step further with Carta 1200 technology, which enables faster page turns and even better contrast.If you haven’t updated your ebook reader in many years, the responsiveness of the latest E Ink readers might surprise you. Frequent, startling screen flashes are really a thing of the past.The Best Color EreadersIf you need to read more than books, tablets with color screens offer many other benefits. Magazines and comic books look great on larger tablets. Even lower-cost tablets let you browse the web, stream video from Hulu, Netflix, and others, play music, and run apps. Because of its high-quality screen and general power, we recommend the base-model iPad for most people trying to read rich, full-page color content.
Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C (Credit: Sarah Lord)
We’ve recently seen a breakthrough in color E Ink displays, with several readers implementing the E Ink Kaleido or E Ink Kaleido Plus technologies. We’ve tested a few, and while they aren’t perfect, they show some of the exciting possibilities of color E Ink. The Best Ereaders for the BeachIf you like reading in the bath, by the pool, or on the beach, consider a waterproof ebook reader. Amazon and Kobo both make models that can withstand some amount of submersion in water, and we note those ratings in each of our reviews. Other readers aren’t as resilient.The Best Ereaders for Taking NotesAll ebook readers let you highlight or tag particular phrases for later reference. Some include digital pens that let you take notes directly on the screen. In general, they let you annotate on PDFs and other kinds of documents, as well as take freehand notes on a blank page. We detail which file formats each model supports in our reviews. A larger screen usually works best for annotating documents.The Best Ereaders for AudiobooksSometimes, you’d rather listen than read. Sometimes, you’d like to read and listen at the same time. Kindles can now connect to Bluetooth headphones to play Audible audiobooks, and many Amazon books can synchronize with Audible audiobooks on Kindle ebook readers. Kobo uses a proprietary audiobook format, for comparison.Where Can You Get Ebooks?The ebook reader you choose determines which ecosystem you can use.Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo all use copy protection on most of their books, which prevents you from reading titles on other brands’ ebook readers. Removing the copy protection is possible, but you might also remove features such as formatting and character summaries in the process. It’s also gotten much harder to strip the protection specifically from Amazon books in recent years. Ereaders with access to the Google Play Store are convenient because they let you download and use whatever reading apps you prefer on a single device.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (Credit: Sascha Segan)
Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited offers more than three million ebooks for $9.99 per month. Amazon Prime subscribers can access a smaller library as part of Prime Reading without paying extra. For kids, the Amazon Kids+ subscription service unlocks a lot of children’s books and starts at $4.99 per month. You get a free year of it when you buy the Kindle Kids Edition.
Recommended by Our Editors
For public library lending, Libby has mostly replaced Overdrive. If you have a Kobo device with built-in Overdrive support, however, you can continue to borrow and read books as normal. Libby just lets you send books to Kindles and others that support Adobe Digital Editions.Book selection, size, and pricing vary from store to store. Books by big publishers generally appear in the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo stores. But Amazon also has exclusive authors and imprints. Many of them are self-published and not very good, but Amazon definitely has the advantage in quantity.For more, see our article on how to put free ebooks on your Amazon Kindle. And for an in-depth comparison of supported formats across various ebook readers, check out Wikipedia’s article comparing ebook formats.How Much Should You Spend on an Ereader?If you’re reading mainstream fiction or nonfiction books, the sweet spot right now is $100 to $150 for a good 6- or 7-inch Amazon or Kobo device. You can get a low-end model that costs less or a larger model that costs more, but ebook readers at this price point tend to strike the best balance between screen quality and size.Onyx’s tablet-sized readers cost considerably more than other ebook readers. But they’re also much more powerful and let you run multiple reading apps, annotate PDFs, and read large-format documents on big screens. We see these primarily for academics, lawyers, and doctors. If you’re getting a Kindle, check out our Amazon Kindle tips every reader needs to know. And if you prefer a device that can also handle your entertainment needs, head over to our top tablet picks.
