Best e-Readers: Which Model to Buy

Whether you’re traveling, waiting in a waiting room, relaxing in the sun, or snuggling up on your couch, reading is a pleasurable activity. Reading e-books has several advantages over traditional paper books, such as being lighter, storing hundreds of books in one device, and having access to free downloadable works. Additionally, some e-book models come with a built-in light for reading at night and are even waterproof.

If you’re considering switching from paper to digital books, our e-book buying guide can help you choose a model that suits your needs. Here is a selection of the best models to choose from.

At a Glance: Best e-Readers

• Kindle (2022), a good option for those who like the Amazon ecosystem, offering battery use for weeks
• Kobo Clara 2E, a great alternative to the Amazon Kindle
• Kindle Paperwhite (2021), the ultimate e-book for best value
• Kobo Libra 2, perfect for bookworms thanks to its large screen
• Kobo Sage, with a large and high-quality screen
• PocketBook InkPad Color 3, with a large color display

What to Consider Before Buying an e-Reader

When selecting an e-book, it’s important to consider how frequently we will use it, or in other words, how much we enjoy reading. A person who reads a book every week has different requirements than someone who reads only a few books per year. This will affect factors such as screen size and quality, storage capacity, and even the device model, since certain models offer cheaper books, such as Amazon’s flash offers.

• From a design standpoint, e-books have the advantage of storing hundreds of books in a small, lightweight device that can be used both at home and on the go. However, not all e-books are equally ergonomic, lightweight, or easy to handle with one hand.
• The most important aspect of an e-book is its screen. Size is not the only consideration (6” is the most common size) - screen quality, resolution, and brightness are also important, particularly if reading outdoors. For optimal viewing, a screen resolution of around 300 dpi is recommended.
• E-books support different formats, such as PDF, AZW3, AZW, TXT, MOBI, PRC, HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, and EPUB. However, the popular Kindle does not support EPUB format, although software such as Calibre can be used to convert between formats.
• Before adding the files to the e-reader, it’s important to consider where we can download them from and whether we’re willing to manipulate them using a computer. We should pay attention to online stores that sell supported works, their catalog of books, and whether they have offers or subscription services. For instance, Kindle Unlimited provides access to over one million books for $9.99 per month and includes a two-month free trial.
• We previously mentioned that books can be transferred using a USB port, but some models support Wi-Fi for downloading books, or even support LTE for doing it anywhere.
• E-books are low-power devices, so they can go weeks without charging. However, it’s better to choose models with good battery life.
• If we plan to take the e-book to the beach, river, or swimming pool, we should look for models with a certain level of water resistance. We can measure this using the international standard IEC 60529, which refers to the IP protection rating. Keep in mind that these tests are conducted in a lab, so it’s better not to put that to the test in real life unless necessary. As a rule of thumb, your device will survive a water accident if the second figure is 7 or higher. However, you should be careful with salt if you go to the beach.
• Finally, it’s interesting to choose models that allow customization and protection through compatible accessories. The Kindle is popular in that sense, and many manufacturers sell supported accessories.

Best e-Readers to Buy in 2024

Kindle (2022)

The new generation of Kindle has a higher-resolution screen, more internal storage capacity, and a USB-C connector. Although it’s more expensive than before, it remains the cheapest Amazon e-book. The device offers an illuminated screen, an impressive battery life that lasts for weeks, and access to Amazon’s vast library. This makes it a great option for readers who prefer the Amazon ecosystem and don’t read near water.

Kobo Clara 2E

The Kobo Clara 2E is one of Kobo’s entry-level models, which are a great alternative to Amazon’s Kindle. Its strengths include a quality and high-resolution screen, large storage space, and compatibility with the Kobo environment, which allows you to continue reading the same book across different devices.

Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

The Kindle Paperwhite is a popular e-book option that offers great value. It boasts a high-quality screen, long battery life, large storage capacity, and water resistance, making it a versatile e-reader. It’s one of the best options if you are unsure which model to choose.

Kobo Libra 2

The Kobo Libra 2 is water-resistant, has an asymmetrical shape that makes it easier to hold, and has a plastic chassis. This e-reader makes it easy to continue reading from any device and is suitable for book lovers due to its high-quality display.

Kobo Sage

Kobo’s flagship model is priced similarly to the Kobo Libra 2 but without ads or LTE. It has an 8” screen, which is larger than the Libra 2, and is designed to be held in one hand. It’s perfect for avid readers who prefer a larger screen and high-quality display.

PocketBook InkPad Color 3

The PocketBook InkPad Color 3 is ideal for readers who also enjoy illustrations, such as comics. It has a large color screen that provides more precision and realism to the colors displayed, making it a premium reading experience. It’s compatible with different text formats and has a huge battery that can be charged via USB-C.

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