Skip to main content
A woman sitting on the couch using an e-reader to read a book. Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Best E-Readers of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

A woman sitting on the couch using an e-reader to read a book. Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Why trust Reviewed?

Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Learn more about our product testing
1
Editor's Choice Product image of Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)
Best Overall

Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)

Check Price at Amazon

Amazon’s entry-level Kindle offers the features that most people need to lose themselves in a great reading experience, at a reasonable price. Read More

Pros

  • Crisp, bright display
  • Responsive and easy to use
  • Compact and value-packed

Cons

  • Raised bezels
  • Not waterproof
  • No color temperature control
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Kobo Libra 2
Best Kindle Alternative

Kobo Libra 2

Check Price at Kobo

The Kobo Libra 2 offers a great alternative to Amazon's fleet of e-readers. We wish its user interface were a little more user-friendly, however. Read More

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Great display
  • Page-turn buttons

Cons

  • Lacklustre user interface
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)
Best Waterproof E-Reader

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)

Check Price at Amazon

The Kindle Paperwhite is an outstanding e-reader in every way, but one: Amazon's use of advertising on the lowest-priced iteration of the device. Read More

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Unparalleled selection of content
  • Gorgeous display

Cons

  • Must pay a premium to remove ads
4
Product image of Kobo Nia

Kobo Nia

Check Price at Kobo

This entry-level e-reader boasts top-of-the-line features Read More

Pros

  • Light, comfortable to hold
  • Provides paid and unpaid reading options
  • User-friendly interface

Cons

  • Not waterproof
  • Low display resolution
5
Product image of Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)

Check Price at Amazon

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first foray into digital note-taking—but it needs software updates to become an indispensable reading and writing companion. Read More

Pros

  • Large, bright display
  • Speedy performance
  • Comfortable writing experience

Cons

  • Too large for some reading situations
  • Lacks water resistance
  • Note-taking experience merely adequate
  • Best Overall Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)
  • Best Kindle Alternative Kobo Libra 2
  • Best Waterproof E-Reader Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)
  • Other E-Readers We Tested
  • How We Test E-Readers
  • What to Consider Before Buying an E-Reader
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

With so many distractions that come from modern life, it can be hard to settle down to read a good book. Investing in an e-reader makes escaping into a book easier, letting you step away from the constant notifications that come with a smartphone or tablet.

Not only do the best e-readers hold, literally, thousands of books, but they also provide a more focused reading experience. They’re also easy to hold, can be read in any lighting condition, and have outstanding battery life, going weeks between rechargings.

After weeks of research and months of testing, we found that the 11th-generation Amazon Kindle (2022) (available at Amazon for $119.99) is the best e-reader for most people. Our top pick is a compact, easy-to-use e-reader with a crisp, bright display that packs in most of the features of Amazon's more expensive Kindle e-readers at a very agreeable low price.

If you prefer to steer clear of Amazon's extensive ecosystem of pay-to-use and subscription content, we suggest taking Raktuken's Kobo Libra 2 (available at Amazon) for a spin. In addition to being able to purchase ebooks and audiobooks through the company's online store, the Libra 2 is second to none for the ease with which it can be used to gain access to electronic books from your local library, and Pocket, Mozilla's read-it-later service for web content.

A 2022 Kindle sits on a table top, next to a very large cup of coffee.
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

The 11th-generation Kindle comes with so many desirable features, you'll forget that it's a base model device.

Best Overall
Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)
  • Display size: 6 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 8 or 16 GB
  • Waterproof: No

The 11th-Generation Amazon Kindle (2022) is the best e-reader, for most people, offering most of the features of a Kindle Paperwhite for a lower price.

The 2022 Kindle is a joy to use—it’s small enough to slip into a purse or the back pocket of a pair of jeans and light enough to hold, with one hand, for hours at a time to read.

Text is crisp and legible at any of the numerous font sizes the Kindle supports, making it easy to avoid eyestrain. With four LEDs to light its e-ink display, the display was bright enough to be able to read in any lighting conditions. Compared to the Kindle Paperwhite, however, which has 17 LEDs, its lighting was uneven.

We tested the 2022 Kindle with 16 GB of storage, which is the option we suggest for most people. That’s enough room to hold thousands of ebooks to read or dozens to listen to via a pair of Bluetooth earphones. You’ll find that menus, options, and most importantly, page turns are all incredibly responsive to the touch.

Also, the e-reader’s portal to the Kindle Store is easy to navigate. You’ll find millions of titles to read on the Kindle Store. Those looking for even more could consider a monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited service. The 2022 Kindle is not perfect, however. It’s not waterproof, and it doesn’t feature adjustable warm lighting.

Read our full 11th-Generation Amazon Kindle review.

Pros

  • Crisp, bright display

  • Responsive and easy to use

  • Compact and value-packed

Cons

  • Raised bezels

  • Not waterproof

  • No color temperature control

$119.99 from Amazon

$99.99 from Best Buy

$99.99 from Target
a Kobo Libra H2O e-reader sitting on a desk.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Boasting an incredible range of features, the Kobo Libra H2O is the best e-reader, for most people.

Best Kindle Alternative
Kobo Libra 2
  • Display size: 7 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Waterproof: Yes (IPX8 rating)

The Kobo Libra 2 has even front lighting with adjustable color temperature controls, which makes reading easy on the eyes. Its readability is enhanced by a large selection of fonts, font sizes, and weights.

Its physical buttons and touch interface make for easy navigation. A built-in accelerometer detects when you change the device’s orientation and adjusts the e-ink display accordingly. This makes using the e-reader with your left or right hand a pleasure.

The Kobo bookstore features millions of titles and offers an all-you-can-read monthly subscription service. Additionally, the OverDrive functionality makes it possible to borrow digital books and periodicals from your local library. Finally, there’s Pocket: a free-to-use read-it-later service that allows you to send articles and long-form content to peruse later. Click the extension and the content will be synced to your Kobo device in an e-reader-friendly format.

Unfortunately, the Libra 2's excellent hardware and onboard services are taken out at the knees by its user interface. Important features are hidden away and not immediately easy to find.

Pros

  • Waterproof

  • Great display

  • Page-turn buttons

Cons

  • Lacklustre user interface

Buy now at Kobo

Buy now at Amazon

$169.99 from Walmart
A Kindle Paperwhite sits on an outdoor table, against an overcast sky.
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite offers a decadent, waterproof step-up from Amazon's base model Kindle.

Best Waterproof E-Reader
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)
  • Display size: 6.8 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 8GB or 32GB (Signature Edition)
  • Waterproof: Yes (IPX8 rating)

The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is slightly larger and about an ounce heavier than its predecessor, but it’s still light enough to hold with one hand during a long reading session. Like the previous version, this updated Paperwhite is waterproof. With an IPX8 rating, the Paperwhite will continue to function even if it’s left in close to 7 feet of fresh water, for up to an hour.

However, there are several improvements with the latest version that we love. It has a 6.8-inch e-ink display, a significant upgrade over previous models. During testing, text and grayscale images were crisp and side lighting was consistent because of 17 LEDs.

Charging has gotten faster, too, thanks to Amazon’s sunsetting of Micro USB in favor of a USB-C charging port. And, for the first time, it features adjustable warm light, which can help reduce eye strain and help to diminish the amount of blue light that you’re exposed to.

What hasn’t changed is that Paperwhite owners still have access to Amazon’s unrivaled collection of e-books, comics, newspapers, and periodicals, as well as Audible audiobooks and podcasts.

While the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (available at Amazon) has 32GB of storage and 10-Watt wireless Qi charging, we recommend the entry-level model for most people.

The 8GB of storage that comes with it is more than enough space and wireless charging doesn’t seem worth the extra cost because the Paperwhite can go weeks between charging.

Pros

  • Waterproof

  • Unparalleled selection of content

  • Gorgeous display

Cons

  • Must pay a premium to remove ads

$139.99 from Amazon

Other E-Readers We Tested

Product image of Kobo Nia
Kobo Nia
  • Display size: 6 inches
  • Screen resolution: 212 PPI
  • Storage: 8GB
  • Waterproof: No

The Kobo Nia provides a very similar user experience as the Kobo Libra 2 at a more affordable price, but it isn’t waterproof and lacks the physical buttons and adjustable colored front lighting found with the Libra 2.

The Nia is one of the smallest and lightest e-readers around, but its 212-PPI e-ink display can’t match the text sharpness of other ebook readers we tested. That said, we could read on the Nia for an hour at a time without eye strain.

The Nia offers the same access to the Kobo Store book subscription service, Overdrive, and Pocket as the Libra 2, so it could be perfect for some readers.

Pros

  • Light, comfortable to hold

  • Provides paid and unpaid reading options

  • User-friendly interface

Cons

  • Not waterproof

  • Low display resolution

Buy now at Kobo

$109.99 from Walmart
Product image of Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)
  • Display size: 10.2 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
  • Waterproof: No

The size of the Kindle Scribe’s display makes it feels as if you’re reading a full-sized hardcover book. Its screen is sharp, and images look fantastic. It’s also possible to listen to audiobooks from Audible or side-load books using software like Calibre.

The Scribe is an e-reader first, with digital note-taking taking a back seat. Having scribbled on the scribe using Amazon’s Premium Pen, as well as compatible styluses from a number of other e-ink tablets, I found the writing experience to be merely adequate. However, unlike the reMarkable 2, which is the best e-note device we've tested so far, the Kindle Scribe's notes can be read in any condition because of the display’s front lighting.

Thanks to a recent update, the Scribe now comes with a better selection of note-taking tools than when it was first released. It still only comes with a small number of page templates, but there are a number of new pen style options, which makes it easier to personalize your notes, along with a number of line thicknesses. Notes are organized in their own section, away from your Kindle content, and can be organized using folders and nested subfolders.

Jotting down annotations in books, however, feels a little clunky. It’s not possible to simply write on the page of a Kindle book like you would in a paper volume. You have to choose a spot for the note, open a note-taking field, and write your thoughts there. I’d have liked to have seen a system that allowed Scribe users a little more flexibility.

We were disappointed by the slow transfer of personal documents to the Scribe: It’s only possible to move PDFs to the device by sending them to the Scribe’s unique email address, or, using Amazon’s clunky Send to Kindle app on a PC or Mac. Documents are slow to show up, using either method. To consider this seriously as a productivity device, a less pokey transfer system is required.

Read our full Kindle Scribe review

Pros

  • Large, bright display

  • Speedy performance

  • Comfortable writing experience

Cons

  • Too large for some reading situations

  • Lacks water resistance

  • Note-taking experience merely adequate

$254.99 from Amazon

$254.99 from Target
Product image of Kobo Elipsa 2E
Kobo Elipsa 2E
  • Display size: 10.3 inches
  • Screen resolution: 227 PPI
  • Storage: 32 GB
  • Waterproof: No

The Kobo Elipse 2E has a large 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen, with 227 PPI. That’s not the highest-resolution display of the devices featured in this guide. But during testing, we still found it easy enough on the eyes, especially with the Elipse 2E’s variable temperature front lighting turned on.

Like the rest of the Kobo devices here, in addition to letting you read side-loaded books or content from the Kobo Store, the Elipse 2E also gives users access to content saved from their tablet or computer, via Mozilla’s Pocket app and, free material from their local library through the use of Libby/Overdrive. This makes it a compelling purchase for anyone with a voracious reading habit.

It’s also a capable note-taking device. Unlike the first -generation of this device, the Elipse 2E’s input latency is minimal. We like its native Dropbox integration: write a note and, if you’re connected to Wi-Fi, it’ll sync to your account as a PDF. But we’d appreciate more writing templates to leverage.

Read our full Kobo Elipse 2E review

Pros

  • Bright, reasonably crisp display

  • Pocket, Kobo Bookstore, and Overdrive integration

  • Improved note-taking experience over last model

Cons

  • User Interface needs work

  • Inaccurate stylus eraser

  • Distracting screen refreshes

Buy now at Amazon

$366.64 from Walmart
Product image of Kobo Sage
Kobo Sage
  • Display size: 8 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Waterproof: Yes (IPX8 rating)

You’d be forgiven for mistaking the Kobo Sage for the Kobo Libra 2. Their design language is very similar. However, the Sage's e-ink display is an inch larger and boasts adjustable color temperature front lighting.

Both the Sage and the Libra 2 come packing a pair of navigation buttons built into a large bezel, which makes using the buttons and holding either of the devices quite comfortable.

The Sage is waterproof and offers all of the reading features that the Libra 2 does. However, the Sage does a party trick that the Libra 2 can’t match: it can be used to create digital, handwritten notes and document annotations. Unfortunately, you’ll need to purchase a Kobo Stylus for that, which adds to the overall cost of ownership for the Sage.

Additionally, I was disappointed to note a considerable amount of input lag while writing notes or drawing on the Sage’s display. This, along with its lack of writing templates and the fact that its note-taking functionality is hidden away in a submenu, makes it difficult to recommend over the Libra 2, or Kobo’s more capable digital notepad, the Elipsa.

Pros

  • Bright, crisp display

  • Pocket and Overdrive access

  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Stylus sold separately

  • noticeable input lag

Buy now at Kobo

$269.99 from Walmart
Product image of Onyx Boox Page
Onyx Boox Page
  • Display size: 7 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 32GB (expandable via MicroSD)
  • Waterproof: Yes (IPX8 rating)

If being locked into just one e-book ecosystem makes you uncomfortable, or, a large amount of your reading time is spent consuming long-form web content, you might want to consider the Onyx Boox Page. It uses a customized Android operating system, which allows any reading app available via the Google Play Store, to be downloaded and enjoyed.

With its seven-inch display, 32GB of expandable storage and, page turn buttons, the Boot Page is reminiscent of the discontinued Amazon Oasis. However, unlike the Oasis, with its aluminum enclosure, the Boox Page is made using plastic. This makes the e-reader decidedly less durable, but a lot lighter.

While we appreciate this device’s ability to host any number of reading apps---during testing, we devoured text using Pocket, Libby, Kindle, Kobo, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy apps---Android, as an operating system, isn’t designed to run on E-Ink and other similar technologies. Whole interface elements can disappear as they’re not designed to appear on displays with a slow refresh rate. Text can quickly become unreadable unless the device’s display is manually refreshed each time a page is advanced. Onyx has done considerable work to get past these issues: The Boox Page’s various screen refresh settings help. But the results are far from perfect and distract from an uninterrupted reading experience.

Read our full Onyx Book Page review

Pros

  • Crisp, well-lit display

  • Excellent design

  • Ample Storage with MicroSD slot

Cons

  • Android apps run poorly

  • Questionable first-party apps

Buy now at B&H

$249.99 from Best Buy
Product image of Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4
Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4
  • Display size: 6 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Waterproof: No

The Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4, smaller and lighter than most of the devices in this guide, was crisp and easy to read under all lighting conditions, thanks to the device's adjustable front lighting. That the lighting's color temperature can be tweaked made reading a book on it all the more pleasant.

Despite its readability, it is aggravating that the GlowLight’s e-ink display is recessed under the device's wide plastic bezel—something we’d expect from a last-generation device or a less expensive one. During testing, dust and small pieces of debris easily became wedged between the bezel and display. This large bezel does serve a purpose, however. You'll find page-turn buttons embedded into both sides of it, making it a reasonable option for left or right-handed readers.

While the GlowLight 4 has a number of redeeming qualities if you own a large library of Barnes & Noble e-books, we don’t recommend this device for most people. For around the same price point, there are a number of other more capable e-readers out there, the Kindle Paperwhite among them.

Unlike the Paperwhite or some of the e-readers Kobo offers, the GlowLight 4 isn't waterproof. Nor does it provide access to the extensive collection of books and periodicals that Amazon and Kobo devices offer. And even if a significant portion of your electronic book library consists of side-loaded files stored on your computer, the GlowLight 4 is still less than ideal, as it only supports two file types: PDFs and EPUB.

Buy now at Barnes & Noble

How We Test E-Readers

Two Kobo e-readers sitting on a desktop with a pair of glasses and a set of AirPods.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

We spent weeks using each e-reader in this roundup in order to get a feel for how they performed.

The Tester

I’m Séamus Bellamy, senior editor for Reviewed's electronics team. I'm a voracious reader who doesn’t have space in my home for more than a handful of paperbacks. Over the past decade, I’ve relied on e-readers to satisfy my passion for reading.

The Tests

The best way to test an e-reader is by reading—a lot. I spent several weeks with each device, using them to PDF files, trashy mystery masterpieces published in a number of e-book file types, digital comic books, and image files,in an attempt to get a feel for how each one performed. I also noted the amount of content that could be accessed by each e-reader.

I paid attention to the quality of text displayed on its screen, its refresh rate (how often the device erases the artifacts left on its display from the previous pages you’ve perused), and the effectiveness of its front lighting. I noted how responsive its user interface was.

What to Consider Before Buying an E-Reader

Screen Size

A good e-reader should have a large enough screen for easy readability, but be compact enough to slip into your bag without having to shuffle things around. For that, you’ll want something around 5 to 6.8 inches max, but if you’re looking for a big device to read on from home, a larger screen is a great option.

Waterproof Rating

If you plan on reading poolside or at the beach, you should consider a waterproof e-reader. When shopping for a waterproof e-reader, look for one with an IPX8 water resistance rating, which means it can be submerged in up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) of freshwater for an hour at a time. It should be noted that being waterproof doesn’t mean your e-reader is corrosion-proof, so you should still take care when close to water.

Battery Life

Unlike smartphones, e-readers should typically last at least a couple weeks on a single charge, but ideally more. Nearly all of the e-readers we tested have weeks of battery life.

File Support

Many e-readers support a wide variety of file formats, but the most crucial are ePub for general purpose, .mobi or .AZW3 for Kindle devices, as well as .txt and .pdf for other general files.

Outside of those, any other file formats supported may come in handy, but they also may not depending on what you plan to do with your device.

  • The Best Kindles
  • The Best Tablets
  • The Best Tablets for Kids
  • Review: Remarkable 2 Tablet Review

Meet the tester

Séamus Bellamy

Séamus Bellamy

Senior Editor: Mobile Devices & Wearables

@@SeamusBellamy

Séamus Bellamy is a senior editor on Reviewed's Electronics Team. Before coming to Reviewed, his work was featured in The New York Times, The Globe & Mail, BBC World, Macworld and Maximum PC.

See all of Séamus Bellamy's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next