The Best Ebook Readers
The Best Ebook Readers
With prices starting at well below the magic $100 mark, it’s a great time to buy an ebook reader. If you’re not concerned about extra features, any of the base E Ink models from Amazon or Barnes & Noble will do the trick with aplomb. All feature fast page turns, high contrast E Ink screens, and portable designs. They also include Wi-Fi, so you don’t need to hook them up to a computer unless you want to move specific files back and forth between them.
But most readers now have touch screens, which are useful for shopping for new books, as well as for entering notes or search terms using an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. A few models also come with memory card slots for sideloading ebooks or PDF files. And thanks to edge-lit models, you can easily read an E Ink screen in the dark.
Amazon is the only manufacturer to continue to offer readers with built-in 3G cellular data connections, which let you buy books over the air even when you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot. That’s great if you’re at the beach or in a park, and there’s no monthly fee, either. But for the added price of the connection, you could also buy a color tablet.
A few quick notes on those: Color tablets trade E Ink screens for backlit color displays, of course, just like you’d find on a laptop or more expensive tablet computer. They’re actually great for reading magazines and comic books, as well as browsing the Web. But remember that they also have much less battery life, and aren’t as easy on the eyes as an E Ink screen.
With that in mind, here’s our roundup of the best dedicated ebook readers on the market today. Before you buy, also check out our Ebook Readers Product Guide for the absolute latest reviews, plus our detailedHow to Buy an Ebook Reader guide. For more on tablets, check out The 10 Best Tablets.
Ebook Readers
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
$119
$109.00 at AmazonThe Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon strikes a near-perfect balance of speed, polish, and bright, even edge lighting. It sets the bar high for the competition. Read the full review ››
Amazon Kindle
$79
$79.00 at AmazonAmazon added a touch screen to its entry-level Kindle ebook reader, making it a fantastic bargain for $79. Read the full review ››
Amazon Kindle Voyage
$119
$199.00 at AmazonThe Amazon Kindle Voyage is hands down the best ebook reader available, though most people will still be served just fine by the Paperwhite. Read the full review ››
Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight
$99
$99.95 at AmazonThe attractively designed Barnes & Noble’s Nook GlowLight should please existing Nook and B&N store fans alike, although some may not like its reduced feature set. Read the full review ››
Kobo Aura HD
$149.99
£132.99 at PixmaniaThe Kobo Aura HD is a premium ebook reader with high-quality edge lighting and a super-sharp display. Read the full review ››
Kobo Aura H2O
$179.99
Though a bit pricier than the competition, the waterproof Kobo Aura H2O is the ultimate beach reader. Read the full review ››
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