The Best E-Reader

An ebook reader is a dedicated device on which you read electronic books—usually those you buy from an ebook store, but also some you can download elsewhere (through your local public library, for example). Over the past few years, the prices of ebook readers have fallen dramatically while the hardware has improved significantly, and high-end features such as a backlit, high-resolution screen and waterproofing have become standard. If you don’t have an ebook reader, there’s never been a better time to get one.

If you have an ebook reader but struggle with finding light to read, get frustrated with slow page turns or low resolution, or merely hate how big your current device is, upgrading to a new one might be worthwhile.

I am Wirecutter’s senior editor overseeing technology coverage, and I have been using e-readers since the Amazon Kindle had a physical keyboard (RIP). I have covered consumer technology devices—including e-readers, tablets, and smartphones—for more than a decade for Macworld, Tom’s Guide, Gizmodo, and other outlets. I have also volunteered at my local public library and written about why checking out ebooks from the library can be so complicated.

For this guide:

• I tested multiple generations of e-readers from a variety of companies, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Rakuten.
• I researched E Ink displays, including color E Ink, to assess the benefits and disadvantages.
• I read reviews of e-readers from other consumer-technology websites and looked at Reddit forums and e-reader owner reviews.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

Writer Nick Guy contributed reporting to this guide.

If you already own an iPad or another tablet, you might wonder why an ebook reader is necessary. And it’s not: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo all offer apps that allow you to access your library on an iOS or Android tablet or smartphone, and you can also use a tablet or phone to read ebooks from Apple Books (on iOS) and the Google Play store (on iOS and Android).

But if you’re a regular reader, dedicated e-readers are a better option for a number of reasons. Nonreflective, electronic-ink displays give you a more paperlike visual experience (including enjoyable reading outdoors and less eyestrain compared with an LCD or OLED screen), plus they weigh less and offer significantly longer battery life. And a dedicated ebook reader presents fewer distractions—you won’t be tempted to mindlessly scroll through Instagram or watch a video on TikTok or YouTube. Being able to sync progress from an ebook reader app to the cloud means you can easily read a few pages on your phone or iPad and then pick the book up again on whichever e-reader you own—it’s the best of both worlds.

But if you’d rather buy a device that lets you read, browse the web, watch videos, and use your favorite apps, our iPad and Android tablet picks might be a better bet (and they support styluses, which our e-reader picks do not).

Few companies make e-readers, and Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Rakuten’s Kobo are the only major hardware makers with digital bookstores to back up their respective devices.

Here’s what we looked for in determining the best ebook readers:

• Built-in lighting: Most e-readers provide their own light for reading in dark environments. Unlike tablets such as the iPad, ebook readers use a side-lighting system that provides a glow across the screen, rather than from behind it. Because this feature is so prevalent, we didn’t test any readers without it.
• Screen quality: We gave preference to devices with a pixel density of 300 dots per inch, the highest available in any ebook reader and what most models offer. Anything lower produces less-crisp text and images.
• Build quality and size: While most ebook readers are made of plastic, some feel better than others in your hands. The most common screen size is 6 inches, which is also the most portable. Newer e-readers pack larger screens into similarly sized bodies, which is a bonus.
• Battery life and storage: Most e-readers promise battery life somewhere between six and eight weeks, depending on usage, and offer 16 GB or 32 GB of storage. Because e-readers tend to be so similar in this regard, specs like these are less important than how good an ebook reader feels in the hand.
• Other features: Features such as waterproofing and Bluetooth audio can make a good e-reader great, but they’re not required.
• Library: Ebook readers can’t stand on the strength of their hardware alone. Though all readers allow you to side-load unprotected content, it’s important that they provide easy access to a large library of commercial books.

We do not require our e-reader picks to offer stylus support, because E Ink tablets that you can write on are much more expensive than basic e-readers. If that’s what you’re looking for, our guide to digital notebooks has recommendations—just expect to spend a lot more money.

Top pick

Amazon Kindle (2024)

The best e-reader for most people

Amazon’s most affordable Kindle is also its most portable, with a 6-inch screen that offers sharp text on a bright screen and support for USB-C charging. Those features bring it in line with far more expensive e-readers. The Kids version costs an extra $20 but comes with a slew of perks that make it an excellent option if you can spend a little more.

Buying Options

$110 from Amazon

The cheapest Amazon Kindle is also the best e-reader for most people. Its affordable price, portability, bright display, 16 GB of base storage, and USB-C charging compatibility check the most important boxes, and Amazon has a massive ebook catalog that frequently offers better prices than the competition. Checking out ebooks from the library via the Libby app on a phone or tablet and then having them delivered to your Kindle is also fairly intuitive.

The screen is on a par with that of the pricier Kindle Paperwhite. The Kindle’s 6-inch display is smaller than the Kindle Paperwhite’s 7-inch display, so it’s much more pocketable (if you have giant pockets). But both Kindle models’ E Ink screens are 300 ppi, so text is sharp and clear to read. Both the 2024 Kindle and the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite can reach up to 94 nits and are noticeably brighter—and slightly warmer—than the 2022 model we previously recommended. I had no issues reading in the dark, in a dimly lit living room, or on my patio in direct sunlight. On this model, you don’t get the same color-temperature controls as on the Kindle Paperwhite, or the auto-adjusting brightness of the Paperwhite Signature Edition, but if you’re not sensitive to warm or cool light, this model gets the job done for far less money. It also has a dark mode if you’re into that sort of thing (I am not).

The battery life is excellent, and the Kindle’s support for USB-C is much appreciated. The main reason I prefer reading on a Kindle compared with my phone or iPad is that I can go weeks—sometimes even a month or two if I’m reading slowly—between charges. The new Kindle, like the 2022 model, supports USB-C, so you can charge your smartphone, laptop, and e-reader with the same cable (though a wall plug isn’t included in the box). Amazon says it lasts six weeks on a charge; we don’t have a standardized e-reader battery test, but anecdotally we’ve found that the cheapest Kindle easily lasts a month on a charge.

The base Kindle offers the same amount of storage as the pricier Paperwhite. If you have a huge ebook collection or like to listen to audiobooks on your Kindle, the 16 GB of storage in this model is a blessing. But if you have a massive ebook library or store a lot of audiobooks on your device, you’ll have to splurge on the $200 Paperwhite Signature Edition to get 32 GB of storage.

The Kindle ecosystem is huge. The collection of services that Amazon and its partners offer is a major reason we love Kindle e-readers in general. You can share purchased books with people on your Amazon Prime account; use X-Ray, which helps identify notable people and terms in your books; subscribe to the optional Kindle Unlimited service, which gives you on-demand access to a huge catalog of books for a flat rate every month; and opt for Amazon Kids+, which provides access to kids books, movies, TV shows, and more (a free, six-month subscription is included with the Kindle Kids model, which costs an extra $20 but also comes with a cover, a longer warranty, and no ads).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It isn’t waterproof. I love a hotel pool, and my Kindle is the first thing I throw in my tote on vacation. But it doesn’t offer any water resistance, so I have to be extra careful to avoid splashes. Similarly, if you like to relax in the tub with an e-reader, the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is a better bet for your peace of mind.

It’s more expensive than previous entry-level Kindle models. Amazon increased the starting price of the base-model Kindle by $10 without offering meaningful new features in the 2024 version.

The recycled plastic scratches easily. I used the matcha-colored version of the 2024 Kindle for a few weeks around my home, reading primarily in bed or on my couch, and somehow the light-colored plastic already has a few faint scratches on the back. The Paperwhite feels much more durable and resistant to wear and tear. (Protecting your Kindle with a case is a good idea, and we have some recommendations.)

Downloading EPUB files requires some extra steps. Prior to 2022, Amazon offered no support for EPUB files, the open-standard format for unprotected ebooks that’s common for public-domain and other freely available books. Now, Kindles are EPUB compatible, but loading them onto your e-reader requires extra work. You have to download the file on an iOS or Android device, find it in the phone’s Files app, and then use the “Send to Kindle” feature to send it wirelessly to your e-reader. You can also email an EPUB file to your Kindle’s email address, which sends the file directly to your Kindle. (To find that email address, log in to your Amazon account on the web, and then navigate to your devices. Click the name of your Kindle, and you’ll see an email address that ends in @kindle.com. Attach the EPUB file to an email sent to that Kindle address, and then sync your Kindle to see the file pop up.)

Upgrade pick

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Larger screen and waterproof

The waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is worth upgrading to if you want a bigger screen for reading more text at a time, if you want to adjust the color temperature as well as the lighting, and if you do a lot of reading at the beach or by a pool.

Buying Options

$160 from Amazon

The 2024 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is worth the extra money if you want a few more bells and whistles—and a more premium design—than the entry-level Kindle offers. For $20 more, you can get the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids, which comes with a cover, a two-year warranty, no lock-screen ads, and six months free of Amazon Kids+. That’s a good deal, especially if it’s on sale.

It has a big, rapidly refreshing screen. The Paperwhite’s 7-inch display is a noticeable upgrade over the entry-level Kindle’s smaller, 6-inch screen. Compared side by side with a 2021 Paperwhite, the new version is almost imperceptibly larger, but its refreshed screen is dramatically faster. Previous generations of E Ink displays were notoriously slow to respond to taps and swipes; you could almost feel the device thinking before a new page appeared. The 2024 Paperwhite has an oxide backplane display, so it registers taps near-instantly. When you’re reading on the Kindle Paperwhite, you can easily turn a page with a tap or swipe. The screen is evenly lit across its entire surface, and the text is impressively crisp.

It offers precise control over brightness and color temperature. You can change how much blue light the Kindle Paperwhite’s screen emits, from a typical white glow to a darker yellow in 24 increments, either manually or on an automatic schedule tied to sunset and sunrise. Wirecutter has written extensively about whether blocking blue light makes it easier to fall asleep (maybe) or helps you avoid eyestrain and headaches (probably not). Even if there’s no demonstrable benefit, color-temperature adjustment isn’t a bad feature to have and might just make for a more comfortable reading experience.

Did we mention it’s waterproof? The new Paperwhite is rated IPX8, which means it can tolerate being submerged in 2 meters (or about 6.5 feet) of fresh water for an hour or 2.5 meters (a little more than 8 feet) of seawater for three minutes. We submerged the new Paperwhite in a bathtub for 30 minutes—which isn’t exactly a common situation, but you never know—and were able to use it without any issues afterward.

Its seamless Audible integration is useful for audiobook lovers. You can pay for an Audible subscription or buy audiobooks à la carte. You have to use Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, however, because the Kindle Paperwhite doesn’t have a headphone jack. But the feature works well, and if you have both the ebook and audiobook version of a title, you can switch between reading and listening wherever you left off. You can also use the Bluetooth streaming for VoiceView, Amazon’s accessibility program that helps people with low vision navigate the screen.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Like the entry-level Kindle, the 2024 Paperwhite got a price increase. You have to pay $20 more for this year’s Paperwhite than for the previous model, and if you upgrade to the kids version, you get only six months of free Kindle Kids+ instead of the year-long subscription that Amazon previously included. These price hikes are irritating, especially considering that Amazon declined to include long-requested features such as physical page-turn buttons in this upgrade.

Best for...

Rakuten Kobo Clara BW

Best for non-Amazon users

If you have no interest in buying into the Amazon ecosystem, Kobo e-readers are a solid option. The newest Kobo model splits the difference between the entry-level Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite by giving you a 6-inch screen with adjustable light and color temperature for late-night reading. OverDrive integration makes checking out library books a breeze.

Buying Options

$140 from Target

Amazon has dominated e-readers for many, many years, and for good reason. Although we generally prefer the Kindle line’s hardware and ease of use, we’re glad Amazon isn’t the only good option. Kobo e-readers are very good, especially if you haven’t already bought into the Kindle ecosystem (owning a lot of Kindle books makes switching extremely difficult). For readers who primarily check out digital library books or for anyone who simply doesn’t like Amazon, Rakuten’s Kobo Clara BW hits the sweet spot in price and features between the cheap entry-level Kindle and the pricier Kindle Paperwhite.

It has a warm, quickly refreshing screen. The Kobo Clara BW’s addition of E Ink Carta 1300 technology represents a meaningful upgrade over the Kobo Clara 2E, our previous Kobo pick. Text is crisp and clear, the screen can get impressively bright, and the Kobo Clara BW’s pages turn almost instantly when you tap the screen, just as quickly as the basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite. (The Kobo Clara 2E was much slower and sometimes suffered from a ghosting effect, where you could see faint text on the screen in between page turns.) The Kobo Clara BW gives you more control over color temperature and brightness than the basic Kindle does, which can make longer reading sessions more comfortable, but it’s also more expensive than that model.

This Kobo reader offers Kindle Paperwhite features for less than the Paperwhite. The Kobo Clara BW costs about $30 less than the Kindle Paperwhite, and while it feels a bit more like the regular Kindle in its materials and design, it gives you the same IPX8 waterproofing, adjustable screen brightness and color temperature, and USB-C charging as the Paperwhite does. The Paperwhite has a slightly larger screen—7 inches versus the Kobo Clara BW’s 6-inch display—but the Kobo Clara BW’s smaller size makes it more pocketable.

It’s lightweight and portable. Like the entry-level Kindle, the Kobo Clara BW has a 6-inch screen surrounded by a slightly raised bezel. Rakuten says it’s made from 85% recycled plastic, and though we didn’t independently confirm whether the company diverted plastic that was bound for oceans or landfills, this e-reader is lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite (but not quite as light as the basic Kindle). The basic Kindle’s design feels flimsier by comparison, and I prefer the Kobo Clara BW’s textured back and rear power button.

Borrowing ebooks from the library is seamless. I prefer to check out books from my public library system rather than buy them because, well, they’re free, and Kobo makes borrowing ebooks even easier than Amazon does. The Kobo Clara BW offers integration with OverDrive, a platform for borrowing ebooks from libraries, so you can link your public library account to OverDrive and then see options for purchasing a specific ebook from the Kobo Store or borrowing it from the library directly on the device itself—no need to navigate to a third-party website to send the ebook to your Kobo e-reader. (OverDrive has shut down its standalone app in favor of Libby, another ebook-lending platform it owns, but Kobo devices’ OverDrive integration remains functional and works well.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Its battery life isn’t quite as long as a Kindle’s. Rakuten says the Kobo Clara BW will last up to 53 days on a charge if you read 30 minutes a day at 10% brightness. I read much longer than that and prefer a much brighter screen, so in my experience this Kobo e-reader has lasted just a few weeks on a charge. However, it doesn’t take forever to juice back up—it charged from completely dead to 65% in just 30 minutes. In contrast, the basic Kindle easily lasts closer to six weeks, and the Paperwhite lasts more than two months on a charge. If you, like me, almost never remember to charge your e-reader, a Kindle might be a better option.

We’re currently taking another look at color e-readers, including the new Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, the Kobo Clara Colour, and the Kobo Libra Colour, to see if advancements in E Ink displays have made colorful e-readers worth buying yet. Typically color E Ink tablets have been too dim, fuzzy, and expensive to be worth recommending, but we hope to find the best one for most people.

Amazon is also releasing a new version of the Kindle Scribe, though it will still command a steep price, starting at $400, when it ships on December 4. New features include the ability to make notes directly on the page you’re reading, and built-in AI that will summarize and refine your notes for you. We’ll evaluate that Kindle in our guide to digital notebooks.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe was the first Kindle to support note-taking with an included stylus. The Scribe is much larger than the basic Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite, with a 10.2-inch screen at 300 ppi. E Ink tablets that allow you to read books and take notes have become more popular in recent years, and the first-gen Kindle Scribe was delightful to use. The included basic pen attaches magnetically to the e-reader and never needs to be charged, but you can’t use it to annotate ebooks. We found that other digital notebooks are more full-featured and affordable.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (11th generation) is identical to the 2021 Paperwhite and Paperwhite Kids, save for three small differences: It has 32 GB of storage space (twice that of the other models), it supports Qi wireless charging, and the backlight automatically adjusts thanks to a sensor above the screen. I didn’t find those extra features worth this model’s higher price. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (12th generation) is similarly identical to the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite, though for an extra $40 you get an auto-adjusting front light, 32 GB of storage, and wireless charging. It’s worth that premium only if you own a lot of ebooks.

In addition to the Kobo Clara BW, Rakuten has a handful of other options that offer more features for a higher price. We’re taking another look at the $150 Kobo Clara Colour, which is identical to the Clara BW but has a colorful E Ink Kaleido 3 display that makes graphic novels pop (though color E Ink screens are still much dimmer than their black-and-white counterparts). The pricier Kobo Elipsa 2E and Kobo Sage are more digital notebooks than e-readers; we reviewed such models for a separate guide.

Barnes & Noble is still making its Nook line of e-readers. We tested the $150 Nook GlowLight 4, which is priced similarly to the Kindle Paperwhite but has a smaller screen and isn’t waterproof. We appreciated its physical page-turn buttons, though.

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Jason Chen.