Consumer reports on ratings of ebook readers

We found the buttons to click crisply and a bit loudly. The page turning is as responsive as on any other reader, with no lag. If you prefer, you can tap the screen to go back and forth, but the buttons are the main reason to pay the extra money. The 7-inch screen has the same dpi resolution as the Kobo Clara HD. Every ebook reader we recommend here and almost every e-reader, period , is monochromatic. Black and white, while perfect for reading novels or nonfiction, leaves a lot to be desired for content with color images, such as comics and graphic novels.

There have been a handful of color ebook readers over the years, and the early introduction of the E Ink Kaleido Plus display with support for 4, colors at dpi has led to more new, mainstream models. Color images on the screens of both the InkPad Color and the Nova 3 are fine at best. You can load your own content in various formats over web-based services, or, in the case of the PocketBook, a microSD card. But neither has direct access to the book stores offered by Amazon, Google, Apple, or any other major seller.

From its built-in app store, you can download apps including Kindle and Libby. But the default bookstore on the device includes only public domain works. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 11th generation is identical to the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Kids reader, save for three small differences: It has 32 GB of storage space four times that of the other models, it supports Qi wireless charging, and the backlight automatically adjusts thanks to a sensor above the screen.

These are all nice-to-have features, but not worth the premium price for most people. The Kobo Sage has an even larger 8-inch screen than the Libra 2 and offers a slew of custom accessories, including a charging cover and a stylus for note-taking. The biggest downside to this model is its ppi resolution, which means text is fuzzier and images are blurrier than on the ppi Paperwhite. Compared to the entry-level Kindle with a ppi screen, it has a sharper ppi screen.

But it has similar flaws, including a recessed screen and no waterproofing. Its design is unique compared with that of other Kindles, as it features an asymmetrical body 0. The Oasis is a little wider than the Paperwhite, though it weighs about the same, and it also has a larger 7-inch screen. And although the previous GlowLight was waterproof with an IP67 rating , this version is not.

Unlike tablets, which can do as much as a laptop, ebook readers are mostly dedicated to one task: reading. Both the hardware and software are designed to make the reading experience great. E-readers weigh less than tablets, with the Kindle Paperwhite coming in at about two-thirds the weight of the iPad mini.

Since they can do less, ebook readers are also generally cheaper. Most people find that e-readers are much easier to read for long stretches than tablets. Both top e-reader brands—Amazon and Kobo—support checking out books from your local public library through OverDrive, but Kobo allows you to do so directly on your reader.

If you have a Kindle, you have to use a separate computer or your phone, and then your rented books will be sent over the air to your ebook reader. In most cases, if you want to put your textbooks on an e-reader, you should get a Kindle. Though the Kobo e-readers can store and display any book in the EPUB format, the selection of textbooks is more limited.

Amazon has an entire textbook storefront that includes the option to rent books. Not all books are well suited for e-readers, though; if your course or content requires a lot of flipping back and forth, or needs color images, you may want to stick with a print edition. Nick Guy is a senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter.

He has been reviewing iPhones, iPads, and related tech since —and stopped counting after he tested his 1,th case. He once had the bright idea to build and burn down a room to test fireproof safes. We also have picks for Android tablets, ebook readers, and more.

If you want a tablet, you should probably buy an iPad. Our pick. Also great. Upgrade pick. Everything we recommend. The competition Frequently asked questions Sources Who should buy this or upgrade to it. Ebooks and DRM. How we picked and tested. 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.

Screen quality: We gave preference to devices with a pixel density of dots per inch, the highest available in any ebook reader and what most models offer. Anything lower will mean 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.

Six-inch screens are the most common size, as well as the most portable and likely to be pocketable, although newer readers pack larger screens into similarly sized bodies, which is a bonus.

Battery life and storage: Most of the readers promise battery life somewhere between six and eight weeks depending on usage and offer 8 GB or 32 GB of storage. In other words, most specs are less important than how good the ebook reader feels in the hand. Other features: While not required, features like waterproofing and Bluetooth audio can make a good e-reader great. Our pick: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids. It features crisp texts, an impressive number of personalization options for reading, and robust note-taking tools.

Although it can be temperamental to use, its long list of useful features and connectivity options make it one of the top reading tablets for students. If you enjoy ebook reading, chances are you would like to have your library organized and have it with you on the go.

If you do, there are a couple of options to consider for your digital library. There are both public libraries and paid ones and picking one may dictate your device choice. Although some may question the eReader practicality and debate about eReader vs tablet thinking that if you have the former, you do not need the latter. Others may even convince you to go back to your favorite paper book.

We believe the two devices have been intentionally designed for two different purposes and should not be compared as equivalents. There are multiple reasons that make modern eReaders a better reading choice:. Overall, if it is reading you are after, no tablet can really beat an eBook reader and we can help you pick the top eReader of For more details, see below:.

Alternatively, you can always opt for ebook reader apps such as a Kindle app or others compatible with your mobile device, iPad or a tablet.

They provide the most cost-effective solution to e-reading but deliver the least impressive experience of all. There are a number of factors you would need to consider before shortlisting your top picks and ultimately buying an eReader that fits your needs. Below I have listed some handy tips for you to consider. In terms of the type — basic e-readers use monochrome, E Ink technology screens to display text, and some basic graphics.

However, most eBook readers these days include edge lighting that helps you see in the dark. Also, most models, allow you to vary the intensity of the brightness from being quite dimmed to flashlight-bright. In case you are someone who likes reading outside, then sun glare and water exposure may not make it easy for you.

If you are an outdoor book lover reading out on a sunny day, then having a screen that is glare resistant is not only a better option but a must. If on top of that you like reading on the beach or next to a pool, then some level of water resistance would be highly recommended. Most modern eReaders come with Wi-Fi and some even with cellular internet support.

Not a very useful feature for people who never run out of books to read while on the move. The downside of eBooks is that there are multiple different formats as there is no universally agreed format amongst the publishers yet. There are also free or open formats such as ePub. You may know, but Google, for example, offers over a million books in that format without asking for anything in return. This is great, but if you are a Kindle user — ePub is not supported as Amazon only allows books from the Amazon ecosystem to be used.

There are ways around it by using a third-party application, yet natively the ePub support does not come with Kindles. In terms of eBook volume, Amazon has a superior eBook selection but you should also compare the prices to ensure you are getting a good deal as they vary between the stores.

If you are planning to read books on multiple devices, such as your phone or tablet, then you need to ensure that there is an e-book reader app available for your device.

Unlike tablets and mobile devices, eReaders can last for weeks. Typically modern eBook readers can last between four and eight weeks. If you are doing a lot of travel, this factor may be important to consider. At the same time, you can always opt for a capable power bank to be safe. If you are looking for the best budget e-book reader you might be pleasantly surprised as the prices for eReaders have recently fallen.

As most of the time, the price point is driven by the features available, so you need to make sure that you are not buying an eReader that has some cool features that you will never use. Where is the power button located and can you press it using one hand? How does the lock screen work, is it secure, and many others. But most of them are secondary and should not greatly impact your purchasing decision. There are many different file types but most eBook readers would not support all of them.

Although EPUB format is not natively supported, you can convert it to a supported file type. At the same time, the process is cumbersome, and it breaks Digital Rights Management. Lastly, Apple iBooks are not supported.

The format is supported widely by most ebook readers except Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and other Amazon Kindles. Some models have a more paper books feel than others, but in general, it is as close to a paper book as screen can get. Most manufacturers use E Ink technology screen type technology that delivers a consistent reading performance even under direct sunlight. Yes, but before you can read your e-books on your laptop or PC, you need to have an application installed first.

No, you can not as e-books are usually subject to a single user license. You can share the eBook between your own devices however. The short answer is — most of the time you do not need any. This is due to modern devices being capable of storing thousands of books with their internal storage.

In addition, most major vendors offer cloud storage. It allows you to download books to your device whenever you need them, in which case a connection to a Wi-Fi hotspot is required. To me the various ways one can adjust fonts, margins and the like within the kobo firmware without the need for Calibre etc… and the superior screen size and display of the Kobo Aura One mean Kobo has got the basic core fundementals down while Amazon does not and focuses on extraneous sophisticated extras.

The Kobo aura One hardware is technically superior overall and so is the core reading experience. I can buy and read books for use with my Kobo from all book stores including Amazon.

Also, I am no lawyer but stripping DRM on your ebooks does not seem to illegal, at least not here in New York, as long as you do not distribute them for piracy see here :. I can export annotations from my Kobo using various methods but none of them are as simple as emailing them to myself from an Oasis.

Yeah, of course this means you have to have access to a PC or laptop to take full advantage of the Kobo and it is more time consuming but I find since it has 8 gigabytes of memory if I sit down one weekend and load everything on my ereader , with forethought, then it is not a constant hassle to use.

That is called being smart and using the executive function of the frontal lobe of my brain instead of being impulsive. For on the fly impulsive online news stuff or articles there is always the pocket function for Kobo, though.

Amazon focuses on sophisticated features while never perfecting the core reading experience putting the cart before the horse 2. It tries to lock you into their ecosystem having less flexible support for ebook formats no epub support?! It is and this is not acceptable. Kobo aura one is truly the choice for booklover as I see things like audible as stuff for illiterates and people dipping their toe into being the literati but not committed to dipping their toe all the way in.

Thanks for your elaborate comment, I truly believe our readers will find it useful. At the same time, I think that the ecosystem should be included in the overall score as it also contributes to the user experience a great deal. I found that if using the ecosystem results in a frustrating or incomplete behavior, it can put off people like me and others from using the device all up. To give you a real-life example from a different niche — I was choosing mobile phones for myself years ago.

With the ecosystem being in the mix, I would pick Kindle Oasis. Neither are perfect in my view, yet I hope you can see my point. Thanks again for the loads of useful information you have to share with our readers! I wholeheartedly agree.

I want the Kobo Aura One for the reading experience. I had a Kindle and a Nook and the one thing that frustrated me most was not being able to manipulate the text where I could be comfortable reading it.

Both Kindle and Nook have limited options. The newest Kindles have a little more than before but clearly not as much nor as varied as KA1. One could say there are no options to change font size or style when reading g a real book and you survived.

True, but it is an entirely different experience when reading a physical book. If the option could be there, why not use it and use it to its fullest ability? I feel it sucks away my soul when reading at night. My Nook had them on both sides. Plus, the buttons look a little small, which means I may have to place my fingers a certain way to access the buttons. What does concern me is being locked in and urged to buy from constant ads.

I can check out audiobooks from the library and listen to them on my phone. Thanks for sharing your feedback, I also think that KB1 is just a better package overall, in most respects. I think it is, especially now that Amazon sells them at a discount. At the same time, an update Paperwhite has improved its features and got quite close to the ex-flagship Voyage.

We have updated our Paperwhite review by the way to reflect the changes. For example say I am on page and I want to go back to page 72 and then back to or any other page. I believe what you are after is the ability to add multiple bookmarks and tag them.

If that is the case, then all ebook readers in the review have that feature. Yeah, scratching my head a little bit now, it definitely deserves a place in the top 10 eReaders list. Thanks for your comment! This is definitely something we will be looking into and reviewing shortly. Thanks for your feedback! Your email address will not be published. Table of Contents show. Best Value Kindle — Kindle Paperwhite. Ebook Reader or Tablet? How to choose the best eBook Reader?

Frequently Asked Questions. Image Top 8 eReaders. Storage 8 GB. Touch Yes. Check price. Best Value Kindle — Kindle Paperwhite Great all-around mid-level Kindle that has all the features to make an average reader happy. Page Turn Controls Touch. Best Large Screen — Kobo Forma Despite having the largest screen in our review, it is also one of the lightest eReaders we have ever tested. Screen size 6". Page Turn Controls No. Screen size 13". Storage 64 GB.

Bottom Line Kobo Libra H2O delivers a premium and pleasurable reading experience at a reasonable price tag with a high-resolution display and clean interface. Check Price. Bottom Line A top of the line e-reader, this waterproof Kindle Oasis features a sharp and bright HD display with automatic lighting adjustments. Bottom Line The waterproof Amazon Kindle Paperwhite delivers tons of value with its upgraded storage space, larger battery, and sharper display.

Bottom Line Overall, the rubbery coating, lightweight design and thick bezel with physical buttons have created an exceptional level of comfort and ergonomics. Bottom Line Kobo Forma has all the features you can expect a premium eReader to have. That being said, it is surprisingly light at There are multiple reasons that make modern eReaders a better reading choice: A high resolution screen screen designed for easy reading and less eye strain.

Glare resistant Pixel density Water-resistant some models Lighter and cheaper than a tablet Better battery capacity weeks long Book-like feel when reading Smart color temperature adjustment Overall, if it is reading you are after, no tablet can really beat an eBook reader and we can help you pick the top eReader of Screen Dimension In terms of the type — basic e-readers use monochrome, E Ink technology screens to display text, and some basic graphics.

Outdoor use In case you are someone who likes reading outside, then sun glare and water exposure may not make it easy for you. Connection Most modern eReaders come with Wi-Fi and some even with cellular internet support. Ecosystem The downside of eBooks is that there are multiple different formats as there is no universally agreed format amongst the publishers yet. Battery Capacity Unlike tablets and mobile devices, eReaders can last for weeks.

Price If you are looking for the best budget e-book reader you might be pleasantly surprised as the prices for eReaders have recently fallen. What is ePub? It is a type of an open electronic book file standard set by IDPF. The format can be read on multiple devices such as tablets, computers, eReaders.

Kevin Francis Burke on March 10, at am. I can export annotations from my Kobo using various methods but none of them are as simple as emailing them to myself from an Oasis So on and so forth etc… Yeah, of course this means you have to have access to a PC or laptop to take full advantage of the Kobo and it is more time consuming but I find since it has 8 gigabytes of memory if I sit down one weekend and load everything on my ereader , with forethought, then it is not a constant hassle to use.

Dmitry Belousov on March 10, at pm. Hi Kevin, Thanks for your elaborate comment, I truly believe our readers will find it useful. J L Hernandez on July 1, at am. My two cents. Dmitry Belousov on July 1, at am. Danny on December 22, at am. I think Kindle Voyage is being decommissioned — is it still worth a buy?