Ebook Readers: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Whether you prefer casual reading, audiobooks, or carrying an entire library wherever you go, there's an ebook reader for everyone. Our experts are here to help you find the right ereader for your habits and lifestyle.
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The Best Ereaders We've TestedWhether you're considering joining the digital book revolution for the first time or simply want to upgrade, these are the top ereaders we've tested for every type of bookworm.
By Will Greenwald
Our Current Top Tested Picks
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The 2024 edition of Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is the best ebook reader for most people, offering an ideal blend of price and features, with a slightly larger screen and faster performance than the previous version.
Full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) ReviewPros
- Crisp 7-inch display
- Speedy performance
- Waterproof design
Cons
- Ads on the lock screen (unless you pay to remove them)
Pros
- Crisp 7-inch display
- Speedy performance
- Waterproof design
Cons
- Ads on the lock screen (unless you pay to remove them)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2024)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Kindle Paperwhite Kids for 2024 bundles Amazon's excellent waterproof ebook reader with child-friendly accessories and software for less than you'd pay for them separately.
Full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2024) ReviewPros
- Comes with a protective case
- Waterproof build
- Six months of Amazon Kids+ included
- Two-year replacement warranty
- Ad-free lock screen
Cons
- Limited free book selection
Pros
- Comes with a protective case
- Waterproof build
- Six months of Amazon Kids+ included
- Two-year replacement warranty
- Ad-free lock screen
Cons
- Limited free book selection
Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The base iPad for 2025 has little to set it apart from the 2022 model, but a new processor gives it just enough of a boost to remain Apple's best tablet for most people.
Full Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025) ReviewPros
- Most affordable iPad
- Good everyday performance
- High-quality hardware
- Improved storage options
Cons
- No Apple Intelligence
- Hardly anything new
Pros
- Most affordable iPad
- Good everyday performance
- High-quality hardware
- Improved storage options
Cons
- No Apple Intelligence
- Hardly anything new
Onyx Book Go Color 7 (Gen II)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 (Gen II) is similar to the original, but adds optional stylus support and powerful note-taking software, creating an impressive portable ereader/notebook hybrid.
Full Onyx Book Go Color 7 (Gen II) ReviewPros
- Color E Ink display
- Excellent note-taking software
- Access to third-party apps
- Dedicated page-turning buttons
Cons
- Outdated OS
- Not waterproof
- Stylus lags slightly
Pros
- Color E Ink display
- Excellent note-taking software
- Access to third-party apps
- Dedicated page-turning buttons
Cons
- Outdated OS
- Not waterproof
- Stylus lags slightly
Kobo Clara Colour
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Kobo Clara Colour is a waterproof, repairable, and surprisingly affordable color ereader with excellent library integration.
Full Kobo Clara Colour ReviewPros
- Color E Ink display
- OverDrive library integration
- Waterproof
- User-repairable
Cons
- Loading books can be cumbersome
Pros
- Color E Ink display
- OverDrive library integration
- Waterproof
- User-repairable
Cons
- Loading books can be cumbersome
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Kindle Colorsoft delivers most of the Signature Edition's perks at a lower price, making it a better choice for Amazon readers who don't need extra storage or wireless charging.
Full Amazon Kindle Colorsoft ReviewPros
- Crisp color
- Waterproof
- Ad-free lock screen
Cons
- Expensive
- Low storage
- No wireless charging
Pros
- Crisp color
- Waterproof
- Ad-free lock screen
Cons
- Expensive
- Low storage
- No wireless charging
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Amazon Kindle Scribe for 2024 is a fine ebook reader with more note-taking features than its predecessor, but its new annotation system isn't a big improvement and doesn't offset the price increase.
Full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) ReviewPros
- Large, bright display
- Excellent Premium Pen stylus
- Great handwriting experience
Cons
- Limited notebook features
- Annotating text is more difficult than it should be
- AI features aren't yet useful
Pros
- Large, bright display
- Excellent Premium Pen stylus
- Great handwriting experience
Cons
- Limited notebook features
- Annotating text is more difficult than it should be
- AI features aren't yet useful
Amazon Kindle (2024)
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Amazon’s entry-level Kindle for 2024 has a slightly brighter screen and comes in a new color, but it costs $10 more and is otherwise the same ebook reader as the previous model.
Full Amazon Kindle (2024) ReviewPros
- Most affordable Kindle
- Even white lighting
- Compact size
Cons
- Lacks waterproofing
- Slower than other Kindles
- $10 more than predecessor
Pros
- Most affordable Kindle
- Even white lighting
- Compact size
Cons
- Lacks waterproofing
- Slower than other Kindles
- $10 more than predecessor
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The pricey Kindle Colorsoft Kids bundle combines Amazon’s high-quality color ereader with a case, an extended warranty, and a year of the company’s Kids+ service.
Full Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids ReviewPros
- Vibrant color display
- Comes with a protective case
- Two-year warranty
- One year of Kids+ included
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited Kids+ book selection
Pros
- Vibrant color display
- Comes with a protective case
- Two-year warranty
- One year of Kids+ included
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited Kids+ book selection
ReMarkable Paper Pro
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The ReMarkable Paper Pro appeals to notetakers with lag-free handwriting across an 11.8-inch color E Ink display, though slow performance and limited file support hold the tablet back for everyone else.
Full ReMarkable Paper Pro ReviewPros
- Premium design
- Excellent front light
- Lagless handwriting
Cons
- Limited format support
- Subscription required for cloud syncing
- Slow performance
Pros
- Premium design
- Excellent front light
- Lagless handwriting
Cons
- Limited format support
- Subscription required for cloud syncing
- Slow performance
Latest Ebook Reader Stories
Looking to buy a new ereader? We've tested and reviewed all of Amazon's Kindles and know which model works best for every type of book lover.
Whether you're considering joining the digital book revolution for the first time or simply want to upgrade, these are the top ereaders we've tested for every type of bookworm.
The Kindle Paperwhite won our Editors' Choice award for the best ereader for most people, and it's on sale for its lowest price ever at Best Buy right now!
There are plenty of cheap ebook options online, including free 'First Reads' each month for Amazon Prime members. Here's how to send multiple formats to your ereader.
Prime Day is here, and some of Amazon's best Kindle models are seeing steep discounts. Whether you want a simple ereader, a color display, or a digital notebook, these are worth checking out.
If you just bought a new Kindle for Prime Day, or are otherwise juggling a ton of ebooks, here’s how to keep all your devices and content in order.
The pricey Kindle Colorsoft Kids bundle combines Amazon’s high-quality color ereader with a case, an extended warranty, and a year of the company’s Kids+ service.
$299.99
The Kindle Colorsoft delivers most of the Signature Edition's perks at a lower price, making it a better choice for Amazon readers who don't need extra storage or wireless charging.
$289.99
There’s a lot to like about Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, including its colorful E Ink screen, waterproof design, and ad-free lock screen, but uneven lighting and a high price hold it back.
$279.99
Amazon’s entry-level Kindle for 2024 has a slightly brighter screen and comes in a new color, but it costs $10 more and is otherwise the same ebook reader as the previous model.
$149.99
The Kindle Kids for 2024 pairs Amazon's entry-level ebook reader with a colorful case and age-appropriate content, but it hasn't changed much from the previous model and costs $10 more.
$129.99
Amazon's 2025 Kindle Scribe ereader features a larger 11-inch screen and a more streamlined design than its predecessor, but it doesn't offer much else new to justify its higher price.
$499.99
The Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft's large color E Ink display is nice for taking notes and reading comics, but it ultimately falls short of traditional tablets that offer brighter screens and more power for a lower price.
$629.99
The 2024 edition of Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is the best ebook reader for most people, offering an ideal blend of price and features, with a slightly larger screen and faster performance than the previous version.
$199.99
The 2024 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition adds appealing perks to the standard model, including an automatically adjusting front light, expanded storage, and wireless charging.
$249.99
The Kindle Paperwhite Kids for 2024 bundles Amazon's excellent waterproof ebook reader with child-friendly accessories and software for less than you'd pay for them separately.
$229.99
Amazon may have cut off support for your older Kindle, but don't worry. If you're not ready to upgrade, I'll show you how to keep it alive and safeguard your books.
Stop letting your pile of unread books overwhelm you. Snag the 32GB Signature Edition Kindle Paperwhite and travel sling bundle at almost 40% off right now.
Snag this Kindle Colorsoft Essential Bundle to stop reading in grayscale and see your library in full color — complete with a premium leather cover, adapter, and almost $100 in savings right now.
Users will still be able to read books already on the affected Kindle and Kindle Fire models. But starting on May 20, the devices won't be able to download new content from the Kindle Store.
