The Best Ebook Readers
I DEARLY LOVE a paperback book that I can bend, touch, odor, and screen on my bookshelf when I'm done. But there's no doubt that ebook readers (also called e-readers) have made life simpler. They let you carry countless books or dozens of audiobooks in a single, slim, rectangular tablet; they have paperlike screens that are easy on the eyes, and they won't swamp you with sidetracking notifications. Books can likewise be costly and use up a lot of physical space, but that's not a issue with ebooks. Even better, you can check out digital books from a library without leaving your house.
Amazon makes the finest ebook reader, which is why we have a different Best Kindles guide that breaks down the whole lineup. There are a couple of Kindle options out there in case you don't desire to support Amazon or you just desire a various set of functions.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Best Overall
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation).
Amazon's Kindles are the best e-readers around. It's dead simple to get brand-new ebooks from Amazon directly, and the Overdrive integration makes it easy to have a look at books from a library instantly. E Ink screens in many ebook readers are a little slow when you engage with them, however Kindles are a few of the most responsive devices on the market. It's worth noting that Kindles often see steep discount rates a few times a year, particularly on Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, so try to wait on a sale.
Any of the designs in Amazon's current lineup is better than the competition, but the latest Kindle Paperwhite is my preferred. I examined the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but the standard $140 design is quite capable too. I recommend paying a little extra for no advertisements. Both are waterproof, so you can read in the pool or tub without concern, and the 6.8-inch screens likewise have adjustable warm lighting so you can read in bed. The Signature supports cordless charging, has a front light that can change immediately, and has more storage at 32 gigabytes. The 8 GB on the standard Paperwhite is plenty-- it can hold thousands of books. There's a Paperwhite Kids Edition too, which includes a complimentary cover, a two-year carefree service warranty, and a year of Amazon Kids+ using access to kid-friendly material.
Finest Kindle Alternative.
Kobo Libra 2.
Do not wish to offer your hard-earned cash to Amazon? A Kobo is your next-best choice. The business (owned by Japanese retailer Rakuten) has a massive 6 e-readers for you to choose from, all of which sit somewhere in between $100 and $400.
Kobo slates have Overdrive combination, which makes reading library books simple, like on the Kindle. If you choose, you can even read it in landscape mode. WIRED editor Adrienne So says the Kobo is still slower than the Kindle's screen-- it took her rather some time to type up her account credentials and log in.
Nooks Are Fine Too.
Barnes & Noble Nook Glowlight 4e.
Barnes and Noble put its Nook e-readers on the back burner for a while, however two releases in 2022 show it's giving it the old college try again. The Glowlight 4e is a pleasure to keep reading, and I enjoy the physical page-turn buttons. The bookstore likewise offers a lot of cheap ebooks-- after binging the True Blood television series, I found the books that inspired it for just $3.
Nevertheless, the procedure of trying to get a book from the library on a Nook is so discouraging that I had to put it down and come back at a later time with a cooler head. I suggest checking out the complete description in the brochure that comes in the box, however essentially, you'll need to set up Adobe Digital Editions on your computer and make certain you're checked in to your Adobe ID on your Nook prior to connecting it physically and transferring files. It feels very old school.
• Honorable Mentions.
Other Good Ebook Readers.
If the above options aren't doing it for you, the below choices are ones we likewise actually like. It's worth thinking about old Kindles, Kobos, and Nooks if you can discover them for dirt cheap (or free). They're likely fine for reading, though the older they get the slower they may be, with less efficient batteries and laggy screens. See if you can test it out first face to face before you purchase.
Amazon Kindle for $90: The basic Kindle (8/10, WIRED Recommends) costs $110 without ads and is a few years old now. It's not water resistant, but it has a front light that makes it understandable in a dark room, and it includes Bluetooth for listening to audiobooks with headphones.
Kobo Elipsa for $400: This e-reader is simply plain enjoyable thanks to the included stylus, which lets you increase pdfs and books , or develop note pads. Perfect for English class. Its large 10.3-inch screen is particularly great, however it comes at a heart-stopping cost.
Barnes & Noble Glowlight 4 for $150: This ebook reader has 32 gigs of storage, which is a bargain more than the Glowlight 4E (8 GB), and it has a night mode for more comfy reading.
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You Can Use Your Phone or Tablet.
You Don't Need Another Screen.
You do not have to buy a different gadget to check out ebooks. You can use Amazon's Kindle app to check out ebooks (iOS, Android), and even check here download OverDrive's Libby app (iOS, Android) for library book gain access to anywhere.
Take click here a look at our Best Tablets and Best iPads guides for suggestions if you 'd still rather have one smart device you can read on and use for other functions.