If you're unsure which eBook reader to buy , this guide offers everything you need to know to make the right purchase. This way, you'll be able to choose the eReader that best suits your needs and distinguish between the best options.
The popular e-readers, or electronic books as many people call them, are devices designed for reading . They don't have games, and you don't install apps like on a tablet. Everything here is focused on enjoying the reading experience. So, if you're a book lover, your e-reader is sure to become your inseparable friend.
If you are thinking of buying an ebook for yourself or to give it as a gift, this comparison and the descriptions and advice that we are going to give you will surely help you make a decision.
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The best e-readers
As I mentioned, if you're looking for an e-reader, here are the best options you'll find. These are the best e-readers currently on the market . The first, the best, the benchmark in the sector, and with the best value for money is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite:
Kindle Paper White
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The king of eReaders . We can say that it's the most widely used today. It's a classic 6.8" touchscreen eReader with 300 dpi, exceptional battery life, and a backlit screen that allows you to read at night. The backlighting is important, as the Paperwhite provides high-quality, uniform illumination. It has built-in Wi-Fi and 8-16 GB of memory, which, although not expandable, is more than enough. Amazon also offers unlimited cloud storage for files purchased from their store. It also comes with IPX8 water resistance, so it can be submerged in water without damage.
The Paperwhite is the successor to the basic Kindle, and although Amazon offers two supposedly superior models, the Voyage and the Oasis, their price doesn't justify the purchase. The Kindle Paperwhite offers the best value for money in the high-end e-reader market . Whether for personal use or as a gift, it's a model you can't go wrong with.
The main complaint people have about Kindles is that they don't read .epub files, which is the industry standard; they only read their own format. In reality, this isn't a problem because there are programs we use daily, like Calibre , that convert and send them to the e-reader automatically.
Kobo Clear 2E
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Considered the Kindle Paperwhite's main competitor , it boasts a 6-inch e-Ink Carta screen. Not only does it support more formats than the Kindle, but it also offers comparable quality and technology. Furthermore, it features high resolution, ComfortLight Pro technology to reduce blue light for greater visual comfort, an anti-glare screen, adjustable brightness, Wi-Fi connectivity, water resistance, and 16GB of storage.
PocketBook InkPad Color
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The PocketBook InkPad Color is another e-reader that will surprise you. It has a 7.8-inch e-Ink Kaleido touchscreen with adjustable front lighting, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones (since it can play audiobooks), and 16GB of memory.
Based on these specifications, it might seem similar to the other models here, but it has one major advantage: a color screen. A great way to enjoy the content of full-color illustrated books or your favorite comics.
Kindle (Basic)
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For a long time, it was the best. The new Kindle has now become a basic model in Amazon's lineup. It's a simpler and more affordable e-reader. With a 6-inch screen , it's been made touchscreen by removing the physical buttons, but it doesn't have a built-in light.
Its resolution is 300 ppi, with an e-Ink panel . It's also lightweight and compact, and has more storage than its predecessors, up to 16 GB. It's a step below, but still very good. If you're looking for an affordable eReader, this is one of your best options.
Kobo Elipsa Bundle
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The flagship model from Kobo. Undoubtedly one of the most powerful and feature-rich e-readers available. This Kobo Elipsa features a high-resolution 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta display with an anti-glare touchscreen . If that weren't enough, it also includes adjustable brightness, 32GB of internal storage, and a built-in Sleep Cover.
But what's most impressive is that this Kobo can compete directly with the Kindle Scribe, since it also includes a Kobo Stylus pen for taking notes in your eBooks , so you can write as if you were in a real book to take notes in the margins, draw, etc.
Kobo Libra 2
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Another standout device on the market is the Kobo Libra 2. This Canadian company, part of Rakuten, has developed a very complete eReader with a 7-inch eInk Carta touchscreen and anti-glare coating . It also includes a front light with adjustable brightness and warmth, and blue light reduction.
Its 32GB of internal memory allows you to store thousands of titles, it's water-resistant, and it features WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity so you can also connect your wireless headphones and enjoy audiobooks . So you can not only read, but also listen and be captivated by the best stories.
Kindle Scribe
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This is one of the most expensive Kindle models, but also one of the most advanced. It has a 10.2-inch e-ink screen with 300 ppi . This model also comes with a choice of memory capacities between 16 GB and 64 GB. A true powerhouse that holds even more secrets.
This eReader not only lets you read, but also write thanks to its touchscreen and stylus . You can choose between the basic stylus and the premium stylus. This way, you can add notes to your eBooks or write whatever you need as if you were doing it on paper.
Kindle Oasis
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It's the top-of-the-line 7" eReader . Like its counterparts, it has a touchscreen, backlit display, and so on. The new features of this device are that it's even thinner and lighter, has an ergonomic asymmetrical design, and physical page-turn buttons, which those of us who are used to them really miss when they're not there.
You can choose it with either 8GB of internal storage and WiFi, or the 32GB WiFi version, and there is even a 32GB option with mobile data connectivity so you can stay connected wherever you go, like mobile devices.
The lighting has been improved by adding 60% more LEDs, greatly enhancing uniformity . It features a dual charging system: the device and case charge simultaneously, so when the battery runs low, the case provides power to the e-reader, allowing for months of use without recharging.
If you are looking for more affordable ereaders, look at our article with the cheapest ebook readers, where you will find affordable brands and models with a great value for money.
Top eReader brands
Perhaps you'd still like to explore the market further, as there are so many brands and models —too many to cover in one place. I'll give you a few examples.
If we talk about brands, and although there are many and many unknown ones, here in Spain we have to take into account Amazon's Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Tagus (now called Vivlo) from Casa del Libro , the Papyre from Grammata among others.
We have selected some of the best-selling and recommended models for their performance and quality :
Kindle
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Amazon has one of the best-selling and most acclaimed eReaders: the Kindle. This device boasts all the features you'd expect from eReaders, including high-quality graphics, excellent battery life, and, best of all, the largest library of books, putting all the titles you need at your fingertips, plus Audible for audiobooks.
With the Kindle eReader, enjoying reading is your only concern . Even if you lose your eReader or it breaks down, you don't have to worry about your purchased books. They'll all be automatically stored in Amazon's cloud service. And if you're an avid reader, you'll definitely want to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.
Kobo
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Rakuten has acquired the Canadian brand Kobo, one of Kindle's biggest competitors and, therefore, the best alternative if there's something you don't quite like about the Kindle. That's why it 's no surprise that Kobo is another top seller and a favorite among users.
In addition to the quality of these eReaders, their features, functions, and competitive pricing are also noteworthy . And if that weren't enough, the Kobo Store offers a vast library of titles across all genres and for all tastes.
PocketBook
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On the other hand, there's the PocketBook, another highly recommended and reliable brand you can buy. It offers excellent value for money, good format support, all the technologies and features you could imagine and more, such as apps for listening to audiobooks in MP3 and M4B, Text-to-Speech for converting text to speech, built-in dictionaries in several languages, writing capabilities, and much more.
In addition, you'll also have access to the PocketBook Cloud service to keep your books securely stored, as well as access to local public libraries through OPDS and Adobe DRM. And it's all very easy to use.
Onyx boox
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Finally, another top brand you can find, alongside the three mentioned above, is the Chinese company Boox, from Onyx International Inc. What you can expect from these eReaders is a device with a good price-performance ratio, the latest technology, and a good range of features.
On the other hand, it's also worth noting that this company has extensive experience in the eReader sector and is among the best when it comes to Android e-readers . And when it comes to large-screen models, this company manufactures some that reach up to 13 inches.
What to look at when buying an ereader
An ebook reader, despite being a technologically advanced product, has fewer features that we must look at than other devices such as smartphones or tablets.
Screen
From the screen we look at the size. The standard ereades are 6″, although there are some 7″, 10″, etc. but they are exceptions. We will also have to see if it is tactile, if it has lighting (we are talking about lighting, light, the screens of an ereader are electronic ink if they tell you about Backlighting it is not an ereader or if it is, the screen is TFT in the tablet style and they tire eyes when reading)
The eBook Reader's screen is the most important factor when choosing between different models. To find the right screen for you , consider the following screen specifications:
Type of screen
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In principle, I wouldn't recommend an eReader with an LCD LED screen for several reasons. One is its higher power consumption, and another is that it causes significant eye strain when reading for extended periods. Therefore, if you want an experience as close as possible to reading on paper, then it's best to choose an e-Ink or electronic ink screen . Within this type of screen, you should differentiate between the various technologies available, as many manufacturers list them in their descriptions and many users don't really know what they mean. These technologies are:
- vizplex: was introduced in 2007, and was the first generation of e-Ink displays created by MIT members founding the company E Ink Corp.
- Pearl: Three years later this other technology used in many famous eReaders of that year would arrive.
- Mobius: a little later these screens would also appear, the difference of which was that they had a layer of transparent and flexible plastic on the screen to better resist shock.
- Triton: It first appeared in 2010 and then Triton II would appear in 2013. It is a type of color electronic ink display, with 16 shades of gray and 4096 colors.
- Paper: You have both the 2013 Carta version and the enhanced Carta HD version. The first has a resolution of 768×1024 px, 6″ in size, and a pixel density of 212 ppi. In the case of the Carta HD, it reaches 1080 × 1440 px resolution and 300 ppi, maintaining those same 6 inches. This format is very popular, used by the best models of current eReaders.
- Kaleido- It's a fairly younger technology, first appearing in 2019 to improve color displays by adding a color filter. There is also a Kaleido Plus version that appeared in 2021 and that improved its predecessor in sharpness. Kaleido 3 arrived more recently, and it offers a considerable improvement in the color gamut, with 30% higher color saturation than the previous generation, 16 levels of grayscale and 4096 colors.
- Gallery 3: finally, in 2023 some eReaders based on this ACeP (Advanced Color ePaper) based color e-ink display technology will start to arrive. Thanks to it, the response time of these panels is improved, being able to switch between black and white in just 350 ms, while colors can switch between 500 and 1500 ms. In addition, they come with a ComfortGaze front light that reduces the amount of blue light that affects sleep and your eye health.
touch vs regular
Screens can be conventional or touch-sensitive. Many current eReader models already have touchscreens , making interaction easier without the need for buttons like some tablets used in the past. However, some still use buttons for quick actions like turning pages, which can also be helpful.
Some eReader models with touchscreens also allow the use of electronic styluses, such as the Kobo Stylus or the Kindle Scribe, to input text. For example, to take notes in the books you read, write your own stories, and so on.
Size
Screen size is another critical factor when choosing your eReader or eBook reader. We can differentiate between two main groups:
- Screens between 6-8″: they can be perfect eReaders to take with you wherever you go, such as reading while traveling, etc. And it is that they are compact and light, in addition to the fact that their batteries tend to last longer as they have a smaller screen panel to feed.
- Large screens: they can go from 10 inches to even 13-inch screens. These other eBook Readers have the advantage of being able to see the contents in a larger size, as well as being suitable for people with vision problems. However, being bulkier and heavier, they may not be as perfect to carry from one place to another, and their battery will also be consumed faster.
Resolution / dpi
Along with screen size, there are two other key factors to consider to ensure the quality and sharpness of your screen. These factors are:
- Litigation, Arbitration: It is important that it has a higher resolution so that the quality is adequate, even more so when it is a device that is looked at closely and even more important in large screens, where the resolution should be even higher than in those of little size.
- Pixel density: Can be measured in pixels per inch, or dpi, and refers to the number of pixels in each inch of the screen. The higher it is, the sharper it will be. And this depends on the screen size and resolution. In general, you should consider eReaders with at least 300 dpi.
Color
Another factor to consider when choosing a screen is whether you prefer a black and white (grayscale) display or if you prefer to view content in color. Generally, color isn't necessary for reading most books. However, if you're reading illustrated books or comics, a color screen might be worthwhile to view that content in its original colors. Keep in mind, though, that color screens typically consume more power than black and white ones.
Platform and ecosystem
Without a doubt that our eReader belongs to a strong community where they solve our doubts and problems and that it has a great catalog to help you.
If you want more detailed information or have any questions, please visit our ereader and ebook buying guide.
audiobook compatibility
The next factor to consider is whether your eReader should only be compatible with eBooks, or if you also want it to be compatible with audiobooks . Audiobooks allow you to listen to your favorite books while doing other activities, such as exercising, traveling in the car without distractions, cooking, and so on. They can also be an ideal feature for those with visual impairments.
Processor and RAM
On the other hand, it's also important to choose an eReader with powerful hardware to deliver the expected performance without any lag when running apps. A good device should have at least a quad-core ARM processor and at least 2GB of RAM . This should be sufficient for most users.
Operating System
Many basic eReaders come with simplified proprietary software, others use Linux as their base, while the most modern ones typically run Android or a Linux-based operating system . The operating system is important because it largely determines the number of features, apps you can run, and overall user experience. Furthermore, if the eReader also includes over-the-air (OTA) updates , even better, as this will keep you up-to-date with security patches and bug fixes.
Storage
Storage is also important. eReaders typically contain internal flash memory of varying sizes. You should know that, on average, an 8GB device can store around 6000 titles, while a 32GB device can hold approximately 24000 titles. However, this will largely depend on the size of the book, its format, and whether it's an ebook or an audiobook in MP3 or M4B format, which tend to take up more space.
Remember that many of these eReaders offer cloud storage, allowing you to save books and avoid filling up your device's storage space, keeping only the titles you want to read offline downloaded. Additionally, some eReader models also have a microSD memory card slot , enabling you to expand storage capacity if needed.
Connectivity (WiFi, Bluetooth)
Some older eBook models lacked Wi-Fi connectivity , so books could only be transferred via cable, connecting to your PC and downloading the book from the corresponding library. However, newer models include Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect to the internet wirelessly and download directly to your device, or even upload your books to the cloud.
On the other hand, those compatible with audiobooks also usually include Bluetooth connectivity , allowing you to connect wireless speakers or headphones to listen to these audiobooks without the hassle of cables. This way, you'll be free to do other things, as long as you maintain a distance of about 10 meters from your eReader.
Although it's very rare, you might find some models with LTE connectivity to have mobile data to stay connected wherever you need using technologies like 4G or 5G thanks to a SIM card from a service provider.
Autonomy
As you know, these e-readers use Li-Ion batteries to provide the necessary power. These batteries aren't infinite; they have a limited capacity measured in mAh. The higher the number, the longer the battery life. Some current e-readers can last for several weeks without needing to be recharged.
Finish, weight and size
Design, build quality, materials, weight, and size should also be considered. These factors will determine durability and portability if you plan to easily carry the eReader from place to place. Furthermore, if you're choosing an eReader for children, a compact size and light weight will allow them to hold it for longer periods without fatigue. Don't forget ergonomics either, to ensure you enjoy reading as comfortably as possible.
It's also worth noting that some models are water-resistant . Many have an IPX8 rating, meaning the eReader can be submerged underwater without fear of damage.
Library
Many modern eReaders allow you to transfer books in a variety of formats from your PC using a USB cable. However, when choosing one, it's important to select a device with a store offering the widest possible selection of titles so you don't miss out on a specific book that's unavailable. For this, Amazon Kindle and Audible are the best options, as they are the two most extensive platforms for eBooks and audiobooks. However, the Kobo Store also boasts a large catalog of titles.
Automotive Lighting
eReaders not only have their own screen backlighting, which can be adjusted in many cases, but they also have additional light sources , such as front LEDs, which allow you to choose the screen's brightness level so you can read comfortably in any lighting scenario, from the darkness of indoors to brightly lit spaces like outdoors.
Waterproof
Some eReaders also come with IPX8 certification, a rating that protects them against water . In other words, these are waterproof models that you can use while relaxing in the bath or enjoying the pool.
When we talk about IPX8 protection, we're not just referring to protection against splashes, but also complete immersion . This means you can submerge your eReader underwater without any water leaking in and causing damage to the device. They are completely waterproof.
Supported formats
Don't forget to also check the supported formats of each eBook reader. The more formats it supports, the more files it can read or play, giving you access to a wider range of content. For example, some very popular formats are:
- DOC and DOCX documents
- TXT text
- Images JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF
- HTML web content
- eBooks EPUB, EPUB2, EPUB3, RTF, MOBI, PDF
- CBZ and CBR comics.
Dictionary
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Some eReader models also have built-in dictionaries , which is very useful if you want to look up the meaning of a word without needing an internet connection. Other models also allow reading or listening in multiple languages ​​and include dictionaries for several languages, which is also a significant help if you have any questions.
Price
Finally, you should ask yourself how much money you have to invest in your eBook Reader. This way, you can rule out all the models that don't meet your requirements. Also, keep in mind that you can find low-cost models starting from €70 in some cases, up to €350 in others, so there's something to suit a variety of budgets.
Tablet vs eReader: which is better?
Many users wonder if it's really worth buying an eReader or if their tablet is sufficient . Here we'll clear up your doubts if you're one of these users:
eReader: advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages we have:
- Light weight and compact size: These devices usually have very light weights, even below 200 grams in some cases, as well as quite compact sizes.
- Greater autonomy: those of e-Ink can have autonomies much higher than any tablet, even going so far as to last a month with just one charge.
- e-ink screen: offers less eye fatigue, and an experience similar to reading on paper.
- Waterproof: many are waterproof, so you can wear them while enjoying a relaxing bath, at the beach, or in your pool.
- Price: eReaders are generally cheaper than tablets.
The disadvantages compared to the tablet are:
- Limited features: in an eReader, in general, you will not be able to use a multitude of apps, play games, or communicate.
- black and white screen: If it is a B/W e-Ink screen, you will not enjoy color.
Tablet: advantages and disadvantages
Apple Pencil
The advantages of a tablet over an eReader are:
- Rich functions: Thanks to operating systems like iPadOS or Android, you can have a vast library of apps to do almost anything, something that is not possible in most eBook readers.
Regarding the disadvantages :
- Price: Tablets are more expensive than eReaders in general.
- Autonomy: autonomy is more limited, since most tablets do not usually have more than 24 hours of battery life.
- Screen: You will experience more eye strain if you read through the non-e-Ink screens.
Recommendation
After evaluating all the options currently on the market, our recommendation for the best device—that is, the most well-rounded high-end option—is the Kindle Paperwhite . It will give you a very, very good user experience as a reader at a reasonable price, and with the peace of mind that comes from having Amazon behind you in case of any problems. For all these reasons, it's undoubtedly THE KING.
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How do you see? There are a wide variety of readers on the market and many factors to take into account. If you have any questions, leave a comment and we will try to help you.
Conclusion
If you already own a tablet, for just a little more you can get an eReader , which will undoubtedly allow you to enjoy reading more comfortably. A tablet might be fine for occasional reading, but not if you're a regular reader.