Although tablets and smartphones might overshadow e-readers, these specialized devices—ideal for those who prefer not to carry heavy books—occupy a unique niche in the market. Today, there is a wide range of options available, whether you are looking for the most affordable model, the most ergonomic one, or simply the best e-reader on the market.
If you are looking for a Father’s Day gift and want your father to finally make the switch to digital technology, here is a guide to the ten best e-readers of 2023 and the features that set each one apart.
The Best eBook Reader by Price
The price of e-readers has dropped significantly since their introduction. Generally, you can choose a device from three different price ranges. The most affordable models, such as the basic Kindle and the Amazon Fire 7 tablet, cost less than $100. Although they lack many extra features, they offer a high-quality reading experience.
In the mid-range category, you will find popular models like the Kindle Paperwhite, NOOK GlowLight Plus, and Kobo Clara HD, with prices ranging from $100 to $200. These devices offer additional features such as water resistance and built-in lighting.
Finally, if you are looking for an e-reader that offers the best ergonomic design and balance, you can choose high-end models like the Kindle Oasis (latest generation) and Kobo Forma, priced at around $250
The Best eReaders for Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial aspect of an e-reader, as no one likes having to stop reading midway simply because the device has run out of power. However, this might not be the deciding factor in your choice, given that all these e-readers consume very little energy.
Nevertheless, if you travel frequently or often forget to charge your devices, it is worth noting that some models offer longer battery life than others. For instance, the Kindle Oasis can last up to eight weeks on a single charge. The Kobo Aura One can operate for about a month without needing to be plugged in, while the Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight Plus offers around six weeks of battery life.
The Best eBooks for Reading Experience
When choosing an e-reader, the quality of the reading experience is the deciding factor. Although screen size is often considered the most important aspect, that is not necessarily the case.
Most e-readers feature a 6-inch screen. Kobo models are larger—7.8 inches for the Aura One and an impressive 8 inches for the Forma. This makes reading with larger font sizes easier, but it also makes the devices less comfortable to hold with one hand.
Screen resolution is more important for readability than size. The best e-readers boast a pixel density of 300 ppi (pixels per inch); these include the Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Aura One, and Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight Plus. The basic Kindle model still offers only 167 ppi, which represents a significant difference. Modern e-readers are much easier on the eyes because they use E Ink Carta technology instead of LED or LCD screens. They are unlikely to cause the eye strain or fatigue associated with staring at a screen for long periods. Kobo models utilize E Ink Carta to produce crisp, attractive text that is easy to read and comfortable for the eyes.
One of the best e-readers for an enjoyable reading experience is the Kindle Paperwhite. It employs a specially designed font called Bookerly combined with E Ink technology; this allows the eye to recognize words more quickly and speeds up the process of scanning the page. The contrast is sharp, and the screen is carefully designed to prevent glare, which could otherwise make reading difficult under certain lighting conditions.
eBook Readers and Backlighting
While early e-readers lacked built-in lighting, it has become one of their best features and a standard component in most devices. Although entry-level models use basic LED lighting, today’s top e-readers incorporate advanced lighting capabilities. All Kobo e-readers feature ComfortLight Pro technology; for instance, the Kobo Aura One includes a color-adjusting filter that reduces blue light and makes it easier to fall asleep. It is also possible to let the device automatically select the most suitable lighting; some e-readers, such as the Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLight Plus, offer this feature.
Touchscreen eReaders
The impact of a touchscreen on the choice of an e-reader is a matter of personal preference. A touchscreen can make navigating a large library of books easier—such as the one found on the Amazon Fire 7 tablet, which also functions as an e-reader. However, physical buttons—like those on the standard Kindle—can be more ergonomic and practical when reading at the beach or while wearing gloves, situations where using a touchscreen is not convenient. Some of the best e-readers offer both options, such as the new Kindle Oasis.
Supported Formats
After the reading experience itself, perhaps the most important factor when choosing an e-reader is the supported formats. Not all e-readers support every format. This means you either need to make some smart adjustments so your device accepts other formats, or decide which formats you prefer and choose the appropriate e-reader accordingly.
All Amazon Kindle e-readers and the Fire 7 tablet support Amazon Kindle books (in .mobi or AZW formats) as well as .pdf and .txt files. Amazon’s library is undoubtedly the most accessible and extensive.
Kobo e-readers support the widest range of formats, including EPUB, .mobi, .pdf, .html, and .txt. With the Kobo Aura One, you can read Kindle books in the open .mobi format and Google EPUB books. However, the Kobo library does not include periodicals, and it is not possible to read books from Amazon’s lending library or Apple Books on a Kobo device. The Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLight Plus and NOOK GlowLight 3 models provide access to the entire Barnes & Noble bookstore catalog, which may be even more extensive than Amazon’s. The NOOK also supports documents and books in EPUB, PDF, and PNG formats, but it does not allow you to read Kindle or Apple iBooks e-books without converting them first.
You can choose your e-reader based on the format you use most frequently. If you are already an Amazon Prime member, a Kindle might be the best option; however, most public libraries in the US also offer e-books through the Overdrive service. Kindles do not offer native support for Overdrive formats, whereas the Kobo Libra H2O, Aura One, and Clara HD models do.
The Best eBook Readers for Android and iOS
Nowadays, you don’t need physical books to read, nor do you need to carry your e-reader with you everywhere. Some of the best e-readers offer user-friendly apps for Android and iOS that allow you to access your entire digital library from your smartphone or tablet. Kindle provides free, intuitive apps for Android and iOS that consolidate all the books from your Amazon account, making reading on your device easy and convenient. Barnes & Noble’s NOOK devices and Kobo e-readers also feature apps for Android and iPhone, enabling you to read on your phone, tablet, or other device.
Weight and Size
E-readers also vary in weight and size. Although a tablet might not seem heavy at first, if you hold it in one hand for hours, you will begin to notice its weight. There is a significant difference between the Amazon Fire 7 tablet, which weighs 14 ounces (approximately 397g), and the standard Kindle (also from Amazon)—one of the lightest e-readers at just 5.6 ounces (approximately 159g).
Most e-readers weigh between 6 and 7 ounces; for instance, the Kobo Libra HD and the new Kindle Oasis weigh 6.8 ounces. However, some devices—such as the Amazon Fire 7 tablet and the Kobo Forma—are designed to be larger and heavier, taking up more space in your bag or backpack.
The Best Waterproof eBook Readers
If you want to read at the beach, by the pool, or even in the bath without worrying about splashes damaging your device, it is a good idea to consider the latest generation of waterproof e-readers. The Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight Plus is IP67 certified, meaning it can withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. In contrast, the Kindle Oasis and Kobo Aura One are IPX8 certified, allowing them to withstand immersion in fresh water up to 2 meters deep for up to 60 minutes. While we don’t recommend reading underwater, it is reassuring to know that your e-reader can survive a drop into the bathtub or pool.
Choose the Best eBook Reader For You!
Whether you want to take several books on vacation (without lugging around a heavy suitcase) or simply prefer a large e-reader, the best waterproof e-reader is an excellent choice.
