The Best Ebook Readers
I DEARLY LOVE a paperback book that I can flex, touch, odor, and display on my bookshelf when I'm done. There's no doubt that ebook readers (also called e-readers) have made life simpler. They let you carry thousands of books or lots of audiobooks in a single, slim, rectangle-shaped tablet; they have paperlike screens that are easy on the eyes, and they will not swamp you with sidetracking notifications. Books can likewise be costly and take up a great deal of physical area, but that's not a problem with ebooks. Even much better, you can take a look at digital books from a library without leaving your home.
Naturally, when you hear e-reader, you might believe Kindle. Amazon makes the very best ebook reader, which is why we have a separate Best Kindles guide that breaks down the whole lineup. There are a few Kindle options out there in case you don't desire to support Amazon or you just desire a different set of features. WIRED's Gear group has invested months, if not years, keeping reading these tablets-- these are our favorites.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Best Overall
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation).
It's dead simple to get new ebooks from Amazon straight, and the Overdrive integration makes it easy to examine out books from a local library immediately. It's worth keeping in mind that Kindles almost always see high discount rates a few times a year, particularly on Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, so attempt to wait for a sale.
Any of the models in Amazon's present lineup is much better than the competitors, but the most recent Kindle Paperwhite is my preferred. I reviewed the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but the standard $140 design is rather capable too. I recommend paying a little extra for no advertisements. Both are water resistant, so you can check out in the swimming 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 wireless charging, has a front light that can adjust instantly, and has more storage at 32 gigabytes. However 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 warranty, and a year of Amazon Kids+ offering access to kid-friendly content.
Best Kindle Alternative.
Kobo Libra 2.
Don't want to provide your hard-earned money to here Amazon? A Kobo is your next-best choice. The company (owned by Japanese retailer Rakuten) has a whopping six e-readers for you to choose from, all of which sit somewhere in between $100 and $400.
Most people should go for the Kobo Libra 2. It's waterproof, has physical page-turn buttons (a function I actually like), and there's Bluetooth assistance so you can link earphones and listen to audiobooks. Kobo slates have Overdrive integration, which makes reading library books basic, like on the Kindle. You get 32 gigabytes of storage and a rapid 7-inch E Ink screen, which has an adjustable front light and even a dark mode that provides a white text on a black background to make reading in the dark much easier on the eyes. If you choose, you can even read it in landscape mode. WIRED editor Adrienne So states the Kobo is still slower than the Kindle's screen-- it took her quite some time to type up her account qualifications 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, but two releases in 2022 prove it's offering it the old college try once again. The Glowlight 4e is a enjoyment to read on, and I enjoy the physical page-turn buttons. The bookstore likewise offers a bunch of cheap ebooks-- after binging the True Blood TV series, I discovered the books that influenced it for simply $3.
Nevertheless, the process of trying to get a book from the library on a Nook is so frustrating that I needed to put it down and come back at a later time with a cooler head. I suggest checking out the full description in the booklet that is available in the box, however basically, you'll require to install Adobe Digital Editions on your computer system and ensure you're checked in to your Adobe ID on your Nook before linking 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 listed below choices are ones we likewise really like. They're likely fine for reading, though the older they get the slower they may be, with less efficient batteries and laggy screens.
Amazon Kindle for $90: The basic Kindle (8/10, WIRED Recommends) costs $110 without ads and is a couple of years of ages now. It's not water resistant, but it has a front light that makes it understandable in a dark space, and it consists of Bluetooth for listening to audiobooks with earphones.
Kobo Elipsa for $400: This e-reader is simply plain fun thanks to the consisted of stylus, which lets you mark up books and PDFs , or create notebooks. Perfect for English class. Its big 10.3-inch screen check here is particularly good, but it comes at a heart-stopping cost.
Barnes & Noble Glowlight 4 for $150: This ebook reader has 32 gigs of storage, which is a good deal more than the Glowlight 4E (8 GB), and it has a night mode for more comfortable reading.
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You Can Use Your Phone or Tablet.
You Don't Need Another Screen.
You do not have to purchase a separate gadget to check out ebooks. You can utilize Amazon's Kindle app to read ebooks (iOS, Android), and even download OverDrive's Libby app (iOS, Android) for library book access anywhere.
If you 'd still rather have one clever gadget you can read on and use for other functions, have a look at our Best Tablets and Best iPads guides for suggestions.