There are many reasons to switch from traditional books to eBooks. The following are some of the biggest.
Instead of carrying around an entire library on your back, with an eBook reader, you can carry thousands of titles in one handbag-sized tablet. And that tablet will sort and alphabetize your titles for you – something that’s near impossible in the unkempt homes of reading addicts.
Another game-changing feature of eBook readers is their search function. When you need to find a specific book or a passage, just type a few letters into the search box, and there it is. That’s much easier than tearing apart your house looking for it, or having to comb through hundreds of paper tabs on your favorite books.
Then you have the extensive eBook stores that all eBook readers come with. You have the latest and greatest books right at your fingertips and you can even get recommendations tailored just for you.
Early versions of eBooks were harsh on the eyes, but with advancements in e-ink, the screens have become easier to look at. E-ink technology has come so far that most eBook readers are able to closely mimic the look of a paper book.
Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo all have their eBook stores available on tablets, phones, and personal computers, so why even get a reader? Well, it gives you time away from the notifications, messages, and the 24-hour doomsday news reel. You can focus solely on reading.
Most eBook Readers do use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet, but many lack a web browser and use the internet solely for downloading books. There’s less temptation to mindlessly browse Facebook and more reason to focus on your novel.
Here are our top 10 best eBook readers from Amazon, Kobo, and more! They range from basic no-frills devices to eBook readers that go above and beyond with extra features.
$269.99
Size | 7 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, cellular |
Available capacity | 8 GB, 32 GB |
Bookstore | Kindle store |
$169.99
Size | 7 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 8 GB |
Bookstore | Kobo store |
$99.99
Size | 6 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 8 GB, 32 GB |
Bookstore | Kindle store |
$339.99
Size | 7.8 in |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 32 GB |
Bookstore | Any |
$99.99
Size | 6 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 8 GB |
Bookstore | Kobo books |
$104.54
Size | 6 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 4 GB |
Bookstore | Kindle store |
$249.99
Size | 8 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 8 GB, 32 GB |
Bookstore | Kobo books |
$147.99
Size | 6 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 212 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 4 GB |
Bookstore | Kobo books |
$96.99
Size | 6 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 300 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 8 GB |
Bookstore | Nook books |
$479.99
Size | 10.3 in. |
---|---|
Resolution | 227 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Available storage | 32 GB |
Bookstore | Any |
Image | 1 ![]() Amazon | 2 ![]() Kobo | 3 ![]() Amazon | 4 ![]() BOOX | 5 ![]() Kobo | 6 ![]() Amazon | 7 ![]() Kobo | 8 ![]() Kobo | 9 ![]() Barnes & Noble | 10 ![]() BOOX |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Kindle Oasis | Libra H2O | Kindle Paperwhite | Nova 2 | Clara HD | Kindle Voyage | Forma | Aura | Nook GlowLight 3 | Note Air |
Features | Switch Easily Between Reading and Listening | Download Library Books Directly to Your Device | Just Like Reading a Real Book | A Device That Doesn't Tie You to a Bookstore | Backlit for Easy Reading Anywhere | Turn Pages Without Lifting a Finger | A Large Screen for Many Formats | A Solid No Frills eBook Reader | Page Turn Buttons on Both Sides | For the Note-Taking Multi-Tasker |
Price | $269.99 | $169.99 | $99.99 | $339.99 | $99.99 | $104.54 | $249.99 | $147.99 | $96.99 | $479.99 |
Size | 7 in. | 7 in. | 6 in. | 7.8 in | 6 in. | 6 in. | 8 in. | 6 in. | 6 in. | 10.3 in. |
Resolution | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 212 ppi | 300 ppi | 227 ppi |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, cellular | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
Available capacity | 8 GB, 32 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB, 32 GB | 32 GB | 8 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB, 32 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB | 32 GB |
Bookstore | Kindle store | Kobo store | Kindle store | Any | Kobo books | Kindle store | Kobo books | Kobo books | Nook books | Any |
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Most eBook readers are tied to a specific bookstore, so title availability will vary. The sweet new sci-fi book you want might be available on Amazon's Kindle Store but not on Barnes & Noble. Not every online store (and, by extension, eBook reader) offers the same selection, at the same price, to the same effect.
Before you start perusing devices, sample the store's selections by downloading the store app on your phone or tablet or visiting their website. Take a look at their genres, titles, and available deals and see what interests you. Also, some stores may get titles first – or not at all – so think about your favorite authors and act accordingly.
Who doesn't love free books? If you're an avid library user, consider an eBook reader that integrates with OverDrive. This will allow you to browse, place holds, check out, and return library books right from your device.
If you don't want to be tied down to a specific bookstore (or file format), there are a number of eBook readers that use the Android operating system. These devices give you more flexibility, allowing you to download third-party apps to get books from multiple sources.
While most people are familiar with how it feels to hold a book, eBook readers might take some getting used to. They're thinner, lighter, and smaller than most physical books.
The most common screen size for eBook readers is six inches, which makes for a device that is smaller than a typical book, but larger than a phone. This is a convenient, portable size that can easily fit in a bag or coat pocket. It's ideal for reading novels and text-only documents.
However, a six-inch screen may be small if you're reading books with images or other file types, like PDFs or EPUBs. Think about what types of books and files you plan to use the eBook reader for, and pick a screen size accordingly.
All eBook readers are designed to be thin and lightweight, but some have design features that make them more comfortable for you. Some are asymmetrical in thickness, allowing for easier grip with one hand. Others can be used in both landscape and portrait mode.
One feature on newer eBook readers is page turn buttons that allow you to turn pages with the press of your finger rather than swiping across the screen. This can make it even more convenient to read with one hand.
Some eBook readers have started to work around this with cloud storage. But the cloud requires the internet, so if you're planning to travel on a plane or somewhere that won't have Wi-Fi, you'll need to download the book files on to your reader.
Most eBook readers range from four to 32 gigabytes of storage. Many of the smaller capacity readers will have a USB port or SD memory card slot so that you can expand the storage based on your needs.
Many eBook readers come with a bevy of extra features to provide an enhanced reading experience.
If you like to read in the bath or at the beach, consider a waterproof device. Waterproofing is rated by a system called IPX, which operates on a scale from zero to eight - the higher the better. A device that's IPX8 rated can withstand complete submersion.
If you're a fan of both printed books and audiobooks, some eBook readers integrate with audiobook apps as well. For example, some Kindles allow you to switch between reading a book and listening to it via Audible without losing your place. Note that most devices use Bluetooth and don't have a headphone jack.
If you plan to use your eBook reader for work as well as leisure, it may be helpful to get a device that supports writing with a stylus. Some eBook readers will allow you to add annotations to your books and documents, as well as draw and take notes.
Looking for some book recommendations? We've got you covered. Check out our favorite novels to get lost in, from historical fiction to mystery to romance.
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