Although tablets are the ideal all-in-one mobile entertainment center, not every busy reader wants to use their device to watch movies, play games, read emails, or take notes. E-readers provide a hands-free method to consume books with Hollywood appeal, enjoy page-turners adapted for television, or listen to audiobooks without having to carry along bulky books.
Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of the top e-readers, including HD tablets that let ardent readers read books wherever they are. Our top selections include the best-selling Kindle e-readers and Fire tablets from Amazon as well as respectable rivals from Kobo and Rakuten. For those looking for a more versatile gadget, we also recommend the stunning screens from Apple and Samsung. Several of these choices are also audiobook compatible, allowing you to listen to your preferred novels as well.
What Are the Best E-Book Readers?
The greatest e-readers and tablets for reading are listed below, some of which are also excellent for mobile gaming, taking notes, and watching movies. Bonus: During the Christmas season, many are on sale, making them an economical present for book lovers.
1. 2022 Amazon Kindle Tablet
BEST ENTRY-LEVEL E-READER
- Display 300ppi glare-free screen
- Screen size 6 inches
- Audiobook compatibility Yes
- Storage 16GB
- Front light Yes
- Adjustable screen shade No
- Page turn buttons No
- Battery life Up to 6 weeks
- Connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Waterproof No
- Ports USB-C
- Dimensions 6.2 x 4.3 x .32 inches
- Weight 5.56 ounces
The Amazon Kindle of 2022 is ideal for bookworms on a tight budget. The latest 11th gen device now features double the capacity of its predecessor at 16GB and an enhanced 300ppi glare-free display. It is available with or without lockscreen advertisements (the difference is just $20). You can read comfortably indoors and outdoors at any time of day thanks to the adjustable four-LED front light and the new dark mode feature. It includes four free months of Kindle Unlimited, which offers thousands of Audible audiobooks in addition to more than three million other titles.
Younger readers can use this Kindle with their Amazon Kids+ subscription ($5 monthly and up), and Amazon Prime members can also use their subscription to access an ever-updated catalog of magazines, comics, e-books and more content. Keep in mind that the $30 fabric cover is available separately.
2. Rakuten Kobo Sage E-Reader
BEST KINDLE ALTERNATIVE
- Display 300ppi E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen
- Screen size 8 inches
- Audiobook compatibility Yes
- Storage 32GB
- Front light Yes
- Adjustable screen shade Yes
- Page turn buttons Yes
- Battery life Several weeks
- Connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Waterproof IPX8, up to 1 hour in 2 meters of water
- Ports USB-C
- Dimensions 6.2 x 4.3 x .32 inches
- Weight 8.49 ounce
Excellent and affordable e-readers are not exclusively produced by Amazon. The Sage 2 e-reader has extra capabilities like Dropbox integration and stylus compatibility ($40; sold separately) that make it competitive with the Kindle from Japanese store Rakuten.
The device’s Dark Mode function helps to lessen eye strain, and the eight-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen provides reading that is glare-free and has rich contrast. You may adjust the brightness and blue light with the ComfortLight Pro feature. The lightweight e-reader has ergonomic buttons on either side of the screen that readers who like a tactile experience can use to switch pages. It also has an IPX8 classification and is waterproof for up to an hour in water up to two meters.
3. Amazon Kindle Oasis
MOST CUSTOMIZABLE KINDLE E-READER
- Display 300ppi glare-free
- Screen size 7 inches
- Audiobook compatibility Yes
- Storage 8GB or 32GB; free cloud storage for Amazon content
- Front light Yes
- Adjustable screen shade Yes
- Page turn buttons Yes
- Battery life Up to 6 weeks
- Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular
- Waterproof IPX8 rating, up to 1 hour in 2 meters of water
- Ports USB-C
- Dimensions 6.3 x 5.6 x .33 inches
- Weight 6.6 ounces
The finest slim e-reader for voracious readers who wish to fast turn pages, change the screen’s color from dazzling white to amber, and read worry-free in the shower or by the pool is Amazon’s tenth generation Kindle Oasis ($280 with lockscreen ads, $300 without ads). A little bigger than Amazon’s regular and signature Paperwhite e-readers, the 6.6-ounce water-resistant tablet boasts a seven-inch 300ppi Paperwhite e-ink display. You can also change the font face, size, line spacing, and margins to suit your tastes.
The second-brightest of Amazon’s e-readers boasts a 25-LED front light that can automatically adjust to your lighting circumstances. Other features include physical page flip buttons, automated page alignment, and a more ergonomic design than other Kindle models.
It comes with 8GB or 32GB storage options, allowing users to store thousands of e-books or 35 to 160 Audible audiobooks, respectively, and can withstand being thrown into two meters of water for up to an hour. Depending on your usage, a single charge can extend your battery life by up to six weeks. The waterproof fabric cover is available separately for $40.
4. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
BEST PAPER-LIKE E-READER
- Display 300ppi glare-free
- Screen size 6.8 inches
- Audiobook compatibility Yes
- Storage 32GB
- Front light Yes
- Adjustable screen shade Yes
- Page turn buttons No
- Battery life Up to 10 weeks
- Connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Waterproof IPX8; up to 1 hour in 2 meters of water
- Ports USB-C (Qi wireless charging also supported)
- Dimensions 6.9 x 4.9 x .32 inches
- Weight 7.3 ounces
The best option if you’re looking for a tough device for on-the-go reading is Amazon’s 11th generation Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which has no lockscreen adverts for a reading experience that feels like you’re gazing at paper. The battery life of this e-book reader is up to 10 weeks, and it has a 300ppi waterproof display that is gentle on the eyes (even in direct sunshine). The screen’s temperature may be changed to make reading more comfortable throughout the day or at night, and the 32GB of internal storage can hold thousands of books.
Kindle Unlimited, which has more than two million books, thousands of audiobooks, and other resources, is included for three free months with the purchase. Separately, fabric and cork covers cost $35 to $50.
5. Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4
E-READER WITH BEST BATTERY LIFE
- Display 300ppi glare-free
- Screen size 6 inches
- Audiobook compatibility No
- Storage 32GB built-in; free NOOK Cloud storage
- Front light Yes
- Adjustable screen shade Yes
- Page turn buttons Yes
- Battery life Up to one month
- Connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Waterproof No
- Ports USB-C
- Dimensions 6.11 x 4.72 x .32 inches
- Weight 6 ounces
With a battery life of up to one month, Barnes & Noble’s newest Nook GlowLight 4 e-reader (one of four in the bookstore chain’s range of gadgets) is another viable Amazon Kindle rival. To simulate reading genuine paper, the six-inch 300ppi display is glare-, scratch-, and fingerprint-resistant and boasts a substantial 32GB of memory (29GB of that space is for content storage).
In the dark, the Nook’s Night Mode makes the screen easy on the eyes, and the Lighting feature is fantastic for both indoor and outdoor use. Also, you can program it to automatically change the lighting according on the time of day. Covers cost $20 when purchased separately.
Frequent Barnes & Noble consumers will value the free Wi-Fi available at the bookstore chain’s locations and AT&T hotspots, as well as the 10% discount offered to B&N members. Also, free lifetime in-person service at any B&N store is included with the gadget.
Conclude
Of course, you can also pick up most tablets and read a book on them as well, but not all tablets or e-readers are created equal. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best tablets for reading if you’re ready to dive into the next book on your list.
