Key Takeaway: The Kobo Libra Colour is the best overall ereader for most people, offering excellent color E Ink display, versatile file format support, and premium features at a reasonable price. Budget buyers should consider the Kobo Clara BW, while Kindle users will love the new Colorsoft model.
Our Top Picks of The 11 Best Ereaders of 2025
- A digital notebook for all your writing needs – Replace your stack of notebooks with a single device purpose-built for writing, reading, and thinking. No notifications or social media.
- With AI tools to transform your notes – Convert messy handwriting into readable font, summarize your notes, and change their length and tone with built-in AI notebook tools.
- Feels like pen on paper – See, feel and hear your thoughts meet the page with every stroke of the Premium Pen. No need to set up or charge, just start writing.
- Read in color – The new 7″ Colorsoft display is high-contrast and easy on the eyes, with paper-like color that brings covers and content to life.
- Color your pages – Highlight your favorite scenes in yellow, orange, blue, and pink.
- Marathon reading – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 8 weeks, or power up with the wireless charging dock (sold separately).
- 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 – Book covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, note-taking and more come to life. No glare in sunlight, no notifications – just you and your eBooks in full-color
- 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟, 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 – Dive into your stories with colorful markups. With Kobo Stylus 2* compatibility (*sold separately), annotate, highlight, and note take your eBooks in color
- 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 – Ergonomically designed with page-turn buttons, left/right screen rotation, full font size and margin customization, and landscape mode
- Read in color – The new 7″ Colorsoft display is high-contrast and easy on the eyes, with paper-like color that brings covers and content to life.
- A brand-new experience – The Kindle Colorsoft display is optimized for reading in color and is different from the Kindle Paperwhite display, which is optimized for black and white reading.
- Color your pages – Highlight your favorite scenes in yellow, orange, blue, and pink.
- Our fastest Kindle ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio with 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Our fastest Kindle ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 – Read in colour with a 6” E Ink Kaleido 3 display to enjoy eBook covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, and more.
- 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 – With multiple colours available at the touch of a finger, you can highlight your eBooks. Add, erase, or change colours as you go, and easily see all your highlights by chapter at a glance.
- 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 𝗢𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 – ComfortLight PRO automatically reduces blue light and personalize your reading settings via font size, line spacing, or even Dark Mode
- Like-New Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) is refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and comes with the same limited warranty as a new device. Certified Refurbished Amazon devices may be packaged in generic Amazon-branded boxes.
- Our fastest Kindle ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- The lightest and most compact Kindle – Now with a brighter front light at max setting, higher contrast ratio, and faster page turns for an enhanced reading experience.
- Effortless reading in any light – Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books – Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Do what you love, uninterrupted — 25% faster performance than the previous generation and 3 GB RAM are ideal for seamless streaming, reading, and gaming.
- High-def entertainment — A 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display brings brilliant color to all your shows and games. Binge watch longer with 13-hour battery, 32 or 64 GB of storage, and up to 1 TB expandable storage with micro-SD card (sold separately).
- Thin, light, durable — Tap into entertainment from anywhere with a lightweight, durable design and strengthened glass made from aluminosilicate glass. As measured in a tumble test, Fire HD 10 is 2.7 times as durable as the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2022).
- Fire HD 8 offers an 8″ HD display for seamless streaming and gaming, coupled with a 5MP rear facing camera for photos—with a thin, light, durable design.
- Responsive with all day battery life – Includes 3GB RAM (50% more than 2022 release), 32GB of storage, and up to 1 TB of expandable storage (sold separately). Up to 13 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching videos, gaming, and listening to music at home and on-the-go.
- Save time, get creative – Enjoy three smart tools to help you send polished emails, quickly summarize webpages, and create unique wallpapers.
- 【Android 15 Tablet】Equipped with the latest Android 15 system, it has stronger compatibility, faster response speed and smoother operation. It is GMS certified, pre-installed with Google Play, and supports social applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. It is very suitable for watching videos, online chatting, reading e-books, etc.
- 【Smooth Performance】This tablet is equipped with a 1024×600 IPS touch screen, RK3562 quad-core processor, 9GB memory (3GB + 6GB virtual memory), 32GB ROM, and the tablet storage space can be expanded to 1TB using an SD card, which can store everything you need.
- 【Powerful Function】This is a cost-effective tablet. Affordable price and excellent configuration. Equipped with 2MP+5MP dual cameras, Bluetooth, 5G/2.4G dual-band WiFi, FM radio, speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, etc. Suitable for reading, photography, video, music, etc., meeting most of your daily needs.
- Designed to perfectly fit your new device- Compatible with all-new Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (Fits 2024 Release Only), Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
- Thin and lightweight design – Allows for hours of comfortable reading.
- Completes your reading experience – Opens and closes like a book to wake your Kindle or put it to sleep.
- What is Sycelu Remote Control PageTurner for Kindle? : Page Turner for kindle paperwhite is a remote that mounts to the side of any e-reader or e-notebook. The Kindle page turner is used to turn pages with the click of a button. Innovative gadgets enhance your reading experience. Whether you’re a casual reader or a bookworm, this remote will undoubtedly enhance your digital reading experience.
- Silent Button Design: The silent button allows you to read in a quiet environment or at night without making noise. It allows us to fall asleep faster because we don’t have to move while reading. A game changer for lazy reading in bed.
- Wide Compatibility: The page turner is suitable for a variety of e-book readers with touch screens, such as Kindle 10, kindle 11, Kindle Scribe(KS), Kindle Paperwhite(KPW KPW2 KPW3 KPW4 KPW5), Kindle Oasis(KO KO2 KO3), Kindle Kids Edition, Ipad, iPhone, Android Tablet, Surface, Kobo, Kindle App, Kindle Kids Edition, Kindle Voyage. Notice: Amazon Fire HD 10(10th/11th generation) is incompatible.
The best ereader for most people
The Kobo Libra Colour strikes the perfect balance between features, performance, and price, making it ideal for the majority of readers who want a premium experience without paying top dollar.
The best ereader overall
Kobo Libra Colour
The Kobo Libra Colour represents the current pinnacle of ereader technology, combining a stunning 7-inch color E Ink Kaleido 3 display with Kobo’s excellent reading software and broad file format support.
Specifications
- Display: 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color touchscreen
- Resolution: 1264 x 1680 pixels (300 PPI for text, 150 PPI for color)
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery life: Up to 6 weeks
- Water resistance: IPX8 rated
- Weight: 199g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Price: $219
Reasons to buy
- Excellent color E Ink display brings comics and magazines to life
- Superior file format support including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
- Adjustable warm lighting system
- Physical page-turn buttons for comfortable reading
- Access to extensive Kobo bookstore and library integration
- Open ecosystem allows sideloading books from multiple sources
Reasons to avoid
- More expensive than basic ereaders
- Color content drains battery faster than monochrome
- Some users may prefer larger screens for comics
The best budget ereader
Kobo Clara BW
The Kobo Clara BW proves you don’t need to spend a fortune for an excellent reading experience, offering essential features in a lightweight, affordable package.
Specifications
- Display: 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 monochrome touchscreen
- Resolution: 1072 x 1448 pixels (300 PPI)
- Storage: 16GB
- Battery life: Up to 8 weeks
- Water resistance: IPX8 rated
- Weight: 171g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Price: $129
Reasons to buy
- Excellent value for money
- Crisp 300 PPI display delivers sharp text
- Waterproof design for worry-free reading
- Extensive file format support
- Long battery life
- Comfortable ergonomic design
Reasons to avoid
- No physical page-turn buttons
- Limited storage compared to premium models
- Monochrome display only
The best mid-range ereader
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
The Kindle Paperwhite remains Amazon’s sweet spot device, offering premium features at a reasonable price point with seamless integration into the Kindle ecosystem.
Specifications
- Display: 6.8-inch E Ink Carta touchscreen
- Resolution: 1236 x 1648 pixels (300 PPI)
- Storage: 16GB or 32GB options
- Battery life: Up to 10 weeks
- Water resistance: IPX8 rated
- Weight: 205g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, optional 5G
- Price: $159 (16GB), $189 (32GB)
Reasons to buy
- Seamless Amazon ecosystem integration
- Excellent build quality and design
- Adjustable warm light
- Massive Kindle book selection
- Whispersync technology
- Strong battery performance
Reasons to avoid
- Limited file format support
- Locked to Amazon’s ecosystem
- No physical buttons
- More expensive than some competitors
The best Kindle
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Amazon finally entered the color ereader market with the Colorsoft, bringing vibrant color E Ink technology to the familiar Kindle experience.
Specifications
- Display: 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color touchscreen
- Resolution: 1264 x 1680 pixels (300 PPI for text, 150 PPI for color)
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery life: Up to 6 weeks
- Water resistance: IPX8 rated
- Weight: 220g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Price: $279
Reasons to buy
- First color Kindle with Amazon’s polished software
- Excellent color reproduction for comics and magazines
- Full access to Kindle Unlimited and Amazon’s vast library
- Premium build quality
- Adjustable color temperature lighting
- Whispersync compatibility
Reasons to avoid
- Most expensive Kindle model
- Still limited to Amazon’s ecosystem
- Color display reduces battery life
- Premium pricing compared to competitors
The best ereader for students
Kobo Elipsa 2E
The Kobo Elipsa 2E transforms the traditional ereader into a powerful study tool with its large 10.3-inch display and advanced note-taking capabilities.
Specifications
- Display: 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen
- Resolution: 1404 x 1872 pixels (227 PPI)
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery life: Up to 6 weeks
- Weight: 383g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Stylus: Kobo Stylus 2 included
- Price: $399
Reasons to buy
- Large screen ideal for textbooks and research papers
- Advanced note-taking with included stylus
- PDF annotation capabilities
- Extensive academic file format support
- Can convert handwritten notes to text
- Library integration for research access
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy for extended handheld reading
- Higher price point
- Large size reduces portability
- Battery life shorter than smaller models
The best premium ereader
Amazon Kindle Scribe
The Kindle Scribe represents Amazon’s flagship ereader, combining a massive 10.2-inch display with premium writing capabilities and top-tier build quality.
Specifications
- Display: 10.2-inch E Ink Carta touchscreen
- Resolution: 1860 x 2480 pixels (300 PPI)
- Storage: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
- Battery life: Up to 12 weeks (reading), 3 weeks (writing)
- Weight: 433g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Stylus: Amazon Premium Pen included
- Price: $339 (16GB), $369 (32GB), $419 (64GB)
Reasons to buy
- Largest, highest-resolution Kindle display
- Premium Pen provides excellent writing experience
- Can convert handwritten notes to text
- Full Kindle ecosystem integration
- Premium aluminum build quality
- Excellent battery life for reading
Reasons to avoid
- Very expensive
- Heavy for extended handheld use
- Limited to Amazon’s ecosystem
- Writing features still evolving
The best ereader for writing
ViWoods AiPaper
The ViWoods AiPaper specializes in providing the most paper-like writing experience available in an ereader, making it perfect for serious note-takers and writers.
Specifications
- Display: 10.3-inch E Ink Carta touchscreen
- Resolution: 1404 x 1872 pixels (227 PPI)
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery life: Up to 4 weeks
- Weight: 375g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
- Stylus: 4096-level pressure-sensitive pen included
- Price: $449
Reasons to buy
- Most paper-like writing feel available
- 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
- Advanced handwriting recognition
- Open Android system allows app installation
- Large storage capacity
- Premium writing-focused software
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive for casual users
- Shorter battery life due to advanced features
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Less polished reading experience than dedicated ereaders
The best color ereader
Kobo Clara Colour
The Kobo Clara Colour makes color E Ink technology accessible at an affordable price point, perfect for readers who want to enjoy comics and magazines in full color.
Specifications
- Display: 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color touchscreen
- Resolution: 1072 x 1448 pixels (300 PPI for text, 150 PPI for color)
- Storage: 16GB
- Battery life: Up to 6 weeks
- Water resistance: IPX8 rated
- Weight: 174g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
- Price: $149
Reasons to buy
- Affordable color E Ink technology
- Vibrant colors enhance comic and magazine reading
- Maintains excellent text clarity
- Waterproof design
- Compact and lightweight
- Broad file format support
Reasons to avoid
- Smaller screen than premium color models
- Color reduces overall battery life
- Limited storage compared to higher-end models
The best compact ereader
Onyx Boox Palma 2
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 revolutionizes portable reading with its smartphone-sized form factor while maintaining full ereader functionality.
Specifications
- Display: 6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen
- Resolution: 824 x 1648 pixels (300 PPI)
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery life: Up to 4 weeks
- Weight: 170g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
- OS: Android 13
- Price: $279
Reasons to buy
- Ultra-portable smartphone form factor
- Full Android system runs any reading app
- Massive 128GB storage
- Premium build quality
- Can fit in any pocket
- Supports all major ebook formats
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price for the size
- Android system can be distracting
- Shorter battery life than dedicated ereaders
- Small screen may strain eyes during long reading sessions
Meet the reviewers
Our ereader testing team consists of technology journalists and avid readers with over 50 years of combined experience reviewing consumer electronics. We test every device extensively across multiple weeks of real-world usage, evaluating display quality, battery life, software performance, and overall user experience.
Alternatives to consider
If our top picks don’t meet your specific needs, consider these alternatives: the Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4 for a solid budget option within the B&N ecosystem, the Onyx Boox Note Air3 for advanced Android functionality, or the PocketBook Era for European readers seeking premium features and extensive format support.
How we test the best ereaders
Our comprehensive testing process evaluates each ereader across multiple criteria over several weeks of use. We assess display quality under various lighting conditions, measure actual battery life through standardized reading patterns, test file format compatibility, evaluate build quality and ergonomics, and compare reading software features and responsiveness.
Ereader FAQs
What is an ereader?
An ereader is a specialized electronic device designed specifically for reading digital books and documents. Unlike tablets, ereaders use E Ink technology that mimics paper, reducing eye strain and providing excellent battery life while remaining readable in bright sunlight.
What is the best e-reader on the market today?
The Kobo Libra Colour is currently the best e-reader on the market, offering excellent color E Ink technology, versatile file format support, and premium features at a reasonable $219 price point.
Is there a better ebook reader than Kindle?
Yes, several ereaders surpass Kindle in specific areas. Kobo devices offer better file format support and library integration, while the Onyx Boox series provides Android functionality. However, Kindle excels in ecosystem integration and book selection.
What is the best ereader today?
The best ereader today depends on your needs: Kobo Libra Colour for overall excellence, Kindle Colorsoft for Amazon users, or Kobo Clara BW for budget buyers. Each excels in different categories.
Is Kindle or Nook better?
Kindle is generally better than Nook due to superior hardware, larger book selection, better software updates, and stronger ecosystem support. Barnes & Noble has significantly reduced Nook development in recent years.
What device do most people read ebooks on?
Most people read ebooks on smartphones, followed by tablets and dedicated ereaders. However, dedicated ereaders provide the best reading experience for long-form content due to their eye-friendly E Ink displays.
Which Kindle reader should I buy?
For most users, the Kindle Paperwhite ($159) offers the best value. Choose the Kindle Colorsoft ($279) for color content, or the basic Kindle ($99) for budget reading. The Kindle Scribe ($339) is ideal for note-taking.
Who is Kindle’s biggest competitor?
Kobo is Kindle’s biggest competitor, offering comparable hardware with better file format support and library integration. Kobo is owned by Rakuten and provides a more open ereader ecosystem.
Is there a better alternative to Kindle?
Kobo provides the best Kindle alternative with broader format support, library integration, and open ecosystem. For Android functionality, Onyx Boox devices offer advanced features beyond traditional ereading.
What rivals Kindle?
Main Kindle rivals include Kobo (strongest competitor), Onyx Boox (Android-based), PocketBook (European market), and Barnes & Noble Nook (declining presence). Kobo offers the most comparable experience.
Who dominates the eBook market?
Amazon dominates the eBook market with approximately 60-70% market share in most regions, followed by Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play Books. Amazon’s ecosystem integration drives their market leadership.
Who owns Kobo?
Kobo is owned by Rakuten, the Japanese e-commerce giant. Rakuten acquired Kobo in 2012 and has continued developing competitive ereader hardware and software.
What is the best Amazon alternative for ebooks?
Kobo provides the best Amazon alternative, offering extensive ebook selection, competitive pricing, library integration, and support for multiple formats including EPUB. Their devices rival Kindle quality while maintaining openness.
Is Nook or Kindle better?
Kindle is significantly better than Nook. Amazon provides superior hardware, frequent software updates, larger book selection, better ecosystem integration, and stronger long-term support compared to Barnes & Noble’s declining Nook platform.
What is the difference between a Kindle and a NOOK?
Key differences include: Kindle uses Amazon’s ecosystem with proprietary formats, while Nook supports EPUB. Kindle offers better hardware and software updates. Nook provides more customization but has limited new development and smaller book selection.
Are there more books on Kindle or NOOK?
Kindle has significantly more books available, with millions of titles in the Amazon store compared to Nook’s smaller selection. Amazon’s dominance means publishers prioritize Kindle compatibility and exclusive releases.
Did NOOK get discontinued?
Nook hardware isn’t officially discontinued but Barnes & Noble has largely stopped developing new devices. The last major Nook release was in 2019, with focus shifting to Nook apps for tablets and smartphones.
Can I put Kindle books on my NOOK?
No, you cannot directly put Kindle books on Nook due to Amazon’s DRM protection. However, you can use apps like the Kindle app on Android-based Nook devices or convert DRM-free books using Calibre software.
What is the best device to read books on?
For dedicated reading, E Ink ereaders like the Kobo Libra Colour or Kindle Paperwhite provide the best experience. For multimedia content, tablets work better. Smartphones are convenient but cause more eye strain during extended reading.
Can books on a Nook be transferred to a Kindle?
Books purchased from Barnes & Noble cannot be transferred to Kindle due to DRM restrictions. However, DRM-free EPUB books can be converted to Kindle format using Calibre software, though this process requires technical knowledge.
What is the best E Ink screen type and size for ereaders?
The best E Ink screen combines Carta 1300 technology with 300 PPI resolution for sharp text. For size, 6-7 inches offers the ideal balance of portability and readability for most users, while 10+ inches work better for textbooks and note-taking.
Are color ereaders worth buying?
Color ereaders excel for comics, magazines, and illustrated books, making them worthwhile if you read these formats frequently. However, they cost more, have shorter battery life, and offer minimal benefits for text-only reading compared to monochrome models.
Kindle vs Kobo: what is the difference?
Kindle offers seamless Amazon ecosystem integration and the largest ebook selection but limits file format support. Kobo provides broader format compatibility, library integration, and more customization options but has a smaller bookstore selection.
Which ereader is better for library books?
Kobo ereaders generally work better with library books through broader OverDrive integration and support for more library systems. However, Kindle also supports library borrowing in many regions, though with some limitations.
Can I listen to audiobooks on an ereader?
Most modern ereaders support audiobooks through Bluetooth connectivity. Kindles integrate with Audible seamlessly, while Kobo devices work with various audiobook services. Some models include built-in speakers, though most require wireless headphones.
What fonts can my ereader support?
Most ereaders come with 8-15 built-in fonts and allow font size adjustment. Premium models often support custom font installation. Popular options include Publisher fonts, OpenDyslexic for accessibility, and various serif and sans-serif choices.
How to choose an ereader
Consider your reading habits, preferred formats, budget, and ecosystem preferences. Choose larger screens for comics and textbooks, prioritize battery life for frequent travel, and select based on whether you prefer Amazon’s ecosystem or open format support.
What is the difference between an ereader and a tablet?
Ereaders use E Ink displays that are easy on the eyes and provide weeks of battery life, while tablets use LCD/OLED screens better for multimedia but with shorter battery life and more eye strain during long reading sessions.
Bottom line: The Kobo Libra Colour offers the best overall ereader experience in 2025, combining excellent color display technology with versatile features at a reasonable price. Budget-conscious readers should consider the Kobo Clara BW, while those invested in Amazon’s ecosystem will love the new Kindle Colorsoft. For specialized needs like note-taking or ultra-portability, the Kobo Elipsa 2E and Onyx Boox Palma 2 respectively provide excellent targeted solutions.
