E-Readers
Books are a perfect way to pass the time, whether you’re learning something new or diving into a great story. E-readers make it easy to take your library anywhere you go, no heavy bags or worn pages, just stories ready to go wherever you are.
Kindle
Kindle devices are some of the best portable e-readers available today thanks to their clean interface, simple navigation, and excellent integration with Amazon’s bookstore. For readers who want a straightforward device with minimal setup, Kindles are hard to beat.
The main drawback for some people is Amazon itself. The company has had mixed reception regarding how it treats authors and handles digital ownership. While this doesn’t affect the device’s performance, it’s something a few readers like to keep in mind when choosing an ecosystem.
Model Guide
(One thing to keep in mind about the Kindle is unless you pay an extra $20 your lock screen will have ads on them.)
–Basic Kindle: Smallest and cheapest Kindle of the group, good for people who want to try an E-reader or those who like the smaller size. Coming in at around $110.
–Kindle Paperwhite: A bit larger than the basic kindle with a nice warm light screen that replicates the look of actual paper better. A nice little upgrade over the basic Kindle, good for people who want a bigger screen and that paper like screen. Coming in at around $160.
–Kindle Colorsoft: Basically the Paperwhite with color added to it. If you think you really need color I guess this is the choice for you. Coming in at around $250.
–Kindle Scribe: The biggest Kindle that comes with a pen to write notes and highlight text easier. For those who want all the bells and whistles that they can get. Coming in at around $400.
For most people, the Basic Kindle or the Paperwhite offers the best value. I see very little reason to pay the extra money for the other models. Kindle devices are reliable, easy to use, and widely supported. If the price of new models feels high, buying used is a great option, older Kindles hold up very well and still offer an excellent reading experience.
Kobo
Kobo devices are one of the best portable e-readers for readers who want freedom and simplicity. Owned by Rakuten which is another big company, but they have a much better track record of treating their consumers and authors better. They’re built with no ads and support a wide range of file types, not just those from one store. Unlike Kindles, Kobos work smoothly with EPUB files, meaning you can borrow e-books from libraries or load your own without conversions. The interface is minimal and distraction-free, ideal for reading on the go. Lastly, Kobos are great for people outside the U.S. because of the better integration with OverDrive making it much easier to borrow books from libraries compared to that of Kindle which has a harder time connecting to libraries outside the U.S
Model Guide
–Kobo Clara: Their basic model is great for most people who just want to get into e-readers or looking for a new e-reader. Coming in at around $140.
–Kobo Clara Colour: The same thing as the Clara but with color. Great for those who want a color but considerably cheaper than what Amazon is asking. Coming in at around $160.
–Kobo Libra Colour: Has a bigger screen and adds buttons (7 inches). Great for those who want a more tactile experience. A separate stylus is available as well to purchase for writing notes and highlighting easier ($40). Only available in Colour currently. Coming in at around $230.
–Kobo Sage: One inch bigger than the Libra (8 inches). Only available in black and white. Good for those that need a slightly bigger screen. Coming in at around $270.
–Kobo Elipsa 2E: The biggest model coming in at about 10.3 inches. Comes with the stylus. Great for those who need the biggest screen available. Coming in at around $400.
For most people I think the Clara’s are good enough. If you really want buttons then get the Libra. Kobo also has a refurbished section where you could get basically the same devices for a good chunk cheaper, so that’s always worth looking into.
Boox
Boox devices are one of the best portable e-readers for people who want more than just an e-reader. They use Android and have full app support, meaning you can read, take notes, and even browse the web, all on a paper-like screen. The main appeal of Boox is its flexibility. You can install apps like Kindle, Libby, or even Google Docs, giving you complete control over your reading and note-taking setup. They’re ideal for students, researchers, or anyone who wants an all-in-one digital reading device & notebook.
Model Guide
–Boox Palma: Around the same size as your average phone. Great for people who want an e-reader they can easily put in their pockets. Coming in at around $200-$250.
–Boox Go: the most normal looking e-reader of the bunch, looking very similar to the Kobo Libra with its buttons. Great for those who want a normal e-reader shape with android. Coming in at around $220-$380 depending on size you want.
–Boox Note: Almost like a small laptop, with its ability to connect to a keyboard. Comes with a pen as well. Great for those who want a very powerful e-ink display device. Coming in at around $500-$600.
These devices can barely be considered e-readers because they run full android, but because of their e-ink displays most of what you probably will be doing on them is reading. I think if you want more from your e-reader than just reading these are good but it’s hard to recommend to anyone.
If you want help choosing a full setup, check out some of our Daily Carry Starter Kits.