The best e-reader to buy right now

Any ebook reader allows you to fit a large library in your pocket, but so does your smartphone. However, an ebook reader provides a more authentic book-like experience, minimizing distractions and reducing eye strain. Many ebook readers come with features such as adjustable front lighting, waterproofing, or even note-taking abilities. Some are compact and lightweight, while others have physical page-turn buttons or can be used in challenging environments. After years of testing different devices—including the Kindle Paperwhite and the PocketBook Era—I’ve found the best choices to suit a variety of reading needs.
Kindle Paperwhite: The Best Kindle E-Reader
If you predominantly buy ebooks from Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite stands out as the top Kindle. It’s significantly more affordable than many competitors, like the Kobo Libra Colour, yet boasts a large 7-inch, 300ppi screen with impressive contrast. The Paperwhite offers IPX8 water resistance and an adjustable warm frontlight, reducing blue light for comfortable night reading. Additionally, the Signature Edition supports wireless charging, which is still rare in this category.
Amazon remains dominant in the ebook market, giving Kindle users unique advantages. For example, Prime members get regular discounts and access to free content via Prime Reading. While rivals like Kobo also offer deals, Amazon’s discounts are tough to beat. Nevertheless, there are limitations. The Paperwhite has lockscreen ads unless you pay extra to remove them, and the device isn’t as comfortable for one-handed use due to its size. Furthermore, Kindles use a proprietary format and lack native EPUB support, meaning you must convert files to read books from other stores. If you mostly stick with Amazon, though, you’ll likely be very satisfied with the Paperwhite’s performance.
Kobo Libra Colour: Top Non-Amazon E-Reader
The Kobo Libra Colour is an excellent alternative for anyone outside the US or those who prefer not to use Amazon. It supports features similar to the Kindle Paperwhite, including waterproofing and a 7-inch, 300ppi screen, but it also introduces color technology. With E Ink’s Kaleido color tech, the device offers soft hues that appear vibrant in sunlight, although color resolution is lower than black and white. The Libra Colour works with a stylus, letting you highlight, annotate, and even convert handwriting to text. Additional perks include physical page-turn buttons, support for more file formats (including EPUB), and compatibility with OverDrive for borrowing library books.
This model is more expensive than Paperwhite and doesn’t include a stylus in the price. Moreover, it can’t easily access Amazon’s ebook library. If you’re not attached to Amazon’s ecosystem, however, the Libra Colour delivers versatility and an enjoyable reading experience, making it a top pick for readers who value features and file compatibility.
For budget-conscious readers, the base-model Kindle is a fantastic choice. Its 300ppi resolution offers sharp text, and the small screen makes the device easy to hold—even for kids. Although it lacks waterproofing and physical buttons, the price is attractive, and a Kids Edition is available with extra parental controls and a two-year replacement guarantee. This makes it ideal for families looking for a straightforward, affordable ebook reader.
If note-taking is important, the Kobo Elipsa 2E combines great reading performance with intuitive note features. You can write directly on book pages, solve math problems, and sync notes with Dropbox. Handwriting can be converted to typed text within the device’s notebooks. While its 227ppi display isn’t as sharp as some competitors, the large 10.3-inch screen makes reading comfortable, and the adjustable warm light is perfect for nighttime reading.
There are other noteworthy devices, such as:
- Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: The first Kindle with a color E Ink screen, offering vibrant colors and wireless charging—though it lacks stylus support.
- Kobo Clara Colour: An affordable, waterproof Kobo model with color display and quick performance, ideal for those seeking a non-Amazon option on a budget.
- Nook Glowlight 4 Plus: Offers page-turn buttons and a headphone jack, but the interface isn’t as responsive as others.
- Boox Palma 2: A smartphone-sized E Ink device that runs Android, suited for users who want app flexibility but may face distractions.
- Boox Go 10.3: A versatile, ad-free Android e-reader for note-taking, with a sharp 300ppi screen but lacking a front light.
- Boox Go Color 7 Gen II: Features a color E Ink display and stylus support, running on Android for greater app flexibility.
- Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: Amazon’s first color e-reader designed for note-taking, featuring a large display and advanced annotation tools, although its large size may not appeal to everyone.
Choosing the best ebook reader depends on your priorities: Amazon ecosystem, file compatibility, waterproofing, note-taking, or price. With multiple high-quality options available, there’s an e-reader to match every reader’s needs and preferences.
Tags: lexues elektronik, kindle, kobo, libra elektronikë, ekran me ngjyra, shënime digjitale
