Bookworms may still cherish the feel of leafing through pages, the whiff of new-book smell, and stacking their shelves with beloved tomes, but nothing beats an e-reader (ebook reader) for convenience.
You can bring your entire library on vacation without an extra suitcase. If you’re working through a 1,349-page novel such as Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, your wrists will thank you. And unlike a phone, your e-reader won’t constantly interrupt you with news alerts and texts, so you can lose yourself in a new world or focus on learning something new.
Ebook readers evolve more slowly than say, smartphones, the latest batch are lighter, brighter, and more capable than ever. I evaluated six of the most popular models to see which belongs on your nightstand.
For more, check out our guides to using a paper journal to read more mindfully, how to start reading for fun and 10 mildly subversive (banned) books.
This article was updated for fall 2026. We have reorganized our e-reader guide, checked availability and pricing for all models, and given it a refresh. We’ve also noted the increased prices of Kindles due to rising memory and storage costs. We plan to test more models in the coming months.
Jump to a section:
What we like and dislike about every e-reader
How I tested (and who I am)
More info: ebook reader questions and answers
The best e-readers in the US, explained
Why you should trust me
As an avid reader all my life, I embraced the convenience of ebooks years ago, starting with an early Kindle model. My local library has a vast catalog, and my virtual queue is always full. Most weeks, I’ll get through a book or two or three. Even when I’m not reading, I’m listening to podcasts to find out which book to pick up next.
I’m also a veteran tech journalist with more than nine years of experience testing and reviewing products. At various times, my house has been cluttered with dozens of smart light bulbs, robot vacuums and artificial Christmas trees (though usually not all at once).
How I tested ebook readers
For more than a month, I tested six ebook readers after researching many, using each for the same amount of time and putting them through the same tests. That included carrying them around in a backpack, knocking them off a nightstand, and even submerging the waterproof devices in water. I also evaluated other factors, such as battery life, charging time and extra features, such as Dropbox integration.
To test content availability exhaustively, I created a list of 26 popular and more obscure books in a variety of genres, including mystery, romance, sci-fi, and young adult. I noted which books were missing, and calculated the total cost to purchase them all. I also timed how long it took to get an ebook from my local library onto the device itself, loaded them up with PDFs and epub files and connected Bluetooth headphones to listen to audiobooks.
Most of all, I read. I paged through fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, a graphic novel, and scientific PDFs on each device. I scored each device based on how easy it was to navigate, the options of changing fonts and layouts, and the brightness and crispness of the display.
After my read-a-thon, I returned the e-readers to their manufacturers or donated them to PCs for People, an organization that provides tech to families, individuals, or nonprofits in need.
Frequently asked questions about e-readers
Can I just read on my phone?
Yes: Libby, Kindle, Nook and other apps make it easy to get ebooks on your phone. These absolutely work if you don’t want to buy another gadget. However, e-readers use e-ink screens that mimic the look of paper and strain the eyes less than phone screens. Plus, having a dedicated device without notifications can make for a more distraction-free experience.
What’s an ePub book?
While ebooks come in a few file types, ePubs are among the most common. Kindles use Amazon’s proprietary format, AZW files. Many e-readers also support PDF, DOC and TXT documents.
What’s the best e-reader for library books?
Based on my testing, Kobo devices make it the easiest to browse and download public library books for free thanks to integration with OverDrive, which owns the Libby app. You can peruse titles directly on a Kobo, while Kindle readers require you to browse on your phone using the Libby app.
Do I need Adobe Digital Editions or Calibri to use an e-reader?
It depends on the model. I didn’t need to use Adobe Digital Editions or Calibri to get library books on the Kindles and Kobos I tested. However, I needed both for the Nook. Libby exported its ePubs as ACSM files, which require Adobe Digital Editions. I had to open them in that program to convert them to ePub files I could load into the Nook.
However, my MacBook didn’t register when I had my Nook connected. I used a program called Calibri, which converts ebook file formats. The program recognized the Nook, and I could transfer ePub files from my computer with no problem.
Do ebook readers work with audiobooks?
Yes, most of the e-readers I tested can play audiobooks. The catch is that you have to pair Bluetooth headphones or speakers – they don’t have built-in speakers.
What’s the best e-reader for highlighting?
If you love sharing your favorite quotes on BookTok or want to keep track of scintillating passages for your book club, all the e-readers I tested compiled my highlights and listed them by chapter. I could also make notes tied to specific text. The Kobo Libra Colour works with a stylus, sold separately, that lets you write notes right on the page.
How much do ebooks cost?
I searched for 26 ebooks across the Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo platforms. They ranged from 99 cents to $30. Some were free to read with Kindle Unlimited or Kobo Plus. The average price was about $12. All the popular books I chose were available through my public library, but none of the obscure books I chose were.
Can you read Kindle books on Kobo or vice versa?
Books purchased from the Kindle, Barnes & Noble and Kobo stores come protected with Digital Rights Management (DRM), which prevents you from sharing them. When I tried to load an Amazon ebook on my Kobo, for example, it showed up as gibberish. There are legally suspect ways around this, but I’m not suggesting you try them.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
A reading journal won’t make you smarter, but it will make you more mindful
I asked experts how to reduce screen time – here’s what they said
Travel essentials: 8 items to pack for your next trip
The best sleep masks you can find (32 tested)
This article was amended on 31 October 2025 because the Kobo Libra Colour cannot play audiobooks without Bluetooth headphones. An earlier version said the e-reader could.
