If your goal is to read more books this year, it’ll be much easier to do so with an e-reader. This device makes the reading experience so much more convenient because you can purchase books without having to leave the house, plus you can have your entire library with you at all times. It’s nice that you can look up unfamiliar words without having to whip out a dictionary too. If you want an e-reader of your own, here’s a roundup of the best Kindle and Kobo models in our book to help you choose.
Navigation
Best E-Readers Comparison Chart
| Name | Kobo Libra 2 | Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle Oasis |
 |  |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Display Size | 7 inches | 6.8 inches | 7 inches |
| Display Type | E Ink Carta 1200 | E Ink | E Ink Carta |
| Display Resolution | 300ppi | 300ppi | 300ppi |
| Storage | 32GB | 8GB | 8GB and 32GB |
| Backlight | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6 weeks | 10 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Weight | 215g | 205g | 188g |
Kobo Libra 2
Best e-reader overall.
The Kobo Libra 2 tops our list of best e-readers for a number of reasons. For starters, it’s the only e-reader of its size to have a whopping 32GB of storage, plus it’s the very first to have Bluetooth support so that you can stream audiobooks. Not to mention it’s the very first to be equipped with a USB-C charging port. It’s basically the pioneer of the modern e-reader and it set the bar pretty high for the models that came after it. While it’s in no way cheap, its price is justified by the quality of the reading experience it’s able to provide.
Another feature you can enjoy with the Kobo Libra 2 is its E Ink Carta 1200 panel which delivers sharp and high-contrast text as well as a smooth performance overall. As for battery life, we have no complaints whatsoever. It comes with a much bigger battery than its predecessor so you can expect to get weeks of usage out of it on a single charge. It charges faster too thanks to its USB-C port.
Kindle Paperwhite
Best Kindle overall.
The Kindle Paperwhite is the company’s standard model but its features don’t feel very basic at all. The newest version of the Paperwhite comes with a much larger display than its predecessor, measuring in at 6.8 inches. This is framed by thinner plastic bezels which give it a sleeker look. The new screen is also upgraded with a 300ppi resolution which provides a better reading experience even when you’re under the sun. As for the night readers out there, it has a warm light option which you can adjust to your preference.
Durability-wise, it’s rated at IPX8 which means it can survive being submerged in a meter of water. You definitely don’t have to worry about getting splashes on it while you’re reading by the pool or at the beach. You also don’t have to worry about it running out of juice while you’re out and about because it boasts of 10 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
Kindle Oasis
Best high-end e-reader.
If you want nothing short of a luxurious reading experience and you’re willing to shell out a bit more money for it, the Kindle Oasis is a great investment for you. Its aluminum chassis is a huge step up from the plastic bodies of other e-readers, giving it a premium and solid feel. This is complemented by an IPX8 water-resistance so that you can read while you’re soaking in the tub or laying out by the pool. Another uncommon feature you can enjoy with the Kindle Oasis are physical control buttons which make for easy page turning.
As for its display, it comes with a 7-inch screen which is bigger than what you’ll find on most e-readers. In addition, it’s equipped with E Ink technology so you can expect the text to be crystal clear. If you’re a night owl, you’ll be glad to know that this model not only has an option for warmer backlight but you can also schedule it to turn on automatically. Another commendable feature is its large storage, available in 8GB and 32GB versions.
Kobo Elipsa
The best e-reader for note-taking.
If you’re the type of reader who loves to underline, encircle, take notes, and write down your thoughts as you go, the Kobo Elipsa might be the e-reader for you. It comes with a stylus as well as a SleepCover so it’s pretty much the full package already. It’s nice as well that it’s compatible with 15 file formats so you can read and write down on practically anything. Aside from note-taking, it’s great for those who are into graphic novels and comic books too as there’s plenty of real estate to display all the little details.
You do have to note, however, that the Kobo Elipsa is a niche e-reader as it’s big, clunky, and not exactly cheap. But if you find that it addresses your needs and you’re able to excuse its quirks, then by all means go for it. It’s a pretty good alternative to an iPad, especially if you want something that can last for weeks on a single charge.
Kobo Clara HD
The best budget e-reader.
If you’ve been hesitating to get an e-reader because you think they’re all expensive, there’s always the Kobo Clara HD. It’s the Kindle Paperwhite’s direct competitor although you can snag it for a much cheaper price. While its specs are more basic, there’s actually plenty to love about it. For starters, its 6-inch display has a 300ppi resolution and comes with a blue light filter that automatically turns on at night. Despite it being an older type of screen, it’s still responsive and accurate so you shouldn’t have any problems turning pages or highlighting text.
In addition, the Kobo Clara HD has a rapid page turn feature that allows you to quickly flip through an e-book. However, this only works with e-books bought straight from the Kobo store. Despite all of these features, you can get weeks of usage out of it on a single charge.
Verdict
The Kobo Libra 2 is the best e-reader because it set the bar high for other models.
The Kobo Libra 2 is the best e-reader in our book because it pioneered so many of the features that other e-readers have now. This includes massive storage space, Bluetooth connectivity, a high-quality panel, and a USB-C charging port. If you’re not willing to spend too much on an e-reader, however, the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kobo Clara HD are great alternatives. While cheaper, the reading experience isn’t any less enjoyable with them.
As for those who want the best that money can buy, the Kindle Oasis is the worthy splurge you’re looking for. Built with an aluminum chassis, it feels a whole lot more premium than the plastic e-readers out there. But if what you’re looking for is a large e-reader that you can jot down notes on, look no further than the Kobo Elipsa. It’s on the expensive side but it’s very useful to the niche market that is serves.
FAQs
The Kobo Libra 2 is the best e-reader in our book because it pioneered so many of the features that other e-readers have now. This includes massive storage space, Bluetooth connectivity, a high-quality panel, and a USB-C charging port.
The Kobo Elipsa. It’s compatible with 15 file formats, including PDF, so you can read and write down on practically anything.
If you want the best that money can buy, the Kindle Oasis is the worthy splurge you’re looking for. Built with an aluminum chassis, it feels a whole lot more premium than the plastic e-readers out there.
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kobo Clara HD are great options.