The 7 best e-readers for 2024, including some with full color
Still reading hardbacks and paperbacks? It's time to reconsider that and upgrade to an e-reader.
The latest e-readers offer an easy-to-read display that can be seen — glare-free — in almost any lighting, even direct sunlight. They also come with enough storage to hold thousands of top-selling e-books. Many are extremely compact and waterproof so you can enjoy your favorite books from just about anywhere. Most of the latest e-readers can even play podcasts or audiobooks. And some have a stylus available, so you can annotate your e-books or use the e-readers as a notepad.
This roundup of the best e-readers for 2024 includes our top picks of the most powerful dedicated e-readers. Several of the recommendations from our in-house tech experts feature a full-color digital ink display.
- Best monochrome e-reader: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
- Best budget monochrome e-reader: Amazon Kindle
- Best budget full-color e-reader: Kobo Clara Colour
- Best monochrome e-reader for note-taking: Amazon Kindle Scribe
- Best full-color e-reader for note-taking: Kobo Libra Colour
- Best full-color e-reader for note-taking with an extra-large display: reMarkable Paper Pro
- Best monochrome e-reader for accessing free e-books from a library: Kobo Sage
Pro Tip: If you're interested in note-taking with a digital device, be sure to also read our coverage of the best digital notepads in 2024.
Our top e-reader picks for 2024
At the moment, we're huge fans of the new Kobo e-readers, since they can display e-books, digital editions of graphic novels, magazines and newspapers in full color. Plus, the Kobo Libra Colour allows you to take notes using virtual pens and pencils with multiple color digital inks. This is also true with the full-color reMarkable Paper Pro, which offers an extra-large, 11.8-inch digital ink display.
Whatever you're looking for from an e-reader -- an easy-to-see and glare-free display; a compact, lightweight and waterproof design; extra-long battery life; color display; or note-taking capabilities -- this roundup showcases our top picks for the best e-reader options available right now.
Pro Tip: The e-readers with color digital ink displays are not the same as tablets with full-color displays. While you can use a full-featured tablet, such as an Apple iPad or Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, as an e-reader and note-taking tool, they're also able to handle a wide range of other tasks and run the iPadOS or Android operating system. E-readers are designed exclusively to provide an easy-on-the-eyes reading experience, be able to play audiobooks and podcasts, and in some cases, also serve as a note-taking tool -- without distractions from incoming emails, social media or messaging apps.
Best monochrome e-reader: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Display Size: 6.8-inch touchscreen | Display Resolution: 300 pixels per inch | Screen Lighting: 17 LEDs offer auto adjusting or manually adjustable warm light | Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.3 ounces | Storage Capacity: 32GB | Primary E-Bookstore Compatibility: Kindle eBook Store, Kindle Unlimited, Audible | Battery Life: Up to 10 weeks | Special Features: Wireless charging, comes in three colors (black, agave green and denim blue), auto-adjusting screen brightness and contrast
As its name suggests, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition is a slightly more feature-packed edition of the popular Kindle Paperwhite e-reader. This version supports wireless charging using any Qi-compatible charger, or it can be charged via a wired USB Type-C connection.
The display's brightness and contrast are auto-adjusting, based on the ambient light around you. But you can manually adjust the brightness and color temperature of the display to accommodate your preferences. And this version of the Kindle is waterproof. Plus, it can serve as an audio player for audiobooks or podcasts. Since there are no internal speakers, you'll need to pair the device with your choice of wireless headphones or earbuds (sold separately).
This e-reader also comes with a three-month trial subscription to Kindle Unlimited -- a service that offers access to more than four million e-books, audiobooks and related content. After that, the monthly fee is $11.99. However, you can also buy e-books or audiobooks individually from the Kindle store directly from the device when it's connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Reading e-books or listening to downloaded content doesn't require an Internet connection.
Best budget monochrome e-reader: Amazon Kindle
Display Size: 6-inch touchscreen | Display Resolution: 300 pixels per inch | Screen Lighting: 4 LEDs | Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 5.56 ounces | Storage Capacity: 16GB | Primary E-Bookstore Compatibility: Kindle eBook Store, Kindle Unlimited, Audible | Battery Life: Up to 6 weeks | Special Features: Glare-free display shows 16 levels of grayscale
Especially when it goes on sale, the Amazon Kindle is the least expensive Kindle e-reader in Amazon's lineup. It offers a six inch display, but it's not as sharp as a Paperwhite display, especially in direct sunlight. And in dark areas, it only offers four non-adjustable LEDs. But the 16GB of internal storage is enough to store thousands of e-books or hundreds of audiobooks. This Kindle can also play audiobooks or podcasts. Without a built-in speaker, you'll need to pair the device with wireless headphones or earbuds to listen to any audio content.
Unlike the Kindle Paperwhite e-readers, this model is not waterproof, but it does offer a compact and easy-to-hold design. It comes with a three-month trial subscription to Amazon's Kindle Unlimited, which provides unlimited access to more than four million e-books and audiobooks. The device also works seamlessly with an Audible subscription for listening to audiobooks and podcasts.
If you like to buy your content one title at a time, this can be done directly from the Kindle -- when it's connected to Wi-Fi -- by accessing the Kindle store. Once content is loaded into the device, however, no ongoing Internet connection is needed. You can easily read on an airplane, cruise ship, or anywhere Wi-Fi service is not offered.
Best budget full-color e-reader: Kobo Clara Colour
Display size: 6-inch touchscreen | Display resolution: 300 ppi (B&W), 150 ppi (color) | Screen lighting: ComfortLight Pro (adjustable brightness and color temperature) | Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.41 x 0.36 inches | Weight: 6.14 ounces | Storage capacity: 16GB | Primary E-bookstore compatibility: Kobo E-bookstore | Battery life: Up to 42 days | Special features: Full-color display; Built in highlighter feature; Waterproof; Holds 12,000 e-books or 75 Kobo audiobooks
For the price, the Kobo Clara Colour is one of the best e-reader deals right now, mainly because it can do everything a typical Kindle can do, but it also offers a full-color digital ink display. This makes it particularly useful for reading e-books that contain color, as well as graphic novels, and the digital editions of magazines and newspapers.
This e-reader offers a six inch, glare-free display. The unit itself is lightweight and easy to hold in your hands during extended reading sessions. Unlike a traditional tablet, the full-color display on this e-reader features a soothing color palette and offers a built-in highlighter feature, so you can choose a highlight color and mark up books or digital publications as you're reading.
We're also fans of the Kobo Clara Colour because it's waterproof. You can take it into the bathtub or read while sunbathing at a pool or beach and never have to worry about getting the device wet. E-books, digital publications and audiobooks can be purchased from the Kobo e-bookstore, which offers a very similar selection as the Kindle e-bookstore. The e-reader also supports OverDrive and Libby, so you can borrow e-books and audiobooks from your local public library for free.
For avid readers or people who love listening to audiobooks, Rakuten offers the Kobo Plus Read ($7.99 per month), Kobo Plus Listen ($7.99 per month), and Kobo Plus Read & Listen ($9.99 per month) services. Kobo Plus Read gives you unlimited access to more than 1.5 million e-books, while the Kobo Plus Listen plan offers unlimited access to more than 150,000 audiobooks. The Kobo Plus Read & Listen plan offers access to both services at a deeply discounted rate.
Best monochrome e-reader for note-taking: Amazon Kindle Scribe
Display Size: 10.2-inch touchscreen | Display Resolution: 300 ppi | Screen Lighting: Front light uses 35 LEDs | Dimensions: 9.0 x 7.7 x0.22 inches | Weight: 15.03 ounces (Scribe), 0.49 ounces (Basic stylus) | Storage Capacity: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB | Primary E-Bookstore Compatibility: Kindle eBook Store, Kindle Unlimited, Audible | Battery Life: Up to 12 weeks | Special Features: Handwrite or draw on the display using a stylus, choose the amount of storage you need at the time of purchase
The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a full-featured e-book reader and audiobook and podcast player, but it also offers another cool feature that other Kindles don't. It's a digital notepad. You can handwrite or draw directly on the display using a stylus. Using the note-taking app, you can create custom digital notebooks and then fill them up with individual pages containing thoughts or sketches. These notes are stored within the Scribe, but can easily be shared when the e-reader is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi.
As you're reading, you can annotate the content of e-books with handwritten notes, or annotate PDF files transferred to the Scribe using the Internet-based Send-to-Kindle feature. A basic stylus comes with the Scribe, but a "Premium Pen" can be purchased separately ($60). The benefit of the Premium Pen is that the top serves as a digital eraser (just like on a pencil). Either model attaches to the side of the Scribe using magnets. A three-month trial subscription to the Kindle Unlimited service is included, as is a USB Type-C charging cable.
The Scribe uses a manually adjustable digital ink display that can be viewed in any lighting situation, including direct sunlight. In a dark room, the 35 integrated LEDs brighten the screen, so can easily see the display. With the Scribe, you get all of the features of a Kindle e-reader combined with useful note-taking tools.
Best full-color e-reader for note-taking: Kobo Libra Colour
Display size: 7-inch touchscreen | Display resolution: 300 ppi (B&W), 150 ppi (color) | Screen lighting: ComfortLight Pro (adjustable brightness and color temperature) | Dimensions: 6.34 x 5.69 x 0.33 inches | Weight: 7.04 ounces | Storage capacity: 32GB | Primary E-bookstore compatibility: Kobo E-Bookstore | Battery life: Up to 40 days | Special features: Optional pen-shaped stylus; Waterproof; Displays more than 13 fonts and 50 font styles; Holds up to 24,000 e-books or 150 Kobo audiobooks
This is the first e-reader and digital notebook device we've seen that gives the Amazon Scribe a run for its money. In fact, for many users, this device is better because it offers a full-color screen and more robust note-taking capabilities. It also allows a user to import PDF files and be able to read, annotate, sign and then share them with others.
The one thing we don't like about this e-reader is that the Kobo Stylus 2 is not included with the tablet, so if you want to take advantage of the e-reader's note-taking and annotation capabilities, you'll need to spend an additional $70 for the pen-shaped stylus.
Aside from that, the Kobo Libra Colour is feature-packed and simple to use. It offers a non-glare, full-color digital ink display that's easy on the eyes. The seven-inch display provides plenty of space to display e-book content or handwritten notes. And we love that the device is so thin and lightweight.
While reading an e-book, you can use the highlighter feature or handwrite notes. When used as a digital notepad, the Libra Colour can serve as a versatile note-taking tool, daily planner, journal, or for creating and managing to-do lists. Your notes can then be stored and shared via email, Dropbox or Google Drive.
Beyond just serving as an e-reader and notebook, the Kobo Libra Colour can play audiobooks or podcasts when you pair the device with your Bluetooth headphones or wireless earbuds. A vast selection of content is available for purchase from the Kobo e-bookstore, but you can also borrow e-books and audiobooks using the OverDrive and Libby services supported by most public libraries. Priced at just $220, this device is less expensive than a Kindle Scribe but has a full-color digital ink display. And feature-for-feature, it can perform the same tasks.
Best full-color e-reader for note-taking with an extra-large display: reMarkable Paper Pro
Display size: 11.8 inch color touchscreen | Display resolution: 2,160 x 1,620 pixels (229 ppi) | Screen lighting: Adjustable | Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.8 x 0.20 inches | Weight: 1.16 pounds | Storage capacity: 64GB | Primary E-bookstore compatibility: Supports ePub and PDF e-book and document files | Battery life: Up to 2 weeks | Special features: Converts handwriting to editable text; Optional external keyboard; Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive integration
The first thing you notice when removing the reMarkable Paper Pro from its packaging are just how lightweight and thin the device is. Yet, you get an impressively large, 11.8 inch color digital ink display that's glare-free. The stylus connects to the e-reader using a magnet and quickly recharges while it's connected.
The Paper Pro's display is more responsive and smooth than what we've seen from competing full-color digital ink displays. It relies on E Ink Gallery 3 technology and is able to showcase more accurate colors than many other full-color e-readers, without causing eye strain that is common with many LED and LCD displays found in tablets and laptops. The handwriting experience is very similar in feel to writing on paper using a pen thanks to the screen's texture and the design of the stylus. Yet, you can change the color, style and thickness of the virtual link with a few on-screen taps.
As an e-reader, any e-books available in either the industry-standard ePub or PDF file formats work fine with this device. However, if you want to be able to customize the size of the text and choose the font an e-book is displayed in, choose e-books in the ePub file format. Any PDF documents viewed on the Paper Pro (as with any device) retain the format and appearance they were created with.
Compared to other digital notepads that also serve as e-readers, this model has a more intuitive interface that runs using reMarkable's proprietary operating system. As an e-reader, the device lacks some of the functionality you'd get from an Amazon Kindle. It's not waterproof, nor is it designed to play audiobooks or podcasts. Much more emphasis has been put on note-taking and digital notepad functionality, as well as viewing and being able to annotate full-color PDF documents and files.
We're huge fans of the Paper Pro's design and overall performance, but instead of having an online e-book store of its own, you'll need to find and acquire your e-books from independent sources, such as ebooks.com or BAM! Books-A-Million e-book store. As a note-taking tool and digital notepad, this is hands-down the best we've seen.
Best monochrome e-reader for accessing free e-books from a library: Kobo Sage
Display Size: 8-inch touchscreen | Display Resolution: 1,440 x 1,920 pixels | Screen Lighting: Adjustable ComfortLight Pro | Dimensions: 7.14 x 6.32 x 0.3 inches | Weight: 8.49 ounces | Storage Capacity: 32GB | Primary E-Bookstore Compatibility: Kobo e-bookstore and Libby | Battery Life: Up to 4 weeks | Special Features: Waterproof (IPX8 rated), Supports 15+ file formats
The Kobo Sage is another feature-packed e-reader. It can also play audiobooks and podcasts and can serve as a versatile digital notebook. It's more compact than the Scribe, but the Sage handles handwritten notes using the optional Kobo Stylus. Even better: Unlike the Scribe, the Sage is waterproof. It lacks a full-color display, however, like some of the other Kobo e-readers or the reMarkable Paper Pro.
The digital ink display is glare-free and can be viewed clearly in any light -- from direct sunlight to a dark room. It's also designed to reduce eyestrain and allow for more comfortable reading and writing.
Avid readers have access to the Kobo store and can purchase e-books or audiobooks individually, but you can also subscribe to Kobo Plus Read for $7.99 per month to get unlimited access to more than 1.5 million e-books. For $9 per month, the subscription plan offers unlimited access to Kobo's e-book and audiobook library (which contains more than 150,000 titles).
What we really like about the Kobo Sage is that it works easily with OverDrive's Libby service. So, when the Sage is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, you can borrow e-books and audiobooks for free from your local public library.
8 things to consider when choosing an e-reader
While many e-readers look the same from the outside, it's the technology inside -- display, internal storage, and other capabilities -- that set each of them apart. Here's what to look for when choosing an e-reader that'll best meet your needs, reading habits and budget.
- Display size: This determines how much on-screen real estate you have to read e-books and perform other tasks when using the e-reader. For simply reading e-books, many people prefer a smaller screen and a lighter device. But if you plan to use the e-reader as a digital notepad, having a larger display more closely replicates using a traditional notepad and pen.
- Display type: All of the e-readers in this roundup feature a digital ink, Paperwhite, or e-paper display. All are glare resistant, so they can be viewed in any lighting situation, including direct sunlight. These display types also use very little battery power, so the battery life of a typical e-reader is upwards of four weeks (or longer), not mere hours (like what you'd experience while using a traditional tablet). The goal of a digital ink, Paperwhite, or e-paper display is to showcase text in a way that replicates the printed pages from a traditional book as closely as possible. Another benefit of these display types of that they're much easier on the eyes, so they don't cause eye strain or fatigue during extended reading sessions.
- Internal storage: This determines how many e-books, audiobooks and other files you can store within the device. Even the e-readers with just 8GB or 16GB of storage can hold thousands of e-books or hundreds of audiobooks. However, if you're using an e-reader that also serves as a digital notepad, you'll want more storage to store all of your notes and related files.
- Audiobook and podcast playing: Most of the e-readers in this roundup are able to play audiobooks and podcasts, although not all of them have built-in speakers. For the best listening experience, you'll want to use a pair of wireless, noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds with your e-reader.
- Note-taking and other features: E-readers, like the Kindle Scribe, Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Sage, reMarkable Paper Pro and Boox Tab Ultra C Pro, can be used as a digital notebook. This means you can handwrite or draw directly on the device's display using a pen-shaped stylus. In most cases, you can create custom-named digital notebooks. Each notebook can contain any number of pages. Your only limitation is the amount of storage space in the device. However, these e-readers also support cloud-based services, so you can automatically sync or backup your notes in the cloud, share them with your own computer(s) and mobile devices, or share them with other people.
- Durability and waterproof rating: While many of the best e-readers are waterproof, meaning you can read in the bathtub, at the pool, or at the beach and not have to worry about damaging the device if it gets wet, this is not the case for all models. And while they're designed to be rather durable, to protect your e-reader's display when it's being stored or transported, we highly recommend purchasing an optional case or cover for the device.
- E-book and content selection: Every e-reader gives you easy access to one or more online e-bookstores. Most of these e-bookstores also have a subscription service. For a flat monthly fee, you get unlimited access to a vast library of e-books and audiobooks. But keep in mind, most e-readers are compatible with Overdrive's Libby service, which allows you to borrow e-books and audiobooks from your local public library for free. Some e-reader brands, like Kobo, make accessing Libby directly from your Wi-Fi connected e-reader easier than others. All e-readers also support the industry standard ePub file format and display PDF files.
- Physical Size and Weight: Some popular e-readers, like the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition, are designed to be about the same size and weight as a traditional paperback. The e-readers that can also serve as a digital notepad are a bit larger to provide plenty of writing space. The physical size and weight of the e-reader determines how comfortable it is to hold in your hands during extended reading or writing sessions. While the display size of the reMarkable Paper Pro is larger than the other models featured in this roundup, it's thinner and lighter weight than most of its competitors.
