The 6 Best E-Readers of 2023

You know you have an excellent quality e-reader when there is an immense amount of storage space and long-lasting battery life. Our top pick is the Amazon Kindle 2019. This lightweight Kindle is affordable, supplies 8 GB of storage, and has a battery that takes a while to deplete. It is a perfect model for reading on the go or at home. Owning one of the best e-readers is a must for any avid reader.

The best e-readers allow you to view any book in your collection quickly. E-readers simplify novels. With an e-reader, you never have to guess which page you’re on! You can also store all your books in one compact device, read in any lighting environment, and more! E-readers are also an excellent option for kids to explore.

Best Overall

Amazon Kindle

4.8

Amazon

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What We Like

• Affordable and portable e-reader, offering a front light, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity

• Supports audiobooks

• Great value for money, it’s lightweight, easy to use, and offer 4GB built-in storage

What We Don’t Like

• Not waterproof

• Lower resolution than the Paperwhite

Amazon Kindle (2019) Review

The Amazon Kindle has become a force in the portable electronics space—not because it has the flashiness of an iPad or the versatility of a flagship smartphone. It claims market share because the screen closely approximates what reading an actual book is like.

First, Amazon has included a brand-new front light that allows you to read in the dark, previously only available on the more expensive Kindle Paperwhite. You’ll also get a decently crisp 167 PPI resolution, so not only can you read in the dark, but it’ll look close to words on an actual page.

There’s 8GB of storage built in, enough storage for thousands of books. It connects via Wi-Fi and even offers Bluetooth connectivity, so you can listen to audiobooks and read. The battery is big enough to provide around four weeks of reading time, depending on light usage and how long you spend reading in a given session. Plus, at only 0.34 inches thick, weighing only 6.1 ounces, and for an affordable price, it is supremely portable, perfect for tossing into your beach or travel bag.

Lifewire 

“We especially liked the Kindle Store application as thousands of books are at your fingertips to read, and tapping the purchase button allows the book to be downloaded and ready to be read in as little as two minutes.” — Rebecca Isaacs, Product Tester

Best for Audiobooks

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

4.2

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What We Like

• Alexa connectivity is handy for audiobooks and other apps

• Access to the Kindle Unlimited Plan

What We Don’t Like

• Battery life could be longer

• User interface is a bit slow

Amazon Fire HD 8 (8th Gen) Review

If you want the best of the eBook and tablet world, it will be hard to beat the Amazon Fire HD 8. With millions of eBooks, individual Kindle titles cost as little as $2.99 a month. Still, you can also sign up for Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited plan for $9.99 a month to read whatever you want for as long as you renew your subscription.

When reading on the Fire HD 8, Amazon has done its best to create a comfortable screen experience. The tablet has a specialized Blue Shade feature for backlight optimization, allowing for a pleasing nighttime reading experience that doesn’t fatigue the eyes. And when you’re tired of reading, you can instantly switch to listening mode. Just ask Alexa to read aloud, and it’ll take over. Books sound loud and clear with dual stereo mode speakers powered by Dolby Atmos.

When you’re done with books, there’s so much more the Fire HD 8 can do. Stream millions of TV shows or movies with Netflix, HBO, or other favorite services. The Amazon app store offers hundreds of thousands of apps, including sports, news, games, weather, and productivity for any content you want.

Lifewire / Jordan Oloman 

“Navigating the menus of the Fire HD 8 is mostly enjoyable, but multitasking becomes problematic if you’re used to the speed and fluidity of an iPad.” — Jordan Oloman, Product Tester

Best Splurge

Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019

4.2

Amazon

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What We Like

• Realistically imitates the look and feel of a physical book

• Sturdy, ergonomic design

• Waterproof

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

• Charging time could be quicker

Kindle Oasis (2019) Review

The Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019 aims to be the most advanced “dumb” electronic you can find. Rather than trying to compete in a crowded field of multitasking smart devices, it helps you disconnect from tech by providing access to millions of books in an amazingly book-like package. 

Continuing the same trend Kindles have been following for a while, the 2019 Oasis, with either 8GB or 32GB storage, aims to recreate the feeling of reading a physical text with a comfortable, ergonomic design, page turn buttons, and new e-ink technology. The 7-inch, 300 PPI Paperwhite display’s shade is adjustable for all lighting conditions. Night mode automatically tints the screen amber for midnight reading. Its waterproof IPX8 rating means it can survive a spill in the tub or pool, and you can enjoy Audible books by streaming through Bluetooth-enabled devices.

“The excellent build quality, feature set, and materials are worth the money, and that’s why it’s our best splurge.” — Sandra Stafford, Product Tester

Lifewire / Sandra Stafford

Best Amazon Tablet

Amazon Fire 7 Tablet

Amazon

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What We Like

• Excellent 1024 x 600 IPS display

• Family Library lets you link friends and family to share books

What We Don’t Like

• The interface contains ads

• Works best if you have an Amazon Prime membership

Amazon’s Fire 7 is much more than just an e-reader – it’s also a full-fledged tablet equipped with Alexa. While you might not need all of its bells and whistles, plenty of features make this device attractive to avid readers.

First, its gorgeous seven-inch, 1024 x 600 IPS display has high contrast, vivid colors, and sharp text, making reading for hours on end comfortable and enjoyable. Secondly, it boasts eight hours of battery life, so you won’t need to charge up between chapters. Thirdly, the Fire OS has an exclusive Blue Shade feature that automatically optimizes the backlight for a better reading experience in dim lighting. And last but not least, Family Library links your Amazon account to that of your relatives to let you conveniently share books.

If you’re an on-the-go reader who doesn’t hesitate to toss your e-reader in your tote, you’ll also love that the Fire 7 is highly durable. (It was rated twice as durable as the iPad mini 4, and it’s cheaper, too!) For $30 more, you can upgrade to the eight-inch Fire tablet, which will score you a larger reading screen and four more hours of battery life, but we find this model to be a good balance between function and portability.

Best Value

Kobo Clara HD

4.2

Walmart

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What We Like

• Affordable and lightweight e-reader, free of ads

• Built-in access to OverDrive, allowing you to use your local library membership to borrow books via your e-reader

What We Don’t Like

• Not waterproof

• Isn’t compatible with audiobooks

Kobo Clara HD Review

The impressive Kobo e-readers are giving Kindle a run for their money- we love the Clara HD for its affordable price point, quality build, and great lighting. The Clara HD’s Comfortlight PRO lighting system uses eight white LED lights and seven oranges, which work to create the perfect lighting based on the time of day. The high-resolution, six-inch screen is also easy to read at night or in low light, thanks to Comfortlight PRO.

If you’re a frequent library user, all Kobo e-readers are great choices. They have built-in access to OverDrive. As long as your library uses that system, you can log in to your account and borrow books to read on your tablet, just as you would at the local library. Frequent readers will love this, and it saves money from constantly buying new titles.

While the device is slightly let down by its lack of waterproofing and incompatibility with audiobooks, the Clara HD is a top choice and a great alternative to the main competitors in the field.

“I appreciated the Natural Light feature. It introduces blue light throughout the day when you need it and then gradually decreases the amount to help you unwind.” — Yoona Wagener, Product Tester

Lifewire / Yoona Wagener 

Best for Kids

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

5

Amazon

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What We Like

• Sturdy, drop-proof case, parental controls, and a two-year warranty

• Purchase price includes a one-year membership to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited

What We Don’t Like

• Battery life is not very long

In the realm of e-readers meant for children, there isn’t much to choose from — designated e-readers are generally made with adult audiences in mind. Fortunately, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is technically a tablet, but it’s so versatile that it also makes an excellent e-reader for kids.

At its core, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is a basic Fire HD tablet with an eight-inch display, 32GB of internal storage, a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, and 1.5GB of RAM. It has up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, so it can get through a whole day (or two!) without being plugged in. But this model adds a few features specifically for kids, including a blue or pink “kid-proof” case that protects it from drops and a two-year guarantee that it will survive whatever your kids do to it. This tablet also comes with one free year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, which gives you access to thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, and TV shows through Amazon. FreeTime Unlimited also allows kids to listen to Audible audiobooks like Beauty and the Beast, The Snow Queen, Peter Pan, and more.