There's nothing quite like a paperback book that you can touch, smell, and hold in your hand with confidence while reading. But it's not the most practical option for those who read a lot. Not only do physical books take up a lot of space and can be quite expensive, but it's also a hassle to carry more than a few of them at a time when you're traveling. They're just not as practical as an e-reader.

There are plenty of reasons to consider e-readers over physical books, and it all starts with the comfort and practicality of storing thousands of books. E-readers are also better than traditional tablets and smartphones as they don't distract you with notifications while reading, and they also sport paperlike e-ink screens that go easy on your eyes. The Amazon Kindle range is probably what comes to your mind when you think of e-readers, but there are numerous Kindle alternatives out there, too.

Our top picks for e-readers in 2024

Because of its premium build quality, solid waterproof rating, long-lasting battery, and ergonomic design, the Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon is an amazing e-reader now freshly updated to its 12th generation. It's built for reading with a very minimal design and a 7-inch 300ppi glare-free display that can be adjusted for warmer light. It's also thin enough to throw in your bag for on-the-go reading, and it weighs just 7.23 ounces. Plus, it can be immersed in up to 2 meters of fresh water for no more than 60 minutes.

Amazon estimates a single charge will last you up to 12 weeks with a half hour of reading a day; although, your mileage may vary depending on your light settings, as well as if you're streaming audiobooks over Bluetooth. Once your battery is drained, it only takes 2.5 hours or less to charge a Paperwhite with a 9W USB power adapter, so you never really have to worry about battery life.

The Paperwhite Signature Edition comes in three different color options — black, jade, and raspberry — and features a meaty 32GB of memory. There's enough storage onboard for a huge variety of books, which can be in Kindle Format 8, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, and PRC. However, if you want to use your Paperwhite to read comics or manga, you may need to go through the hassle of converting those files.

The Paperwhite is not necessarily a budget e-reader, but it is considerably more affordable than others at the expense of file format support and features like physical buttons. Those who want to shave a little more off their price tag can opt to allow ads on the lock screen with the base Paperwhite, but the Signature Edition doesn't have any ads.

While Kindle is the undisputed king of the e-reader market, it isn't the only option out there. At first glance, the Libra Colour is very similar to the Kindle Oasis. The 7-inch touchscreen device features E Ink Kaleido 3 support with adjustable lighting, an ergonomic design, and physical page-turning buttons. It's IPX8-rated for submersion up to 60 minutes to a depth of 2 meters and has Bluetooth connectivity. A fully charged Libra Colour can last up to 40 days, depending on your usage, and at 199.5g, the Libra Colour is lightweight and portable, too.

Kobo’s e-readers support 15 e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, CBZ, CBR, as well as Kobo audiobooks, and so many more. Essentially, whatever you're reading, you can do so on a Kobo Colour without issue. It's not as robust as Kindle Unlimited, but Kobo does have its own subscription service, Kobo Plus, which has over 1.5 million books and over 150,000 audiobooks. You can also borrow directly from your local library with the Kobo Colour.

Altogether, if you want a color e-reader that's not a Kindle, the Kobo Colour is an excellent choice.

While the Kindle Paperwhite may win the blue ribbon here, that doesn't mean there isn't room for the basic Kindle to shine. With a 6-inch 300ppi display and a battery that lasts up to 6 weeks on a single charge, the Kindle is extremely similar to its more expensive brethren. Surprisingly, it is more lightweight, tipping the scales at a very portable 5.56 ounces. The basic version of the Kindle is not waterproof, however, so you won't want to risk trying to use this particular device to read during a relaxing bubble bath or hanging out in the pool.

Like the Paperwhite, the Kindle Basic supports Kindle file formats, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, and PRC natively, while DOCX, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, and image formats are supported with conversion. While the basic model does support converted image formats, comic readers will lose color fidelity as the screen is only capable of 16-level grayscale. For storage, the Kindle Basic only offers a 16GB option, but that's more than enough to store thousands of books.

Like the Kindle Paperwhite, the budget-friendly price point of the Basic Kindle is subsidized by the inclusion of ads on the lock screen. But there is an option to pay extra to get rid of the ads.

The Onyx BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro is a high-end e-reader that's perfect if you're looking for something more premium than a Kindle. The highlight of this particular e-reader is that it comes with a 10.3-inch E Ink display with a resolution of 2480 x 1860 resolution and 300ppi pixel density for black-and-white content. It can display color, which offers a fun reading experience for books with illustrations or comic books.

The BOOX Ultra C Pro panel also supports a stylus, which allows for precise input. In fact, the BOOX Ultra C Pro comes with an included stylus, which is great. This e-reader really looks and feels like a high-end e-reader, and you'll feel comfortable using it every day. It's not the most powerful Android device out there, so your experience with some third-party apps may be hit or miss, but it's more than enough for reading.

However, the fact that the BOOX Ultra C Pro runs Android 12 and allows for the installation of any app you'd like still is a major selling point. Between reading sessions, you can browse the internet or check social media without issue. Put simply, if you're looking for a large, luxurious e-reader with color that can also download other apps, the BOOX Ultra C Pro is the perfect choice if you can afford one.

The BOOX Tab X is easily the most expensive e-reader on this list, but it results from the large screen and digital paper functionality. The limitations of traditional e-readers get thrown out the window thanks to stylus support and the standard capacitive touch. The display clocks in at a massive 13.3 inches and 2200x1650 resolution at 207 dpi but is only available in black and white, which is something to consider if you're looking to use this as an e-reader and a sketching device simultaneously. Users in need of text enlargement features due to visual impairments will appreciate the extra screen real estate that the Tab X has to offer. The larger size of the BOOX does come at the cost of portability, though, coming in at 19.8 ounces, making it the heaviest e-reader on the list. It's still manageable enough to throw in a bag when you're traveling.

Standard settings like adjustable lighting and support for multiple documents, including PDF, EPUB, and DOCX can be found in the BOOX Tab X, but it is the first non-Kindle reader on this list that can make use of the Kindle format. The Tab X also supports WAV and MP3 files for audiobooks, and it features dual built-in speakers and support for Bluetooth for headphones or external speakers. The BOOX Tab X also differs from many of the other e-readers on this list as it does allow for third-party app support thanks to using Android 11 as its operating system. The Tab X clocks in with an incredible 128GB storage option, meaning you won't have to worry about thinning down your on-the-go library even when utilizing third-party apps.

Kids love devices with screens, but getting them to read can still be a unique challenge. The Amazon Kindle Kids gives parents a happy medium where they can manage screen time while encouraging active reading. The Kindle Kids has no apps, videos, or games to pose distractions but features all the standard Kindle qualities, such as a 6-inch anti-glare black and white screen, 300ppi resolution, and adjustable light modes. The device also includes six months of Amazon Kids+ and access to a Parent Dashboard that allows parents to allow further or restrict the books that can be accessed.

The Kindle Kids fully charges in about 4 hours when charged via a computer using a USB-C cable and in approximately 2 hours when paired with a 9W USB power adapter. The charge will last for approximately six weeks, but using features like Bluetooth connectivity can affect power drain. While Kindles typically include ads on the lock screen, the Kindle Kids does not have ads while it is in kid mode, but it can be removed from kid mode via the Parent Dashboard to serve as a standard Kindle with ads. This Kindle does have some limitations on accessibility while in Kids mode, however.

The standout feature, though, is the 2-year worry-free guarantee. Kids can be tough on their devices, so it can be a relief to know that Amazon will replace it for up to two years if your little one damages their e-reader.

With its 6-inch E Ink touchscreen and chunky black bezels, the Kobo Clara BW is eerily similar to the base Kindle. The device is, however, made from approximately 85% recycled plastic, with 10% of that amount having been deemed "ocean-bound." The Clara BW is fitted with a 6-inch screen, boasting a glare-free black and white display with adjustable color temperatures. It weighs 174g (around 6 ounces). The Clara BW supports multiple standard file formats including EPUB, DOCX, and PDF, and features 16GB of storage good for holding about 12,000 e-books, which is expected for its price range. The slim little e-reader is the perfect size to toss in your bag on the go, and it has an IPX8 waterproof rating for poolside book binging without fear of water damage.

You can use the Clara BW with your library card to access your local library's e-lending catalog, and you can sign up for Kobo Plus if you're looking for a book subscription service. The battery will last around 53 days on a single charge, but utilizing Bluetooth and the frequency of your usage can of course affect battery drain differently. The Kobo Clara BW is a solid eco-friendly alternative to a basic Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite, especially for those who do not want to be locked into the Amazon ecosystem.

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PocketBook Era has a 7-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen, and is a great option to consider if you're in the market for a good e-reader. It weighs 8 ounces and is in line with the quality level you’d expect from an e-reader at this price point. The Era offers IPX8 waterproof certification, and its anti-glare screen also includes anti-scratch protection. Brightness and color temperature can be adjusted, like with many competitors' devices. Where the PocketBook Era shines is with its 64GB storage option and the ability to read nearly two dozen file formats without conversions, including 17 books, four graphics, and two comic formats. The screen features auto-rotation support, and the ergonomic design is comfortable for both right and left-handed users alike.

The Era runs on a modified version of Linux, so while there is no access to an app store for installing your third-party apps relating to reading subscriptions, a pre-installed web browser does make it possible for you to use a service like Scribd. Pocketbook also offers an e-reader app that can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices with support for 5GB of cloud storage, so you can take your digital library with you across platforms without intrusive ads. You can expect the battery on this one to last about four weeks, but as is to be expected, your drain time may vary if you rely heavily on features like text-to-speech and use Bluetooth accessories or built-in speakers.

Choosing the best e-reader for you

When it comes to e-readers, there are certain features that you’ll find in nearly every brand. A 6 to 7-inch display is fairly average, while touch support and anti-glare displays are all typically reasonable amenities to expect across devices, regardless of price. Additional features like water resistance, premium build materials, and headphone jacks can all be nice extras, but their importance depends on how you intend to use the reader. If you’re more inclined to lounge on a couch instead of kicking back at the beach while reading, waterproofing may not mean much to you. However, something intrusive like lock screen ads may be more problematic, in which case you'll be stuck paying extra to get rid of them on some devices while others don't have them at all.

Because of its premium build quality, solid waterproof rating, long-lasting battery, and lightweight design, the Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon takes the throne as the best e-reader. The Paperwhite does have multiple storage options, and those change the price accordingly. It has the full support of the Amazon Kindle library. When paired with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, the potential for the library is unmatched by that of any e-reader competitor.

Non-Kindle devices do attempt to balance this out, as seen with another top contender like the Kobo Libra Colour, which allows multiple book formats and even support for local library lending apps like Libby. Despite their best efforts, however, Kindle devices still take top positions when it comes to value and performance alike. Regardless of your e-reading needs, all the devices listed here are top of their class products that can help you focus on your reading and improve the comfort with which you do so.