The majority of people still refer to e-readers as “Kindles” even though the greatest models come from a few distinct brands. To be honest, I find it a little annoying that there are so many other brands available—Kobo, Onyx Boox PocketBook, Barnes & Noble, to mention a few—that we should actually refer to e-ink tablets as “ereaders” or “ebook readers.”
On the other hand, a lot of the e-paper tablets that are currently on the market can be used as digital notebooks because they support styluses in addition to being digital readers. There is also support for audiobooks, and some even let you browse the web.
I’ve evaluated 26 different ereaders, so I know what to look for before spending money on one. Some of the questions I’ve learned to ask are: do you require waterproofing? Do you like one-handed use? Do you need to take notes? Do you value a color screen?
Table of Contents
- No 1 Amazon kindle scribe
- No 2 Kobo Libra Colour
- No 3 Kobo Elipsa 2E
Top 3 Best Ebook Readers In 2025
No 1 Amazon kindle scribe
Since its release, the Kindle Scribe has advanced to the point where it is now my go-to tablet for anyone who enjoys reading, writing, and perhaps even classic pen and ink games like sudoku and crossword puzzles. With the largest screen available on a Kindle, it maintains the sharpness of the best Kindle ereaders, making books and text look even better than when read on the top iPad.
The Remarkable 2 tablet may be more appealing to you if you’re a serious handwriter and note-taker because it offers a lot more options for productivity, pen styles, and background templates. The Kindle Scribe still offers advantages over the Remarkable, particularly its lighting, which enables reading and writing in the dark. Most folks who aren’t utilizing the writing tablet in the boardroom will find the Kindle Scribe more convenient because it keeps things simpler. Additionally, the Scribe is more affordable for consumers.
As a former teacher, I first voiced my displeasure that the Kindle Scribe did not allow me to write in book margins, a feature I would like for kids. Unfortunately, this is not Amazon’s fault, and no writing tablet allows you to write on any book as you like unless you purchase it as a PDF or, more specifically, an epub file. Since the release of the Kindle Scribe, Amazon has developed a solution because it does own a bookstore.
Pros
- Good price for a stylus-toting E Ink tablet
- Finally, a large Kindle screen for reading
- More pen options and ‘write on’ books added since launch
Cons
- Few writing features for journaling and doodles
- You can’t write in the margins of books
- Not many ‘write on’ books available yet
No 2 Kobo Libra Colour
A color E-ink screen, remarkable library integration, and a waterproof construction are features of the Kobo Libra Color ebook reader.
Similar to the Boox Go Color 7, the Kobo Libra Color draws heavily from the Kindle Oasis, which was discontinued. The 7-inch screens on all three readers have a wider bezel on the right side, making it easier to grasp the device in one hand. All of them also feature touch screens that allow you to swipe or tap to turn the page, as well as two buttons for turning pages.
The 7-inch screen size is ideal for reading, in my experience. It can display a lot of text on each page and is portable due to its compact size. The Libra Color’s display is not flush with the bezels like the Boox and Kindle’s panels are. It resembles the designs of previous Kindle versions and has a tiny indentation. Although dust and filth can quickly become caught in the corners and be challenging to clean, I don’t mind this.
The page-turning You won’t inadvertently tap the wrong button because the buttons on the right side of the screen are spaced far enough away. When pressed, the buttons provide a pleasing clicking sound. In contrast to the Go Color 7, you can change the buttons’ orientation, but you are only able to use them to turn pages. A power button is located on the back of the gadget, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer is located on the right side.
Pros
- Colorful E Ink display
- Good OverDrive library integration
- Long battery life
- Waterproof
Cons
- Stylus costs extra
- Limited note-taking features
- Loading books can be trick
No 3 Kobo Elipsa 2E
You may read, take notes, create lists, annotate in the margins, borrow from a public library that accepts OverDrive, and transfer data with ease using Dropbox on the Kobo Elipsa 2E. But it’s an ereader first and foremost.
Although Kobo says that 85% of the Elipsa 2E’s body is composed of recycled plastic, 10% of which is plastic that ends up in the ocean, not much has changed physically. While the Kobo Clara 2E’s eco-friendly strategy is commendable, the Elipsa 2E’s general appearance hasn’t evolved much and now appears outdated in comparison to devices like the Amazon Kindle Scribe and the Onyx Boox Note Air 2. Since the days of the Kobo Glo, I’ve been using a Kobo as my preferred ereader, and I’m still waiting for a more upscale model.
The ability to create subfolders was the only feature lacking from the Notebooks program on a Kobo, but it has now been added as well. In my experience, this is the greatest note-taking ereader available, even though it may be the only new feature coming with the Kobo Elipsa 2E. I’m comparing it to the Onyx Boox Note Air2 Plus, which I also really like.
Pros
- Faster than previous model
- Versatile writing tools
- Eco-friendly body
Cons
- Expensive
- Dated, plasticky design
- Sleepcover no longer bundled
What is an ereader?
Although it may appear to be a dull tablet, an ereader is made only for digital books, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, novels or comics. Every ereader, also known as an ebook reader, has a unique display that makes it simple to read in any type of ambient lighting. These displays have an eye-pleasing appearance that mimics the texture of paper—not the feel.
They can be slow to refresh and don’t need strong CPUs because they only do one thing: show ebooks. Nevertheless, this has no effect on an ereader’s functionality and, in fact, extends the battery life to weeks between charges.
An ereader can hold hundreds of titles and usually has 8GB of storage, if not more. This implies that you can travel with your whole library.
Do you really need an ereader?
The amount of books you read and your comfort level with spending more money on a reading gadget will determine if you need a dedicated ereader. Going digital can save you money in the long term because ebooks are usually less expensive than printed editions, and it can also help you save storage space for your books if you’re a voracious reader who frequently purchases new titles. Although the ereader itself will cost a significant amount of money, you’ll quickly discover that it pays for itself. Additionally, some ereaders let you check out books from the library, which might save you even more money.
Additionally, an ereader is far lighter than lugging a real book if you read on your morning commute.
While the e-paper screen on an ereader is made to lessen eye strain, it may be claimed that reading on a phone or tablet is generally just as good. Therefore, it’s absolutely worth adopting an ereader if you read a lot before bed, especially one that lets you change the frontlight’s temperature to warmer colors..
Kindle vs Kobo: what is the difference?
Kindles and Kobo ereaders differ in a few ways, even though the devices are essentially the same. First of all, the former is readily accessible in every country where Amazon has operations, but Kindles have the potential to force you to buy books exclusively from the Kindle Store, so locking you into Amazon’s ecosystem.
Though the ecosystem is far more open and it’s much simpler to sideload books you already own, Kobo also has its own bookshop that can be accessed through its ereaders. Both Kobo’s file and font support are more extensive. If you’d want, you may even sideload Amazon’s own fonts, such as Bookerly and Ember.
Additionally, both devices allow you to check out books from the library, although Kindle owners are only able to do so if they reside in the United States. If you live somewhere else and your local library supports OverDrive, you might want to think about getting a Kobo (you can ask them before you decide to buy an ereader).
Although Kobo devices are often a bit more costly, the Japanese-Canadian ereader company offers a wider selection of devices. Additionally, we believe Kobo is the best option if you’re looking for a note-taking gadget.
Please be aware that we may receive a commission if you buy something after clicking on the links in our stories. This helps to fund our work. Thank you for your support and attention. Feel free to look around further to find out more about how these commissions support our work. GreatReviewsoffiical