The Best E-Readers of 2024

Top e-readers include Kindles and Amazon Fire tablets

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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, which is lightweight and affordable with 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.

What We Like
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity

  • Supports audiobooks

  • 4GB built-in storage

What We Don't Like
  • Not waterproof

  • Lower resolution than the Paperwhite

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 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.

2019 Amazon Kindle

Lifewire 

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.

Best for Audiobooks

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet (2022)

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet 2022

Amazon

What We Like
  • Alexa handy for audiobooks

  • Access to the Kindle Unlimited Plan

What We Don't Like
  • Battery life could be longer

  • User interface is a bit slow

If you want the best of the eBook and tablet world, the Amazon Fire HD 8 fits the bill. 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.

Best Splurge

Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019

Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019

Amazon

What We Like
  • Imitates look and feel of a physical book

  • Sturdy, ergonomic design

  • Waterproof

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Charging time could be quicker

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 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 e-ink technology.

Kindle Oasis (2019)

Lifewire / Sandra Stafford

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.

Best 7-inch Tablet

Amazon Fire 7

Amazon Fire 7 Tablet

Amazon

What We Like
  • Excellent 1024 x 600 IPS display

  • Family Library lets you share books

What We Don't Like
  • The interface contains ads

  • Works best if you have Amazon Prime

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. 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 for Kids

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

Amazon-fire-hd-8-kids-edition

Amazon

What We Like
  • Sturdy, drop-proof case and two-year warranty

  • One year of Amazon Freetime Unlimited

  • Parental controls

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.

Kindle Oasis (2019)

Lifewire / Sandra Stafford 

What to Look For in an E-Reader

Screen Type

Many e-readers, including Amazon’s Kindles, use E-Ink Carta technology to mimic paper and not harm your eyes like an LED or LCD. For avid readers, it’s the way to go. If you’ll be reading in short spurts, though, an IPS display (standard on most tablets) is another option. Just be sure to turn on the Blue Shade feature that optimizes the backlight for a better reading experience in dim lighting.

Battery Life

In general, e-readers have stellar battery life. Because the screens take up dramatically less power than smartphones or tablets, they can go days or weeks without charge. Some Kindles claim a whopping eight weeks of reading time (30 minutes of reading per day), so you'll be set if you’re forgetful about charging.

Durability

Are you planning to read at the beach? You’ll want an e-reader that can survive high tide. Some devices are designed to be waterproof and rated at IPX8, which means they can swim in depths of up to one meter for up to 60 minutes.

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