Have you thought about an e-reader but you're just not sure whether they're useful? Is it hard to tear yourself away from an actual, physical book?
We understand that as a bookworm, it feels weird to change from a bookshelf of favourites to a digital gadget where you can't turn the pages. But there are plenty of benefits that come with getting an e-reader: you save space in your home with no need for a bulky bookshelf; save space in your luggage when you go on holiday; and, save the trees by not buying hard copies.
The beast e-readers at a glance:
• Best e-reader for night reading: Kindle Paperwhite - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best multipurpose e-reader: Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best affordable e-reader: Kobo Clara 2E - Buy now on Argos
E-readers have also developed a lot over the past few years, with new technology making them easier to read with less strain on your eyes than the original versions. Plus, glare-free screens make reading outdoors much easier, and new advances in battery tech mean you can easily get through a full book without needing to recharge.
The current generation of e-readers has high Pixels Per Inch (PPI), meaning that all text will be clear and defined without any pixilated, fuzzy-edged letters. Take a look at the best e-readers below.
The best e-book readers UK 2024
Best e-reader for night reading
The Kindle Paperwhite is a fantastic all-rounder that won't disappoint. The display is just short of seven inches, and the touchscreen is very responsive, resulting in a device that's super simple to use. Best of all, you can adjust the backlight so you have the perfect setting for a bedtime reading.
One reviewer said: "This kindle is the perfect gift for my paper book reading partner, she now has all her favourite books on one handy device. Easy to use and great for night-time reading with its backlit display. Very user friendly."
Pros
- Warm adjustable light is great for bedtime reading
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Battery life could be a little better
| Display | 6.8" |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Features | No ads, adjustable light, waterproof |
2.
Kindle Oasis
Best waterproof e-reader
If you're someone who likes to read in the bath or at the beach, we suggest the Kindle Oasis. It's super waterproof so you don't need to worry about it being easily damaged. The page-turn buttons also help with this, as you won't end up with suds on the screen.
A customer review: "The Oasis is surprisingly lighter, thinner, and sleeker than our previous models and does not feel as plasticky, they are more in keeping with the current style of mobile tech. The new ergonomic design makes it much more comfortable to hold. It is easy to navigate through the options to personalise such things as fonts, orientation, and brightness. There is an ‘OpenDyslexic’ font available to help with dyslexia. The choice of using the page-turning buttons as an alternative to flicking the screen is also a great addition."
Pros
- Page-turn buttons are a nice addition
- Superb waterproofing
Cons
- Fairly small storage
| Display | 7" |
| Storage | 8 GB |
| Features | Adjustable light, IPX8 waterproof, page-turn buttons |
Best multipurpose e-reader
For those who are after an e-reader but want a bit more versatility from one, you might like the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. It's still a great tool for reading, but with the option to watch videos and perform other tasks like a regular tablet. It's also a great choice if you're looking for a bigger screen.
One reviewer said: "A great tablet with very good screen quality and size. It feels robust and is very responsive to the touch. It has a bright screen, vivid colours and is pretty quick. It's a great tablet and would recommend it even at a higher price, but at its current price it's tremendous value."
Pros
- Fantastic storage capacity
- Big screen size is kind on the eyes
Cons
- Bigger than many other e-readers
| Display | 10.1" |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Features | 13-hour battery life. pressure sensitivity, expandable storage |
Best affordable e-reader
www.argos.co.uk
One of the best bits about having an e-reader is that it lets you take more books with you when travelling or on holiday. That's why we adore the Kobo Clara 2E, (one of the best e-reader alternatives to Kindles) with its design focus all about being as convenient and portable as possible. The battery life is extra handy, long enough that you can easily get through most of a book with it.
A customer review: "Excellent battery life and decent storage means I can take loads of books away on holiday. As a daily driver, the screen might be a bit small but perfect for travel as it is smaller than the Libra 2."
Pros
- Great battery life and charge time
- Compact size and lightweight build make it very portable
Cons
- Screen is a bit too small for constant use
| Display | 6" |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Features | Charge time of 2 hours, adjustable fonts |
5.
Kobo Libra 2
Best e-reader for elders
www.argos.co.uk
Readability is always an important factor to consider, so it's fantastic that the Kobo Libra 2 offers 50 font sizes to choose from. That's not the only convenient aspect of the design either; both the touchscreen and the button controls are super responsive and reliable, so it feels natural to use as soon as you pick it up for the first time.
One reviewer wrote: "I really like the Kobo e-reader, it's very competitively priced vs the Kindle, the touchscreen is responsive, and it's fairly fast and easy to read, especially with an adjustable backlight. The only downside is Kobo doesn't have the same library of books as some others, but it doesn't cause me many issues."
Pros
- Plenty of readability options
- The touchscreen is easy to use
Cons
- A bit bulky for the size
| Display | 7" |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Features | 50 adjustable font sizes, 2 hour charge time |
What are the best e-readers?
When shopping around for e-readers and reading tablets, there are two main brand choices for e-readers: Amazon Kindle or Kobo.
Amazon users will be able to access 6 million Kindle titles through the Amazon store, while Kobo users will have access to five million through Rakuten Kobo. Either way, there will be plenty of classic stories and best-selling books so we're sure there'll be something you'll love.
Are E-Readers bad for your eyes?
E-readers are, generally speaking, a lot more comfortable on the eyes due to backlighting! You don't have to strain your eyes in low-light conditions, leading to fewer headaches while reading.
How many books can a kindle hold?
a Kindle can hold around 300 books per 1 GB of storage, the most basic Kindle has about 4 GB, so you're probably able to store a maximum of 1,200 books (which is probably plenty).
Are E-Readers worth it?
If you're a big fan of reading, but don't have enough space at home to store a ton of books, the Kindle is the perfect solution to that problem. If you're eye-sight is a little worse for wear, you can adjust the text size so it suits you perfectly. Colour, lighting, font, all of these things you can change to your preference - no questions asked. We think they're absolutely worth it!
What's the difference between E-Readers and tablets?
E-Readers are designed perfectly for reading with - they've got a bookish feel to them for one, giving you an authentic reading experience, as well as a ton of features you won't find on a typical app. The major difference, however, is how energy-efficient they are. You can use an E-Reader for over a week and still have plenty of charges, whereas most tablets won't last an entire day.
Sophie Knight was the Group Commercial Content Editor for Bauer Media, working across many of Bauer's high-profile brands including Mother&Baby, Yours, Heat, Closer, Empire, CAR, Parkers, MCN, and launching What's The Best.