7 Best E-Readers of 2026, According to a Bookworm and Tech Expert
Take your entire library wherever you go.
Expert consulted: Olivia LipskiSenior Reviews Writer & Analyst
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Although the feeling of a physical book is unmatched, there's no denying that an e-reader is one of the most convenient ways to read, especially if you're a bookworm who blows through paperbacks, or you're frequently on-the-go and want something that's easy to pack.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
- Best Value: Amazon Kindle
- Best Kindle Alternative: Rakuten Kobo Clara BW
- Best Color E-Reader: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
- Best for Annotating: Rakuten Kobo Libra Colour
"Not only do e-readers give me access to hundreds of novels no matter where I am in the world, but they're typically lightweight and compact," says Olivia Lipski, senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "They're so much easier to travel with than a stack of heavy books, and some even fit into my purse." She appreciates that most models are backlit for reading in low-light settings and that they feature up to weeks-long (!) battery life so you don't have to worry about charging them frequently.
Pros
- Fast, responsive performance
- Waterproof design
- Adjustable brightness and warmth settings
- Long battery life
- Lightweight and easy to hold
Cons
- More expensive than the basic Kindle
- Lacks built-in note-taking features
Why we recommend it: For an e-reader that nearly does it all, look no further than the Kindle Paperwhite, which came out on top when our Lab experts put it to the test against the entry-level Kindle model. With a 7-inch screen, easy-to-adjust brightness and warmth levels, and long battery life, it's not just our favorite Kindle, but our favorite e-reader on the market. We love that it's waterproof, earning an IPX8 rating. "As someone who loves to take frequent baths and has even been caught using a Kindle in the hot tub or pool, this IP rating is enough reason for me to pay the extra price for the Paperwhite," says Lipski.
How it held up: "The latest Paperwhite was zippier than the [basic] Kindle," Lipski says. "The e-readers turned pages at roughly the same speed, but the Paperwhite was faster at downloading books and opening them up." Plus, Lipski was impressed by the battery life, adding that she's used the Paperwhite for years, and "it feels like I never have to charge it."
RELATED: Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: What's the Difference?
Features at a Glance
| Screen Size | 7" |
| Size | 5” x 7” x 0.3” |
| Weight | 7.4 oz |
| Resolution | 300 PPI (pixels per inch) |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 12 weeks |
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- Easy to hold with one hand
- Sharp, glare-free display
- Long battery life
Cons
- Not waterproof
- No adjustable warmth settings
Why we recommend it: Whether you're new to the world of e-readers and want to test a budget-friendly model or simply prefer devices that can fit in the palm of your hand, Amazon's standard Kindle is an excellent buy. At just $150, this offers many of the same characteristics as pricier Kindle models (sans the waterproof build and adjustable warmth features) at a lower price. Per Amazon, it's the "lightest and most compact Kindle," making it a smart pick if you want a device that takes up as little space as possible.
How it held up: "The Kindle comes with a sizeable amount of storage space, and it works well," Lipski says. "I'll admit that the petite device is easier to hold in one hand and it will take up even less space in a purse or tote bag."
Features at a Glance
| Screen Size | 6" |
| Size | 6.2” x 4.3” x 0.32” |
| Weight | 5.56 oz |
| Resolution | 300 PPI |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 6 weeks |
Pros
- Glare-free, paper-like display
- Compatible with library e-books
- Fast, intuitive performance
- Compact and lightweight
- Waterproof design
Cons
- Smaller e-book library than Kindle
Why we recommend it: Although Amazon Kindles seem to dominate the e-reader market, one comparable option that's been gaining popularity is Rakuten's Kobo. Like a Kindle, this Kobo Clara BW (black-and-white) offers a glare-free, paper-like screen, enough storage to house thousands of books, and waterproof protection. It's an excellent option for those who don't want to be locked into Amazon's Kindle ecosystem. Per the brand, the Clara is compatible with 15 different file formats and even has an auto-sync feature for those who check out e-books from the library.
How it held up: Our testers were impressed by the Kobo's zippy performance. "It was incredibly intuitive and didn't have lag going from one screen to the next," said one tester. Though they weren't as fond of Kobo+ and found the library limited compared to Kindle's, the reading experience made up for it, as well as the device's compact size and light weight. "It feels just right for reading while still being compact enough for travel or throwing in my purse," said one GH editor.
Features at a Glance
| Screen Size | 6" |
| Size | 4.4" x 6.3" x 0.36" |
| Weight | 6.1 oz |
| Resolution | 300 PPI |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 53 days |
Pros
- Full-color display
- Responsive screen and fast page turns
- Waterproof design
- Great for graphic novels and illustrated books
Cons
- Shorter battery life than the Kindle Paperwhite
- More expensive than black-and-white e-readers
Why we recommend it: Anyone who has been yearning for a color Kindle got their wish when Amazon dropped the Kindle Colorsoft. Although remarkably similar in design to the Paperwhite, the Colorsoft features a full-color screen that renders book covers, photo inserts, and graphic novels as they were meant to be seen. The Kindle Colorsoft is waterproof and is compatible with wireless charging, although the battery life is slightly shorter than that of the Paperwhite.
How it held up: After testing the Colorsoft, I found that the device was just as durable as the Paperwhite. Lipski found that "the screen was more responsive, and the page turns quicker." Plus, the colors on the Colorsoft felt more vivid than other color e-readers that we tried.
Features at a Glance
| Screen Size | 7" |
| Size | 5" X 7" X 0.3" |
| Weight | 7.6 oz |
| Resolution | 300 PPI in black and white, 150 PPI in color |
| Storage | 16-32 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 8 weeks |
Pros
- Full-color display
- Lets you write directly in books
- Waterproof design
- Handy page-turning buttons
- Comfortable, ergonomic shape
Cons
- Kobo’s e-book library is smaller than Kindle’s
- More expensive than basic e-readers
Why we recommend it: Those who frequently annotate their books should check out the Kobo Libra Colour, which doubles as both a full-color e-reader and a digital notebook. Instead of only being able to highlight, the Libra Colour allows you to write directly in your books, so this might be a great option for students who need to mark up novels. Not to mention, it's waterproof, features two handy page-turning buttons, and has a curved edge that makes it easy to hold.
How it held up: When testing, I liked the ergonomic design of the Kobo. The slightly curved edge makes it more comfortable to hold while still having the buttons and touch screen close at hand. Coming from primarily using a buttonless Kindle, I was surprised by how often I found myself using the buttons on the Kobo. I was also impressed with the Kobo's notebook functionality and the ability to mark up text with the stylus.
RELATED: Can’t Choose Between the Kindle and Kobo Color E-Readers? Here’s the Real Difference
Features at a Glance
| Screen Size | 7" |
| Size | 5.9" X 6.33" X 0.32" |
| Weight | 7 oz |
| Resolution | 300 PPI in black and white, 150 PPI in color |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 40 days |
Pros
- Doubles as an e-reader and digital notebook
- Large 10.2-inch display
- Natural pen-to-paper writing feel
- Pen does not require charging
Cons
- Larger and heavier than other Kindle models
Why we recommend it: Although the Kindle Scribe is the most expensive and the largest e-reader we've tested, we recommend it for people who are considering purchasing a smart notebook. In addition to providing full access to your Kindle library, the Scribe also doubles as a journal. We liked how the pen does not need to be charged and appreciated the option to upgrade to a premium version with a built-in eraser and shortcut button.
How it held up: Although the performance wasn't quite as zippy as other Kindles we've tried, we enjoyed the notebook features. "The digital notebook does an excellent job of replicating the real deal of that pen-to-paper feel," Lipski says. "The premium pen is both comfortable and easy to hold in my hand, and writing with it is actually kind of fun."
RELATED: Kindle Scribe Review: Everything You Need to Know About This Buzzy E-Reader
Features at a Glance
| Screen size | 10.2" |
| Size | 7.7” x 9.0" x .22" |
| Weight | 0.95 lbs |
| Resolution | 300 PPI |
| Storage | 16-64 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 12 weeks |
Pros
- Parental controls for managing downloads
- Built-in definitions and vocabulary builder
- Includes six months of Amazon Kids+
- Compact design for smaller hands
- Supports both picture books and chapter books
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Amazon Kids+ subscription costs extra after six months
Why we recommend it: To keep up with your little bookworms, the Kindle Kids can hold picture books and chapter books as they progress with their reading. The parental dashboard lets you control what books your child can download, while watching their progress. Kids can also click on words they don't know and a definition will appear. Plus, all the words they look up will go into a "vocabulary builder" for parents to review with them later on. Your purchase also comes with a complimentary 6-month subscription to Amazon Kids+—which provides unlimited access to thousands of books—and a smart wake cover. Should your child prefer a souped-up model, Amazon also offers kid-friendly versions of the Paperwhite—a two-time Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards winner—and Colorsoft.
How it held up: The Kindle Kids is essentially a repackaged version of the standard Kindle model, so its compact size should make it a great buy for little hands. We also like that it comes with a 2-year warranty in case your kiddo damages the device.
Features at a Glance
| Screen size | 6" |
| Size | 6.3” x 4.5” x 0.53” |
| Weight | 9.03 oz |
| Resolution | 300 PPI |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 6 weeks |
How we test e-readers
I'm an avid reader who reads more than 150 books a year and have used an Amazon Kindle for over a decade. For this guide, I collaborated with Lipski, a fellow Kindle user who has researched and evaluated e-readers at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Together, we compared e-readers based on the features that matter most to readers, including ease of setup and navigation, readability in bright sunlight and low light, battery life, storage capacity, responsiveness (such as startup time, page turns and book downloads), and resistance to fingerprints and smudges.
We also prioritized features that enhance the reading experience, including glare-free E Ink displays that mimic the look of paper, waterproof designs for reading by the pool or beach and, on select models, stylus compatibility for taking notes, annotating books or using the device as a smart notebook. These considerations, along with our experience using Kindles and other e-readers, informed our recommendations.
What to look for when shopping for an e-reader
The best e-reader for you depends on where, how, and what you like to read. Keep these factors in mind while comparing models:
✔️ Screen size and display: Most e-readers have screens between 6 and 7 inches, which keeps them lightweight and easy to hold. Larger models, like the Kindle Scribe, are better for reading PDFs, taking notes, and viewing documents. Look for a glare-free E Ink display that mimics the look of paper.
✔️ Built-in lighting: An adjustable front light makes it easier to read in dim rooms, while warmth settings can create a softer, more comfortable display at night. If you frequently read before bed, choose a model with both brightness and warmth controls.
✔️ Waterproofing: If you like to read in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach, look for an e-reader with an IPX8 waterproof rating. Not every model has this feature, so check the product specifications before buying.
✔️ Storage: E-readers typically offer enough storage for thousands of books, but you may want more space if you plan to download audiobooks, graphic novels, or other large files. Most readers will be perfectly fine with 16 GB of storage.
✔️ Color: A black-and-white screen is ideal for novels, but a color e-reader may be worth considering for graphic novels, cookbooks, children’s books, and magazines. Keep in mind that color E Ink displays may have lower resolution and shorter battery life than traditional black-and-white models.
✔️ Note-taking and annotation: Some e-readers allow you to highlight text, write directly on pages, or use the device as a digital notebook. These features are especially useful for students, professionals, and anyone who likes to annotate while reading.
✔️ Content ecosystem: A Kindle gives you access to Amazon’s Kindle store, while Kobo e-readers offer support for a wider range of file types and make it easy to borrow e-books from many public libraries. Consider where you currently buy or borrow books before choosing a device.
✔️ Battery life: Most e-readers last for weeks on a single charge, though battery life varies depending on screen brightness, wireless use, and whether you listen to audiobooks. If you travel often, look for a model with a long claimed battery life.
✔️ Kids’ features: For children, look for parental controls, vocabulary-building tools, a durable case, and a generous warranty. A kid-specific e-reader may also include access to age-appropriate books and a subscription service.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Madison McGee is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines, primarily reporting on home, tech, fashion, and books across titles like Cosmopolitan, Esquire, House Beautiful, Country Living, ELLE, Town & Country, and more. When she’s not writing gift guides, product reviews, and sales and deals content, she’s probably exploring New York City’s independent bookstores.
For this story, she consulted Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski, who has been covering tech, parenting, travel, home, and more for the Good Housekeeping Institute since joining in 2021. She's an avid Kindle user and has reviewed everything from the Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite to various generations of the Kindle Scribe.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
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