Whilst you cannot change the texture of paper — the great thing about certain hardcovers and the ritual of turning the web page — an e-reader brings comfort and portability {that a} bodily ebook simply cannot beat. Certain, you possibly can throw a ebook in your tote bag, however what about a whole library?
If you consider the most effective e-readers, your first thought is probably going an Amazon Kindle, nonetheless this is not a listing of the greatest Kindles, though we do have a listing of these, too. Whereas Kindles are nice — there is definitely no denying that — you’ll find a few equally great options.
Amazon’s October Prime Day is on Oct. 7 and eight, and with it comes the potential for e-reader offers. We count on to see some reductions on Kindle gadgets (proper now, you possibly can simply discover a low cost on Kindle Limitless), however we hope to see financial savings on Kobos and the iPad mini, too.
So, what’s the greatest e-reader for 2025? I am frequently testing new e-readers (and tablets) and biking via completely different fashions to remain updated on the most effective choices accessible. So, if you happen to’re gearing as much as learn extra books this summer time or fall, I can advocate a mannequin you may love.
Different e-readers we have examined
From left to proper: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Most not too long ago, we have examined the Exceptional PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7 as contenders for this checklist. After a number of weeks of testing, each gadgets proved to be fairly good however not fairly list-worthy. Whereas I used to be capable of take a look at most of Amazon’s 2024 Kindle fashions, I’ve but to check the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Version.
Everytime you seek for e-readers, Exceptional’s tablets will all the time pop up within the search outcomes, however sadly, it is arduous to acquire ePUB recordsdata on the Exceptional. With Exceptional, you possibly can entry recordsdata inside Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. You probably have any locked ePUB recordsdata — like from Libby — you will not be capable to entry them on a Exceptional pill. So, after testing the Exceptional pill myself, it proved to be a greater doc reader or digital journal than an e-reader.
The Onyx Boox Go 7 is a greater e-reader choice than the Exceptional. It is the identical because the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, nevertheless it actually lags on processing velocity. To learn ePUB recordsdata from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was a lot lag whereas opening and shutting the app. Whereas it was a neater course of than getting library books on a Nook, it was nonetheless a serious ache in comparison with Kindle or Kobo’s integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load recordsdata. I used to be most wanting ahead to testing this Boox due to its page-turning buttons, however sadly, I discovered that they did not work on my gadget.
An e-reader we have not gotten round to testing is the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which simply debuted on Sept. 30, 2025. It isn’t accessible for preorder but, however as soon as we get a mannequin to check, we’ll replace this information with our suggestions.
What in regards to the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version?
If you happen to’re accustomed to the Kindle lineup, it might come as a shock that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is not on this checklist. Do not get me unsuitable, it is nice, however I feel there are higher choices. The Signature Version is an upgraded model of the Paperwhite, and we have in contrast the gadgets head-to-head. The quick model? The Paperwhite is a greater worth, even with the SE’s added options like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.
In case you are ready to spend $200 on an e-reader, although, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version and go for the Kobo Libra Color.
The place’s the Nook on this checklist?
By way of big-name e-readers, you may discover one omission from this checklist: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I’ve examined this e-reader, and it was beforehand featured on this checklist. Nonetheless, after testing extra gadgets, it not makes the reduce. Compared to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like efficiency, making it irritating to make use of.
Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, because it was a multi-step course of that required downloading to a pc earlier than importing to a Nook. Its solely redeeming high quality was the buttons on both facet of the gadget, which made web page turning a breeze. Nonetheless, until you’re a loyal purchaser of Barnes & Noble books, I like to recommend steering away from the Nook.
The place to get e-reader books free of charge
When you get an e-reader, it is time to fill it up with books, and that does not essentially imply spending cash. Actually, you possibly can load up your e-reader with out spending a dime; you simply must be a bit resourceful.
The easiest way to learn practically any ebook — a traditional or sizzling new launch — is with Libby. I’ve learn a whole lot of free books with the Libby app — I would not have been capable of take a look at for this information with out it. It connects together with your library card, permitting you to borrow out of your native library’s digital assortment. Plus, each Kobo and Kindle have distinctive Libby integrations.
One other option to construct your library is thru Stuff Your Kindle Day occasions. These are 24-hour alternatives led by authors that make books discounted or free.
If you happen to’re a fan of the classics or seeking to uncover a treasure misplaced to time, a web based useful resource like Mission Gutenberg has greater than 75,000 books within the public area you can obtain and skim on an e-reader.
