Which E-Reader Should You Buy? A Simple Way to Choose

On this page (8 sections)

1. Which e-reader should I buy for everyday reading?
2. Should you buy a colour e-reader for books and comics?
3. When should you choose an Android e-ink reader?
4. How should screen size and lighting affect your choice?
5. Where do you get books, and what files do you read?
6. How do you set up a new e-reader?
7. What common e-reader buying mistakes should you avoid?
8. Which e-reader should you buy?

The e-reader you should buy depends on what you read, where your books come from, and which features you will use often. Choose the Kindle 16GB for compact, focused reading, Paperwhite for a larger waterproof screen, Kobo Clara Colour for colour and library borrowing, or BOOX Go Color 7 Gen II for Android and broad document support.

Start with your everyday reading, not the longest feature list. Our e-readers explained guide covers the main screen and device types if you want to compare the basics first.

Which e-reader should I buy for everyday reading?

For novels and nonfiction, a dedicated reader with front lighting and a glare-free screen is an easy place to start. Pick the Kindle 16GB if you want a compact 6-inch reader, or the Paperwhite if a 7-inch screen and waterproofing would be useful.

The Kindle 16GB suits readers who mostly want books, an adjustable front light, and a device without social media, email, or message notifications. Its brightness and dark mode let you adjust the display for different lighting, while its 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.

Amazon says the battery can last up to 6 weeks on a charge. Battery life varies with how you use a device, so treat that figure as a guide rather than a schedule.

The Paperwhite suits readers who want more screen space or often read near water. It has a glare-free 7-inch display, adjustable white-to-amber lighting, waterproofing, and a stated battery life of up to 12 weeks per charge.

Both Kindle models provide access to the Kindle Store, and each offers an optional Kindle Unlimited subscription. Choose between them based on screen size and water protection, rather than assuming a longer feature list will improve every reading session.

Should you buy a colour e-reader for books and comics?

A colour screen is useful when colour changes what you can see or mark on the page. The Kobo Clara Colour is a natural fit for colour covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, and readers who like colour-coded highlights.

Kobo’s 6-inch colour E Ink display shows book covers and illustrations in colour. You can add, erase, or change highlight colours, which can help you mark different ideas or track notes by topic.

Colour E Ink has a different appearance from a typical phone or tablet screen. If your reading is almost entirely plain text, ask whether colour is worth prioritizing over a familiar monochrome reading experience.

The Clara Colour also has dark mode and ComfortLight PRO, which adjusts blue light through the day. You can personalize text size and line spacing, so consider how much you use those controls when comparing it with a basic reader.

Kobo says the device is waterproof to an IPX8 rating, with protection for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 metres of water. It supports local library borrowing through built-in OverDrive, and its 16 GB storage is described as holding up to 12,000 eBooks or 75 Kobo audiobooks.

If you expect to read comics often, compare the screen and format needs against our guide to e-readers for manga and comics. For everyday novels, the best E Ink readers for everyday reading can help you weigh simpler options.

When should you choose an Android e-ink reader?

Choose an Android E Ink device if you need app flexibility, several document formats, or physical page-turn buttons. The BOOX Go Color 7 Gen II runs Android 13, supports third-party apps, and handles formats such as EPUB, PDF, AZW3, CBZ, and DOCX.

This BOOX model is suited to readers who move between books and documents or want more freedom to choose reading apps. Its document support includes presentations, text files, and comic formats as well as common ebook types.

Its colour E Ink screen has 300 dpi resolution for black-and-white content and 150 dpi for colour. BOOX notes that colour E Ink can appear darker or grayer than LCD or LED screens, so this is a poor match if you expect tablet-like colour brightness.

The reader includes page-turn buttons, a microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a speaker, and a microphone. It supports the InkSense active stylus, but the stylus is sold separately, so don't count on writing with one straight out of the box.

Different refresh modes suit different content, from static reading to scrolling and video. That flexibility helps when you use more than one kind of app, but it also means this reader has more settings to learn than a dedicated Kindle or Kobo.

For a book-only routine, a dedicated reader is likely easier to set up and use. If you are choosing between a reader and a general-purpose screen, see our guide to e-reader vs tablet for books.

How should screen size and lighting affect your choice?

Screen size and lighting matter most when they fit where and how you read. A 6-inch reader is a compact choice for ordinary books, while a 7-inch screen gives pages more room and may suit readers who want larger text or less frequent page turns.

The Kindle 16GB and Kobo Clara Colour both have 6-inch screens. The Paperwhite and BOOX Go Color 7 Gen II have 7-inch screens, but their other features serve different needs: Paperwhite focuses on book reading and water protection, while BOOX adds Android and document flexibility.

A front light is useful when you read indoors or in dim rooms. The Kindle models have adjustable front lighting, and the Paperwhite can shift from white to amber; the Kobo offers ComfortLight PRO and customizable reading settings.

Don't judge a screen only by its diagonal measurement. Consider how much you carry it, the size of text you prefer, and whether you read comics, PDFs, or mostly flowing text.

Where do you get books, and what files do you read?

The right device should work with the books you already read or borrow. Kindle models connect with the Kindle Store, Kobo Clara Colour includes OverDrive borrowing, and BOOX supports Android apps and a wider range of document formats.

If most of your library comes from Amazon, Kindle may be the simpler fit. You can also explore the optional Kindle Unlimited subscription on either Kindle model.

If library borrowing is central, Kobo’s built-in OverDrive support may be a better match. Check your local library’s service before buying, since the device feature is useful only if your library supports it.

If you already have files in formats such as EPUB, PDF, AZW3, or CBZ, match those formats to the reader before deciding. BOOX lists broad format support, while Kobo supports EPUB and several image formats; a format list alone does not guarantee every file will display exactly as you expect.

Readers deciding whether to switch ecosystems can compare Kindle alternatives and learn whether Kindle books can be read on Kobo. A little checking before buying can prevent a library mismatch later.

How do you set up a new e-reader?

Set up your e-reader by connecting it to Wi-Fi, signing into the store or apps you plan to use, and adjusting the text before loading a large library. A few deliberate choices at the start make daily reading easier.

Begin with the font size and line spacing you can read comfortably. Set the front light for the room you usually read in, then try dark mode if you prefer a darker background at night.

Connect to Wi-Fi when you need to sign in, download books, or install apps. The BOOX adds Android app setup and refresh modes, so configure the apps you need and keep the home screen focused on reading.

Add a few books or documents first, then confirm they open and display as expected. On Kobo, test the library borrowing route with your local library; on BOOX, check a sample of each file type you plan to read.

What common e-reader buying mistakes should you avoid?

The most common mistake is paying attention to a feature you will rarely use while overlooking the way you actually get books. Choose for your reading routine, screen preference, and library access.

A colour screen is not automatically an upgrade for a text-only reader. If most of your books are novels, decide whether colour covers or highlights matter enough to choose a colour model.

Don't assume every waterproof model has the same water protection. The Paperwhite is described as waterproof, while Kobo gives a specific IPX8 rating for Clara Colour; the Kindle 16GB facts here do not specify waterproofing.

Don't assume every stylus-supported device includes a pen. BOOX supports its InkSense active stylus, but it is not included, so factor that into your decision if handwriting is central.

Finally, avoid choosing Android flexibility if you want the fewest setup choices. Third-party apps and multiple refresh modes add options, but a dedicated reader is a cleaner fit for someone who simply wants to open a book and read.

Which e-reader should you buy?

Choose the Kindle 16GB if you want a compact reader for books, and choose Paperwhite if you want a larger screen, warm lighting, and water protection. Pick Kobo Clara Colour for colour reading and library borrowing, or BOOX Go Color 7 Gen II for Android apps, physical page-turn buttons, and broad document support.

If you still can't decide, make a short list of the books and files you read in a typical week, then match that list to the device features above. You can also read whether e-readers are worth it for your habits before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Which e-reader should I buy for mostly novels?

For mostly novels, choose a dedicated reader with a glare-free screen and front light. The Kindle 16GB is compact and has a 6-inch display, while the Kindle Paperwhite has a 7-inch display, waterproofing, and white-to-amber lighting.

Should I buy a colour e-reader?

Choose a colour e-reader if you regularly read comics, graphic novels, illustrated books, or want colour highlights. The Kobo Clara Colour shows colour covers and illustrations and lets you highlight in multiple colours.

Is a Kindle or Kobo better for library books?

The Kobo Clara Colour includes local library borrowing through OverDrive. Before choosing it for that reason, check that your library supports the service and that its borrowing process suits you.

Should I choose an Android e-ink reader?

Choose an Android e-ink reader if you want third-party apps or need to read several document formats. The BOOX Go Color 7 Gen II runs Android and supports formats including EPUB, PDF, AZW3, and CBZ.