The Best eBook Readers 2026
The best eBook readers in 2026 go far beyond a basic Kindle. This guide compares our top picks across every brand and budget — from the do-everything Kindle Paperwhite to colour screens from Kobo and an Android-powered Boox that reads any format you throw at it. Compare the key specs side by side in the table below, then read our breakdown of which reader suits which kind of reader, so you can buy with confidence.
 |  |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reader | Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle (11th Gen) | Kobo Libra Colour | Kobo Clara BW | Onyx Boox Go 7 | Kindle Scribe |
| Screen Size | 7" | 6" | 7" colour | 6" | 7" | 11" |
| Resolution | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 / 150 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
| Colour screen | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Warm front light | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (warm+cold) | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes (IPX8) | No | Yes (IPX8) | Yes (IPX8) | No | No |
| Weight | 214 g | 158 g | 199.5 g | 174 g | 195 g | 400 g |
| Storage | 16 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 16 GB | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| Formats (EPUB/PDF) | PDF; EPUB via convert | PDF; EPUB via convert | EPUB, PDF + Libby | EPUB, PDF + Libby | Any (Android apps) | PDF; EPUB via convert |
| Audiobooks | Yes (Audible) | Yes (Audible) | Yes (Kobo) | Yes (Kobo) | Yes (apps) | Yes (Audible) |
| Price* | $159.99 | $109.99 | $219.99 | $129.99 | $249.99 | $499.99 |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
*Prices at time of publishing and subject to change. Kindles convert EPUB via Send to Kindle; Kobo & Boox read EPUB natively.
Best overall
Kindle Paperwhite
The best all-round e-reader. A crisp 7-inch waterproof display, adjustable warm light and Amazon's unmatched library make it the one most readers should buy.
Available on Amazon
Best budget
Kindle (11th Gen)
The best budget pick. A compact 6-inch 300 ppi Kindle that nails the essentials for the lowest price — ideal as a first e-reader or a gift.
Available on Amazon
Best Amazon alternative
Kobo Libra Colour
The best Amazon alternative. A 7-inch colour screen, physical page-turn buttons, waterproofing and native library loans via Libby/OverDrive — plus optional stylus notes.
Available on Amazon
Best compact
Kobo Clara BW
The best compact non-Kindle. A pocketable 6-inch waterproof Kobo with a razor-sharp Carta 1300 screen and open EPUB support — perfect for library borrowers.
Available on Amazon
Most flexible
Onyx Boox Go 7
The most flexible. It runs Android, so it reads virtually any format or app — Kindle, Kobo, Libby, PDFs and more — on a fast 7-inch display for readers who want no walled garden.
Available on Amazon
Best for note-taking
Kindle Scribe
The best for note-taking. A large 11-inch Kindle with an included pen for writing, journaling and marking up documents, alongside premium reading.
Available on Amazon
How to Listen to Audio Books on Your Kindle
There are many reasons why you might want to listen to audio books on your Kindle rather than read the printed text; it's hands-free, you're practising English listening, maybe you're partially sighted or perhaps you simply just don’t like reading. Whatever the...
Kindle eBook Reader Comparison 2026
A 2026 comparison of every current Amazon Kindle — the entry Kindle, Paperwhite, Colorsoft, Scribe and Scribe Colorsoft — with specs, prices and which model is right for you.
*Digitalbook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the Amazon LLC marketplaces.