The 7 Best eBook Readers in 2025

If you’re seeking a top-tier e-reader, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition stands out in the 'Best Overall' category with impressive credentials. This next-generation device features a 7-inch Paperwhite display with a remarkable contrast ratio, enhancing text clarity and making reading more comfortable. Its prowess is amplified by 25% faster page turns, ensuring a seamless reading experience.

A major perk is the inclusion of an auto-adjusting front light, perfect for adapting to different reading environments, whether you’re in bright sunlight or cozying up for some nighttime reading. Coupled with a substantial 32 GB of storage, it provides ample space for a vast library of your favorite reads.

The design is ultra-thin and glare-free, making it travel-friendly and easy on the eyes. Adding to its allure is the waterproof feature, providing peace of mind if you like reading poolside. While features like wireless charging are impressive, keep in mind basic accessories are sold separately, which might factor into your purchasing decision. Nonetheless, the Signature Edition is a top-notch choice for avid readers seeking a distraction-free, immersive experience.

The Kindle Scribe impressively stands out in the 'Best Premium' category by seamlessly blending the reading experience with a practical note-taking function. Its redesigned flush-front display offers a delightful uniform white border, enhancing an already immersive reading experience. The highlight here is truly the upgraded Premium Pen, which mimics the sensation of writing on paper, making it a joy for those who love penning down thoughts and notes directly on their e-reader.

Writing directly onto pages becomes a breeze with the Active Canvas feature, which dynamically creates space for your notes. This capability is incredibly convenient for those who find inspiration while reading. Built-in AI tools for notebook summaries offer an efficient way to manage and fine-tune notes. Notably, the 10.2" glare-free, high-resolution display ensures clarity both indoors and outdoors, emphasizing the device's dedication to undistracted focus. The absence of notifications supports this by allowing users to engage solely with their reading and writing tasks. While the Kindle Scribe may lack diversions like apps and social media, its core focus on creating a seamless blend of reading and writing experience makes it a standout premium choice.

The Kobo Libra Colour stands out in the 'Best Ergonomic' category, thanks to its thoughtfully designed features that enhance the reading experience. Its lightweight and ergonomic design, complemented by conveniently placed page-turn buttons, provides comfort for long reading sessions. Seamless left or right screen rotation allows readers to find their perfect orientation, while customizable font sizes and margins offer a personalized touch that caters to individual preferences.

Additionally, the device excels with its vibrant color display, breathing life into book covers, comics, and graphic novels. This feature supports users who enjoy visual content, differentiating the Libra Colour from many monochrome e-readers. Waterproofing protection (IPX8 rating) adds practicality, allowing worry-free reading near water.

Although features like its 32GB storage or compatibility with Kobo Stylus 2 might be standard in this category, they complement the user-friendly experience. Overall, it's the combination of innovative design and versatile functionality that truly earns the Kobo Libra Colour its place among the best ergonomic e-readers.

The Kobo Sage stands out as an impressive device for note-taking enthusiasts, thanks to its 8-inch high-definition E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen. This screen offers remarkable clarity and deep contrast, which makes taking notes a pleasure without straining your eyes. The addition of ComfortLight PRO and Dark Mode aids in reducing blue light exposure, adding to user comfort during prolonged use.

What really sets the Kobo Sage apart is its seamless integration with the Kobo Stylus, providing a smooth writing experience directly on eBooks and PDFs. The built-in notebook feature is particularly handy, allowing users to keep their handwritten notes organized and even convert them into clean text with ease. Additionally, Dropbox support makes managing and sharing notes across devices a breeze.

While the Kobo Sage packs excellent features, its reliance on the separate purchase of a stylus is something to consider. Nevertheless, the overall package delivers a powerful tool for dedicated note-takers, combining flexibility, convenience, and performance in a stylish design.

The PocketBook Era Color shines in the 'Best For Comics' category, largely due to its vibrant and eye-friendly 7-inch E-Ink Kaleido 3 screen. With a significant boost in resolution, this device brings comics to life with 4096 colors, ensuring that each page is beautifully rendered and easy on the eyes. This makes it an excellent choice for fans of richly illustrated narratives.

The adjustable SMARTlight is another standout feature, offering tailored lighting experiences that adapt to any time of day. Whether you prefer a warm tone for a cozy night read or a cool tone for daytime, this e-reader adjusts seamlessly to enhance your visual experience.

Adding to its appeal is the waterproof design, a neat touch for those who can't resist reading by the pool or in the bath. With comprehensive format support and ample storage, it's easy to see why the PocketBook Era Color is a favorite among comic enthusiasts, despite some features being fairly standard.

If you're in the market for an e-reader with a large screen, the Bigme inkNote Color is a stellar option that might just steal your attention. Its 10.3-inch E Ink display is a great size for more immersive reading, ideal for those lengthy novels or complex documents that need a spacious canvas. Powered by an octa-core 2.3GHz processor, this device promises snappy performance, allowing users to switch between modes seamlessly and customize their reading experience with remarkable agility.

One of the standout features is the Kaleido 3 technology, which significantly boosts the vibrancy of color displays, providing an added layer of depth to your materials, especially when compared to its predecessor, the One-cell Kaleido Plus. Additionally, Bigme has enhanced the front light to minimize blue light reflection, making reading easier on the eyes across various lighting scenarios. Moreover, the Meeting Records App with offline voice-to-text transcription adds unique utility, turning it into more than just a reading tool. While its processing power is commendable, some might find the storage options average, though it's expandable to a substantial 1TB.

If you're on the hunt for a budget-friendly e-reader, the Amazon Kindle serves as an impressive contender in its category. One of its most commendable attributes is its lightweight design, making it incredibly portable. The device features a brighter front light and higher contrast, making reading easy in various lighting conditions. Its 6-inch glare-free display, combined with a dark mode option, allows for comfortable long-term use, whether you’re under the sun or cozied up in dim lighting.

Another advantage is its distraction-free promise; reading feels immersive with no buzzing notifications interrupting your flow. Plus, with up to six weeks of battery life, you can enjoy countless novels before needing a recharge. The generous 16 GB of storage means you can carry thousands of titles at your fingertips.

While the Kindle Unlimited subscription feels like an extra perk rather than standard, it does offer an enticing gateway to explore countless new stories. Additionally, the Kindle’s dedication to sustainability might just make you feel a little better about your purchase. By incorporating recycled materials, it's a small step towards a more eco-friendly world.