What kind of ereader is best

Both are up for pre-order now and will be available on October The biggest downside to this model is its ppi resolution, which means text is fuzzier and images are blurrier than on the ppi Paperwhite. Compared to the basic Kindle with a ppi screen, it has a sharper ppi screen. But it has similar flaws, including a recessed screen and a lack of waterproofing. Its design is unique compared with that of other Kindles, as it features an asymmetrical body 0.

The Oasis is a little wider than the Paperwhite, though it weighs about the same, and it also has a larger 7-inch screen. And although the previous GlowLight was waterproof with an IP67 rating , this version is not.

Unlike tablets, which can do as much as a laptop, ebook readers are mostly dedicated to one task: reading. Both the hardware and software are designed to make the reading experience great. E-readers weigh less than tablets, with the Kindle Paperwhite coming in at about two-thirds the weight of the iPad mini.

Since they can do less, ebook readers are also generally cheaper than tablets. Most people find that e-readers are much easier to read for long stretches than tablets. Both top e-reader brands—Amazon and Kobo—support checking out books from your local public library through OverDrive, but Kobo allows you to do so directly on your reader. If you have a Kindle, you have to use a separate computer or your phone, and then your rented books will be sent over the air to your ebook reader.

In most cases, if you want to put your textbooks on an e-reader then you should get a Kindle. Though the Kobo e-readers can store and display any book in the epub format, the selection of textbooks is more limited. Amazon has an entire textbook storefront that includes the option to rent books.

Not all books are well suited for e-readers though; if your course or content requires a lot of flipping back and forth, or needs color images, you may want to stick with a print edition. Nick Guy is a senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter.

He has been reviewing iPhones, iPads, and related tech since —and stopped counting after he tested his 1,th case. He once had the bright idea to build and burn down a room to test fireproof safes. Our pick. Also great. Upgrade pick. Everything we recommend. What to look forward to The competition Frequently asked questions Sources.

Who should buy this or upgrade to it. Ebooks and DRM. Read our review. When price is no object, the Kindle Oasis is the e-reader to buy. The Kobo Aura One is a big e-reader with a 7. When we evaluate e-readers, experience has taught us that there are a few features an electronic reading slab should have to be a winner.

Backlight You can use an e-reader with an adjustable backlight in almost any environment. Battery life and charging Part of the appeal of an e-ink reading device, especially when compared to a smartphone or tablet, is how little power it takes to display text and images. If you run across an e-reader that provides less than a few weeks of use before it needs to be recharged, keep running. Connectivity An internet connection delivers the most convenient means of downloading new reading material and connecting to online resources such as dictionaries.

This can come through a couple of different channels. An e-reader with three or four gigabytes of internal storage is capable of holding thousands of novel-length publications. Resolution is the most important—the higher the better, so as to eliminate jagged edges on letters.

Variable font size support, so that you can make the text optimal size for your eyesight. A user interface that makes it easy to navigate the book, turn pages, buy new books, make annotations, and share passages with friends. The 3G option, of course, must be specified when you order the product, it cannot be added after delivery.

But we recommend paying a little extra to avoid Amazon's "special offers" option that puts ads on the Paperwhite's lock screen. Amazon already had the best e-reader on the market with the Paperwhite. Dedicated e-readers don't have the internet, email, social media or other entertainment options to lure you away from your book, and they have great battery life to boot. Unlike phones and tablets, which can get washed out in direct sunlight, many ebook readers use E Ink technology and are water-resistant, so they're great for reading at the beach or by the pool without causing eyestrain.

Your local library may offer free ebook downloads for its members, and free ebooks are also widely available online. Are you looking for a better way to read all those digital books in your e-library? Time to upgrade your e-reader.

While many people are still attached to their dead-tree books, e-readers offer a wealth of advantages. You can search and highlight passages with a touch screen and change the font size. And you're never out of luck if you don't have a reading light because all of the best e-readers on the market have self-illuminated screens.

This list, which I update periodically, is dominated by Amazon Kindle models, including the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis and the classic Amazon Kindle, because I think that's still the best digital "ecosystem" for reading. Amazon offers plenty of budget and subscription options, too. So, ready to start reading? Whether you're into biographies or graphic novels, you'll find the best e-reader for your digital book needs on this list.

One of the problems with having a sophisticated, already excellent e-reader like the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is that it's hard to make it much better.

The same might be said for Apple's iPhones and plenty of other devices. But with an e-reader, you're dealing with a limited feature set and a core technology, E Ink, that seems pretty much stuck in neutral.

Though we can give Amazon credit for enhancing it with new features -- namely, a larger 6. A Kids Edition is also available. As with previous Kindle models, expect the new Paperwhite to go on sale sporadically throughout the year.

This is in addition to the Kindle line being ad-supported unless you pay to remove it. These Kindles are refurbished by Amazon themselves and are guaranteed to work and look like new.

Do you want the best of the Kindle line? There are also buttons on the side of the Oasis that will let you navigate the Kindle and turn pages without dealing with swiping. These page flip buttons are great if your hands are wet—which, given that the Oasis is also waterproof, could be a genuine possibility!

The Kindle Oasis is also the only Kindle model with an adjustable warm light. Despite being the premium Kindle model, the Oasis does the same downfalls as the other Kindle models.

The Kindle Oasis does it all. With up to 32GB of storage space, an adjustable warm light, and a water-resistant build, the Oasis covers all the bases you'd want with a premium eReader, and then some.

The Libra H2O also has a lot of the same functions as the Oasis, as well. Overdrive is an app most public libraries use to let people check out eBooks, completely free. But, the somewhat high asking price pays for itself once you dig into what you get with the Kids Edition. The Paperwhite Kids is a waterproof eReader with built-in parental controls and all of the other features even adults will appreciate. The main reason? Have you swiped at an electronic screen with wet hands?

With the Oasis, you can use the side buttons to flip pages instead, leaving your hands off the screen and letting you read in the bath in peace. Even beyond being the best waterproof eReader, the Oasis is also our pick for the best Kindle eReader.

With its adjustable warm light and slightly bigger size, the Oasis is an excellent pick for those that want to read anywhere. The Kindle Oasis is your best choice to enjoy a good book while relaxing at the beach or in the bath. The Oasis's side buttons allow you to turn pages without touching the screen, ensuring that you don't accidentally get sand on your screen and inadvertently scratch it.

The PocketBook InkPad Color uses the new Kaleido screen, which captures 4, colors while still looking like a paperback book. The 7. But being on the bleeding edge of technology comes with some pretty significant disadvantages. This puts its price point on par with mid-range tablets but without any tablet functionality.

At this point, if you need color, it might be better to go with a tablet until color E Ink technology becomes more affordable.

The Kaleido color screen will give you vivid colors while still having the advantages of E Ink. Of course, going with an LED reading screen has one distinct disadvantage—the glare! Also, the cost of an iPad mini, as great of a tablet it is, is significantly more expensive than most eReaders on the market.