10 Best Ebook Readers 2026 in the United States

The All-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) is a top-tier ebook reader with a number of impressive features. Its 7-inch glare-free display offers high contrast and sharp text, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The adjustable lighting from white to amber is particularly useful for comfortable reading both in bright sunlight and in the dark. The device is also lightweight and ultra-thin, enhancing portability for travel or daily commutes. With its waterproof design (IPX8 rating), you can safely use it by the pool or in the bath without worry.

Additionally, the Kindle Paperwhite stands out for its extensive battery life, lasting up to 12 weeks on a single charge, which is ideal for avid readers who don't want the hassle of frequent recharging. The 16 GB storage capacity allows you to store thousands of books, and the free cloud storage for Amazon content ensures you won’t run out of space. Connectivity is robust with support for both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi networks, although it does not support peer-to-peer connections. The absence of social media and other distracting apps helps maintain focus on reading.

The device supports a wide range of ebook formats including AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, and more, although converting some formats might be necessary. One potential downside is that audiobook streaming over Bluetooth can significantly reduce battery life. Additionally, while the device includes accessibility features like the VoiceView screen reader and adjustable fonts, it may have limited appeal for users who rely heavily on audiobooks due to the battery trade-off. This Kindle is ideal for dedicated readers looking for a high-quality, distraction-free reading experience with excellent battery life and storage capacity. It is less suited for those who prefer a multifunctional device or are heavily reliant on audiobooks.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe stands out as a hybrid device combining a high-quality ebook reader with a digital notebook, making it ideal for users who want to read and write on one device. Its 10.2-inch Paperwhite display offers a sharp 300 ppi resolution, ensuring crisp text and images with a glare-free, front-lit screen that works well in various lighting conditions, including outdoors and dim environments. The battery life is impressive for reading—up to 12 weeks on a single charge—and still very good for writing at around 3 weeks, which supports longer use without frequent charging. Storage options up to 64 GB provide ample space for thousands of books and plenty of notes or documents. Connectivity via Wi-Fi (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) is reliable for downloading content, though there’s no cellular option. Weighing about 15.3 ounces, this device is slightly heavier than typical ebook readers but still comfortable to hold for reading and note-taking.

The included Premium Pen requires no charging or setup, allowing easy and natural handwriting that feels like paper, enhanced by a soft eraser and shortcut button. It supports a wide range of file formats including Kindle native formats, PDFs, Microsoft Word files, EPUBs, and more, which is great for versatile use. The built-in AI features for converting handwriting to text and summarizing notes add valuable productivity support. The Kindle Scribe is more expensive and bulkier than standard Kindle models, and its focus on writing means it sacrifices some simplicity and portability. It also lacks features like audio playback or app support beyond reading and note-taking. This device best suits avid readers who also want to annotate documents, journal, or organize notes digitally in one place, rather than users seeking a purely lightweight ebook reader.

The BOOX Tab X C is a large 13.3-inch color e-ink ebook reader and digital notebook featuring BOOX's Kaleido 3 color screen technology. It offers sharp black-and-white text at 300 dpi and decent color at 150 dpi, making it suitable if you want some color without sacrificing too much clarity on text. With 128GB storage and running Android 13, it supports a wide range of document formats and apps, giving you flexibility beyond just reading ebooks. The device weighs about 625 grams (around 1.4 lbs), which is average for a large screen e-reader but might feel a bit heavy for long one-handed use. Its battery is 5,500mAh, which should provide good stamina given e-ink’s low power usage, although shorter times are expected if using color or apps heavily.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, so you can easily transfer files or use wireless accessories. A front light with adjustable warm and cold tones helps reading in different lighting conditions. One downside is the lack of EMR stylus support, meaning you cannot use popular third-party styluses for handwriting or drawing; only the BOOX InkSpire stylus is compatible. Also, color e-ink screens naturally refresh slower and are not ideal for animation-heavy or highly interactive apps, so this device is best for reading and note-taking rather than gaming or video. It also includes built-in speakers and a microphone, adding extra multimedia options.

This tablet is well suited for users who want a large, versatile e-reader with color display and extensive format support, especially for PDFs and documents, but it may not satisfy those looking for fast, vibrant color or advanced stylus input.