This story is a part of Reward Information, our year-round assortment of the perfect present concepts.
Purchase somebody a e-book as a present, and so they have… one e-book. Purchase somebody a book-reading gadget, and so they have entry to virtually any e-book ever printed. I particularly respect how E Ink readers have remained largely single-function gadgets, specializing in studying (and infrequently note-taking), moderately than branching out into video games, video chats or work apps.
Probably the most well-known digital e-book reader is Amazon’s Kindle line, which makes use of E Ink shows and helps Amazon’s book storefront. Present fashions provide self-illuminated touchscreens, eliminating the necessity for an exterior e-book gentle. However past Kindle’s {hardware}, the Kindle app works on smartphones, iPads and different gadgets.
Different alternate options exist for those who do not need to purchase by way of Amazon. As an illustration, Rakuten’s Kobo book readers work with most third-party distributors utilizing the ePub e-book commonplace. And each Kobo and Kindle allow you to freely learn loaner books out of your native library.
We have additionally rounded up much more book readers right here, and examined a number of big-screen multifunction E Ink gadgets which might be extra tablet-like and add stylus assist.
My largest general procuring tip is that almost all Kindle gadget are steadily on sale, and typically provide stacking trade-in offers on high of that, so you may typically count on to pay lower than the official retail value.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
Sure, Amazon’s top-end Kindle is simply too costly for what it’s, however after I upgraded from a Kindle Paperwhite to the Oasis a couple of years in the past, I used to be knocked out by how a lot better the Oasis is when it comes to e-book readability and responsiveness.
It is acquired a much bigger display, and I discover the bodily page-turn buttons are so a lot better than swiping. The most recent model can alter the colour temperature of the (monochromatic) display, for higher nighttime studying.
Amazon runs numerous offers on this, and in addition be careful for trade-in bonuses on older Kindles to get it for an inexpensive value.
You are receiving value alerts for Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)
David Carnoy/CNET
The Paperwhite is Amazon’s middle-of-the-road Kindle, between the bottom mannequin and the Oasis. Final yr, it obtained a giant improve within the type of a bigger 6.8-inch display and higher battery life, which makes it my go-to selection, because it’s virtually nearly as good because the fancier Oasis now.
Whereas the Paperwhite is waterproof and might alter its show shade temperature, it lacks the Oasis’ bodily page-turn buttons.
There’s additionally an upgraded mannequin, the Signature Version ($190), with 32GB of storage (versus 8GB) and an auto-adjusting entrance gentle. Extra importantly, it additionally works with the identical wi-fi charging Qi pads as your cellphone. Once more, maintain out for a sale or a great trade-in deal on these.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The bottom mannequin Kindle has lastly gotten some consideration in 2022. A brand new replace contains a 300-dpi 6-inch display (the identical dpi because the Paperwhite or Oasis), a smaller physique and extra storage (now 16GB, double what the bottom Paperwhite contains).
This primary Kindle continues to be not so good as the Paperwhite or Oasis general, but it surely’s additionally an amazing impulse buy present for an off-the-cuff reader or e-book lover entering into ebooks. Latest fashions have a built-in gentle, and that makes this far more usable, however I would nonetheless look forward to a good low cost from the same old $99 value.
You are receiving value alerts for Amazon Kindle (Black, 2019)
Scott Stein/CNET
The iPad Mini obtained an amazing makeover final yr, with a much bigger, higher display (now 8.3 inches), new processor, non-compulsory 5G and a thinner, lighter design. It is the proper dimension for ebooks, and the colour display makes it an amazing selection for studying digital comics (ahem, graphic novels). At $500, it is costlier than the fanciest Kindle reader, however you get a full-fledged iPadOS gadget that may function a streaming video participant or recreation machine as effectively.
Learn our iPad Mini (2021) overview.
You are receiving value alerts for Apple iPad Mini 2021 (house grey, 64GB)
David Carnoy/CNET
Amazon has lengthy (till this yr) ignored the necessity for larger e-ink screens, leaving the doorways open for manufacturers like Kobo. This 10.3-inch show has stylus assist for note-taking and contains 32GB of storage, a decision of 227 dpi and a entrance gentle for nighttime studying.
No, it does not formally assist Amazon’s Kindle e-book format, but it surely does learn key codecs like PDF, ePub, MOBI and CBR, and it really works with OverDrive, which is the book lending service most libraries use.
We have additionally rounded up a couple of extra big-screen E Ink readers right here.
You are receiving value alerts for Kobo Elipsa
Amazon/CNET
Amazon’s newest E Ink reader is not on sale but, but it surely’s preorderable for an anticipated Nov. 30 launch. I am very within the Scribe as a result of it is the primary big-screen Kindle for the reason that discontinued Kindle DX. It additionally provides stylus assist and has a ten.2-inch show at 300 dpi (which is identical dpi as on the opposite Kindles).
It is a hefty $329 to begin, or as much as $419 with an upgraded premium stylus and bigger storage choices. That is loads for a product we have not examined or reviewed but, but it surely’s additionally — on paper — the bigger-screen Kindle I have been hoping for for years.
Learn extra in regards to the Kindle Scribe.
You are receiving value alerts for Kindle Scribe
And after getting an book reader, why not fill it up with some books written by CNET authors? Here is a couple of to get began:
Discover The Excellent Reward
AllUnderneath $10Underneath $20Underneath $50Underneath $100Underneath $250
allmothersdadsgrandparentshealthvacationersteenagerspreteenstechgamingfoodiesresidenceromanticjewellerychildren
107 outcomes
