The Best E-Reader for 2022 – CNET [CNET]

February 21, 2022 David Carnoy technology

Reading is a great way to relax as well as to learn about new things or existing interests. And with the assistance of an app like Kindle, Nook, Apple Books or Kobo, you can devour a new book or an old favorite with any tablet, phone or similar device. That said, a dedicated e-reader can not only prove to be a far less distracting reading experience, it can offer a much more relaxed and immersive one. Whether you want to brush up on history, study the latest research, you’re looking for the relaxing, simple pleasure of one of the great classics that literature has to offer or you’re hungry to sink your teeth into the latest guilty-pleasure thriller, you can gain access to any exciting ebook category of your reading desires with a quick click of the download link.

The thing about dedicated e-readers is that they don’t have email, the internet, social media or other distracting entertainment options to lure you away from your book. The best e-reader feature for me is not the freedom from distraction, though. The best e-reader trait for my money is that they have great battery life. Unlike popular phones and tablets, which can get washed out in direct sunlight or boast a mighty and painful glare, many of the ebook readers available use something called E-Ink technology, which produces something of a monochromatic text display. I love E-ink displays because the suspended layer and non-glossy screen make your e-reader resemble printed paper. That makes it much kinder to the eyes, helping you to avoid the eye strain typical from spending hours on a phone or tablet, or in front of a computer screen. The glare free touchscreens make reading on a device a pleasure again. And even better, the best e-reader models are now water-resistant, so they’re perfect for reading at the beach or by the pool. And exclusive use of an ebook reader doesn’t always have to exclude you from the pleasures of free reading. Readers can rejoice that building a good reading habit doesn’t have to make you go broke. You might find that your local library offers free ebook downloads for its members, as it’s becoming a more popular option the world over, and free ebooks are also widely available and easy to find online.

So, are you an avid book reader ready to find a better way to read through all those exciting ebooks in your digital library? Then it’s time to upgrade your e-reading experience with a new, dedicated e-reader. Many people are still attached to their physical book collections, and I can’t blame them. A full bookshelf is a handsome addition to any home, and there’s always something to be said for the smell of old books. We shouldn’t be so hasty to discount the benefits of a good ebook collection, though. E-reader devices offer a wealth of advantages over the bound and tangible variety. With an e-reader, not only do you have the freedom to take as many books with you as you like, absent the traditional weight and size constraints, you can also search for and highlight passages of text with a touchscreen, changing the font size as easy as 1-2-3. And many come with an accompanying stylus now, making note-taking easier than ever before. Besides, you’ll never be out of luck if you don’t have a reading light. All of the best e-readers on the market have self-illuminated screens.

The list below (which I periodically update) is mostly populated by Amazon Kindle e-reader devices, including the classic Amazon Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis, because I believe that it’s still the best digital “ecosystem” for your best e-reader experience. Amazon offers plenty of low budget and subscription options, as well. And while Barnes & Noble still makes its famous Nook e-reader, I would not be in the greatest hurry to recommend it. Honestly, if you want to steer clear of Amazon products on this one, then I’d suggest opting for a Kobo model instead.

So, are you ready to start reading again? Whether you’re big on biographies, freak out over fantasy, get stirred up over sci-fi or go for the grit of a grabbing graphic novel, you’ll find the best e-reader for your digital book needs on this list.

Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Best all-around ebook reader

Dec 2019

Kindle Paperwhite (2021) ($130) isn’t a huge upgrade over the Kindle Paperwhite 2018. Though we can give Amazon credit for enhancing it with new features — namely, a larger 6.8-inch display with an upgraded lighting scheme and USB-C charging — that offer just enough improvements to tempt you into buying one, whether you’re an existing Paperwhite owner or not. It’s our CNET Editors’ Choice Award winner in the e-reader category.

Note that the new version costs $10 more than the previous Paperwhite. And a step-up model, the Paperwhite Signature Edition, adds wireless charging and additional storage — 32GB instead of 8GB — as well an auto-adjusting light sensor for $190. A Kids Edition is also available. As with previous Kindle models, expect the new Paperwhite to go on sale sporadically throughout the year. It should cost around $100 during sales.

Read our Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review.

$130 at Amazon

$130 at Target