The best gifts for readers in 2021: Kindle, Kobo, iPad Mini and more – CNET [CNET]

With so many video streaming options, endless video games and a workplace culture built around Zoom meetings, there’s something about reading an actual book that’s refreshing. Books always make great gifts, but here we’re focusing on the latest devices on which you can read ebooks. The most famous digital book reader is Amazon’s Kindle line, which uses E Ink displays. Current models offer self-illuminated screens, eliminating the need for an external book light. But beyond Kindle’s hardware, the Kindle app (along with other ebook-reading apps) work great on iPads, smartphones and other devices. 

If you don’t want to buy through Amazon, there are plenty of alternatives: Rakuten’s Kobo ebook readers work with most third-party vendors using the ePub book standard, for instance. And both Kobo and Kindle let you freely read loaner books from your local library.

One important note: You should never pay full price for a Kindle device or Fire tablet, as they get frequent deep discounts throughout the year. We expect the Black Friday season to offer the best prices of the year for most of these.