An e-reader does one job well: it shows text on an e-ink screen that looks like printed paper, can be read in bright sunlight and runs for weeks on a charge. Most of the differences between models come down to how sharp the screen is, whether it has a front light, whether it is waterproof and how much it stores.
For most readers, a model with a built-in front light is the main thing to insist on, because it lets you read in bed or on a dark evening without a lamp. A sharper screen makes small text crisper and is worth paying for if you read for long sessions. Waterproofing matters if you read in the bath, by the pool or on the beach.
Before you buy, also check which ebook shop the device is tied to and which file formats it accepts, because that decides where you can buy and borrow books.
Screen sharpness
Sharpness is measured in pixels per inch (ppi). The higher the number, the crisper the letters look, especially at small font sizes.
| Model (example) | Screen | Sharpness | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle (2019) | 6 inch | 167 ppi | No |
| Kindle Paperwhite (2018) | 6 inch | 300 ppi | Yes, IPX8 |
These figures come from the specification comparison published by Ebook Friendly. A 167 ppi screen is perfectly readable at normal font sizes; 300 ppi makes text look closer to print and helps if you like small type or read comics and illustrated books.
Front light
Older and very cheap e-readers have no light, so you need a lamp, just as with a paper book. Most current models have a front light that shines across the screen rather than at your eyes. The 2019 Kindle was the first basic Kindle with a front light, using four LEDs; Paperwhite models have had a front light since the first generation. Some newer models also offer a warm light setting for evening reading.
Waterproofing
The 2018 Paperwhite is rated IPX8, which Ebook Friendly describes as able to withstand immersion in 2 metres of fresh water for 60 minutes. That does not make it a pool toy, but it means a splash or a drop in the bath is unlikely to end its life. The basic 2019 Kindle is not waterproof.
Storage
A typical novel takes up very little space, so even 4 GB holds thousands of books. More storage matters if you read comics, graphic novels or illustrated books, which are much larger files, or if you listen to audiobooks on a model that supports them. The e-reader range lists Kindles with 4, 8 and 32 GB.
“Special offers” and other options
Some Kindles are sold “with special offers”, which means adverts appear on the lock screen; the version without special offers costs more. The reading experience is the same once the device is unlocked. Other choices include:
- Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi plus mobile data: mobile data lets you download books away from Wi-Fi, but most people find Wi-Fi enough.
- Colour: a cosmetic choice; a case protects the screen whichever you pick.
- Page turn buttons: some higher end models have them; most use a touchscreen.
File formats and where your books come from
Kindles are linked to Amazon’s Kindle store. You can also add your own DRM-free documents and ebooks through Amazon’s Send to Kindle service, by email or app. Since 2022, Send to Kindle accepts EPUB files, the most common ebook format outside Amazon, and converts them for the Kindle; older MOBI files are no longer accepted for new uploads, according to Liliputing’s report on Amazon’s change. Books bought from other shops with DRM usually cannot be moved to a Kindle.
If you also like printed books, the Bookspeed and Pavilion ranges list gift books, journals and craft books. The eBooks section groups the e-readers on the site.
Looking after an e-reader
- Use a cover to protect the screen in a bag.
- Keep it out of hot cars and direct sun for long periods.
- Update the software when prompted; updates add features and fixes.
- Charge it fully before a long trip; most last weeks on a charge, depending on light and Wi-Fi use.
For more on building a reading habit and a cosy place to read, see the blog posts on the site, and our guide to notebooks and journals if you like to keep a reading log.
Quick checklist
- Front light for reading in the dark.
- 300 ppi if you read small text or for long sessions.
- Waterproofing if you read near water.
- Storage to match your reading: more for comics and audiobooks.
- With or without special offers on the lock screen.
- Check which shop and file formats the device supports.
- A cover to protect the screen.
Common questions
Is an e-reader better for your eyes than a tablet?
E-ink screens reflect light like paper and do not flicker, and the front light shines across the screen rather than into your eyes, so many people find them more comfortable for long reading. If you have eye problems, ask an optician for advice.
Can I read library ebooks on a Kindle?
It depends on the country and the library’s lending app. Some lending services support Kindle in certain countries only, so check with your library before you buy if borrowing is important to you.
How many books does a 4 GB e-reader hold?
Thousands of typical novels, because text-based ebooks are small files. Comics, illustrated books and audiobooks take far more space, so choose more storage if you read those.
