Best ebook readers August 2026
An ebook reader offers a comfortable, distraction-free reading experience that's easier on the eyes than a regular tablet. This guide will help you compare the top models on the market, looking at screen size, storage, and special features. Find the perfect device for your reading habits, whether you're at home or on the go.
Last updated: 14 August 2026
Kobo Clara BW climbed 1 position
Kobo Libra Colour 32GB dropped 1 position
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 12th Gen (2024) climbed 1 position
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 dropped 1 position
Ebook Readers: Top 5
1
Kobo Elipsa 2E
from £325.002 stores
from £325.00
2 stores
2
Kobo Clara BW
from £129.997 stores
1
from £129.99
7 stores
3
Kobo Libra Colour 32GB
from £235.608 stores
1
from £235.60
8 stores
4
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 12th Gen (2024)
from £155.998 stores
1
from £155.99
8 stores
5
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024
from £142.999 stores
1
from £142.99
9 stores
The Kobo Elipsa 2E is more than just an ebook reader; it's a digital notebook. Its expansive 10.3-inch screen and included stylus make it ideal for reading and annotating large-format documents like PDFs. With a fast processor and 32GB of storage, it's a powerful tool for students and professionals.
Pros
Large 10.3-inch screen for documents
Includes stylus for note-taking
Fast 2,000 MHz processor
Generous 32GB of built-in memory
Cons
Heavy and less portable (390 g)
No headphone output or speakers
AC adapter not included
The Kobo Clara BW is a compact and lightweight 6-inch ebook reader perfect for travel. It features a water-resistant design and an adjustable screen light for comfortable reading anywhere, day or night. However, some users have reported significant software issues, which is a key factor to consider.
Pros
Lightweight and compact (174 g)
Water resistant for worry-free reading
Adjustable light for day and night
USB-C charging port
Cons
Users report firmware bugs deleting books
Slower 1,000 MHz processor
No memory card slot for expansion
The Kobo Libra Colour brings your reading to life with a 7-inch colour E-ink screen, perfect for comics, magazines, and book covers. It combines a fast processor, generous storage, and a water-resistant build. It also supports stylus input, though the pen must be purchased separately.
Pros
Features a colour E-ink screen
Water resistant design
Fast 2,000 MHz processor
Ample 32GB of storage
Cons
Stylus for note-taking is sold separately
Potential issues with future library lending
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is a premium ebook reader with a crisp 6.8-inch display and 32GB of storage. It's water-resistant and features an anti-glare screen for comfortable reading in bright sunlight. This edition also adds features like wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light.
Pros
Sharp 300 DPI, 6.8-inch display
Water resistant and anti-glare screen
Generous 32GB storage for books and audio
Supports audiobook playback via Bluetooth
Cons
Deeply integrated into the Amazon ecosystem
No memory card reader
Does not support EPUB files natively
The 2024 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite features a large, 7-inch screen with a sharp 300 DPI resolution that makes text look like printed paper. It offers the core Kindle experience with 16GB of storage, which is enough for thousands of books. Like all Kindles, it's deeply integrated with Amazon's bookstore and services.
Pros
High-resolution 300 DPI display
Large 7-inch E-ink screen
USB-C port for charging
Cons
Locked into the Amazon ecosystem
Less storage (16GB) than Signature Edition
No native EPUB file support
Compare specifications
| Series | Kobo Elipsa | Kobo Clara | Kobo Libra | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.3 inches | 6 inches | 7 inches | 6.8 inches | 7 inches |
| Text files supported | TXT, HTML, PDF, EPUB, DOC, MOBI, LIT | TXT, HTML, PDF, EPUB, RTF, MOBI | — | TXT, PDF, EPUB, MOBI | TXT, HTML, PDF, DOC, MOBI |
| Features | Pen, Qwerty keyboard (screen) | Water resistant | Pen, Water resistant, Colour screen, Qwerty keyboard (screen) | Lighting, Water resistant, Anti Glare, Qwerty keyboard (screen) | Qwerty keyboard (screen) |
| Memory size | 32GB | 16GB | 32GB | 32GB | 16GB |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
