Key takeaways
- Best overall: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB, 2024 release) ($134 – $169).
- Best value: Amazon Kindle (16 GB, 2024 release) ($89 – $109).
- A 300 ppi screen makes text look sharp, like a printed page.
In this article
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Not sure which e-readers to buy in the US? This list keeps it short: our top pick, the best-value option, the premium choice and the models we would avoid, all with typical prices.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB, 2024 release) ($134 – $169)
- Best value: Amazon Kindle (16 GB, 2024 release) ($89 – $109)
- Premium pick: Kobo Libra Colour ($200 – $230)
E-readers compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB, 2024 release) | Buy | 9.1/10 | $134 – $169 |
| Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | Buy | 9.0/10 | $150 – $190 |
| Kobo Libra Colour | Buy | 8.4/10 | $200 – $230 |
| Kobo Clara BW | Buy | 8.3/10 | $129 – $139 |
| Amazon Kindle (16 GB, 2024 release) | Buy | 8.2/10 | $89 – $109 |
| Amazon Kindle Scribe | Consider | 8.1/10 | $340 – $450 |
| Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition | Consider | 7.6/10 | $249 – $279 |
Our picks in detail
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB, 2024 release)
Most readers · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.1/10 · Typical price: $134 – $169
Why we like it: Bigger, faster 7-inch waterproof screen.
Pros: 7-inch 300 ppi glare-free screen · Adjustable warm light · IPX8 waterproof · Libby library borrowing via Kindle in the US
Cons: Lock-screen ads unless you pay to remove them · No page-turn buttons
Buy it if you read often and want a fast, waterproof e-reader with warm light and weeks of battery life.
Skip it if you mostly read EPUB files from other stores; Kobo handles those natively.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $150 – $190
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is one of the e-readers we would buy in the US. It scores 9.0/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $150 – $190.
Kobo Libra Colour
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.4/10 · Typical price: $200 – $230
For most people, Kobo Libra Colour is worth its usual price of $200 – $230. Our score: 8.4/10.
Kobo Clara BW
Library borrowers and EPUB readers · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.3/10 · Typical price: $129 – $139
Why we like it: OverDrive built in and native EPUB support.
Pros: Borrow library books right on the device · Reads EPUB natively · IPX8 waterproof · Warm light
Cons: 6-inch screen is smaller than Paperwhite · Kobo store is smaller than Amazon
Buy it if you borrow lots of library e-books, own EPUB files or want an alternative to Amazon's store.
Skip it if you already own a big Kindle library; those books won't open on a Kobo.
Amazon Kindle (16 GB, 2024 release)
Budget and compact · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.2/10 · Typical price: $89 – $109
Why we like it: Pocketable 6-inch 300 ppi screen.
Pros: Small and light · 300 ppi screen · Low price · USB-C charging
Cons: Not waterproof · No warm light
Buy it if you want the cheapest good Kindle and like a small reader that fits in a jacket pocket.
Skip it if you read in the bath or by the pool; this one isn't waterproof.
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.1/10 · Typical price: $340 – $450
Our verdict on Amazon Kindle Scribe is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $340 – $450.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
Comics and cookbooks · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.6/10 · Typical price: $249 – $279
Why we like it: Color E Ink with wireless charging.
Pros: Color for covers, comics and highlights · Wireless charging · Auto-adjusting warm light · 32GB storage
Cons: Expensive for an e-reader · Colors are muted compared with a tablet
Buy it if you read comics, cookbooks or children's books and want color without the eye strain of a tablet.
Skip it if you read mostly novels; color adds nothing and black-and-white text looks slightly less crisp.
What to check before you buy
- A 300 ppi screen makes text look sharp, like a printed page.
- Waterproofing and warm front light make reading in the bath or at night more comfortable.
- Check the store and library support (e-book formats, library loans) before you commit.
What to skip
Common mistake: Buying a color e-reader for novels; black-and-white screens are sharper and last longer per charge.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. The basic models read just as well as premium ones; extras are page-turn buttons and auto brightness.
Compare more options
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best e-readers in the US?
Our top pick is Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB, 2024 release) (typically $134 – $169). For the best value, choose Amazon Kindle (16 GB, 2024 release) (typically $89 – $109).
What should I check before buying e-readers?
A 300 ppi screen makes text look sharp, like a printed page. Waterproofing and warm front light make reading in the bath or at night more comfortable.
When is the best time to buy e-readers in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying e-readers?
Buying a color e-reader for novels; black-and-white screens are sharper and last longer per charge.