While no substitute for the tactile feel of paper, the charm of hardcover books, or the joy of flipping a page, e-readers provide unparalleled convenience and portability. Tossing a book into your bag is easy, but carrying an entire library? That’s where an e-reader excels.

When considering e-readers, Amazon’s **Kindle** often springs to mind first. Although it wasn’t the market’s pioneer, it has certainly emerged as the leading device. Kindles are outstanding gadgets, yet there are also several great alternatives that deserve your attention.

### When is the optimal time to purchase an e-reader?
Significant shopping events like **Black Friday** and **Prime Day** generally showcase the steepest discounts on e-readers, but savings can surface at various times during the year. A forthcoming chance to save is **Amazon’s Big Spring Sale**, taking place from March 25 to 31. We anticipate some fantastic e-reader discounts during this sale.

If you’re planning to devour more books in 2025, acquiring an e-reader can assist you in achieving that aspiration. Here are the top options on the market.

## Which e-reader reigns supreme?
*From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe*
*Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable*

For the majority, the **Kindle Paperwhite** is the ideal e-reader—unless you wish to steer clear of Amazon’s ecosystem. In which case, the **Kobo Libra Colour** serves as an excellent alternative. However, the best e-reader for you hinges on your individual preferences.

When selecting an e-reader, consider aspects such as pricing, distinctive characteristics, and your book sources. Most e-readers and tablets are compatible with **Libby**, yet Kindles and iPads exhibit the best synergy with this well-liked library app. If you use **Kindle Unlimited**, a Kindle device is the clear choice.

Design preferences also play a crucial role. Do you favor a touchscreen, or do you require physical buttons? Should you intend to read near water—whether in the bathtub or by the pool—be sure to select a waterproof model.

Furthermore, contemplate special features. Do you enjoy jotting notes, doodling, or annotating in your e-books? Or are you in search of a device that also performs **streaming** tasks? Responding to these questions will guide you to the suitable e-reader or tablet that fits your lifestyle.

One device we **don’t** endorse? **Barnes & Noble’s Nook**. In our assessments, it displayed sluggish performance, lacked Libby integration, and had an unsatisfactory battery life when compared to other e-readers.

## How about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?
If you’re acquainted with Amazon’s Kindle offerings, you might find it surprising that the **Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition** is absent from our list. While it’s a commendable device, we think there are more advantageous choices available.

The Signature Edition is basically an enhanced Paperwhite, featuring attributes such as auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage. However, after contrasting the two variations, we concluded that the standard **Kindle Paperwhite** delivers greater value for most individuals.

If you’re ready to invest around $200 in an e-reader, we recommend bypassing the Signature Edition in favor of the **Kobo Libra Colour**.

Regardless of what you seek in an e-reader, there’s an optimal device out there for you. Happy reading!