Though you can’t duplicate the physical sensation of paper — the charm of hardcover bindings and the process of flipping pages — an e-reader provides a level of convenience and portability that a traditional book cannot offer. You can easily throw a book into your tote, but how about an entire library?

When pondering the best e-readers, Amazon Kindle probably springs to mind first. Although it wasn’t the first e-ink reader available, it has emerged as the leading choice. Kindles are fantastic, yet several other admirable alternatives exist. As an enthusiastic reader who previously opposed e-readers, I have now entirely embraced them.

So, which e-reader ranks as the best for 2025? I routinely assess new e-readers (and tablets) and alternate between various models to keep up with the best selections. If you’re planning to dive into more books this summer, I can recommend a model that you will surely appreciate.

Recently, we assessed the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7 as possible candidates. After several weeks of evaluation, both devices were adequate but not worthy of inclusion on the list. My colleague tested the Kobo Clara Colour and reported positive impressions, but I am still evaluating it myself, so it doesn’t yet appear in my recommendations. While I’ve examined most of Amazon’s 2024 Kindle models, I have yet to try the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.

When exploring e-readers, Remarkable’s tablets often surface in search results, but acquiring ePUB files on the Remarkable proves difficult. With Remarkable, you can access files from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. However, locked ePUB files — such as those from Libby — are not retrievable on a Remarkable tablet. After testing the Remarkable tablet, it appeared to function better as a document reader or digital journal instead of an e-reader.

The Onyx Boox Go 7 is a preferable e-reader choice compared to the Remarkable. It resembles the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle but operates at a slower processing speed. Accessing ePUB files from Libby necessitated downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, which exhibited significant lag. While it was more straightforward than acquiring library books on a Nook, it still felt laborious compared to the integrations found in Kindle or Kobo. The Boox Go 7 experienced delays and took quite a while to load files. I was eager to try this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, they were nonfunctional on my device.

If you’re acquainted with the Kindle range, it might surprise you that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is absent from this list. It’s excellent, yet I believe better alternatives exist. The Signature Edition serves as an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we have made a direct comparison between the devices. To summarize, the Paperwhite delivers superior value, even with the SE’s added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.

If you’re willing to invest $200 in an e-reader, I recommend bypassing the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition in favor of the Kobo Libra Colour.

As for mainstream e-readers, you might observe that the Barnes & Noble Nook is not included in this list. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously part of the lineup. However, after evaluating more devices, it no longer earns a spot. When compared to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook’s performance lagged, making it frustrating to operate.

Moreover, transferring library books to the Nook was a hassle, often requiring multiple steps and a computer before uploading to the device. Its only redeeming feature was the buttons on either side, which facilitated page turning. Nonetheless, unless you are a devoted Barnes & Noble customer, I suggest steering clear of the Nook.