While the sensory delight of paper — the allure of hardcovers and the experience of flipping pages — is unparalleled, an e-reader provides exceptional convenience and portability that a physical book simply cannot match. You might easily place a book in your bag, but how does one carry an entire library?

When thinking about top e-readers, the Amazon Kindle is likely what springs to mind first. However, this isn’t a compilation of the finest Kindles, though we do have such a list as well. Kindles are fantastic — no question about that — yet there are other excellent options available.

Amazon’s October Prime Day on Oct. 7 and 8 brings chances for e-reader discounts. We anticipate markdowns on Kindle devices (currently, there’s a promotion on Kindle Unlimited), and we expect to see savings on Kobos and the iPad mini too.

So, what is the finest e-reader for 2025? I routinely evaluate new e-readers (and tablets), rotating through different models to remain aware of the best choices. If you’re planning to increase your reading this summer or fall, I can suggest a model you’ll appreciate.

Other e-readers we’ve assessed include the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7. After several weeks of evaluation, both devices performed well but weren’t deserving of a spot on the list. While I have tested most of Amazon’s 2024 Kindle models, I have yet to try the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.

When looking for e-readers, Remarkable’s tablets frequently show up in search results, but acquiring ePUB files on the Remarkable is tough. You can access files via Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, but locked ePUB files, such as those from Libby, remain inaccessible. After trying out the Remarkable tablet, it turned out to be better suited as a document reader or digital journal than 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 suffers from slow processing speed. Reading ePUB files from Libby involved downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app, which was significantly sluggish. While it was simpler than obtaining library books on a Nook, it still felt cumbersome relative to the integrations offered by Kindle or Kobo. The Boox Go 7 took a long time to load files, and its page-turning buttons malfunctioned on my device.

An e-reader we have yet to assess is the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which launched on Sept. 30, 2025. It is not available for preorder as of now, but once we evaluate a model, we will update this guide with our suggestions.

As for the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, if you’re acquainted with the Kindle series, you may be surprised by its absence from this list. It’s impressive, but there are superior options. The Signature Edition is an enhanced version of the Paperwhite, and we’ve pitted the devices against each other. The brief version? The Paperwhite yields better value, even with the SE’s additional features such as auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.

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

Regarding the Nook, you might notice it missing from this list. After evaluating more devices, it failed to make the grade. In comparison to Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook’s performance is slow, leading to a frustrating experience. Additionally, transferring library books onto the Nook was a convoluted process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the page-turning buttons. Unless you are a dedicated Barnes & Noble customer, I suggest steering clear of the Nook.

To stock your e-reader with books without incurring costs, you just need to be clever. The optimal method to access nearly any book — classic or contemporary — is through Libby. I have read hundreds of free books using the Libby app, which connects with your library card to borrow from the digital collection of your local library. Both Kobo and Kindle boast superb Libby integrations.

Another method to expand your library is via Stuff Your Kindle Day events, 24-hour opportunities led by authors who provide discounted or free books.

For aficionados of classics or those in search of hidden treasures, Project Gutenberg offers over 75,000 public domain books available for download and reading on an e-reader.