Color has made its way to e-readers, improving the digital reading experience for those utilizing Libby for graphic novels, favoring color epubs, or appreciating book covers in vibrant color. With an increasing number of devices offering this capability, which one shines the brightest? Our top recommendation is the Kobo Libra Colour.

When e-readers come to mind, Kindle is frequently the initial brand mentioned. Nevertheless, in the realm of color e-readers, Kindle has lagged behind. This gap has allowed other brands to launch more robust devices. We have created a compilation of the finest color e-readers, emphasizing the exceptional choices available.

Adjust your color expectations

After testing numerous e-readers, including those with color, I’ve uncovered a shared reality: although colors are accurate, they frequently seem somewhat washed out. This observation holds true across various brands. The subdued hues don’t detract from the portability and convenience of color e-readers, but it’s crucial to set realistic expectations.

Don’t expect the vibrant, striking colors seen on an iPad screen. An iPad can achieve a maximum brightness of 500 nits, whereas Kobo and Kindle e-readers top out at 94.