It can be confusing choosing the best gifts for the readers in your life. If you are looking for a gift for readers, you may be surprised to hear that what you are looking for is not just one book. Why buy someone just one book for the holidays when you can have an entire digital library for them instead?
When you give a friend or family member a device to read books, they will have access to a range of titles. I particularly appreciate how e-ink readers have kept them largely single-function devices, focusing on reading (and the occasional note-taking), rather than branching out into games, video chats, or work applications.
The most popular reader for digital books is Amazon’s Kindle line, which uses E Ink screens and powers Amazon’s e-book storefront. Current models offer self-illuminating touch screens, eliminating the need for an external book light. But unlike Kindle devices, the Kindle app works on smartphones, iPads, and other devices.
If you don’t want to buy through Amazon, there are other alternatives. For example, Rakuten’s Kobo e-book readers work with most third-party sellers using the ePub book standard. And Kobo and Kindle let you go freely Read books borrowed from your local library.
We also have Collect more ebook readers hereand I tested several Large screen multifunctional electronic ink devices which is similar to a tablet and adds stylus support.
My biggest shopping tip is that most Kindles are frequently on sale and sometimes offer bargain trade-ins on top of that, so you can often expect to pay less than the official retail price.
Amazon
Amazon released a basic Kindle E Ink e-reader for $100 that no longer looks entry-level. While its 6-inch screen makes it an e-reader that’s smaller and lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite ($140), its screen has the same 300 dpi resolution as the Paperwhite. However, the Paperwhite model adds waterproofing and includes a more advanced front-lighting scheme, with 17 LEDs compared to the basic 2022 Kindle’s four.
In the past, we’ve recommended stepping up to the Paperwhite if you can afford it, mainly because it had a higher display resolution than the entry-level Kindle, which allowed text to appear sharper. But since both models now sport similar displays (at least as far as resolution is concerned), we may have to revise this recommendation.
The Kindle (2022) is available in black or denim blue.
Read our Kindle review (2022).
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Yes, Amazon’s Kindle is very expensive for what it is, but when I upgraded from the Kindle Paperwhite to the Oasis a few years ago, I was blown away by how well the Oasis did in terms of book readability and responsiveness.
It has a larger screen, and I find the physical page-turning buttons to be much better than swiping. The latest version can adjust the color temperature of the screen (monochrome), for better night reading.
Amazon runs a lot of deals on this topic, and is also keeping an eye on trade-in bonuses on older Kindles to get them at a reasonable price.
Read our Kindle Oasis review.
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The Paperwhite is Amazon’s middle Kindle, between the base model and the Oasis. Last year, it received a major upgrade in the form of a larger 6.8-inch screen and better battery life, which makes it my go-to option, as it’s almost as good as the fancier Oasis is now.
While the Paperwhite is water resistant and can adjust the screen’s color temperature, it lacks the Oasis’ physical page-turning buttons.
There’s also an upgraded model, the Signature Edition ($190), with 32GB of storage (versus 8GB) and an automatically adjustable front light. More importantly, it also works with the same Qi wireless charging pads as your phone. Again, wait for a sale or a good business deal on these.
Read our Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review.
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The iPad Mini received a nice makeover last year, with a bigger and better screen (now 8.3 inches), a new processor, optional 5G, and a thinner and lighter design. It’s the perfect size for e-books, and the color screen makes it a great choice for reading digital comics (ahem, Graphic novels). At $500, it’s more expensive than the fancier Kindle reader, but you’re getting a full iPadOS device that can act as a streaming video player or gaming machine, too.
Read our iPad Mini (2021) review.
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Amazon has long (until this year) ignored the need for larger e-ink screens, leaving the doors open for brands like Kobo. This 10.3-inch screen has stylus support for taking notes, includes 32 GB of storage, 227 dpi resolution, and a front light for reading at night.
No, it doesn’t officially support Amazon’s Kindle book format, but it does read major formats like PDF, ePub, MOBI, and CBR, and it works with OverDrive, the e-book lending service used by most bookstores.
We’ve also rounded up a few large screen e-ink readers here.
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Amazon’s latest E Ink reader isn’t on sale yet, but it can be pre-ordered for an expected launch on November 30th. I’m very interested in Scribe because it’s the first large-screen Kindle since the discontinuation of the Kindle DX. It also adds stylus support and has a 10.2-inch screen with a resolution of 300 dpi (the same dpi as on other Kindles).
It’s $329 to start, or up to $419 with an upgraded premium stylus and larger storage options. That’s a lot for a product we haven’t tested or reviewed yet, but it’s also — on paper — the larger Kindle screen I’d hoped for in years.
Read more about Kindle Scribe.
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And once you have an e-book reader, why not fill it up with some books by CNET authors? Here’s a little to get you started: