The 10 best eReaders to buy in the UK
The best eReaders store thousands of books for your reading pleasure, while others also come with additional features such as the ability to use applications. This makes buying an eBook Reader a great investment for book-lovers and tech geeks alike, offering endless hours of entertainment for a very reasonable outlay. Check the buying guide below for how to choose the best eBook Reader!
What are eReaders?
An eReader, often called an eBook reader, is an electronic device that allows books, magazines, newspapers, and other printed mediums to be read in digital format. The screen of an eReader is designed to closely mimic that of a printed page, although this often varies depending on the device. For instance, a dedicated eReader such as the Amazon Kindle aim to replicate the feel and look of a physical book, whereas tablet devices with an eReader application tend to appear more as a computer screen, making it more susceptible to glare due to the type of glass used. Even with a good anti-glare screen protection the reading experience is different.
Why should you buy a good eReader?
A good eReader device doesn’t cost much, and the initial investment often pays for itself over the long term. This is because it’s generally much cheaper to buy an eBook for an eReader compared to buying a physical book, so if you read lots of books this can save a fair amount of money over time. Especially tech books are available with huge discounts, such as popular project management books or best-selling books about linux. Also, the best eReaders store thousands of books, meaning you have access to a huge library of literature on a single device, which is very convenient. eReaders are also excellent for commuting, with most being compact and lightweight devices that are easy to use on the go.
How to choose the right eReader in 2024?
Choosing a great eReader is typically down the individual needs, as not everyone requires the same type of device. So, it helps to consider a few things before you buy an eReader to ensure you get a suitable device.
- Backlight: Older eBook Readers didn’t have the best backlight technology, which made it quite difficult to read in certain conditions. Most newer devices now feature decent backlights, although this isn’t a given. Most people enjoying reading at night time, often before going to bed, so if this is the case for you it’s a good idea to get an eReader with a good backlight.
- Screen Size: Dedicated eReader devices usually have smaller screens compared to tablets, so think about how big you want the screen to be. Many people prefer as large a screen as possible for reading eBooks, in which case a tablet device is going to be the better choice than a dedicated eReader. While smaller in size, there are dedicated eReaders with large screens, although this will cost more.
- Battery Life: The best eReader devices have long-lasting batteries, which is certainly a feature to look out for if using it on the go. Remember, tablet devices use a variety of other applications beyond an eReader, so this will drain the battery quicker than a dedicated eReader, which have quite an impressive battery life.
- Compatibility: eBooks are published in various formats, so it’s important to get an eReader with suitable compatibility. For instance, ePub is the most widely used eBook format, so a good eReader should be compatible with this type of file. However, Kindle devices use their own unique format known as AZW, so if you buy this type of device you will only be able to use eBooks from Amazon. There are several other dedicated formats, so always check which formats are compatible with the device you’re considering buying.
What is the best kind of eReader in the UK?
There are a few popular types of eReader available, any of which may be ideal for your needs.
- Dedicated eReader: A dedicated eReader is the best device for reading eBooks, offering exceptional reading quality, good lighting, and huge catalogs of books to read. They differ from tablet devices in that they use E-ink technology. E-ink technology creates a screen that closely resembles the page of a book. It only uses black, white, and shades of grey, resulting in very clear and readable text. These devices look and feel more like a real book, being lightweight and possible to read in direct sunlight without any glade.
- Tablet eReader: Most tablet and the latest smartphone devices are capable of converting into an eReader, so if you’re looking for a more versatile device along with your eReader, it may be worth buying a tablet. These devices use various applications and can be used to read magazines and newspapers that feature images, audio, and video. While more versatile, a tablet will cost a significant amount more than a dedicated reader and is going to be heavier and less compact, although the screens are much bigger.
Top 10 list of eReaders in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their eReaders. Which eReader is the best?
- Designed with sustainability in mind. This Kindle uses 30–75% recycled plastics…
- Kindle Unlimited gives you the freedom to explore. Enjoy unlimited access to millions…
- Now with 16 GB to store thousands of books—double the storage capacity of the…
- Go hands free: pair with an Audible subscription and Bluetooth headphones or speakers…
- Purchase Kindle Paperwhite and get 3 months Kindle Unlimited for free. Explore millions…
- Waterproof (IPX8), so you’re free to read and relax at the beach, by the pool…
- - , - Kobo Libra 2 comes with 32GB of storage, enough to hold your entire…
- ** - You can take your story to the park, the beach, the tub, or even out in the…
- - Kobo Libra 2 supports Kobo Audiobooks* with Bluetooth wireless technology.…
- Go hands free: pair with an Audible subscription and Bluetooth headphones or speakers…
- Purchase Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and get 3 months Kindle Unlimited for…
- More books in more places: with 32 GB store thousands of books, magazines or audiobooks,…
- Water resistant and fear of unopinated splashes. Combine your Kobo Clara 2E with…
- Recycled packaging without magnets, printed with soy ink and made from FSC certified…
- Holds up to 12, 000 eBooks or 75 Kobo audiobooks thanks to its 16GB storage capacity.…
- , – At Kobo, we embody everything you love about your favourite local bookshop,…
- , , – With 32GB of storage, carry your entire library and all your notes…
- & & – Write directly on your eBooks and PDFs with Kobo Elipsa…
- The gadget is equipped with a powerful dual-core processor for any tasks..In addition…
- The e-reader supports 19 book, 6 audio, and 4 graphic formats. You no longer need…
- The device supports 6 popular audio formats (M4A, M4B, OGG, OGG.ZIP, MP3, MP3.ZIP).…
- The longest battery life of any Kindle – Unlike tablets, Kindle Scribe offers…
- Import and mark up documents – Review and take notes directly on PDFs or create…
- Take handwritten notes as you read – Write notes within millions of titles…
- Works with Audible: pair with Bluetooth headphones or speakers to switch seamlessly…
- Instant access to millions of books, newspapers and audiobooks.
- Reads like printed paper with the latest E Ink technology for fast page turns.
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