// WIRED US/UK — MOBILE & WEB
The Best E-Readers of 2026: Kobo, Kindle
Nothing will ever really replace a paperback or hardcover book, but the best e-readers get pretty close while offering you the power to carry multiple books in a single device without weighing your bag down. E-readers, short for ebook readers, can store thousands of books in a slim, rectangular tablet with an e-paper screen. Those paper-link screens make it much easier on the eyes to read and feel closer to those paperbacks lining your bookshelves. You'll skip the notifications that your phone has, and you can even check out digital library books without leaving your house.
Most people think of a Kindle when they think of an e-reader, but you don't have to turn to Amazon for the best device. In fact, my all-around favorite is the Kobo Libra Colour ($260), which has a color screen and page turner buttons, and can even double as a digital notebook. If you're looking for the best Kindle, our favorite is the 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite ($160). I've got an entire Best Kindles guide that breaks down the full Kindle lineup if you want more options from Amazon, too.
Looking for more reader recommendations? Don't miss our guides to the Best Kindles, Best Digital Notebooks, Best Reading Lights, Best Kindle Accessories, and Best Gifts for Book Lovers.
Updated June 2026: I've added testing info on the new Kindle Scribe Without Front Light in Honorable Mentions and details about Kobo’s price increases, as well as ensured up-to-date links and prices.
If you're looking for an e-reader that has everything from a color screen and page turner buttons to the ability to double as a digital notebook, then the Kobo Libra Colour is the one. Kobo makes a great range of e-readers that offer all the benefits of a Kindle, without an Amazon account required. The Libra Colour is especially fun not only for the color screen, but also for the Stylus 2 ($70), which lets you use the digital notebook feature. It's a great price with and without the stylus, and it's optional, so you can choose to add it if that's your style. You also get page-turner buttons, something we have yet to see on a Kindle.
Not only does the Libra Colour pack a well-priced color screen, but its 7-inch screen also packs an adjustable front light and dark mode, and it can be rotated to landscape mode for reading. It's also made from recycled materials, is waterproof (rated IPX8), and has Bluetooth support to listen to audiobooks. Kobo also works with Overdrive's Libby app, though it takes a little more effort to connect to than using Libby with a Kindle. It's also repairable, though we haven't come across anything that needs fixing yet.
Kobo increased the price of its e-readers in May 2026, including the Libra Colour. The price rose $30, with $260 as the new base price. It's not the first time Kobo has done this, but these e-readers are often discounted, so I'd take advantage of Kobo's next sale if you've had your eye on this e-reader.
The best Amazon e-reader is hands-down the Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are a big favorite for e-readers, and the Paperwhite is a great option to get all the best features you can out of these devices. The Paperwhite was just updated last year with the 12th generation that has a larger display and a higher contrast ratio, so text and images look sharper than ever. It's a little thinner, too, at just 7.8 millimeters thick (the previous generation was 8.1 millimeters, so not a huge difference).
The 12th-gen Kindle Paperwhite comes in both a regular and Signature edition. The Signature costs $40 more, but comes with a handful of extra features, including wireless charging, auto-adjusting brightness and slightly more storage. Both versions promise a three-month battery life, which is a relief to any reader who doesn't want to worry about constant recharging of their devices. It's also easy to get books with both Amazon's Kindle Store and a Kindle Unlimited membership, plus Kindles work with apps like Libby from Overdrive to access library ebooks, a