// WIRED US/UK — FINANZA
The Best E-Readers That Aren't a Kindle (2026): Kobo, Boox
There are no fewer than 10 e-readers in my house at any given time, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
While nothing replaces the feel of a physical book, I usually reach for one of my e-readers as part of my nighttime routine. To me, these tablets are the easiest way to read because they grant immediate access to whatever is in my TBR pile at a given time. Whether it's a library book through the Libby app or a series I'm buying up because I can't wait any longer for a copy to be available, whatever I want to read, I can access it immediately on my e-reader.
It’s also convenient that e-readers (short for “ebook readers”) can store thousands of books at a time. These slim devices use E Ink screens to give text a paperlike appearance. They’re also designed to strain your eyes less than other digital devices, like your phone or computer screen.
And while many strongly associate Kindle with e-reader, you don't have to turn to Amazon for the best device. In fact, my all-around favorite isn't a Kindle at all, and there are plenty of other models to shop from that let you steer clear of the tech behemoth and its recent price increases. These are all my favorite e-readers that won't require you to support Amazon to enjoy the experience.
Updated October 2026: I've moved all Kindle recommendations (and details about the newly announced Kindles) out of our top picks to focus entirely on non-Amazon e-readers. There are also new sections for what I'm testing next and e-reader accessories compatible with my picks.
Love WIRED? Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us.
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 for you. Kobo makes a great line of e-readers that offer all the benefits of a Kindle, without requiring you to have an Amazon account. The Libra Colour is especially fun, not only because of its color screen, but because of the optional Stylus 2 ($70) add-on accessory, which lets you use the digital notebook feature. You also get page-turner buttons, something we haven't seen in years on a Kindle.
Not only does the Libra Colour pack a well-priced color screen, but its 7-inch screen also has an adjustable front light and dark mode, and it can rotate to landscape mode for reading. It's also made from recycled materials, is waterproof (rated IPX8), and has Bluetooth support for listening to audiobooks. Kobo also works with OverDrive's Libby app, though connecting takes some effort: You'll need to log into OverDrive on the Libra Colour itself, rather than just sending ebooks to the device, as you would on a Kindle. This means you have to search for your reads on the Kobo e-reader.
The Libra Colour is also repairable, though I haven't come across any component that needs fixing yet. Kobo also launched its own external page-turner called the Kobo Remote ($30).
Kobo increased the price of its e-readers in May 2026, including the Libra Colour, which rose $30 to $260. Even so, Kobo often discounts its e-readers during major sale events, and after Amazon did a similar move to its Kindles in late August, Kobo continues to be the better-priced buy.