Classic digital book reader
This device offers a focused reading experience, perfect for avid readers who prefer digital books over physical copies.
Tech & Gadgets
E-Book readers
7 kinds worth knowing, 10 picks, and what to check before you buy.
An e-reader is a common gift for students, commuters and anyone who reads in bed after everyone else has gone to sleep. The ones that get used every day do a few basic things well: the screen is easy to read, the battery lasts for weeks and it's light enough to hold with one hand. When you choose a book reader device, think about where the person gets their books, whether they borrow from the library and whether colour or writing notes would matter to them. The most searched gifts are a basic reader with a front light and slightly larger models for people who read comics, textbooks or PDFs.
Kind 1 of 7
A basic e-reader for everyday reading
A basic e-reader has a black-and-white paper-like screen, a built-in front light and room for thousands of books. It suits almost any regular reader, especially someone who travels, commutes or runs out of shelf space. The small pocket models are good for someone who reads in line or on transit. Before buying, find out which store the person already buys books from, since purchased libraries usually stay with one system. Also check that the screen is sharp enough for small text and that it charges with a cable they already have.
Ultra-portable pocket e-reader
A lightweight and small form factor device, perfect for commuters, travelers, or anyone who values extreme portability in their reading gadget.
Kind 2 of 7
Features that make a reader worth keeping
A good reader usually comes down to two things: the light and where it can go. A warm, adjustable front light makes late-night reading more pleasant, and water resistance lets someone read in the bath, by the pool or at the cottage without worrying. These features suit people who read for long stretches or read outside. Check that the light can go warmer as well as dimmer. For water resistance, look up the manufacturer's stated limits instead of assuming every model can handle a dunk.
Comfort light e-book reader
Offers a customizable front light that shifts from cool to warm tones, promoting a more natural and eye-friendly reading experience at any time.
Water-resistant electronic reader
Ideal for readers who enjoy books by the pool, at the beach, or in the bath without worrying about splashes.
Kind 3 of 7
Bigger or colour screens for more than novels
Some readers want more than plain text. A colour screen shows book covers, comics, children's books and highlighted notes, though the colours look softer than on a tablet. A larger display helps with PDFs, textbooks, cookbooks and bigger font sizes. These suit students, comic fans and anyone who finds small screens cramped. Before buying, make sure the person's usual reading actually needs colour or extra size, because larger models are heavier to hold in one hand and less easy to slip into a bag.
Full-color digital book reader
Displays content in vibrant colors, making it suitable for reading magazines, comics, children's books, or educational materials with rich visuals.
Expansive display e-book device
Provides a generous viewing area, making it excellent for graphic novels, academic papers, or readers who prefer larger text.
Kind 4 of 7
Kindle Paperwhite for readers already in that store
The Kindle Paperwhite is a mid-size reader with a front light that you can adjust, a crisp black-and-white screen and a slim body that's easy to hold for a long time. It's a natural choice for someone who already buys e-books from the store that goes with it, because their library shows up as soon as they sign in. Before buying, check how much storage it has if they also listen to audiobooks. Also find out whether they borrow from a public library, since how library borrowing works depends on where they live.
Kind 5 of 7
Readers that also listen or take notes
Some readers do more than show text. Models that play audio can pair with wireless headphones for audiobooks, which suits people who switch between reading and listening. Note-taking readers come with a stylus for writing in margins, marking up documents or keeping a journal, which suits students and people who work with a lot of documents. Before buying, find out whether a stylus comes in the box or is sold separately, whether handwritten notes can be exported, and whether the audio works through Bluetooth only.
Audio-enabled digital reader
Combines the visual reading experience with the option to listen to audiobooks, catering to diverse preferences and multitasking readers.
Digital note-taking e-reader
This device allows users to read, annotate, and take handwritten notes directly on the screen, ideal for students or professionals.
Kind 6 of 7
Kobo Libra Colour for flexible reading
The Kobo Libra Colour has page-turn buttons, a colour screen and support for a stylus, all in a mid-size body. It suits readers who borrow e-books from public libraries, collect comics or like to highlight in colour. It also opens common file formats, so people with e-books from different sources can keep everything in one place. Before buying, check whether a stylus is included, and make sure the person isn't heavily tied to a different e-book store they'd hate to leave.
Kind 7 of 7
Choosing a reader beyond the biggest store
Some shoppers look for a reader that isn't tied to the best-known e-book store. That suits people who borrow most of their books from the library, buy from different shops or already have e-book files they want to move over. Before buying, confirm which store the reader connects to and that it opens the formats the person already has. Also find out whether library borrowing is built right into the device.
How to choose e-book readers as a gift
- Find out which e-book store the person already uses, since their purchased books usually only work on that store's readers.
- Pick a warm, adjustable front light if they mostly read in bed or late at night.
- Choose colour or a larger screen only if they read comics, textbooks, PDFs or picture-heavy books.
- For a student, a reader that takes notes with a stylus can do double duty for lectures and marking up course readings.
- Add a simple folio cover so the screen stays protected in a backpack or purse.
Usually safe to skip
- Skip a large note-taking model for someone who only reads novels; the extra weight and features rarely get used.
- Avoid buying e-books in a store that doesn't match the reader you're giving, since they may not open on it.
- A basic model without a front light often ends up in a drawer once the person tries reading in dim light.
Questions people ask about e-book readers
- Is an e-reader a good gift for a college student?
- Often, yes. It's light, the battery lasts a long time, and it can hold course novels and PDFs. For heavy reading assignments, look at a model with a larger screen or stylus support so they can highlight passages and write notes in the margins.
- Can you borrow library books on an e-reader?
- Many readers support public library lending, either built right into the device or by transferring files from a computer. How it works depends on the model and the region, so check that it works with the person's local library before you choose.
- Should I choose a colour e-reader or a black-and-white one?
- Choose colour if they read comics, children's books, cookbooks or like to highlight in different colours. For mostly novels and non-fiction, black-and-white is enough and usually looks a little crisper for plain text.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All e-book readers picks
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