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Almost synonymous with the word, it’s hard to separate a Kindle from an e-reader. But is Kindle really your best option? Let’s investigate.
As all book lovers know, there are only so many titles you can hold on to. Whether it’s due to limited bookshelf space or suitcase capacity, the time will come when you have to give away your reads. And it can be a painful process.
So, why not save yourself the stress and opt for an e-reader instead?
Growing in popularity, e-readers now offer millions of titles at the drop of a hat, able to be read, enjoyed and stored digitally.
But which type of digital reader is your best option? Read on to find out.
Read more: Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Oasis
When shopping for an e-reader it’s important to consider who is going to be using it, how often and where. Each of these factors has a direct impact on which style of device will best suit your needs.
In light of these considerations, when it came to choosing the top e-readers for this piece we considered essential elements such as screen resolution, battery life and — of course — the ability to access ebooks.
Connectivity: WiFi + free mobile connectivity
Battery life: Single charge can last up to six weeks
Okay, okay. So we gave it a fair test, and considered the features and user experience — and Kindle still came up as the winner.
Its latest Oasis model features all the benefits of Kindle: access to millions of top-rated titles and page-like display, as well as now boasting the latest in E-ink technology for an exquisite reading experience.
And, our favourite bonuses: adjustable warm lighting and its waterproof design. What could be better than relaxing in a warm bath, with a glass of wine and your favourite novel — set to an ambient light that’s easy on your eyes. Or, take it a step further and play your page-turner through Bluetooth speakers, via Audible. Don’t mind if we do!
Battery life: Single charge can last up to four weeks
Although not a part of the classic Kindle family — we had to acknowledge the beauty and benefits of this excellent Kobo e-reader.
After all, a digital reading device that doubles as a notepad? Yes please. That’s worthy of a share.
Whilst the Kobo Elipsa is first and foremost an e-reader, it secured this coveted spot in our list for its note-taking abilities. With an extra large screen and complimentary stylus pen, this device allows owners to easily mark up documents, underline key points, sign forms and more — making it the perfect option for high school and university students.
The Elipsa also comes with a convenient carry case featuring a designated nook for the stylus, so there is no need to worry about misplacing this handy tool.
Battery life: Single charge can last up to 10 weeks
Weight: 321g including the cover
It can be hard getting school-aged kids and preteens to focus on reading and improving their literacy skills. But by handing them a Kindle Paperwhite, specifically designed for young readers, all that changes.
Featuring great vocabulary-building tools like Word Wise and a year’s free subscription to Amazon Kids+ — which boasts thousands of popular titles from the likes of Harry Potter to The Princess Diaries — this tablet-like device is sure to be a hit with any little ones in your life.
Added bonus? The parent-control dashboard lets you easily track your child’s reading progress, set bedtimes, recommend titles and more.
Plus, it’s waterproof and comes complete with a two-year warranty and drop-proof case — perfect for excitable and enthusiastic children.
Each of these items will help make your e-reading experience that much smoother.
Keep your coveted e-reader safe from scrapes, scratches and the odd drop (we’ve all done it) with a quality protective case.
Available in black and a classy merlot, this case is made from high-quality leather, providing sophisticated protection to your new favourite reading companion.
Complete with a microfibre interior to prevent screen scratches, simply open and close the cover to wake up and turn off your Kindle.
Never be caught unawares; we suggest keeping a charging cable handy.
Compatible with most micro USB devices, including Kindles, smartphones, smartwatches and more, these cables are super handy to have around the house, in your car and even in your handbag. After all, you never want to be caught without charge!
Don’t let your favourite stories and podcasts be interrupted — tune out from the outside world with some good quality headphones.
Enjoy a little peace and quiet with these brilliant noise-cancelling, over-the-ear headphones from Sony. Focus solely on your ebook, without outside distractions. Or, connect via Bluetooth to Audible and enjoy listening to your preferred book or podcast thanks to their superior audio quality. These versatile headphones also easily connect to your phone, allowing for seamless transitions between your novel, your audio and any calls that may come in.
As a trusted leader in the speaker and headphone industry, you know when it comes to purchasing a Sony product, you’ll get nothing but the best.
For many bookworms, e-readers are the future of reading.
Offering the ability to download and store thousands of books, podcasts and kids’ content files, they’re lightweight, wireless and easy to transport.
All you need is the internet at the time of downloading, and you can be off, absorbed in your favourite fantasy land or historic adventure within moments.
Although one of the first of its kind, Kindle now faces a little competition in the e-reader market, with the likes of Kobo and Nova Air C offering similar experiences (though currently at less affordable prices).
Ahhh, this is part of the main appeal of e-readers these days. The invention of E-ink displays allows the device’s screen to somewhat replicate the textured look of the page of a book. This display is also crucial for nighttime reading as, unlike traditional blue-light emitting screens (which interrupt the production of melatonin, which you need to sleep), E-ink displays offer warm, glare-free light instead.
As one of the first e-readers on the market, Kindle has paved the way for others of its kind. Though Kindle is still dominant (and our preferred option overall), Kobo has been steadily growing in popularity and their similarities — and differences — are worth addressing.
While they both offer lightweight, durable digital reading devices with ample storage, the fundamental differences currently are their price point, weight and the ability to access ebooks.
Still finding its feet in the market, Kobo is currently more expensive to purchase than Kindle and its products are slightly less lightweight, too.
As well as lower prices and weight, Kindle also has the (massive) advantage of being created by Amazon, allowing direct access to their vast library and ebook store, and providing purchasers with millions of popular titles.
Kobo (and other non-Amazon re-readers) on the other hand, require readers to either access ebooks via their own stores or through various library apps. Whilst still offering a huge number of titles, the fact remains that when we think “e-reader”, we naturally think “Kindle” and defer to downloading books from their store, which are not compatible with e-readers like Kobo.
Depending on the model in question, Kindles cost anywhere from £69 to upward of £220.
While they may be considered a pricey purchase upfront, they’re really an investment. Kindles are designed to last and, with constant access to great titles, just think how much you’ll save compared to purchasing physical copies.
Aside from the financial savings, the beauty of a Kindle is its portability. Lightweight and easy to pack, you’ll save yourself time, stress and hassle when it comes to travelling.
While there’s great variation in the price of a Kindle book, they’re significantly cheaper than buying a physical copy.
Bestselling Kindle books may be priced between £5 and £10 (or more), whilst others are as low as £1 each. Talk about serious savings!
Another bonus of Kindle is its association with Amazon and its library of free titles, specifically curated for Kindle readers. With additional options such as a subscription to Kindle Unlimited also available, you can access millions (yes, millions) of page-turning options for as little as £7.99 a month.
In our opinion, yes. As the oldest e-reader on the market, Kindle still very much has a hold on the world of ebooks and digital reading devices.
Able to offer competitive prices, millions of popular titles, great vocabulary tools, waterproof options and adjustable warm screen lights — there is a Kindle perfect for every age and type of reader.
While the overall winner is the Kindle Oasis for its convenience and versatility if you’ve got school-aged children who are reluctant readers we strongly recommend a Kindle Paperwhite Kids, while the Kindle 2019 is a great budget-friendly option.
Prices updated on 14/09/2022. We are not responsible for any changes made to the prices listed.
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