10 Best Ebook Readers 2025 in the United States

The All-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) is a top-tier ebook reader with a number of impressive features. Its 7-inch glare-free display offers high contrast and sharp text, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The adjustable lighting from white to amber is particularly useful for comfortable reading both in bright sunlight and in the dark. The device is also lightweight and ultra-thin, enhancing portability for travel or daily commutes. With its waterproof design (IPX8 rating), you can safely use it by the pool or in the bath without worry.

Additionally, the Kindle Paperwhite stands out for its extensive battery life, lasting up to 12 weeks on a single charge, which is ideal for avid readers who don't want the hassle of frequent recharging. The 16 GB storage capacity allows you to store thousands of books, and the free cloud storage for Amazon content ensures you won’t run out of space. Connectivity is robust with support for both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi networks, although it does not support peer-to-peer connections. The absence of social media and other distracting apps helps maintain focus on reading.

The device supports a wide range of ebook formats including AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, and more, although converting some formats might be necessary. One potential downside is that audiobook streaming over Bluetooth can significantly reduce battery life. Additionally, while the device includes accessibility features like the VoiceView screen reader and adjustable fonts, it may have limited appeal for users who rely heavily on audiobooks due to the battery trade-off. This Kindle is ideal for dedicated readers looking for a high-quality, distraction-free reading experience with excellent battery life and storage capacity. It is less suited for those who prefer a multifunctional device or are heavily reliant on audiobooks.

The New Amazon Kindle (16 GB) is the lightest and most compact Kindle to date, boasting a 6-inch glare-free display with 300 ppi resolution. This makes reading comfortable even in bright sunlight. The adjustable front light, now 25% brighter at max setting, and dark mode provide flexibility for reading in various lighting conditions. It features a long battery life of up to six weeks on a single charge, which is ideal for avid readers who don't want to worry about frequent recharging.

With 16 GB of storage, it can hold thousands of books, ensuring you can carry your entire library with you wherever you go. The device supports a wide range of content formats, including Kindle format, PDF, EPUB, and more, making it versatile for different reading preferences. For connectivity, it supports both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi networks, ensuring reliable downloads and updates. However, it doesn't support ad-hoc or peer-to-peer networks, which might be a limitation for some users.

The Kindle’s compact design and lightweight make it extremely portable, weighing just 5.56 oz. Additionally, its sustainable design using 75% recycled plastics and 90% recycled magnesium makes it an eco-friendly choice. On the downside, while the Kindle is great for reading books, it lacks water resistance, which means users need to be cautious around water. Also, the charging time of approximately 4 hours via USB cable might be considered long by some users. But if these factors are manageable, the New Amazon Kindle (16 GB) is a solid choice for an eBook reader, especially for those who value portability and a distraction-free reading experience.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe stands out as a hybrid device combining a high-quality ebook reader with a digital notebook, making it ideal for users who want to read and write on one device. Its 10.2-inch Paperwhite display offers a sharp 300 ppi resolution, ensuring crisp text and images with a glare-free, front-lit screen that works well in various lighting conditions, including outdoors and dim environments. The battery life is impressive for reading—up to 12 weeks on a single charge—and still very good for writing at around 3 weeks, which supports longer use without frequent charging. Storage options up to 64 GB provide ample space for thousands of books and plenty of notes or documents. Connectivity via Wi-Fi (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) is reliable for downloading content, though there’s no cellular option. Weighing about 15.3 ounces, this device is slightly heavier than typical ebook readers but still comfortable to hold for reading and note-taking.

The included Premium Pen requires no charging or setup, allowing easy and natural handwriting that feels like paper, enhanced by a soft eraser and shortcut button. It supports a wide range of file formats including Kindle native formats, PDFs, Microsoft Word files, EPUBs, and more, which is great for versatile use. The built-in AI features for converting handwriting to text and summarizing notes add valuable productivity support. The Kindle Scribe is more expensive and bulkier than standard Kindle models, and its focus on writing means it sacrifices some simplicity and portability. It also lacks features like audio playback or app support beyond reading and note-taking. This device best suits avid readers who also want to annotate documents, journal, or organize notes digitally in one place, rather than users seeking a purely lightweight ebook reader.