In recent times, bibliophiles often find themselves divided into two camps. There’s the purists, who hawk the merits and romance of physical hardcopies. Then there are the e-book advocates. The latter group is all for the portability of e-book readers, its varied capabilities, and the instantaneous access it grants to new releases in the market. Of course, not all tablets are built the same — some are designed to read specific formats (see: ePubs), while others come with extra functions in the vein of note-taking.
The question remains: Which model will work better for your lifestyle and needs? Lucky for you, we’ve provided a detailed breakdown to the most standout models.
Best overall: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
The latest rendition is the thinnest, slimmest option yet. Weighing in at just 205g, it comes with twice the storage space as previous iterations (8GB); is waterproof; and can be paired with Bluetooth headphones so users are able to listen to audio books with ease. What’s more, a single battery charge is said to last up to weeks. Talk about convenience at its finest.
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Best for folks who love to personalise their reading experience: Kobo Elipsa
And they say romance is dead. For anyone looking to re-create the intimate experience of leaving your notes and thoughts in book margins, look no further than the Kobo Elipsa. This bad boy is equipped with a stylus that allows users to jot down notes within their e-books. Bonus: They can even be exported as PDFs and transferred to your other devices. A sizeable storage capacity (32GB) and Bluetooth wireless technology rounds out its varied list of functions.
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Best for workaholics looking for an all-around device: Onyx Boox Note Air 2
Its enlarged screen, 10.3” E Ink Carta display, and front light allows for a superior visual experience. Beyond that, there has also been an overwhelming amount of positive response with regard to its operating system that allows for users to download third party apps — meaning you’ll be able to check your emails and social media platforms on it, too. Its built-in Wi-Fi module as well as Bluetooth support faculties are nothing to sneeze at either.
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Best for those who like to read for long hours: Kindle Oasis
Its appeal lies largely in its specialised display that allows users to switch between white and amber light. The second option exerts less strain on the eyes, and serves as a great option for anyone suffering from dry, sensitive peepers. The fact that it’s waterproof and paired with ergonomic buttons for page-flipping serves as the cherry on top of a stellar product.
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Best for those who like to read on-the-go: Kobo Libra H2O
If you find yourself frequently reaching for reading material while juggling a latté and work laptop in your grip, the Kobo Libra H2O is the one for you. Its asymmetrical design means you’ll be able to use it comfortably one-handed, while the presence of both buttons and a touch screen allows for users to flip pages depending on what’s convenient.
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