The best e-readers from Kindle, Nook, and more

Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite.

Who it’s for:

The Kindle Paperwhite is for everyone. It hits all the marks and is the gold standard of e-readers. Getting books onto your Kindle is easy, whether buying through the Kindle store or borrowing through Libby. At 6.8 inches, it’s just the right size that feels nice in your hand, especially since it’s lightweight and your arm won’t get tired while holding it up. Plus, it’s the best choice for people on the go. With its compact size, it even fits in a small purse, and because it is waterproof, you’ll never stress about spilling water on it.

Why we like it:

The Kindle Paperwhite was the last e-reader I tested, so I’d seen it all when I got to it. Immediately, I was struck by how zippy it was. Having gone through a series of e-readers that lagged on menus and turning the page, the Kindle Paperwhite zoomed through, switching between books and menu screens. And despite working hard, its battery life feels never-ending, lasting not just weeks but months at a time.

The matte screen is fantastic. It’s just the right size, with customizable fonts in case you need to increase the size. I could read comfortably in any environment, as the screen looks just like a printed page despite being high-tech. Plus, the screen is responsive, quickly reacting to taps and swipes when you want to turn the page.

As an avid reader, my bank account simply can’t handle my habits, so thankfully, there’s Libby. Getting my library books onto the Kindle Paperwhite through Libby is simple. I just hit “Send to Kindle” on the Libby app, and they’re in my Kindle library the next time I open it as long as my Kindle is connected to WiFi.

The Kindle Paperwhite is a significant improvement over the flagship Kindle because it is waterproof. While not everyone is concerned about reading at the beach like myself, the Kindle Paperwhite’s waterproofness is a significant perk in the case of accidents like spilled water bottles in backpacks.

If I were to think of ways to improve the Kindle Paperwhite, I’d maybe wish it had side buttons to turn the page like the Nook Glow does. However, the Kindle’s touchscreen is so responsive that you don’t need it — it’s just a personal preference of how you like to turn the page on your e-reader.