And, as with the 2018 edition Paperwhite, the latest iteration has been awarded an IPX8 rating. Additionally, it’s still tough enough to survive casual abuse of being knocked around in a book bag and other similar misadventures. What hasn’t changed is that 2021 Paperwhite owners still have access to Amazon’s unrivaled collection of e-books, comics, newspapers, and periodicals as well as Audible audiobooks and podcasts. All of this extra display real estate and lighting are backed up by a faster processor than the last version.Ĭharging has gotten faster, too, thanks to Amazon’s sunsetting of Micro USB in favor of a USB-C charging port. Text and grayscale images appear crisp, thanks to the new display’s 300 dots per inch resolution and consistent side lighting, made possible by 17 strategically-placed LEDs.įor the first time, Paperwhite readers have the ability to change the color temperature of the device’s lighting which can help reduce eye strain (in my experience) and help to diminish the amount of blue light that you’re exposed to.
Thanks to its larger dimensions and thinner screen bezels, the 2021 Paperwhite is able to accommodate a 6.8-inch E Ink display: a significant upgrade over the six-inch display that had been the signature of the product line since 2012. However, it’s still light enough to hold with one hand, for a good, long reading session. The 2021 (11th generation) Kindle Paperwhite is slightly larger and about an ounce heavier than its predecessor. If you prefer (or are locked into) Amazon’s ecosystem of reading and audio content, the Kindle Paperwhite is for you. Click the extension and the content will be synced to your Kobo device in an e-reader-friendly format. Finally, there’s Pocket: a free-to-use read-it-later service that allows you to send articles and long-form content to peruse later. Additionally, the H20’s OverDrive functionality makes it possible to borrow digital books and periodicals from your local library. The Kobo bookstore features over three million titles and offers an all-you-can-read monthly subscription service. This makes using the e-reader with your left or right hand a pleasure. A built-in accelerometer detects when you change the device’s orientation and adjusts the H20’s display accordingly. Its physical buttons and touch interface make for easy navigation. Its readability is enhanced by a large selection of fonts, font sizes, and weights. Its seven-inch, 300-PPI (Pixels Per Inch) display and even front lighting with adjustable color temperature controls, make the H20 easy on the eyes. 31-inch dimensions and 6.77-ounce weight, I was surprised by the strength of its build quality. Here are the best e-readers we tested ranked, in order.Īs its name implies, the Kobo Libra H20 is waterproof, with an IPX8 rating that allows it to be submerged in 6.56 feet of water for up to 60 minutes at a time. If you’re already invested in Amazon’s ecosystem of books, periodicals and audiobooks, our favorite Kindle is the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) ( available at Amazon). It offers most of the features of the Libra H2O, in a less expensive package.
If you prefer a smaller device or need to buy one on a budget, Kobo’s Nia ( available at Walmart) is also a fine choice.
Featuring a large display, crisp screen resolution, and great front lighting, a well-stocked online bookstore, and a number of built-in applications that make accessing free content easy, it offers every feature that a book lover could want.
An e-reader can hold, literally, thousands of books and lets you step away from distractions that come with computing devices in favor of a more focused experience.Īfter weeks of research and months of testing, I can tell you that the Kobo Libra H2O ( available at Kobo) is the best e-reader, for most people. Alternatively, you can invest in an e-reader.
To get away from constant notifications from online services like Facebook and Instagram, you could turn off your smartphone or tablet and crack open a good book. It can be hard to settle into reading online, with so many distractions that come from modern life.