The 7 best e-readers to buy: Testing Kindles, Kobos, iPads, and more
As we approach 2025, the quest for the best e-reader continues, with several models vying for the top spot in the market. Regular testing of various e-readers and tablets allows for a comprehensive evaluation of their features, performance, and overall user experience. Among the latest contenders are the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7, both of which offer unique functionalities but ultimately fall short of being the best choices for avid readers. The Remarkable PaperPro, while popular for its note-taking capabilities, struggles with ePUB file access, making it more suitable for document reading than as a dedicated e-reader. Similarly, the Onyx Boox Go 7 offers a decent reading experience but suffers from slow processing speeds and cumbersome library integrations, particularly for users looking to borrow books through apps like Libby.
When considering the best e-readers for 2025, the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Libra Colour emerge as standout options. The Kindle Paperwhite, despite the existence of its more advanced Signature Edition, offers great value and user-friendly features that make it a favorite among readers. The Signature Edition, with its auto-adjusting brightness and increased storage, doesn’t justify the higher price tag for most users. On the other hand, the Kobo Libra Colour presents a compelling alternative for those willing to spend around $200 on an e-reader, providing a vibrant display and seamless library integration. Notably absent from this year’s recommendations is the Barnes & Noble Nook, which has fallen behind due to its sluggish performance and complicated process for accessing library books—issues that detract from the overall reading experience.
For those looking to fill their e-readers with books without breaking the bank, there are several avenues to explore. The Libby app is a fantastic resource, allowing users to borrow digital books from their local library’s collection with ease, especially for Kindle and Kobo users who benefit from excellent integrations. Additionally, events like “Stuff Your Kindle Day” offer opportunities to snag discounted or free books, while Project Gutenberg provides access to over 75,000 public domain titles. With these resources in hand, readers can build a diverse and rich library on their e-readers, making the most of their reading experience in the coming year.
So, what is the best e-reader for 2025? I’m regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. So, if you’re gearing up to read more books this summer or fall, I can recommend a model you’ll love.
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Other e-readers we’ve tested
From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Most recently, we’ve tested the
Remarkable PaperPro
and
Onyx Boox Go 7
as contenders for this list. After several weeks of testing, both devices proved to be pretty good but not quite list-worthy.
Whenever you search for e-readers,
Remarkable’s
tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it’s hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won’t be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.
The
Onyx Boox Go 7
is a better e-reader option than the Remarkable. It’s the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. To read ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was so much lag while opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo’s integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn’t work on my device.
An e-reader we haven’t gotten around to testing is the
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft
, which just debuted on Sept. 30, 2025. As of Nov. 2025, it’s not available for preorder yet, but once we get a model to test, we’ll update this guide with our recommendations.
What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?
If you’re familiar with the
Kindle lineup
, it may come as a surprise that the
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
isn’t on this list. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we’ve
compared the devices head-to-head
. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE’s added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.
If you are prepared to spend $200 on an e-reader, though, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the
Kobo Libra Colour
.
Where’s the Nook on this list?
In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.
Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.
Where to get e-reader books for free
Once you get an e-reader, it’s time to fill it up with books, and that doesn’t necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.
The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with
Libby
. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn’t have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library’s digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.
Another way to build your library is through
Stuff Your Kindle Day
events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.
If you’re a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.
