Best E-Readers of 2026
The base Kindle is Wirecutter’s top e-reader, and the Paperwhite is the upgrade. If you don’t want Amazon, WIRED picks the Kobo Libra Colour, with page buttons and built-in library borrowing.
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Quick answer
The base Kindle is Wirecutter’s top e-reader, and the Paperwhite is the upgrade. If you don’t want Amazon, WIRED picks the Kobo Libra Colour, with page buttons and built-in library borrowing. Best overall: Amazon Kindle (2026), $150. Best upgrade: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, $200. Best non-Amazon: Kobo Libra Colour, $258. Best with apps: Boox Go 6, $200.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Amazon Kindle (2026) | most people | $150 |
| Best upgrade | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | a bigger, waterproof Kindle | $200 |
| Best non-Amazon | Kobo Libra Colour | non-Amazon readers | $258–$260 |
| Best with apps | Boox Go 6 | reading apps | $200 |
This list draws on Wirecutter’s[1] e-reader guide and WIRED’s[2], both updated October 2026, with prices checked October 2026. For a guide to Amazon’s lineup alone, see which Kindle to buy. For a full-color tablet, see best tablets.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| E-reader | Price seen | Screen | Store / library | Pick | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle (2026) | $150 | 6-inch | Amazon; Libby | Wirecutter top pick | Most people |
| Kindle Paperwhite | $200 | 7-inch, waterproof | Amazon; Libby | Wirecutter upgrade | A bigger, waterproof Kindle |
| Kobo Libra Colour | $258 (Amazon); $260 (Kobo) | 7-inch color, page buttons | Kobo; OverDrive built in | WIRED best overall | Non-Amazon readers |
| Kobo Clara Colour | $178 | 6-inch color | Kobo; OverDrive built in | WIRED budget pick | A cheaper color e-reader |
| Kobo Clara BW | $160 | 6-inch, waterproof | Kobo; OverDrive built in | Wirecutter non-Amazon pick | A waterproof 6-inch e-reader |
| Boox Go 6 (Gen II) | $200 | 6-inch | Android apps (Play Store) | WIRED reading-apps pick | Reading apps |
The picks in detail
1. Amazon Kindle (2026)
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[1] top pick is the base Kindle: 6 inches, 16GB, USB-C and Libby library support for $150. The 2026 version adds a flush front and up to six weeks of battery. It isn’t waterproof. See which Kindle to buy.
Price (Oct 2026): $150 Source
Pros
- Small and light
- Huge Kindle store
- Libby library loans
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Locked to Amazon’s store
2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Best for: a bigger, waterproof KindleWirecutter’s[1] upgrade pick has a 7-inch screen, warm light, waterproofing and a faster display for $200. A 2026 model goes on sale October 28 at the same price.
Price (Oct 2026): $200 Source
Pros
- 7-inch warm-light screen
- Waterproof
- Long battery
Cons
- Up $40 this year
3. Kobo Libra Colour
Best for: non-Amazon readersWIRED’s[2] best e-reader has a 7-inch color screen, physical page-turn buttons, IPX8 waterproofing, Bluetooth audiobooks and built-in OverDrive library borrowing. It supports the $70 Kobo Stylus 2 for notes. It was $258 at Amazon and $260 at Kobo, or $330 with the stylus.
Price (Oct 2026): $258–$260 Source
Pros
- Page-turn buttons
- Library borrowing built in
- Stylus support
Cons
- Pricier than a base Kindle
4. Kobo Clara Colour
Best for: a cheaper color e-readerWIRED’s[2] budget pick is a 6-inch color Kobo for $178, cheaper than the Kindle Colorsoft.
Price (Oct 2026): $178 Source
Pros
- Color screen for less
- Kobo store and OverDrive
Cons
- Smaller 6-inch screen
5. Kobo Clara BW
Best for: a waterproof 6-inch e-readerWirecutter’s[1] non-Amazon pick has a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 screen, OverDrive library support, waterproofing and a recycled-plastic body, for $160.
Price (Oct 2026): $160 Source
Pros
- Waterproof
- OverDrive built in
- Recycled plastic
Cons
- Black and white only
6. Boox Go 6
Best for: reading appsWIRED’s[2] pick for reading apps runs Android 11 with the Google Play Store, so you can install the Kindle, Kobo and Libby apps on one device. It costs $200.
Price (Oct 2026): $200 Source
Pros
- Runs Android apps
- Use several bookstores
Cons
- Slightly more than a Paperwhite
Also considered
Xteink X4 Pro: WIRED’s[2] pocket-size pick at $99–$109.
Kindle Scribe: From $400 with a pen for notes; see which Kindle to buy.
Kindle or Kobo?
Kindles have Amazon’s store, Kindle Unlimited and Libby support. Kobos have OverDrive library borrowing built in and sell books through Kobo’s store, and the Libra Colour adds page-turn buttons. If you already own many Kindle books, stay with Kindle.
Do you need a color e-reader?
Color E Ink suits comics, magazines and cookbooks, but color is lower resolution than black and white. The Kobo Clara Colour ($178) is cheaper than the Kindle Colorsoft ($290).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best e-reader?
What is the best non-Kindle e-reader?
Can I borrow library books on an e-reader?
Why are e-readers more expensive this year?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best e-readers (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
- WIRED: The best e-readers (Oct 2026) (wired.com)
Related
Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Colorsoft
The two share a 7-inch, 300ppi waterproof screen and warm light. The $289.99 Colorsoft adds a 150ppi color mode for comics, illustrated books and color highlights, but it costs $90 more and gets 8 weeks of battery instead of 12.
comparisonKindle vs Kobo
Get a Kindle if you buy from Amazon or use Kindle Unlimited. Get a Kobo if you borrow library books, want native EPUB support, or don’t want to use Amazon.
best ofBest Kobo E-Reader to Buy in 2026
WIRED’s best e-reader overall is the $259.99 Kobo Libra Colour. Wirecutter picks the $159.99 Kobo Clara BW for people who don’t want Amazon. The 10.3-inch Elipsa 2E is for note-taking.
best ofWhich Kindle Should You Buy in 2026?
The Kindle Paperwhite ($200) is the best Kindle for most people. The base Kindle ($150) is the cheapest and smallest, the Colorsoft ($290) adds a color screen, and the Scribe ($400) is for note-takers.
best ofBest Tablets of 2026
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