Here’s what to look for in an e-reader.
Screen Type
When choosing an e-reader, decide if you prefer an unlit, paper-like display like E Ink or a typical LCD screen like the one on your phone. Each has advantages and disadvantages. E Ink tends to reduce eye strain and improve battery life. An LCD screen can display color and typically comes with touchscreen capabilities. There are also hybrid readers such as the newer E Ink Kindle and the Barnes & Noble NOOK. These e-readers feature both an electronic paper display and an LCD touchscreen at the same time. For electronic paper displays, compare screens. Some have better contrast and a higher resolution than others.
Size and Weight
Then there are the larger ones, such as the Kindle Fire HD 10, the Apple iPad, and the iPad Pro. None of those can fit in a pocket. Still, if you want a big screen, these are worth considering.
Interface
Controls for e-reading devices are typically based on buttons, a touchscreen, or a combination of both. Touchscreens are more intuitive but can be laggy, smudge-prone, and typically drain more battery. Touchscreens appear to be gaining popularity as the interface of choice, even for E Ink-based displays. The iPad, Kindle Fire, and NOOK tablets use LCD touchscreens. These features are particularly important for younger children and seniors, who sometimes can have trouble using devices like this.
Battery Life
Depending on whether you plan to read primarily at home or on the road, battery life is an important consideration. Basic e-readers without fancy features typically have a longer battery life. Devices with Wi-Fi and web browsing tend to have shorter operating times.
Features
Do you want an e-reader for reading e-books, or do you want your device to do more? Some devices, such as the older Reader Pocket and Kobo eReader, are designed for reading and skip on extra features, including music playback. On the other hand, the NOOK plays music, has a web browser, and includes a touchscreen interface. At the higher end of the feature spectrum are tablets such as the iPad, which function like a mini-computer.
Formats
You’ll also want to check the formats that the device is capable of handling. Popular file formats include EPUB, PDF, TXT, and HTML, among others. The more formats a device can display, the better.
Capacity
This determines how much media fits in the device at one time. The higher the memory, the more e-books and files you can fit. High capacity is especially important for multimedia e-readers that also play music, video, and apps. Besides internal memory, some devices come with a slot for an SD card, which allows you to bump up the device’s capacity.
Store Access
Depending on the device, an e-reader can directly access certain e-book stores, which means extra convenience, a wider selection, and access to the latest bestsellers. Devices that don’t have direct store access can still display compatible e-books, but you must download the books from a PC first. Free e-book sources like Project Gutenberg are another option.
Price
This can be the biggest factor when deciding to buy an e-book reader. Analysts and industry insiders have said that $99 is the magic price point for most e-readers. There are several options in that price range. In the early 2010s, many e-readers had price tags over $400. These days, that’s enough to buy a tablet.
