There’s 8GB of storage built in which is enough storage for thousands of books. It connects via Wi-Fi and even offers Bluetooth connectivity so you can listen to audiobooks as well as read. The battery is big enough to provide around four weeks of reading time, depending on things like light usage and how long you spend actually reading in a given session. Plus at only 0.34 inches thick, weighing only 6.1 ounces, and for a really affordable price, it is supremely portable, perfect for tossing into your beach or travel bag. Continuing the same trend Kindles have been following for a while, the 2019 Oasis, with storage of either 8GB or 32GB, aims to recreate the feeling of reading a physical text with a comfortable, ergonomic design, page turn buttons, and new e-ink technology. The 7-inch, 300 PPI Paperwhite display’s shade is adjustable for all lighting conditions. Night mode automatically tints the screen amber for midnight reading. Its waterproof IPX8 rating means it can survive a spill in the tub or pool, and you can enjoy Audible books by streaming through Bluetooth-enabled devices. If you’re an on-the-go reader who doesn’t hesitate to toss your e-reader in your tote, you’ll also love the fact that the Fire 7 is highly durable. (It was rated as twice as durable than the iPad mini 4, not to mention, it’s cheaper, too!) For $30 more you can upgrade to the eight-inch Fire tablet, which will score you a larger reading screen and four more hours of battery life, but we find this seven-incher to be a good balance between function and portability. With a slightly larger screen size of 7”, it uses Kobo’s Comfortlight PRO to adjust to all lighting conditions, reduce glare, and is designed not to interfere with your circadian rhythm. It’s also waterproof, rated to IPX8, making it useful for the pool, bath, or beach. Wi-Fi is also built-in, although it’s lacking Bluetooth, ad 8GB of included storage is enough to store close to 3,000 ebooks. For something a bit different, or if you love reading in landscape mode, consider the Libra H20. If you’re a frequent library user, all Kobo e-readers are great choices for you. They have built-in access to OverDrive. As long as your library uses that system, you can log in to your account and borrow books to read on your tablet, just as you would at the local library. Frequent readers will love this, and it saves money from constantly buying new titles. While the device is slightly let down by its lack of waterproofing and incompatibility with audiobooks, the Clara HD is overall a top choice and a great alternative to the main competitors in the field. The Forma is Kobo’s premium e-reader, designed to compete with the Kindle Oasis. Although it’s the most expensive of Kobo’s products, the Forma is a top choice for its large screen, along with access to OverDrive and Pocket, which allows you to save articles to read later. Ambient light or low light is no problem, thanks to the automatic light adjustments made by the Comfortlight PRO. While it’s unfortunate that the Forma can’t cater to audiobooks, if you don’t need this feature, it’s an amazing premium e-reader that’s worth the higher price.
Battery Life
In general, e-readers have stellar battery lives. Because the screens take up dramatically less power than smartphones or tablets, they can go days or even weeks without a charge. Some Kindles claim a whopping eight weeks of reading time (on 30 minutes of reading per day), so if you’re forgetful when it comes to charging, you’ll be set.
Durability
Planning to read at the beach? You’ll want an e-reader that can survive high tide. Some devices are designed to be waterproof and rated at IPX8, which means they can swim in depths of up to one meter for up to 60 minutes.
