recommendations for an e-reader?
February 22, 2020 4:18 PM Subscribe
Partner would like read novels and such before bed and is contemplating buying an e-reader of some sort. That's about as far as we've got, so...
... am looking for recommended brands/models you've found best. Price range: <$200 (preferably more like $100-$150). Features: simple to use, wide range of titles, easy on the eyes. Something that will last and not be a pain. No fancy bells & whistles like audio features; just want to read text on screen. Your thoughts?
... am looking for recommended brands/models you've found best. Price range: <$200 (preferably more like $100-$150). Features: simple to use, wide range of titles, easy on the eyes. Something that will last and not be a pain. No fancy bells & whistles like audio features; just want to read text on screen. Your thoughts?
I am very happy with my ancient Kindle 4[th generation], which is the last model that has physical page-turning buttons other than the new Kindle Oasis. (Newer models have a touchscreen.) I have had fine experiences buying them used for $20-25 on ebay. I did have to update the firmware or something on the most recent one I bought to get it to work but that wasn't hard.
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:34 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:34 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
I also continue to use a Kindle Keyboard and have bought used ones with success in the years since it was discontinued. Its big plusses over the current versions are very ergonomic side buttons for turning pages, thin profile, and light weight. Perfect for reading in bed and comfy chairs.
posted by lampoil at 4:35 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by lampoil at 4:35 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
Has she tried using her phone with the Kindle app or another software package like Marvin? The small screen is not awesome but it's better than you'd think and a way to get an idea whether an e-reader is right for her.
As for a nice screen designed for reading, I think the newest Kindle Paperwhites are the best. Wirecutter recommends this one at $130. If price is not a concern pay the extra $20 now to get it "without special offers" (aka ads). You have the choice to do that later, too.
Personally I just use my iPad running Kindle, because having a separate device for reading turns out not to work for me. Don't get a cheap Android Fire tablet though; the screens are not good for reading.
posted by Nelson at 4:35 PM on February 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
As for a nice screen designed for reading, I think the newest Kindle Paperwhites are the best. Wirecutter recommends this one at $130. If price is not a concern pay the extra $20 now to get it "without special offers" (aka ads). You have the choice to do that later, too.
Personally I just use my iPad running Kindle, because having a separate device for reading turns out not to work for me. Don't get a cheap Android Fire tablet though; the screens are not good for reading.
posted by Nelson at 4:35 PM on February 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
Just a note - there's no need to hack the Kindle Keyboard to move your own files onto it: you just connect it to your computer via usb (emailing files to it might also work - I've never tried). Don't know about more recent models, but I'd be surprised if they needed any tinkering to enable this.
That said, there are some nice hacks to do other things.
In general e-ink screens are more pleasant to read on than tablets for most people, unless you're interested in reading pdfs or books with lots of pictures in them because they're (a) black and white, and (b) often slow at displaying images. They're not backlit unless you specifically get a model with backlighting. The screens are more fragile than tablet screens in my experience, so if you get one it's worth getting a case.
posted by trig at 5:05 PM on February 22, 2020
That said, there are some nice hacks to do other things.
In general e-ink screens are more pleasant to read on than tablets for most people, unless you're interested in reading pdfs or books with lots of pictures in them because they're (a) black and white, and (b) often slow at displaying images. They're not backlit unless you specifically get a model with backlighting. The screens are more fragile than tablet screens in my experience, so if you get one it's worth getting a case.
posted by trig at 5:05 PM on February 22, 2020
I have been reading ebooks on the Kindle app and recently Libby app (on my phone) and as long as I put it on the setting for black background with lighter text, I like it better than my 2013 Kindle paperwhite, which I find slow to respond.
posted by vunder at 5:17 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by vunder at 5:17 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
I have a Kindle Paperwhite and I'm very happy with it. Very easy on the eyes and I like that I don't have to worry about the light keeping me awake if I turn it all the way down. And to confirm what trig mentioned, you can e-mail things to your Kindle--I've sent a bunch of my partner's writing to my Kindle that way. :)
posted by brook horse at 5:34 PM on February 22, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by brook horse at 5:34 PM on February 22, 2020 [6 favorites]
I also recommend the Kindle paperwhite. It is an ereader only and looks much more like a book than other readers. I got one after looking at a friend’s and seeing how much better the pages look than those of other ereaders. I believe it’s in your price range, but I also used the website camelcamelcamel, which notifies you when Amazon prices go down to your predetermined range.
posted by FencingGal at 5:44 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 5:44 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
Go with whichever your library system works on to choose between kindle and Kobo. The setup for them is pretty similar, it is not hard to side load books from the other ecosystem onto yours if you decide to. The hardware is close enough it doesn't much matter. (I think more Kobo versions are waterproof if partner is a bath reader, though I splashed but never dropped in water the non waterproof ones to no harm at all.)
Physical page buttons are fantastic and if you can find one that has them in your price range I would choose that, but I would first prioritise back lighting. The screen gets a nice even glow, you can read in bed without any other lighting but it is not so bright that it will bother someone else in bed with you. My friend has had her Kobo almost seven years now, I tend to be harder on mine and use it more but they easily last four to five with me before the battery life starts to wane.
posted by jeather at 6:17 PM on February 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
Physical page buttons are fantastic and if you can find one that has them in your price range I would choose that, but I would first prioritise back lighting. The screen gets a nice even glow, you can read in bed without any other lighting but it is not so bright that it will bother someone else in bed with you. My friend has had her Kobo almost seven years now, I tend to be harder on mine and use it more but they easily last four to five with me before the battery life starts to wane.
posted by jeather at 6:17 PM on February 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
Agree about Kindles being great -- I love mine, which is older, but not old enough to have physical buttons to turn the page. It's lovely that it doesn't have a screen light, which means you have to use your bedside lamp just as if you were reading an actual book. Less likely to mess up your brain that way. And yes, you can email documents/books/whatever to it using your Send-to-Kindle address.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:25 PM on February 22, 2020
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:25 PM on February 22, 2020
Seconding to check with your local library and see what format is best supported. My library offers a lot of Kindle books. They can be read with an app if you don’t have a Kindle, but having a Kindle makes it very straightforward. I’m pretty happy with my Paperwhite. I’ve been using it since 2012 without any problems.
posted by Kriesa at 6:29 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Kriesa at 6:29 PM on February 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
I love my Kobo Aura One. More pricey than a Kindle, but it has seamless integration with Overdrive (used by my local library) and Pocket, which I use to save longform articles from the New Yorker. The ComfortLight feature filters out blue light. At night I read with the brightness set to 7% without a problem.
posted by invisible ink at 6:40 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by invisible ink at 6:40 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
I adore my Kobo Clara HD -- I went with that because I already liked the Kobo ecosystem, and the integration with Overdrive has been fantastic. I load my own ebooks with Calibre, but I also quite like the Kobo store. E-ink is so much nicer on my eyes than even night mode or sepia or whatever on my phone.
posted by kalimac at 7:04 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by kalimac at 7:04 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
Disclaimers: I end up just reading on my phone no matter what I buy. Also, I read mostly public domain stuff, so the store has never mattered to me. But personally I would buy any of the modern ones that has a light and a "night"/yellow-light mode. They're all great at this point.
posted by Polycarp at 8:09 PM on February 22, 2020
posted by Polycarp at 8:09 PM on February 22, 2020
I agree that the key feature is the backlight. It’s far less disruptive than a book light if the other party wants to sleep- one of the few pieces of technology that has had an unequivocal positive impact on my marriage.
posted by q*ben at 8:13 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by q*ben at 8:13 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
First decide how/where you are getting your ebooks. Amazon Prime? Local library? Non-local library for which you need to buy a yearly pass? Gutenberg? Then read up how to transfer books from it to your potential device.
I find Overdrive very slow and clunky to use and fortunately my new library recommends the Libby app. NIGHT AND DAY. Am no longer cursing ADE, Overdrive. Very simple to return books early. It's a miracle.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:18 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
I find Overdrive very slow and clunky to use and fortunately my new library recommends the Libby app. NIGHT AND DAY. Am no longer cursing ADE, Overdrive. Very simple to return books early. It's a miracle.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:18 PM on February 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
We have two Kindles in the household, a paperwhite and an oasis. Both are over a year old, so I think newer models have had incremental improvements. I really like the backlight; the non-backlight version I tried before seemed muddier to my aging eyes. The paperwhite's smaller form factor makes it nicer for carrying around, like taking to a cafe or bar. The oasis's larger screen, though, is nicer for actually reading -- I like how it fits just a few more words on the screen; whether or not it is worth the extra money is a different question.
I agree with the suggestion to first check what your library supports and go from there, assuming that you check books out.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:38 PM on February 22, 2020
I agree with the suggestion to first check what your library supports and go from there, assuming that you check books out.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:38 PM on February 22, 2020
I love my Kindle Keyboard and will use it until it kicks the bucket. That said, I think it's worth considering a Paperwhite or similar since you're getting a new-to-you device. There are a few situations where it would be really handy to have a light on the screen and a clip-on light really isn't the same. I'm not ready to give up my page-turning buttons just yet but you'll be fine without them!
posted by Brassica oleracea at 9:40 PM on February 22, 2020
posted by Brassica oleracea at 9:40 PM on February 22, 2020
I used to own a Kindle 3 but over time found reading on my phone much easier. It was always charged and I always had it on me and the kindle app was/is well designed. The phone is also much lighter so easier on the hands.
I have recently (like a year ago) purchased a Kindle Paperwhite for a family member and they like it but mostly use it at home.
Seconding backlight being an important feature. I also strongly prefer physical buttons for page turning.
posted by M. at 11:45 PM on February 22, 2020
I have recently (like a year ago) purchased a Kindle Paperwhite for a family member and they like it but mostly use it at home.
Seconding backlight being an important feature. I also strongly prefer physical buttons for page turning.
posted by M. at 11:45 PM on February 22, 2020
I was a Kindle Keyboard devotee until I was recently gifted a new Kindle Paperwhite and I do mostly like it better. The built in adjustable lighting is unobtrusive and the whole thing (with case) is smaller and lighter than my old Kindle + booklight case. I thought I would miss the physical buttons but I actually prefer the touchscreen and it does refresh noticeably faster when you “turn” pages. I exclusively read ebooks from the Library (mine uses Overdrive/Libby) and use Calibre to manage them.
posted by notheotherone at 12:07 AM on February 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by notheotherone at 12:07 AM on February 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have a Nook Glowlight 3 that I like just fine. The adjustable temperature backlight is very nice on the eyes. It's inexpensive, isn't Amazon, and gets the job done. Simple to use: check. Wide range of titles? My library offers ePub versions via Libby/Overdrive; you can buy books from B&N, GooglePlay, and other ePub-friendly sources; Calibre works with it. Did I mention that it isn't an Amazon product?
posted by mumkin at 12:09 AM on February 23, 2020
posted by mumkin at 12:09 AM on February 23, 2020
Does Nook still require you to download the book to your computer first? And then sideload it via the USB cable to your Nook? That was the dealbreaker for me.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:31 AM on February 23, 2020
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:31 AM on February 23, 2020
My Kindle Paperwhite is the best device I own.
It's simple, does only exactly what I need it to and nothing more, it's small enough to fit in a back pocket, and big enough to hold comfortably. It's perfect. (And specifically the Paperwhite...the backlight is unlike any other device light. I can read comfortably and unobtrusively in complete darkness.)
I've had my Kindle since 2012 and use it daily; it comes everywhere with me and I have never put it in a case. It still works just as well as the day I got it and only looks a little bit battered.
Sure I'm limited to PDF or mobi format, but I can convert things with Calibre (emailing to myself) if it comes to that.
I think my favorite thing is that I can be on my phone in the bathroom browsing ebook titles at my library, check one out, and the book is already there waiting for me in my Kindle by the time I get to the couch 60 seconds later. That's amazing.
There are plenty of problems with Amazon, but I will stan the Kindle til the day I die. #notspons
posted by phunniemee at 2:43 AM on February 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
It's simple, does only exactly what I need it to and nothing more, it's small enough to fit in a back pocket, and big enough to hold comfortably. It's perfect. (And specifically the Paperwhite...the backlight is unlike any other device light. I can read comfortably and unobtrusively in complete darkness.)
I've had my Kindle since 2012 and use it daily; it comes everywhere with me and I have never put it in a case. It still works just as well as the day I got it and only looks a little bit battered.
Sure I'm limited to PDF or mobi format, but I can convert things with Calibre (emailing to myself) if it comes to that.
I think my favorite thing is that I can be on my phone in the bathroom browsing ebook titles at my library, check one out, and the book is already there waiting for me in my Kindle by the time I get to the couch 60 seconds later. That's amazing.
There are plenty of problems with Amazon, but I will stan the Kindle til the day I die. #notspons
posted by phunniemee at 2:43 AM on February 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
nthing kindle paperwhite. I originally had a kindle with keyboard, and I did like the fact that it had built in 3G when I was travelling, but these days, wifi is everywhere if you need to update. i travel a lot, keep it in a case, and it's lasted 4 years so far with very heavy use. really appreciate the back light on dark flights or at home when other half is sleeping. also the fact I don't have to carry 12 books when going on holiday! to be fair, my original kindle did eventually end up getting borked - black screen of doom.
where i live, my library doesn't technically support kindle, but, as others have said, if you get set up with calibre, you can transfer ebooks easily - so I can read library ebooks on the kindle. i also email myself a lot of stuff to read in a variety of formats (word, pdf), and you can read academic articles via pdf if that is of interest.
just in case this is relevant - my partner also has a kindle, and is on my account, as is her mum. mum has vision problems and couldn't read before, and now we have her set up with a paperwhite, backlit and increased font size, and she can read again. i added her to my account as she's not very tech-savvy, and it's been great to see her get back into reading.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 4:20 AM on February 23, 2020
where i live, my library doesn't technically support kindle, but, as others have said, if you get set up with calibre, you can transfer ebooks easily - so I can read library ebooks on the kindle. i also email myself a lot of stuff to read in a variety of formats (word, pdf), and you can read academic articles via pdf if that is of interest.
just in case this is relevant - my partner also has a kindle, and is on my account, as is her mum. mum has vision problems and couldn't read before, and now we have her set up with a paperwhite, backlit and increased font size, and she can read again. i added her to my account as she's not very tech-savvy, and it's been great to see her get back into reading.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 4:20 AM on February 23, 2020
Just a note that the current base model kindle has backlight, not just the paperwhite anymore.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 5:24 AM on February 23, 2020
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 5:24 AM on February 23, 2020
I bought a bottom-end Kobo a couple of years back for a trip. It cost me about CDN$100. I've never connected it to a network and instead just transferred my various DRM-free EPubs via USB. It's served me nicely. The only thing I miss about it is that the backlight doesn't do the thing where it shifts to a less blue color after dark. (Higher end/newer models seem to do that, though.)
posted by suetanvil at 7:02 AM on February 23, 2020
posted by suetanvil at 7:02 AM on February 23, 2020
My 2014-era basic 6" Kindle stopped holding a charge, and I took it as a sign to jump all the way off the Amazon train. I decided on the Kobo Libra H2O because while it is a touch screen it also has physical page turn buttons. I only read library books and EPUBs imported from Calibre but Kobo also has its own bookstore. It can deliver library ebooks from Overdrive wirelessly. Nice backlight for bedtime and safe to take in the bathtub. I switched from using Instapaper to Pocket because it syncs with articles saved there. It's been a huge improvement for me and I can't stop telling people about how great it is, but I had a very low-end Kindle to begin with.
posted by lolibrarian at 7:59 AM on February 23, 2020
posted by lolibrarian at 7:59 AM on February 23, 2020
Does Nook still require you to download the book to your computer first? And then sideload it via the USB cable to your Nook?
Yes, out of the box you must mount it via USB to transfer books from 3rd party sources. Books purchased from B&N live in a cloudy-place, however, and will download frictionlessly over WiFi, because capitalism. You can root your Nook (they're Android KitKat devices) if that's your thing, and then the world's your oyster. I wish that nice, open, inexpensive, ePub-compatible eInk devices were a thing, but it seems that ship has sailed.
posted by mumkin at 9:36 AM on February 23, 2020
Yes, out of the box you must mount it via USB to transfer books from 3rd party sources. Books purchased from B&N live in a cloudy-place, however, and will download frictionlessly over WiFi, because capitalism. You can root your Nook (they're Android KitKat devices) if that's your thing, and then the world's your oyster. I wish that nice, open, inexpensive, ePub-compatible eInk devices were a thing, but it seems that ship has sailed.
posted by mumkin at 9:36 AM on February 23, 2020
I'm a Kindle fan. I have the latest version of the Paperwhite, and find it practically perfect for size and weight. The backlit screen is essential, and I find e-ink far easier to read for long periods than tablet or phone. That being said, I absolutely do occasionally read on my phone or tablet, especially if I need to travel very light.
Late last year I attempted to break free of the Amazon ecosystem, buying a Likebook Mars, which is essentially an e-ink Android tablet. I ended up abandoning the experiment after a week. One of the benefits of the Kindle, and other brands of e-readers, is that they are dedicated devices. The Kindle app on the Mars, for instance, was awful because Amazon designed the Android version of the Kindle software for backlit phones and tablets, and transplanting that onto an e-ink device created problems. Then you had to look for other software for reading ePub documents.
The Kindle, as a device, is practically invisible: you pick it up, you read, maybe you adjust the lighting or font. With a little effort you can sideload non-Amazon titles (as long as they're in the Kindle format), if you don't want to be trapped in the Amazon ecosystem.
posted by lhauser at 1:30 PM on February 23, 2020
Late last year I attempted to break free of the Amazon ecosystem, buying a Likebook Mars, which is essentially an e-ink Android tablet. I ended up abandoning the experiment after a week. One of the benefits of the Kindle, and other brands of e-readers, is that they are dedicated devices. The Kindle app on the Mars, for instance, was awful because Amazon designed the Android version of the Kindle software for backlit phones and tablets, and transplanting that onto an e-ink device created problems. Then you had to look for other software for reading ePub documents.
The Kindle, as a device, is practically invisible: you pick it up, you read, maybe you adjust the lighting or font. With a little effort you can sideload non-Amazon titles (as long as they're in the Kindle format), if you don't want to be trapped in the Amazon ecosystem.
posted by lhauser at 1:30 PM on February 23, 2020
Kindle Paperwhite. I got the newest version in October 2019 after having had a Kindle Touch since late 2011. There are aspects of the interface that I don’t like in comparison to the Touch, but nothing major or dealbreaking. The screen is easy to read in every way, the backlight is excellent, and you can take it in the bathtub with you if you want.
You can purchase books from Amazon or borrow them via Overdrive/Libby, but you can also email them directly to the Kindle, add them as files, or add them via Calibre.
The reason I needed to replace my Touch (which still works well and holds a long battery charge) is that the screen is shiny and I needed more light (due to my aging vision!), but any book lights I tried to use with it tended to glare off of the touch screen and bezel. The current Paperwhite solves all of these issues and is pleasant to hold. The ability to change the color temperature would be nice (and is available in the more expensive Kindle model above the Paperwhite), but it’s not that big a deal on the whole.
posted by verbminx at 10:06 PM on February 23, 2020
You can purchase books from Amazon or borrow them via Overdrive/Libby, but you can also email them directly to the Kindle, add them as files, or add them via Calibre.
The reason I needed to replace my Touch (which still works well and holds a long battery charge) is that the screen is shiny and I needed more light (due to my aging vision!), but any book lights I tried to use with it tended to glare off of the touch screen and bezel. The current Paperwhite solves all of these issues and is pleasant to hold. The ability to change the color temperature would be nice (and is available in the more expensive Kindle model above the Paperwhite), but it’s not that big a deal on the whole.
posted by verbminx at 10:06 PM on February 23, 2020
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posted by jessamyn at 4:26 PM on February 22, 2020 [3 favorites]