On this page I would like to engage users of various ebook readers to give their opinion on which is the
best ebook reader or best
eReader. Or, if it is really hard to find a true winner, at least let's find out which one you like the
most and why.
But, first, lets see what Consumer Reports says regarding ebook readers, which is the best ebook reader out
there.
Consumer Reports tested a lot of ebook readers and they gave top ratings to the 3G Kindle and also recommended
the Barnes and Noble Nook. Consumer reports chose the Kindle as a winner because the screen is very crisp and easy
to read, even in sunlight and the battery life is outstanding.
Here are the best ebook readers according to the
Consumer Reports:
Reviews from third party websites (regarding the
Kindle Ebook Reader):
"The Kindle 3 is ingeniously designed to be everything the iPad will never be: small, light and
inexpensive… Now, the Kindle is almost ridiculously lightweight; at 8.5 ounces, it’s a third
the weight of the iPad. That’s a big deal for a machine that you want to hold in your hands for
hours... certain facts are unassailable: that the new Kindle offers the best E Ink screen, the
fastest page turns, the smallest, lightest, thinnest body and the lowest price tag of any
e-reader. It’s also the most refined and comfortable." ‒ New York Times
"Amazon's newest Kindle is the best ebook-reading device on the market. It's better than the
Apple iPad, the Barnes & Noble Nook, the various Sony readers, and certainly better than
any smartphone… It's still black-and-white, but really, that's for the best. The screen almost
glows outdoors. In comparison to the iPad, which turns into a pretty but useless mirror in
sunlight, the Kindle only gets more readable. This is a gadget that loves the beach… It's
razor-thin and feels great in the hand, small and light enough to hold comfortably for as long
as you care to read (unlike the 1.5-pound, 10-inch iPad)." ‒ Fast Company
"Kindle's winning combination of noteworthy upgrades—an improved screen, better battery life,
lighter weight, and lower price—vaults it to the top of the e-book reader category… The other
upside to e-ink displays is that they aren't backlit, which not only is supposed to reduce eye
strain but it allows you to see the screen—better, in fact—in brightly lit environments,
including direct sunlight. By contrast, the iPad is hard to read outside because its LCD gets
washed out in direct sunlight and the glass covering the screen is reflective and creates glare
issues." ‒ CNET
"Simply put, it's the best dedicated ebook reader you can buy… Amazon has managed to increase
the contrast on the Kindle in a way that sets it above the Nook, Sony Readers, or any other
dedicated ebook reader we've tested… in fact given its new low price along with its massive
library of ebooks and dead-simple book buying, the Kindle keeps its crown as our Editors'
Choice." ‒ PC Magazine
iPad, Nook, Sony, Kindle video: The best ebook reader - best
eReader
Best Ebook Reader - post your comments!
Click here to add a comment
Kindle 3G Rocks for Reading
Chris from New York
Excellent product purchased for my spouse who is a voracious reader! Just can't stop talking about how much he loves it. Highly recommend newer version for the additional cost, well worth it!!!
Posted at 8:31:am 11/11/10
Was this comment useful?(105/210 people think so.)
I spent months going back and forth on the e-reader idea and researched the Nook, Kindle, and some others like the Kobo. I was really set on the Kindle but after reading some more about the Barnes & Noble Nook it really clicked with me. I liked the idea of a user-accessible battery, and the formats that are compatible with this e-reader. The B&N ebook library had a much larger selection at the time and of books i was really wanting that I couldn't find on amazon. At first the touch screen seemed ridiculous and somewhat pointless, this caused me to really lean towards the Kindles as I figured it would really drain the battery and was more of a gimmick than a necessary part of the device. BUT after using the Nook it just makes navigation quick and awesome, totally won me over and I hope on the next gen they don't decide to do away with the touch screen. You can set it to shut off when not in use for a few seconds and the battery lasts quite a long time. When the touch screen is off it still works to turn pages. You just swipe your finger across the dark screen, pages turn, it's quite nice.
E-readers in general didn't click with me, didn't think I'd really use it as anything more than a "toy of the week," but after the first 2 weeks my Nook has become probably my favorite device that I've gotten, over my ipod even, i just love it (and it's so sleek too). Navigating the bookstore is incredibly simple and I LOVE being able to read reviews online with it for books and making wishlists. Finding selections of free ebooks is a snap. The e-ink screen is amazing, if you haven't tried reading on one do it. It is definitely superior to trying to read on an lcd screen. Being able to change text size is also a huge plus (pretty standard on all ereaders, just stating my love for the option). I haven't had a single software/hardware problem at all so that is great. The only thing i hope they update on the software is making it possible to organize books into customized categories/folders (unless you can and I just don't know how).
Supposedly you can link up to 5 Nooks to one account so they can all share the same library of ebooks you've purchased so now I'm trying to get my family members to buy Nooks as well! I am shocked at how pleased I am with my Nook, it's just been a pleasure to use.
Nik
Posted at 9:36:am 11/10/10
Was this comment useful?(120/228 people think so.)
I have the Kindle 2. I received it 18 months ago. I have read more books in that 18 months than I have read in the past 50 yrs. 43 books acuctally. I cannot hold a good size hard cover book for more than a few minutes. The Kindle has brought me back to loving to read again. My husband got it because it was one of Oprah's favorite things! Mine too!
Posted at 9:27:pm 11/08/10
Was this comment useful?(102/196 people think so.)
but 3,500 books can be on ONE Kindle !! I have gifted my sons Kindles too and can share my books with them to. Awesome.
E-readers in general didn't click with me, didn't think I'd really use it as anything more than a "toy of the week," but after the first 2 weeks my Nook has become probably my favorite device that I've gotten, over my ipod even, i just love it (and it's so sleek too). Navigating the bookstore is incredibly simple and I LOVE being able to read reviews online with it for books and making wishlists. Finding selections of free ebooks is a snap. The e-ink screen is amazing, if you haven't tried reading on one do it. It is definitely superior to trying to read on an lcd screen. Being able to change text size is also a huge plus (pretty standard on all ereaders, just stating my love for the option). I haven't had a single software/hardware problem at all so that is great. The only thing i hope they update on the software is making it possible to organize books into customized categories/folders (unless you can and I just don't know how).
Supposedly you can link up to 5 Nooks to one account so they can all share the same library of ebooks you've purchased so now I'm trying to get my family members to buy Nooks as well! I am shocked at how pleased I am with my Nook, it's just been a pleasure to use.
Nik