6 Best Cheap E-Book Readers to Buy in 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	Kindle Paperwhite (2024)	ideal balance of price and features
Best for color reading	Kobo Libra Colour	brings comics and graphic novels to life
Best budget color	Kobo Clara Colour	makes color content accessible
Best for note-taking	Amazon Kindle Scribe	adds writing capabilities
Also recommended	PocketBook Era	solid kobo alternative with physical buttons
Also recommended	Onyx E ink	android-based for apps, but pricier

How we chose and tested

We analyzed multiple expert Our focus was on finding devices that deliver essential reading features at affordable prices, with special attention to display quality, battery life, and ecosystem compatibility.

The best cheap e-book readers right now

Kindle Paperwhite (2024) - Best overall

The 2024 Paperwhite delivers everything most readers need at a reasonable price, with a faster processor and slightly larger screen than previous models.

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Key highlights

7-inch 300ppi display with adjustable warm lighting
Waterproof design (IPX8 rating)
Faster page turns and improved battery life
Access to Amazon's massive ebook library
Supports Audible audiobooks via Bluetooth

Pros

Excellent display quality for text reading
Reliable performance with minimal lag
Waterproofing adds durability
Good battery life (weeks between charges)

Cons

Lockscreen ads unless you pay extra
No physical page-turn buttons
Limited format support outside Amazon ecosystem

Who it is for: Readers who want a premium experience without premium pricing, especially those already invested in Amazon's ecosystem.

Skip if

You need physical buttons, want to avoid Amazon's ecosystem, or require extensive format compatibility.

Kobo Libra Colour - Best for color reading

Kobo's color e-reader brings comics, graphic novels, and illustrated books to life while maintaining excellent text readability.

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Key highlights

7-inch color E Ink display (300ppi B/W, 150ppi color)
Physical page-turn buttons
Optional stylus support for note-taking
OverDrive library integration built-in
Waterproof design

Pros

Color display enhances illustrated content
Physical buttons improve navigation
Excellent library borrowing integration
Supports more file formats than Kindles

Cons

Color display has lower resolution than B/W
More expensive than basic e-readers
Kobo ecosystem smaller than Amazon's

Who it is for: Readers of comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, or children's books who want color without switching to a tablet.

Skip if

You only read plain text novels, are on a tight budget, or prefer Amazon's ecosystem.

Kobo Clara Colour - Best budget color

The Clara Colour makes color e-reading accessible at a lower price point, bringing color to budget-conscious readers.

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Key highlights

6-inch color E Ink display
Compact, portable design
Adjustable color temperature lighting
OverDrive library support
Waterproof construction

Pros

Most affordable color e-reader available
Good display quality for the price
Excellent library integration
Portable and lightweight

Cons

Smaller screen than premium models
Color resolution limitations
No physical page-turn buttons
Limited storage compared to higher-end models

Who it is for: Readers who want color capabilities but can't justify premium pricing, or those who prefer a more compact device.

Skip if

You need a larger screen, want the best color quality, or require extensive storage.

Amazon Kindle Scribe - Best for note-taking

While not the cheapest option, the Scribe offers unique value by combining reading with writing capabilities for students and professionals.

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Key highlights

10.2-inch monochrome display
Included premium pen for writing
Excellent note-taking and annotation features
Large screen ideal for PDFs and documents
Waterproof design

Pros

Excellent writing experience with included pen
Large screen great for technical documents
Good integration with Amazon's ecosystem
Versatile for both reading and productivity

Cons

Significantly more expensive than basic readers
Larger and heavier than standard e-readers
Color version (Colorsoft) is premium priced
Primarily designed for Amazon's ecosystem

Who it is for: Students, professionals, or avid readers who want to take notes, annotate texts, or work with PDFs.

Skip if

You only want to read novels, need color display, or have a tight budget.

Also Good

PocketBook Era - solid kobo alternative with physical buttons.
Onyx E ink - android-based for apps, but pricier.

How to Choose

Consider these factors when picking your cheap e-reader:

Display size and type: 6-inch screens are more portable, while 7-inch offers more text per page. Color displays cost more but enhance illustrated content.

Ecosystem compatibility: Kindles work best with Amazon's store, while Kobos integrate better with public libraries via OverDrive. Consider where you get most of your books.

Physical features: Waterproofing matters if you read near water. Physical page-turn buttons are convenient but add cost. Warm lighting reduces eye strain in evenings.

Budget vs features: Entry-level models save money but lack premium features. Mid-range options like the Paperwhite offer the best balance for most readers.

File format support: Kobos generally support more formats (EPUB, PDF) natively, while Kindles work best with Amazon's formats but can convert others.

FAQ

What's the cheapest good e-reader available?

The base Amazon Kindle (2024) typically offers the best combination of quality and low price, often available around $110.

Do I need a color e-reader?

Only if you regularly read comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, or children's books. For plain text novels, monochrome displays are sharper and cheaper.

Can I borrow library books on these devices?

Kobos have built-in OverDrive/Libby support. Kindles require sending library books through Amazon's website, which adds an extra step.

How long do e-reader batteries typically last?

Most last 2-4 weeks on a single charge with daily reading, depending on brightness and usage. Basic models often last longer than feature-rich ones.

Are cheap e-readers waterproof?

Only some models are waterproof. The Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Clara Colour both offer waterproofing, while the base Kindle does not.