With summer approaching, it’s time to think about relaxing. And what’s better than reading a good book while soaking up the sun? In that case, an e-reader is worth considering. Let’s look at why.
> TLDR: Summer is here, and packing a stack of paperbacks takes up space, weighs down your bag, and leaves you stranded when you finish your only good book on day three. An e-reader fixes all of that: it’s light, holds thousands of titles, and lets you download a new book anywhere with Wi-Fi. This guide covers the best picks for the season, from the budget-friendly Kindle to waterproof options like the Kindle Paperwhite and the color Kobo Libra Colour, plus an affordable alternative from Pocketbook.
Why an e-reader for vacations?
Has this ever happened to you?
You buy a few books for your vacation, hoping for a good time.
You toss three or four paperbacks into your bag, and you notice they already take up a fair amount of space.
No big deal, you probably won’t have time to read that many anyway. So you trim the list and decide to leave with just two books.
Once you arrive, you start reading on day two.
Unfortunately, the first book isn’t really gripping; this detective story isn’t very original.
The second book is a sure thing: the latest from an author you already know and love.
You weren’t wrong, the book is moving and you finish it in just three days.
But now you’ve got nothing left to read, and the nearest store only has a very limited book selection.
If you recognize yourself in these few lines, you know that an e-reader is probably a good purchase for vacation.
With an e-reader, you’ll be able to:
- save space in your bag
- download new ebooks directly from the internet
- always have something to read
In short, I think, like many readers, that the e-reader is a great reading device that really comes into its own when you travel.
So let’s now look at which e-reader is especially well suited to vacations.
A really cheap e-reader: the Kindle
Make no mistake, when buying an e-reader, price matters.
Luckily for tight budgets, Amazon offers a new Kindle e-reader at the low price of $109.99, which lets you read simply and comfortably with its lit touchscreen.
Downloading books while you’re at the beach will be tricky. But the e-reader has Wi-Fi.
So you can always find free Wi-Fi somewhere along the way, or use your smartphone as a hotspot (this works on both Android and iPhone).
I think this e-reader is a really good first step into digital reading thanks to its excellent value for money.
It’s the cheapest e-reader in this lineup.
Buy a Kindle e-reader
Kindle on Amazon.com (click here)
A waterproof e-reader to take anywhere (Kobo Libra Colour and Kindle Paperwhite)
If there’s one problem on a summer vacation, it’s water and sand. And in winter, it’s snow and rain.
Once again, some manufacturers have thought of demanding readers like us by offering waterproof e-readers.
There are two interesting models.
The first is the Kobo Libra Colour. This waterproof e-reader has a large color 7-inch screen, touchscreen and lit.
It’s a more premium e-reader that will follow you everywhere, while also offering great comfort at home with its big screen. Conveniently, the price makes it the most affordable high-end e-reader.
Buy a Kobo e-reader
Kobo on Amazon.com (click here)
Kobo official website (click here)
The second e-reader has a gentler price tag, and it’s still a Kindle. It’s the latest-generation Kindle Paperwhite.
The second e-reader comes at a gentler price, and it’s another Kindle. It’s the latest-generation Kindle Paperwhite.
You get a waterproof device with a 7-inch lit touchscreen e-ink display in high definition (but black and white, unlike the Kobo above).
This Kindle Paperwhite has the advantage of being the cheapest waterproof e-reader available in 2026.
Buy a Kindle e-reader
Kindle on Amazon.com (click here)
What about an affordable alternative brand? (Pocketbook Verse Light)
You may have noticed that the e-readers in this lineup come from the big two names. The Kindle comes from Amazon, and Kobo is owned by a Japanese group.
That’s why I’d also like to suggest an e-reader from another brand that’s genuinely worth a look.
It’s the Pocketbook Verse Light, a full-featured, affordable 6-inch e-reader with a touchscreen and front light with a blue light filter.