While it’s common sense to go for a color e-reader straight away, it’s worth pausing for a moment to consider whether a black and white e-reader might not be a better choice.
When it comes to buying a e-reader for reading ebooks, there are now several different categories to choose from:
- Entry-level e-readers
- Mid-range e-readers
- High-end e-readers
- Color e-readers
While entry-level e-readers do the job very well, they’re best reserved for readers who want to try out digital reading on a budget (there are e-readers for under $100-$120).
But if you really want to get into digital reading, or if you’re a good reader (you read more than one book a month), investing a little more money in a e-reader promises a better reading experience and greater comfort, thanks to a better definition e-ink "paper-like" screen.
Having looked at the best e-readers available, one question quickly springs to mind: should I buy a color e-reader?
Because, while we’re at it, why not go straight for a e-reader capable of displaying color?
The differences between color and black & white e ink screens
I’ll try to answer this question, at least in part, by taking the example of the Kobo Clara Colour e-reader (out in 2024) and the Kobo Clara 2E (black and white, out in 2022).
The screen appears darker, with less contrast*.
The technology behind color e-readers is still in its infancy. It therefore has its drawbacks, the first of which is that it renders text a little less well than a black-and-white e-reader.
The second disadvantage comes from the lighting: it’s more powerful, and a color e-reader, without lighting, s less legible than a black-and-white e-reader.
Finally, even if it’s hard to notice, black and white e-readers are a little faster in use. Simply put: e-ink displays pages of text faster than a black-and-white screen.
Do you really need color?
So you have to ask yourself whether you’ll really need color for your reading. If this is the case, don’t hesitate: switch to a color e-reader!
Alternatively, you can save a few dozen dollars by settling for a black and white e-reader. That way, you’ll be able to treat yourself to an e-reader with a beautiful high-definition e-ink screen for less.
I also invite you to consult the buying guide for the best e-readers available on the site (click here). It will help you make the right choice and enjoy many hours of digital reading in the best possible conditions, wherever you are.