If you want to read ebooks on the go, you essentially have two options: an e-reader or a tablet. Both devices let you carry thousands of books in your bag, but they work very differently. One is built for reading and nothing else; the other is a portable computer that happens to have reading apps.
I have been using e-readers for over seven years and tablets for almost as long. In this guide, I will compare both devices across every criterion that matters so you can pick the one that fits your needs and budget.
Today, I’m going to tackle a big issue that I’ve always put aside: reading manga on e-readers. We’ll try to see together what can be the best e-reader for manga in 2025.
Enough information is circulating that I can now explain how to remove digital locks (DRM) from an ebook. This method still works, but it’s in danger of disappearing.
I’m going to compare the major Kindle, Kobo, Pocketbook and Nook e-reader brands to observe the differences, advantages and disadvantages and make the right choice.
With its well-considered price, touch screen and lighting, it should suit most people without costing you too much money.
The e-reader is also compatible with the “Prime Reading” bookshop, which offers thousands of free ebooks for reading as long as you have an Amazon Prime subscription.
Although the screen is a little thinner than that of the Kindle (presented earlier), this e-reader boasts excellent technical specifications.
It has everything you need for an easy start to digital reading with the Pocketbook Verse.
Full-featured e-readers (top-of-the-range)
Kobo Libra Colour
The Kobo Libra Colour is the king of Kobo e-readers for the end of 2024. It features a 7-inch color touchscreen with the latest generation display, offering excellent contrast and high resolution.
In addition to the illuminated screen, this e-reader is waterproof and even allows for listening to Kobo audiobooks! A blue light filter is also included to help reduce eye strain when reading in the dark.
Its ease of use and complete integration with the Kobo ecosystem make it very user-friendly. While it is priced a bit higher than other e-readers, I believe this is completely justified.
One of the best e-reader on the market with a good color electronic screen (e-paper).
The Pocketbook Verse Pro Color Color 6-inch e-reader is one of the most complete options, featuring a stunning next-generation color e-ink display. It supports audiobooks in all formats (Vivlio as well as MP3), has waterproof capabilities, and boasts excellent battery life.
This is one of the latest innovations for fall 2024, and it offers the best 6-inch color screen available on the market.
Last but not least, it’s almost unthinkable not to feature an ereader with a large 7.8″ screen in this guide.
Admittedly, this Pocketbook InkPad 4 (review) is a little expensive, but its price is totally justified if you’re looking for a very comfortable screen for reading at home.
As an added bonus, you’ll get a convincing text-to-speech function that lets you listen to ebooks!
How were these e-readers selected?
I identified these e-readers according to several criteria:
build quality
reviews on certain models
brand reputation
after-sales service and customer service
ease of use
accessories available
value for money
Of course, you have the right to disagree with this selection. I invite you to contact me if you do.
This year, there are many new e-readers to choose from, like the Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Clara Colour, new Kindle 2024, Pocketbook InkPad 4, and Pocketbook Verse!
Some e-readers, like the Kobo Libra Colour, have larger screens, making them even more enjoyable to use. For example, the new Kindle Paperwhite has a big touch screen with a light, and costs under $160.
E-readers are perfect for book lovers and travelers because they are lightweight and easy to carry. Most e-readers weigh only 180 to 250 grams, so you can easily fit one in a small bag.
Plus, eBooks are usually cheaper than physical books. You can download them directly to the e-reader in just a couple of minutes, without needing to go to a store.
If you already read on a tablet, switching to an e-reader can be more comfortable. They use special screens with electronic ink that make reading easier on the eyes, so you can read longer without getting tired.
Montblanc has surprised quite a few people by launching an alternative to digital notebooks like the reMarkable, Kindle Scribe, or Kobo Elipsa with its Montblanc Digital Paper. The brand has taken the codes of luxury leather goods and applied them to E Ink devices.
The digital notebook brand reMarkable is back with an unexpected new product, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, which comes as a more compact version of its color e-ink notebook.
Introducing the reMarkable Paper Pro Move
This is somewhat of a surprise that could shape the future of this type of device. After years of growth in screen size, smaller digital notebooks now seem to be the next trend.
A first example of this shift is the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, which fits in your hand with its 7.3-inch diagonal screen, in a format close to that of a large smartphone.
The display is labeled “Canva Color e-ink”, which appears to be reMarkable’s brand name for E Ink Gallery 3 color screens.
Colors seem comparable to those of an e-reader using Kaleido 3 technology (though, judging by early videos, the results aren’t particularly convincing). What’s most interesting, however, is that the screen refreshes very quickly, making the color reMarkable devices surprisingly pleasant to use. Still, this type of optimization has also been mastered by other manufacturers, as we saw with the HiBreak Pro e-ink smartphone in my review.
Inside the box, you’ll also find a USB charging cable, the stylus, and 6 spare nibs (since stylus nibs wear down, as with all pens of this kind).
A New Work Tool?
The company presents this notebook as a new kind of work tool, one that doesn’t get in the way of your interactions. Unlike larger 10 inch devices, this one fits in your hand and aims to replace your trusty old paper notebook.
Unlike paper, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move lets you search your notes (even handwritten ones) and, of course, convert handwriting to typed text.
One important caveat: to unlock the full set of features, you’ll need to subscribe to a paid service costing $2.99 per month.
This subscription gives you cloud storage for your notes and the ability to edit your documents from a smartphone, tablet, or computer with instant sync. In addition, subscribers get access to extra document and note templates.
Reading eBooks: Best Avoided
Even though the reMarkable Paper Pro Move is primarily a work tool for note-taking, it can also be used for reading.
Your PDF files are fully supported and can be annotated. You can also read EPUB files, as long as they’re not DRM-protected (like those using Adobe DRM).
By default (and without complicated file conversion) you cannot read Kobo, Pocketbook, or Kindle books on a reMarkable device. This severely limits its usefulness as an eBook reader (in my opinion).
Given its price, if your main goal is reading eBooks, you’re better off with a dedicated e-reader. Not only is the price-to-performance ratio much better, but e-readers also support a wider range of formats.
If you’re particularly interested in smartphone-sized e-ink devices, I recommend checking out my reviews of the Boox Palma 2 and the HiBreak Pro.
Isn’t It a Bit Expensive?
With a price tag of $449, at a time when the competition is both strong and cheaper, one might wonder if reMarkable has gone too far this time.
Time will tell if people are willing to pay this much for a work tool, especially since reMarkable requires a monthly subscription to access all its features.
And if you want to protect your Paper Pro Move, you’ll need to spend an extra $69 for the Book Folio case. That brings the total to $519 for the base notebook and its case! What’s more, the base version only comes with the “Marker” stylus, which is a downgraded version of the “Marker Plus”.
Despite my skepticism, I do think it’s a good idea that could open the way for more interesting digital notebooks in the future.
Personally, I’d imagine something like the Boox Palma 2 (which already comes in a compact smartphone-like form), but with strong handwriting recognition, a good stylus, and an Android system. That would give us a versatile device (one that works for productivity, web browsing, and reading eBooks) while still fitting right in your pocket.
