In this article, I will show you very good cheap e-readers for less than $120 to make a nice gift (or to treat yourself) in 2024!
As you will realize, there are not only the flagship e-reader from Amazon (Kindle), Pocketbook and Kobo.
Many manufacturers also have very interesting products in their catalog!
The cheap Kindle e-reader
The basic Kindle has a touch screen and lighting in its new 2022 version. It is one of the cheapest ebook reader you can buy.
It's an e-reader sold for less than $80 with a 6 inch screen in high definition, but with its 16GB of storage and its lighting, it's still one of the best in its category.
It is therefore an excellent value for money especially since the reader is compatible with Amazon Prime Reading and Kindle Subscription (unlimited reading).
Kindle
6" e-reader - 1448 x 1072 pixels e ink screen - Ebook formats supported: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, EPUB, MOBI, PRC; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Refurbished Kindle Paperwhite
If buying a refurbished kindle (the box was opened by another customer, but the machine was returned and refurbished by the store or manufacturer), you can try your luck with a cheap refurbished Kindle Paperwhite.
This e-reader has a large 6.8-inch touch and light screen and is linked to the entire Amazon ecosystem.
Warning: there is little stock, so if no refurbished Kindle Paperwhite is available you can always come back a little later.
Kindle Paperwhite
7" e-reader - 1680 x 1264 pixels e ink screen - Ebook formats supported: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, EPUB (converted), MOBI, PRC; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Almost $100 : Pocketbook Basic Touch Lux 4
The Pocketbook Basic Touch Lux 4 is a simple cheap e-reader.
I even think it's very good e-reader if you want to test reading ebooks on an electronic ink screen.
Pocketbook Basic Lux 4
6" e-reader - 758 x 1024 pixels e ink screen - Ebook formats supported: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTM, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI), JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF
Almost $120 : Pocketbook Verse
The new Pocketbook Verse, launched in 2023 with a good screen, is a very good alternative to the Kindle and the old Kobo Nia.
In fact I show in the review that it is better ! But, yes, it is a little more expensive.
Pocketbook Verse
6" e-reader - 1024 x 768 pixels e ink screen - Ebook formats supported: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTM, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI), JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF
Is there a cheaper alternative to Kindle e-reader?
Yes, if you don't mind going for a chinese e-reader, you can find plenty of cheap ebook readers with some very inexpensive models from Asia.
The first you should consider is the Woxter Scriba 195 S ereader (see review) wich is a very simple and afforable e-reader from Spain (but manufactured in Asia).
You can buy it new for about $70 in Europe on the Amazon website.
You can also try the Pocketbook Basic Touch Lux 4.
Why are e-readers expensive?
E-readers are more expensive than other electronic devices with screens, because of the technology used to display the characters.
E-readers use electronic ink (e ink). This technology is totally different from LCD or OLED.
The manufacture of these screens is also more recent, and they are less widely used than other technologies.
As there is less demand than for LCD or OLED screens (for example), factories produce fewer e-ink screens, so they have to sell them more expensively to e-reader manufacturers to be profitable.
Finally, these types of screens are subject to patents, preventing other manufacturers from designing them at a lower price.
As a result, E-Ink manufactures and sells the majority of electronic ink screens and E-Ink can set prices to ensure profitability and development.
Today, you can still find e-readers for very little money, and prices have fallen overall in recent years.
If more and more people start buying e-readers, or if e-ink screens are used in other products (or for other purposes), then we can imagine that prices will fall more rapidly.
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