An e-book is an excellent companion for those who spend their leisure time reading. The main advantage of such gadgets over smartphones and tablets is the use of special displays that imitate paper. In this ranking, we have compiled the TOP 5 best e-books for 2021. The price range for gadgets is from 5 to 14 tens of dollars. When compiling the TOP, we focused both on the characteristics of devices (display type, resolution, functions), and on the reviews of specialists and users.
2021 E-book Ranking Participants Table
DIGMA e63S
Characteristics
- diagonal: 6″ (800×600, 167 ppi)
- display type: Carta
- design features: paging buttons
- memory card support: microSD, microSDHC
- book and document formats: CHM, DOC, HTML, FB2, PDF, TXT, EPub, DJVU, RTF, PalmDOC
- dimensions: 116x163x8 mm, weight: 160 g
Opens my TOP DIGMA e63S. The DIGMA brand is a manufacturer of budget digital devices and electronics. The e63S model boasts a democratic price tag, now it can be found in retail at a price of about 5 tens of dollars. For this money, the user receives a device with a six-inch display based on E-Ink Carta technology.working in 800×600 resolution.
The reader is built on a processor with a modest frequency of 600 MHz, carries 4 GB of memory on board and supports microSD and microSDHC memory cards. Opens text documents in most current formats (DOC, HTML, FB2, PDF, TXT, EPub, DJVU, etc.)as well as ZIP archives and image files (JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF).
Taking into account the price tag, you should not expect miracles from the device: users criticize it for its “stupidity”, a dull screen, lack of backlighting and a creaking cheap plastic case. However, the gadget successfully copes with its function — it is convenient to read on it, and there are practically no worthy analogues with an E-Ink Carta display in this price segment. In addition, the reader is played by good autonomy (according to customer reviews, up to 5 days of active reading) and convenient physical buttons.
- Price.
- Good display.
- Low performance.
- Lack of backlight.
DIGMA e63S is practically the only worthy offer for buyers with a limited budget. Analogues from well-known brands are made at a higher level and cost twice as much.
PocketBook 616
Characteristics
- diagonal: 6″ (1024×758, 212 ppi)
- display type: Carta
- design features: paging buttons
- memory card support: microSD
- backlight: yes
- battery life: 8000 pages
Fourth place is occupied by PocketBook 616. Today, this model from PocketBook is one of the most popular on the market, it can be found in retail at a price of about 9 tens of dollars. The gadget received an excellent E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024 × 758. A 1000 MHz processor is responsible for the speed, 8 GB of internal memory is available, there is support for microSD cards.
The reader supports 18 formats, can open ZIP archives and image files (JPEG, PNG, BMP). Display backlighting, a calculator, a calendar, and even a few games (chess, for example) are implemented here. Users criticize the device for the lack of a touchscreen and Wi-Fi. They also recommend immediately purchasing a branded case for it, since the case is quickly covered with scratches, and the screen is very vulnerable. Many are strained by the physical buttons on the case — they loudly «crunch» when pressed.
In the same time buyers note the excellent quality of the display with a decent resolution, high autonomy (according to the manufacturer, up to 8 thousand pages per charge) and the overall ergonomics of the device. The reader sits perfectly in the hand, thanks to the backlight it is convenient to read on it in any situation.
- Excellent display.
- High autonomy.
- Lack of Wi-Fi.
- The display is not touch.
- Bad physical buttons.
PocketBook 616 is a very successful and convenient electronic reader. But in a number of ways, it is inferior to analogues from Amazon for comparable money. In 2021, the lack of wireless interfaces is a serious drawback.
ONYX BOOX Darwin 7
Characteristics
- diagonal: 6″ (1448×1072, 300 ppi)
- display type: Carta, touch
- design features: paging buttons
- operating system: Android
- backlight: yes
- wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi
Top three opens ONYX BOOX Darwin 7. The mid-budget reader from ONYX differs from its competitors in higher resolution and a set of additional «goodies». Suffice it to say that it runs on android and comes with a great case. The display of this «reader» deserves special attention: it is made using E Ink Carta Plus technology with high resolution and increased pixel density. Implemented touchscreen and backlight.
The reader has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, supports microSD and microSDHC. A quad-core processor with a frequency of 1200 MHz is responsible for the smartness of the gadget — for working with text, this is even excessive performance. However, Darwin has advanced functionality, you can play audio on it (there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack for this). There is also a full-fledged browser that allows you to surf the net.
Users often praise the device for excellent display quality and the ability to adjust the color temperature of the backlight. They also mention excellent build quality, functionality and an excellent complete case. But you also need to handle ONYX BOOX carefully, because the display has no protection — any fall can damage it. Many are not satisfied with the microUSB charging connector — in 2021 it is clearly irrelevant.
- Excellent display.
- Ability to play audio files.
- Browser.
- Fragility.
- microUSB connector.
Today Darwin 7 is one of the top solutions on the market and the best competitor to Amazon readers. It is more expensive than most classmates, but the overpayment is fully justified.
Amazon Kindle PaperWhite 2018
Characteristics
- diagonal: 6″ (1440×1080, 300 ppi)
- display type: Carta, touch
- design features: moisture protection
- book and document formats: DOC, HTML, PDF, TXT
- backlight: yes
- wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Second place goes to Amazon Kindle PaperWhite 2018. A bestseller with a great screen and sleek design. Today, this book reader can be found in stores at a price of about 110$(at the same time, versions with and without advertising (Ad-Supported) cost almost the same). The gadget received an excellent capacitive E-Ink display with a high pixel density, touchscreen and switchable backlight. The device runs on Linux — someone even manages to do JailBreak and put games on the reader. Available wireless interfaces Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The latter allows you to use wireless headsets and listen to audiobooks. There is 8 GB of internal memory on board, there is no slot for a USB flash drive.
Supported formats are limited: DOC, HTML, PDF, TXT, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, AAX. The focus on the Amazon ecosystem with its own store is obvious — the main format is MOBI, as well as AZW and AZW3. Popular FB2 and epub text formats are not compatibleelaugh, such files will have to be converted using third-party applications. But You can rejoice at the presence of moisture protection according to the IPX8 standard — this allows you to safely read in the bathroom, for example. At the same time, the reader turned out to be surprisingly light and thin, and the battery allows it can easily live 3 weeks with daily use.
Users complain that original Kindle PaperWhite 2018 accessories are unreasonably expensive. However, the real problems are lack of native support for FB2, as well as problems with PDF (there is no corny increase in text). There is also no possibility to adjust the color temperature of the backlight (as on ONYX BOOX Darwin 7).
- Excellent display.
- Moisture protection.
- High autonomy.
- FB2 not supported, limited PDF support.
- Can’t insert flash drive.
It’s still one of the best devices on the market, and what it lacks is made up for by the reasonable price and overall build quality. Some users who do not want to put up with limited formats and do not like the Kindle interface may consider the more expensive Darwin 7 e-reader.
Amazon Kindle 10 2020
Characteristics
- diagonal: 6″ (800×600, 167 ppi)
- display type: Pearl, touch
- additional features: text to voice conversion
- book and document formats: DOC, HTML, PDF, TXT
- backlight: yes
- wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Amazon Kindle 10 2020 becomes the leader of the TOP. Another hit book reader from Amazon, this time from a more affordable price segment. Ad-Supported version (with ads) today can be found in retail at a price of about 9 tens of dollars. The device has a basic, but high-quality touchscreen E-Ink display with a resolution of 800×600. Although it does not reach the top screens of more expensive models, it is enough for comfortable reading. There is a backlight that can be adjusted manually.
Kindle 10 Runs Linux, Comes with 8GB and 512MB Storage random access memory. There is no possibility to install a memory card, but for the vast majority of users, 8 GB will be more than enough. Ergonomics at its best. According to the reviews of the owners, the “book” lies well in the hands, is assembled very well and is made of tactilely pleasant plastic. An exotic text-to-speech function is announced, but it is only available in English.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi supported, you can connect a headset and listen to audiobooks in AAX format. As with other Amazon readers, format restrictions become a weak point here. The main format is the MOBI format, and the popular FB2 and epub are not supported (you will have to convert files using third-party services).
The presence of wireless interfaces is very handy, because «Reader» is charged and connected to the computer via an outdated microUSB connector. But you don’t have to charge it very often. battery lasts for 3-4 weeks of daily use. Buyers sometimes criticize the device for fiddling with formats, the lack of moisture protection and a light sensor, but in this price segment you should not expect them. The branded case is traditionally Amazon expensive, but its purchase is very desirable because of the fragile screen.
- Excellent display.
- Customizable backlight.
- Bluetooth and WiFi.
- FB2 and epub are not supported.
- There is no cover included.
Balance of price and quality Amazon Kindle 10 today has no competitors — many will be satisfied with its functionality and a solid display, which means that there is no need to overpay for more advanced models. The closest price equivalent from PocketBook has a higher display resolution and supports FB2, but lacks Wi-Fi and a touchscreen.