Gone are the days of squinting at tiny smartphone screens or carrying heavy books around. E-readers have evolved into something that’s nowhere near simple black-and-white displays with limited functionality.
Modern e-readers now combine state-of-the-art display technology, extended battery life, and smart features that compete with premium tablets. These devices pack AI-powered reading assistants and colour e-ink displays that give readers unprecedented choices. The market has grown beyond the Kindle-Kobo rivalry, as innovative companies continue to expand digital reading technology.
Readers who want to know about the newest e-reader or learn about different types of e-readers will find seven standout devices of 2025 in this piece. The versatile Kindle Paperwhite, colour-capable Kobo Libra, and Android-powered Boox Go Colour 7 each bring unique features that enhance the reading experience.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite brings a most important breakthrough in e-reader technology. The 2024 model shows real improvements in both hardware and user experience with a larger 7-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display. This new screen is bigger than the previous 6.8-inch version.
Kindle Paperwhite Features and Specifications
The device stands out with these key features:
- A crystal-clear 300 ppi display with better contrast ratio
- 19 LEDs (10 white and 9 amber) that give you superior lighting control
- IPX8 waterproof rating that lets you submerge it in 2 meters of fresh water for up to an hour
The new Paperwhite keeps its sleek design while packing better hardware. You can control brightness and colour temperature with 24 different levels, ranging from cool white to warm amber. The device adjusts these settings automatically based on sunrise and sunset times.
Kindle Paperwhite Reading Experience
The 2024 model turns pages 25% faster than the previous version. Users will notice this improvement right away. Pages flip almost instantly and menus respond quickly. Text looks darker and crisper thanks to the better contrast ratio. This makes a big difference during long reading sessions.
Battery life really shines on this device. Tests show impressive results. The battery managed to keep going strong after three weeks of regular use. It only dropped from 72% to 45% with 2-3 hours of daily reading.
Kindle Paperwhite Price and Value
The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite costs $299 for the standard model. You can choose between two versions:
- Standard Edition with 16GB storage
- Signature Edition with 32GB storage and auto-adjusting light sensor
The Signature Edition adds wireless charging and an auto-adjusting light sensor. Amazon throws in a 3-month free trial of Kindle Unlimited.
The device works smoothly with Amazon’s ecosystem and supports Audible audiobooks through Bluetooth. You can read various file formats including AZW3, MOBI, PDF, and EPUB after conversion. This flexibility lets you enjoy different types of content easily.
Kobo Libra Colour
The Kobo Libra Colour brings a splash of colour to digital reading. This new e-reader stands out among other models with its groundbreaking display technology and reader-friendly features.
Kobo Libra Colour Display Technology
A 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display powers this device with impressive 4,096 different hues. The screen delivers crystal-clear text at 1,680 by 1,264 pixels, with 300 ppi for black-and-white content and 150 ppi for colour. Reading becomes more comfortable with the ComfortLight PRO system that adjusts blue light levels throughout your day.
The display comes packed with:
- IPX8 waterproof rating that protects against 2 meters of water for 60 minutes
- A speedy dual-core 2.0GHz processor
- 32GB storage that fits 24,000 eBooks or 150 audiobooks
Kobo Libra Colour Writing Features
The Kobo Stylus 2 ($100) takes this device’s writing capabilities to new heights. Writers will love these features:
- Colour Annotation: Add colourful highlights and notes to enrich your reading
- Integrated Notebooks: Choose from 35 page formats that help you take notes and plan better
- Cloud Synchronisation: Your notes automatically save to Kobo Cloud, and you can link to Dropbox or Google Drive
Kobo Libra Colour Ecosystem Benefits
At $379, this e-reader packs great value. It works with 15 file formats like EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and various image types. The ecosystem shines with:
- Library Integration: Borrow digital books straight from OverDrive and Libby
- Pocket Integration: Read your saved online articles offline
- Repairability: Fix it yourself with iFixit’s user-replaceable parts, including batteries and screens
The ergonomic design features handy page-turn buttons and screen rotation. A robust 2,050mAh battery keeps you reading longer. Bluetooth connectivity lets audiobook fans listen wirelessly.
Note: The Kobo Stylus 2 adds extra features but comes separately.
Boox Go Colour 7
The Boox Go Colour 7 stands out among 2025’s latest e-readers by combining Android functionality with premium e-reading features. This versatile device costs $449 and brings a fresh point of view to digital reading with its innovative features and open ecosystem.
Boox Go Colour 7 Android Integration
The device runs on a customised version of Android 12 and offers unmatched flexibility in the e-reader market. You can access the Google Play Store to install various reading apps like Kindle, Libby, and Viz Manga. The device comes with:
- Operating System: Customised Android 12 with three years of firmware updates
- Storage: 64GB internal storage with microSD expansion
- Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0
- Processing: 2.4GHz Octa-core processor with 4GB RAM
Boox Go Colour 7 Reading Experience
A 7-inch Kaleido 3 colour e-ink display powers the device and shows 4,096 colours. The screen delivers 1680 x 1264 pixels resolution, with 300 ppi for black-and-white content and 150 ppi for colour display.
Reading becomes more enjoyable with:
- Adjustable front lighting with warm and cold options
- Physical page-turn buttons for one-handed operation
- Customisable display settings for different content types
- Support for multiple file formats like PDF, EPUB, and MOBI
The device feels comfortable during long reading sessions thanks to its textured back and extra-wide bezel on one side. Built-in speakers work well for audiobooks and text-to-speech features, though they’re not ideal for music.
Boox Go Colour 7 Performance Review
The device shows impressive power efficiency despite its modest 2,300mAh battery. Users reported minimal battery drain after two weeks of regular use that included e-book reading, podcast listening, and news app browsing. The battery kept 15% charge after extensive use and needed less than two hours to fully charge via USB-C.
Key performance features:
- Responsive page turns with adjustable refresh rates
- Minimal ghosting compared to competitors
- Quick app switching and stable operation
- Long battery life through smart power management
BooxDrop helps transfer files easily, working like DropBox for simple e-book management. The device excels as an e-reader but focuses on reading features over tablet capabilities. This makes it perfect for readers who want Android features with their e-reader.
Colours look vibrant under bright, direct sunlight, better than many competitors. Users might need to adjust maximum brightness in different lighting conditions for the best viewing experience.
Kobo Clara BW
The Kobo Clara BW sets a new standard in e-reader display technology. Its groundbreaking E Ink Carta 1300 technology makes it one of today’s most responsive e-readers.
Clara BW Screen Technology
The device sports a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD display that responds 25% faster than older models. Text appears crystal clear with a resolution of 1448 x 1072 and 300 PPI. The screen’s recessed design eliminates protective glass and brings content closer to you, which results in sharper text.
The display offers these essential features:
- ComfortLight PRO combines white and amber LEDs
- Dark Mode lets you read comfortably at night
- A glare-free screen perfect for outdoor reading
- IPX8 waterproof rating gives you peace of mind
Clara BW Library Integration
Library access shines on the Clara BW through its smooth OverDrive integration. Readers in 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, can enjoy these benefits:
Browse and Borrow: Your library card and WiFi connection give you direct access to public library collections. You can browse, borrow, and place holds on library books right from your device.
The system returns borrowed items automatically when they’re due and sends you email notifications about available holds. Storage space isn’t an issue – the 16GB capacity holds up to 12,000 eBooks or 75 audiobooks, making it a top choice among current e-readers.
Clara BW Battery Performance
A 1,500 mAh battery powers the device with impressive staying power. Official specs promise up to 53 days of battery life if you read 30 minutes daily at 10% brightness without WiFi and Bluetooth.
Actual usage tests show more realistic numbers:
- 35 days reading 2 hours daily at 15% brightness
- 4-6 weeks with mixed use including audiobooks
- 57 minutes to charge from 19% to full
Battery life changes based on how you use these features:
- Screen brightness levels
- Wireless connections
- Audiobook listening time
- Page refresh settings
Bluetooth 5.0 supports audiobook playback, and Pocket integration saves your favourite web articles. Dual-band WiFi (2.4 and 5 GHz) keeps downloads and device syncing reliable.
The Clara BW stands out in Australia’s best e-reader market, especially with its latest E Ink technology. Kobo’s environmental values shine through – the exterior uses more than 85% recycled plastic, with 10% coming from ocean-bound materials.
Amazon Kindle Scribe
The Amazon Kindle Scribe challenges what e-readers can do by adding groundbreaking AI capabilities while staying true to its roots as a premium writing tablet. Research shows that 60% of Scribe users now make this device part of their daily work, showing its growth beyond just e-reading.
Kindle Scribe Writing Capabilities
The new Kindle Scribe comes with a boosted Active Canvas technology that changes how users take notes in books. Text flows naturally around annotations as readers write, keeping context clear even when they change font sizes or layouts. Every unit now includes the Premium Pen, which gives users precise control through its balanced weight and soft-tipped eraser that feels just like a real pencil.
Users will notice these major writing improvements:
- Zero-latency response time that registers marks instantly
- Magnetic attachment keeps the pen secure
- Quick tool switching with a customisable shortcut button
- Natural-feeling eraser function
Kindle Scribe Display Quality
The 10.2-inch display brings several notable upgrades with its uniform white borders and specially crafted screen texture. Screen visibility remains excellent in any lighting condition. Users can adjust temperature settings to read comfortably in any environment. The screen’s new coating creates a paper-like writing surface that cuts glare and makes note-taking feel more natural.
Kindle Scribe AI Features
AI technology in this device marks a big step forward for e-readers. The Scribe brings two main AI-powered features:
- Note Summarisation:
- Turns multiple pages of handwritten notes into clear bullet points
- Handles up to 15 pages at once
- Keeps context while making information concise
- Creates easily shareable formats
- Writing Refinement:
- Changes handwritten text into elegant script fonts
- Keeps your writing’s personal touch while making it easier to read
- Lets you edit and highlight after conversion
- Keeps formatting consistent across devices
Amazon’s cloud services power these AI features, which ensures strong processing while using power efficiently. Students and professionals who often share notes or need quick summaries will find these upgrades especially useful.
The Scribe keeps its core strength with 1GB of RAM and the reliable 1GHz Mediatek processor. Though it’s not waterproof like some other top e-readers in Australia, its strong build quality and refined design make it a great choice for anyone who wants a premium device for writing and reading.
PocketBook Era
The PocketBook Era stands out with its unique asymmetrical design. It ranks among the most comfortable e-readers you can find today. This premium device combines excellent build quality with versatile features to create an outstanding reading experience.
PocketBook Era Design Elements
The Era’s unique design comes from its asymmetrical shape with a side grip and edge-mounted control buttons. At 134.3 × 155 × 7.8 mm, it’s one of the most compact 7-inch e-readers you can buy. You’ll find excellent scratch protection and IPX8 water resistance in the Era’s construction. It can survive underwater at depths up to 2 meters for 60 minutes. The back panel has over a hundred perforated lines that give you a solid grip and resist fingerprints.
PocketBook Era Reading Features
A 7-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen powers the reading experience. It delivers 15% better contrast and responds 20% faster than older models. The SMARTlight feature lets you adjust brightness and colour temperature. You can switch from cool blue light during the day to warm yellow light at night.
The Era works with many file types:
- 19 book formats including EPUB, PDF, and MOBI
- 4 graphic formats with native CBR/CBZ support
- 6 audio formats for media playback
The built-in G-sensor detects screen orientation automatically. This makes the device perfect for both right and left-handed readers. The side buttons give you precise page turns with satisfying feedback.
PocketBook Era Audio Support
Audio features make the Era special among modern e-readers. The device comes with:
Audio Integration:
- A built-in speaker for direct playback
- Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless audio devices
- Support for 6 audiobook formats
Text-to-Speech converts written content into natural voice in 26 languages. You can activate this feature with two clicks. It’s perfect for multitasking or readers with visual challenges.
The Era connects to car audio systems and other Bluetooth devices. Its speaker quality works well for audiobooks. A 1700 mAh battery keeps you going through reading and listening sessions.
The Era connects to PocketBook Cloud and Dropbox for easy content management. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) makes downloads quick and syncs your content across devices. These features make it a top choice among Australia’s best e-readers.
Remarkable Paper Pro
The reMarkable Paper Pro stands out as one of the most advanced e-readers today. It brings together colour capabilities with an exceptional writing experience that pushes digital paper technology forward. This new e-reader shows impressive breakthroughs in how its hardware and software work together.
Paper Pro Writing Experience
The device delivers a remarkable writing experience through its advanced tech stack. Writing response time now reaches 12ms, which is substantially faster than the previous model’s 21ms. Users feel natural resistance from the textured surface that feels just like regular paper, and the gap between pen tip and digital ink stays under 1mm.
The writing system has several key improvements:
- Active stylus technology with 300 different components
- Carbon-filled pen tips for realistic friction and precision
- Magnetic attachment system with automatic charging
- Pressure-sensitive input for varying line thickness
The device detects both pressure and angle to help users create different line thicknesses and shading effects that feel like traditional writing tools. The Marker Plus comes with arrow-like precision that captures every detail perfectly.
Paper Pro Display Technology
The reMarkable Paper Pro showcases an impressive 11.8-inch Canvas Colour 3.0 display based on E INK Gallery 3 technology. Physical colour particles move within the display to show content instead of using a filter over a black-and-white screen. This approach creates colours that look more natural and similar to printed materials.
The upgraded front light system lets users read comfortably in different lighting conditions without the harsh blue light common in LCD or LED screens. The display now has 15% less gloss than earlier models, making it look more like real paper.
Paper Pro Cloud Integration
Cloud features make this device more than just a simple reader. The system works with several cloud services:
- Google Drive integration for document access
- Dropbox connectivity for file sharing
- Microsoft OneDrive compatibility
Users can connect up to five cloud accounts at once and browse or upload notes straight from the device. The system supports various file formats:
- PDF and EPUB for importing
- PNG and SVG for exporting
- Microsoft Office documents through add-ins
The cloud service runs on Google’s Cloud Platform in Europe with resilient security features like encryption at rest and trusted boot protocols.
Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) connectivity supports these cloud features. The 64GB internal storage lets users keep lots of content locally while using cloud services for extra space and smooth syncing.
A 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 processor and 2GB LPDDR4 RAM power the Paper Pro’s operations smoothly. The large 5,030 mAh battery keeps it running longer, and its USB-C port enables quick charging and direct file transfers.
Conclusion
E-readers have substantially evolved and now give readers more choices than ever. Each device brings something special to the table. The Kindle Paperwhite delivers a refined reading experience. The Kobo Libra Colour shows off its vibrant display. The Boox Go Colour 7 offers Android versatility, while the reMarkable Paper Pro excels at writing capabilities.
With a wide price range, your main goal should guide your choice. Readers who just want to enjoy books might like the Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara BW better. Users who need to take notes would find the Kindle Scribe or reMarkable Paper Pro more useful.
Display technology makes each device unique. Options now include everything from classic black and white to advanced colour e-ink screens. These devices pack impressive battery life that lasts weeks between charges. Features like waterproofing, audiobook support, and cloud sync make them perfect for everyday use.
Manufacturers keep redefining the limits of what’s possible. They’re adding AI features, better writing experiences, and boosted display technologies. The future looks bright for digital reading devices that combine the charm of traditional books with modern convenience.