The touch and smell of a physical book is hard to beat. But for long journeys or a day spent at the beach, there’s no denying the convenience of an e-reader.  

“Having an e-reader on the go is one of the most effective ways to ensure I’m never without a book,” says Bridget Raymundo, social media producer at CBC Books who also creates book-related content on TikTok. “An e-reader is easier for commuting and packing for longer trips, and it gives me the option of switching to a different book if I’m not enjoying my current read.”  

Aside from easy access to multiple books, an e-reader has other travel benefits. For one thing, you can spare fellow travelers from the glare of a plane’s overhead light or a camping headlamp. The ability to adjust elements on the page is another perk. “I can’t read a normal 12-point font book without my glasses on, but an e-reader means I can change the font and give my eyes a little break,” says Raymundo. 

It’s important to note that while many e-readers use e-ink, or “electronic ink” technology that mimics the look of ink on a page, some devices still emit blue light, albeit less so than a phone or tablet. “Any type of light exposure before sleep can be detrimental,” says Charles Czeisler, director of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

An e-reader that lets you adjust light intensity and wavelength, or tone, is the best option for helping to maintain your sleep pattern, especially if you’re already dealing with jet lag.  

After analyzing a number of options, we think the Kobo Libra Colour e-reader will appeal to most travelers because of its look and feel, technological features, and sustainable materials. Below are all our favorite e-readers for every travel style, all of which use partially recycled materials in their construction, according to brands. 

Whether you’re looking for a device that can handle a few poolside splashes or a color e-reader that allows for plenty of note-taking, you’re bound to find the right e-reader for you here. We looked at the pros and cons of each e-reader below and spoke with pro travelers for real-world experience. Here are all the details about our top picks.

Why we like it: A color e-reader offers a more dynamic experience than a monochrome one, especially if you’re reading a graphic novel or a children’s book. Compatible with the Kobo Stylus, this e-reader lets you mark up pages and highlight passages. The design is ergonomic and waterproof in up to six feet of water. We also appreciate the dark mode, which can help reduce eye strain, as well as ComfortLight Pro, which offers adjustable brightness, temperature, and blue light for comfortable reading in the evening.  

The screen’s matte finish makes flipping pages feel similar to a physical book, says Raymundo. “I also prefer having two buttons on the side to flip pages in addition to the touch screen, in case it lags,” she adds. Customers also noted the long battery life on this model. “At full charge, I can read without having to plug it in for at least a week,” says Raymundo.  

Keep in mind: Color e-readers come at a slightly higher price. Some customers note occasional software glitches on this model. 

Product details: Display: 7-in. E-Ink Kaleido 3 display with FastGLR and dark mode | Storage: 32 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Up to 40 days | Dimensions: 5.7 x 6.4 x 0.3 in. | Weather protection: Waterproof up to six feet | Materials: Recycled and ocean-bound plastic, according to company  

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Why we like it: This classic black-and-white e-reader is streamlined and simple, yet offers waterproofing, as well as dark mode and ComfortLight Pro for easier reading. Some readers may prefer the slightly smaller dimensions of this model and its longer battery life. 

In addition to unlimited e-books and audiobooks with a Kobo Plus membership, you can read saved articles with Pocket and borrow e-books from your library’s digital collection with Kobo’s built-in OverDrive service. Like all Kobo e-readers, the Clara BW is made with recycled and ocean-bound plastic, according to the company 

Keep in mind: This style is not compatible with the Kobo Stylus, so you won’t be able to add handwritten notes or highlight pages. 

Product details: Display: 6-in. glare-free E-Ink Carta 1300 HD touchscreen with dark mode | Storage: 32 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Up to 53 days | Dimensions: 4.4 x 6.3 x 0.36 in. | Weather protection: Waterproof up to six feet | Materials: Recycled and ocean-bound plastic, according to the company 

Why we like it: The Boox Palma 2 has the portability and feel of a smartphone but with none of the distracting notifications. It also rivals Kobo and Kindle designs with its e-ink display and slew of apps from Android’s Play Store, including music streaming. Readers can operate this device with one hand and easily slip it into a jacket pocket or a carry-on bag. 

Screen brightness automatically adjusts to your environment, but you can also manually set color and temperature. Text is crisp, clear, and easy to highlight, annotate, or translate. This e-reader packs a ton into a slim, compact design. 

Keep in mind: If you’re looking for an e-reader that’s similar in size and shape as a physical book, this isn’t it. It’s closer to a smartphone. The battery life is short, compared to other e-readers. 

Product details: Display: Carta 1200 monochrome screen 300 PPI | Storage: 6 GB+128 GB, expandable with a microSD card slot | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Up to two weeks | Dimensions: 6.1 in. | Weather protection: Water-repellent | Materials: 75 percent post-consumer recycled plastics, 90 percent recycled magnesium internal structure, according to company 

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Why we like it: This best-selling Kindle is Amazon’s lightest and most compact design, making it a great entry-level e-reader at an affordable price. The latest version has a brighter front light, higher-resolution screen, and a faster page-turn rate. Customers say the crisp resolution and intuitive operating system make this a solid option for the price. 

Keep in mind: This model isn’t waterproof, so we wouldn’t bring this e-reader to the beach or pool, where there’s a chance of getting splashed. 

Product details: Display: Built-in light, optimized font technology, 300 PPI | Storage: 16 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth | Battery: Up to six weeks | Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.3 in. | Weather protection: Not waterproof | Materials: 29 percent recycled materials, 90 percent recycled magnesium internal structure, according to the company 

Why we like it: Think of this model as an upgrade to the basic Amazon Kindle. If you’re looking for a more refined user experience, this latest iteration features a slightly larger screen, quicker page-turn rate, and faster, more responsive design overall. You can also adjust warmth and brightness to make bedtime reading more comfortable. 

With a battery life of up to 12 weeks and 32 GB in the Signature Edition, you’ll never have to worry about being stranded on a flight without a good book. Travelers don’t have to worry about reading in the hotel bath or pool—this style is waterproof, a feature that’s enhanced by a matte, grippy back.  

Keep in mind: Some customers have noted that the lighting and screen on this style have an overly yellow tint. 

Product details: Display: Paperwhite display technology with built-in light, optimized font technology, 300 PPI | Storage: 16-32 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Up to 12 weeks | Dimensions: 5 x 7 x 0.3 in. | Weather protection: Waterproof in up to six feet for an hour | Materials: 29 percent recycled materials, 90 percent recycled magnesium internal structure, according to the company  

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Why we like it: “I wanted a Kobo Clara Colour when it came out because I wanted to be able to read graphic novels digitally and for less of a cost,” says Raymundo. “There’s also a notebook feature, which is fun to doodle on with a stylus. It reminds me of using my Nintendo DS when I was a kid.” 

Because this style is compatible with the Kobo Stylus, traveling readers can highlight and annotate books to their heart’s content. The Kobo Clara Colour has all the standout Kobo features, such as ComfortLight Pro, dark mode, and waterproof materials but at a lower price point than the Kobo Libra Colour. 

Keep in mind: This style has half the storage capacity as the Kobo Libra Colour. 

Product details: Display: E-Ink Kaleido 3 display with FastGLR and dark mode | Storage: 16 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Up to 42 days | Dimensions: 4.4 x 6.3 x 0.4 in. | Weather protection: Waterproof up to six feet | Materials: Recycled and ocean-bound plastic, according to the company 

Why we like it: This e-reader shares most of the attributes of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite but integrates features that have proved popular with parents and kids. Parental controls—such as time limits and educational goals—are automatically enabled in the Parent Dashboard. It’s ad-free and includes a durable, colorful graphic case. This style also comes with a free six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+ and it’s fully waterproof so you can rest easy about spilled juice or poolside splashes.  

Keep in mind: Some customers note it’s difficult to transfer content to this e-reader. 

Product details: Display: Paperwhite display technology with built-in light, optimized font technology, 300 PPI | Storage: 16 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Up to 12 weeks | Dimensions: 5.2 x 7 x 0.3 in. | Weather protection: Waterproof in up to six feet for an hour | Materials: 29 percent recycled materials, 90 percent recycled magnesium internal structure, according to the company

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Why we like it: The Kobo Elipsa 2E was designed for annotating books and jotting down notes on the go. It’s bundled with the Kobo Stylus, so unlike the Kindle Scribe, you can mark up any book on the device, not just the ones you buy through Kobo. You can easily import and export documents by signing in to Dropbox or Google Drive and sync annotations with tools like Roam, Notion, and Evernote. We appreciate the texturized, matte back, which makes it easy to keep a grip on the device while using the stylus. 

Keep in mind: The extra features on this e-reader and included Kobo Stylus make it one of the most expensive on the market. This style isn’t waterproof. 

Product details: Display: E-Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen 227 PPI with dark mode | Storage: 32 GB | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Battery: Weeks of battery life Dimensions: 7.5 x 9 x 0.3 in. | Weather protection: Not waterproof | Materials: Recycled and ocean-bound plastic and recycled magnesium alloy, according to the company 

We chose our top travel e-readers based on extensive research, product testing, and expert reviews and insights. 

Research: We combed through comprehensive customer reviews and online forums to determine the best e-reader in each category. 

Product testing: Our writer and experts have put these products to the test on trips of varying length and style to see how battery life and materials hold up in different scenarios. 

Expert reviews: We consulted avid e-reader users, medical professionals, and product experts to get their insights on what makes the overall best e-reader in each category, considering user design, potential health and sleep impacts, and technological features.  

Features and design 

One of the best parts of using an e-reader is being able adjust settings to reduce eye strain. “Zooming in, changing the light tone and intensity, and the ability to change your font is super helpful for my vision,” says Raymundo. “There are also font options made specifically for people with dyslexia on my e-reader.” 

It’s important to consider your reading habits and preferences when purchasing an e-reader for the first time. “Screen size is a key factor,” says Ramesh Mantha, senior vice president of product at Rakuten Kobo. “Smaller screens [six-seven inches] are more portable and ideal for casual readers and travelers, while larger screens [larger than eight inches] are better for those who read PDFs, comics, or prefer larger text.” 

Mantha also recommends considering extra features like note-taking or audiobook support. If possible, test the device’s weight and feel in your hands to ensure it’s comfortable for long reading sessions.  

Screen type

One of the main differentiators between e-readers such as Kobo and tablets, is that they use e-ink technology for the screens. “This reduces eye strain compared to smartphone and tablet screens, as does the glare-free display—even when reading in direct sunlight,” says Mantha. 

Even so, it’s important to purchase an e-reader with adjustable light intensity and tone, especially blue light. “Exposure to light after dusk is one of the biggest drivers of sleep deficiency,” says Czeisler, who recommends powering down any light-emitting devices at least an hour before bed. “E-readers are very convenient,” says Czeisler. “It’s just a question of when you turn it all off so you can give the brain and body time to recover.” 

Battery life 

“A good battery life for an e-reader is typically measured in weeks rather than hours or days, which is one of the key advantages of e-readers,” explains Mantha. “Depending on how often you’re reading, you can enjoy weeks of worry-free reading with a single battery charge.” On average, e-readers should last at least a week without recharging. 

Is it easy to borrow library books on an e-reader?

Yes, most e-readers integrate access to your library’s digital collection of e-books. Kobo and Kindle offer this through OverDrive and the Libby library app. 

How does an e-reader differ from reading on a phone or iPad?

Unlike phones, e-readers are distraction-free, with no notifications or other interruptions. “They are also optimized for long-form reading, with features like adjustable lighting and ergonomic designs that make them more comfortable to use for hours at a time,” says Mantha. “Additionally, e-readers have significantly longer battery life compared to phones, lasting weeks on a single charge, making them a more reliable option for avid readers.” 

Is it bad for my sleep to use an e-reader before bed?

E-readers emit some blue light, so it’s important to look for a model with adjustable settings. “You want a long wavelength and low intensity if you’re reading in the several hours before bed,” says Czeisler. “You could also try a reverse display so that you’re reading white letters against a black background.” This is called dark mode on most devices.