Tried and Tested: The best e-readers for summer

The summer reading season is upon us, so we’ve tried out the best devices to let you take your entire library to the beach - here’s our verdict.

Kobo Sage

This is what the next evolution of e-book readers can do

$440, au.kobobooks.com

PROS

Sharp, illuminated screen

Readers can make notes

Waterproof body

CONS

Larger form

Stylus sold separately

Pricey for a reader

The Sage features an 8-inch E Ink screen with high resolution, auto lighting, customisable controls and waterproofing (it will survive an hour in liquid). It uses a quad-core chip to deliver Bluetooth for playing audiobooks on connected headphones, and compatibility with a stylus so readers can make notes, highlight passages, and create notebooks in which scribbles are turned into typed text.

4.5 stars

Kobo Libra 2

Smarter than your average e-book reader

$280, au.kobobooks.com

PROS

Adjustable blue light

Bluetooth for audiobook use

Vertical or horizontal view

CONS

Larger than its rivals

Recessed screen

Heavier than predecessor

This sub-$300 e-book device adds plenty of features that its rivals are missing. They include a rotating screen for reading in portrait or landscape mode, two page-turn buttons usually found in pricier models, and a Bluetooth connection for playing audiobooks when you tire of reading. Plus, it is compatible with digital loans from the library, shows articles you’ve saved to your Pocket app and it’s waterproof.

3.5 stars

Samsung 2 Fold3 5G

One of the only smartphones to make e-reading comfortable

$2499, samsung.com/au

Samsung's third flagship folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, features a slimmer body, stronger screens, and water resistance.

PROS

One device to do it all

Bigger screen than some

Folds into a pocket

CONS

Higher price

Slight screen crease

Shorter battery life

No other e-book reader will fold in half and slip into your pocket like this one. This flexible device from Samsung pulls double duty as a phone and canvas for digital books, magazines and newspapers thanks to its 7.6-inch main screen that is sharp enough to show fine print and smart enough to reduce blue light to prevent eye strain. Its screen can be used to show off books from the likes of Amazon, Kobo, Google, Libby and Scribd, as well as magazines from Readly and Zinio. Its purchase price is on the high side but those who use it as a phone, tablet and a book will see great value.

5 stars

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Purpose-built for reading, now with clever upgrades

$289, amazon.com.au

PROS

Surprisingly lightweight

Charges wirelessly

Auto lighting

CONS

Small screen

No page-turn buttons

No automatic orientation

Low-key but important upgrades to this reading device include a sensor to automatically adjust the screen’s lighting, bigger storage capacity of 32GB, a USB-C connection and, in a first for e-book readers, wireless charging so you can simply place it on a Qi pad. It’s easy to hold, at 208g, water-resistant, uses recycled plastics, and its 6.8-inch screen and slim borders make it almost pocket-sized.

3.5 stars

Apple iPad Mini 2021

A tablet that’s just the right size for e-books and magazines

From $749, apple.com/au

Apple’s iPad Mini.

PROS

Crisp, colour screen

Speedy operation

Great size and weight

CONS

Higher price

Shorter battery

More distractions

Apple’s newest, smallest iPad is the right size and weight for casual reading. The 293g device features an 8.3-inch screen with high resolution, anti-reflective coating, and you can turn up the warm light for comfortable viewing. It offers fast access to e-reading apps, including Apple Books. Notifications could be distracting. Its battery promises 10 hours of use.

4 stars

Originally published as Tried and Tested: The best e-readers for summer