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Why an ebook reader is the perfect present for Christmas
If you know a bookworm, an ebook reader might be the gift that keeps on giving this Christmas. Ebook readers give you access to millions of books, magazines and newspapers in the palm of your hand and can store thousands of titles at a time.
Ebooks are usually cheaper than traditional books too, and (if you buy the right model) you can have access to library books for free.
We know a lot about ebook readers and put every one we test through its paces in our lab so we know which models are the best. Find out why ebook readers make a great Christmas gift and why we love them so much - you may want to add one of the models we highlight, below, to your own Christmas list, too.
See our expert pick of the best ebook readers.
How to gift the right ebook reader this Christmas
Ebook readers start from around £85 and go up to £350. You don't need to spend anywhere near £350 to get a brilliant device, but you get some perks with the very best models, like note-taking functions, 4G and waterproofing.
At first, an ebook reader might seem like an expensive way to read books. But ebooks are usually much cheaper to download than buying a physical copy of a book. So, over time, the proud owner of an ebook reader is likely to save money.
The screens are designed to look and feel a lot like paper, with content appearing in black and white. This makes them more comfortable for your eyes to read than a screen on a phone or tablet. Some have a backlight to read in the dark and the best adapt this light to the time of day, so you don't strain your eyes.
A lot also support audiobooks but these will take up more storage. If you're fond of audiobooks, consider buying an ebook reader with a bigger storage capacity so you don't run out of space.
Ads can appear on some of the cheaper ebook readers, so check the specifications carefully if you really don't want this. You need to pay about £10 more to avoid ads.
Check out our ebook reader recommendations below.
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Ebook readers to consider
Amazon Kindle 2022
The Amazon Kindle 2022 is one of the cheapest ebook readers on the market. It's lightweight with a glare-free screen and support for audiobooks.
It gives you access to the Kindle store to download ebooks and you shouldn't find yourself running out of space with its 16GB of storage.
Like a lot of ebook readers, it only supports wi-fi so you'll need a connection to download titles before you're on the move.
Find out the full scoop on this popular Kindle in our expert Amazon Kindle 2022 review. Discover the cheapest retailers we could find, below, for versions with and without ads.
Kobo Clara 2E
This Kobo is one of the smaller ebook readers we’ve tested, measuring 159 x 111.9 x 8.8cm (H x W x D), but it doesn't scrimp on features.
Kobo’s ComfortLight PRO lighting means the brightness and colour of the screen adjusts automatically, depending on your environment, or you can manually change it to suit your preferences. It's waterproof for extra peace of mind if you want to read it in the bath or by a pool. Like the Kindle 2022, it has 16GB of internal storage, but it also has 3G and isn't reliant on a wi-fi connection.
As with other Kobo models, this one allows you to borrow ebooks from your local library free of charge. This is something Amazon Kindle doesn't offer.
Read our full Kobo Clare 2E review to see if this is your winner, or buy it using the retailer links below.
Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019
The Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019 is a premium ebook reader. It has a seven-inch screen with adjustable lighting, so you can switch between a white or amber backlight. Outside the screen, it's sculpted for a strong grip and has physical page-turn buttons for a more authentic bookish feel.
It has 4G connection so you can browse the Kindle store on-the-go with quick data transfer speeds.
Find out more about this ebook reader's fancy features in our Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019 review or buy it below.
Head over to our ebook reader reviews to see a bigger selection of ebook readers at a variety of prices.
Where to buy ebooks
- The Amazon Kindle ebook shop allows you to read books on Kindle ebook readers, Amazon Fire devices, Android and Apple phones and tablets, as well as on the internet on your computer at read.amazon.com.
- If you read a lot, Amazon Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that gives you access to over one million book titles, thousands of audiobooks and select magazine subscriptions. This costs £9.49 per month, and you can cancel at any time.
- The Kobo ebook shop is available on Kobo ebook readers, as well as Android and Apple phones and tablets, and on your computer using the Kobo desktop app.
- Kobo ebook readers let you borrow library books, which might tempt you to opt for one over a Kindle. However, it's not easy to view magazines and newspapers on a Kobo - we'd recommend an Amazon Kindle for this.
Find out where to download free or cheap ebooks to recommend to your friends and family this Christmas.
