E-readers, ranked by critic score

11 ranked by critic score · 76 professional reviews

E-ink readers, judged on screen, comfort, battery and store.

Kobo Clara ColourImage: Kobo
The critics' pick

Kobo Clara Colour

86
Highly rated
Average of 11 professional reviews
10 of 11 recommend it · one critic disagrees
Where the 11 reviews landedRange 71–92
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

11 professional reviewers tested the Kobo Clara Colour, and 10 recommend it. Most praised: picture quality and battery life.

The catch: The screen is small and the Kobo book store is smaller than Amazon's.

Tied on 86 with the reMarkable Paper Pro Move; ranked first on our tie-break (critic agreement, then number of reviews).

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Read all 11 reviews →
  1. 1
    Kobo Clara ColourImage: Kobo
    Kobo Clara ColourTop pick, narrowly11 reviews86
  2. 2
    reMarkable Paper Pro MoveImage: reMarkable
    reMarkable Paper Pro MoveBest pocket e-ink notebook4 reviews · early score86
  3. 3
    Photo coming
    Amazon Kindle PaperwhiteBest everyday e-reader4 reviews · early score85
  4. 4
    Kobo Libra ColourImage: Kobo
    Kobo Libra ColourMost reviewed pick15 reviews84
  5. 5
    reMarkable Paper PureImage: reMarkable
    reMarkable Paper PureBest paper-like note-taker7 reviews83
  6. 6
    Kobo Clara BWImage: Kobo
    Kobo Clara BWSmall, cheap e-reader5 reviews82
  7. 7
    Photo coming
    Amazon Kindle (2024)Broad agreement4 reviews · early score80
  8. 8
    Photo coming
    Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)Best writable Kindle4 reviews · early score75
  9. 9
    Photo coming
    Amazon Kindle Scribe ColorsoftBest for color e-ink reading5 reviews74
  10. 10
    Amazon Kindle ColorsoftImage: Amazon
    Amazon Kindle ColorsoftColor Kindle12 reviews73
  11. 11
    Onyx Boox Go Color 7 Gen IIImage: Boox
    Onyx Boox Go Color 7 Gen IIBest for Android apps on E Ink5 reviews72
The short answer

Two e-readers tie for the highest critic score. On our tie-break (critic agreement, then number of reviews), the top pick is the Kobo Clara Colour: critic score 86 out of 100 from 11 reviews, 10 of them positive. Most praised: picture quality and battery life.

How we score →Only professional reviews, never shop or customer reviewsEvery score links to its sourceCommissions never change a score

Common questions

What is the best e-reader?

Narrowly, the Kobo Clara Colour, with a critic score of 86 from 11 professional reviews. Most praised: picture quality and battery life.

Kobo Clara Colour vs reMarkable Paper Pro Move: which is better?

Critics score the Kobo Clara Colour 86 and the reMarkable Paper Pro Move 86. We list the reMarkable Paper Pro Move under “Best pocket e-ink notebook”. Its main drawback: it is expensive, and advanced features need a paid subscription.

Which e-readers do critics disagree on?

The Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) (scores from 60 to 90); The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (scores from 50 to 90); The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 Gen II (scores from 50 to 83).