I’ve always been a big fan of having dedicated page-turn buttons on ebook readers, having the tactile feel of a button under the thumb.
I find it easier to rest a thumb in one spot and being able to lightly press down to page forward than having to swipe a finger or thumb across the screen and readjust my grip every 30-60 seconds.
Don’t get me wrong. Touchscreens are great for everything else. But when it comes to reading, having page buttons is simply more convenient.
For some reason having page buttons has turned into a premium feature when they used to be common across all models.
Most smaller 6-inch models don’t have page buttons at all anymore; in most cases you have to pay a premium price just to get a simple button these days.
Here’s a list of the currently available ebook readers with page buttons, in no particular order.
Kindle Oasis
The Kindle Oasis is the only current Kindle with page-turn buttons. They are located on one side of the screen only, and it has a sensor so you can flip the device to switch hands, which can be mildly inconvenient. The page buttons can be switched in settings so you can have the forward and back keys on the top or bottom, whichever you prefer.
Kobo Forma
The Kobo Forma has a design similar to the Kindle Oasis with the page buttons on one side that functions as a handle of sorts. The Forma has a sensor to flip the screen so you can use the buttons on either side, as well as in landscape mode, although it can be rather slow to adjust at times. You can also switch the buttons so you can have forward and back where you’d like. Holding down the button scans through pages quickly with Kobo-formatted ebooks.
Nook Glowlights
Both the 6-inch Nook Glowlight 3 and 7.8-inch Glowlight
Plus have front and back page-turn buttons on both sides of the screen, making switching between left and
right-handed reading easy. The page buttons also let you skip chapters with a double-press, and you can scan pages quickly by holding the buttons down. The buttons can also be switched in setting so you can have the forward and back buttons on either the top or bottom.
Onyx Boox
The Onyx Boox Max2 and Max2 Pro with a 13.3-inch E Ink screen are the only current Onyx model with dedicated page buttons. However, you can use wireless Bluetooth page turners with Onyx’s ereaders, including the Nova Pro and Note models.
Likebook Mimas
The 10.3-inch Likebook Mimas is one of the only 10″ models with dedicated page buttons (the Remarkable is another but it’s more of a notepad than an ereader). The buttons are located in the lower right corner so you kind of have to go out of your way to use them but they are handy when they work (except sometimes they stop working for no apparent reason).
Other Options
Some other reading devices that have dedicated buttons include Inkbooks, but their software can be really buggy. Pocketbook is another brand with page buttons but they don’t have any distributors in North America so they can be hard to buy.
I totally agree about button utility. I am actually surprised that more e-reader buyers don’t seem to care that much about them. I find them preferable to flipping pages in an actual book.
Same
I’m also in complete agreement. I still prefer to read on my outdated Kindle 4 in great part for the convenience of its page buttons.
I like the buttons on the 3, 4 & 5 too.
To me the ones on the Voyage are worthless. they’re either too sensitive or not sensitive enough. The buttons on the 3, 4 & 5 are easy and no grip adjustments necessary. I tried an Oasis and it felt awkward and the wide bezel makes it unbalanced.
Off topic but my PW4 sometimes has an orange tint to the background in a dark room?
Using public transportation you can maintain a very firm grip on Oasis due to the wide bezel (it is exactly a thumb wide). You don’t have to be afraid that somebody sweeps it out from your hand accidentally. Also, if you have to switch hands to hold on with the other one (in standing position), the button placement will be exactly the same without the need of two more buttons on the opposite side of the reader. The reader itself is really unbalanced but it just helps to hold it longer without too much effort.
I love the PagePress sensors on my Voyage and wish Amazon had continued to use that design on the Oasis line. The Voyage is definitely worth mentioning here, since even though they’re not technically a current gen product, they’re often available from Woot (like new) for much less than the other premium models listed here.
I get along rather nicely with FBreader which is available on android devices and allows you to turn pages with touching the left/right side of the touch screen.
I really hope that Nooks start a trend of putting buttons back on both sides. The latest Kobo Forma update seems to really favor buttons on right orientation. Since I usually hold it with buttons on the left, I feel like I’m fighting with it a lot. It’s been nice using the Nook and never having to deal with that.
“Pocketbook is another brand with page buttons but they don’t have any distributors in North America so they can be hard to buy.”
Take a look at Good eReader store. I think it’s official North America reseller:
Read around on the internet. They are one of the most untrustworthy sources to buy from. Sometimes they’ll just keep your money and not send anything. I’m surprised more people don’t notice the fact they post glowing reviews of the same devices they sell. And I still don’t understand why anyone would buy electronics from some random blogger instead of a real company with proper customer support and warranty service.
Wow, I didn’t notice such bad reputation of them. Fortunately I have got PocketBook’s offficial reseller in Poland as well 🙂
I am really surprised to know about this. I used to follow them, but had never bought anything there.
They ripped off a lot of people with a crowdfunding campaign. Their new thing is making it seem like they’re shipping orders from Canada when in fact their just placing orders direct from China without telling buyers so they get stuck with unexpected import and customs fees. They don’t even stock most of the devices they sell; they’re basically just charging people to place orders from cheaper sources overseas and having it shipped to the customer.
Thanks for the heads-up. My “InkPad 3” was brought to me from Europe, and as a broken screen, you can easily read with only one hand.
SORRY, TRANSLATE ERROR AND DON’T KNOW HOW TO EDIT.
Here my correct comment:
Thanks for the heads-up.
My “Pocketbook InkPad 3” was brought to me from Europe, and as the screen rotates, you can easily read with one hand. It is an excellent piece of equipment and I feel much more comfortable to read in landscape mode.
I own a Pocketbook Inkpad 3 but the placement of the page turning buttons is very unfortunate: at the bottom of the reader. They are useless if you hold the reader in your hands.
Love physical page turn buttons. Yes, it is really lame that there aren’t that many readers out these days that have physical page turn buttons. Hope B&N brings it back.
micro-SD card slot — although not really needed if the e-reader has 8GB of storage or more — is also a really nice feature. Not even sure if any current readers have this anymore.
My Sony PRS-T1 (2011) is still going strong!!
I have never used page turn buttons and never missed them! I started with a Sony PRS 600 which had buttons but also was the first Sony touch screen and I used that most of the time. After that I had a Nook tablet, then Kobo Glo HD (still use) so got used to swiping and really don’t even notice it. So I guess it’s all what you are used to. My big wish now would be adding library connectivity but I love the Glo otherwise so not trading up yet.