If you’re thinking about buying your first ereader or if you just don’t want to spend a lot of money on a dedicated reading device with an eye-friendly E Ink screen, there are a few inexpensive options that are covered in this article.
Most brands offer a budget model for around $100. While the budget models are the cheapest, they usually don’t offer the best value, but they’re good enough to get the job done if you’re not picky about having the best screen.
If you buy used or refurbished you can often find ereaders for less than $100, like the semi-frequent Woot sales on Kindles, but for this article I’ll list which models you can buy new for around $100. Amazon also puts the nicer Kindle Paperwhite on sale for around $100 sometimes—when it’s on sale it’s the best value of any ereader at that price point by a wide margin.
The cheapest Boox model from Onyx, the Poke5, is $169 so it didn’t make the list. Onyx’s devices are always more expensive; they don’t really sell “budget” models, but the Poke5 kind of is a budget model compared to their other devices.
So here’s the list of the least expensive ebook readers that you can buy new in 2024. All four cost $99 to $109, and all have 6-inch E Ink screens and frontlights without temperature control.
Kindle (2022)
Amazon’s entry-level Kindle sells for $99 with ads and $119 without ads. If you have an old Kindle to trade-in you can get an additional 20% off (but you’d be better off upgrading to the Paperwhite if you’re going to do that, as it would come out to about $112 for the 8GB model).
The entry-level Kindle is the only one on this list with a 300 ppi screen so it has the edge there, and it also has more storage space with 16GB. It has a USB-C port and a frontlight too, but without the warm setting like the other Kindles. The plastic casing feels really cheap so that’s the main downside with this Kindle, but it’s very small and lightweight, and the software is mostly the same as the more expensive Kindles.
PocketBook Basic Lux 4
PocketBook recently released a new basic model called the Basic Lux 4. It has physical page buttons and a microSD card slot. The casing material also has a nice soft-touch coating that feels nicer than the cheap plastic on the basic Kindle and the Kobo Nia.
The main drawback with the PocketBook Basic Lux 4 is the fact that is has a lower resolution 212 ppi screen, and it still uses an older microUSB port, but otherwise it’s a nice entry-level ereader for the price, especially if you like having page buttons. PocketBook also sells a Verse model for $20 more with their newer design and a USB-C port.
Kobo Nia
The least-expensive Kobo model is the Kobo Nia for $109. It has a 212 ppi screen with a frontlight, 8GB of storage, and an older microUSB port, but there aren’t any distinguishing features to set it apart from other models.
I’ve always disliked the Nia and never recommend it because all Kobo did was take their previous basic model, put it in a new case, and then they changed the name to the Nia. The hardware has basically remained unchanged for 8 years. You’re much better off just spending $30 more on the Kobo Clara 2E if you want a Kobo. Kobo still sometimes sells the Clara HD for $89 refurbished too and it’s a much better deal than the lowly Nia.
Nook Glowlight 4e
Barnes and Noble’s entry-level model, the Nook Glowlight 4e, has a list price of $119, but it’s always “on sale” for $99 (sometimes less when it’s actually on sale).
The Glowlight 4e also has a 212 ppi screen like the two models above, and a frontlight without temperature adjustment. But it does have page buttons and unique design with the larger bezels, which some people like because it makes it easier to hold. It also has a USB-C port and 8GB of storage.
I just purchased a refurbished Kindle after my PW5 stop functioning. Being retired I couldn’t see the price of a new PW. Anyway I only use the for outdoor reading and an 8 inch Fire tablet for most of my reading. I love the Fire tablet for its text to speech capability.
What’s wrong with your PW5? It’s just over 2 years old and should be working for a long time still. Is the screen cracked?
It c totally died, not able to get anything but a blank screen. Tried a hard reset and charing nothing worked. I had used it from the first release as I pre-ordered it. If and when Amazon releases a new kindle i will decide if i want something better the Scrip isn’t something I even care about.
You should try the text to speech of the kindle devices. I use it often and find it to be much better than what google or apple has to offer. It is called voiceview.
I considered the entry-level Kindle but was put off by several reports that this Kindle’s case is easily scratched. I also wanted to get away from Amazon because of their monopolistic practices.
The Nook Glowlight 4e and 4 feel better in the hand than any other ereader I have picked up, and I was sorely tempted to buy the 4. However, based on many reports, the durability and reliability of any Nook seems questionably. Additionally, the Nooks are slower than my 10 year old Kindle Paperwhite, and the viability of the platform has been a concern for years. Barnes and Noble is an enjoyable place to shop, and I do wish there were more viable choices to Kindles, but I just can’t get past all the Nook negatives to bring myself to buy one.
Although my Paperwhite still works, I just bought a Kobo Clara 2E and am very happy with it. It is small and lightweight, the screen and lighting are excellent, and the software is great! Thankfully, most of my books are non-DRM protected, so the transition away from Kindle wouldn’t be too hard. I wish I would have purchased a Kobo years ago.
I never get a phone, tablet or my kindle without getting a case for it. It doesn’t have to be an expensive case just som5to cover it. I have way too many kindle books to walk away now.
The basic kindle should be all I need for the way I will use it.
The cheap plastic on the entry-level Kindle does scratch somewhat easily. I don’t know why they couldn’t put a nicer coating on it like they used to with older Kindles. The 5th gen Kindle had a much nicer design and it was only $69, but that was back when Amazon still cared about Kindles.
With a case, it makes up for the body of the basic kindle.
Raw Kindling is not for everyone. I find it harder to hold a Kindle and some small handheld devices when they aren’t in a cases. The extra bulk of a case makes me have a more secure grip on them and make them more comfortable to hold for any length of time.
Depended on the Kindle for me, I preferred keeping the Oasis and Voyage in their respective cases but the Scribe is much better without a case.
I totally agree with you, I don’t like the feel of a naked device, it feels like I haven’t got anything to hold on to. When I get a phone, tablet, or kindle, I order a case with it.
I neglected to mention that I was attracted to the basic Kindle because Amazon offers it in blue as well as black. Note that unlike some other eReaders, the front faceplate is colored instead of just the back. I was tempted by the Kobo Libra because you can get in the color on want (i.e., white). However, I ultimately got the Clara 2E because after picking up the Glowlight 4, I decided I wanted the lightest compatible unit possible for a handheld eReader. I’m still debating getting a 10.3” eReader to use when I can rest it on my lap.
It is a dream of mine to buy and donate e-ink devices for reading. I just have had this desire f encouraging reading, and my Fantasy is to recommend books to people irl. On Goodreads, people ask for recs, then that memory of the rec does a disappearing act.
I have tried every kindle and most of Kobo readers. The best one by far is the newest Kindle basic. It has the most even lighting and the lightest to hold of any one I have used. All the rest of the features on the more expensive models are meaningless.
I don’t have any scratches.
I received my refurbished basic Kindle today and it looks like a new one. But the cover for it hasn’t gotten delivered yet.
The size is really nice for my use. The screen is really clear and clean. The cover I ordered is one of the cheapest after market they have. The front lighting shouldn’t be an issue. I am happy with my decision.
I have had several days now with my Kindle Basic, and I am really liking it. The first day with it I didn’t have my cover for it yet and I was concerned about it being so slim, it was very uncomfortable to hold onto for reading more than a few minutes. The next day I received my cheap cover for it, the cover adds just enough thickness and bulk to make the little kindle very comfortable to handle and read for 30 minutes or even more at a time. I am 76 years young, 6 foot, but with I have long slim fingers and fairly small hands for my size body. The little kindle with the case fits nicely into my western vest inter pockets and it doesn’t add extra weight like my Fire tablet HD8 does or the PW 5 that I use to have. I am very happy with my decision to purchase it refurbished from Amazon.
I have found the best way to read is with inexpensive hand strap. It hooks to the top and bottom of reader. No added weight and I read with one hand and change pages easily.
I live the kindle paper white . However I only read news and sports pages on the internet for night time reading. I am looking for a paper white with internet to easily get to yahoo sports or ap news. I don’t no of any, can you recommend??
Have you tried using the Send to Kindle browser extension to send web pages to your Kindle? Onyx’s devices have a decent web browser. Or maybe you could use Pocket with a Kobo.