Last updated: 20 June 2026
By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance
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The best e-readers in the UK, sorted for 2026
Hunting for the best e-readers UK shoppers can buy right now, ideally before Father's Day? I've read on a whole stack of these slabs over the years, so this guide skips the spec-sheet waffle. From the pocket-sized Kindle to the reMarkable Paper Pro, here is exactly where I'd put your money.
The best e-readers UK shortlist
These are the best e-readers UK shoppers can buy today, one for every kind of book-lover. Tap any pick to jump straight to it.
Short on time? My overall pick suits almost everyone, so you can stop reading and start gifting right here.
Check the Kindle Paperwhite on Amazon
Section 01 / Amazon
The Kindle range
Simple, polished, and tied to the biggest bookstore around. For many readers, that is more than enough.
The Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen), my pick of the bunch.
01 Editor's pickKindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
Honestly, this is the one I steer most people towards. The 7-inch screen feels roomy, yet the whole thing still slips into a jacket pocket. Page turns are quick, and the warm front light is lovely at night. On top of that, it shrugs off the bath thanks to IPX8 waterproofing. Battery life stretches to weeks, so charging rarely crosses my mind. For most readers, therefore, the Paperwhite hits the sweet spot. There is also a Signature Edition with wireless charging and an auto-adjusting light, if you fancy the upgrade. You can see our standalone Kindle Paperwhite page for the full rundown.
for the everyday reader who wants zero fuss
£124.99 (16GB)
Amazon Kindle (2024)
If you simply want the words, the standard Kindle does the job for less. It is light, compact, and surprisingly quick. However, you do drop a few comforts. There is no waterproofing, and the front light stays cool white rather than warm. Still, as a first e-reader or a reader for the kids, it is brilliant value. Plus it now comes in a rather smart matcha green.
for the first-timer on a budget
£94.99 (with ads)
Kindle Scribe (2024)
Want to scribble as well as read? The Scribe pairs a big 10.2-inch display with a proper Premium Pen in the box. As a result, you can mark up documents, jot ideas, and keep a tidy notebook beside your library. It is not cheap, of course. Yet for readers who also take notes, it neatly bridges the gap between a Kindle and a dedicated writing tablet.
for the reader who also takes notes
£379.99
An e-reader you actually carry beats a clever one that stays on the shelf.
Section 02 / Kobo
The Kobo range
Open formats, library loans, and physical buttons. If you'd rather not live inside Amazon, start here.
Kobo Clara BW
Here is my pick for borrowers. The Clara BW reads EPUB files natively, so it plays nicely with public libraries through Libby and OverDrive. Meanwhile the 6-inch Carta screen is crisp, warm-lit, and fully waterproof. Kobo also quotes up to 53 days of battery, which is frankly absurd in the best possible way. For anyone escaping Amazon's walled garden, therefore, this is the natural place to begin.
for the library borrower and EPUB fan
£149.99
Kobo Clara Colour
Fancy a splash of colour without spending a fortune? The Clara Colour adds a Kaleido 3 colour screen to the same tidy 6-inch body. As a result, comics, covers, and highlights all pop a little more. Naturally, colour e-ink looks muted next to a phone. Even so, for graphic novels and children's books, it is a charming and affordable upgrade.
for comics and colourful covers
£169.99
Kobo Libra Colour
This is the enthusiast's Kobo. You get a 7-inch colour screen, physical page-turn buttons, and stylus support for notes. In my experience, those buttons spoil you fast. On top of that, it is waterproof and takes the optional Kobo Stylus 2 for marking up books. So if you want one device that reads and scribbles without Kindle lock-in, this is my shout. The stylus does cost extra, mind.
for the button-lover who also takes notes
£239.99 (often £209.99 in Kobo's sale)
Section 03 / The splurge
The writing tablet
Not a bookshop reader, but the most paper-like device I've put a pen to.
The reMarkable Paper Pro, the writing splurge.
07 For the writerreMarkable Paper Pro
Finally, the splurge. The reMarkable Paper Pro is not really a bookshop reader; first and foremost, it is a writing tablet. The 11.8-inch colour Canvas display feels gloriously close to paper, and a Marker comes in the box. It even earned a spot on TIME's Best Inventions of 2025. That said, it leans on a Connect subscription for the cleverest tricks, and the price climbs fast once you add folios. For serious note-takers, though, nothing else quite matches the feel. I've shared the full story in my reMarkable Paper Pro review.
for the writer who wants the very best feel
from £599 (Marker included)
Kindle vs Kobo: the walled garden question
The biggest divide here is formats. Amazon runs a walled garden: you buy from the Kindle store, and EPUB files need converting through Send to Kindle first. Kobo, by contrast, reads EPUB natively and borrows from libraries with ease. So if you treasure your local library, Kobo wins comfortably. If you already live in Amazon's world, however, a Kindle keeps everything simple. For a wider look at the field, TechRadar's e-reader roundup is worth a skim too.
A word on repairability
Here is something most guides skip. The independent specialists at iFixit score Kobo's recent readers 6 out of 10, with official spare parts and instructions available. Amazon's Kindles, by comparison, sit lower at roughly 2 to 3 out of 10. So if longevity matters to you, Kobo currently leads on this front. It is a small point, admittedly, yet it counts in a throwaway gadget world.
Which e-reader makes the best gift?
Buying for someone else? Among the best e-readers UK gift options, a few really stand out. For most dads and book-lovers, the Kindle Paperwhite is the safe, brilliant choice. For a library devotee, pick the Kobo Clara BW instead. And for the writer who has everything, the reMarkable Paper Pro lands with a proper wow. Short on time before Sunday? My last-minute Father's Day gift guide has plenty more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best e-reader UK 2026?
In my view, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader for most UK readers in 2026. It neatly balances screen size, warm light, waterproofing, and price. However, Kobo's Clara range wins if you mostly borrow from libraries or prefer open formats.
Kindle vs Kobo: which should I buy?
Choose a Kindle for the simplest Amazon experience and the biggest store. Choose Kobo for native EPUB, easy library loans, and better repairability. Both read beautifully, so really it comes down to your ecosystem.
Is the reMarkable Paper Pro worth it?
It depends on how much you write. As a pure reader, it is overkill and pricey. As a paper replacement for notes, though, it is the most paper-like tablet I've used. Many features need the Connect subscription, so do factor that in.
Which e-reader is the best gift?
For a crowd-pleasing present, the Kindle Paperwhite rarely misses. For something a bit special, meanwhile, the reMarkable Paper Pro feels like a real treat. Both arrive ready to wrap and need very little setup.
More from CoolCuration
- Bookworm gift guide: stuck for ideas? This one is packed with presents for page-turners.
- Audible: pair any e-reader with an audiobook trial for listening on the go.
- Best audiobooks for June 2026: not sure what to read next? Start here.
- reMarkable Paper Pro page: the deep dive on our writing splurge.
- Father's Day tech gifts: more gadgets for dad in one handy guide.
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