Shop for e-book readers

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: With an excellent built-in light and Amazon's best-in-class e-book selection, the Kindle Paperwhite rises to the top of the e-reader pack. Read review

Specs: 6 in, 4.6 in x 0.36 in x 6.7 in, 7.5 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 63 reviews

The Bottom Line: The new touch-screen Nook is a major advancement over its predecessor and offers some real advantages over the 2010 Kindle. Read review

Specs: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, 6 in, Monochrome E Ink, 5 in x 0.47 in x 6.5 in, 7.48 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The $69 Amazon Kindle is an excellent no-frills e-book reader for anyone who’s willing to forgo a built-in light or a touch screen. Read review

Specs: 6 in, 4.5 in x 0.34 in x 6.5 in, 5.98 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The affordable Kobo Mini is a likable touch-screen e-ink e-reader that's too small for some and not quite small enough for others. Read review

Specs: 5 in, 4 in x 0.41 in x 5.24 in, 134 g

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight sets the standard for e-ink e-readers going forward and is well worth the extra money if you do a lot of nighttime reading. Read review

Specs: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, 6 in Monochrome E Ink, 5 in x 0.5 in x 6.5 in, 6.9 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Kobo Glo is an excellent Kindle alternative, especially for readers seeking EPUB compatibility and international options. Read review

Specs: Freescale Freescale 1 GHz, 6 in, 4.5 in x 0.39 in x 6.2 in, 185 g

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Sony PRS-T2 is a perfectly good touch-screen e-reader whose only sin is that it doesn't have any competitive advantages over Amazon's and Barnes & Noble's e-readers. Read review

Specs: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in, Monochrome E Ink - Yes, 4.375 in x 0.375 in x 6.875 in, 5.9 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 185 reviews

The Bottom Line: Barnes & Noble's Nook Color is a capable color touch-screen e-book reader that offers much of the functionality of an Android tablet for half the price of an iPad. Read review

Specs: Texas Instruments 800 MHz, 512 MB, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 7 in, Color TFT active matrix, 5 in x 0.48 in x 8.1 in, 15.8 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: With an excellent built-in light and Amazon's best-in-class e-book selection, the Kindle Paperwhite rises to the top of the e-reader pack. Read review

Specs: 6 in, 4.6 in x 0.36 in x 6.7 in, 7.5 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.0 stars Mediocre

  Overall score: 4.7 (2.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 83 reviews

The Bottom Line: The feature set of the affordable Pandigital Novel looks good on paper, but this color e-book reader and multimedia device is hobbled by its extremely slow performance and unresponsive touch screen. Read review

Specs: Android, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 7 in Color TFT active matrix, 5.5 in x 0.5 in x 7.5 in, 1.2 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 42 reviews

The Bottom Line: The third-generation Kindle's winning combination of noteworthy upgrades--an improved screen, better battery life, lighter weight, and lower price--vaults it to the top of the e-book reader category. Read review

Specs: 4 GB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in, Monochrome E Ink, 4.8 in x 0.335 in x 7.5 in, 8.7 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.0 stars Mediocre

  Overall score: 4.7 (2.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 36 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Kobo eReader isn't a bad little basic e-book reader, but it's just not a compelling deal now that the more full-featured Barnes & Noble Nook has matched its low price. Read review

Specs: Bluetooth, 6 in Monochrome E Ink, 4.7 in x 0.4 in x 7.2 in, 7.1 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 209 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Nook Wi-Fi/3G doesn't quite measure up to the Kindle in terms of design and overall performance, but it's a worthy alternative if you're looking for a more open e-reader that supports the EPUB format. Read review

Specs: 2 GB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in Monochrome E Ink, 4.9 in x 0.5 in x 7.7 in, 11.2 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: With an excellent built-in light and Amazon's best-in-class e-book selection, the Kindle Paperwhite rises to the top of the e-reader pack. Read review

Specs: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in, Monochrome Paperwhite - Yes, 4.6 in x 0.36 in x 6.7 in, 7.8 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Linux, 2 GB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in, TFT active matrix, 4.8 in x 0.5 in x 7 in, 8 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 25 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you can overlook the fact that it's missing wireless connectivity, the Sony PRS-350 is a very nice little e-reader that's anchored by an impressive and easy-to-use touch interface. Read review

Specs: 5 in, Monochrome E Ink, 4.11 in x 0.33 nm x 5.71 in, 5.64 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The third-generation Kindle's winning combination of noteworthy upgrades--an improved screen, better battery life, lighter weight, and lower price--vaults it to the top of the e-book reader category. Read review

Specs: 4 GB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in Monochrome E Ink, 4.8 in x 0.4 in x 7.5 in, 8.5 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: With an excellent built-in light and Amazon's best-in-class e-book selection, the Kindle Paperwhite rises to the top of the e-reader pack. Read review

Specs: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in, Monochrome Paperwhite - Yes, 4.6 in x 0.36 in x 6.7 in, 7.8 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 30 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's an improvement to the company's previous touch-screen model, Sony's Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 is saddled with a screen that's short on contrast and prone to glare--and it lacks the wireless convenience of Amazon's identically priced Kindle. Read review

Specs: Freescale i.MX31L, 6 in Monochrome E Ink, 4.8 in x 0.4 in x 6.9 in, 10.1 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 36 reviews

The Bottom Line: While Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 has a basic feature set, its $200 price tag, compact size, and Epub file compatibility make it an appealing e-book reader. Read review

Specs: 5 in Monochrome E Ink, 4.2 in x 0.4 in x 6.2 in, 7.7 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though it has a hard time competing with Apple's iPad in terms of functionality, the less-expensive 2010 Kindle DX will appeal to those looking for a large, dedicated e-reader with an e-ink display. Read review

Specs: 9.7 in Monochrome E Ink, 7.2 in x 0.4 in x 10.4 in, 1.2 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Sony's flagship e-reader, the Daily Edition PRS-950, is a capable, well-designed e-reader that offers both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity--but at $300, it's too expensive. Read review

Specs: 7 in, Monochrome E Ink, 5 in x 0.4 in x 7.8 in, 8.99 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 46 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Nook Wi-Fi doesn't quite measure up to the Kindle in terms of design and overall performance, but it's a worthy alternative if you're looking for a more open e-reader that supports the EPUB format. Read review

Specs: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 6 in Monochrome E Ink, 4.9 in x 0.5 in, 7.7 in, 11.6 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The $69 Amazon Kindle is an excellent no-frills e-book reader for anyone who’s willing to forgo a built-in light or a touch screen. Read review

Specs: 6 in, 5.98 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.7 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's relatively affordable, the Kobo Vox is a truly unexceptional Android tablet, with nothing to recommend it over the identically priced Kindle Fire. Read review

Specs: Android 2.3, 800 MHz, 512 MB, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 7 in, Color TFT active matrix - Yes, 5.06 in x 0.53 in x 7.57 in, 14.2 oz