How to Buy the Best E-Reader

Introduction:

lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for reading on the go. But with so many different models and brands to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? We’re here to help. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of choosing the best e-reader for your needs.

Screen size

With everyone seemingly reading books on electronic devices, it is no wonder that the market for ebook readers has increased. A quick look on Amazon.com shows that there are well over 100 different e-readers to choose from. How do you decide which one is the best for you? One important factor to consider is the size of the screen. Although it is possible to obtain ebook readers, e-readers with a variety of screen sizes, six inches seems to be the standard size now. Like television screens, the size is measured diagonally across the screen. Thus a 5 inch screen is 3inches by 4 inches and rather small, but , the six inch screen is 3.54 inches by 4.72 inches, a size that many find comfortable to read from.

Screen definition

One of the most important factors to consider when buying an e-reader is the definition or clarity of the screen. This is often measured in pixels per inch, which is also referred to as dpi - dots per inch. The higher the dpi, the more pixels there are on the screen and the crisper and clearer the image will be. Most screens these days are around 300 dpi, which gives crystal clear definition and a very realistic reading experience.

Touchscreen

With the advances in display technology, most e-readers these days have touchscreens. This makes their operation very much easier, especially when using a keypad for typing. Many of the older e-readers did not have a touchscreen typing pad and this made any entry of titles, etc. very laborious.

Backlighting

One common challenge people face when reading in low-light conditions is that the e-ink technology used in e-readers doesn't reflect light in the same way as other tablet and phone displays. This is because e-ink uses tiny black and white particles that shift around to create the text and images, whereas LCD screens use a backlight to illuminate everything on the screen. So, if you're someone who likes to read in bed or on public transport, an e-reader with backlighting could be a lifesaver. Just be aware that this feature will significantly reduce your device's battery life—most readers offer around two weeks of reading time with backlighting turned off, as opposed to up to six weeks without it. Another thing to consider is whether you'll need the backlight frequently. If you think you might, make sure the e-reader you're eyeing up has this feature included.

Water resistance

One of the great things about e-readers is that they can be used absolutely anywhere. However, one place you might not want to take them is the beach or by the pool, as they are really susceptible to water damage. Don't worry, though – many e-reader designers have thought about this, and many e-readers are now waterproof. If you're worried about your e-reader getting wet, then make sure to check the specifications before you buy – some are only splash proof, whereas others can withstand a bit more.

Wi-Fi or cellular

When it comes to buying an e-reader, there are two options that are available for downloading books: Wi-Fi and cellular. A cellular connection is more expensive, but it enables books to be downloaded anywhere that there is mobile coverage. If you're not frequently traveling, or you're happy to just use Wi-Fi, then the cheaper option is to just use Wi-Fi. This is often quite satisfactory as books can be downloaded at home (for example, before going away), and even in many hotels and other places where Wi-Fi is available.

E-reader storage

While there are many reasons to love e-readers, storage space is not generally one of them. E-readers come with a limited amount of storage space - some as little as 2GB. This may not seem like a lot, but for someone who reads a lot, it can fill up quickly. However, most of the major e-reader vendors - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo - offer cloud storage solutions that allow users to save their books online. This means that even if an e-reader's storage is full, the user can always access their books by downloading them to a computer or another device. Additionally, with memory costs falling, it is likely that e-reader storage sizes will continue to increase in the future.

Book formats

If you're looking to buy an e-reader, it's important to understand the different book formats available. Books available from different sources have different formats, and it's important to make sure your reader supports the ones you intend to use. The main formats are detailed below: AZW: An Amazon format which is used for their Kindle e-readers. AZW, LIT, PDF, ODF, MOBI are all supported on Kindle devices.

Conclusion:

So, these are the most important factors to consider when you’re shopping for an e-reader. All of the e-readers on our list have great screens, and they all offer different features. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, consider what’s important to you and read our reviews to find the best e-reader for your needs.