- Last Updated: September 2, 2025
The most important factor is how eye-soothing the texts are. This is because users will use the device for a long period. Another crucial factor is the responsiveness of the eReader. The best travel eReader should be responsive, lightweight, and versatile.
We have reviewed the top eReaders for 2025 after extensive research. Based on your preference and budget, you can choose one.
How to choose the best travel eReaders in 2025?
The following criteria should be considered before buying the best travel eReader.
1. Design and Size: Generally, the size of the eReader is 6 to 7”. It is perfect for reading, but the size may increase up to 10”. The eReader design is usually a secondary option, but different models are available.
Since it is used for traveling purposes, it must be sleek, slim, and lightweight.
2. Quality: One of the reasons to carry an eReader is portability. For that, the eReader device should be lightweight and water-resistant.
3. Readability: To get the best travel eReader, make sure it has good readability. The readability of an e-reader depends on factors such as resolution, lag, response time, and others. Text clarity is one of the crucial factors.
A resolution of 300 pixels per inch is suitable for text recognition. The eReader will be user-friendly when it has different lighting options, offers a glare-free screen, and is easy to use.
4. Storage: The storage capacity of an eReader is usually between 8 and 32 GB. This is more than enough to save eBooks, PDFs, or audiobooks.
5. Price: To get the best travel eReader, you don’t need to spend much. eReaders are available within different price ranges. The price may vary from $100 to $400.
6. Additional features: The battery life of an eReader is between six and eight weeks. Another important feature is Bluetooth connectivity. This wireless feature allows you to connect to headphones. Other features include a stylus, page-turn, and lighting options.
[This article may contain affiliate links. This means that if you decide to purchase some of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost for you. I only recommend selected products that I’m convinced about and that I would buy (or already did buy) myself.]
Our Top 7 Picks for Best eReaders for Digital Nomads
1. Kobo Libra Colour
Best for offline use
If you want a lightweight eReader for travel, then this Kobo Libra Color eReader is for you. It has an E Ink display. A broad bezel on one side allows users to hold the eReader without accidentally touching the screen. It does not come with a cover or a stylus, but you can purchase them separately.
This eReader doesn’t allow you to explore apps, but you can check the browser. Kobo Libra Color includes a 2050 mAh battery that reduces by 15% in 3 or 4 days of usage. You can check the Kobo ebook store or subscribe to Kobo Plus. We love the stylus, which is quite handy for writing notes.
To turn the pages, you can use the button or swipe the touchscreen. Connect wireless headphones via Bluetooth and listen to your favorite audiobook. The eReader is a bit costly compared to others.
Overall, you can enjoy glare-free reading with crisp, clear texts day after day.
Specs
- • Screen size: 7 inches
- • Dimensions: 5.69 x 6.33 x 0.33 inches
- • Storage: 32 GB
- • Battery life: 40 days of battery life
- • Weight: 7 oz (200g)
PROS
✔️ Waterproof and travel-friendly
✔️ Long battery life
✔️ Responsive
✔️ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functions
✔️ Ergonomic
CONS
⛔ Need to purchase stylus separately
2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Best all-rounder
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best affordable eReaders for travel in 2025. It is extremely user-friendly in terms of light, responsiveness, and big storage. Since it is water-resistant, taking it along with you to pools or beaches is easy. The 2022 version of the Paperwhite is available.
It has 16 GB of storage and more color options. A 300-pixel-per-inch resolution and E-Ink texts make it quite enjoyable for reading. Users who need to read textbooks and take notes can use the eReader without any eye fatigue. Basic settings, such as adjusting font size, brightness, and enabling a dark mode option, are available.
We love how you can swipe the screen to turn the pages; it also gives a realistic feel. The battery life allows readers to use the device for days and weeks.
The settings and options in the Kindle are user-friendly. Compared to the previous models, this lightweight eReader for travel is designed to be 10% more responsive.
Specs
- • Screen size: 6.8 inches
- • Dimensions: 6.68 x 4.9 x 0.0081 inches
- • Storage: 8, 16 GB
- • Battery life: 10 weeks of battery life
- • Weight: 7.2 oz (204,9g)
PROS
✔️ Large display
✔️ Resistant to water
✔️ USB-C for charging
✔️ Very comfortable for long usage
✔️ Affordable price point
CONS
⛔ Can not charge wirelessly
3. Kindle Basic eReader
Best budget
Kindle Basic 11th generation has 2022 and 2024 models with minor differences. A new matcha color is available along with the standard black. The use of additional LED light in the 2024 model results in increased brightness. The texts have impressive contrast and accuracy. Unfortunately, it is not waterproof, so you need to take extra precautions outdoors.
Buy a cover for protection to avoid accidental falls. Basic things like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are available. It uses USB-C for charging. If you need a lightweight eReader for travel purposes, then this is a good option. It weighs only 160 g and is one of the best eReaders for digital nomads.
You can log in to your Amazon account and visit the Kindle store to read any book you like. Connect the Bluetooth headset to enjoy audiobooks from Audible and Goodreads. It is one of the best budget eReaders for travel under $150.
Specs
- • Screen size: 6 inches
- • Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches
- • Storage: 16 GB
- • Battery life: 6 weeks of battery life
- • Weight: 5.56 oz (158g)
PROS
✔️ Bright display that is adjustable
✔️ No eye strain
✔️ Very lightweight
✔️ Powerful Linux software
✔️ Simple and easy user interface
CONS
⛔ Not waterproof
4. Kobo Clara 2E
Best for eco-friendly durability
Kobo Clara 2E is an eco-friendly eReader made from recycled plastic. It uses ComfortLight PRO to adjust the brightness. The E-Ink Carta 1200 screen has 300 ppi resolution. It is a lightweight eReader for travel purposes. Kobo Clara 2E displays an average performance.
The storage capacity is enough for most users. For listening, you will have access only to Kobo audiobooks. It gives access to the local library through OverDrive. The battery will last around 3 to 4 weeks upon general usage. It will take 2 hours to complete charging.
With an IPX8 rating, it is one of the best travel eReaders at a reasonable price. To further protect it, buy the eReader cover.
Specs
- • Screen size: 6 inches
- • Dimensions: 6.26 x 4.41 x 0.34 inches
- • Storage: 16 GB
- • Battery life: 4 weeks of battery life
- • Weight: 6 oz (171g)
PROS
✔️ USB-C for charging
✔️ Good resolution
✔️ Well-built
✔️ Environmentally friendly
✔️ Water-resistant
CONS
⛔ Performance could be faster
Check this out: 5 Best External Hard Drives for Travelers (For 2025)
5. PocketBook InkPad Color 3
Best for color content
If you prefer eReaders with best battery life, then the PocketBook InkPad Color 3 is the best for you. It has an IPX8 rating, so users can take it outdoors. It works with a Linux 4.9.56 OS and a powerful quad-core processor. It is designed with a broad bezel at the bottom for users to place their fingers. It gives a good grip, and overall, the build quality is good.
The E Ink Kaleido 3 display shows realistic, vibrant, and rich colors specifically needed for comics or books. This eReader with a glare-free screen allows headphones to connect via Bluetooth. While it is costly, the eReader is packed with features. Along with reading books, you can play games (chess, sudoku), listen to music, or store photos.
There is a text-to-speech feature to read out the text in 26 different languages. It has a long battery life and doesn’t become hot with continuous use. The battery needs 3 hours to recharge.
Apart from that, It works with Adobe DRM, which means readers are allowed to purchase from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.
Specs
- • Screen size: 7.8 inches
- • Dimensions: 5.27 x 7.4 x 0.008 inches
- • Storage: 32 GB
- • Battery life: 30 days of battery life
- • Weight: 9.5 oz (270g)
PROS
✔️ SMARTLight feature to adjust brightness
✔️ Fast response
✔️ Supports several audio formats
✔️ Manual page turn
✔️ Versatile with additional features
CONS
⛔ Premium price point
6. Kindle Oasis
Best premium
If you want a waterproof eReader for beach travel, then check out this Kindle Oasis eReader. It has a large display with a thicker side for convenience. The Kindle Oasis uses 25 LEDs to ensure adequate brightness and crisp, precise text. You can easily use it indoors or outdoors.
Users can manually turn over the pages. It has a fast performance and decent battery life. Visit the Kindle store, Kindle Unlimited, or Prime Reading to find your desired book and start reading. The device is easy to use and feels comfortable without having any hand or eye pain. Compared to other Kindle models, the battery lifespan is average.
However, it sticks to the basic 300 ppi resolution. If you use the given cover, you can save battery. If it is not used for one hour, it goes into hibernation mode.
Apart from that, it is available in two different versions with slight differences. It supports Bluetooth headphones for audiobooks. Overall, it is one of the best travel eReaders for general use.
Specs
- • Screen size: 7 inches
- • Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.6 x 0.13-0.33 inches
- • Storage: 8 to 32 GB
- • Battery life: 6 weeks of battery life
- • Weight: 6.6 oz (188g)
PROS
✔️ Portable
✔️ Resistant to water
✔️ Solid build quality
✔️ Budget-friendly
✔️ Slim profile
✔️ Multiple color options
CONS
⛔ Old micro-USB port
7. Onyx E Ink Tablet Computer Go Series
Best for productivity
Onyx Boox Go 7 is one of the best eReaders for travel in 2025. It is thin, lightweight, and can withstand water splashes (no IP rating). A large screen with an E-Ink display and 300 ppi ensures smooth and natural readability. It has buttons to turn over the pages, but you can customize their functions (volume up/down or scrolling).
Unlike popular eReaders, Onyx is versatile in terms of settings and functions. The eReader uses a basic USB-C port for charging. The Kaleido 3 color display has 1,680×1,264 resolution. It produces rich, bright, and vibrant colors needed for books, newspapers, magazines, or comics.
Although the memory storage is more than enough, a microSD slot is available in case you need to add more. The Onyx Boox Go 7 performance is smooth and fast during scrolling, switching apps, and navigating. A speaker is also available, but it is for general usage.
Specs
- • Screen size: 7 inches
- • Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.4 x 0.25 GB
- • Storage: 64 GB
- • Battery life: 3 to 4 weeks of battery life
- • Weight: 6.8 oz (195g)
PROS
✔️ Great performance
✔️ Will run for days and weeks with a single charge
✔️ Customizable buttons and options
✔️ Additional microSD slot
✔️ Great color display and accuracy
CONS
⛔ A little pricier
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Wrap Up
In this article, we have reviewed some of the best travel eReaders. Usually a 6.8 to 7” screen is large enough for reading comfortably. Some eReaders have a thicker bezel on one side for users to rest their fingers and hold it tightly. If you want to stay with the latest technology, try to avoid the micro USB charging port.
Make sure the eReader allows you to access your chosen library. They are usually affordable, but with an additional cost you will get extra features. For instance, changing the function of page-turn buttons, etc.
Alright, so that was it. These were some of my favorite ereaders for travel. I have used and tested all of them, and if you ask me, they are totally worth it.
Check this out: 6 Best Portable Power Banks for Digital Nomads in 2025
FAQs
Not all eReaders allow users to use third-party apps. Kindle or Kobo does not have this support. However, the Onyx Boox permits the installation of other apps on it.
Since books aren’t very large, an 8 GB eReader will do. But if you think you need more, 16 GB or 32 GB are available. Some premium eReaders like the Onyx Boox Go 7 come with a microSD slot as well.
The Kindle Basic eReader is the lightest for travel or backpacking. It only weighs 158 grams.
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