In the age of the tablet, many e-readers took a back seat to the multifunctional touch screen devices. However, some may prefer the simplicity of a device that merely allows them to carry multiple books to read in a compact size smaller than a magazine.
Lightweight E-Readers for Travel
With many airlines cracking down on how much luggage you may bring for free and how much it can weigh, taking along an e-reader can be a great way to bring all of your reading material in one device. Below are some excellent choices if all you want is something to read and don't need all the bells and whistles of a tablet.
Kindle 6" Glare-Free E-Reader
Amazon's kindle is the standard in e-readers. This one comes in at an easy to carry 6" and has a glare-free touchscreen display. This provides a much easier reading experience than trying to read a long book off of a tablet screen. It's WiFi equipped incase you want to download a new book while on your trip. Available in black and whiite, the Kindle also comes with built-in audible allowing you to switch between reading and listening to audiobooks on bluetooth speakers or headphones.
Amazon User Review: "I chose the basic Kindle because that's exactly what I wanted -- a bare-bones e-reader. I have no need for a tablet or anything of the sort. This Kindle delivers on that front in every way possible."
Price: Starting at $79.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4
Kobo Aura H20 6.8-Inch Comfort Light, Water Resistant E-Reader
If you want a slightly larger screen size, you may want to check out this e-reader from Kobo. The waterproof and dustproof design allow you start your favorite book in the bathtub and finish onboard your flight.
Amazon User Review: "Absolutely incredible device and this coming from all iterations of Kindle including the Paperwhite 3, Voyage and new Oasis. Here's why...First of all, the sheer size of it. At 6.8" it is just a tad bigger and yet the readability is greatly enhanced."
Price: Starting at $155.00 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4
Kindle 6" Paperwhite E-Reader
A popular choice from Kindle, the paperwhite is even easier on the eyes and reads similar to a paperback. The battery will last weeks, so you won't need to charge this every day. The Paperwhite has a higher 300 dots per inch (dpi) resolution than the standard kindle. You'll have the choice between black and white and the option to choose between Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Amazon User Review: "Yes, you should buy a kindle. Get the paperwhite with no ads. You're welcome."
Price: Starting at $119.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.5
Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLight Plus E-Reader
From the brick and mortar bookstore chain Barnes & Noble, this NOOK is fingerprint and scratch resistant. Made of durable alluminum, you'll find it to be waterproof and dustproof as well. The 6" touchscreen provides glare-free reading in any lighting thanks to the latest GlowLight technology.
Amazon User Review: "THE GLOWLIGHT! YES!!!! This is the feature that will make all of the difference for me. I'm getting old and my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be. I need to be able to 1) enlarge the font CHECK & 2) BRIGHTEN THE PAGE, CHECK, checkcheckity check check check! I can read again!"
Price: Starting at $123.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4
Kindle 7" Oasis E-Reader
The newest kindle has a 7" high-resolution display and comes with built-in audible allowing you to pair with bluetooth speakers or headphones for audiobooks. The first waterproof kindle comes with a higher price tag, but comes with a larger storage capacity starting at 8 GB. It's ergonomic design allows for easy one-handed reading and the waterproofing allows it to withstand being splashed by the pool or briefly dropped in the hot tub. Choose from a variety of colors including Graphite and Champagne Gold. It's Wi-Fi enabled and you may also choose the cellular connectivity option.
Amazon User Review: "Reading is a joy on the new Oasis. The larger screen and physical page-turn buttons allow you to read one handed and avoid the usual screen taps...One HUGE improvement is that the Oasis is waterproof! This is key for me as I read even while soaking in the tub (TMI). "
Price: Starting at $249.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4
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