Comparison of e-book readers

An e-book reader is a portable electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading e-books and periodicals.

E-book readers are similar in form to a tablet computer, and usually refer to readers that use electronic paper. The main advantages of e-book readers are better readability of their screens especially in bright sunlight and longer battery life. This is achieved by using electronic paper technology to display content to readers. When disconnected from the web, an e-book reader's battery will last from weeks to months. A tablet computer typically has a faster screen capable of higher refresh rates which makes them more suitable for interaction.

Any device that can display text on a screen can act as an e-book reader, but without the advantages of the e-paper technology.

Commercially available devices sold by maker or designer

Notes:

• Library compatible – Can be used to borrow e-books from public libraries, i.e. the EPUB and/or PDF formats with digital-rights-management (DRM) protection are supported.
• "microSDHC" is the most popular format for external memory cards. Devices which support a different card have that format listed.
• Listed are only products that either the product itself or its company is notable, as shown by having a Wikipedia article (without notability notice).

Electronic-paper displays

All prices are without VAT taxes (taxes that only apply to consumers in the European Union). Prices with an asterisk are companies normally display prices with VAT tax included (or some other inclusion, such as shipping), however for proper comparison the price without VAT or shipping has been placed here.

For easy comparison, all prices are in a single currency. Prices are the lowest offered by the manufacturer. If only sold through distributors, the lowest offered by a distributor.

Different kinds of screens

All electronic paper types offer lower power consumption and much better sunlight contrast than LCDs. Some offer backlights in low-light reading situations. With the backlight turned off, all have a similar appearance to "ink on paper" and readable in bright environments.

• eInk: although "eInk" is usually used casually to talk about all electronic paper displays. Technically, "eInk" was trademarked by the company Vizplex, which sells the majority of electronic paper displays. eInk is the name of their earliest model.
• eInk pearl: Vizplex's 2nd generation model, which has higher contrast and a greater number of different levels of gray than their earlier models.
• SiPix: an early competitor to Vizplex, which had almost instantaneous page turns. Vizplex bought a majority share in SiPiX in 2010, and has integrated their technology.
• Triton Color E Ink: one of several competing color electronic paper displays on the market right now. This one is manufactured by Vizplex.
• Mirasol color display: a competing color electronic paper technology sold by the company Mirasol
• LG flex: Electronic paper that allows for a flexible screen. With these displays, you can bend the e-reader without damaging it and do things like fold it up to put in your pocket.

Private label hardware

Some common hardware is resold in different national markets under various brandnames. Below are the brandnames associated with the generics in the above table: generic 6" touchscreen (2010): bq Movistar, bq Avant, egriver Touch (India), postitivo Alfa (Brazil), e-vrit (Israel), Papyre 6.2 (Spain)

discontinued

Non-electronic-paper displays

File format support

See Comparison of e-book formats for details on the file formats.

The most notable formats are:

• .epub is a free and open e-book standard used by most e-book readers.
• .azw is Amazon’s proprietary e-book file format for the Kindle.