If you love the look of words on the printed page, you should consider an e-reader with a display feature called e-ink, which minimises glare and helps reduce eye strain. It’s also a great option for taking on holiday, as it’s easy to read outside.
For many readers, the sheer space-saving capacity of an e-reader is a deciding factor. For the hardened bibliophile, the number of books that fit on a device is particularly important. For saving your straining bookshelves, take a look at Amazon’s third generation Kindle, which is able to store up to 3,500 books.
Remaining with the hardcore readers, battery life will also be a concern. No one wants to face a long train journey with a dead device and nothing to read. While the spectacular claims of months-long battery lives are generally based on very light usage, the Elonex 621EB makes the biggest: three months, according to the manufacturers. Real world usage may be somewhat lower, but it should see you through long-haul flights and train journeys without a problem.
We’ve already touched on storage capacity, but if space is at a premium, the size of the device itself will also be a factor. Both the Kobo Mini and the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-350 are only five inches across, making it as close to pocket-sized as an e-reader is likely to get.
On the other hand, if you like to zoom in as you read, a larger screen is handy. The Amazon DX was the largest device aimed at general readers, with a screen size of nearly ten inches, but it is no longer produced. However, the larger six inch screens are becoming standard, so there’s plenty of choice out there.
A lot of e-reader naysayers will say “but I can’t read that thing in the bath, can I?” However, the Kobo Aura H20, as the name suggests, is perfect for the bath-based reader, or just those who are careless around cups and glasses. This device is IP67-certified, which means it can be used in up to a metre of water for half an hour.
Many readers will also be concerned with price. Typically, e-readers are priced around the ÂŁ100 mark, but there are options for those on a budget. The cheapest is the Bookeen Cyrus Opus, which currently costs about ÂŁ70.
There are few limitations with this device, mainly that books have to be transferred manually, and the storage space is only one gigabyte. However, this can be augmented with a micro SD card, making the Cyrys Opus a credible option for the budget market.
It’s clear that there are plenty of options out there, regardless of whether you’re a committed tech lover or just looking to save a bit of space. Even analogue devotees can keep their favourite hardbacks at home and adopt a more portable option, making e-readers a great gadget for everyone.
© Axonn 2015