As much as we love screens, it’s nice to take a break from them from time to time. Why not sit back and relax with a good book? eReaders are a great gift for book lovers. While they technically have screens, their screens are designed to mimic the look of a paperback. So, they don’t put strain on your eyes. And there are many advantages to using one.
eReaders can store thousands of titles in a handy device for reading on the e-paper display. You can virtually turn pages like you would with a physical novel using a finger swipe motion. They boast weeks-long battery life so you don’t have to recharge often. Some even include added features like the ability to make notes, highlight passages, even look up words or access the web and audiobooks. eReaders are thoughtful, long-lasting gifts for avid readers. I love that you can still foster a love of reading without adding clutter to the home by using one. Know someone who has an eReader already? There are upgraded options for tech-savvy folks and avid travellers, as well as useful accessories.
Best eReaders to gift this year
From budget options to higher-end readers with web browsers, waterproof models, and more, there’s more variety in the eReader space than you might realize.
Best eReader for budget shoppers: Kobo Clara BW
Available for under $200, the Kobo Clara BW is a good choice for a casual reader who is new to eReading. It has a 6-inch glare-free screen so you can read just about anywhere, including while relaxing on the beach with the sun blazing down on you. Adjust brightness and reduce blue light using the built-in ComfortLight Pro. The 16GB storage is enough for an entire library’s worth of reading material. Charge it to get up to 53 days of light daily reading. With Bluetooth, you can also connect wireless headphones for audiobooks. Did I mention it meets an IPX8 rating so it can be submerged in up to two metres of deep water for up to an hour? Hello, pool and bath time reading!
Runner-up: The latest iteration of the Amazon Kindle is ultra-affordable with a similar feature set to the Kobo Clara BW.
Best mid-range eReader: Kindle Paperwhite
Equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen and 16GB storage, 300ppi resolution offers crisp and clear text, no matter if you’re reading outdoors on the deck on a Sunday morning or in bed at night with the lights out. You can even adjust the display from white to amber to accommodate ambient lighting. It’s water-resistant so you can enjoy a few chapters while soaking in an Epsom salts bath when you have the house to yourself. Ultra-thin, it’s the perfect eReader for travel, too, easily sliding into a backpack or even large purse. It lasts up to 12 weeks per charge.
Runner-up: Step it up with the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which has double the storage, supports wireless charging, and adds auto brightness adjustment.
Best eReader for students: Kobo Elipsa 2E
Combining eReading with a digital notebook, the Kobo Elipsa 2E has a larger 10.3-inch screen. Notably, it comes with a stylus for jotting down notes. This is a useful feature for students, especially those in college and university. Download eBooks as well as PDFs and write directly on them using the Stylus 2. Also with ComfortLight Pro, you get twice as much storage as the entry Kobo Clara BW model and support for 15 different file formats, including JPEGs, TXT files, and GIFs. Eco-conscious students will love that it’s made from 85% recycled plastic and 10% ocean-bound plastic.
Runner-up: Kindle Scribe with the Premium Pen that has a built-in eraser, is the perfect tool for students to replace paper notebooks. I find it’s really like writing on paper.
Best colour eReader: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Real paperback books don’t put strain on your eyes like a bright screen might. But they also aren’t always in black and white. And your eReader doesn’t have to be either. The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft can display both black and white text as well as colour images. Yet it still looks like paper so it’s easy on the eyes. Use the Page Colour feature to invert black text and the white background for even easier reading. You get a nice-sized 7-inch screen in an ultra-thin chassis, 16GB storage, a water-resistant design, and up to eight-week battery life. My 13-year-old son who loves comic books would appreciate one like this model.
Runner-up: The Kobo Libra Colour adds a touch of colour with the ability to highlight, annotate, and read in colour if desired. Kick things up a notch with the BOOX Go Color 7 that adds limited access to Android apps so it’s more like a pared down tablet than a colour eReader.
Must-have accessories for book lovers
Once you have an eReader in mind, or if you’re shopping for someone who already has one, it’s time to start thinking about stocking stuffers! There are plenty of accessories that pair beautifully with an eReader.
Stylus for taking notes, sketching
A stylus is a nice accessory for an eReader that allows you to do things like make notes, annotations, and even sketch. Models like the Amazon Kindle Scribe include bundle options that include a stylus. For others, you might have to buy one separately. There are affordable universal stylus options, too.
Best universal stylus: Insignia Slim Stylus
This Only at Best Buy universal stylus works with all types of devices. It has a sensitive fibre tip that ensure smooth gliding on screen. As a passive stylus, it should work with any eReader that has a capacitive screen. I love how affordable it is, too, making it a perfect stocking stuffer.
Best stylus for Kobo eReader: Kobo Stylus 2 for Kobo Sage & Kobo Libra Colour
Kobo makes its own line of styli and this one is specifically matched to the kobo Sage and Kobo Libra Colour eReaders. Lightweight with a redesigned tip, you’ll get a smooth and comfortable writing experience with these two eReaders that both support note-taking. The coolest features, in my opinion, are the dedicated highlighter and eraser buttons.
Best premium stylus: Einktab Sylus Pro Pen
This stylus is compatible with a variety of eReaders, including the Kindle Scribe as well as models from reMarkable and BOOX. It’s a magnetic pen with tilt support and a built-in eraser. It even comes with five extra tips. It can magnetically attach to compatible tablets and eReaders. I love that the brand is Canadian. Double check compatibility before grabbing this one: it works with models that use Wacom EMR technology.
Protective cases are essential
A protective case protects the device from scuffs and scratches. A folio case also gives it a true book feel with a cover you can open and close. Most eReader brands make their own cases. But there are third-party brand options, too if you’re looking for a specific funky colour or design that fits their personal style.
Best case for Kobo Clara: Kobo SleepCover Case
Kobo makes its own cases that are each beautifully matched to a specific eReader. If you’re going with the Kobo Clara model, this is the right case to get. Available in six colours (I’m partial to Misty Green), it fits perfect over both the Colour and BW model, protecting it from scratches and smudges. Made from simulated leather and recycled materials, I appreciate that it’s eco-friendly, too.
Best case for Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Fabric Cover
For Kindle Paperwhite models, this simply fabric case from Amazon is literally the perfect fit. It comes in three colours and doesn’t add much bulk to the eReader itself. Open to wake and close to put the eReader to sleep. While it’s fabric, I love that it’s water-safe fabric, so you don’t have to worry if it gets a little wet. The fabric is also made from 100% recycled post-consumer polyester, which those who care about the environment will be happy to learn.
Best case for Kobo Elipsa 2E: SleepCover Case
The best case to get from any eReader, including this one, is a specially fitted one from the manufacturer. This one has the sleep/wake function when it’s open and closed along with a magnetic closure. I love that it snaps onto the eReader easily, and that it’s made from recycled and ocean-bound plastic. It can even hold a Kobo Stylus 2 if you have one.
Reading light for late-night readers
Most premium eReaders come with built-in lights. But some people prefer a traditional reading light they can hook onto the device. That’s especially so if they love curling up with a good book in bed at night. If the model doesn’t have a built-in light, this is essential for late-night or dark-room readers.
Best clip-on light: Energizer Clip Light
You can’t go wrong with Energizer when it comes to reliable brands for portable power, and this handy clip-on light hooks right to the eReader to provide warm white light to illuminate the book-like pages in the dark. The neck is flexible so you can position it as you like. I like that this means you can even clip it to the side of your night table if you’re reading while lying on your side, for example, or on the bed frame above you while sitting up instead of to the eReader itself.
Best wearable light: Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
Wearable neck fans are all the rage right now, so why not wearable lights, too? This one is rechargeable, comes in different colours, and lets you choose from three colour temperatures and six levels of brightness. With a battery that can last for up to 80 hours per charge, you’ll want to keep it by your bed to use for nightly reading sessions. It’s nice that the angle is a narrow beam so you can still read without disturbing a partner.
Charging docks, portable chargers
While eReaders typically last for weeks per charge, the last thing you want is to cozy up in your airplane seat only to realize it’s dead. Keep a portable charger on hand that you can use to not only charge your phone, but also your eReader. For at home, a charging dock is a neat spot to both store the eReader when not in use and keep it fueled 24/7.
Best charging dock for Kindle Paperwhite: Amazon Wireless Charging Dock
Designed for the 2022 and 2024 model Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition eReader, and also compatible with the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (2024), this dock keeps it upright for hands-free reading while simultaneously charging it as well. It’s a slow 7.5W charge, but a consistent one, nonetheless. Keep in mind it won’t work with the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, or Kindle Scribe as these models don’t support wireless charging.
Best universal power bank: Anker Powercore 10,000mAh Dual USB Power Bank
Grab one of these portable charging banks and you’re off to the races for recharging not only your eReader on the go, but also your smartphone, tablet, headphones, and more. It can charge two devices at the same time, with a trickle charging mode that is ideal for lower powered devices like eReaders. It has a USB-C and USB-A port and the 10,000mAh capacity will be enough to keep all your devices going through the day.
eReader sleeve with built-in stand
eReader sleeves with built-in stands facilitate hands-free reading, ideal while using an airplane seatback tray or reading at the local café.
Best case/stand for Kindle: Slim PU Shell Cover Case
Compatible with Kindle Paperwhite models from 2021 and 2023 that measure 6.8 inches in size, this cover case has auto-wake and sleep functions so the eReader will spring to life when you open it and go into sleep mode when it’s magnetically closed. But what travellers will love is the built-in stand for hands-free reading. It has precise cutouts so make sure you have a compatible eReader before buying this one.
Best universal stand: Insignia Adjustable Tablet/Smartphone Stand
Sure, it’s noted as being for tablets and smartphones, but there’s no reason you can’t use this stand as a place to prop up your eReader, too. Place it in your night stand or living room side table to grab your eReader whenever the inspiration strikes to read a few chapters. It also hold the eReader at a 90° angle, which is perfect for hands-free reading at your desk.
Gift sets & bundles
Give a loved one an eReader bundle that includes not only an eReader but also essential accessories. Save when selecting pre-packaged eReader and accessory bundles. Options include the Reader and case, some with a pen holder for an optional stylus. Some include the eReader with a stylus. You may find bundles that have all three.
Alternatively, build your own bundle that adds a case and stylus, maybe even a gift card for an eBook store like the Kobo Store to get them started with a few books.
Thoughtful extras to add
Once you have the main gift, maybe even one or two accessories, look at thoughtful extras to go with them. This could include a subscription to an audiobook service where they can enjoy a selection of options without having to pay per title. A digital library membership is also worth considering. With services like OverDrive, they can virtually “borrow” eBooks just as they would from the local library, from the comfort of their couch. Get them a public library card and they’ll be ready to go. There are a few other items you could look into as gift add-ons.
Best for keeping it clean: Whoosh! Screen Shine Cleaning Spray
A tech cleaning cloth with an eco-friendly cleaning solution is a great stocking stuffer or gift basket addition to keep the eReader screen clean and free of fingerprints. Whoosh! is one of the top brands in the business. Use the solution to remove fingerprints and smudges along with dirt and grime from the screen. It’s free of alcohol and ammonia so you can safely use it on the eReader screen, as well as all your other device screens. I’ve used this set and love how it gives my laptop and phone screen a nice shine, instantly removing grubby fingerprints without leaving streak behind.
Best for Audiobooks: Beats By Dr. Dre Powerbeats Fit in-ear noise cancelling earbuds
I just reviewed these earbuds and found that they excel when it comes to spoken word content, which makes them a a great companion for listening to audiobooks. The addition of noise cancelling is a bonus when you want to shut out the world while you listen to the latest memoir read aloud to you. For eReaders that have built-in speakers and Bluetooth, a pair of Bluetooth earbuds like these will be appreciated for private listening of audiobooks on a plane, in a coffee shop, or even in bed while their partner is sleeping.
Welcome them to the world of eReading
Nothing rivals the feel of a physical paperback book in your hands. But they gather dust in the home and create clutter. You can visit the local library, but that takes time and effort out of your already busy days. For overwhelmed moms and stressed-out university students, being able to press a button to get a novel instantly, and to be able to read it on a screen that won’t strain your eyes, is a convenience worth considering. Chances are, it will encourage them to read more as well.
eReaders will be a hot category this holiday season, so grab them the perfect eReader gift before it’s sold out. Don’t forget accessories, too! If you want to go the extra mile, take it out of the box, set them up with an eBook provider account, and download a few titles you know they’ll love. Voila! The gift instantly becomes personalized.
Check out a wide selection of eReaders and accessories at Best Buy Canada.
