eBook reader test 2023

This eBook reader test is intended to provide information about which device suits you best. It is clear that an e-book reader offers fewer points of attack for a test than, for example, a camera or a PC. But there are definitely important cornerstones where an eBook reader can be distinguished between good and bad. That's how it is of course primarily the screen quality, under which, however, not only the resolution is evaluated (more on that later). It's her too handiness and the user interface. From a capacitive point of view, of course, too don't forget the battery life. How, where, what, why, everything is explained and directly compared again in the following report.

TOP 10 from the web

Why an eBook reader?

Well, reading enthusiasts will have recognized the advantage long ago. But even without devouring books on vacation, it will not be difficult to recognize the greatest benefit right away: the space saving! Instead of having to carry 5 books in a suitcase or decorating any parking space at home with old ham, approx. 12 x 16 x 1 cm are enough to bundle and store all imaginable documents!

But e-book readers are not just a benefit for bookworms. Occasional readers or subscribers to magazines also benefit! In addition to books and selected magazines, the devices also offer Internet access, small distraction games or practical memo and note functions. It also has to be said that a one-time investment of between 80 and 300 euros with use over many years offers great value for money.

The criteria of the eBook reader comparison

The procedure was roughly broken down into four categories (the weighting in brackets):

• Display quality (30%)
• Service (25%)
• Processing (25%)
• Price (20%)

Display quality (30%) - warm light and easy on the eyes?

Display quality includes several important test items. On the one hand, the ppi number (pixels per inch) was tested. This can easily be seen in the device performance, although it must be said that the display quality of almost every device is now so high that there is hardly any difference to be seen with the naked eye. Both Kindle Ebook Readers and the tolino vision 4 HD have a dot density of 300 ppi (1448×1072 px), the kobo aura (265 ppi) and the PocketBook (221 ppi) lag behind a bit.

Furthermore, the front light of the display is evaluated. There are major differences in this. It has been scientifically proven that the bluish Lighting of the LEDs damage the eye, especially when reading in the evening. That's why some e-book readers now have an integrated intelligent front light. The "SmartLight" of the tolino vision 4 HD serves as a perfect example. The lighting adapts to the time of day, illuminating bluish in the morning and more reddish in the evening. This is perfectly adapted to the eye and the reading mode and lets you fall asleep peacefully. So far, this smart blue light reduction can only be found in the model mentioned.

The contrast ratio of the respective e-book reader results from the front light and the resolution. The contrast is also involved to a large extent in a great reading experience. How much does the black writing stand out against the white page?

The quotient of the respective value indicates how high the contrast is. The overall image appears sharper and livelier the higher the number in front of ":1". If the quotient is smaller, the colors appear duller. The color saturation is lower due to the addition of white components.

The following is a direct statement of the individual eReaders:

When not illuminated, the following contrast values ​​result (the higher, the better):

1. Kobo aura H2O- 8,98:1
2. Kindle Voyage - 8,48:1
3. Kindle Oasis - 7,97:1
4. tolino vision 4 HD 7,79:1
5. PocketBook Touch Lux 3 - 7,45:1

With full illumination, the following contrast values ​​result (the higher, the better):

1. Kindle Voyage - 10,5:1
2. Kobo aura H2O- 10,0:1
3. Kindle Oasis - 9,89:1
4. PocketBook Touch Lux 3 - 9,54:1
5. tolino vision 4 HD 9,45:1

Here, too, the level is now extremely high. The range between the worst and the best value is no longer particularly high. Nevertheless, the contrast ratio forms a fundamental basis for our test.

In addition to the evaluation criteria that are explained in detail, the size of the screen also counts when it comes to display quality. While all other models are 6 inch devices, only the kobo aura has a 6,8 inch display, which also convinces with a great resolution (1448×1072 px) and great contrast and is our test winner in this area. All our models have lighting and with the E Ink Carta technology all systems are up to date.

Operation (25%) - the typing delay is annoying

The operation can of course be evaluated subjectively by each user. There will be things that we didn't like, but which you will appreciate very much. That's why we tried to compare menu items with each other that represent a clear added value for fluent reading and easy operation. It is the clarity of the start page, the possible menu items and, above all, the structure of the reading menu. In addition, it is of course about the responsiveness of the touchscreen when tapping.

What that kobo aura H2O For example, with the great display quality, it loses again in terms of response time. Here we would like to point out that we have only determined small percentage differences between the individual test areas. If the display quality is more important than a five percentage point difference, you have to weight it differently. In other words, the slow response time of the kobo aura H2O almost made up for the lead in display quality. At about one second, typing on the device is a bit tiresome and requires a little patience.

The reading menus are now very pronounced in all e-book readers. All manufacturers noticed that such a menu offers great reading comfort. All menus let you set the font, font size and paragraphs. We particularly liked the menu of the tolino vision 4 HD because one or two more useful features can be accessed in read mode.

Last but not least, the additional features also play a role in the evaluation. For example, the two Kindles have great functions with "Kindle FreeTime" or the vocabulary trainer. The kobo aura convinces with variety through Sudoku or a drawing function. The Pocket Book Touch Lux 3 try it with a picture gallery, but it looks a bit less in black and white - a matter of taste.

Processing (25%)- Plastic buttons and memory slots

The processing includes the evaluation of Housing, to the availability of scroll keys and expandable memory to the battery (capacitive). Even if all eBook readers are equipped with at least four gigabytes of memory, we still think it makes sense to expand the memory. The PocketBook Touch Lux 3 and the kobo aura score here.

Scroll keys are again given to subjective pleasure. Since we think this makes reading easier, we rate it positively. The PocketBook and both Kindle models fall under this category again. The aura H2O and the tolino vision 4 HD have no physical buttons. The kobo model owes this to the waterproof construction, which is also not negligible. That's why the kobo aura also collected points here.

This brings us to the case, which was rated according to handiness (size and weight) and robustness. Most 6 inch models are in the size range of approx. 16 x 11-12 x 0,5-1 cm. A handy format, from which only the small Kindle Oasis and the slightly larger than average kobo aura H2O. Compared to the PocketBook Inkpad, the models are correspondingly small. The Inkpad has a rather large screen with 8 inches. The Kindle models, especially that Oasis, is very small and light, while the aura trumps with larger screen. Once again a matter of opinion, which is why this criterion has been mentioned in every test report for purely informative purposes.

Anything but a matter of opinion is the battery life of the eBook reader. Due to the special display technology of eReaders, this is usually several weeks. However, one negative rash must be mentioned here. Kindle is generally not known for a long battery charge. during that Kindle Travel is still acceptable, the runtime of the Oasis is very short and unsatisfactory. The remaining eBook readers have a reasonable battery life.

Finally, we have the supported file formats that each reader can read. Common formats such as EPUB or PDF can be read by all eReaders and many more. Only the tolino vision 4 HD weakens a bit in terms of the range of formats and can only play back the three most common formats with EPUB, PDF and TXT.

Price (20%)- Kindle is "the Porsche"

Finally, the price. Not reading this category out of context makes no sense. After all, it's not the bare price that counts, but the corresponding price-performance ratio. And that's not always appropriate for the corresponding functions, we find. Below is a table for pure price orientation (first place is the most expensive):

1. Kindle Oasis
2. Kindle Travel
3. kobo aura H20
4. tolino vision 4 HD
5. PocketBook Touch Lux 3

In relation to the performance, the price rating becomes clear in our individual test reports. In general, it can be said that the two Kindle models are very expensive compared to the other e-book readers. But in the end it is up to you what you value and what you like to hold in your hands. All of the eBook readers we tested are of high quality and suitable for relaxed, comfortable reading.

The Icarus Illumina was not taken into account. Icarus also focuses on Android operating systems and we have opted for other eBook readers in this price segment. The Kindle Paperwhite and the tolino Shine were also not considered due to the great alternatives. Below you can see an overview of the contrast values ​​and the weight of the models.

You don't want to spend a lot, maybe you don't use the device that often or you want to test it first?

• The Pocketbook Touch Lux 3 saves you money and offers stable ebook reader functions.

Children? You want to limit time or content?

• Kindle offers the best remedy with the "FreeTime" function. Different accounts can be set up, content can be specified or checked and reading goals can be set.

Are you looking for more than just an eBook reader to read? Games and other functions are important to you?

• The kobo aura H2O convinces with various games, drawing functions and the classic Sudoku.

Do you prefer something close at hand and want physical scroll buttons?

• The Pocketbook and the Kindle Oasis offer you the scroll keys.

Are you looking for an e-book reader with a dictionary function?

• All eReaders have dictionary functions, they only decide how to use them. Kindle (Voyage and Oasis) is at the forefront with a simple flashcard feature. The tolino vision 4 HD can also trump with this.