Top 10: Cheap e-Ink readers

2023. iReader launches 8-inch Ocean 3 Plus e-reader



iReader has introduced the Ocean 3 Plus e-reader, featuring an impressive 8-inch E Ink display. This places the new Ocean 3 Plus model above the Ocean 3, a 7-inch e-reader released by the company earlier this year. The e-reader boasts 256 levels of grayscale and is equipped with front light technology, ensuring enjoyable reading experiences regardless of the surrounding lighting conditions. Ocean 3 Plus includes notable improvements in the device's performance. They assert a 10 percent increase in page-turning speed, a 12 percent boost in boot speed, and a 15 percent enhancement in PDF opening speed. Additionally, the e-reader offers ample storage space with 32 GB of onboard memory. To keep the Ocean 3 Plus running smoothly, it is powered by an 1800 mAh battery, capable of supporting up to 72 hours of continuous reading and a standby time of 30 days. The overall design remains familiar, resembling the asymmetrical build of a Kindle Oasis, with the right edge slightly thicker to accommodate convenient grip and physical page turn buttons. As you move towards the rest of the body, it tapers down to an incredibly slim 3.9mm thickness.


2023. PocketBook released new 6″ Basic Lux 4 eReader



PocketBook has introduced the latest addition to its lineup, known as the PocketBook Basic Lux 4, priced at $109. Featuring a 6-inch E Ink screen with 212 ppi, the device includes a frontlight; however, the color temperature is not adjustable. With 8GB of internal storage, users have the option to expand it further using a microSD card slot. Connectivity options include a USB-C port and WiFi. Typical of most PocketBook models, the Basic Lux 4 retains physical page-turn buttons positioned below the screen. It offers extensive support for various ebook formats, including those with Adobe DRM, and enables wireless file transfer through Dropbox. The device weighs a mere 155 grams. At a glance, it may not appear significantly different from its predecessors, apart from the transition from a microUSB to a USB-C port. The middle button seems slightly altered, although the exact changes are difficult to discern from the available pictures.

2022. Chinese iReader is introducing English on all of their e-readers



iReader, a Chinese brand known for its e-readers and digital note-taking devices featuring E Ink displays, has predominantly focused on the domestic market. However, the company has revealed to Good e-Reader that within the next two weeks, they will release a firmware update that will introduce English language support. This update will encompass the user interface, menus, and stock apps, making devices such as the Smart 3, XS Pro, XS, Ocean, and C6 available in English. This development marks iReader's entry into the North American market, presenting an opportunity for the brand to gain relevance in this region. Notably, iReader produces robust devices, with the XS and XS Pro resembling Kindle Oasis clones that run on the Android operating system, allowing users to access various applications.


2022. New basic Kindle offers premium Paperwhite features for under $100



Amazon has introduced a new 6-inch Kindle that is hailed as its "lightest and most compact" e-reader yet. Although it joins Amazon's regular Kindle lineup, its specifications align more closely with the $139.99 Paperwhite model. It incorporates several features from the premium lineup, including a high-resolution display of 300ppi for sharp text and graphics, a dark mode, and USB-C charging. Notable improvements include a battery life lasting up to six weeks per charge, 16GB of storage (twice the capacity of its 2019 predecessor), and the return of the adjustable front light. Impressively, this new Kindle is priced at just $99.99, a mere $10 increase from the previous generation, making it an enticing option for those seeking an upgrade from older models that lost the ability to browse, borrow, or purchase books directly from the Kindle Store last month.


2022. Onyx Boox launches Poke 4 and Poke 4S e-Readers



Onyx Boox has recently unveiled two entry-level e-readers specifically designed for consuming digital content such as books, comics, and manga, without any note-taking capabilities. These devices come equipped with Google Android 11 and full access to the Google Play Store, enabling users to download a vast array of both free and paid applications. While pricing and release dates have yet to be confirmed, the Onyx Boox Poke 4 boasts a 6-inch E INK Carta HD capacitive touchscreen display, supported by a Quad-Core 2.0GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. It is fueled by a 1500mAh battery. On the other hand, the more budget-friendly option, the Onyx Boox Poke 4S, features a 6-inch E INK Carta HD touchscreen display, powered by a Quad-Core 2.0GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It offers 2.4G&5G dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and is also powered by a 1500mAh battery.


2021. Onyx Boox launches an affordable Leaf eReader



While not widely recognized, Onyx consistently delivers reliable gadgets at a reasonable price point. Their latest offering is the Onyx Boox Leaf, a 7-inch e-book reader that focuses on simplicity and functionality. With no stylus support, it serves as a lightweight alternative, weighing only 170 grams, catering to those seeking a less burdensome device than traditional tablets. The primary emphasis is on reading, providing a distraction-free experience. Onyx also offers a magnetic case specifically designed for the Leaf, enabling users to hold the device like a physical book and utilize the page turn buttons for an authentic reading experience. Additionally, the Leef ebook reader supports audiobooks, text-to-speech functionality, and audiobooks. It is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to enhance their audio listening experience with headphones or Bluetooth speakers. Powered by Android 10, the Onyx Boox Leaf eReader combines simplicity and functionality in a compact package.


2021. New PocketBook InkPad Lite 970 has cheap 9.7-inch E Ink Screen



PocketBook has introduced the PocketBook InkPad Lite, a new budget ereader equipped with a 9.7-inch E Ink Carta screen. Set to be released in autumn 2021, the device is expected to be priced at $299, making it the most affordable large-screen ereader on the market by approximately $50. However, the PocketBook InkPad Lite is raising eyebrows due to its peculiar screen choice. PocketBook has opted for the cheapest screen available, featuring a resolution of 1200 x 825, which is the same resolution used by 9.7-inch E Ink screens over a decade ago. This results in a pixel density of only 150 ppi. In comparison, the Likebook P10 offers a superior screen with 200 ppi and is only slightly more expensive. Furthermore, the Likebook P10 boasts an upgraded quad-core CPU with 2GB of RAM and runs on a more versatile Android operating system.


2020. Kobo introduces $99 e-reader Nia to replace Aura



Rakuten has introduced a new, entry-level e-book reader that stands up favorably to the most affordable Amazon Kindle in various significant aspects. The Kobo Nia features a 6-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024x758 pixels and 212 ppi. It incorporates Kobo's ComfortLight technology, allowing users to adjust the display's brightness according to their preference. With a sleek design weighing in at 172 grams and measuring 9.2mm in thickness, the Nia offers a visually appealing form factor. Inside, it is powered by a 1,000mAh battery, providing "weeks" of reading on a single charge, and offers 8GB of storage capacity. In comparison, Amazon's cheapest Kindle, which inevitably draws comparisons to the Nia, starts at $89.99 but includes Amazon's "Special Offers" ads. Without the ads, the price increases to $109.99. The Kindle also features a 6-inch display but with a lower resolution of 165 ppi and only half the storage capacity of the Nia. These factors make the Nia an enticing choice for budget-conscious e-reader shoppers who prefer not to be locked into Amazon's ecosystem.


2019. Kobo brings the Forma form factor to a cheaper model Kobo Libra



The new Kobo Libra H2O brings the sleek form factor of the Forma e-reader to a 7-inch screen device, retailing at a relatively affordable price of $170. Although it may not be the cheapest option in the e-reader market, it's a positive development to witness some of these advanced features becoming more accessible. The device's form factor is highly functional, allowing users to read in both landscape and portrait orientations, with automatic screen rotation thanks to the built-in accelerometer. Kobo has also made software improvements, enhancing menus, book scrubbing, and previews for a smoother reading experience. Additional convenient features include the ability to adjust front light intensity by swiping the screen's side and the device being waterproofed with an IPX8 rating, ensuring protection against water damage.


2018. Arta Tech unveiles InkBook Lumos



Arta Tech has introduced the InkBook Lumos, a new e-reading device. Sporting a six-inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800×600 and a pixel density of 167 PPI, the Lumos targets the entry-level segment, much like the Kindle Basic. Powered by a cost-effective Dual-Core Cortex A9 processor instead of a Freescale, there may be performance limitations associated with this device. It offers 128MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, and does not support SD cards. Operating on Android 4.4.2, the InkBook Lumos is available for pre-order at a retail price of $88 USD via the Inkbook website.


2013. Kobo launched new cheaper front-lit e-reader and some new features



Kobo has introduced the new e-reader, Kobo Aura, which serves as a more affordable alternative to the company's $170 "luxury" front-lit e-reader, the Aura HD. The Kobo Aura is currently available for pre-order and will be on sale starting September 16 at a price of $149. It offers 4 GB of storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB, and features a front-lit screen with a resolution of 212 DPI. In addition, Kobo has made several content-related announcements. One of them is the launch of a book discovery feature called "Beyond the Book." Furthermore, Kobo Kids, the children's ebookstore, will offer approximately 100,000 titles. This platform allows parents to create dedicated accounts for their children, set book-buying allowances, and pre-select the books that their kids can purchase. Additionally, Kobo has partnered with the read-it-later service Pocket, integrating the Pocket app directly into Kobo's e-readers.