Top 10: Waterproof e-Ink e-readers

2024. Onyx unveiled Boox Kant 2 e-reader



The Onyx Boox Kant 2, which, if it had any more gadgets packed in, might actually sprout wings and demand a boarding pass, is a clever new e-reader that masquerades as a smartphone. Nestled within its sleek form is a 6.13-inch E Ink Carta Plus display, which, with a thoroughly respectable resolution of 824 x 1648 pixels and 16 shades of tasteful gray, delivers an experience so engrossing it might make real paper feel insecure. A 2GHz quad-core processor, cozily partnered with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable, naturally, for those who never delete anything), keeps everything running smoothly. Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, and a USB-C port? Of course. A 3950mAh battery? Absolutely, because you’ll need the juice when you’ve lost yourself in the wilderness of your library. Running on Android 11, it's as user-friendly as a slightly tipsy but helpful tour guide. Splash-resistant, equipped with a speaker and microphone (because why shouldn’t an e-reader talk back occasionally?), and packing features like auto-rotation, a flashlight, and a built-in dictionary, the Kant 2 supports numerous e-book and audiobook formats. No camera, though – because even the Kant 2 has its limits.


2023. MobiScribe released color waterproof eNote - MobiScribe Wave Color



Earlier this year, MobiScribe introduced the MobiScribe Wave with a 7.8-inch black and white E Ink screen and now they unveil a color variant of the this device. The MobiScribe Wave Color costs $320 (while the black and white version costs $285). It also boasts a 7.8-inch E Ink Kaleido Plus screen and runs Android 12. It includes a built-in speaker for audio books and a backlight with adjustable color temperature. The device has a 2,500 mAh battery. As expected, it comes with a stylus and the touchscreen supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity using Wacom touch, similar to most electronic note-taking devices. Additionally, the MobiScribe Wave is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

2023. New waterproof 7.8″ Nook GlowLight 4 Plus is available



Barnes and Noble has officially unveiled the Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, a new model of its e-reader with a 7.8-inch screen that costs $199. It's essentially an updated version of Nook GlowLight Plus, which was released in 2019 as BN's first Nook with a large screen. The new Nook features physical page-turning buttons on either side of the display and (most importantly) is waterproof. It's rated IPx7, allowing the device to be submerged in 3 feet of (fresh - not sea) water for up to 30 minutes. Plus, it now supports B&N audiobooks - there's even a separate tab for audiobooks. A single battery charge lasts for 3 weeks of reading and continuous audio playback via Bluetooth can last for about 9 hours.


2023. Pocketbook Era waterproof e-reader wins Red Dot Award for Design



PocketBook Era e-reader has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award for its exceptional design. As the brand's flagship model, it has recently undergone a complete redesign, resulting in an elegant and ergonomic case and interface that provide an unrivaled reading experience. The Red Dot Award, since 1955, has recognized outstanding achievements in design, innovation and of course it rewards not only e-books readers. According to Alexander Morocco, the designer who created PocketBook Era and other e-readers of the brand, says that the design of the Era embodies the philosophy of modern minimalism, combining elegant lines with phenomenal ease of use.


2023. Mobiscribe Wave unveiled water-proof e-note reader



Mobiscribe has unveiled the Wave, an Android device for reading e-books and taking digital notes. There are two models available: one with a traditional black and white E INK display and one with a color e-paper display using Kaleido Plus. The black and white model ($260) has a 7.8-inch display. The device is waterproof, so you can use it in the bath or on the beach. There is an external speaker, a 2500 mAh battery. The MobiScribe WAVE has advanced note-taking features. Now you can add layers to your notes. The color version has the same features as the black and white model but costs $350.


2022. Tolino Shine 4 - waterproof ereader with free cloud storage and free wi-fi



The Tolino Alliance has introduced the Shine 4, an impressive e-reader featuring an E Ink Carta 1200 display panel. This new model boosts performance by 30% compared to the previous generation. Reading e-books from various online retailers will be a pleasure with its six-inch, 300 PPI display. It is now available and retails for €139.00. The Tolino Shine 4 boasts a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen with a resolution of 1072×1404 and 300 PPI. The Tolino Cloud offers 25 GB of additional online storage for users in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It connects to the internet via WLAN 802.11 ac/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz) and provides free access to Deutsche Telekom AG hotspots in Germany. The device can be charged using USB-C through a computer or wall outlet. The 1500 mAh battery should last for 2-3 weeks of reading. It is also waterproof with an IPX 8 rating, meaning it can be fully submerged in fresh water up to 2 meters deep for up to 60 minutes, making it suitable for use in the bathtub or at the beach.


2022. Kobo's new waterproof Clara 2E e-reader takes on Kindle



Kobo is introducing a new waterproof e-reader - the Kobo Clara 2E, which could challenge Amazon's Kindle e-readers. The device features an exterior crafted from over 85 percent recycled plastic, with 10 percent of it reportedly sourced from ocean-bound materials. The Kobo Clara 2E includes Bluetooth technology for audiobooks, offers 60 minutes of water resistance in up to two meters of water and provides more storage for your eBooks than earlier Kobo models (16GB). It boasts a six-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 glare-free display with dark mode and blue light reduction and promises weeks-long battery life. Priced at $150, it is less expensive than the company's previous Forma model but costlier than the Nia model. Additionally, Kobo's SleepCovers for the device are made from recycled polyester with an inner microfibre lining created from 40 percent recycled plastic water bottles — available in colors like Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Coral Reef Orange and Sea Glass Green.


2018. The new Kindle Paperwhite is thinner and waterproof



Kindle Paperwhite has received several updates that will give users a more premium experience while keeping the device’s starting price at $130. Water resistance is the most considerable of all the improvements. The e-reader now has an IPX8 rating, which means it can be submerged in up to two meters of water for up to an hour. Like Kindle Oasis before, this e-reader has a flat front panel instead of the raised bezels of older, cheaper models. This change gives the model a more premium look and should prevent water from getting into the electronic circuitry. Additionally, it will make this Paperwhite the thinnest and lightest yet. There are also several improvements in the software, including a refreshed home page with more personalized recommendations, as well as the ability to save different settings profiles.


2018. Kobo's latest e-reader is called the Forma



Kobo has unveiled a new e-reader - Kobo Forma with an 8-inch display. It features a new ergonomic design, water resistance, a battery that lasts for weeks and a lot of other new features. The new design includes an ergonomic grip on the side, which gives the device a fresh look and makes it more comfortable to hold. There are also two buttons on the right edge, which make turning pages a breeze, especially compared to swiping on a touchscreen. The device weighs just 197 grams, which is about 15 percent lighter than the latest Kobo Auro One. Despite the lightweight design, the e-reader is durable and Kobo says it can withstand drops from two meters. Additionally, thanks to the IPX8 rating, the device can be submerged in water up to two meters deep. The Forma starts at $300 for the 8GB version.


2017. Amazon's Kindle Oasis gets big and waterproof



Amazon is revamping its flagship e-reader Kindle Oasis in a dramatic fashion. It is Amazon’s largest Kindle e-reader to date, featuring a 7-inch display. It’s also the company's first waterproof model. It’s remarkably, almost paper-thin on one side (0.13 inches) and then expands significantly to a third of an inch on the other side to house the battery. Amazon has also boosted the number of over-the-screen LED lights to 12 (up from 10) for more even illumination. Another major update is the integration of the Audible audiobook service. Although Amazon owns Audible, it had never been included in the Kindle before. Now, you can browse and purchase Audible books directly on the device. Additionally, the starting price of the Kindle Oasis is now $249 with 8 GB of storage.