Nothing will ever truly replace a paperback or a hardcover book, at least not for me. The feel of paper, the faint smell of ink, the satisfying weight of a story in your hands; that’s something digital screens can’t quite replicate.
But time doesn’t ask for permission to change things.
Almost everything has gone digital: music, movies, even meetings. So, books had to follow. If you’re a reader, you’ve probably given in at some point, too. That’s where e-readers come in, the sleek, digital cousins of books designed to make reading portable, minimal, and efficient.
Why Readers Are Switching to E-Readers
E-readers (short for electronic book readers) are ridiculously convenient. Instead of carrying multiple books, you can fit thousands of titles into one lightweight device. Their E Ink displays mimic paper, making them easier on the eyes compared to tablets or phones.
And unlike your phone, e-readers don’t ping you with notifications, they’re built purely for reading focus.
The Amazon Kindle, launched in 2007, popularized this category, selling out in six hours. Since then, Kindle has dominated the e-reader market. But by 2025, many strong competitors have emerged, some even outperform Kindle in areas like color display, stylus support, and file flexibility.
The 8 Best Kindle Alternatives in 2025
Below are eight tested and compared e-readers that rival (or surpass) the Kindle lineup in performance, flexibility, and design.
1. Kobo Libra Color
The Kobo Libra Color is one of the best e-readers of 2025 for those who love comics, magazines, or colorful annotations.
Key Features:
- 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color display
- Waterproof (IPX8 rating)
- Adjustable warm and cold light
- Supports 15+ file formats, including EPUB and PDF
- Deep OverDrive integration for library lending
Why It’s Great: Kobo offers the freedom Kindle doesn’t, support for multiple formats and easy access to free or public-domain books.
Price Range: From ₦220,000 / $250
2. Onyx Boox Palma 2
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 combines the size of a smartphone with the focus of an e-reader. Its Android-based interface allows you to install apps like Google Play Books, Scribd, or even Kindle itself.
Highlights:
- 6.1-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Runs Android 14
- Supports both reading and audiobooks
- Excellent for note-taking and multitasking
Best For: Readers who want a pocketable, powerful hybrid device.
Price Range: From ₦310,000 / $330
3. Onyx Boox Go Color 7
The Boox Go Color 7 offers one of the most vibrant color E Ink experiences currently available. Designed for professional readers, designers, and students, it’s perfect for highlighting or reviewing content on the go.
Specs:
- 7-inch Kaleido 3 display (300 PPI grayscale / 150 PPI color)
- 4GB RAM + 64GB storage
- USB-C fast charging
- Android 14 with Google Play Store
Why It’s a Kindle Rival: Its open Android OS lets you use Kindle, Kobo, or any other e-reading app, all on one device.
4. Kobo Clara Color
Compact and affordable, the Kobo Clara Color is the ideal budget e-reader for those who want a splash of color without premium pricing.
Features:
- 6-inch Kaleido 3 E Ink display
- 16GB storage
- ComfortLight PRO with adjustable brightness
- Lightweight (just 174g)
Ideal For: Commuters or students who want portability, simplicity, and color at a fair price.
Price Range: From ₦160,000 / $180
5. Viwoods AiPaper
The Viwoods AiPaper is a rising star in the 2025 e-reader space. Known for its ultra-thin design and advanced AI-powered reading assistance, it’s designed for productivity and academic use.
Core Highlights:
- 10.3-inch HD Carta 1250 display
- AI note summarization and translation
- Pen input for handwriting and diagrams
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
Why It’s Unique: Its built-in AI assistant helps summarize research papers or notes, making it perfect for students, researchers, and professionals.
6. TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER Edition
The TCL 50 Pro isn’t an e-reader in the traditional sense, it’s a smartphone with a paper-like NXTPAPER 3.0 display.
Key Features:
- 6.7-inch full-color anti-glare screen
- Eye-safe display for long reading sessions
- Dual use: phone + reading tablet
Why It’s Here: It bridges the gap between smartphones and e-readers, ideal for users who don’t want to carry two devices.
7. reMarkable Paper Pro
For note-takers and thinkers, the reMarkable Paper Pro remains unmatched. It’s not just an e-reader, it’s a digital paper tablet for writing, sketching, and reading PDFs.
Specs:
- 10.3-inch monochrome E Ink Carta display
- Latency under 20ms
- Cloud sync across devices
- Supports handwriting-to-text conversion
Best For: Writers, creatives, and professionals who want a paper-like writing experience.
8. Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025)
While not a traditional e-reader, the 2025 iPad 11th Gen deserves a spot for its TrueTone Retina display and Apple Books ecosystem.
Highlights:
- 11-inch Liquid Retina display
- Apple Pencil 3 support
- Adjustable reading modes and Night Shift
- Great for audiobooks and multi-format reading
Best For: Readers who also want a tablet for work and entertainment.
Final Thoughts: Which Kindle Alternative Should You Choose?
The Kindle still leads in simplicity and battery life, but in 2025, e-reader variety has exploded.
- Choose Kobo Libra Color if you want open-format flexibility.
- Pick Onyx Boox Go Color 7 or Palma 2 for Android versatility.
- Go with reMarkable Paper Pro if writing and note-taking matter most.
- Or grab the TCL 50 Pro if you want a hybrid phone-reader combo.
Whichever you choose, all eight of these Kindle alternatives deliver immersive, distraction-free reading that fits your lifestyle, proving that the future of reading doesn’t belong to one brand alone.
