I personally got an old Android-based Chinese e-reader (Likebook, now called Meebook), but it was 100 euros so it may go out of budget. There's also Kobo that allows to import your epubs and PDFs. Don't know much about Kindle to be honest, but I have the impression that it's the most restrictive platform
this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2026
1 points (100.0% liked)
Books
613 readers
2 users here now
For all books - fiction and non-fiction.
founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
I'd go with a kobo as mine has been very good to me. Easy drag and drop interface for adding books is very nice.
I'd avoid kindle as they are quire restrictive and while you can jailbreak them it's a pain in the arse so avoid it of you can.
I'm very annoyed with my Tolino (EU branding for Kobo). Drag and drop is nice but there's no way to update metadata (fixing titles or authors for example) and now it often simply doesn't recognize new epub files which I add.
Consider installing Koreader on it and using that. It is so much better than the stock OS it is hard to express in words.
I might have to try that. I'm at the point where I am willing to buy something which runs stock Android but other than my Tolino not loading new books properly it's completely sufficient.
I did finally do this and oh goodness you're right. Thanks for reminding me this was an option.
Just don't get nerd sniped by the high level of customisability because it will eat into your reading time.
I was already familiar with koreader having used it on mobile sometimes, but I am definitely getting sucked into the customisation black hole.
My wife’s kobo gets half if not less of the battery life as my kindle. Not sure why the huge discrepancy, but jailbreaking my kindle was totally worth it to have 1 month battery life with heavy usage.
Looking into it.
I've only had a second generation kindle, and aside from the garbage Amazon marketplace, it displayed the pdfs I put on it manually just fine.
I highly recommend a second-hand kindle + anna's archive. A week+ of battery life with reading wveryday for couple of hours.
I do Kindle, but put epubs/pdfs on it through Calibre, I get all my books on Annas Archive
Calibre for the win!
The two big ones are Kobo and Kindle. Everyone will say kobo is better because the software is less restrictive, which is true, but the battery life is total shit compared to kindle. Yes buying into amazons ecosystem sucks, but it’s easy to never interact with it and just pirate epubs on a kindle.
For the newer eink device companies I’m not sure, could be some good ones out there.
I currently use a Boox tablet. They are more on the expensive side since they are full android tablets. I had a black and white one last me about 5-6 years, and could have lasted longer if I glued the screen back to the body of the device. I upgraded to a new model colour one and I really appreciate it for what I use it for. If you are just looking for a reader and you don't want to take notes on it then I would recommend getting something cheaper. I just don't have experience with anything else.
I think you should consider putting Librera on your phone if you don't have a social media addiction problem. Dark mode is very comfortable. It's not good for comics (unless you are using it on a tablet), I use Perfect Reader for those. An e-reader would probably be better but this is just so cheap, and more portable.
I tried reading on my phone. Just doesn't do it.
A tablet would definitely be better
Or even a color e-ink tablet
Honestly, by the time you get one, you'll probably have the best one.
They're developing fast.
I use ReadEra Premium
I would just get ReadEra Premium (life time payment, which is how it should be)
Maybe Calibre or freda but I think ReadEra has a cloud storage too
...You had a book sack that you carried around?!
...ngl, that's kinda metal