10 Best E-Readers in the Philippines 2026 | Kindle, Kobo, BOOX, and More

E-ink screens are the closest to getting a natural reading experience, thanks to their paper-like look and texture. Their anti-glare property is perfect for reducing eye strain, though note that these screens don't have a backlight. That means you'll need light to read them, whether it's a lamp built into the device or an external source.

Additionally, e-ink screens consume very minimal power, sometimes lasting months with just a single charge. However, they have low refresh rates, so there are delays when changing from one frame to the next. While this is okay for reading books, they're not suited for fast-moving media like videos.

An LCD screen might seem like the opposite of e-readers, but they're actually the better choice for some kinds of media. Comic books, for instance, look better on these screens because of their ability to output color. They're also perfect for reading textbooks with necessary visual aids like in Anatomy or Design.

In addition, they also come with a backlight, so you can keep reading even without an external light source. In fact, it's better if you use them in dimly-lit environments because their screens produce glare. They can also produce eye strain over time, so they're best when used in intervals.

You won't have to worry about LED lighting if you're reading on an LCD screen, but to compensate for an e-ink's lack of backlight, some companies add LED lamps on the bezels. Amazon's Kindle line is most known for this, with two light strips running across the top and bottom of their devices to create even lighting.

The main benefit of this is that you can now read your e-ink devices in dark environments. Plus, thanks to their anti-glare design, they still won't cause any significant eye strain! However, just note that the brighter you set your lamps, the faster it consumes battery, so it's best to only use the necessary amount of lighting.

For folks who multitask, you can still enjoy your stories by getting an audiobook-compatible e-reader! These are devices with the capability to play audio. Granted, these features are only available on high-end models, but they usually come with higher storage and a better screen as well.

Additionally, most e-readers still don't have built-in speakers even with this feature. Instead, you have to connect headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. Also, take note of how your device plays these files. Kindles, for instance, sync with your Audible account, while Kobos can only read proprietary formats.

One advantage of e-readers over traditional books is that they can be waterproofed! That means you can read them by the water without worrying about ruining the device. Water-proofing is also a great layer of protection overall, as your device will also be safe from spills, sprays, or in some instances, even rain.

Generally, you want a minimum of IPX-4 protection on your e-reader. This lets it survive splashes from any direction. However, if you want a fully waterproof device, get one with an IPX-7 rating. Devices of this class can survive for thirty minutes underwater with no damage. If you have children, a waterproof device will save you liquid-related accidents.

An e-reader's operating system determines what file formats it can read. For instance, Kindle's Fire OS is best compatible with MOBI files. While this isn't an issue if you're just downloading from the Amazon store, common file formats like EPUB have to be converted first before it can read them.

Android devices, on the other hand, allow for more customizability. They also have access to the Google Play Store, where you can download reading apps that are not tied to a single file format. Just make sure that your e-reader is powerful enough to run Android, as weaker devices tend to lag.