When we write about e-readers, Kindle is usually the first name that comes to mind. But in the color e-reader market, Kindle has been late to the party. That delay opened the door for other brands to step in with stronger devices. We’ve rounded up the best color e-readers, and here are the ones that stood out.
Color e-reader price increases
This year has not been good for tech prices. Due to the global memory crisis, prices are increasing on tablets, phones, laptops, and even e-readers. Three out of the four color e-readers on this list increased in price this year. The only e-reader to avoid a price hike was the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
Temper your color expectations
Having tested my way through a lot of e-readers — and now color e-readers — I’ve found a universal truth: While the colors are accurate, they often look a bit washed out. No matter which brand you use, that’s going to be the case. The muted tones don’t outweigh the convenience and portability of color e-readers, but it’s worth tempering your expectations.
Don’t expect the vivid, punchy colors of an iPad screen. An iPad has a max of 500 nits (a measure of brightness), while Kobo and Kindle e-readers max out at 100.
New to this guide:
As of October 2026, we added the new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition to this list. While the display and resolution haven't improved, its new aluminum casing makes it a sturdier e-reader.
In February 2026, we added the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to this guide. After testing Amazon's latest e-reader, we were thoroughly impressed by both its speed and display.
What about ReMarkable tablets?
You might notice that ReMarkable e-ink tablets are not on this list. We've tested both the ReMarkable Paper Pro and ReMarkable Paper Move, and while they're dynamic digital notebooks, they're limited in their e-reader capabilities. Getting e-books on these devices was a bit of a struggle, and we missed the Libby integrations available on Kindles and Kobos. So while we think they're great e-ink tablets, they're inferior e-readers.