Best eBook Readers

The Nook Touch tops my list of the best ebook readers. The price drop to $99 was the clincher.

For me, the Nook Touch is the best ebook reader because it can be hacked to run Android apps, including most ereading apps like Kindle, Aldiko, Google, and a number of news and RSS apps, making it the ultimate ebook reader overall. It can also run note apps, PDF apps, a few games, web browsers, and a lot of other apps—all this on top of the Nook's regular functionality.

I realize the majority of people have no interest in rooting their Nook to unlock its hidden features. For those people it still stands out as one of the top ebook readers with its touchscreen display, comfortable-to-hold design, new darker fonts thanks to the 1.1 firmware update, fast page-turns, the built-in lending and social features, and the sub-$100 price. Having page-turn buttons on each side of the screen is a nice bonus too, and is something none of the other touchscreen ereaders offer.

Price: $99 at B&N

Nook Touch Review »

The Kindle 4 is a surprisingly nice ebook reader for being the lowest-priced ereader at $79. It doesn't feel cheap at all and is very easy to use. Even the non-subsidized version at $109 that is available internationally as well as the US is an incredible bargain.

Because of its simple nature, the Kindle 4 makes for a good starter ebook reader as well as for those that are technically challenged.

However, it's hard to choose the Kindle 4 over the Kindle Touch, which is just $20 more. It has more advanced features with the touchscreen, text-to-speech, audio support, and the added features like X-Ray and multi-touch for zooming.

Price: $79-$109 at Amazon

Kindle 4 Review »

The Sony Reader PRS-T1 is a top choice for those looking for an ebook reader with more advanced features than the Kindles or Nook.

The Sony PRS-T1 is the only ebook reader that allows for downloading library ebooks directly to the device itself and adding hand-written notes and drawings to ebooks and PDFs. It also has 12 dictionaries, history mode for jumping forward and back between visited pages, adjustable fonts types, margin crop, pinch-zooming, it supports audio, and has the best web browser of any ebook reader to date.

Another bonus with the PRS-T1 is that it can be hacked to run Android apps, such as Kindle for Android and Cool Reader. A hacked Sony Reader isn't nearly as advanced as a hacked Nook Touch at this point, but give it some time to develop and the sky is the limit.

Price: $129 at Amazon

Sony PRS-T1 Review »

Starting at $99, the Kindle Touch is the best value Kindle because it has an infrared touchscreen that supports multi-touch, it has optional 3G wireless, a web browser, it supports audiobooks, text-to-speech, and music playback.

All the usual Kindle features are included as well: notes, highlights, bookmarks, email ebooks and documents directly to it, borrow ebooks from libraries, free ebooks with Amazon Prime, and access to Kindle games and Kindle apps.

Price: $99-$189 at Amazon

Kindle Touch Review »

The Kobo Touch is a nice alternative EPUB ebook reader, especially if you like to add your own custom fonts. All you have to do is create a folder on the Kobo and add whatever TTF and OFT fonts to it you want and they will show up in the menu to change when reading. It has a lot of line spacing and margin options too.

The Kobo Touch ties in with Facebook for sharing what you're reading with friends and family. It also has a web browser, notes and highlights, dictionary, reading awards and stats, and translation dictionary. The Kobo Touch is available internationally as well.

Price: $129 at Buy.com, Indigo

Kobo Touch Review »