E-readers: the downsides, first

Wirecutter notes a $20 launch increase over the previous model and says prices are now $40 above launch. TechRadar calls it 'expensive for its feature set' and says to wait for a sale. Tom's Guide also lists the higher price as a con.

Tom's Guide calls the power-button location bad, and Engadget says the bottom-edge button is easy to press by accident. TechRadar says the slim bezels and smooth back make it hard to grip, and the plastic attracts dust and smudges more than any other reader it tested.

Engadget says the standard Paperwhite shows lock-screen ads (the Signature Edition doesn't). TechRadar says the home screen constantly points you to the Kindle Store, and that only about 11.5 GB of the 16 GB is usable. Wirecutter regrets that Amazon still hasn't added page-turn buttons. Amazon's summary calls functionality and compatibility mixed.

TechRadar and Engadget note the stylus costs extra ($290 with stylus vs $220 without, per Engadget). TechRadar says the 7-inch screen is too small for heavy note-taking.

TechRadar lists a couple of functions that suffer from lag. Amazon's summary says screen quality and reliability are mixed, with some owners reporting visual clarity issues and finding it doesn't meet their needs. Some also find the 7-inch size too small. Wirecutter says the colors look subdued.

Engadget's only listed con is that Kobo's store is smaller than Kindle's. TechRadar was initially disappointed by the dated design, notes the model is over two years old, and says Kobo hasn't released new readers in a couple of years.

Kobo claims up to 53 days, but Wirecutter's reviewer got just a few weeks at higher brightness, versus about six weeks for the basic Kindle and two-plus months for the Paperwhite.

Amazon's review summary says the software gets mixed feedback, with some owners reporting crashes.

TechRadar lists no cloud file transfer, a dated plastic design, and a 6-inch screen that some may find small. It also notes only Kobo-store audiobooks will play. Engadget notes Kobo's store is smaller than Kindle's.

TechRadar says black-and-white text lacks contrast. Engadget says color adds slight noise to white areas and reduces text clarity. Amazon's summary says some owners find the screen grainy.

Wirecutter says color E Ink brings slower refresh, lower resolution and a limited color range that can look washed out, and all of these apply to this Kaleido 3 screen.

TechRadar says 6 inches may be too small, especially for comics. Engadget says the plastic is grainier and the bezels sit less flush than on rivals.

Wirecutter says the Scribe is too expensive compared with other digital notebooks. TechRadar lists 'very expensive' and says it's hard to justify. Tom's Guide says the high price makes it hard to recommend. Amazon owners are mixed on value.

TechRadar says the larger size makes handheld use difficult. NBC Select lists the older Scribe as less portable.

Amazon's review summary says some owners report routine freezing. TechRadar finds the home screen cluttered with Kindle Store recommendations, says the OS takes nearly 10 GB of storage, and says file support still trails Kobo and Boox.

Tom's Guide says the only real catch is price. TechRadar says it doesn't feel premium enough for the price. Engadget says the Paperwhite is better value unless color matters a lot. Amazon owners are split on value.

Engadget found black-and-white text slightly less sharp and contrasty, and the screen blue-leaning in low light. Amazon's summary says some owners find the display not as crisp as expected and the brightest setting still dark. Wirecutter says color E Ink looks muted compared with a tablet.

Engadget's review unit developed a yellow band along the bottom of the display, and multiple owners reported the same. Amazon offered replacements or refunds and says software and display changes fixed it in newer units.

Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, Engadget and NBC Select all list the lack of water resistance as a drawback. Engadget and Tom's Guide also note there's no adjustable warm light, unlike the Paperwhite.

Wirecutter says the 2024 Kindle cost $10 more at launch than its predecessor and is now $40 above its launch price because of a RAM shortage. Engadget says lock-screen ads are on by default and cost $20 to remove, and that Kindle DRM books only work on Kindle devices and apps. TechRadar left it off its main list because it no longer represents good value at full price. Tom's Guide calls being locked into Amazon's ecosystem a drag.

Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed, with some owners reporting frequent glitches, and battery life is mixed, with some calling it terrible. Tom's Guide lists slow download speed as a con.

TechRadar says text lacks crispness, the display has a strong yellow hue, the front light isn't very bright, and ghosting is constant. Amazon's summary says some owners find the color faint and the screen dull and grainy.

TechRadar says it chews through its 2,300 mAh battery quickly even on default settings, and lost about 25% on average while asleep, versus the 5-10% it expects. Amazon owners report mediocre battery life.

Engadget says Boox's Android readers aren't easy for beginners and the built-in reader handles only DRM-free EPUBs. TechRadar says submenus are hard to find. Amazon's summary says setup is a pain for some, response can be slow, and multiple owners report the device failing on its own.