Rating of the best and most reliable e-books

Rating of the best inexpensive e-books 2021

Rating of the best inexpensive e-books 2020

In this article we will provide a rating of e-books for 2019-2020 in the budget category. Many people today are thinking about how to choose an e-book, but there are few precise guides with specific examples on the Internet. Well, let's correct the situation. Let us emphasize that this time we will talk specifically about inexpensive devices – priced up to 10 thousand rubles and with a diagonal of 6 inches. Moreover, we didn’t even look at e-reader models without backlighting. There are such things in nature, but they are no good. The backlight is the most important part of the reader. With backlighting it is more comfortable to read even during the day, not to mention at night. Therefore, we are confident that all e-books in 2021 must already have this option.

Well, let's see what electronic readers you can buy with 10 thousand rubles. In addition, in the sidebars, as a bonus, we will answer a number of popular questions related to gadgets of this kind.

What size are e-books in 2020?

Today there are three current form factors of e-books. The first is the classic 6 inches. This format is suitable for ordinary literature. The second is 7.8 inches. On devices of this format it is much more convenient to view books and documents with graphs, diagrams, tables and diagrams, as well as comics and musical notes. The third form factor is with 10.3-inch diagonal screens. On such displays it is as comfortable as possible to study the documents listed above with complex layout. In addition, 10.3-inch e-readers are great for electronic versions of newspapers and magazines.

4th place. Digma R63W

The most simple electronic reader for unassuming users. It is cheap and, logically, does not offer any flashy features. Well, except for the very low price. The E Ink Carta screen has a low resolution of 800 x 600 pixels - the text on it looks like it is on inexpensive “newsprint” paper. The letters are loose and not very clear. With a processor speed of only 600 MHz, the device is quite sluggish, which can be annoying. The list of supported formats includes only 12 items, which is not enough. Without recharging, the model can work from three weeks to a month. This is within the bounds of decency, but not incredibly cool. In general, what you pay is what you get: not much.

Which e-book is best for a child?

For a child (schoolchild or preschooler), we can recommend a simple e-book without a touch screen - like those discussed in this article. Such readers are controlled by buttons and do not have Internet access. As a result, the child will not be distracted by unnecessary entertainment functions, but will focus on reading. What, in fact, is required: an e-book is the best way to introduce a very young person to reading literature.

3rd place. Ritmix RBK-676FL

The model is very similar to Digma, but has a higher screen resolution - 1024 x 758 pixels. Therefore, the clarity of the letters is higher. Although in general the screen quality is far from maximum, as evidenced by reviews of this e-book. Still, the product is budget. On the other hand, if you ask the question “which e-book is better – Digma or Ritmix?”, then the answer is obvious: Ritmix. On the other hand, the model supports the same 12 book formats and has the same 600 MHz processor. Whereas a good e-reader should ideally open one and a half times as many types of books and have a 1 GHz processor. As for the work time, we again have approximately three weeks to a month.

Why is an e-reader better than a smartphone or tablet?

Electronic books have special screens based on electronic ink technology – E Ink. They look like regular paper and are practically harmless to vision. The backlight of such screens does not hit the eyes, since the light flows parallel to the display. Due to this, the eyes are not irritated at all, and vision does not deteriorate. For comparison, the light from color smartphone screens goes directly into the user’s eyes. In addition, unlike the displays of e-readers, the screens of smartphones and tablets glare in the sun and flicker. All this has an extremely negative effect on vision. Therefore, ideally, you should use exclusively e-books for reading. Moreover, they work without recharging for up to 2 months, and not a day or two, like smartphones and tablets.

2nd place. Onyx Boox James Cook 2

The device is more expensive than the same Ritmix model, but it has a much lower quality E Ink screen with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Which is very strange. At the same time, Onyx runs Android. Reviews of e-books usually say that Android is good. However, this is a very misconception, and the best e-readers never use this platform. Android requires a fast and inefficient processor (Onyx has 4 cores, 1.2 GHz), and the Android OS itself willingly wastes battery power in an unknown place. Therefore, the Onyx model can last only a couple of weeks without an outlet. And in terms of operating speed, it is comparable to readers that have 600 MHz processors. Format support for Onyx Boox James Cook 2 is at an average level: 15 pieces. This is better than 12, but not the maximum for the market. Memory 8 GB.

Is it worth buying an e-reader with Android?

The Android operating system is good for smartphones and tablets, but it is not suitable for e-readers. As a rule, e-readers use older versions of Android with unoptimized power consumption. This eliminates one of the main advantages of E Ink screens – ultra-low power consumption. Therefore, a book with Android can work without recharging, for example, up to two weeks. And, say, a reader with Linux OS, which is much more economical, up to two months.

1 place. PocketBook 616

A very successful inexpensive model from the leader of the Russian reader market. It’s worth starting at least with the design - PocketBook 616, unlike the three previous models, does not look like an alien from the past. This is a very nice modern “unit”. The quality of the E Ink Carta screen (resolution - 1024 x 758 pixels) is as high as possible - it is brighter and clearer than those of Digma, Onyx and Ritmix. The device has twice as much memory as most analogues - 8 GB versus 4. The processor is 1 GHz, so the model is also almost twice as fast in operation. The picture is complemented by support for as many as 18 e-book formats - PocketBook readers, including the 616 model, are absolutely “omnivorous”. Finally, there is one more important point: PocketBook e-books are provided with a company warranty of THREE years. Against all year for other brands.

Which e-book should I buy – PocketBook or Kindle?

Amazon Kindle readers are not intended for the Russian market, although they are often mentioned in the information space. They do not have a warranty in Russia and support an extremely small number of book and document formats - only about 6. In addition, in technical terms, Kindle models are quite seriously behind the market. For the US, where they are inexpensive and there are practically no other e-books, Amazon’s models have virtually no alternative. For Russia and the CIS countries, PocketBook readers are the right option. They have a 3-year warranty, they support 20 book and document formats (that is, almost all existing ones), they are generally more technically advanced and modern.

The best inexpensive e-reader in 2020

The optimal choice is the PocketBook 616. This is a very compact model in the most popular 6-inch form factor with backlighting, a fast processor and convenient controls. In addition, the model looks more modern than its analogues, supports the maximum number of formats and is provided with a 3-year warranty. If we compare it with analogues, it turns out that the PocketBook 616 has significantly more significant advantages.

Top 8 Best E-Books

Today, the range of e-books is so wide that making a choice is oh so difficult. Therefore, I offer several options that, in my opinion, are truly worthy of the title of “Best E-Book”!

All models offered below are equipped with an E-Ink screen, a memory card input, a 6″ diagonal and a battery life of up to a month. They support all popular text formats.

Onyx BOOX GULLIVER - the best book with the maximum volume

Among e-books with increased volume, Onyx BOOX GULLIVER is rightfully considered the best. It has 32 GB of memory and a capacity of 4100 mAh. Screen diagonal – 10.3″. Fast operation is ensured by Android 4.0 OS. The device is equipped with everything necessary for comfortable use... except the backlight! It is missing due to the large dimensions of the gadget.

The disadvantages of the equipment are its heavy weight and dimensions (although you get used to them quickly enough), as well as the cost of 40,000 rubles (for the same money you can buy a powerful and modern tablet).

Price: RUB 38,490

Onyx BOOX EUCLUD – premium book with improved characteristics

This model has increased not only the built-in memory to 16 GB, but also the capacity – up to 3000 mAh, and the diagonal – up to 9.7″! Touch controls and powerful software (Android 6.0 OS) make work as comfortable as possible. Thanks to the built-in backlight, you can read at any time! You can download new books using a Wi-Fi connection or connection to a PC.

Thanks to the increased memory, you can download not only books, but also additional applications and games onto the device. This is where the first disadvantage of the book occurs - the lack of PlayMarket. Not a very significant, but still an unpleasant drawback. The most important disadvantage of the device is its high cost - almost 25,000 rubles. Is it worth spending that kind of money for an electronic “reader”? Everyone has their own answer...

Price: RUB 23,490

PocketBook 614 Plus is the best option with 8 GB memory

Built-in memory – 8 GB. Capacity - 1300 mAh. Price - about 7,000 rubles. PocketBook 614 Plus is the very case when there is nothing superfluous! Yes, you can't listen to music or go online to read the latest gossip. But do you really need an e-book for this? The screen is non-touch, buttons are used to turn pages. Cheap and cheerful! But at the same time it is as effective and truly profitable as possible. In my opinion, this is an ideal model for schoolchildren and older people.

Price: RUB 6,990

Digma S683G – budget e-reader on Linux

A relatively inexpensive model of a touch-sensitive “reader” that meets the basic needs of users and costs about 6,000 rubles. When flipping, the screen does not freeze, the transition between pages is carried out as quickly as possible. Built-in memory – 4 GB. Capacity – 1500 mAh. The device is equipped with a built-in backlight. Additional features include 2 games and a calendar.

The only drawback of the book is the power button, which (at the beginning of use) is hard to press. However, you quickly get used to it.

Price: ₽ 6,490

Onyx BOOX DARWIN 5 – the best book on the Android platform

A touchscreen e-reader on the Android platform priced at about 10,000 rubles. Built-in memory – 8 GB. Battery capacity - 3000 mAh. Plays both text and graphic files. It has a high speed Wi-Fi connection and a built-in browser. The advantage of the book is that it is backlit.

A strict, classic version of an e-book with all the necessary functions for comfortable reading.

Price: RUB 12,490

Onyx BOOX ROBINSON CRUSOE 2 – stylish and powerful device

This book model for 13,000 rubles can be safely classified as a premium class device. The touch screen has been improved, so swiping is fast. Internal memory – 8 GB. Battery capacity 3000 mAh. The device is equipped with an upgraded Wi-Fi connection system. Through the built-in browser you can both download new works and check social networks. The big advantage of the device is its water resistance. You can safely take the book to the beach and not worry about its continued performance.

The only drawback of the model is its weight (50-60 g more than its analogues). Otherwise, the e-book is perfect for moderate, regular use. It is the high characteristics that determine its price.

Price: RUB 11,990

PocketBook 625 LE – a decent touch book

A more expensive version of the e-reader with a touch screen. The price of this “reader” is already about 8,000 rubles. The built-in memory of the device is 8 GB. Battery capacity 1300 mAh. The book is equipped with an audio player, making it possible to listen to audiobooks (music). The device supports Wi-Fi connection and is equipped with a fast browser and already installed dictionaries (thanks to which you can translate foreign words from books).

The downside of touch swiping is a slight delay. However, it is annoying only in the first hours of use.

Price: RUB 7,990

Digma E61M - the best budget option

A classic rectangular book priced at about 4,500 rubles. Control is carried out using buttons. Built-in memory is 4 GB. Capacity 1500 mAh.

The disadvantage of the device is the lack of backlight. You won't be able to read a book in the evening without additional lighting. In addition, the device often freezes. But this is completely offset by the low cost of the book.

Price: ₽ 4,490

The best large format e-books

Many people use reading rooms at home. In this case, you can choose a large format with a diagonal of 9 inches or more. The cost of such models reaches 40-50 thousand rubles, but such readers are as convenient as possible.

Onyx Boox Gulliver – e-book of “Gulliver” size

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

72%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Gulliver stands out from its competitors with its screen diagonal: 10.3 inches with a resolution of 1872x1404 pixels, as well as a powerful processor (1600 MHz) and an impressive amount of RAM - 2 GB. Loading files here occurs in a fraction of a second.

Thanks to the screen's support for sixteen shades of gray, the book allows you to comfortably view images. Control is carried out via a touch display. Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) makes it easy to download new books. It is possible to work with files like zip, html, xls, chm.

Pros:

• work with all popular formats;
• strong metal case;
• powerful filling;
• capacious battery;
• installation of third-party applications is possible;
• archive support.

Minuses:

• difficult to choose a cover or case.

Onyx Boox Gulliver is an ideal solution for home use. The high cost is justified by the support of multiple formats, speed of operation and maximum comfort.

Which e-book is better to buy?

If you are choosing a reader for yourself, then you definitely need the best e-book, price and quality. First, you should focus on the amount that was set aside to purchase the device. Secondly, it is important to choose the e-reader model that suits your needs. For example, if you are an avid book lover, then you need a book with a high-resolution touch screen (this way you will save your eyes). And if you only read a book on the way to work or on weekends, then an inexpensive option with a screen of about 7 inches will suit you.