Technologies

Best Gifts for Readers in 2023: Kindle, iPad Mini, Kobo and More

Save a tree, read an ebook! And remember: The Amazon Kindle isn’t the only electronic ink game in town.

It could be confusing to choose the best gifts for readers in your life. If you’re looking for a gift for readers, you may be surprised to hear that what you’re looking for isn’t a single book. Why buy someone just one book for the holidays when you could get them a whole digital library instead?

When you give a friend or loved one a book-reading device, they have access to a trove of titles. I especially appreciate how E Ink readers have remained largely single-function devices, focusing on reading (and occasionally note-taking), rather than branching out into games, video chats or work apps.

The most well-known digital book reader is Amazon’s Kindle line, which uses E Ink displays and supports Amazon’s ebook storefront. Current models offer self-illuminated touchscreens, eliminating the need for an external book light. But beyond Kindle’s hardware, the Kindle app works on smartphones, iPads and other devices.

If you don’t want to buy through Amazon, other alternatives exist. For instance, Rakuten’s Kobo ebook readers work with most third-party vendors using the ePub book standard. And both Kobo and Kindle let you freely read loaner books from your local library.

We’ve also rounded up even more ebook readers here, and tested several big-screen multifunction E Ink devices that are more tabletlike and add stylus support.

My biggest overall shopping tip is that most Kindle devices are frequently on sale and sometimes offer stacking trade-in deals on top of that, so you can often expect to pay less than the official retail price.

Amazon

Amazon Kindle (2022)

Best-value e-reader

Amazon has released a baseline Kindle E Ink e-reader for $100 that no longer seems so entry-level. While its 6-inch screen makes it a smaller and lighter e-reader than the step-up Kindle Paperwhite ($140), its display has the same 300-ppi resolution as the Paperwhite. However, the Paperwhite model adds waterproofing and incorporates a more sophisticated front lighting scheme, with 17 LEDs compared with the basic Kindle 2022’s four LEDs.

In the past, we’ve recommended stepping up to the Paperwhite if you could afford it, mainly because it had a higher resolution display than the entry-level Kindle, which allowed text to appear more crisp. But with both models now featuring similar displays (at least as far as resolution goes), we may have to revise that recommendation.

The Kindle (2022) is available in black or denim blue.

Read our Kindle (2022) review.

$80 at Amazon

$80 at Best Buy

Get Price Alerts

You’re receiving price alerts for Amazon Kindle (2022)

Dan Ackerman/CNET

Kindle Oasis

The luxury e-reader

Yes, Amazon’s top-end Kindle is too expensive for what it is, but when I upgraded from a Kindle Paperwhite to the Oasis a few years ago, I was knocked out by how much better the Oasis is in terms of book readability and responsiveness.

It’s got a bigger screen, and I find the physical page-turn buttons are so much better than swiping. The latest version can adjust the color temperature of the (monochromatic) screen, for better nighttime reading.

Amazon runs a lot of deals on this, and also watch out for trade-in bonuses on older Kindles to get it for a reasonable price.

Read our Kindle Oasis review.

$250 at Amazon

$250 at Best Buy

Get Price Alerts

You’re receiving price alerts for Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)

David Carnoy/CNET

Kindle Paperwhite

The default choice gets even better

The Paperwhite is Amazon’s middle-of-the-road Kindle, between the base model and the Oasis. Last year, it received a big upgrade in the form of a larger 6.8-inch screen and better battery life, which makes it my go-to choice, as it’s almost as good as the fancier Oasis now.

While the Paperwhite is waterproof and can adjust its display color temperature, it lacks the Oasis’ physical page-turn buttons.

There’s also an upgraded model, the Signature Edition ($190), with 32GB of storage (versus 8GB) and an auto-adjusting front light. More importantly, it also works with the same wireless charging Qi pads as your phone. Again, hold out for a sale or a good trade-in deal on these.

Read our Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review.

$100 at Amazon

Scott Stein/CNET

iPad Mini

The iPad for book lovers

The iPad Mini received a great makeover last year, with a bigger, better screen (now 8.3 inches), new processor, optional 5G and a thinner, lighter design. It’s the perfect size for ebooks, and the color screen makes it a great choice for reading digital comics (ahem, graphic novels). At $500, it’s more expensive than the fanciest Kindle reader, but you get a full-fledged iPadOS device that can serve as a streaming video player or game machine as well.

Read our iPad Mini (2021) review.

$469 at Amazon

$449 at Apple

$500 at Best Buy

You’re receiving price alerts for Apple iPad Mini 2021 (space gray, 64GB)

David Carnoy/CNET

Kobo Elipsa

Big-screen Kindle alternative

Amazon has long (until this year) ignored the need for bigger e-ink screens, leaving the doors open for brands like Kobo. This 10.3-inch display has stylus support for note-taking and includes 32GB of storage, a resolution of 227 dpi and a front light for nighttime reading.

No, it doesn’t officially support Amazon’s Kindle book format, but it does read key formats like PDF, ePub, MOBI and CBR, and it works with OverDrive, which is the ebook lending service most libraries use.

We’ve also rounded up a few more big-screen E Ink readers here.

$400 at Walmart

$396 at Amazon

Get Price Alerts

You’re receiving price alerts for Kobo Elipsa

Amazon/CNET

Kindle Scribe

The big-screen wildcard.

Amazon’s latest E Ink reader isn’t on sale yet, but it’s preorderable for an expected Nov. 30 launch. I’m very interested in the Scribe because it’s the first big-screen Kindle since the discontinued Kindle DX. It also adds stylus support and has a 10.2-inch display at 300 dpi (which is the same dpi as on the other Kindles).

It’s a hefty $329 to start, or up to $419 with an upgraded premium stylus and larger storage options. That’s a lot for a product we haven’t tested or reviewed yet, but it’s also — on paper — the bigger-screen Kindle I’ve been hoping for for years.

Technologies

Verum Coin Expands Accessibility with SafePal and HyperPay Wallets

Verum Coin (VERUM) continues to grow its ecosystem by integrating with two leading cryptocurrency wallets: SafePal and HyperPay Wallet. This development enhances the coin’s accessibility, providing users with secure and efficient ways to store and manage their assets.

SafePal Wallet offers advanced security features, including hardware wallet options, ensuring the utmost protection for Verum Coin holders. Its seamless interface and global accessibility make it a trusted choice for crypto enthusiasts.

HyperPay Wallet combines convenience and innovation, enabling users to manage their digital assets effortlessly. With multi-currency support and rapid transaction capabilities, HyperPay Wallet is ideal for both novice and experienced traders.

These integrations reflect Verum Coin’s commitment to delivering flexible and secure solutions, empowering its community with top-tier tools for digital asset management.

Verum Coin is a forward-thinking cryptocurrency designed to provide innovative, secure, and user-friendly tools for managing digital assets in a dynamic blockchain landscape.

Technologies

Verum Coin Now Available for SWAP on Verse.Bitcoin.com

Verum Coin (VERUM) continues to expand its utility and accessibility with the introduction of SWAP functionality on Verse.Bitcoin.com, a trusted platform for managing digital assets.

This integration enables users to seamlessly convert Verum Coin to USDT and vice versa, ensuring fast and secure transactions within a user-friendly environment.

Key benefits of this feature include:

Convenience: Simplified conversions for quick asset management.
Security: Trusted infrastructure for safeguarding digital assets.
Flexibility: Enhanced trading options for Verum Coin holders.

The addition of SWAP functionality on Verse.Bitcoin.com reaffirms Verum Coin’s commitment to offering innovative and accessible tools for cryptocurrency management.

About Verum Coin

Verum Coin is a cutting-edge cryptocurrency designed to provide secure, efficient, and flexible solutions for managing digital assets in the evolving blockchain landscape.

Technologies

Verum Coin Now Available on xPortal Crypto

Verum Coin (VERUM) has expanded its reach by becoming available on xPortal Crypto, a trusted platform for managing and securing digital assets. This integration offers Verum Coin users a new, seamless way to store, manage, and transact their cryptocurrency.

xPortal Crypto is known for its advanced security features, user-friendly interface, and efficient transaction capabilities, making it a valuable addition to VERUM’s growing ecosystem.

This milestone reflects Verum Coin’s ongoing commitment to enhancing accessibility and providing innovative solutions for crypto enthusiasts worldwide.

About Verum Coin

Verum Coin is a forward-thinking cryptocurrency designed to offer secure and efficient tools for digital asset management in the evolving blockchain space.