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In this report

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eBook Readers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 20 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
As of Nov. 2011
E-book Readers
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests several popular e-book readers, ranking them from best to worst and recommending models its editors like the most. The report includes e-readers from Aluratek, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BeBook, iRex, Kobo, Pandigital, Sony and more. Each is rated on readability, versatility, responsiveness, page turn, navigation and file support. Battery life and price are also noted.
2. CNET
As of Nov. 2011
Best E-book Readers
by David Carnoy
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDavid Carnoy includes four e-book readers on this list, each with a rating and lengthy single-product review. The Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch and Nook Color score highest, but the Amazon Kindle with Special Offers and the Sony Reader PRS-T1 also make the list.
3. PCMag.com
As of Nov. 2011
Ebook Readers Latest Reviews
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com tests plenty of the latest e-book readers. The Barnes & Noble Nook Color, Nook Simple Touch and Amazon Kindle earn the Editors' Choice badge, as does the Apple iPad 2 (reviewed separately). There's a wide range of ratings here, so it's easy to see which e-book readers are the best.
4. Laptop Magazine
As of Nov. 2011
eReader Guide
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLaptop Magazine rates several of the major e-book readers on the market, and some less well-known ones, too. Reviews are detailed, and editors don't hesitate to point out flaws. The Amazon Kindle Keyboard 3G and the more iPad-like Barnes & Noble Nook Color both earn 4 stars out of 5. Laptop Magazine also recommends the iPad 2 and notes that its lighter weight makes it easier to hold for reading. The free Stanza e-book app also earns 4 stars.
5. PC World
Updated Aug. 5, 2011
Top E-readers
by Melissa J. Perenson
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World lists 10 e-book readers here, each with a rating and a link to a detailed review. Analysis is detailed and balanced but, unfortunately, many of the models are older versions and now discontinued. Last year's Amazon Kindle 3G scores the highest, but newer versions have yet to be reviewed. E-readers from Barnes & Noble and Kobo also rank highly.
6. Macworld
As of Nov. 2011
E-readers
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMacworld tests and rates all of the major (and some minor) e-book readers here, providing thorough written reviews. Older versions of the Amazon Kindle (both the Wi-Fi and 3G models) outclass all others, though Nook e-readers earn 4 (out of 5) star ratings. The Apple iPad 2, reviewed as a tablet computer, scores highly as well. The lighter weight makes it easier to hold for long periods of time, but you'll still want to prop it up for long reading sessions, reports Jason Snell.
7. Macworld
As of Nov. 2011
Books App Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn this section, Macworld tests and rates all of the major e-book reader apps for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Stanza, B&N Bookstore and the Amazon Kindle app get the highest ratings among free apps. Among paid apps, Eucalyptus scores highest.
8. Pocket-lint.com
As of Nov. 2011
Ebook Readers
by Editors of Pocket-Lint.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis U.K. website covers lots of e-reader news and has tested several popular e-book readers, including the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader PRS-T1. While several models are subjected to hands-on impressions, formal reviews are few and far between. The latest Amazon Kindle in particular earns praise, netting a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.
9. MobileTechReview.com
As of Nov. 2011
Gadgets
by Lisa Gade
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMobileTechReview.com's evaluations are nicely comparative, both with preceding models and competing ones. Articles are detailed, thorough and richly illustrated with photographs and videos. Each e-reader gets a rating, with Barnes & Noble's Nook lineup receiving the highest marks. Editor-in-chief Lisa Gade prefers them over the least expensive Amazon Kindle (with Special Offers) due to the Nook models' touchscreens.
10. PCMag.com
As of Nov. 2011
Mobile Utilities
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com's e-reader app reviews can be hard to find; most are in this app category for mobile phones, but the Amazon Kindle app for iPad is reviewed in iPad Apps, and Barnes & Noble's e-reader is reviewed in the software category. Tests are thorough, though, drawing comparisons with rival apps. Stanza gets the Editors' Choice award.
11. Engadget.com
As of Nov. 2011
E-readers
by Editors of Engadget.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentElectronics site Engadget.com covers a lot of e-book reader news, and it reviews a decent amount of e-readers as well. Products aren't rated, but the detailed and lengthy reviews clearly explain whether or not an e-book reader is recommended. In addition to reviews of the new Amazon Kindle, Kindle Touch and the Sony Reader PRS-T1, Engadget.com was one of the first websites to post hands-on impressions of the software updates coming to the Nook lineup.
12. Wired
As of November 2011
Tablets and Ebook Readers
by Editors of Wired
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired has a selection of e-book reader reviews, and each reader receives a rating on a 10-point scale. Few e-readers impress the editors here; most get middling ratings at best. That said, the Amazon Kindle (with Special Offers) and Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch both earn an 8 score, while the Apple iPad 2 nabs a strong 9-point rating.
13. Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2011
Ebook Reader
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com sells more than just its proprietary Kindle models; it also sells most other major e-reader devices, including models from Sony and Libre and PanDigital. Not surprisingly, the various versions of the Amazon Kindle gets the most owner feedback, with each receiving thousands of user reviews and high average ratings. Other e-readers get far less feedback.
14. The Wall Street Journal
Sept. 15, 2010
Finding the Best Way to Read Books on an iPad
by Walter S. Mossberg
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Wall Street Journal's Walter S. Mossberg likes the Apple iPad as an e-book reader. He tests three e-book apps for iPad -- Apple iBooks and apps from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Each has its pros and cons, and Mossberg finds himself switching among them. He explains why in detailed, easy-to-understand written and video reviews.
15. PC Advisor
As of Nov. 2011
eReaders
by Editors of PC Advisor
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBritain's PC Advisor reviews e-readers from major and minor brands, scoring each on a 5-point scale. The latest Amazon Kindle outscores all current e-book readers.
16. 148Apps.com
As of Nov. 2011
Reviews -- Books
by Editors of 148Apps.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis website reviews and rates all kinds of iPhone/iPod touch apps, including several free apps for reading e-books. While big-name apps from Kindle and Barnes & Noble score highly, Stanza gets higher ratings than them both, with full reviews explaining why.
17. The Unofficial Apple Weblog
Aug. 13, 2009
Ebook Roundup: 8 Apps for iPhone Readers
by David Winograd
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Unofficial Apple Weblog, a blog devoted to Apple news and products, features a detailed overview of eight e-reader apps for the iPhone, although the analysis focuses largely on features. The apps are not rated, but David Winograd says he prefers Stanza among free apps and Eucalyptus among for-purchase apps. The Barnes & Noble e-reader app and Amazon Kindle for iPhone app fail to impress in this roundup.
18. TrustedReviews.com
March 2011
Peripherals -- Ebook Reader
by Editors of TrustedReviews.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBritain's TrustedReviews.com is a must-read site for detailed reviews of electronics but its e-book reader coverage is very limited. The Sony Reader PRS-T1 gets favorable mention in a "First Look" article that is fairly detailed, but based on limited hands-on time. Both the Amazon Kindle and the Kobo eReader Touch Edition earn high ratings, with the Kindle narrowly outscoring its competitor by a single point..
19. TechRadar.com
As of Nov. 2011
Portable Media Players and Recorders
by Editors of TechRadar.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBritain's TechRadar.com prints great, albeit occasionally short, reviews, but its e-book reader coverage is on the light side. The Kobo eReader Touch Edition and Amazon Kindle both earn above-average ratings.
20. iTunes Store
As of Nov. 2011
Books
by Contributors to iTunes
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLarge numbers of iPhone book app users contribute reviews to the iTunes Store; almost 150,000 have weighed in on the free Amazon Kindle app alone, and the stand-alone Stanza is rapidly approaching 100,000 reviews itself. Among paid apps, Eucalyptus gets the highest ratings. Among free apps, the Kindle app, Stanza and Apple's own free iBooks app share the top spot.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

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