Ready to read in color? These are the 4 best color e-readers.
Color e-readers are the latest innovations in the market. But Kindle has a surprising competitor, who is making better, more affordable options. Plus, as of February 2026, we've added the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to this guide.
When discussing e-readers, the Kindle brand often springs to mind. However, in the color e-reader market, Kindle has lagged behind other brands. This delay has allowed competitors to introduce superior devices. We’ve compiled a list of the best color e-readers, and here’s what stood out. Unfortunately, price increases for color e-readers in 2026 have not been favorable due to the global memory crisis, which has led to rising costs for tablets, phones, laptops, and even e-readers.
Out of the four color e-readers on this list, three experienced a price increase this year, while only the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft avoided a hike.
It's essential to temper your expectations regarding the color quality of e-readers. An e-reader's color won't be as vivid as a tablet or physical book. After testing numerous e-readers, including color e-readers, I've discovered that while the colors are accurate, they tend to appear washed out. Regardless of the brand, this is a common occurrence.
The colors aren't as vivid as an iPad screen, which has a maximum brightness of 500 nits, while Kobo and Kindle e-readers reach up to 100 nits. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, however, made a notable impression. Introduced in February 2026, its 11-inch display may be too large for daily e-reader use. However, its larger size makes it an excellent device for note-taking.
Keep in mind that it is an investment, priced at $629.99, making it the most expensive model on this list.
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