Ebook readers: How we test ebooks readers

Which? test lab

Which? tests almost 3,000 products every year, including more home technology products than anyone else. We look at new products as soon as they are announced, helping you to understand new technologies, and whether they are worth your money.

Which? is different because...

Our tests are based on years of testing experience
We don't accept adverts in our magazines or website
We buy everything we lab-test
We're completely independent of any manufacturers

Which? exists to give consumers impartial advice, which means that if a product isn't any good we'll say so, without fear of penalty. Which? works for you, providing trustworthy advice without a hidden agenda.

We examine everything that matters across all products, including performance, features and how well they work in real life – so you'll know exactly what to expect. Our unique, comparative lab tests mean you can trust our Best Buy and Don't Buy verdicts and choose with confidence.

Try Which? today for just £1 to find out which ebook readers we rated as Best Buys.

What makes a Best Buy ebook reader?

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Ebook Testing in Brief

Which? tests almost every dedicated ebook reader on the market and we ensure that our guides only have the models that are currently available.
We look at both dedicated ebook readers and devices that have ebook reader apps, such as mobile phones and the iPad
Try our ebook readers explained interactive tool for a guide to all you need to know about ebooks and ebook readers.

How we choose products for testing

Dedicated Business Researchers carefully select the products Which? tests, scouring the market for the latest releases and the most innovative products. Our Business Researchers aim to cover a very high percentage of the market in any one product area. And, while we do test some premium products, we avoid testing those products which you would need a second mortgage to afford. We take the following criteria into account when choosing ebook readers:

• Popularity – we test ebook readers that are the biggest sellers

• Brand reliability – we test more ebook readers from brands that are reliable and tend to do well in our testing

• Innovation – we test new and innovative ebook readers, both bespoke devices such as the Amazon Kindle and other devices that can be used as ebook readers, such as the iPad

• Cost – we typically test ebook readers that cost nothing (as free apps) to £250

ebook readers have easy to read 'electronic ink' displays

Ease of use

Our expert assessors test our products for their ease of use by running through everyday scenarios that replicate how you read.

For ebook readers we check how straightforward they are set up and how convenient it is to load books onto the device.

We check to make sure the controls are simple to understand, easy to use and sensibly arranged.

We also ensure that the ebook reader responds quickly when you press a control – delay when turning pages, for example, is particularly annoying.

Try Which? today for just £1 to find out which ebook readers we rated as Best Buys.

Technical testing

Our products undergo an extensive range of intensive, objective laboratory testing to assess performance.

Our experts rate the screen quality, both for dedicated ebook readers using 'electronic ink' and those devices, such as tablets, that have backlit displays.
We check to see if text is easy to read and if font sizes can be adjusted.
We check what file formats are supported and check they work, particularly the popular ePub format and PDFs.
For those with wireless connectivity, we check that it functions correctly and that you are able to make a wireless or 3G connection.
We log all the features present, such as connectors, supplied software , accessories and performance specifications. We also note any significant omissions that may affect the versatility of the reader.

Energy consumption

Dedicated ebook readers tend to use an 'electronic ink', or e-ink, system that does not use battery power to display the image. Battery power is only used to change the image, i.e. turn the page. Typically ebook readers will allow up to 8,000 page turns so battery life is not an issue.

Other devices such as tablets and mobile phones, which have a backlight that gives a bright display, will use power when displaying an image, much like if you were surfing the internet. We check this to make sure it is not excessively low, but battery durability will vary dependent on usage.

Try Which? today for just £1 to find out which ebook readers we rated as Best Buys.

Ratings explained

All data sent back from our laboratories is carefully analysed by Which? staff so that the highs and lows of every product are revealed. If anything does not add up with a product then we will retest it until it does.

The ebook reader score ignores price and is based on:

Ease of use 75%
Features 25%

Ratings System: