E-readers: large text and library e-books explained
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
An e-reader is a slim, lightweight screen made just for reading books. Its great advantage in later life is that every book becomes a large-print book: you choose the text size. If you want to borrow library e-books, check which e-reader works with your library before you buy, because not all do.
Who an e-reader suits
E-readers suit keen readers who find standard print tiring, heavy hardbacks hard to hold, or bookshelves full. The screen uses "e-ink", which looks like printed paper rather than a glowing phone screen, so it is comfortable for hours and readable in bright sunshine. The battery lasts for weeks.
They are not for everyone. If you love the feel of a book, our guide to large print books and puzzles may suit you better. And if you want colour magazines, newspapers and audiobooks as well as novels, a tablet is more flexible.
The main types
- Amazon Kindle. The best-known family. Books are bought from Amazon's Kindle store and appear on the device in seconds.
- Kobo. The main alternative, with its own bookshop. Many Kobo models have public library borrowing built in.
- Other e-ink readers. A smaller number of brands, some of which run Android apps. These are for confident users.
Within each family the choice is between a basic model, a mid-range model with a better and usually waterproof screen, and large-screen models that show more words per page at big text sizes.
Borrowing e-books from the library
Most UK public libraries lend e-books and audiobooks free to anyone with a library card. You borrow through an app chosen by your council. The two most widely used are Libby (from a company called OverDrive) and BorrowBox. Books return themselves automatically at the end of the loan, so there are never any fines.
The important catch is which devices work:
| Device | UK library e-books |
|---|---|
| Tablet or smartphone (iPad, Android) | Yes. Install the library's app. The simplest route. |
| Kindle e-reader | Generally no. UK councils state that Kindle e-readers are not compatible with their e-book services. |
| Amazon Fire tablet | Usually yes, though the app may need installing from the app provider's website. |
| Kobo e-reader | Often yes for libraries that use OverDrive/Libby, by signing in with your library card on the device. BorrowBox books may need transferring from a computer. |
Library services differ from council to council, so before buying, look at the e-books page on your own library's website or ask at the desk which app they use and which e-readers work with it. If library borrowing is your main aim, a tablet or a compatible Kobo is the safer choice.
What to look for
- A built-in light. Nearly all now have one. It lights the page gently for reading in bed. A "warm light" setting turns it amber in the evening.
- Screen size. Six inches is pocketable. Seven or eight inches fits more words on each page when the text is large, meaning fewer page turns.
- Sharpness. A screen described as 300ppi shows crisp letters at any size.
- Adjustable text. All let you change size; the better ones also offer bold text, wider line spacing and different typefaces.
- Page-turn buttons. Physical buttons are easier than swiping for some hands, but only certain models have them.
- Weight. Most are lighter than a paperback.
- Waterproofing for the bath or beach.
- Audiobook support through Bluetooth headphones, on some models.
- Library compatibility, as above.
Rough price guide
As a rough guide at the time of writing (November 2026): basic e-readers cost from around £85 to £110; mid-range waterproof models around £130 to £190; and large-screen or note-taking models £200 and upwards. A cover is around £10 to £35. Some cheaper models show adverts on the lock screen unless you pay a little more.
E-books themselves cost from nothing to roughly the paperback price. Thousands of out-of-copyright classics are free, the shops run daily low-price offers, and the library costs nothing at all.
Setup tips a family member can help with
- Connect the e-reader to the home Wi-Fi and sign in to the bookshop account.
- Set the text size, boldness and light level with the reader, then show how to change them.
- On a compatible device, sign in with the library card number and PIN and borrow a first book together.
- Download a few books so there is something to read straight away.
- Set a purchase PIN if accidental buying is a worry.
- Fit a cover that wakes the screen when opened.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a Kindle e-reader for library books. Check compatibility first.
- Confusing an e-reader with a tablet. An e-reader is for books; it will not do email, video calls or catch-up television.
- Paying for a book subscription you do not use. Monthly "unlimited reading" plans only pay off for heavy readers.
- Choosing too small a screen if you read at a large text size.
- Buying very old second-hand models, which may no longer connect to the bookshop.
Common questions
Is an e-reader better for the eyes than a tablet?
Many people find the paper-like, glare-free screen more comfortable for long reading. If reading is becoming difficult at any size, have an eye test; see free prescriptions and eye tests and reading glasses and magnifiers.
Do I need Wi-Fi?
Only to download books. Once they are on the device you can read anywhere.
Can I read my e-books on more than one device?
Yes. Books bought from one shop can be read on that shop's e-reader and its free app on a phone or tablet, and it remembers your page.
Can I listen instead of read?
Library apps on a tablet or phone lend audiobooks free, and a smart speaker can play audiobooks aloud.