7 Best E-Readers Under INR 30K Recommended By A Compulsive Book Hoarder

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Completing a book is a huge commitment, and what makes it excruciating is when you decide to hit your reading goals while traveling or have started way too many books at once so now everywhere you go, there's a stack of novels having to be lugged around. What can make it better? Nothing, there's no solution to an overstuffed, incomplete, almost-read TBR. The smell of words on paper is addictive, and we get that, and sometimes (read: most times), we crave too many books and fill up our shelves with too many hardcovers that it looks too difficult to get one out even (God forbid, cleaning day!). 

Lucky or unluckily for us, technology decided to take care of the storage and physical space occupancy issue of books and gave us e-readers. And while nothing comes close to the experience of holding a book in your hands and getting lost in its pages, e-readers help us not compromise on our reading goals when there is cramped space, be it traveling or not wanting to commit to owning a physical copy of a book.

If you are looking for e-readers in India that don't burn a hole in your pocket and are equal parts functional with many features, and still make it feel like the real, tangible reading deal then this guide will help you! 

Here's A List Of 7 Best E-Readers In India Under INR 30K

Kobo Libra Colour

Kobo Libra Colour | eReader

Kobo Libra Colour | eReader

₹28990

Beginning the list with a strong contender, this e-reader is pretty much your best bet in the market for a colour e-reader. It does not compromise on its black-and-white reading feature either. Because it has an asymmetrical sizing, you can turn pages with a single hand, making it easy to hold and flip for gymnastic readers like me (they call it bad posture, but potato, potahto). It has an eco-friendly build, with 85% of its body made of recycled plastic. The best part? Even though you might not relate with this itch, it feels so relieving when I get to read a book in colour: especially the cover of a book, in its full colourful aura. 

Pros: Open ecosystem: apart from Kobo, you can slide in downloaded books from your library as well. 

Cons: 7-inch screen might be too small in some cases, also the colour display becomes an unnecessary expense, if you don't read colourful comics/books. 

Most suited for: Leisure comic reader, who doesn't bother with a 'reading nook'

Pocketbook Verse Pro

PocketBook Verse Pro E-Reader Waterproof

PocketBook Verse Pro E-Reader Waterproof

₹27638

If you are looking for an e-reader that also supports audiobooks, then you hit the jackpot with this one. With its text-to-speech function, it can also convert any existing ebook into an audio format that you can listen to in different languages. With Bluetooth availability, you can also listen to your book in the car on long rides. It has an IPX8 waterproof protection, and its 6-inch display with high resolution comes close to replicating your paperback reading experience. 

Pros: Supports audiobooks as well and can also convert text to audio. 

Cons: Pricey, if you are not looking to use it for both audiobooks and ebooks. 

Most suited for: Travel reader who listens to audiobooks as well. 

Kobo Clara Color

Kobo Clara eReader

Kobo Clara eReader

₹19990

A budget-friendly e-reader that supports books with colours as well? Kobo Clara Color is your answer. This model has a 6-inch display and is glare-free, putting lesser strain on your eyes. If you are looking for a simple e-reader that isn't too fussy with its features and supports the joy of reading, this must be your pick. 

Pros: Read comics and novels in various formats. 

Cons: No Bluetooth connectivity. 

Most suited for: A non-fussy travel reader. 

Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

₹23853

This signature edition of Amazon Kindle's first ever colour display model is a must-have in this list. Apart from a high-resolution colour display, you can also highlight your favourite quotes and lines from the book in your preferred colour and keep revisiting them. It also comes with an add-on for unlimited access to the Kindle library, where you can choose to read from over 15 million titles. You can also channel your inner marathon reader, as it has a battery life of about eight weeks, once fully charged. 

Pros: Strong battery life with HD colour display. 

Cons: Limited features with no Bluetooth connectivity. 

Most suited for: Travel reader who reads at a stretch. 

B00X Palma Mobile

B00X Palma Mobile eReader

B00X Palma Mobile eReader

₹37990

This is the smallest e-reader out there and ironically the priciest on this list. It's the most compact e-reader, almost mimicking a mobile phone. It is perfect for anyone looking to have some comfortable reading sessions on a digital ink display rather than an LED screen. It also has a player app built in it, which means you can listen to some music while reading your e-book. It also has Bluetooth connectivity so you can listen to your audiobooks and drown out the world's cacophony (as you should). You also have access to the play store, so you can also play some games and treat this device like an actual phone, minus the calls and texts you wish to avoid.  

Pros: Very compact, user friendly with mobile-like features. 

Cons: Pricey. 

Most suited for: Travel readers who prefer a compact device. 

Kobo Clara BW

KOBO Clara BW eReader

KOBO Clara BW eReader

₹14999

This is the most budget-friendly e-reader you can find. Adopting the latest generation E Ink display, it is super eco-friendly, to the extent where, most of its body is recycled plastic, the packaging is also fully recycled and even the ink used to print on the boxes is soy, so biodegradable.

Pros: Has the latest e-ink display. 

Cons: Only plays audiobooks from Kobo Library and Kobo Pro subscription. 

Most suited for: Budgeted reading sprees. 

Kindle Oasis

Certified Refurbished Kindle Oasis (10th Gen)

Certified Refurbished Kindle Oasis (10th Gen)

₹21999

Another budget-friendly beginner option, Kindle Oasis has in-built warm light to keep your reading display conditioned and has page-turn buttons for easy UI. Prime members also have access to the entire Kindle library. It's waterproof so you can read your summer books by the pool without a dab of fear. It has a black and white display but is totally worth the bucks, for a starter e-reader. 

Pros: Budget-friendly, value for money with features. 

Cons: Black and white display, only supports Kindle collections. 

Most suited for: Readers who are beginning to read on a device. 

FAQs

1. How do I choose an e-reader?

Based on the features you are looking for. Are you looking for a waterproof device? Are you looking for a colour reader? Are you looking to read novels or comics? 

2. What components are essential in an e-reader?

Look for an E Ink Carta 1300 display: it's the latest and best grayscale screen available and is more responsive and has better contrast than any of the other displays. If color is important to you, look for the E Ink Kaleido 3. They are not as bright as an LCD panel, but they would do. 

3. What is the budget range I should set for an e-reader?

A good e-reader would cost anywhere between 20K to 30K based on discounts. Try to go for branded devices like the ones mentioned in the guide, though they may be pricey, as they have a better shelf life with a warranty. 

4. What can an e-reader do?

You can use an e-reader to read novels and comics, and some e-readers also double as a tablet to draw and animate graphics. 

5. Are e-readers safe?

E-readers are like any other technological device, like a tablet or a phone. Prolonged exposure can harm your eyes, but make sure you set your e-reader's colour, font size, and other display settings to suit your preferences. 

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Caffeine and poetry: that's my world. Love exploring new places, new products and binge watching comfort shows. Journalist. Writer. Feminist. Dreamer. Swiftie. Have nurtured 4 years of experience in all things content and looking to nurture more :)