The 4 best color e-readers of 2026: The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft joins the ranks

When we write about e-readers, Kindle is usually the first name that comes to mind. But in the color e-reader market, Kindle has been late to the party. That delay opened the door for other brands to step in with stronger devices. We’ve rounded up the best color e-readers, and here are the ones that stood out.Color e-reader price increases2026 has not been a good year for tech prices. Due to the global memory crisis, prices are increasing on tablets, phones, laptops, and even e-readers. Three out of the four color e-readers on this list increased in price this year. The only e-reader to avoid a price hike was the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.

Only the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft was safe from a price hike in 2026.

Credit: Mashable

Temper your color expectations

An e-reader's color won't be quite as vibrant as a tablet's or physical book's.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mangino

Having tested my way through a lot of e-readers — and now color e-readers — I’ve found a universal truth: While the colors are accurate, they often look a bit washed out. No matter which brand you use, that’s going to be the case. The muted tones don’t outweigh the convenience and portability of color e-readers, but it’s worth tempering your expectations.Don’t expect the vivid, punchy colors of an iPad screen. An iPad has a max nits of 500 (a measure of brightness), while Kobo and Kindle e-readers max out at 100.