Top 10: Waterproof e-Ink e-readers

2024. Onyx unveiled Boox Kant 2 e-reader



The Onyx Boox Kant 2, which, if it had any more gadgets packed in, might actually sprout wings and demand a boarding pass, is a clever new e-reader that masquerades as a smartphone. Nestled within its sleek form is a 6.13-inch E Ink Carta Plus display, which, with a thoroughly respectable resolution of 824 x 1648 pixels and 16 shades of tasteful gray, delivers an experience so engrossing it might make real paper feel insecure. A 2GHz quad-core processor, cozily partnered with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable, naturally, for those who never delete anything), keeps everything running smoothly. Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, and a USB-C port? Of course. A 3950mAh battery? Absolutely, because you’ll need the juice when you’ve lost yourself in the wilderness of your library. Running on Android 11, it's as user-friendly as a slightly tipsy but helpful tour guide. Splash-resistant, equipped with a speaker and microphone (because why shouldn’t an e-reader talk back occasionally?), and packing features like auto-rotation, a flashlight, and a built-in dictionary, the Kant 2 supports numerous e-book and audiobook formats. No camera, though – because even the Kant 2 has its limits.


2023. MobiScribe released color waterproof eNote - MobiScribe Wave Color



Earlier this year MobiScribe has introduced the MobiScribe Wave with 7.8-inch black and white E Ink screen and now there is a color variant of the MobiScribe Wave as well. The MobiScribe Wave Color is priced at $320, while the black and white version costs $285. The MobiScribe Wave Color boasts a 7.8-inch E Ink Kaleido Plus screen and operates on Android 12. It includes a built-in speaker for audio playback and a frontlight with adjustable color temperature. The device's battery capacity is 2500mAh. As expected, it comes with a stylus and the touchscreen supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity using a Wacom touchscreen, similar to most eNotes. Additionally, the MobiScribe Wave is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, enabling it to endure submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

2023. New waterproof 7.8″ Nook GlowLight 4 Plus is available



Barnes and Noble has officially introduced the Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, a new 7.8-inch e-reader. You can now pre-order it on their website for $199 and they offer free shipping. However, it will not be available for a few more months. This latest Nook model is essentially an upgraded version of the Nook GlowLight Plus, which was first released in 2019 as B&N's initial 7.8-inch Nook. The new Nook features a flush-front screen, physical page-turn buttons on both sides of the display and it is waterproof. Additionally, it now supports B&N's audiobooks. With a single charge, the battery allows for up to 3 weeks of reading time, while continuous audio playback over Bluetooth can be enjoyed for approximately 9 hours.


2023. Pocketbook Era waterproof e-reader wins Red Dot Award for Design



The PocketBook Era e-reader has been honored with the prestigious Red Dot Award for its exceptional product design. As the flagship model of the brand, it underwent a complete redesign, resulting in a sleek and ergonomic design that offers an unparalleled reading experience. The Red Dot Award, which has been recognizing excellence in design, innovation, functionality and quality across various industries since 1955, has acknowledged the outstanding design of the PocketBook Era. According to Alexander Morokko, the Industrial Designer of PocketBook Era and other brand products, the design of PocketBook Era embodies the philosophy of modern minimalism, combining elegant lines with phenomenal usability.


2023. Mobiscribe Wave unveiled water-proof e-note reader



Mobiscribe has just unveiled the Wave. This is a specialized e-reader and digital note-taking device. They offer two models: one with a traditional black and white E INK display and another with a color e-paper display utilizing Kaleido Plus. The black and white model is available now, while the color version will start shipping in April. The Mobiscribe black and white model features a 7.8-inch E INK Carta HD display with a resolution of 1404×1872 and 300 PPI. Under the hood is a Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 1.5GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It is waterproof, allowing use in the bathtub or at the beach. It includes a USB-C cable for charging and transferring documents. It also has Bluetooth 5.1 for pairing with wireless headphones or external speakers, although it comes with an external speaker itself. It boasts a decent 2500 mAh battery and is the first e-note to run Android 12.


2022. Tolino Shine 4 - waterproof ereader with free cloud storage and free wi-fi



The Tolino Alliance has introduced the Shine 4, an impressive e-reader featuring an E Ink Carta 1200 display panel. This new model boosts performance by 30% compared to the previous generation. Reading e-books from various online retailers will be a pleasure with its six-inch, 300 PPI display. It is now available and retails for €139.00. The Tolino Shine 4 boasts a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen with a resolution of 1072×1404 and 300 PPI. The Tolino Cloud offers 25 GB of additional online storage for users in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It connects to the internet via WLAN 802.11 ac/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz) and provides free access to Deutsche Telekom AG hotspots in Germany. The device can be charged using USB-C through a computer or wall outlet. The 1500 mAh battery should last for 2-3 weeks of reading. It is also waterproof with an IPX 8 rating, meaning it can be fully submerged in fresh water up to 2 meters deep for up to 60 minutes, making it suitable for use in the bathtub or at the beach.


2022. Kobo's new waterproof Clara 2E e-reader takes on Kindle



Kobo is introducing a new waterproof e-reader - the Kobo Clara 2E, which could challenge Amazon's Kindle e-readers. The device features an exterior crafted from over 85 percent recycled plastic, with 10 percent of it reportedly sourced from ocean-bound materials. The Kobo Clara 2E includes Bluetooth technology for audiobooks, offers 60 minutes of water resistance in up to two meters of water and provides more storage for your eBooks than earlier Kobo models (16GB). It boasts a six-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 glare-free display with dark mode and blue light reduction and promises weeks-long battery life. Priced at $150, it is less expensive than the company's previous Forma model but costlier than the Nia model. Additionally, Kobo's SleepCovers for the device are made from recycled polyester with an inner microfibre lining created from 40 percent recycled plastic water bottles — available in colors like Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Coral Reef Orange and Sea Glass Green.


2018. The new Kindle Paperwhite is thinner and waterproof



Kindle Paperwhite has received several upgrades that will provide users with a more premium experience while maintaining the device’s starting price at $130. Waterproofing is the most notable among the upgrades. The reader features an IPX8 rating, meaning it can be submerged in two meters of water for up to an hour. Like the Oasis before it, this model has a flush front, unlike the raised bezels found on older, less expensive models. This design change gives the device a more premium feel and should help prevent water from penetrating its circuits. It also contributes to making this the thinnest and lightest Paperwhite yet. Another significant update is the increase from four LEDs to five. While it may seem minor, this enhancement helps maintain more uniform front lighting across the board, compared to the more uneven lighting of previous models.


2018. Kobo's latest e-reader is called the Forma



Kobo has introduced a new e-reader called the Forma, the latest enhancement in the company’s line of e-ink devices. The Forma boasts an 8-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) e-ink screen, a new ergonomic design, waterproofing, weeks of battery life and a range of other new features. One of the most notable aspects is the new design, which includes an ergonomic grip on the side of the device that provides a fresh look while also making it more comfortable to hold. There are also several buttons on the right edge of the Forma that make page-turning effortless, especially compared to tapping or swiping on a touchscreen. The device weighs 197g, about 15 percent lighter than the Kobo Aura One. Despite its lightweight design, the e-reader remains robust, with Kobo claiming it can endure a two-meter drop. Additionally, the device can be submerged in up to two meters of water for around 60 minutes thanks to its IPX8 rating. The Forma starts at $299.99 CAD for the 8GB version.


2017. Amazon's Kindle Oasis gets big and waterproof



Amazon is revamping its flagship e-reader Kindle Oasis in a dramatic fashion. It is Amazon’s largest Kindle e-reader to date, featuring a 7-inch display. It’s also the company's first waterproof model. It’s remarkably, almost paper-thin on one side (0.13 inches) and then expands significantly to a third of an inch on the other side to house the battery. Amazon has also boosted the number of over-the-screen LED lights to 12 (up from 10) for more even illumination. Another major update is the integration of the Audible audiobook service. Although Amazon owns Audible, it had never been included in the Kindle before. Now, you can browse and purchase Audible books directly on the device. Additionally, the starting price of the Kindle Oasis is now $249 with 8 GB of storage.


2015. Barnes & Noble created waterproof Nook



More than a year after phasing out the Nook and Nook HD+, Barnes & Noble is finally updating its flagship GlowLight e-reader with the GlowLight Plus, the company's first waterproof e-reader. It is the first Nook to feature user profiles, because, after all, couples who read together stay together. Named the Nook GlowLight Plus, the new model costs $130 and is now available. The Plus boasts a 300ppi display with twice as many pixels as its predecessor, an aluminum body that is slimmer but slightly heavier than the GlowLight. Most importantly, the Plus is waterproof, so Nook enthusiasts can read their favorite e-books in the bathtub.


2014. Waterproof Tolino Vision 2 is available



The German-based Tolino Alliance has introduced the new Tolino Vision 2, a waterproof e-reader. It retains a similar design to the original model but boasts new features. This edition is waterproof, comparable to the Kobo H2O and Pocketbook Aqua. It includes a new feature called Tap2Flip, which transforms the entire back into a pressure-sensitive touchscreen, enabling page turns in eBooks. The Tolino Vision 2 utilizes the latest e-paper technology, e Ink Carta, the same screen technology found in the Kindle Paperwhite 2 and Kobo Aura H2O. Although marketed as waterproof, it’s more accurately described as splash-resistant and may not withstand complete submersion due to the lack of a waterproof protective flap on the bottom Micro USB port.


2014. Kobo unveiled waterproof Aura H2O Reader



Kobo has introduced a new waterproof device - Kobo Aura H2O - priced at $179 and scheduled for release on October 1. This device is the latest in a series of high-end offerings tailored for avid readers. The Kobo Aura H2O is designed as an all-purpose, durable eReader, suitable for use in various environments where other devices might not be ideal, such as in the bath or on the beach. It is both slimmer and lighter than the Kobo Aura HD, costs $10 more and features an enhanced high-definition screen along with a dustproof, sealed design that withstands water exposure for up to thirty minutes when submerged.