Best Budget Touchscreen eReaders Under $150

TL;DR: The Amazon Kindle (16 GB, 2024) packs a 6‑inch E‑Ink display, up to six weeks of battery life and a brighter blue‑toned front light for $129.99, making it the most portable budget e‑reader in the lineup.

The standout spec is its battery endurance: Amazon claims up to six weeks on a single charge, with heavy use still delivering two to four weeks. Coupled with a 6‑inch glare‑free E‑Ink screen and a front light that’s 25 % brighter at the max setting, the device delivers long reading sessions without frequent recharging.

Compared with its peers, the Kindle shares the same 6‑inch screen size as the PocketBook Verse Lite and Kobo Clara BW, while the Veidoo Ebook Reader’s 5.8‑inch panel is slightly smaller. PocketBook advertises up to two months of battery life, edging out Kindle’s six‑week claim, whereas Kobo simply notes “weeks of reading,” putting Kindle in a similar range. In storage, Kindle offers 16 GB, which is sufficient for thousands of e‑books, but Veidoo provides 32 GB—double the capacity. All three competitors include USB‑C connectivity, but only Kindle mentions removable lock‑screen ads and a dedicated dark mode.

User feedback highlights the Kindle’s ultra‑compact design as ideal for commuters and travelers, with many praising the lightweight feel and the ability to hold the device in one hand. Professional reviewers echo this, noting excellent value for budget‑conscious readers who need essential e‑reading functions. However, recurring complaints focus on the cooler‑only front light, which some find harsh at night, and the lack of water resistance, limiting use near pools or in the bathtub.

Best for: Budget‑conscious beginners, commuters and travelers who want the lightest, most portable e‑reader.

Avoid if: You need water resistance, warm lighting, or a premium build quality.

TL;DR: The Veidoo 5.8‑inch eReader packs 32 GB of storage, a 1500 mAh battery and a feather‑light 165 g body for just $56.99, but its 139 PPI screen and lack of front‑light keep it firmly in the budget camp.

What really stands out is the 5.8‑inch E‑Ink Carta HD touch display paired with a modest 139 PPI pixel density and a 1500 mAh battery. At 0.3637627323 pounds (165 g) it’s one of the lightest options you’ll find, and the 32 GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD) means you can stash a sizable library without worrying about space.

Compared with the other three contenders, the Veidoo is smaller than the PocketBook Verse Lite, Amazon Kindle and Kobo Clara BW, all of which sport 6‑inch screens. Its pixel density trails the Verse Lite’s 212 PPI, while matching the Kobo’s 1500 mAh battery capacity and beating the Verse Lite’s 1000 mAh cell. It also offers more internal storage than the Kindle’s 16 GB and the Kobo’s unspecified capacity. In terms of weight, the Veidoo is lighter than the Verse Lite (328 g) and the Kobo (174 g); the Kindle markets itself as the lightest and most compact, so it may be comparable.

Reviewers consistently praise the ultra‑compact form factor and the convenience of dedicated page‑turn buttons for one‑handed reading. The Android 8.1/11 OS unlocks Google Play, letting you install a wide range of reading apps and audiobooks, while the built‑in speaker adds a modest audio option. On the flip side, professional reviewers call the 139 PPI screen “evil” because text appears noticeably blurry, and the absence of any front‑light means you’re stuck to daylight or lamp‑lit environments. Users also note sluggish app performance, likely tied to the 1 GB RAM and quad‑core CPU.

Best for: Entry‑level buyers or those on a tight budget

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns

TL;DR: The Kobo Clara BW packs a 6‑inch 300 PPI E Ink Carta 1300 HD screen, IPX8 waterproofing and Bluetooth audiobook support into a 174 g, 9.2 mm‑thin device for $139.99.

The standout feature is its crisp 6‑inch, 1448 × 1072 pixel, 300 PPI E Ink Carta 1300 display, paired with a 1500 mAh battery that the manufacturer says lasts weeks of reading. At just 174 g and 9.2 mm depth, the eReader feels feather‑light in one hand, while the IPX8 rating lets you dip it up to 2 m for an hour without worry.

Compared with the other three budget picks, the Clara BW is lighter than the PocketBook Verse Lite (328 g) but a shade heavier than the Veidoo Ebook Reader (165 g). Its pixel density of 300 PPI outstrips the PocketBook’s 212 PPI and the Veidoo’s 139 PPI, delivering sharper text. Battery capacity matches the Veidoo’s 1500 mAh but exceeds the PocketBook’s 1000 mAh, though the Kindle advertises itself as the lightest and most compact of the group.

Readers consistently note the device’s compact size, glare‑free screen and waterproof build as major pluses, especially for commuting or beach reading. Professional reviewers highlight the fast 1 GHz MediaTek processor and 512 MB RAM for smooth page turns, while users miss the tactile feel of physical page‑turn buttons. Reviewers praise the front‑light, powered by ComfortLight PRO, for its blue‑light reduction, though a few find its maximum brightness a bit low in very dark settings. Battery life holds up for weeks, but heavy front‑light use or frequent audiobooks can shorten that endurance.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high-quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $139.99

TL;DR: The PocketBook Verse Lite offers a 6‑inch 212 ppi E Ink Carta touchscreen, up to two‑month battery life, and 8 GB storage for $125, making it a solid budget eReader for casual readers.

The standout feature is its 6‑inch E Ink Carta touchscreen with a pixel density of 212 ppi, delivering clear, glare‑free text in bright or dim lighting. The 1000 mAh battery powers the device, which lasts up to two months on a single charge—far exceeding the Kindle’s six‑week claim in this set.

In a head‑to‑head look, the Verse Lite is heavier than the Kobo Clara BW and the Veidoo Ebook Reader, both of which weigh under 180 g, while the Kindle is marketed as the lightest and most compact. Storage-wise, its 8 GB internal memory trails the Kindle’s 16 GB and Veidoo’s 32 GB, but it matches the Kobo’s unspecified capacity. All three competitors use USB‑C, so charging and data transfer are consistent across the board. The Verse Lite’s 212 ppi screen outpaces the Veidoo’s 139 ppi panel, giving it sharper text than that model.

Professional reviewers praise the device’s portability and up to two months of battery endurance, noting that the 512 MB RAM and dual‑core 1 GHz processor keep the interface responsive. Users frequently mention the clear, glare‑free display and the convenience of the SmartLight’s adjustable cold front‑light, though many wish for a warm‑light option. The Linux‑based OS supports over 25 formats, aligning with PocketBook’s reputation for broad compatibility.

Best for: Entry-level buyers or those on a tight budget

Avoid if: You want the best value‑per‑dollar in its price range