Reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Getting lost in a good book transports you to new worlds and provides an engaging form of entertainment and enrichment. However, finding the optimal reading environment isn’t always easy. Glaring light, shadows, and eye strain can hinder your reading experience.
This is where e-book readers with adjustable lights come in handy! With the ability to customize lighting and reduce glare, these devices help create the perfect reading conditions no matter where you are. Whether reading in daylight or darkness, an e-reader with adjustable illumination enables you to dial in the ideal brightness and tone for the situation at hand.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll shine a light on the top e-book readers with adjustable lighting available today. You’ll discover the key factors to consider when choosing a model and learn which ones excel at providing an exceptional reading experience. Let’s dive into the enlightening world of modern e-readers!
Overview of Top E-Book Readers with Adjustable Lights
Many popular e-reader models now integrate adjustable lighting systems to enhance readability. This enables you to change brightness levels and, in some cases, alter the color tone of the light. Here are five of the leading options:
Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition features a flush front 6.8” E Ink display with 300ppi resolution for crisp text. It has a bright adjustable warm light that lets you seamlessly shift screen brightness and color temperature. With an IPX8 waterproof rating and a thin, lightweight design, the Paperwhite provides an excellent reading experience at home or on the go.
Kobo Libra H2O

Sporting a 7” E Ink Carta HD touchscreen, the Libra H2O has a high-end 300ppi display. The ComfortLight PRO frontlight reduces blue light exposure, while letting you fine-tune color temperature. With 16GB of storage and IPX8 water resistance, the Libra H2O is great for reading in any environment.
Kindle Oasis

Encased in an elegant aluminum exterior, the Kindle Oasis contains a sharp 7” Paperwhite display with adjustable warm light settings. It has 25 LEDs for uniform lighting and an ergonomic grip ideal for one-handed reading. The Oasis has an IPX8 rating and works with Audible audiobooks.
Kobo Clara HD

The Clara HD packs an 6” E Ink Carta HD touchscreen with 300ppi clarity. Its ComfortLight Pro frontlight can be adjusted from cool to warm tones for night reading. Weighing just 166g, the Clara HD slips easily into a purse or jacket pocket. It lacks waterproofing but provides terrific lighting adjustability for the price.
Onyx Boox Nova 3

Sporting a 7.8” E Ink Carta HD display, the Nova 3 runs Android and supports apps for reading and note-taking. Its adjustable warm frontlight system provides uniform lighting ideal for nighttime. With stylus support, Dropbox integration, and Google Play access, the Nova 3 brings innovative functionality to e-reading.
Key Factors for Choosing an E-Book Reader with Adjustable Light

With so many models on the market, selecting the right e-reader with adjustable lighting for your needs requires some consideration. Here are the main factors to weigh:
Screen Size and Resolution
E-readers come in screen sizes ranging from 6” to nearly 8”. Smaller models are more portable, while larger ones feel more like reading an actual book page. High resolution displays (300ppi+) render text noticeably sharper. Balance portability with your desire for expansive, crisp pages.
Adjustable Lighting Features
The best e-readers allow you to tweak lighting across a range of intensities and color tones. Warm orange/yellow light is ideal for evening reading, while cool blue light suits daytime use. Adjustable lighting reduces eyestrain and enables reading in any environment.
Water Resistance Rating
Basic water resistance makes an e-reader usable in more scenarios. Premium e-readers with IPX8 ratings can be submerged up to 2 meters underwater. Waterproof designs give you flexibility to read in the bath, poolside, or at the beach without worry.
File Format Support
Most e-readers support common formats like EPUB, PDF, DOC, TXT, and MOBI files. If you want to read non-Amazon ebooks, check format compatibility. Some more advanced models also support audiobooks, graphic novels, and other content.
Battery Life
Today’s e-book readers typically last weeks on a single charge, even with light use. However, cranking up the screen brightness can impact battery runtime. Models with more LEDs also consume a bit more power when lighting is maxed.
Extra Features
Higher-end e-readers offer bonus capabilities like note-taking with a stylus, physical page turn buttons, expandable storage via SD card, audiobook integration, and dictionaries. Think about which extras would enhance your use case.
Top Questions About E-Book Readers with Adjustable Lights

If you’re researching e-readers with adjustable lighting, chances are you have some questions. Here we’ll tackle some frequently asked topics to further illuminate these devices:
How is the lighting adjusted on an e-book reader?
Most e-readers allow you to seamlessly adjust brightness by sliding up or down on the screen. Many also have settings to alter color tone from cool (blue) to warm (yellow) for night reading comfort.
Do e-book readers cause eye strain?
Unlike LCD tablets, e-ink displays mimic printed pages to avoid eye fatigue. Adjustable lighting also lets you limit blue light exposure. E-readers are intrinsically designed for marathon reading sessions!
Can I read in the dark with an e-book reader?
Absolutely! Built-in frontlights allow comfortable reading even in full darkness. Just keep in mind that maximizing brightness impacts battery runtime. Using a warmer tone is ideal for bedtime reading.
Lighting the Way to Your Perfect Reading Experience
E-book readers with adjustable lighting open up a world of reading possibilities. You can enjoy a captivating book anytime, anywhere, while avoiding eye strain. With full lighting adjustability, water resistance, and top-tier displays, today’s premium e-readers remove all barriers to reading enjoyment.
We’ve illuminated some of the top models and key buying considerations, but you should visit a store to evaluate e-readers firsthand. Try out the lighting options and hold the devices to determine the ideal size and form factor for your needs. Many retailers also price match, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Outfitted with the proper e-reader, you’ll find yourself diving into books more frequently than ever. Adjustable lighting provides the customized experience you need to realize the joy and relaxation of reading. So open up your favorite e-book, finesse that lighting for the occasion, and start turning pages on your personalized portal to the world’s greatest stories!