Stiftung Warentest: Best eBook Readers 2023 – Kindle, Tolino, and Kobo Lead the Pack
Not only does ALLESebook regularly test new eBook readers, but Stiftung Warentest also appears to review current models now on a yearly cycle. The new edition has been released today, featuring tests of different reading devices, including the Kindle Voyage, Basic Kindle, Tolino Vision 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PocketBook Touch Lux 2, PocketBook InkPad, Icarus Illumina, and Icarus Excel. Older, yet still available eReaders (such as the Kindle Paperwhite) were not re-tested.
Once again, it’s particularly notable that the majority of the tested devices received at least a good rating, which we also explicitly discussed in our own article regarding our tests: With the current eBook reader generation, you can hardly go wrong since all the illuminated models offer a wonderful reading experience—which is, after all, the main purpose of a dedicated reading device.
But let’s move on to the Stiftung Warentest evaluation of the eBook readers.
Tolino catching up, Kindle narrowly ahead
The Kindle Voyage leads the pack with an overall score of 1.4, leaving the competition (just) behind. The testers likely had better luck with their purchase than we did, as the image quality received an Excellent (1.0) rating—there was apparently no discernible gradient issue with this device. Such a display flaw was ultimately decisive in our test for the Voyage not reaching the top of the rankings. However, criticism must be leveled at Stiftung’s evaluation regarding the translation function of the Kindle devices, as they state that an internet connection is mandatory, which isn’t entirely correct. The regular dictionary function can also be used for translations (completely offline).
Close behind is the Tolino Vision 2, with a final score of 1.5. This puts the relatively new eReader on par with the Kindle Paperwhite tested the previous year, and ahead of the Tolino Shine (rating: 1.7 Good). Here too, readability, like with the Voyage, is rated Excellent (1.0), which aligns with our impression of the device. In the ALLESebook test, the Vision 2 already scored points with improved readability compared to the first Vision and Shine. With at least a good rating in the remaining categories, the latest Tolino addition ultimately secures second place.
The Kobo Aura H2O and the PocketBook Touch Lux 2 share third place with a score of 1.7. Kobo faces deductions in eBook loading (no direct ACSM download available), setup (mandatory registration), everyday use (larger and slightly heavier), and construction (fingerprint issues). While the points mentioned in brackets are not explicitly stated as the reason for the deductions in the relatively brief test, they likely contributed to the scoring. Nonetheless, the Aura H2O can don the rating crown, as in terms of image quality, the waterproof eBook reader impressively scores 0.9, ahead of all others.
The Touch Lux 2 also impresses with excellent readability (score 1.1), but loses out to Kindle and Tolino in handling and construction.
PocketBook InkPad and Icarus Illumina achieve a good overall rating (2.0), with the Icarus Excel at the bottom (score 2.8). The latter particularly falters in handling, construction, and battery life. However, it’s important to remember that the Excel (or Onyx Boox M96) is a specialized device designed to fulfill specific needs (primarily for reading large-format PDF files) and should not necessarily be seen as a competitor to the rest mentioned here.
The resolution advantage of the Kindle Voyage and Kobo Aura H2O does not seem to have impressed the testers, which is understandable, as it’s not very noticeable in everyday use, or only visibly so with particularly small fonts and interface elements. The image quality was assessed solely through visual tests.
While the Kindle Voyage narrowly takes first place in this year’s Stiftung Warentest evaluation, the Tolino Vision 2 can be seen as the hidden winner. The reading device from the book retail alliance has improved significantly over last year’s tested Shine and, alongside Amazon, is the only manufacturer to secure an excellent final score. However, it must also be noted that the entire test field is very close together: The top three positions are separated by just 0.3 in the rating range. As mentioned at the beginning, the models listed are all very well suited to performing the core functionality of a digital reading device.
You’ll find more detailed information about the individual devices in our eBook Reader Tests or eBook Reader Comparisons. In particular, the latter was significantly expanded during last Christmas’s busy sales period with many direct comparisons, allowing you to gain an even better understanding.
All interested parties in the Tolino Vision 2 also currently have the opportunity to win one of three devices in our ongoing contest.
