PDF is so popular that almost all eReaders support it. However, there’s one thing you need to consider before you make a decision, which is that the data in PDF format has to be re-flowed to make it fit the screen width and size of various eReaders manufactured today. It's difficult to view PDF files on screens with restricted size and resolution. So, an eReader which boasts of large screen size and high resolution can be ideal for your PDF documents. In short, the screen size and resolution are the two important factors that you need to look into if you seek the best eReader for PDFs. Below we have listed the best 5 PDF ebook Readers for your reference.
Sony Digital Paper is a dedicated PDF reader and editor. Available in 13.3” letter size for full page reading, annotating and note taking and 10.3” notebook size for greater portability. Both Sony DPT-RP1 and Sony DPT-CP1 excel at taking notes and editing PDF files. They are light, responsive and fast. And the response time when drawing or taking notes is the best for now.
The Digital Paper has a new stylus which has two different buttons, one to make highlights and the other is an eraser.
One of the coolest thing about the Digital Paper is the split screen view and multi page view function. Multi-page view will open up a PDF file in landscape mode and give you a secondary page. Split Screen view is the coolest function of the DPT which allows you to open two different files at the same time and use the touchscreen to turn the page on one side of the screen, without affecting the other.
When viewing a PDF file you can't zoom by using the touchscreen. Instead, you can tap the screen and use a small zoom tool to isolate a specific area. When zoomed in, you will be able to make edits.
1 Sony DPT-CP1
The Sony DPT-CP1 has a 10.3” E-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1872×1404 with 227 PPI. It has a capacitive layer for touchscreen interactions, which allows the stylus to take notes and write directly on PDF files. It has a 64-bit quadcore Processor,1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage space, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2. The dimensions are 174.2 × 243.5 × 5.9 mm and it weighs approximately 240g. And its stylus has four interchangeable nibs.
Aside from the smaller screen, the Sony DPT-CP1 shares most of the same features as the RP1. The Sony DPT-CP1 is a niche product that is designed as a paper replacement device. Its singular purpose is to read PDFS and create handwritten notes. But it does not have web access and it only supports PDF format.
• Light and portable
• Good PDF editing
• Limited software features
2 Sony DPT-RP1
The Sony DPT-RP1 has a 13.3” E-Ink Carta screen with a resolution of 2200 x 1650 and 207 PPI. It has a 64-bit quadcore Processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, an ARM CPU, up to 1.2GHz, and a separate low-power Cortex M3. The dimensions are 224 × 302.6 × 5.9 mm and it weighs 349g. It has a 2000mAh Lithium-ion battery which should give you around four weeks of usage with WiFi turned off.
The Sony DPT-RP1 is Sony’s 2nd generation 13.3-inch Digital Paper device. It features an upgraded higher resolution and higher contrast E Ink screen, along with a faster processor and a more accurate stylus pen. Like the Sony DPT-CP1, Sony DPT-RP1 only supports PDF format and it can’t connect to the internet and you have to use Sony app to transfer files.
• Thin and lightweight
• Note taking is more robust
• No internet access
• Stylus requires charging
• Must use Sony desktop app to transfer files
3 Sony DPT-CP1 vs Sony DPT-RP1
The Sony DPT-CP1 is pretty much exactly the same as the 13.3” Sony DPT-RP1. The only notable difference with the CP1 is the smaller size. The most impressive thing about the Sony DPT-CP1 is how thin and light it feels in your hand, which only weighs 234 grams. The Sony DPT-CP1 sells for 100. However, Sony DPT-RP1’s note taking is more robust and the reading experience is much better. So we recommend you buy the 13.3” one, which at least allows you to read full sized paper.
Since Sony Digital Paper devices only support PDF format, if you have an extensive collection of EPUB, TEXT or MOBI files, you can convert them to PDF by using Epubor Ultimate. Most importantly, it’s totally free to use Epubor Ultimate software to convert DRM free files to PDF.
Download Epubor Ultimate for FreeOnyx Boox – Onyx offers several large screen ebook readers, including the 10.3” Onyx Boox Note and the 13.3” Onyx Boox Max2, and there are some other options as well. Onyx’s PDF software is the most advanced among all ereaders. And their Android OS is open to install apps, which does not lock you into a closed ecosystem like the Sony Digital Paper. You have complete freedom to download and install any apps you want and customize tons of UI features.
1 Onyx Boox Note
The Onyx Boox Note is the best e-reader and digital note taking device the company has ever made. It has a 10.3” flexible E-ink Carta display with a resolution of 1872×1404 and 227 PPI, a 1.6GHZ quadcore processor, 2GB of RAM, dual speakers, mic, Bluetooth, 32GB of internal storage and a giant 4100 mAH battery. There is no headphone jack, so if you want to use headphones or a speaker it has to be wireless.
The 10.3" display is perfect for viewing documents containing graphs and charts and for any PDF and DjVu files. Its built-in Wi-Fi module allows you to use the device for full Internet surfing. The panel is comprised of Electromagnetic WACOM and a capacitive layer, which means you can use the accompanied stylus or use your fingers to interact with the screen or flip pages.
• Advanced PDF software
• Great note taking experience
• Lightweight and comfortable to hold
• No page buttons
• Average build quality considering the high price
2 Onyx Boox Max2
The Onyx Boox Max2 is Onyx’s latest 13.3” device with a resolution of 2220×1650 and 207 PPI, the third generation Max model. Aside from the larger screen, it’s mostly the same as the 10.3” Onyx Boox Note, but the Max2 adds a 3.5mm headphone jack, physical page buttons and a menu button, along with an HDMI port to use the device as an E Ink monitor. Like the Note, it has a quadcore 1.6GHz processor with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space, so the performance is quite good for an E Ink device.
If you want to view PDF files in full page view without zooming in or use the sidenote feature in landscape mode or use the E Ink monitor mode, then the large screen Max2 can best meet your needs.
• Good build quality
• Great note taking experience
• Great PDF reading experience
• Some lag while using monitor mode
3 Onyx Boox Note vs Onyx Boox Max2
Aside from the size difference, both devices are mostly the same. Both have the same quadcore CPU with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space, 4100mAh battery, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, capacitive touchscreens and Wacom touchscreens, both come with the same stylus pen, and both run the same Android 6.0 software with support for the Google Play Store to download apps.
Aside from the screen size, the main difference with the Max2 is the addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack, page buttons, and a menu button, whereas the Note just has a back button. And the Max2 is a lot bigger and heavier, it’s really more of a two-hand device, whereas the Note is light enough to easily hold one-handed. Another significant difference is the price. The Boox Note sells for 749.
The Kindle Paperwhite 3 has been Amazon’s most popular and best selling Kindle since it was first released back in 2015. It features a 6” E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1448 x 1072 and 300 PPI. And it measures 169 x 117 x 9.1 mm and weighs 205 grams. Unlike Sony Digital Paper and Onyx Boox ereader, Paperwhite 3 has a frontlight to illuminate the display, which helps make the screen appear whiter and improves contrast, and makes it better for reading in low light.
If you want a small and cheap eReader for PDF files, the most economical as well as cost-effective option is the Kindle Paperwhite 3. Amazon’s PDF software is the same on all Kindles, and all but the entry-level model have 300 PPI screens, so they’re mostly the same, but the Kindle Paperwhite is the best value for an inexpensive PDF reader, as it offers more PDF features than other brands like Kobo and Nook. The Kindle Oasis 2 has a slightly larger 7-inch screen but it’s not large enough to make a difference. If you don’t care about having a waterproof Kindle with more storage space and a built-in audiobook player, then there really isn’t much of a reason to choose Kindle Paperwhite 4.
• Comfortable to hold
• No new added features
