Beach days, pool lounging, and long-haul flights all have one thing in common: they’re perfect reading moments – until water, glare, or bulky books get in the way. That’s exactly why waterproof e-readers have surged in popularity among frequent travellers and digital nomads.
The shift is easy to see. As travel rebounds globally, many readers are swapping heavy paperbacks for slim devices that can hold entire libraries. At the same time, major media outlets and literary editors continue to spotlight a new wave of buzzy titles worth packing for the journey.
Among the most talked-about recent picks are The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, widely featured on multiple “best books of the year” lists, and Audition by Katie Kitamura, one of the most frequently recommended literary novels of the moment.
Readers looking for something more atmospheric are also gravitating toward The Antidote by Karen Russell, praised by critics for its strange, immersive storytelling.
Meanwhile, newer 2026 releases like Departure(s) by Julian Barnes and Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash are already appearing on early-year recommendation lists, signalling another strong year for travel-friendly reading.
Many waterproof e-readers now offer audiobook support, adjustable warm lighting for night flights, weeks-long battery life, and sealed designs that can survive splashes – or even an accidental drop by the pool.
For travellers, the sweet spot is a device that balances portability, durability, and eye comfort without adding bulk to your carry-on.
Below, we’ve rounded up six of the best waterproof e-readers for 2026 – perfect for reading at the beach, by the pool, or anywhere your travels take you.
The Best Waterproof E-Readers for the Beach
Waterproof e-readers let you read and listen to your favorite books on the beach or by the poolside without worrying about damaging the device.
If you’re backpacking, you probably also want a slim, compact, and lightweight e-reader that doesn’t take up precious space. Here are six of the best waterproof e-readers to consider for your upcoming trip.
1: PocketBook Verse Pro: Number One Waterproof E-Reader
- From $179.00
The PocketBook Verse Pro is a compact, thin, and lightweight e-reader that won’t take up unnecessary space in your backpack, weighing just 349g.
It’s rated IPX8 water-resistant, meaning the device can withstand continuous immersion in water (usually between 30-60 minutes at one to two meters).
The Verse Pro comes with 16GB of internal storage, enough for 8,000 to 16,000 standard e-books. If you prefer listening to stories, your device should comfortably hold up to 75 audiobooks.
You can listen to your favorite audiobooks thanks to the Verse Pro’s Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, and there’s a SMARTlight feature that adjusts the screen’s color tone. Another handy option is the text-to-speech feature, which will read any text file on your device aloud.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.0/5.0 (490+ reviews) |
“Easily the best quality, privacy, and feature set, for a steal of a price. Incredibly light, battery efficient, boots/sleeps in seconds, easy on the eyes, and passable colors.” KDM, Amazon Buyer.
2: Kobo Clara Color: Excellent Waterproof Color E-Reader
- From $159.99
The hugely popular Clara Color by Kobo is one of the top-rated color e-readers available today. Its 6-inch colour E-Ink display lets you enjoy comics, graphic novels, and illustrations in full colour, as if holding the real thing.
It’s also ideal for active readers who enjoy engaging with their books. You can highlight passages in a range of colors with a simple tap, making it easy to organize quotes, notes, or key moments.
You can edit, remove, or review highlights by chapter, helping you revisit important sections whether you’re studying, researching, or simply saving your favorite lines for future inspiration.
Like the PocketBook Verse Pro, this Kobo e-reader is IPX8 water-resistant, so you can lounge by the pool or head to the beach without worrying about ruining your device.
Also impressive is the Kobo Clara’s battery life – it can last up to 49 hours on a single charge, though this will be significantly less if you use Bluetooth to listen to audiobooks on your travels.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.5/5.0 (1,705+ reviews) |
“Have had this for 2-3 months and love it. Love the way the colors show up on it, perfect for me as I have sensitive eyes. Brightness is perfect. Size is perfect as I can carry it around without too much hassle.” Bondella, Amazon Buyer.
3: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Best E-Reader for Audiobooks
- From $159.99
Of all the Kindle devices you can buy, the new-generation Paperwhite is a good choice for backpackers looking for a waterproof and durable e-reader with excellent battery life.
If you read books on your Kindle rather than listen to them, a single USB-C charge can last up to 12 weeks, depending on usage.
When you register your Kindle and log in with your Amazon account, you can sign up for Kindle Unlimited for access to over 15 million titles. You can also link your Audible account to listen to the books and podcasts saved in your library.
At the entry price point of $159.99, you will see ads on your Kindle. You can turn ads off for an extra $20.00. Also, when you buy the Paperwhite directly from Amazon, you’re eligible for three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, which renews for $11.99 per month after the initial offer period.
Kindle Unlimited is a digital library that lets you borrow up to 20 books at a time. If you’re an avid reader, it can be cheaper than buying individual books to store on your device.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.6/5.0 (16,955+ reviews) |
“The speed and size of this Kindle are amazing! The screen is crisp, and the page turning is lightning fast compared to some of the older models.” Maggie Hokanson, Amazon Buyer.
4: Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLight Plus eReader: Lightweight & Compact
- From $129.99
The Nook from Barnes & Noble is a lightweight and compact budget e-reader that’s a good alternative to Kobo, Amazon, and PocketBook models.
The internal storage of 8GB is less than the 16GB of the Verse Pro, but it is more than enough to store thousands of books and a decent library of audio titles.
It has an IPX7 waterproof rating so that you can use it around the pool without any issues, but it’s not as water-resistant as the other models introduced so far.
Its adjustable front light lets you fine-tune the screen’s warmth to suit your environment, whether you’re reading under bright midday sun or winding down in the evening.
You can also enable automatic adjustment, which gradually shifts the tone throughout the day to mirror natural daylight patterns and reduce eye strain.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.1/5.0 (310+ reviews) |
“Easy to read and use. Had an older NOOK, and this one was easy to set up and download my library from my older (device). With the added backlight feature, I will enjoy this Nook even more. I appreciate the free books Barnes & Noble makes available, too.” Roberta Duncan, Amazon Buyer.
5: Musnap Ocean C Color eBook Reader: Best for Note Taking
- From $269.00
If you like the idea of annotating your e-books or plan on using your e-reader to review student or work texts on your travels, Musnap Ocean C supports paper-like writing with a stylus.
The stylus pen syncs with the screen, mimicking the feel of paper as you take notes. The seven-inch color E-Ink display gives you vivid access to graphic novels, comics, and magazines.
The device runs on Android and supports third-party apps, so it’s much more than just an e-reader. You can also connect to Bluetooth to play audiobooks and other media.
Depending on use, you can expect the Ocean C to last for up to 25 days on a single charge, and a charging cable is included with every purchase.
If you plan to use the device to annotate and take notes, you’ll need to buy the stylus separately, which currently retails for $49.00.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.2/5.0 (50+ reviews) |
“For my needs, with the official stylus, the notetaking features available on this device are great. You can adjust the type of digital pen, line thickness, and even the color!” 4ajashley, Amazon Buyer.
6: Kobo Clara BW: Best No-Frills, Black & White Waterproof E-Reader
- From $139.99
The Kobo Clara BW is a no-frills, black-and-white e-reader that mimics the experience of reading a real book. It has 16GB of storage for up to 10,000 books and offers a two-week battery life.
Its 6-inch glare-free E-Ink Carta 1300 HD display remains clear and readable even in bright sunlight, with fast page turns that keep your reading flow uninterrupted. There’s also a dark mode option that inverts the screen colors for more comfortable night-time reading.
ComfortLight PRO adds another layer of flexibility, allowing you to adjust brightness, color temperature, and blue light levels to reduce eye strain, especially useful when reading before bed.
Like most of the other e-readers introduced here, the Kobo Clara BW is fully waterproof, rated IPX8.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.4/5.0 (350+ reviews) |
“This reader is far snappier than any of the Kindles I’ve had over the years. Compared to my current Kindle (2020 Sage Paperwhite), this is miles ahead – fast page turns, super-fast downloads, much less cluttered interface, good battery life, and better power button location.” R. Ellis, Amazon Buyer.
Which Waterproof E-Reader is Best for You?
You could slip any one of these waterproof e-readers into your backpack to ensure you have something to read on your travels. But which is best suited to your preferences? Check the comparison table below to decide which one to buy:
| E-reader | Price | Why buy it? |
| PocketBook Verse Pro | From $179.00 | Lightweight waterproof reader with audiobook support, SMARTlight display, text-to-speech, and excellent storage capacity included. |
| Kobo Clara Color | From $159.99 | Color E-Ink screen that’s perfect for graphic novels, comics, and highlighting key text passages. |
| Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | From $159.99 | Superb battery life, waterproof build, Kindle Unlimited access, and Audible audiobook integration. |
| Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLight Plus | From $129.99 | Affordable waterproof e-reader with adjustable lighting, compact design, and solid everyday reading performance |
| Musnap Ocean C Color | From $269.99 | Color display with stylus support and Android apps – ideal for notes and productivity tasks. |
| Kobo Clara BW | From $139.99 | Simple waterproof e-reader with a sharp display, long battery life, and a distraction-free reading experience. |
The Essential “Digital Library” Checklist
Beyond just the device, these items ensure your e-reader survives a year of backpacking across different climates:
- PocketBook Verse Pro: Best for privacy-focused travelers who want physical buttons.
- Kobo Clara Colour: Best for comic book lovers and colorful highlighting.
- Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Best for 12-week battery life and massive book selection.
- NOOK GlowLight Plus: Best budget-friendly waterproof option with warm lighting.
- Musnap Ocean C Color: Best for digital nomads who need to take notes with a stylus.
- Kobo Clara BW: Best for no-frills, glare-free reading in direct sunlight.
- Rugged Origami Case: Protects the screen from being crushed in a stuffed backpack while acting as a hands-free stand.
- Universal USB-C Cable: One cable to charge your phone, e-reader, and power bank.
- Matte Screen Protector: Extra insurance against scratches from sand or dust on the trail.
- Dry Bag (Small): Even if the device is waterproof, a dry bag provides “double-bag” security against salt water or deep immersion.
Does “Waterproof” (IPX8) mean I can read underwater?
Technically, IPX8 means the device can survive being submerged in up to 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes. However, touchscreens generally don’t work well underwater. The rating is meant for “accidental” drops—like falling into a pool or being caught in a monsoon—rather than intentional scuba reading!
Can I use these e-readers in the ocean or salt water?
Be cautious. Waterproof ratings are usually tested in fresh water. Salt water is corrosive and can damage the charging port or seals over time. If you do drop your e-reader in the ocean, rinse it immediately with fresh water and let it dry completely before plugging it in to charge.
Will the battery life actually last for my whole trip?
It depends on your settings. While the Kindle Paperwhite boasts 12 weeks, that is based on 30 minutes of reading a day with Wi-Fi off. For a heavy reader on a long-haul bus ride, expect 2–4 weeks. To save power, always keep your device in “Airplane Mode” unless you are actively downloading a new book.
How do I get library books while I am traveling abroad?
If you have a library card from home, you can use apps like Libby or OverDrive. Kobo devices are particularly great for this, as OverDrive is built directly into the interface. Kindle users in the US can also “Send to Kindle” from the Libby app, but this feature is more limited for international library cards.+1
Are color e-readers (like Kobo Clara Colour) as good as black-and-white for text?
Color E-Ink technology has come a long way in 2026, but black-and-white screens (like the Kobo Clara BW) still offer slightly higher contrast and “whiter” backgrounds for pure text. If you only read novels, stick to B&W; if you read magazines, travel guides, or comics, the color upgrade is worth the slight trade-off.
Trending on #BookTok: What Travelers Are Reading Right Now
If you want to load your waterproof e-reader with crowd-approved page-turners, TikTok’s #BookTok community is still one of the strongest trend drivers in publishing. The hashtag has generated well over 200 billion views, and viral recommendations routinely send older titles back onto bestseller lists.
Here are some of the most talked-about BookTok picks travellers are downloading right now:
Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros
The fantasy phenomenon that refuses to slow down. Expect dragons, romance, and serious “just one more chapter” energy — ideal for long flights.
Iron Flame — Rebecca Yarros
The explosive follow-up dominating #BookTok feeds. Perfect if you want a high-stakes sequel ready the moment you finish Fourth Wing.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow — Gabrielle Zevin
A more literary favourite that still went viral. Emotional, smart, and widely praised by critics and creators alike.
The Housemaid — Freida McFadden
One of the most recommended psychological thrillers on TikTok. Fast, twisty, and extremely bingeable for travel days.
It Ends With Us — Colleen Hoover
Still a BookTok staple thanks to its emotional punch and huge online fanbase. A classic pick for readers who want something immersive and dramatic.
Yellowface — R.F. Kuang
A sharp, conversation-starting novel that continues trending across BookTok and Instagram reading communities.
