Sitting by the pool while sipping a glass of Pina Colada with your favorite book by your side is the perfect way to unwind on holiday. And since it’s the era of gadgets, it’s obvious to want to replace traditional books with ebook versions. On that note, we’ve made a list of some of the best e-readers for enjoying books by the pool. From Agatha Christie to our own e-books with useful tech tips , you can now keep swiping pages away without carrying bulky hardbacks!
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Apart from being one of the most affordable options, the baseline Kindle is also one of the lightest and most compact Kindle devices making it easy to travel with. There’s 16GB of storage along with a claimed battery life of 6 weeks. The only con is that the most affordable variant has lock screen ads which can get annoying. You can pick up the variant without ads but that will set you back a few extra bucks.
Why you should buy: Most affordable e-reader with little to no compromise in terms of basic features.
Kindle Oasis With LTE
Kindle Oasis With LTE
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The primary difference between the Kindle Oasis and the baseline Kindle is the larger display and support for LTE. As a result, you can see more content on a single page while enjoying the ability to download books without a Wi-Fi connection.
Another big advantage of the Kindle Oasis, especially if you read a lot by the pool, is the IPX8 rating. The Oasis is water-resistant, so a few splashes of water or an accidental drop into the pool will not do any harm. There’s also double the storage at 32GB, so when coupled with the onboard LTE capabilities, you can download as many books as you want, wherever you want!
Why you should buy: Water-resistant so it’s safe to use near the pool or beach, along with built-in LTE capabilities.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
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The new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the latest addition to the Kindle family. It has a large display, adjustable screen temperature, and 32GB of onboard storage. While it doesn’t have LTE, it makes up for it with a convenient wireless charging solution to juice up the reader.
The Signature Edition of the Kindle Paperwhite is an absolute endurance champ. It can go on for more than two months without being charged. So, if you’re a nomad, you’ll love the extra battery life. Plus, there’s Qi wireless charging, so you can use your phone’s wireless charger to juice up your Kindle, too.
I would highly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite to those who travel often, primarily because of its excellent battery life and minute brightness control, which helps you read better on a flight.
Why you should buy: Excellent endurance along with auto-adjusting backlight making it easy to read in varying conditions.
Boox Tablet Note Air 3C
Boox Tablet Note Air 3C
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Notably, the Boox Note Air 3C is the only e-reader on this list with a color display. Moreover, it’s a full-fledged Android tablet that acts as an e-reader thanks to the color e-ink display. So, if you want to do more than just read books by the pool, this is your best bet.
Since the Boox tablet runs Android, you can install apps from the Play Store to browse the web, play games, or even watch content. Of course, the experience won’t be as good as a dedicated tablet due to the low refresh rate of the screen. However, the included stylus means you can take notes or even sketch on the tablet while you enjoy the breeze by the pool. It’s also useful for students who want to take notes in school on a tablet that feels just like a paper notebook.
Why you should buy: Full-fledged Android OS gives you a lot of flexibility, and the color e-ink display looks beautiful. The included pen lets you take notes which is a bonus.
reMarkable 2 Paper Tablet With Pen
reMarkable 2 Paper Tablet With Pen
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Just like the Boox Note Air 3C, the reMarkable 2 also includes a pen for writing. This makes it a good alternative for students. Since it doesn’t run as functional an OS as the Boox tablet, it can be advantageous because there are fewer distractions when in school.
The reMarkable 2 is a simplistic e-reader that gets the basics right. It’s an excellent note-taking tool thanks to the bundled marker that also has an eraser at the top. A big advantage of getting the reMarkable 2 is its suite of apps for your other computers and smartphones. As and when you take notes, it syncs automatically on your other devices to make it easily accessible. It’s the same with books too. It is quite expensive, but it’s remarkably good if you attend school or take a lot of notes during meetings.
Why you should buy: Seamless sync with other devices and the included stylus make the reMarkable 2 a good pick.
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A Windows Hello USB fingerprint reader can make the mundane task of logging in to your Windows PC an easy and convenient affair. If you want to save time, here are some of the best external fingerprint readers you can buy for your PC.
Arcanite USB Fingerprint Reader
Arcanite USB Fingerprint Reader
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The Arcanite fingerprint reader is small, compact and resembles the dongles for wireless mouse or keyboard. It plugs into a USB-A port and protrudes slightly with the scanner on top. The sensor is positioned at the top of the reader, so it’ll work best only on vertically oriented USB ports.
Registering the device with Windows Hello allows you to store up to ten fingerprints. So, if multiple users access your PC, each can log in using their biometrics. While the Arcanite fingerprint reader works straight out of the box, you may have to download the device driver from Arcanite’s website if prompted.
What We Like
- Small and tiny
- Affordable
- Stores up to 10 fingerprints
What We Don’t Like
TEC Mini Fingerprint Scanner
TEC Mini Fingerprint Scanner
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While Arcanite’s fingerprint reader should work fine for most people, it only unlocks your PC. TEC’s mini fingerprint, thanks to its proprietary software, goes one step ahead by allowing you to unlock locked files and folders.
The TEC fingerprint reader draws parallels to the one from Aracnite in the design department. It has a sensor on the top portion of the dongle for easy access. However, it has an ordinary build quality and may disintegrate after a few months. As such, we’d recommend against repeatedly plugging the dongle in and out of the USB port to extend the scanner’s life. On the upside, it’s affordable and won’t drain your pocket.
What We Like
- Small and portable
- Unlock files and folders
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Poor build quality
Yoidesu Fingerprint Reader
Yoidesu Fingerprint Reader
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Yoidesu’s offering comes with a side-mounted scanner, unlike the fingerprint readers from Arcanite and TEC. This design makes it a better choice for those who use a laptop over a PC. You can leave it plugged into a USB port on the side and use it like a built-in scanner.
Above all, it has a better build quality, thanks to the metal construction. At the same time, the Yoidesu fingerprint reader has a larger footprint compared to the devices above. At the same time, you can register up to ten fingerprints. Moreover, the scanner boasts snappy unlocking speeds, so you should be able to unlock your laptop in the blink of an eye.
What We Like
- Faster response time
- Excellent build quality
- Larger footprint
- Stores up to 10 fingerprints
What We Don’t Like
- N/A
Verifi P2000
Verifi P2000
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The Verifi P2000 is also compatible with some popular apps and password managers. So, if you use LastPass or 1Password, you can access all your credentials using just your fingerprint.
What We Like
- Reliable
- Works with apps and password managers
What We Don’t Like
- Works with older versions of Windows
Kensington VeriMark
Kensington VeriMark
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Kensington is synonymous with security. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, secure solution for Windows Hello, the VeriMark fingerprint reader is the best option. In fact, it’s being deployed in U.S. Federal Government institutions and organizations, and has some of the best acceptance rates for a fingerprint reader.
That said, it doesn’t work on a plug-and-play basis with Windows 11. As such, you may need to download the drivers manually. But, if you can get past this step, we highly recommend VeriMark for professional users who want to keep their accounts secure.
What We Like
- Reliable
- Able performer
- Practical design
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Not plug-and-play
A fingerprint reader is arguably more secure while a webcam is more convenient since you just have to look into it. You can pick either of them depending on your preference.
A long and difficult password can be harder to crack and might just be safer than using a fingerprint reader. But most of the time, a fingerprint reader is good enough since it’s both secure and convenient.
You can use Windows Hello on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.
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If you are a small business owner or someone who frequently has school projects, a sticker printer can be an incredibly useful tool. No matter what your use case may be, let’s take a look at some of the top picks.
Moremore Portable Sticker Printer
Moremore Portable Sticker Printer
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The Moremore portable printer is the size of a MacBook charger, so it can easily fit into a backpack and be carried to school. You can insert printing paper of different colors to create various unique stickers.
With the Moremore printer, you don’t have to worry about ink spillage or replacement cartridges when making stickers. It has a thermal printing head, making it safe for children. The package includes 10 paper rolls, five of which have a sticky back. However, finding replacement paper rolls can be a bit of a chore. If you’re going to use the printer regularly, this can be a deal-breaker.
What We Like
- Portable design
- Includes 10 rolls in the pack
What We Don’t Like
- Difficult to find replacement paper
Phomemo M02 Sticker Printer
Phomemo M02 Sticker Printer
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The Phomemo M02 sticker printer is quite similar to the Moremore printer in terms of functionality. It has a thermal printing head and a compact form factor. The key differentiator, though, is that the M02 only prints in black and white.
Despite being monochrome, the Phomemo M02’s print quality is superior. This is due to a special functionality in the app that enhances details before printing an image. Moreover, the app also allows you to add text, filters, and other effects to your photos. So, if you want to print a to-do list, you can add checkboxes directly via the app.
What We Like
- HD quality prints
- Easy to find replacement rolls
What We Don’t Like
- Only prints black and white stickers
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer
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Canon is no newcomer to the printing business. The brand’s Ivy portable printer is best suited for printing selfies and photos as stickers. You can add frames, text, and many cool effects to your photos to convert them into attractive stickers.
Unlike the two printers mentioned previously, the Canon Ivy 2 doesn’t need a specific type of sticker paper. Instead, the included bunch of papers have peel-off backs, so all you have to do is print your favorite photo and stick it in your scrapbook or on a wall. Replacement sheets are also easy to find. All things considered, the Ivy 2 is an excellent printer for the price and makes for a great gift this holiday season.
What We Like
- Great for printing photos
- Helpful editing features on the app
What We Don’t Like
- Photos appear slightly darker than usual
Phomemo M220 Label Maker
Phomemo M220 Label Maker
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If the only type of stickers you want to print are labels, the Phomemo M220 is the way to go. It’s efficient, has a roll of sticky labels, and has a long battery life. Moreover, it can be used to print addresses, memos, or even QR codes.
While the M220 can technically print images or logos, its primary function is printing shipping labels, barcodes, and price tags. This makes it a helpful investment if you run a small business. However, it’s not restricted to just that. You can print a QR code for payments, your contact info, or a link and paste it on objects.
It should be noted that the M220 is rather expensive, especially considering the Canon Ivy 2 is more affordable and can even print photos. However, it serves its purpose making it a worthy inclusion.
What We Like
- Prints quickly and efficiently
- Can print on various shapes and sizes of sticker rolls
What We Don’t Like
- Connectivity with the smartphone app is sometimes spotty
Brother HL-L3220CDW Wireless Color Printer
Brother HL-L3220CDW Wireless Color Printer
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All the options mentioned above are portable sticker printers that specifically serve one purpose — printing stickers. However, if you want something more versatile for your home or office, this wireless color printer from Brother is an excellent option that — along with printing documents — can also print stickers.
The primary reason behind picking the Brother HL-L3220CDW inkjet printer or stickers is that it’s a high-quality printer at an affordable price. Along with high-quality prints, other useful features like duplex printing and Wi-Fi printing via a smartphone or computer are also present. Having said that, invest in the Brother HL-L3220CDW only if you need a full-fledged printer for other purposes. Otherwise, any of the smaller options mentioned above should suffice.
What We Like
- More versatile than a dedicated sticker printer
- Can print large-sized stickers
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey compared to the other options
