Stiftung Warentest checks eBook readers: Kindle competition doesn't sleep

In Stiftung Warentest's eBook reader test, Amazon's flagship "Kindle Paperwhite" had to face the competition from Weltbild, Thalia and Co. We will tell you who convinced in the test (issue 07/13) and, in comparison to the CHIP leaderboard, show you cheap alternative readers for digital reading pleasure.

Kindle: (goods) test winner with poor reading

The judgment of the product testers seems clear: With an overall grade of 1.6 ("good") Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is the test winner at product test. But a look at the test details also reveals a weakness of the first place. The details:

• Nobody could fool the Kindle Paperwhite in terms of "image quality": Whether in bright or dark ambient light - the eBooks can be read perfectly, according to the testers. No other reader performed better in this category.
• According to Stiftung Warentest, the Kindle is a guarantee of the best reading comfort; there was also nothing to complain about when searching and synchronizing the books.
• The major shortcoming of the Kindle: You cannot use public lending libraries with the Amazon Reader; You must borrow or buy books from the Amazon store. This led to a devaluation in the overall result, so that the Kindle Paperwhite failed due to the rating "very good". Price about 130 euros.

eBook reader: Tolino Shine in 2nd place

• The somewhat cheaper Tolino-Shine (available from Thalia, Weltbild and Hugendubel, among others) also breaks the magical 2.0 limit and comes in second place with a total of 1.9.
• You can also use the public lending library here for around 95 euros, but you have to accept small drawbacks compared to the test winner - for example, when browsing through the pages and looking for new books.
• Where you can get eBooks for the Tolino-Shine quickly and easily, we have summarized them in another practical tip.

Cheapest eBook readers disappoint in the test

• The Trekstor Pyrus eBook reader came in last.
• Above all, the experts criticized the supposed bargain for the poor image quality and the lack of WLAN. Available from around 65 euros.
• The reader was also sold by Thalia and Weltbild until shortly before the test. However, they are now betting on the runner-up "Tolino Shine".
• All details about the test can be found at test.de.

In comparison: Kindle killer in the CHIP leaderboard

• The CHIP best list of eBook readers also tops Amazon with Kindle Paperwhite. The CHIP test only complained that the Paperwhite does not display the current ePub format. However, we will tell you in a practical tip how you can still read ePub books on Kindle.
• Sony's brisk ebook reader PRS T3 is in second place in the CHIP ranking and is a good alternative to the product test test winner at around 90 euros. You only have to do without the display lighting here.
• You can get a Kindle competitor with an illuminated display for around 110 euros: the Kobo glo particularly impressed the CHIP experts with its sharp and high-contrast image. Unlike Kindle, you can buy eBooks from any store here.

Tip: In November 2013, Stiftung Warentest tested the largest German eBook stores. Amazon and Apple failed the test, which shops you can trust, read in our goods test summary.