The Globe and Mail

Kindle
The eReader that started it all is back, and it’s the cheapest Kindle yet. But this time, the keyboard is gone. In its place—or lack thereof—is a smaller, slimmer model with a faster e-ink screen. And, of course, there’s still the vast Amazon library you know and love. ($109 USD; Amazon.com)

Kindle Touch
Also new this fall is Amazon’s first touch-screen Kindle. Functionally similar to the touch-less Kindle, you’re essentially paying a premium for the freedom to select and swipe with the tip of a finger—not to mention the option of 3G connectivity as well. ($139 USD; Amazon.com)

Kobo Vox
As a colour e-reader, the Vox is more than capable. But those looking for a cheap Android tablet will be sorely disappointed. Slow hardware and sluggish touch input make running third-party apps a chore, but Kobo’s own eBook software—which includes some neat reading statistics and social media features—is at least up to task. ($199 CAD; Chapters Indigo)

Kobo Touch
Kobo’s revamped Touch comes in five separate colours, and has the company’s Reading Life service for awards, reading statistics and social interaction baked within. There’s also an expandable microSD slot, and up to a month of claimed battery life, making this our top homegrown contender against the reigning Kindle champ. ($139 CAD; Chapters Indigo)

Sony Reader Wi-Fi
Despite being one of the more expensive e-Ink readers on our list, Sony’s Wi-Fi is no slouch. With similar e-ink performance to the Kobo Touch—and the neat addition of pinch to zoom— this is a lightweight eReader, with support for a myriad of open eBook file formats. You’ll even find access to the Google Books library, but whether that’s worth the price premium is hard to say. ($169 CAD; Best Buy)

iPad 2nd Generation
While not strictly an e-reader, we’d be remiss not to include Apple’s tablet juggernaut. While you can always use the included iBooks app, having access to both Kindle and Google Books content too is especially attractive—not to mention solid PDF support. Just be sure you’re comfortable reading on an LCD screen for long periods of time. ($519 CAD; Apple Store)