As usual, I come to this forum to ask for your wise, frugal suggestion. I would like to purchase a second hand ebook for about $30.
I don't need colours or backlight. If the ebook have it, it is a plus, but not a deal breaker. I just want something that is confortable, have decent memory and battery and reads compatible files like epub, pdf, txt and so on.
I'd just look at craigslist or something for a secondhand kindle. My 4th generation kindle still works just fine (~10 years old). You will need open source software like calibre to convert epub to mobi, since kindle can't handle epubs.
Kobo is pretty good. It supports epubs etc, and the going rate for a second-hand Kobo Touch is under $30 near me. The newer models have OverDrive built in, so you can borrow ebooks for free with your library card.
I've been using mine for about 4 years now (bought refurbished for $30 on Ebay.) It supports all types of files, and I believe 2gb is about 2000 books.
I have a Sony PRS-300, I was an early adopter of e-readers. It is still going today. Not very good PDF support though, you'll have to stick to epubs. No overdrive either. I can find them for under $30 CAD though, so they must be really cheap in the States. You could take a look at some more recent models of the Sony line (PRS-600 maybe?).
For pdf files, 10" or larger screen is recommended. Was given an Onyx Boox M92 9.7" e-reader and as outdated as it is, it has performed very well with its many useful pdf read settings.
Another option is to get a cheap used samsung android or an ipad with a big screen and use a free reading program like ReadEra or equivalent, and set it to:
Page Flipping: Vertical
Color Mode: Night (white text on black background) or Console (green text on black background)
Page margins: OFF
and adjust the brightness of the text by sliding the finger up or down on the left side of the screen after setting "brightness by swipe" ON under general settings.
p.s.: turn on the blue light filter ON from the android or ios operating system settings menu.
