What's the cheapest ereader that's not a tablet?

[kelemvor]

Howdy,

Our kids have Android tablets that work great as ereaders. However, I'm looking for something that is ONLY an ereader that you can't install games, apps, etc on since those are too much of a distraction.

The only real requirement is that I can upload epub/mobi/whatever to it since I have a bunch of them already. I don't need any sort of online ability to buy books or anything like that.

Thanks for any recommendations.

[Cinisajoy]

Kindles are $79 each.
You might check Amazon as they are doing cyber week so the basic kindles might still be on sale.

[kelemvor]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Kindles are $79 each.
You might check Amazon as they are doing cyber week so the basic kindles might still be on sale.

Well, considering the Fire Tablet is only $40-$50, that doesn't seem like a very good deal.

[gribley]

Originally Posted by kelemvor

Well, considering the Fire Tablet is only $40-$50, that doesn't seem like a very good deal.

At Black Friday/Cyber Whatever prices, the basic (non-frontlit) Kindle is $49 -- and it's a sweet deal. An Amazon refurbished one will cost you $39.

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Ref.../dp/B0186FFTH4

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by kelemvor

Well, considering the Fire Tablet is only $40-$50, that doesn't seem like a very good deal.

You said you didn't want a tablet.
E-readers are slightly more than tablets.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by kelemvor

Well, considering the Fire Tablet is only $40-$50, that doesn't seem like a very good deal.

An eReader with an eInk screen is at a base level going to cost a bit more than a base level LCD tablet. Of course just because a tablet can have apps installed doesn't mean it has to have those distractions installed. My iPad Mini 4 is my main reading device and only has a few reading related apps and lots of books.

You don't say where you are in the world, but if you're in the US both Goodwill/Thrift stores, Craigslist & Pawn Shops can be good sources for devices a model or two older than the current generation for very low cost. Something like a Kindle Keyboard or Kindle Touch is still a good device and can often be found in the $20-$30 range.

[kelemvor]

Yeah,

I don't need anything current. The refurb ones for $40 look pretty good. I'll check around online for an older model or something too.

The tablets work fine but then I have to screw around with applock apps so the kids can't install stuff and do things they aren't supposed to which is just a pain.

Thanks.

[AnemicOak]

For online there is of course eBay.

Goodwill also sells online, here's a link that should be filtered down to just reading devices (some nook and Kindle tablets might be mixed in)...
https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Listing...uyerPrefs=true

Woot sometimes has Kindle refurbs, but it doesn't look like they have anything right now.

[Barbara1955]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=2SG6S6CWTCCP8

Scroll thru there are some K3 for $30

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Kindles are $79 each.
You might check Amazon as they are doing cyber week so the basic kindles might still be on sale.

The refurbished ones are still on sale for $40. The same accessories and warranty as the new ones.

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Ref...rbished+kindle

EDIT: Sorry for the redundancy.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by kelemvor

Well, considering the Fire Tablet is only $40-$50, that doesn't seem like a very good deal.

Personally I wouldn't use a tablet for reading (or very rarely would anyhow, and not for an extended time). But if you want a tablet they're definitely cheaper than the eReaders.

Refurbished Fire 7's are still on sale for $30.

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Ref...rbished+fire+7

[mobama]

Originally Posted by kelemvor

The only real requirement is that I can upload epub/mobi/whatever to it since I have a bunch of them already. I don't need any sort of online ability to buy books or anything like that.

If you want to upload epubs (on microSD presumably) then stay away from Kindles. Kindle has mobi only, everyone else does mobi and epubs and pdfs.

And an e-reader tends to be more expensive than a tablet. Eink screen is expensive, but fully worth it.

If you want cheap, look for some screen smaller than 6" (rare these days), but this will only leave you wanting for more.

[Hemmi]

I second the shopgoodwill site recommendation. Lots of older eink devices and usually under $20 each.

[rcentros]

Woot (an Amazon company now) has "refurbished" (marked "used – good") Kindles and Fires for sale again. Starting from $20 ($15 + $5 shipping) for the Kindle 3 (Keyboard) and up to $55 ($50 +$5) for a Paperwhite 2 (and several others in-between). The $5 shipping is for the entire order, so if you buy multiple devices (or anything else Woot sells) everything ships for $5 per order. Fire tablets (HD 6) start at $25 ($20 + $5). All Amazon devices appear to have 90 day (Woot limited) warranties and ship directly from Amazon.

https://www.woot.com/category/comput..._cnt_cdet_pc_4

(If this link quits working – like the last one did? – just go to Woot.com > Computers > Tablets.)

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Hemmi

I second the shopgoodwill site recommendation. Lots of older eink devices and usually under $20 each.

Except, use your brain and don't order one with a "battery dead" screen, like I did. I'm trying but (so far) am unable to get my first Kindle 3 purchased from Goodwill to turn on. If I did it over again I would find one displaying a screen saver or some other page (not the "battery dead" one).