What you get. Like all the e-readers on our list here, the Kindle has built-in Wi-Fi and puts Amazon’s massive catalogue at your fingertips. (Amazon Prime members can borrow a free book a month.)

This six-ounce device is the lightest reader out there, but its bargain price doesn’t include many advanced features; users turn pages using a button rather than a touchscreen. It also displays ads as screensavers, though they can be disabled for $20.

I’m a big reader, and I want the very best device.

Kindle Paperwhite 3G. 6.7" x 4.6" x 0.36"; $199 ($179 for the ad-supported version)

What you get. The Paperwhite, launched this fall, has a crisp six-inch display and a built-in light that illuminates the screen evenly, letting you read on when your partner is snoring away next to you.

Related: 5 ways the Kindle can become a top tablet

At 7.8 ounces, the touchscreen reader is on the heftier side but offers cool features like free 3G connectivity, so you don’t need a Wi-Fi network to download the latest release. (If you pass on 3G, the Wi-Fi version costs $119 to $139.)

I want a touchscreen at a reasonable price.

Nook Simple Touch. 6.5" x 5" x 0.47"; $99

What you get. This 7.5-ounce e-reader is the cheapest touchscreen offered by the big makers, letting you swipe through "pages" with your finger, tap words for a definition, and share passages with friends on Facebook or Twitter.

Related: Barnes & Noble unveils $199 Nook HD

Nook users can download books and magazines from BN.com and, using the microSD card slot, add up to 32 gigabytes of storage -- enough for a lifetime of reading.