# PocketBook e-reader

16 Hacker News commenters recommended PocketBook e-reader and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 7 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend PocketBook e-readers for their open Android software, wide file format support and physical buttons. The most common caveat is that flat bezels make the screen fragile to bumps.

## Why people recommend it

- Long-lasting and reliable (4 comments): "My last Pocketbook lasted for 12+ years until something heavy fell on the screen one day." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48546030)) "it worked perfectly fine and there was no reason to get a new device" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48256152)) "I've had two Pocketbooks and never encountered these issues." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47841403))
- Hackable, runs Android, installs anything (3 comments): "Pocketbooks just run Android and you can install what you want without any issue." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49956737)) "PocketBook is by far the most hackable, especially their b/w readers" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48257853)) "no complaints there and you can install software" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48246355))
- Reads many file formats (2 comments): "it reads all imaginable file formats and I can just send books to it via email or cable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48537949)) "The Pocketbook reads more formats natively like CBR, CBZ, which I also use." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46311452))
- Physical page-turn buttons (2 comments): "Hardware better than Kobo imo (e.g. their 6-inch eReader has buttons, Kobo's doesn't), and the software is even more open." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46288238)) "PocketBook are the kings of buttons (and well placed at that)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48955579))

## What people warn about

- Fragile screen with flat bezels (2 comments): "Their use of flat bezels means that any small fall or bump will destroy the screen too." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46288468)) "My flat-bezeled Onyx Boox and Pocketbook readers have proven much more fragile" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46290737))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Kobo e-reader](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kobo-e-reader.md): 154 recommend
- [Onyx Boox e-reader](https://hackerapproved.com/p/boox-e-reader.md): 48 recommend
- [Kobo Clara](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kobo-clara-bw.md): 38 recommend
- [Kindle Paperwhite](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kindle-paperwhite.md): 34 recommend
- [Kobo Libra Color](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kobo-libra-colour.md): 26 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=PocketBook+e-reader&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://pocketbook.ch)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "PocketBook e-reader", https://hackerapproved.com/p/pocketbook-e-reader/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).