BOOX Go 6 Review: The Small E-Reader That Breaks the Kindle Monopoly

By Editorial Team Editorial | April 2026

If you want one reader that handles Kindle, Kobo and Libby without making you choose a camp, the BOOX Go 6 is the standout. It wins on flexibility and carry-anywhere convenience, not on simplicity.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Product	Price	Best for
Best overall	BOOX Go 6	£224.75	Readers who use multiple book services and want a pocketable device
Best upgrade	Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)	£159.99	People who want the easiest, fastest no-fuss reading experience
Best budget	Amazon Kindle (2024)	£94.99	Buyers who want the cheapest modern e-reader that still feels current

Based on hands-on research, expert review consensus (RTings, Wirecutter, relevant subreddits), and current pricing.

Best overall: BOOX Go 6

BOOX Go 6 — £224.75

This is the e-reader for people who are done being trapped inside one store. The BOOX Go 6 scores 7.6/10 because it gives you a sharp 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 screen, Android 11 app support, and a body light enough to forget in your bag.

Why we picked it:

• The 6-inch Carta 1300 panel at 300 ppi keeps text clean, which matters more than raw speed when you’re reading books, articles or PDFs.
• Android means you can install Kindle, Kobo and Libby instead of committing to one ecosystem.
• At 146g, it is genuinely easy to hold one-handed on a train, in bed or in a cramped seat.

The trade-off: It is not the easy pick. Reviews consistently flag slower startup, more setup friction and weaker battery life than the best Kindles and Kobos.

If you want the flexible option, buy the BOOX Go 6 and accept that you are paying for freedom, not polish.

Best upgrade: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) — £159.99

The Paperwhite buys you a smoother, more established experience: faster page turns, a larger 7-inch screen, waterproofing, and a battery that runs rings around the BOOX. If you mostly read Kindle books and want a device that disappears into the background, this is the better buy.

Worth it if: you want the least annoying e-reader, not the most flexible one.

Best budget pick: Amazon Kindle (2024)

Amazon Kindle (2024) — £94.99

This is the no-drama entry point. You get a compact 6-inch 300 ppi display, USB-C, Bluetooth audio support and enough battery for weeks, all for far less than the BOOX.

Worth it if: you just want to read books cheaply and you are happy living inside Amazon’s ecosystem.

How we chose

We prioritised reading comfort, portability, ecosystem freedom, battery life and real-world value. For pricing and availability, we checked current retailer listings and compared them with consensus picks from Wirecutter, TechRadar and recent e-reader reviews. The BOOX Go 6 wins here because it solves a real problem: it lets you keep all your reading apps in one small device.

Frequently asked questions

Is the BOOX Go 6 good for first-time e-reader buyers? Only if you already know you want app flexibility. If you want the simplest experience possible, a Kindle or Kobo is easier and cheaper.

Is the BOOX Go 6 too expensive? For a basic e-reader, yes — £224.75 is a lot. You are paying for Android access and portability, not for the best battery or the cleanest setup.

Will it work with Kindle, Kobo and Libby? Yes — that is the whole point, and it is the main reason to buy it over a locked-down e-reader.