eBook readers have become extremely popular over the last few years, especially after the release of Amazon’s Kindle in November of 2007.

Since then, Amazon has released two new versions of their popular Kindle, the Kindle 2 and the DX, while a crop of other companies have popped up with eBook readers.

We decided to share a few reviews of some of the popular eBook readers you might want to consider taking with you to the beach or when traveling this summer:

Kindle 2:

The Kindle 2 has become the standard in which eBook readers are compared against (similar to the iPhone in the smartphone category).

CNet has an in-depth review of the Kindle 2 that should help you decide whether or not the Kindle is the right reader for you.

The good:

Slimmer and sleeker looking than the original Kindle; large library of tens of thousands of e-books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs via Amazon’s familiar online store; built-in free wireless “Whispernet” data network–no PC needed; built-in keyboard for notes and navigation; a faster processor speeds up the device; with 2GB of internal memory, it’s capable of storing 1,500 electronic books; font size is adjustable; improved battery life; displays image files and plays MP3 and AAC audio; compatible with Windows and Mac machines; new Text-to-Speech feature allows you to have text read aloud.

The bad:

No expansion slot for adding more memory or accessing files; files such as PDFs and Word documents aren’t natively supported, and need to be converted at 10 cents a pop by Amazon; no protective carrying case included; battery is sealed into the device and isn’t removable; hardware and content is still too expensive.

The bottom line:

While it’s still short of perfection–and has a price tag that’s too high–the Amazon Kindle 2 offers a range of improvements that makes it the best overall e-book reader we’ve seen to date.

Sony PRS-700

Sony’s response to the new Kindle 2 is their updated version of the PRS 505. The PRS 700 offers a touch screen and built in LED lighting. Based on reviews, it still falls short of the Kindle 2.

The good:

The PRS-700 is sleeker than the Kindle; faster processor speeds up the device; new touch-screen interface offers better ergonomics and is easier to use; with the addition of an optional memory card (SD or Memory Stick Pro), it’s capable of storing thousands of electronic books; font size is adjustable; decent battery life; displays Word and PDF files (and zooms them), shows most image files, and plays MP3 and AAC audio; built-in LED lighting isn’t great but allows you to read in the dark.

The bad:

New touch screen is more glare-prone and doesn’t have as much contrast as Amazon’s Kindle or Sony’s PRS-505; built-in lighting is from the screen periphery and is not true backlighting; eBook Library software isn’t available for Mac owners; there’s no support for Audible audio books; and no built-in wireless access.

The bottom line:

The PRS-700 takes one step forward for Sony digital readers–and a couple leaps back.
 (via Cnet)

There are few other eBook readers that are vying for some attention. One device that has picked up some momentum, mostly because of its price, is Cool-er’s eBook reader.

Cool-er offers their eBook for $250, compared to the $360 for the Kindle 2 and over $300 for the Sony models. Cool-er also made Entertainment Weekly’s list of must have summer gadgets this past week.

If you’re thinking about purchasing one, take a look at this review from Gizmodo before making your decision.

Cheap in every sense of the word, but usable. The Cool-er has the same 6-inch screen as the Kindle 2, but renders text with a proprietary computer-screen-esque font face instead of the more “print”-like Kindle 2 typeface. It is, of course, size-adjustable. You can also flip it 90 degrees to read in landscape mode…

As if it wasn’t obvious enough from its appearance, the Cool-er is designed to be the iPod of eBook readers. It succeeds in looking like an iPod and being available in a lot of colors, but fails in usability and design. The only thing going for it is that it works as an eBook reader if reading is the most important part of the package (which it is, to many people). Also, it’s quite a bit lighter than the Kindle 2, so you can easily hold it with one hand while you’re brushing your teeth, lying in bed, or using the bathroom.

It’s not as capable as say, a Kindle 2 or the touch-capable Sony PRS-700 reader, and it’s not as cheap as this lousy Ectaco jetBook reader at $170, so it’s kinda just right there in the middle.
If it were $199, we’d recommend this to people who just want to read, and don’t care about all that extra stuff like touchscreen or downloading books directly to the device before your plane takes off. But it’s $250, which is only $50 cheaper than the Sony. If that $50 is very important to you, go with the Cool-er, otherwise we’d recommend either the Sony or the Kindle 2.
I really, really wish this reader were $199, because it’s not a bad reader, it’s just not as good as what’s out there now. (via Gizmodo)

Samsung has released their own version of the eBook reader, the Papyrus.

The Papyrus offers 512MB memory, a stylus pen, and comes in various colors. There’s no price point as of yet but will be released in Korea during the summer and later in the year for U.S. and U.K. (via Gizmodo)

Based on all these reviews and what’s to come, the Kindle 2 is still the standard in which all eBook readers are compared to. Until a company decides to release a device with a cheaper price point and a library of eBooks, the Kindle 2 will continue to be the leader in the eBook market.

if these sleek devices are not for you and you want something with more real estate, check out our post on the Amazon DX.