Skip to main content

Barnes & Noble unveils budget e-book reader

Barnes & Noble has just taken the wraps off a budget version of the Nook GlowLight 4, the e-book reader that it launched last December.

Barnes & Noble's new Nook GlowLight 4e e-book reader.
Barnes & Noble’s new Nook GlowLight 4e e-book reader. Barnes & Noble

The 6-inch Nook GlowLight 4e, unveiled by Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, May 25, retails for $120 — that’s $30 cheaper than the Nook GlowLight 4.

Recommended Videos

So, what are the mains differences between the two devices?

Please enable Javascript to view this content

First up, the new e-book reader comes with 8GB of onboard storage, while the pricier model offers 32GB. Even with 8GB, you’re going to be able to load up a ton of books, and definitely way more than you’ll get through in a single vacation, so no worries there.

The Nook GlowLight 4e also has a slightly inferior display, offering 212 dots per inch compared to 300 with the GlowLight 4. Still, both are designed to cut glare and come with scratch-resistant properties that should ensure a comfortable reading experience.

Battery life appears to be more than adequate for the new device, with Barnes & Noble saying a single charge will last for “weeks,” while the GlowLight 4 will run for “approximately one month.”

The Nook GlowLight 4e tips the scales at 6 ounces and also comes with a built-in dictionary, bookmarking, and sharing features.

Commenting on the launch of the new e-book reader, Barnes & Noble executive Susan McCulloch said: “Encouraging browsing and helping book lovers discover their next favorite read is at the heart of Barnes & Noble. We are excited to deliver this latest experience in time for Father’s Day gift-giving and summer reading.”

The Nook GlowLight 4e is available for pre-order now and will start shipping on June 7. Cases for the new device are also available in a range of colors.

At $120, the GlowLight 4e is $30 more expensive than Amazon’s base Kindle e-book reader, though that particular device is currently showing as out of stock on Amazon’s website.

If you want to find out more about the popular e-book readers currently on the market, this handy Digital Trends guide can help you out.

This article has been updated to include the weight of the GlowLight 4e.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Halliday’s fact-checking smart glasses have a screen and a crazy control system
A model wearing the Halliday AI Glasses and smart ring.

Smart glasses and smart rings are two of the biggest current wearable tech trends, so it makes sense for there to be various new examples of both at CES 2025. What new product would be complete without a big dollop of AI inside?

Newcomer Halliday has unexpectedly brought all three of these trends together into one fascinating product for the technology trade show, and Digital Trends had a conversation with the company’s co-founder, Carter Hou, to find out more.
Like nothing we’ve seen before
Halliday AI Glasses Halliday

Read more
This app turns your Apple Watch into a Mac and smart home gesture hub
Wow Mouse app for Mac click and gesture control.

Just about a year ago, a startup named DoublePoint launched a gesture control app that lets smartwatch users control phones, tablets, and headsets, among other devices. The Apple Watch has finally received its own version.

In the lead-up to CES 2025, Doublepoint introduced the WowMouse app for Apple Watch, which boasts a few algorithmic refinements and a partnership with Bosch. The app’s Android version has already raked in over 100,000 downloads, says the company.

Read more
What I want to see from the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

One of my favorite devices launched in 2024 was the Samsung Galaxy Ring. It was first teased last January at the Galaxy S24 launch, and then Samsung gave us a sneak peek in February before launching it alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in July.

My excitement for it had been building in the first half of the year, and the final product didn’t disappoint. Samsung delivered an excellent smart ring that didn’t cause discomfort or swollen fingers. However, RingConn and then Oura launched their successors, and the Galaxy Ring lost some of its appeal.

Read more