Same as everyone says for an old kindle as well. Technically it has a browser that you can use to download ebooks
BUT …… different requirements. E-ink is great for readers but horrible for browsers. You really won’t be happy trying to do both.
this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2026
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My kobo (10+ years old) has an browse option. Tried it, it kinda works but it's kinda slow. An e reader isn't built for browsing, e-ink is perfect for reading but slow for everything else. So I use my phone for browsing and my e-reader for reading. Since wifi is practically always off and it has e-ink display, the battery lifetime is staggering. That's how I want my e-reader to be.
My 8 years old Kobo has a browser too. Not a great experience, but it works.
I'd expect all Kobo e-readers to have this feature.
Your friend would better be served by an Android-based e-book reader. Kobos are low-powered and their browser very limited, I'm not even sure tumblr would work.
My father has a Boox, it runs straight android. I put f-droid on it, taught him how to use Anna's archive and he loves it.
Boox are solid devices. We've got two at home and love them for reading. Web browsing static pages/images is fine, but video kinda sucks given the refresh rate of e-ink.
I have a Boox, and it is basically an android. It comes with a Chrome based browser
I've used a Kobo that has a limited browser, but if she wants to browse the Web, I'd just get an Android tablet rather than a dedicated hardware e-reader. She can run the Kobo or Amazon or whatever apps on an Android device, as well as run reader apps for PDF or whatever.
IMHO, the major reason to get a hardware e-reader is to have an eInk screen. If she's going to be doing anything other than the most minimal of web browsing, she's most likely not going to want an eInk screen.
Try an Android e-ink device. I've been using a boox note and it's pretty great.
Edit: You might want to get et the "e-ink bro" browser on the device too, it's more optimized for e-ink devices
That's the browser I use for exactly that
Boox, Mebook and Bigme make e-ink phones and tablets. They work almost as our regular phones, but with an e-ink screen.
Boox readers are android tablets with e-ink screens.
I got a Boox reader and I love it. I chose it specifically because it runs Android and can install normal apps.
Kobo e-readers have a browser but like many others are saying, e-readers aren't really made for browsing. The screens are slow to refresh, anything but text (for black and white at least, can't speak for color) doesn't look great.
Secondhand kobo+calibre+Anna's archive is the best/most budget friendly option for your friend. Kobos aren't locked down as bad as kindles and the like. You can load books "lawfully" acquired or otherwise directly onto them using calibre.
Now, if your friend wants to spend an unreasonable amount of money, you can get e-paper notebooks. Which are basically just tablet sized e-readers with a bunch of extra features and better e-ink displays. I can't attest for them personally but switch and click made a review on a bunch of the most popular devices of this category. Might be worth looking into more