Think of e-readers and names like Kindle, Kobo, Onyx Boox, or Pocketbook, likely populate your mindscape. Together, they offer a vast array of e-reader devices, which include devices of all sizes and shapes, spanning a wide range of price points. But few, if any, come with a price tag as low as $19.99.
Enter the Mangazone 2.7-inch e-Reader: a device whose compact dimensions match its diminutive costs. It’s a tiny yet functional device that seamlessly blends portability with surprising capabilities, making it a quirky yet capable alternative to mainstream options. This makes it perfect for those who’d like to have something different.
All About the Mangazone 2.7-Inch E-Reader
The Mangazone e-reader is all about simplicity and portability. The 2.7-inch E-Ink screen that it comes with may be small, but it delivers the classic paper-like reading experience e-readers are known for.
Here are its key details:
- Display: 2.7-inch E-Ink screen having 264 × 176 resolution
- Backlight: Adjustable, which means you can read in both daylight and low-light conditions comfortably.
- Battery: 400 mAh, which lasts around 30 hours on a single charge.
- Storage: microSD card slot which supports up to 128 GB of external storage (card sold separately).
- Extra Features: MP3 playback, Bluetooth connectivity, alarm clock, calendar, and calculator
- Price: Around $19.99, often discounted from its original ~$40
At first glance, it may look like a toy compared to larger e-readers, but the Mangazone packs in more functionality than you’d expect for the price.
Pros of the Mangazone E-Reader
- Ultra-portable: It’s a cute little thing, and the tiny size means it can fit almost anywhere. This makes it ideal for travel, commuting, or even as a backup device.
- Affordable: At under $20, it’s one of the cheapest e-readers you can buy—perfect for budget-conscious readers.
- Feature-rich: It’s capable of music playback, supports Bluetooth, and has even a calculator, which means it isn’t just about reading e-books but a lot more as well.
- Expandable storage: With support for up to 128 GB of external storage via microSD cards, you can accommodate thousands of e-books, MP3s, or audiobooks.
- Energy efficient: E-Ink technology plus a small screen size ensures the battery lasts longer than you’d expect.
Cons of the Mangazone E-Reader
- Tiny display: At 2.7 inches, the screen can feel cramped, especially for long reading sessions or complex book layouts.
- Low resolution: At 264 × 176 resolution, texts might now be as crisp as many modern e-reader devices.
- Basic software: Advanced features like dictionaries, font customization, or cloud syncing are lacking.
- Limited as a primary device: It can best serve as a secondary e-reader and can never be seen as a replacement for full-fledged e-readers such as a Kindle or a Kobo.
Other Tiny E-Readers Worth Knowing About
The Mangazone isn’t the first ultra-small e-reader to come our way. There have been a few other brands that also offer e-readers sporting ultra-compact designs:
- Famue E-Reader – It comes with a slightly larger 3.5-inch display. However, as Good e-Reader revealed in its review, the pocket-sized, lightweight, and affordable e-reader faces similar challenges with a cramped screen real estate.
- Small-Sized E-Readers in 2025 – According to Good e-Reader’s round-up, interest in compact e-readers hasn’t completely faded. With mainstream brands focusing on e-reader devices sporting 6-inch or larger screens, this leaves niche devices like Mangazone and Famue to operate in a segment where there is very ess competition.
These alternatives show that there’s still curiosity around ultra-portable readers, even if they’re more of a novelty than a Kindle replacement.
Mangazone vs. Famue vs. Kindle (Comparison Table)
| Feature | Mangazone 2.7-inch | Famue 3.5-inch | Kindle (2024, 6-inch) |
| Screen Size | 2.7-inch E-Ink | 3.5-inch E-Ink | 6-inch E-Ink |
| Resolution | 264 × 176 | 600 × 390 (approx.) | 300 ppi (high resolution) |
| Backlight | Yes | Yes | Yes (adjustable) |
| Battery | 400 mAh (~30 hrs) | ~600 mAh | Weeks of use (depending on usage) |
| Storage | microSD up to 128 GB | microSD (up to 32 GB) | 16 GB built-in |
| Extra Features | MP3 playback, Bluetooth, calculator, alarm | Basic reading functions only | Cloud sync, Kindle Store access, dictionary, highlights |
| Price | ~$19.99 | ~$40 | ~$99 (base model) |
| Portability | Ultra-pocketable | Pocket-sized | Handheld but not pocketable |
Final Thoughts
The Mangazone 2.7-inch e-reader is not going to replace your Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Libra. But then, that’s hardly the point. Rather, it comes across as a fun, affordable, and incredibly portable device for readers who want a no-frills way to carry books in their pocket.
Its low price can make it a compelling choice for students, commuters, or even as a gift for kids who want to dip their toes into digital reading. Pair it with a larger e-reader, and you’ll have the best of both worlds: power and features at home, plus a tiny travel companion when you’re on the go.
For under $20, the Mangazone is proof that sometimes the smallest devices can spark the most curiosity.
