I'm gonna chime in with some of the others and say Onyx is actually really good. I got my Nova 3 (black and white, not color) to replace an old Kindle and I've been loving it. The fact that I can write notes on it has been a game changer for me and has completely replaced pen and paper notes. On top of that, the fact that it's Android means I can install other apps and that just opened all kinds of windows for experimenting with the device that I didn't expect, it really is just basically a tablet with a much more readable screen. And second best thing to notes I've found about my Nova is how nice reading manga is on it, I'm even paying for a subscription to Shonen Jump now plus using Tachiyomi for fan-scans.

Only damage the thing has taken in the time I've had it is a couple corners coming off the case, which I just glued back on. Device itself feels good as ever.

Lurking to see what folks think.. I have a really old nook which I rarely use anymore. Reasons for getting it was my ebooks are all in epub format, and I heard scary things about Amazon doing shady things with my books/data.

After setting up a home server, I now self host my books and haven't found an easy way of transferring books onto it, other than plugging it in with a cable. (Tried rooting it, kind of got it to work but it wasn't great).

I really miss being able to send any new epubs to it over WiFi/email/without needing a cable.

Now I usually read books on my phone, using Moon+ reader app and a WebDAV (LAN) connection to my server. Calibreweb is running to enable me to grab books when I'm travelling/away from home, but for long trips I'll sync the nook up with a cable. Battery life is incredible compared to a phone..

I've had a Boox Palma for a few months, it seems very well made. I've been really happy with it so far and have no regrets about buying it. My only complaint would be the battery goes quick with the radio enabled. I like the screen a lot, you can adjust all kinds of settings to get things dialed in. It's Carta 1200, which I think is the newest and best version of eink besides the color stuff.

I know you said you've ruled out Onyx, but I just purchased the Boox Palma, and I really can't complain about the quality of the device. It's light years ahead of anything by Kobo, which I was considering.

I didn't realize that Onyx is a GPL violator until after I purchased the device, but they really engineered an awesome little solution otherwise. Conflicts of interest are hard. :-(

I’m a really big reader and have had 4 or 5 kindles now. My latest is the oasis and it was a considerable payout for me but I absolutely love it. I rarely pay for books, but kindles have a send-to-kindle function so you can download books from anywhere in any of the main formats and just email it to your kindle.

E-reader screens can seem really basic to the uninitiated but the paper white/oasis is just like reading from a book imo. Except you can read it in the dark too.

had a 1st gen paperwhite for years and eventually it just became too slow to use. go a fire8 tablet recently, does all the same things + other options.