Bible reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 309 Reddit reviews across 21 subreddits and 79 posts to rank the best Bible brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Christianity, r/Bible, r/TrueChristian, r/Catholicism, r/atheism. Top-rated brands include ESV (4.4/5), NIV (4.2/5), NLT (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews309
Subreddits21
Posts79
Brands84
Products25
309 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
ESV
4.4
(37)
"I like the ESV study bible. It has a lot of commentary that helps explain what is being said in the verses."
"You can check out the ESV version. There’s music and multiple voice actors. It’s even free on YouTube at the moment."
"ESV and the NKJV are my two favorites."
"I love the ESV!!"
"I used to have an ESV Study Bible, which was an absolute Godsend."
"ESV is the best of those."
"ESV is my “main” - great balance of readability and precision"
"I read ESV because it is contextually accurate, well researched and reviewed, but offers a simpler text so it is readable."
"I read ESV because I have read that it is one of the more accurate translations and because it is really readable for me."
"I would recommend an ESV bible. It's written in a way that is easy to understand for the common English speaking person."
#2
NIV
4.2
(29)
"The NIV Life Application Study Bible is a good choice."
"I recommend either the NIV or NLT for a beginner."
"I recommend the NIV Life Application Study Bible."
"For an easy reading bible I recommend the NIV or the NLT."
"Definitely the NIV, it had a major revision in 2011 and is the original Hebrew and Greek translated into contemporary English."
"NIV Gospel of John, sooo good!"
"NIV Student Bible--lots of explanatory notes and maps, very beginner friendly."
"I use NIV."
"I don't like the NIV but the Faithlife Study Bible has some really good notes."
"Check out the NIV starting place study bible. It’s a good place to start."
#3
NLT
4.5
(23)
"I recommend either the NIV or NLT for a beginner."
"My faves, in order of increasing literalness and decreasing conversationalism, are: NLT, NIV, CSB, ESV, NASB95."
"If she likes to doodle, take notes, or journal, here's an option: NLT Inspire Catholic Coloring/Journaling Bible."
"For a beginner like you, I think the Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation (NLT) is a great choice."
"I recommend the NLT."
"NLT because it's a Life Application Study Bible."
"I really enjoy the NLT Teen Life Application Study Bible."
"That one is awesome. I have one too."
"NLT is great."
"I use NLT."
#4
KJV
4.2
(11)
"I would recommend the KJV for the Psalter."
"I recommend read KJV, and whichever verse is hard to understand, look up in ESV."
"YOUNG'S LITERAL TRANSLATION OR KJV"
"I'd stick with KJV for not oversimplifying things."
"The KJV is also good but the old English can be challenging."
"I use KJV and then if I want a different translation, I’ll follow up with NASB."
"I personally love KJV, but it is not for everyone."
"KJV and the bible app to check different versions."
"James Earl Jones kjv."
"Get the KJV, its great."
#5
NRSV
4.5
(10)
"NRSV (or NRSVue) is top of the line when it comes to excellent translation."
"NRSV is the best translation available if you’re reading in English."
"1. NRSV"
"I highly recommend the NRSV."
"The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is generally considered a highly respected and accurate Bible translation."
"I recently purchased the New Revised Standard Version"
"The New Revised Standard Version is still the preferred version."
"NRSV is the most common translation you’ll usually hear in Episcopal churches so I’d start there."
"I recommend the NRSV/NRSVue."
"A study Bible, preferably either NRSVue/NRSV, NASB, or CJB."
#6
NRSVue
4.8
(9)
"His recommendation is the NRSVue, and specifically the SBL Study Bible."
"Its the updated NRSV and its pretty accurate/used by a lot of churches"
"NSRVue is the best available bible on the markets."
"New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) Because that is the most accurate study Bible."
"If you want something modern (and trusted by scholars), I recommend the NRSVue."
"The NRSVue is the most updated edition of the academic standard translation."
"NRSVue has the most up to date scholarly translations."
"If you want an accurate bible that your church uses, NRSVue is supposed to be top tier for translations."
"NRSVUE or the older NRSV are what's recommended by most scholars for general reading."
#7
NKJV
4.2
(10)
"ESV and the NKJV are my two favorites."
"God saved me through the NKJV. My go to version."
"I recommend you the New King James Version."
"New king James and English standard are the easiest to read."
"NKJV would be great."
"Nkj, niv are fine."
"NKJV."
"My favourite is the NKJV."
"I've also been digging the NKJV."
"NKJV/LSB."
#8
YouVersion Bible App
4.7
(9)
"Hey! I love using YouVersion, and I think you will, too."
"I use the youversion Bible app which allows you to compare different versions."
"I’ve used The Holy Bible app by YouVersion for over a decade."
"Youversion Bible app is quite reliable"
"I have been using YouVersion Bible Application for about 5 years now."
"I'd recommend you download the Bible app and listen to the audiobook version."
"The YouVersion Bible app is good."
"Youversion is a free bible app that works really well."
"Youversion Bible app."
#9
Great Adventure Bible
4.6
(8)
"I really like the Great Adventure Bible."
"You can’t go wrong with the Great Adventure Bible for a proper first time read through."
"The Great Adventure Bible is a fine place to start, actually."
"Great adventure bible is a fantastic bible tho, and I would always rec it to someone looking for a high quality bible."
"Great adventure Bible is a good choice."
"I’d go with the Great Adventure Bible if choosing between those two."
"The great adventure Bible is a great portable Bible."
"I have the Great Adventure Bible, and I love it."
#10
Skeptic's Annotated Bible
4.4
(7)
"Get the Skeptics Annotated Bible. It's great as it has a lot of notes on the side of the page."
"You could always buy her a copy of the Skeptics Annotated Bible."
"Get her the Skeptics Annotated Bible."
"Skeptics annotated bible would be a good one."
"The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: The King James Version from a Skeptic's Point of View."
"Get her a copy of the Skeptics Annotated Bible. It's on Amazon."
"Buy the Skeptics Annotated Bible, there is an inprint version of it now."
#11
NASB
4.0
(7)
"Nasb is the end all be all, imo, for an easy to read accurate english translation."
"I particularly like the NASB for poetry."
"Seconded, especially for the Psalms."
"I think NASB is good too."
"NASB for accuracy. ESV for readability."
"I like to use the New American Standard version."
"NASB is likely going to be more of a struggle if this is your first Bible."
#12
CSB
4.0
(7)
"As others have already said, the CSB is a nice middle of the road translation."
"The CSB is a solid, middle of the road translation."
"I'm reading the CSB for the first time now and so far it's a good version."
"I would recommend getting the CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible."
"I would go either CSB or NIV."
"Best to just sit down and read? You'll want one of the easier to read versions."
"Christian Standard Version is a great translation for dialogue and conceptual understanding."
#13
YouVersion
5.0
(5)
"I use the YouVersion bible app on my phone, and you can choose different versions to listen to."
"Hey! I love using YouVersion, and I think you will, too."
"I would start with the YouVersion or Blue Letter Bible app."
"I recommend the 'you version bible app' it has most bible versions."
"Youversion or Bible gateway"
#14
ESV Study Bible
4.6
(5)
"I highly recommend the ESV Study Bible if you can afford it."
"I would highly recommend an ESV study bible."
"The ESV study Bible is an excellent Bible."
"I'd suggest ESV study. Make sure it's a study bible."
"I have been suggesting the ESV study bible."
#15
Blue Letter Bible
4.6
(5)
"I highly recommend Blue Letter Bible"
"Blue Letter Bible has free audio. Completely free."
"That's what I use and have found to be the best I've tried so far."
"I like the Blue Letter Bible with its optional commentaries."
"The Blue Letter Bible (BLB)."
#16
MacArthur
4.0
(5)
"The resource I highly commend is the MacArthur Study Bible."
"I highly commend the MacArthur Study Bible."
"The John MacArthur Study Bible has some great study notes."
"MacArthur study bible."
"I recommend steering clear of the MacArthur study bible. Although there are some great study notes, they are filled with his own biases."
#17
Bible
4.8
(4)
"Get her the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, and D’aulaires book of Greek Mythology."
"Get her a bible, a copy of the Koran and the satanic bible."
"Yes please get her a Bible. A Bible is the best defense against the poison of religion."
"I recommend you buy a full Bible (that is, both the Old Testament and the New Testament)."
#18
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible
4.5
(4)
"The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: OT & NT is one to consider."
"You might check out the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible."
"The Ignatius Catholic study Bible would be great."
"Ignatius Catholic Study Bible."
#19
New Living Translation
4.5
(4)
"It was super easy to read and it gives you notes and illustrations on things you’re reading about."
"I found the New Living Translation to be the one for me."
"I read the NLT as my daily reader"
"New Living Translation is also accurate and easy as well."
#20
The Message
4.5
(4)
"The Message is a highly paraphrased Bible that's very easy to understand."
"The message version, here to help if you have any questions."
"Honestly, The Message. It's a great place to start for beginners."
"A more modern version/translation is The Message."
#21
Logos
4.0
(4)
"Logos (which costs money)"
"Logos has a Catholic specific app called Verbum."
"I use logos personally, though that is not exactly affordable."
"It's always Logos."
#22
Orthodox Study Bible
5.0
(3)
"Orthodox study bible is key."
"Most of us use the Orthodox Study Bible, which features the Septuagint as the Old Testament text and the New King James Version for the New Testament."
"I love my Orthodox Study Bible."
#23
Ignatius Study Bible
4.7
(3)
"I would definitely recommend the Ignatius Study Bible."
"The upcoming Ignatius Study Bible is excellent."
"The Ignatius study Bible apparently now on back order is is especially good for notes and commentary."
#24
New Revised Standard Version
4.3
(3)
"I think the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is the best translation."
"Try the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). It's respected academically and reads smoothly."
"Suggest one of these translations: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)/New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition (NRSVue)..."
#25
Didache Bible
4.3
(3)
"I'd recommend Bibles based on the RSV translation first, either the RSV-CE or the RSV-2CE. Specifically, I use the Didache Bible."
"If you’re planning to use it as kind of a “Catholicism 101,” the Didache Bible might be better."
"The Didache Bible includes commentary from the Catechism of the Church."
#26
New King James Version
4.0
(3)
"The language is updated to modern day English."
"I use the NKJV and like it a lot"
"In english you can go with the New King’s James Version."
#27
Jerusalem Bible
4.0
(3)
"The Jerusalem Bible is what I have been reading for the last 40 years."
"Jerusalem Bible."
"What you want is the original 1966 Jerusalem Bible."
#28
Common English Bible
4.0
(3)
"Common English Bible Study Bible"
"I really like the clarity (it's not as wordy) and gender inclusive language."
"It may be the most 'updated' scholarly version."
#29
Ignatius
5.0
(2)
"A behemoth of a Bible and rich with resources."
"I'd highly suggest you get yourself the new Ignatius Catholic Study Bible."
#30
Action Bible
5.0
(2)
"I recommend the action bible also. It’s like a graphic novel."
"My daughter enjoyed the action bible. It’s a graphic novel version of the Bible - very approachable."
#31
SBL Study Bible
5.0
(2)
"I highly recommend it."
"I want to echo the SBL Study Bible and Oxford Annotated."
#32
NIV Life Application Study Bible
5.0
(2)
"I recommend the NIV Life Application Study Bible. It's in modern English and has tons of notes."
"I would also recommend buying a study bible to help you along."
#33
New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha
5.0
(2)
"It’s hard to go wrong with the (new) Oxford Annotated NRSV with Apocrypha. It’s a solid non-denominational translation well regarded for accuracy."
"The next best is the New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha 5th Edition, NRSV."
#34
Olive Tree
5.0
(2)
"If you want an all-in-one app- Olive Tree!!"
"I use Olive Tree, which is not Catholic, but has some Catholic resources available for purchase/download."
#35
The Bible Project
5.0
(2)
"I would recommend checking out The Bible Project."
"I always recommend The Bible Project."
#36
The Action Bible
4.5
(2)
"The Action Bible 100%."
"You could maybe try the action bible."
#37
New Living Translation (NLT)
4.5
(2)
"Honestly speaking, NLT for me was the best bible to understand God's word."
"NLT is a little easier to read."
#38
Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
4.5
(2)
"The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible is a great Bible."
"The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible is a great Bible; I use it a lot."
#39
Life Application Study Bible
4.5
(2)
"The Life Application study Bible is a more thorough one."
"Life application study bible."
#40
Children's Bible
4.5
(2)
"I got my kids a children’s Bible, a book of creation stories."
"I say buy the Bible for your child, perhaps buy it in the kids version so the theology can be easily understood for them."
#41
MacArthur Study Bible
4.5
(2)
"I commend the MacArthur Study Bible .. ESV, MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition, Leathersoft, Brown: Unleashing God's Truth One Verse at a Time"
"Get a McArthur Study Bible and read it."
#42
Bible app
4.5
(2)
"You can use the Bible app for free & switch btw different versions."
"You can download the Bible app or go to Bible.com and have access to many different translations."
#43
NABRE
4.0
(2)
"I have the NABRE large text version I got no complaints about it."
"Both the NABRE and RNJB are good."
#44
Good News Bible
4.0
(2)
"I prefer the Good News Bible (Catholic edition) (yellow colored)."
"A good one for kids might be the Good News Bible."
#45
Skeptics Annotated Bible
4.0
(2)
"Get him the Skeptics Annotated Bible."
"The Skeptics Annotated Bible website."
#46
Ascension
4.0
(2)
"A notetaking Bible from Ascension that was recently released."
"Recently released based off the Great Adventure series."
#47
New Jerusalem
4.0
(2)
"I personally like the New Jerusalem."
"I think it's best to use the same Bible that is used for the liturgy."
#48
Ignatius Bible
4.0
(2)
"In r/Catholicism the Ignatius bible is super recommended."
"Consider looking into the Ignatius Bible or Great Adventure Bible."
#49
Oxford Annotated Bible
4.0
(2)
"Get her the Oxford annotated bible. It's an academic reference Bible that I used in college."
"I recommend the Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha. It has a relatively objective scholarly approach to explaining translation issues, cultural issues influencing the theology, various exegetical interpretations, etc."
#50
AMP
4.0
(2)
"AMP, ESV, NLT, NIV, NKJV, NASB, HCSB, CEV, BBE."
"The amp version on the bible app and the message are very easy to read."
#51
Holman Christian Standard Bible
4.0
(2)
"I prefer the Holman Christian Standard Bible as it is both the most easily understood."
"Holman Christian Standard Audio Bible (podcast, even!)"
#52
Good News Translation
4.0
(2)
"I enjoy the Good News Translation: Catholic Edition simply because it’s translated with words that the writers would have used TODAY."
"I enjoy the Good News Translation: Catholic Edition."
#53
Alexander Scourby
4.0
(2)
"Alexander Scourby."
"Alexander Scourby -- non-dramatic -- is what I use."
#54
CEB
5.0
(1)
"I love the CEB study Bible because it's a very easy to read translation."
#55
The Brick Bible
5.0
(1)
"The Brick Bible I think is exactly what I’m looking for."
#56
Life Application Bible
5.0
(1)
"The Life Application Bible has comments at the bottom of the pages to help explain the more difficult passages."
#57
The Companion Bible by E. W. Bullinger
5.0
(1)
"The Companion Bible by E. W. Bullinger is a good Bible to study with. It is an in-depth study Bible with marginal notes and includes 198 appendixes."
#58
Biblical App
5.0
(1)
"If you’re looking for an easy-to-use audio Bible, Biblical App is perfect for you. Plus, it’s a free feature."
#59
Tyndale Illustrated Study Bible NLT
5.0
(1)
"For a physical starter copy that is super easy to read I can't recommend the Tyndale Illustrated Study Bible NLT enough."
#60
Bible Translations for Everyone
5.0
(1)
"There is a fantastic little short book about choosing your Bible called Bible Translations for Everyone by Tim Wildsmith that I recommend."
#61
ERV
5.0
(1)
"The ERV is very easy to read and understand."
#62
Shepherd
5.0
(1)
"Honestly I’d recommend using the Shepherd app. Study bibles are static and not interactive."
#63
NET Full Notes Edition
5.0
(1)
"I would recommend an NET Full Notes Edition Bible."
#64
Blue Letter Bible App
5.0
(1)
"Go download the blue letter Bible app."
#65
Blessed Is She
5.0
(1)
"I really love the “blessed is she” edition."
#66
RSV
4.0
(1)
"I still love the RSV Bible."
#67
NRSV Study Bible
4.0
(1)
"I have an NRSV Study Bible which I like."
#68
NIV Jesus Bible
4.0
(1)
"I have the Jesus Bible in the NIV version."
#69
ESV Study Journaling Bible
4.0
(1)
"ESV (English Standard Version) study journaling bible."
#70
Scofield Study Bible
4.0
(1)
"Scofield is really good KJV bible."
#71
Ignatius Press Bible
4.0
(1)
"Ignatius press bible is really good. That's the one I personally use."
#72
St Ignatius Catholic Study Bible
4.0
(1)
"I would personally recommend the new St Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Old and New Testament."
#73
New American Bible
4.0
(1)
"If you are in the U.S.; I would recommend the New American Bible."
#74
La Biblia Latinoamérica
4.0
(1)
"My dad has this dark green La Biblia Latinoamerica that he’s had at least since I was a kid."
#75
Anime Bible
4.0
(1)
"I saw an anime Bible. It doesn’t have every chapter and verse, but it picked out important things."
#76
NIV Application Study Bible
4.0
(1)
"The NIV Application Study Bible is a good start."
#77
Ave
4.0
(1)
"Leathersoft edition."
#78
Various Holy Books
4.0
(1)
"The other holy books of the world might also interest her. The Koran and Torah if you're keeping it simple."
#79
Awkward Moments Children's Bible
4.0
(1)
"Get her a real Bible but pair it with the 'Awkward Moments Children's Bible' volumes 1-3."
#80
The Beginner's Bible
4.0
(1)
"Solid and basic intro to the Bible."
#81
Catholic Bible Press
4.0
(1)
"I find it feels really nice to hold and read."
#82
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
4.0
(1)
"Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) or English Version for the Deaf (EVD) or Contemporary English Version (CEV)."
#83
Harper Collins Study Bible
4.0
(1)
"I'm very fond of the Harper Collins Study Bible."
#84
Tree of Life Version
4.0
(1)
"My favorite is the Tree of Life Version."
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