The New International Version was first published in 1978 by Biblica, formerly known as the International Bible Society. Later revisions in 1984 and 2011 were created in light of new manuscript discoveries. It has become one of the best-selling modern translations on the market today. Modern criticisms include those who state that the NIV has significantly altered, or downright omitted, key passages that are present in the King James Version and other, older, literal translations.
With this in mind, the editors at Lord’s Library assembled this list of the best NIV Bibles (New International Version) to consider. The one that is right for you will largely depend on your level of Bible study and the influence of your Christian church denomination. Each listing includes author and publisher information, some basic facts about the edition, and links to any alternative versions for effective comparison.
Note: We only included the best NIV Bibles (New International Version) with a 4-star or better ranking and a minimum of 1,500 reviews. We ranked them according to different buyer motivations like most popular, top-rated, and best value.
The Best NIV Bibles (New International Version)
Most Popular: Every Man’s Bible NIV, Large Print
Author/Publisher: Stephen Arterburn
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- Thousands of notes on topics just for men
- Profiles of great and not-so-great men of the Bible
- Advice from the pros
- Book intros, one-sentence book summaries
From the publisher: “Now available in an easy-to-read Large Print edition, the popular NIV Every Man’s Bible is designed to help every man develop a fuller, richer relationship with Jesus by understanding what the Scriptures have to say about the challenges men face. The Every Man’s Bible has thousands of notes on topics just for men―work, sex, competition, integrity, and more. This Bible also includes trusted advice from the pros.”
Top-Rated: Every Man’s Bible NIV, Deluxe Heritage Edition, TuTone
Author/Publisher: Stephen Arterburn
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- Book introductions and 44 charts
- Study Notes
- “Men, Women, and God” features
- “What the Bible Says About” feature
From the publisher: “The Bible for every battle every man faces. Every Man’s Bible is filled with affirming, challenging, and uplifting features that will remind men that God has a place for them in his story and a plan for their lives. Every Man’s Bible provides useful insights on how to live a godly life as a man in all of the various roles that he takes on, written by the bestselling author of The Every Man Series, Stephen Arterburn.”
Best Value: NIV, Holy Bible, Larger Print
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Paperback
Key Features:
- Book Invitations that explain the context of each book
- “The Drama of the Bible in Six Acts”
- Old Testament and New Testament maps
- Double-column format
From the publisher: “The NIV Holy Bible, Larger Print is a great witness tool to give to first-time Bible readers looking to discover God’s Word. You can feel comfortable and confident handing this Bible to anyone interested in spiritual issues or open to talking about God. Includes added helps for a deeper understanding of the Bible, making it ideal for churches and ministries buying Bibles in bulk.”
Best Audio Bible: Listener’s Audio Bible – New International Version, NIV: Complete Bible
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Audio
Key Features:
- Narration by Max McLean
- Single voice with subtle background music
- Skillful and engaging, but not over-dramatized vocals
From the publisher: “Read in a single voice with subtle background music, the NIV Listener’s Audio Bible features Max McLean’s skillful, engaging, but never over-dramatized style reading the entire text of the Bible. This audio Bible will bring God’s word to life during your personal and family devotion times, group Bible study, or during your weekday commute. Listen to just 13 minutes a day and you’ll get through the entire Bible in a year!”
Best Kids Bible: NIV, Adventure Bible, Hardcover, Full Cover
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Life in Bible Times
- Words to Treasure: verses to memorize
- Interesting facts
- Hands-on activities
From the publisher: “The bestselling NIV Adventure Bible will get kids excited about reading the Scriptures! Your kids will be captivated with the full-color features that make it fun and engaging to read the Bible and memorize their favorite verses. Along the way they will meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible. Most importantly, they will grow closer in their relationship with God.”
Best Teen Girl Bible: NIV, Bible for Teen Girls, Hardcover: Growing in Faith, Hope, and Love
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Daily readings for teen girls
- Character profiles of women in the Bible
- Highlighted promises of God
- Concordance
From the publisher: “The NIV Bible for Teen Girls, designed specifically for girls ages 13 to 18, is for real teenage girls with real lives. Packed with daily readings, highlighted promises of God, challenging insights, smart advice, and open discussion about the realities of life, this Bible is designed to help teen girls grow in faith, hope, and love. The NIV Bible for Teen Girls is as sincere about her walk with God as you are, helping her discover God’s will for all areas of her life, including relating to family, dealing with friends, work, sports, guys, and so much more.”
Best Thinline Bible: NIV, Value Thinline Bible, Leathersoft, Teal, Comfort Print
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- Less than one-inch thick
- Black-letter text
- Double-column format
- Lays flat when open
From the publisher: “With an easy-to-read typeface, the NIV Value Thinline Bible invites you to deeply explore God’s Word. Expertly designed for the New International Version (NIV) text, Zondervan’s exclusive Comfort Print typeface delivers a smooth reading experience that complements the most widely read contemporary-English Bible translation.”
Best Chronological Bible: The One Year Chronological Bible NIV (Softcover)
Author/Publisher: Tyndale
Material: Paperback
Key Features:
- Transition statements
- Daily, sequential readings
- Key Bible events listed in order
From the publisher: “The One Year Chronological Bible offers a fascinating way to read through the Bible in one year in only fifteen minutes per day! Gain a better understanding of the order of biblical events and the historical context in which they unfolded. The entire Bible text―books, chapters, and even verses―is arranged in the order the events actually happened. Prophetic books are interwoven with the historical accounts they accompanied.”
Best Daily Reader: The Daily Bible NIV
Author/Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Chronological/historical arrangement of Bible books
- Devotional commentary
- 365 daily reading segments
- Topical arrangements for Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
From the publisher: “As this unique, chronological presentation of God’s story daily unfolds before you, you will begin to appreciate God’s plan for your life as never before. Reading the Bible will become a fresh, inviting, transformational experience. In the Daily Bible NIV, you’ll find the most popular modern version of Scripture, a highly respected and understandable translation.”
Best Illustrated Bible: NIV, Beautiful Word Bible, Updated Edition, Peel/Stick Bible Tabs, Cloth over Board
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- 600 full-color illustrated verses
- Peel and stick Bible book tabs
- Wide margins and high-quality paper
- Lays flat when open
From the publisher: “Now refreshed with 100 additional illustrated verses, newly added peel and stick Bible book tabs, and a highly readable typeface, the NIV Beautiful Word™ Bible, Updated Edition offers a one-of-a-kind visual treatment of Scripture for a more beautiful quiet time. Find even more beauty in the Word of God as you discover wisdom to sustain you in every season. As you reflect, fill the wide margins of this journaling Bible with your thoughts, journals, and artwork.”
Best Kindle: The Jesus Bible, NIV Edition
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Profound yet accessible study features
- 66 book introductions
- Introduction by Louie Giglio
From the publisher: “Encounter the living Jesus in all of Scripture. From the Passion movement, The Jesus Bible, NIV Edition, lifts Jesus up as the lead story of the Bible and encourages you to faithfully follow him as you participate in his story. Louie Giglio is pastor of Passion City Church and founder of the Passion Movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus.”
Best Personal Size: NIV, Personal Size Bible, Large Print, Leathersoft
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- Convenient, portable size
- Full-color maps (8 pages)
- Words of Jesus in red
- Lies flat when open
From the publisher: “This personal size NIV Bible brings readability and portability together in one neat, sophisticated package. Featuring a generous print size and the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print typeface, this Bible provides a clear, smooth and easy reading experience for readers of all ages. Ideal for anyone looking for a Bible that is gentle on the eyes yet easy to carry, you can take this large print personal size Bible anywhere.”
Best Journaling Bible: NIV, Journal the Word Bible for Women, Leathersoft
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- More than 500 reflective journaling prompts
- Premium page design
- Subject index of journaling prompts
- Words of Christ in red
From the publisher: “Do you seek stillness and inspiration in your quiet time? The NIV Journal the Word™ Bible for Women guides you through God’s precious Word with reflections and thought-provoking questions placed beside Scripture. Explore God’s Word for you and express your heart in the wide margins of this journaling Bible with room for responses, journaling, and artistic expression.”
Best Student Bible: NIV, Holy Bible, Student Edition
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Paperback
Key Features:
- Sectional headers
- Translators’ notes
- Plan of salvation
- Table of weights and measures
From the publisher: “Ideal for churches and ministries buying in bulk, the NIV Value Holy Bible Student Edition is a great witness tool to give to students looking to discover God’s Word. You can feel comfortable and confident handing this Bible to students interested in spiritual issues or who are open to talking about God. This low-cost Bible with extra helps is perfect for anyone looking to distribute God’s Word to students.”
Best Giant Print: NIV, Giant Print Compact Bible, Leathersoft, Brown, Red Letter, Comfort Print
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Paperback
Key Features:
- Single-column format
- Words of Jesus in red
- Lays flat when open
- Exclusive Zonervan print typeface
From the publisher: “This NIV Giant Print Compact Bible features the easy-to-read exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print typeface in a truly giant print size yet is perfectly proportioned in a handy compact size. It seamlessly provides ease of reading in a convenient size that you carry anywhere. Expertly designed specifically to be used for the New International Version (NIV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the most widely read modern-English Bible translation.”
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