Kindle Vs Kobo- Which Brand And Model Should I Buy?

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girl holding a e reader on sun bed

Kindle Or Kobo- Which brand Has The Better E-Reader?

You’ve heard of the tablet. A magical device that allows you to consume media, play games, talk to friends, and more. Tablets have one huge downside, though—battery life.

You couldn’t take a tablet on a week-long excursion without a power outlet. Tablets are also not too easy on the eyes if you intend to use them for hours of reading. Stepping in to solve this problem is the humble e-reader.

E-readers have been popular for a while now. With many advantages like long battery life (weeks), light and compact form factors, the ability to hold thousands or tens of thousands of books, and even water resistance.

They’ve become a fan favorite for avid book readers because of the ability to carry one’s entire library with them anywhere they go. They’re also easy on the eyes and are much less expensive than the average tablet as they’re designed for specific use.

Originally, e-readers were clunky, had poor refresh rates, and cumbersome touchscreens. In the last few years, however, they have risen enough in popularity that companies like Amazon have dedicated themselves to perfecting the e-reader experience.

Now smaller and lighter than ever, with relatively substantial storage capacities where books are concerned, e-readers are more viable than ever for readers.

With all of the devices available, this begs the question. Which e-reader is the best? With companies like Kobo and Amazon pumping out quality e-readers, it can be complicated to pick out the perfect e-reader for you. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite e-readers that fit your needs.

Amazon E-Readers

Amazon_Kindle_logo.svg

Amazon, originally an online book retailer, is synonymous with e-readers. The Kindle line has been available for over a decade and has become iconic among readers, so they’ve had a lot of time to perfect their product with the help of user feedback.

Kindle also brings something unique to the table. The Kindle bookstore, and more recently, the Audible bookstore, bring the largest selection of ebooks and audiobooks to Kindle e-readers.

Over time, Amazon has come out with a few different e-readers covering a range of price points and uses. Their current selection covers four devices and costs under $100 to over $200.

Kindle

Kindle has been Amazon’s entry e-reader for a while now. With a 6″, e-ink display, Audible support, Bluetooth, and weeks of battery life, what’s not to love? Well, it turns out that there may be a few things.

Amazon Kindle Reader

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Pros:

Audible: 

In today’s busy society, more and more people are switching to audiobooks or at least including them in their rotation. Thankfully Amazon’s cheapest tablet includes Kindle support via Bluetooth.

This feature is a mixed bag. While on the one hand, support for audiobooks is nice to have, on the other hand, you have to own a Bluetooth headset. This is a bummer because you not only have to keep track of a Bluetooth headset, but you also have to keep it charged. This almost entirely defeats the weeks of battery offered by the Kindle.

Bluetooth: 

Bluetooth itself is a pro. For those who already own a Bluetooth headset and include it in their daily carry, it’s a great feature. You will be able to take advantage of audible books without sacrificing the battery life of your smartphone.

Battery: 

Kindle offers up to 6 weeks of battery! This offers an alternative for those who frequently pull out their smartphone to read a book. You can conserve your smartphone battery for other tasks, and you will have a much easier time reading on a bigger screen with a display designed to come close to the experience of reading an actual book.

Small form factor: 

If you are adding an extra device to your bag, it’s nice if it’s relatively small. At just over 6″, you won’t notice the too much-added weight, and it won’t take up much space.The device is easy to hold in one hand without tiring your arm. This is especially handy if you read in the morning while you eat or hold coffee or another drink.

Durable: 

The Kindle’s al plastic design makes it a pretty durable device. If you plan to let children use it, the durability means that you can leave it with them without much worry that it will break. And if they do manage to break it or a drop breaks it, it’s under $100 price tag means that it’s not terribly difficult to replace.

Inexpensive: 

As we mentioned above, the Kindle only costs $80, under $100. Its inexpensive price tag means that it’s accessible to pretty much everyone. This isn’t great in every case though because with a low cost comes some cut corners. While it’s all around a solid device, there are some cons.

Cons:

Plastic screen: 

One of the things that Amazon did to keep costs low on the Kindle was to include a plastic display. This display accomplishes most of the same functions that any other Kindle device can but at the cost of sharpness, which, if you have bad eyesight as I do, forces you to look at the more expensive Kindle devices for sharper text and a better overall reading experience.

167 PPI: 

Ppi, or pixels per inch, is necessary with a device primarily for reading because it directly affects the sharpness of the text you are reading. 167 PPI, much lower than most competition, means that text can look a little muddied.

No Backlight: 

Many people read at night or in less-than-optimal lighting conditions. This makes a backlight an almost essential feature. Unfortunately, the Kindle omitted it with their entry e-reader. The lack of backlight means that if you plan on reading at night, you will need an alternate light source, like a lamp or a reading light attachment. I think the fewer accessories you have to carry around, the better. So this is a definite con.

No Headphone Jack: 

As one of Amazon’s few e-readers with Audible support, it’s mind-boggling that there is no headphone jack on the Kindle. This limits Audible support to people with Bluetooth headsets or Speakers. We would have liked to see the inclusion of a headphone jack or even speakers, but with the low price, this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, just disappointing.

4GB of storage:

 While the standard conversion for books is 1000 books per 1GB of storage, 4GB will allow you to store about 20 audiobooks. Every audiobook stored also means less space for traditional books.

Recap

The Kindle is a really interesting device. With Audible support, a low price tag, and a durable build, the Kindle is great for use in the home during the day, where you will have plenty of light and, ideally, access to some Bluetooth listening devices. It’s also a suitable device for kids because of its plastic design and cost. Take it out of the home, and, depending on how you use it, you may quickly notice its shortcomings.

PaperWhite

The Kindle Paperwhite feels more like the Kindle Plus. At ~$90 (at the time of writing), it’s priced at just $10 higher than the Kindle and offers features that smooth out the average reading experience. Curiously though, there are also a few things that it leaves out.

Kindle Paperwhitecheck latest

Pros:

Battery: 

The battery life on the Paperwhite is still in weeks. This is great because it means you can take toss it in your bag without a charger and take it with you for pretty much any occasion without worrying that it will die.

Form Factor:

The Paperwhite retains the same 6″ screen as the Kindle, with the exception of a slightly bigger body. The size difference is negligible, so you still get the same great reading experience, no matter how you are holding it.

300ppi: 

Although still plastic, this device is much easier on the eyes because of its 300 ppi screen. This is the same sharpness as the most expensive Kindle device and my eyes really appreciate the added clarity.

Backlight: 

While technically edge lighting, we are glad that the Paperwhite has some sort of built-in light for reading in the dark or in poor lighting conditions. Edge lighting is especially nice because it’s a softer glow and isn’t directed right into your eyeballs. This translates into longer, more comfortable reading session.

Durable: 

Like the Kindle, The Paperwhite has a plastic frame, with a recessed plastic screen. This keeps the screen safe from face-down drops. Plastic screens are also harder to break than glass displays in general.

Cellular: 

The Paperwhite comes with free cellular and, while slower than LTE that you pay for, you will be able to visit the Kindle store and keep your books up to date with all devices from virtually anywhere, even without Wifi.

Cons:

No Audible support:

 The Paperwhite has no Audible support for $10 more than the Kindle. That is strange, considering that Amazon’s cheapest product has Audible support and Bluetooth. Two things that the more expensive device doesn’t include.On the other hand, this stretches that 4GB of storage to about 4000 books since you won’t need the space for audio books. Whether this is truly a con or not is really up to the user. Price wise we still find it an odd decision on Amazon’s end.

Plastic Screen: 

Although I mentioned that the screen is durable. I don’t think that it’s the best for reading. It’s not as sharp as Amazon’s glass display that it includes in it’s higher priced devices. This is partially remedied by the higher resolution included with the Paperwhite, but a glass display is still a better material to read on.

Recap

The Paperwhite is Amazon’s second least expensive reading device. Overall it has a much sharper screen and free cellular data. The screen isn’t as lovely as a glass display, but the 300ppi makes a difference. Amazon made a weird decision in not including Audible support, but this device is a step up from the Kindle.

Voyage

The Kindle Voyage is an odd duck. In our comparison between the Voyage and the Paperwhite, we talk about how it hasn’t seen a refresh in quite some time. Despite the outdated specs, we are greeted with a $150 price tag. A full $70 more than the Kindle and $60 more than the Paperwhite. Still, the Voyage has some features that an avid reader would appreciate.

Kindle Voyage vs. Kindle Paperwhite

Check Price of Kindle Voyage On Amazon

Pros:

Screen: 

The screen on the Voyage is a step above the low-end Kindles. The screen is flush with the device for a smooth feel, and the screen is also glass. While the Paperwhite and Voyage have the same 300ppi, you get more clarity from a glass display. Its being flush with the device also makes for a better touch experience which is a bonus. Additionally, the Voyage has an ambient light sensor that will adjust the light coming from your screen, so it’s always easy to read. 

Touch sensors: 

To the side of the display are sensors that allow you to turn the page without touching the screen, giving you more ways to interact with the device. This will ultimately allow the user to find the most comfortable way for them, appealing to a broader variety of people.

Quality: 

You can tell by holding the Voyage that it is made of more premium materials and is more of a pleasure to hold over the plastic frames of the lower-budget Kindle devices.

Cons:

Lack of features: 

Although the Voyage is almost two times the cost of a basic Kindle, it includes neither Bluetooth nor Audible support. This is frustrating, considering the cost.

Price:

~$150 (At the time of writing) is a steep price for a device with one use. It’s so large of a difference, with so few differences from the Paperwhite, that it doesn’t make sense to buy unless you want a glass screen but don’t want to spring for an Oasis or a different brand of e-reader.

Age: 

The Voyage is four years old now. This likely means it is either due for a refresh or will be entirely removed from Amazon’s lineup. Either way, the age of the device is something to consider when purchasing this device

Recap

The Voyage is a dated device that, while good in its time, has been matched in almost every way by the Paperwhite. Unless you want a premium display without paying the cost of the Oasis, it’s challenging to recommend this device.

Oasis

The Oasis is Amazon’s most expensive device. Coming in at $100 more than the Voyage, the Oasis is expensive. When you use the oasis, however, you can see that it is packed with unique features and tremendous build quality.

champagne-gold-kindle-oasis-back-front

Check Price Of Kindle Oasis On Amazon

Pros:

Display: 

The display of the Oasis is gorgeous. It’s a flush, 7″ edge-lit display with twelve LED lights for a smooth, even glow. Like the Voyage, the Oasis also includes an ambient light sensor, so your screen is never too bright or dim.

Page turn buttons: 

Like the Voyage, the Oasis includes an alternative way to turn the page. This time including buttons rather than sensors. I prefer the buttons as you don’t feel like you are guessing.

Water resistance: 

Much of the cost of the Oasis can be attributed to the fact that it is IPX8 water resistant, meaning that you can fully submerge it to depths of two meters for up to an hour. This means you can safely read in the tub or pool without worrying about ruining your device. Amazon touts this waterproofing, but it is, in fact, only resistant, and too much water pressure can still ruin your device. While still an excellent feature, it would be nice to see Amazon address the phrasing.

Storage: 

The Oasis comes in both 8GB and 32GB of storage, meaning that you will have room for more audiobooks and some leftover room for ebooks. We like this no-compromises approach to storage, although the 32GB is pretty pricey.

Cons:

Price: 

At ~$250, the Oasis is Amazon’s most expensive reading device. This is something to consider when buying, especially if you are a casual reader and don’t spend much time buried in a book.

No USB-C port: 

It’s a minor complaint, but at this price point, Amazon might as well have added a USB-C port. When spending almost $300 on an e-reader, chances are you want to keep it for a while. Including a USB-C port would have future-proofed your device as Micro USB slowly becomes obsolete. Also, you would have been able to charge your phone, tablet, e-reader, Nintendo Switch, and possibly even your laptop all with one cable, decreasing the clutter in your bag and possibly preventing you from finding the suitable cable quickly.

Recap

The Kindle Oasis is a premium e-reader; unlike the Voyage, you can tell why. While most features that set the Oasis apart are not essential to the everyday reader, it will still appeal to a decently sized premium-seeking audience.

Kobo

kobo_logo

Kobo, owned by Rakuten, is a line of e-ink e-readers that competes with Amazon for a comfortable reading experience and battery life. Like Amazon, they have a store and cloud reading experience that syncs your ebooks across devices.

Kobo has one feature that Kindle doesn’t have: the ability to natively read epub files, which is the standard open-source book file. This means that you can load your own books with Kobo devices and aren’t tethered to an online bookstore. While Kobo produces a wide selection of e-readers, they are all incredibly similar, so we narrowed it down to what we think of as the three best readers.

Aura Edition 2

The Aura Edition 2 is the least expensive but comes at $120, a full $40 more than the entry-level Kindle. With no advertisements, higher PPI, and backlighting, there are a few reasons that someone might spring for an Aura over a Kindle.

Kobo Aura 2

Check Price Of Kobo On Amazon

Pro:

Screen: 

With a 212 PPI display, the Aura hits the sweet spot. While it’s not as high as some of the more expensive Kindle devices, it does come in at less than the cost of the Voyage and delivers a similar experience.

Price:

~$120 with a backlight, mid-range PPI, No ads, and more format support sounds like a bargain and will be an excellent fit for any reader not tethered to the Kindle store or dependent on audiobooks.

Backlighting: 

Backlighting is almost essential for late-night reading, and we are glad to see that Kobo included it in the Aura.

Cons:

Audiobook support: ~For $120, we wish that Kobo had included support for some audio formats, but, as our only gripe, the Aura still comes out pretty good.

Recap 

The Aura has a few flaws for the price and is a great mid-range device with similar features to the Voyage at a lower price. This is something to consider if the Voyage is something you were considering.

Clara HD

The Clara HD is Kobo’s more premium mid-range device. With a few improvements on the Aura, it packs a punch. It’s also only a mere $10 more at $130

Clara HD

Pros:

8GB storage: 

The Clara has 8GB of storage, meaning you can store almost 8000 books. The possibilities are endless between being able to load your own content and the large selection in the Kobo bookstore.

300ppi display: 

The Display on the Clara matches the high-end 300ppi on most Kindle devices. While the physical quality of the screen is still similar to what you’d encounter on a Paperwhite, for the money, it’s nice the see the higher screen quality.

ComfortLight Pro: 

ComfortLight Pro is a feature that Kobo includes in some of its e-readers that reduces the blue light that emits from the screen, allowing you to read longer at night comfortably.

Cons:

Not much: 

There’s really not much not to like here. Again USB-C would be nice but for the cost, it’s difficult to find anything to really complain about in the Clara.

Aura H20

The Aura H2o, as its name suggests, is Kobo’s mid-range, water-resistant e-reader. It’s a little pricier than the Clara, but the IPX8 water resistance puts it up against the Oasis in terms of functionality.

Aura H20

Check Price Of Kobo Aura H20 On Amazon

Pros:

Water resistance: 

The Aura offers IPX8 water resistance for $70 less than the Oasis. This means you could buy an H20 for yourself and almost have enough leftover for an entire entry-level Kindle as a present, all for the exact cost of the Oasis.

8GB storage: 

8GB of onboard storage is always a blessing. You can keep an entire library of books in your bag so that wherever you go, you will always have something to read.

Inexpensive for a water resistance e-reader: 

As mentioned above, the H20 is pretty cheap for an e-reader with water resistance: the Oasis and the H20 offer almost all of the same basic features minus audiobook support.

ComfortLight Pro: 

Kobo’s blue light-reducing technology makes a comeback in the H20. It’s nice to see that this device carries versatility between reading in the water and reading at night, all for less than $200.

Cons:

265 ppi: 

You’d think that a more expensive device than the Clara would have the same quality display, but that is not so with the H20. While disappointing, if you are looking for an e-reader with water resistance and don’t need audiobook support, this is still pretty much the best bang for your buck.

Expensive for an e-reader with a lower-quality screen: 

If you aren’t looking for water resistance and like the wide range of supported formats that Kobo devices offer, I’d recommend the Clara over the H20 because of the screen quality. Virtually everything aside from that is the same on these two devices.

Recap

If you need water resistance and nothing pushes you over the edge with the Oasis, this is the best e-reader that money can buy. If you don’t need water resistance, you can save quite a bit with the Clara, as other than water resistance, they’re the same device.

Our Pick

It is estimated that over 83% of ebook readers in the US are Kindles, but that is changing rapidly as more and more options are now available in the market, and the novelty factor is slowly waning!

Initially, we included some Barnes & Noble devices, but unless you are stuck in Nook for some reason, we don’t see Barnes & Noble being competitive in the e-reader space. Amazon and Kobo, however, pump out some quality devices and offer a range of devices for readers of all kinds.

If you aren’t tethered to the Kindle store or require a dedicated audiobook device, we highly recommend Kobo’s Clara HD. It has the same 300ppi found in most Kindle devices. Its 8GB of storage, coupled with its support for most ebook formats and image formats, makes it the most versatile e-reader in the lineup. For less than the Voyage cost, you get a better device with more storage, and that’s valuable.

If you are tethered to the Kindle store, we recommend Paperwhite. It’s inexpensive and has most of the same features as its high alternatives. It’s also great as an inexpensive gift as it is well-supported, and anyone can use it easily.

Conclusion

While the Clara is our favorite, almost all these devices perform very well daily. What do you think? Are you a fan of Kindle, or do you own a Kobo device? Which do you prefer? Did you know that there were water-resistant e-readers? If you have any answers to these questions, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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