Kobo vs. Kindle: Which E-Reader Is Better in 2024?

The e-reader market has seen significant advancements in recent years, with Kobo and Amazon leading the charge. Kobo has recently released two new color e-readers, the Kobo Libra Colour and Kobo Clara Colour, while Amazon is rumored to be developing a color Kindle for release in 2025, utilizing next-generation ACeP (Advanced Color ePaper) technology.

As the competition heats up, it’s crucial to understand the differences between these two leading brands. In our comprehensive Kobo vs. Kindle comparison, we’ll take an in-depth look at the latest offerings from both companies, examining key factors such as display quality, performance, features, and content ecosystems.

By reviewing Kobo e-reader vs. Kindle models across various price points and use cases, we’ll help you determine which brand offers the best e-reader for your needs.

As a cherry on top, Techopedia editors will confess where their allegiance lies and why they prefer Kindle vs. Kobo or vice versa.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Kobo vs. Kindle: Latest Models Specs
3. Kobo vs. Kindle: Which Is the Best for You in 2024?
4. Techopedia Editors' Choice
5. The Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy in 2024?
6. FAQs
7. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Kobo vs. Kindle: Latest Models Specs
3. Kobo vs. Kindle: Which Is the Best for You in 2024?
Show Full Guide
4. Techopedia Editors' Choice
5. The Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy in 2024?
6. FAQs
7. References

Kobo vs. Kindle: Latest Models Specs

To begin our Kindle vs. Kobo analysis, let’s take a closer look at the specifications of the latest e-reader models from Rakuten Kobo and Amazon.

Kobo vs. Kindle: Which Is the Best for You in 2024?

Design, Display, and Features

When considering the best e-reader, display quality and features are crucial factors. Kobo’s latest offerings, the Kobo Libra Colour and Kobo Clara Colour boast 7-inch and 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color displays, respectively, with a high resolution of 300ppi. These devices showcase Kobo’s commitment to providing vibrant, clear text and images, making them strong contenders for the title of best reading tablet based on display quality.

In comparison, Amazon’s Kindle lineup primarily features monochrome E Ink displays, with the exception of the rumored Kindle Color. The Kindle Paperwhite 5 and Signature Edition offer 6.8-inch, 300ppi displays, while the Kindle Oasis has a 7-inch, 300ppi screen. Although these displays provide excellent text clarity, they lack the color capabilities of Kobo’s latest models.

Both Kobo and Kindle devices offer adjustable front lights for comfortable reading in various lighting conditions, as well as IPX8 water resistance (excluding the Kobo Elipsa 2e and Kindle Scribe).

However, Kobo’s Libra 2 and Libra Color stand out with their physical page-turn buttons, offering a more tactile reading experience.

Storage and Connectivity

Storage capacity is another essential consideration when choosing the best ebook reader. Kobo’s devices generally offer more storage, with the Libra 2, Libra Color, and Elipsa 2E featuring 32GB of internal memory.

In contrast, the Kindle Paperwhite 5 and Oasis have 8GB of storage, while the Paperwhite Signature Edition and Kindle Scribe offer 32GB and 16GB, respectively.

All current Kobo and Kindle models support Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to easily download books and sync their reading progress.

The Kindle Oasis also offers cellular connectivity, enabling downloads without a Wi-Fi connection. However, this feature may not be essential for most users, given the widespread availability of Wi-Fi networks.

Software and Storefronts

The user experience on Kobo e-reader vs. Kindle devices is largely determined by their software and associated storefronts. Kobo’s software offers a clean, intuitive interface with customizable settings for text size, font, and layout. The Kobo Store provides access to millions of titles, including eBooks, magazines, and newspapers.

Similarly, Kindle e-reader devices run on Amazon’s polished software, which offers a seamless reading experience and tight integration with the Kindle Store. The Amazon Reader ecosystem is known for its vast selection of eBooks, magazines, and other digital content, making it a popular choice among avid readers.

Both Kobo and Kindle devices support sideloading content, allowing users to transfer their own eBooks and documents.

However, Kobo’s support for the widely-used ePub format makes it the more versatile book reader for sideloading content from various sources. Kindle devices primarily support Amazon’s proprietary eBook formats, which may limit compatibility with third-party content.

Note-Taking

Both the Kobo Elipsa 2E and Kindle Scribe offer special note-taking capabilities, allowing users to write directly on the screen using a stylus. The Kobo Elipsa 2E comes with the Kobo Stylus, which offers a comfortable writing experience and supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The device also features a new notebook mode with improved page navigation and organization tools.

The Kindle Scribe, on the other hand, uses the Amazon Basic Pen or Premium Pen, both of which provide a smooth writing experience. The Scribe’s notebook feature offers a variety of templates and the ability to export notes as PDF files. However, the Scribe does not support writing directly on eBooks, which is a feature available on the Elipsa 2E.

On the Kindle side, the Kindle Paperwhite and Oasis models allow users to create text notes and highlights using the virtual keyboard or touchscreen. However, these devices do not support stylus input for handwritten notes.

Library Books and Audiobooks

Kobo devices have a clear advantage when it comes to borrowing eBooks from public libraries. Kobo e-readers have built-in OverDrive integration, allowing users to easily borrow and download eBooks from their local libraries directly on the device. This feature is available in several countries, making Kobo the more convenient choice for library patrons.

On the other hand, borrowing library eBooks on Kindle devices requires users first to borrow the book through their library’s website, then transfer it to the device using a USB cable or by sending it to their Kindle email address. This process is less streamlined than Kobo’s integrated approach.

Regarding audiobook support, both Kobo and Kindle offer Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones or speakers. However, Kindle devices have the upper hand in audiobook integration, as they seamlessly sync with Amazon’s Audible service. Kobo devices, while capable of playing audiobooks, do not have a similarly integrated audiobook ecosystem.

Kobo vs. Kindle Pricing

When comparing prices for the best e-reader 2024, Kobo and Kindle offer devices at various price points.

Techopedia Editors’ Choice

As you might guess, writers and editors are often – or almost inevitably – bookwormish. When their genuine passion for books collides with their profdeformation, finding the best e-reader tops their to-do list at some point in life.

Presuming they would have a say in the Kobo vs. Kindle battle, we asked Valerie Medleva, Techopedia’s Editor-in-Chief, and Eddie Wrenn, Senior Content Editor, about their e-reading darlings.

‘Kindle Paperwhite Remains My Favorite for Text-Based Reading’

“I’ve been using e-readers since 2012, starting with a Nook, then switching to a Kindle 10th Gen in 2019. These days, I’m juggling between the Kindle Paperwhite 5 and the new Kobo Libra Colour. And despite Kobo’s introduction of a color display – something Amazon is yet to explore – my allegiance remains with the Kindle,” says Valerie Medleva.

“The Paperwhite has that classic, super crisp 6.8-inch screen with 300 ppi. It’s really fast, responsive, and the warm light adjustment is a game-changer for night reading. On the other hand, the Kobo Libra Color’s 7-inch color display is cool for graphic novels, but it’s less sharp, often feeling a bit washed out.”

According to Medleva, the Kindle’s hardware feels sturdier and more reliable in hand.

Interface-wise, Kindle is clean and straightforward, very much plug-and-play, while Kobo offers a bit more customization, “which is cool if you like tweaking your reading experience.”

In terms of performance, both “are pretty snappy,” though the Paperwhite might edge out just a bit in speed.

“Book prices are quite comparable, but where you get your books might sway you,” Techopedia’s EiC adds.

“The Kindle hooks into Amazon’s ecosystem, making Kindle Unlimited a massive draw with tons of titles at a monthly fee. Meanwhile, Kobo offers integration with OverDrive directly on the device, which is perfect if your local library uses Libby.”

Medleva sees the integration of Kindle with Goodreads as a major plus because it makes tracking reading habits and discovering new books effortless. She concludes:

“So, IMO, while the Kobo Libra Color is suitable for graphic novels and fun note-taking (with the stylus that you have to purchase separately), the Kindle Paperwhite remains my favorite for text-based reading due to its perfect blend of functionality, durability, and accessibility.”

‘Lack of Lock-in for Kobo Is a Mindset Thing That Means a Lot’

“My Kindle stretched a slightly big hole in my pocket for eight years, but once the Kobo Libre 2 arrived, it was a no-brainer for me,” says Eddie Wrenn.

“For one, and it may be a mindset thing, but the lack of lock-in means a lot to me. It’s a philosophy that extends to smartphone choice (Android) and, back in the day, mp3 players – let me keep and manage my digital files however I want to, and don’t make me rent content that I love.

“I still remember (and reported on) when Amazon removed George Orwell’s 1984 ebook from people’s devices remotely, and meanwhile, it is much easier to find and read out-of-copyright books or use services like the library app Libby on the Kobo range.

“Hardware-wise, ebook readers are extremely comparable, but as someone who still prefers the feel of a book in my hands (yet recognizes the convenience of not jamming six books in my rucksack), being able to own a digital copy and use apps like Calibre to manage my library just makes the Kobo more personal to me.”

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy in 2024?

In the battle of Kobo vs. Kindle, both brands offer impressive e-readers with distinct features and benefits. Kobo takes the lead in design, display, and note-taking capabilities thanks to its innovative color screens and stylus support. However, Kindle remains a strong contender with its user-friendly software, extensive content library, and seamless audiobook integration.

Ultimately, the choice between a Kobo e-reader vs. Kindle depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize color displays, library book borrowing, and note-taking features, Kobo is the way to go.

On the other hand, if you value a more extensive content library, audiobook integration, and a slightly more polished user experience, Kindle may be the better choice.

FAQs