Searching for some of the best eReaders on the market? It’s great to have you on board as we have just finished reviewing the top 10 eBook readers on the market and concluded that the updated Kobo Libra 2 is the best eReader for most users.
We have spent 9 hours reviewing dozens of eReaders and have shortlisted eight of the best eBook readers currently available on the market in each price category and highlighted their cons and pros.
Read on to find the eReader that is right for you!
Best eBook Readers or eReaders – Our Top 8 Picks
Screen size / Storage / Battery Life / Page Turn Controls
Best eReader Overall – Kobo Libra 2
Medium tier eReader with a landscape mode and page-turn buttons. Crisp and high-resolution display quality. Feature packed and supports almost all digital book formats that exist.
7″
32 GB
~4 weeks
Yes
Best Kindle Ever Made – Kindle Oasis
The top Kindle in the line up. Great build quality, waterproof, ergonomic design and the richest set of features in the Kindle range.
7″
8/32 GB
~6 weeks
Touch + buttons
Best Value Kindle – Kindle Paperwhite
Great all-around mid-level Kindle that has all the features to make an average reader happy. Best battery amongst Kindles.
6.8″
16 GB
~10 weeks
Touch
Best Paperwhite Alternative – Kobo Clara 2E
A very capable and lightweight eBook reader with a comfortable grip, adjustable backlight and a crisp HD screen. Almost identical in price and features to the latest Kindle Paperwhite, but uses Kobo ecosystem.
6″
16 GB
~6 weeks
Touch
Best Value eReader – Nook Glowlight 4
One of the best budget eBook readers around. Lightweight design, rubber coating, and physical page flip buttons set a new ergonomic benchmark in the budget segment.
6″
32 GB
~8 weeks
Touch + buttons
Best Large Screen – Kobo Forma
Despite having the largest screen in our review, it is also one of the lightest eReaders we have ever tested. Packed with features and supports both portrait and landscape modes.
8″
8 GB
~6 weeks
Touch + buttons
Best Kindle For Kids – Kindle Kids Edition
A Kindle spcifically designed for kids that features parental controls, tougher body, black & white glare-free display and weeks of battery capacity.
6"
8 GB
~4 weeks
No
Best eReader For Drawing & Reading – Boox Max3
A professional grade device designed to boost productivity. Advanced PDF features, foreign language support and best note taking and sketching tools on the market.
13"
64 GB
~4 weeks
No
1. Best Ebook Reader Overall – Kobo Libra 2
Released only a few months after Kindle’s premium Oasis, Kobo Libra 2 challenges the flagship Kindle by offering a premium reading experience at a more reasonable price tag.
This mid-ranged e-reader delivers crisp and sharp letters, thanks to the E-Ink Carta HD display on a 7-inch 300ppi screen.
It is also extremely fast and responsive with its 512MB RAM. Instead of a metal finish, it uses an IPX8 waterproof plastic casing to protect it from splashes.
Like the Oasis, the Kobo Libra 2 has an asymmetrical design and page-turning buttons that are optimized for single-handed reading.
Using a streamlined and clutter-free interface, you can bookmark your pages, pull up a dictionary, or skip to the next chapter with just a few taps on your screen. Technology adjusts the page temperature according to your time zone to help minimize eye strain.
On the downside, Kobo Libra 2 doesn’t support audiobooks. However, like all Kobo e-readers, it does support a broad range of file formats and OverDrive service, a handy feature that allows you to check out digital titles from public libraries in certain countries. It also has an annotation tool that makes studying a breeze.
Despite memory capacity not being expandable, for the latest generation, Kobo has added more storage, which can now store 24000 books or 32GB worth of content. The 1,500mAh battery lasts anywhere from four to six weeks.
| Bottom Line |
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Kobo Libra 2 finds a sweet spot between a premium and pleasurable overall experience and a reasonable price tag with a high-resolution display and clean interface. With a broad range of formats and OverDrive integration, this is one of the best Amazon Kindle alternatives you’ll find. |
- Design & Build Quality 90%
- Features 90%
- Battery Life 80%
- Value 80%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
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IPX8 waterproof rating |
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Optimized for single-handed reading |
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User-friendly interface |
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OverDrive integration |
| Great value | |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
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No audiobook support |
2. Best Amazon Kindle Ever Made – Kindle Oasis
At a premium price tag, Oasis provides a luxurious reading experience that closely resembles traditional reading.
Built with a sturdy IPX8-rated aluminum frame, Oasis is made for one-handed readers who like to read everywhere.
With the return of the page-turning buttons and ergonomic design, you can read comfortably anywhere you want. It is also one of the fastest models in the Kindle range.
Illuminated by 25 evenly-spread LEDs, its 300 PPI 7-inch touch screen delivers crisp and easy-to-read pages.
To help reduce eyestrain, it optimizes the screen for reading with 24 gradations of color ranging from brilliant white to warm orange. The adjustable warm light can also be set manually.
Thanks to Bluetooth and Audible support, this e-reader is optimized for audiobook integration. Whispersync allows you to switch between reading and listening seamlessly. You can also use your Kindle email to transfer titles from your old Kindles. Oasis can last you up to six weeks on a single charge.
| Bottom Line |
|---|
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A top of the line e-reader, Oasis offers waterproofing and more features than any other Kindle, such as sharp and bright HD display with automatic lighting adjustments. Thanks to the ergonomic design and physical page turn buttons, it is optimized for one-handed reading. It is more expensive than other Kindles, but it is the most advanced e-reader that makes reading a treat. |
- Design & Build Quality 100%
- Features 95%
- Battery Life 90%
- Value 70%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Screen display with 24 tones and hues |
|
Ergonomic and IPX8-rated design |
|
Audible subscription support |
|
Bluetooth and WiFi support |
|
Page-turning buttons |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
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Bulky |
|
Pricey |
|
No headphone jack |
3. Best Value Kindle – Kindle Paperwhite
Featuring a slimmer and sleeker design with a USB-C port, Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is the perfect package of style, value, and functionality.
Using a 6-inch backlit display with 300 pixels per inch delivers crisp and readable text under any light conditions.
The screen is slightly larger than Amazon’s first Kindle, with a flush front with bevels and a glare-free screen to minimize eye strain.
Paperwhite tries to preserve the more paper-like nature of the E Ink display because the light guide shines the light inward toward the screen rather than outward.
With an IPX8 waterproof design, you can use your Kindle anywhere you like without worrying about water damage.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite comes with 8GB (base model) or 32GB of storage. Your eBook collection can contain 4000 to 5000 eBook titles on the 8GB version, while the 32GB version can hold beefier audio files.
Besides a storage capacity upgrade, this e-reader also allows you to use dark mode, set up individual reading profiles, and reading presets.
To accommodate the sleeker and slimmer design, this Kindle eBook reader omitted the beloved navigation button. but added wireless charging. Except for the physical on/off button, everything can be accessed and operated from the touchscreen.
| Bottom Line |
|---|
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The waterproof Amazon Kindle Paperwhite delivers tons of value with its upgraded storage space, larger battery, and sharper display. Although the page-turning button is omitted, it compensates with its intuitive and easy-to-use interface. With Bluetooth and WiFi connection, this e-reader provides both an affordable price and comfortable reading experience to avid readers. |
- Design & Build Quality 90%
- Features 75%
- Battery Life 90%
- Value 90%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
|
IPX8 waterproof design |
|
10% slimmer and more durable now |
|
Bluetooth-compatible |
|
Adds wireless charging |
|
Affordable Kindle |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Battery drains quickly |
|
Lack of page-turning button |
4. Best Kindle Paperwhite Alternative – Kobo Clara 2E
Clara 2E is the latest release in a value eBook reader lineup from Kobo devices made from recyclable plastic.
The eReader is designed to be a direct competitor to a highly successful Amazon alternative, Kindle Paperwhite.
The front of the e-reader features a sharp six-inch touch screen that offers a 300 pixels-per-inch resolution. The screen is housed in a super compact casing that is small enough to fit in the back pocket of men’s jeans.
At the back, the Kobo Clara 2E has a unique textured grip that feels nice and allows you to hold it with your fingertips.
The eReader is very comfortable to hold over long periods of time due to its ergonomic and lightweight design. With only 166 grams on the scale, the Kobo Clara 2E is the lightest eReader in our review.
Kobo Clara 2E features a ComfortLight PRO – color-changing LCD backlight. The smart technology allows you to adjust the color warmth setting to suit your liking and environment. You can pick a color tone between a standard blue and a softer yellow backlight. In addition, the backlight can dynamically change color based on the time of day and the amount of light available.
Borrowing eBooks from your local library has also been made easier with the Overdrive integration. You can see the contents of the eBook library on your device, so you are able to borrow most books from your reading lists by virtually downloading them. Conversely, Kobo Clara 2E has a smaller collection (over 5 million library books) than Amazon, but it appears that most library eBooks we’ve checked are available on both marketplaces.
| Bottom Line |
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Kobo Clara 2E is the lightest eReader in our review packed with features despite being budget focused. The adaptive LCD screen backlight is smart and automatically adjusts the display color temperature based on the environment to ensure less strain on your eyes. If you are looking for a non-Amazon e-reader with comparable features to Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Clara 2E is one of the top eBook readers you’ll find. |
8.5/10
- Design & Build Quality 90%
- Features 80%
- Battery Life 90%
- Value 80%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
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Impressive battery capacity |
|
Multi color LCD backlit |
|
Can borrow thousands of digital books from the online library |
|
Body made with recycled plastic |
|
Supports Kobo Audiobooks |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
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Not waterproof |
5. Best Value eReader – Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4
Nook GlowLight 4 is the entry-level e-reader from Barnes & Noble, which is positioned as a Kindle Paperwhite competitor.
Unlike its older sibling – Nook GlowLight Plus, the new version looks and feels basic, which actually happens to play to its advantage.
It does not have an aluminum body, glass screen, or water resistance rating, but it comes with a stunning level of practicality for indoor reading. Perhaps the best we’ve seen in e-readers so far.
The screen features a 300 PPI resolution, providing a crisp display with a real paperback book feel.
The touch screen is complemented by an advanced backlight system, which has 7 white and 6 yellow LED lights.
LEDs allow the e-reader to change the tone from cool white to warm orange to make your night reading experience more pleasant. It does not have an ambient light sensor to control the tone level, as it uses the time zones and time of the day instead.
This entry-level e-reader has the Barnes & Noble Readouts integrated, which allows the readers to discover new books by featuring author interviews, previews, and free content. It also supports EPUB universal eBook format which opens the door to so many free eBooks out there.
On the downside, the PDF file handling is mediocre and inconsistent. The e-reader takes too long to respond to zoom commands or sometimes does not register them. If you are planning to use PDF files extensively, there are better options from Kobo to choose from.
| Bottom Line |
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Overall, the rubbery coating, lightweight design and thick bezel with physical buttons have created an exceptional level of comfort and ergonomics. It works equally well with thousands of books downloaded from the free resource or the Barnes & Noble public large library. The comfort light feature is the icing on the cake, which makes the Nook Glowlight 4 one of the best value eBook readers for home use we have ever reviewed. |
- Design & Build Quality 90%
- Features 90%
- Battery Life 80%
- Value 90%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Comfortable and ergonomic fit |
|
Physical buttons to turn pages work exceptionally well |
|
Backlight system is amongst the best on the market |
|
Supports EPUB format |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
|
PDF support is sub par |
|
Slow performance at time |
6. Best Large Screen eReader – Kobo Forma
Kobo Forma is a premium reader among Kobo models that was explicitly designed for ravenous booklovers who spend more time reading eBooks than others.
The asymmetrical design, similar to Amazon’s Oasis, puts page-turn buttons on the right side of the device.
Kobo eReaders are known for being innovative as they were the first to make eReaders waterproof, pioneered the backlight color temperature adjustment system, and support almost all eBook formats you can think of.
The large new high-resolution display supports 1440 × 1920 pixels and boasts 8″ of digital real estate.
The display uses both Carta HD and Mobius technology which is not common. Utilizing both technologies allowed the eReader to deliver extremely crisp image quality, yet remain lightweight at 197 grams and thin at 0.17 inches.
There is also an innovative backlight color temperature adjustment system that is significantly better than the one you’ll find on Kindles.
The PDF and EPUB file format support is executed almost flawlessly. In addition, the CBR and CBZ file format support is great and allows manga, graphic novels, and comic books to be displayed cleanly and well-formatted.
Lastly, the oversized eReader features a unique Overdrive integration and Pocket support. It allows users to browse local public libraries and make them available on the eReader. Pocket, however, allows website and blog content to be pushed onto the eReader.
| Bottom Line |
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Kobo Forma has all the features you can expect a premium eReader to have. It is waterproof, extremely light, has an amazingly clear display and allows you to customize the settings to get the best reading experience like no other eReader on the market. If you consume lots of graphic content, read in low or no light conditions, Kobo Forma is the eBook reader to buy, despite its hefty price tag. |
8.3/10
- Design & Build Quality 90%
- Features 90%
- Battery Life 90%
- Value 60%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Large 8 inch display with landscape mode support |
|
Waterproof |
|
Lightweight and comfortable to use |
|
A lot of free content using Pocket, Dropbox or OverDrive integration |
|
Blue and yellow backlight |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Expensive |
7. Best Ebook Reader For Kids – Kindle Kids Edition
Based on the basic Kindle, Amazon Kindle Kids Edition provides a safe and distraction-free reading environment for your little bookworms.
It features a 6-inch screen with 167 PPI and weighs about 10 ounces – the perfect dimension for kids to tote around.
It uses 16 shades of grey to deliver sharp lines and letters but can be a bit underwhelming for typically colorful children’s books.
The bright side is, you can change the font size quite easily to streamline your child’s reading progress and help develop overall reading abilities.
The parental pin allows you to set age filters, daily reading goals, and add media for your children. You can also use the pin to access the standard Kindle software and adult content.
It also includes a headphone port that allows your kids to read and listen to audiobooks (purchased separately) at the same time. Alternatively, you can wirelessly connect Bluetooth headphones for an even more comfortable listening experience.
The downside is that Kindle Kids Edition, just like other basic Kindle devices has a mediocre screen quality compared to the other Kindle products. It’s also prone to some lagging since it doesn’t use a powerful processor.
| Bottom Line |
|---|
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Amazon Kindle Kids Edition is perfect for families with kids since you can use the parental pin to monitor your kids’ reading materials or use the device for yourself. It comes with 2-year insurance and a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. Although it is not very fast, it is one of the best e-readers to get your children interested in reading. |
7.5/10
- Design & Build Quality 80%
- Features 70%
- Battery Life 80%
- Value 70%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Parental dashboard |
|
4-weeks on a single charge |
|
Bluetooth and headphones compatible |
|
2-year insurance coverage |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
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Not waterproof |
|
Can feel laggy |
|
Only greyscale |
8. Best ePaper Tablet For Sketching – Boox Max3
Onyx BOOX Max 3 has the biggest screen among e-readers with a 13.3” in size – almost double that of the Kindle Oasis.
That being said, it is surprisingly light at 17.2 oz.
It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with 4GB of RAM, which is fast for an Android-powered reading ink tablet.
With a flat-front e-ink 207 PPI screen, it delivers sharp and crisp texts that rival the mid-range Kindle.
The BOOX Max3 is ideal for students as it provides a wide range of features for studying, such as sketching tools and full-page translations for foreign language books.
In addition to the included stylus that makes it easy to take hand notes, other tools take it a step further, such as an AI-based handwriting recognition function and annotation features. It also has USB-C charging with OTG capacity that supports external accessories, a micro-HDMI port, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Besides that, it offers premium build quality and tons of customization options to personalize your reading routine, like font sizes, brushing through text, and searching for a specific word in an eBook. You can read pretty much any text format on the market with this device.
The device is based on the Android operating system, which comes with Google Play Store integration and multiple third-party apps.
| Bottom Line |
|---|
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Onyx BOOX Max3 has the biggest E-ink screen on the market with its 13” display. It features crisp texts, an impressive number of personalization options for reading, and robust note-taking tools. Its array of useful features and connectivity options make it one of the top reading tablets for students. |
8/10
- Design & Build Quality 80%
- Features 90%
- Battery Life 80%
- Value 70%
| POSITIVE | |
|---|---|
|
Huge screen |
|
Fingerprint recognition |
|
Tons of connectivity options |
|
Full page translation and useful reading tools |
|
Impressive app store |
| NEGATIVE | |
|---|---|
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Expensive |
|
Temperamental |
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Not waterproof |
Best Rated Ebook Raders – Feature Comparison
| Kindle Oasis | Kindle Paperwhite | Kobo Clara 2E | Kobo Aura One | Nook Glowlight 4 | |
| Screen Size | 7″ | 6.8″ | 6″ | 7.8″ | 6″ |
| Resolution | 300 |
300 |
300 |
300 |
300 |
| Storage | 8 or 32Gb | 16Gb | 16Gb | 8Gb | 32Gb |
| Built-in Light | 12 LEDs | 4 LEDs | 8 LEDs | 8 LEDs | N/A |
| Page Turns | Touchscreen + button | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | Touchscreen + buttons |
| Battery | < 6 weeks | < 10 weeks | < 6 weeks | < 4 weeks | < 4 weeks |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + Cellular | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi + Cellular | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Waterproof | IPX8 | IPX8 | IPX8 | IPX8 | No |
| EPUB files | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audible | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Weight | 6.8 oz | 6.8 oz | 6 oz | 8.11 oz | 6.5 oz |
| Dimensions | 6.3 x 5.6 x 0.33″ | 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.3″ | 6.3 x 4.3 x 0.3″ | 7.7 × 5.5 × 0.27″ | 8 × 6 × 0.5″ |
Ebook Reader or Tablet?
If you enjoy ebook reading, chances are you would like to have your library organized and have it with you on the go. If you do, there are a couple of options to consider for your digital library. There are both public libraries and paid ones and picking one may dictate your device choice.
Although some may question the eReader practicality and debate about eReader vs tablet thinking that if you have the former, you do not need the latter. Others may even convince you to go back to your favorite paper book.
We believe the two devices have been intentionally designed for two different purposes and should not be compared as equivalents. Multiple reasons that make modern eReaders a better reading choice:
- A high-resolution screen designed for easy reading and less eye strain.
- Glare resistant
- Pixel density
- Water-resistant (some models)
- Lighter and cheaper than a tablet
- Better battery capacity (weeks long)
- Book-like feel when reading
- Smart color temperature adjustment
Overall, if you are an avid reader, no tablet can beat an eBook reader and we can help you pick the top eReader. For more details, see below:
Alternatively, you can always opt for ebook reader apps such as a Kindle app or others compatible with your mobile device, iPad or a tablet. There are multiple reading apps that provide the most cost-effective solution to e-reading but deliver the least impressive experience of all.
How to choose the best eBook Reader?
There are a number of factors you would need to consider buying the best e-reader before shortlisting your top picks and ultimately buying an eReader that fits your needs. Below we have listed some handy tips for you to consider, especially now that more than a decade of Kindle dominance has finally met some competition.
Screen Dimension
In terms of the type – basic e-readers use monochrome, E Ink technology screens to display text, and some basic graphics. E Ink displays look a lot like paper, and it’s easy on your eyes as it does not strain them as much. On the cheaper models, it’s not backlit, so you’ll need additional light to see the text like you would with a printed book. However, most other eBook readers these days include edge lighting that helps you see in the dark with adjustable brightness.
As for the size – it appears that the market has established 6″ ink screens to be the most popular amongst the readers. However, we have other options on our list ranging from the smaller screen 6″ to 8″ in diagonal that we are happy to recommend.
Outdoor use
In case you are someone who likes reading outside, then sun glare and water exposure may not make it easy for you. If you are an outdoor book lover reading out on a sunny day, then having a glare-resistant screen is not only a better option but a must. If on top of that, you like reading on the beach or next to a pool, then some level of water resistance would be highly recommended.
Connection
Most modern eReaders come with Wi-Fi and some even with cellular internet support. Not a very useful feature for people who never run out of books to read while on the move.
Ecosystem
The downside of eBooks is that there are multiple different formats as there is no universally agreed format amongst the publishers yet. This means that your Kindle eBook would not work on Kobo‘s, Barnes & Noble‘s, and other eBook readers and vice versa.
There are also free or open formats such as ePub. You may know, but Google, for example, offers over a million books in that format without asking for anything in return. This is great, but if you are a Kindle user – ePub files are not supported as Amazon only allows Kindle books from the Amazon ecosystem to be used. There are ways around it by using a third-party application.
Start by browsing online eBook stores such as a Kindle store from Amazon, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble to make sure that the types of books you like reading are available there. This decision has a long-term nature as going along you’ll be adding books to your library making your dependence on the ecosystem stronger by day.
In terms of eBook volume, Amazon Kindle books have a superior selection but you should also compare the prices to ensure you are getting a good deal as they vary between the stores.
eBook Apps
If you are planning to read books on multiple devices, such as your phone or tablet, then you need to ensure that there is an e-book reader app available for your device.
Battery Capacity
Unlike tablets and mobile devices, eReaders can last for weeks. Typically modern eBook readers can last between four and eight weeks. If you are doing a lot of travel, this factor may be important to consider. At the same time, you can always opt for a capable power bank to be safe.
Price
If you are looking for the best budget e-book reader you might be pleasantly surprised as the prices for eReaders have recently fallen. There are now eReaders available on the market for under $100, but the premium models can get close to $500. The price point is driven by the features available, so you need to make sure that you are not buying an eReader that has some cool features that you will never use.
Which eBook Reader Supports What Format?
There are many different file types but most eBook readers would not support all of them. Below is the breakdown of Kindle (including Amazon’s Kindle for Kids) and Kobo device file formats they natively support.
Amazon Kindle
- Kindle Format 8 (AZW3)
- TXT
- unprotected MOBI
- Kindle (AZW)
- PRC
HTML, GIF, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, BMP, and PNG files can be supported, but require conversion. Although EPUB format is not natively supported, you can convert it to a supported file type. At the same time, the process is cumbersome, and it breaks Digital Rights Management. Lastly, Apple iBooks are not supported.
Rakuten Kobo
- MOBI
- JPEG
- GIF
- PNG
- EPUB
- EPUB3
- TXT
- HTML
- RTF
- BMP
- TIFF
- CBZ
- CBR
Frequently Asked Questions
What eBook File Standards Are Available?
The most used open file standards are Adobe PDF, TXT, and ePUB. Amazon Kindles, however, use Amazon’s Kindles proprietary AZW file format, which can only be used on a Kindle.
What is ePub?
It is a type of an open electronic book file standard set by IDPF. The format can be read on multiple devices such as tablets, computers, eReaders.
The format is supported widely by most ebook readers except Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Kids and other Amazon Kindles.
Does The Display Really Feel Like Paper?
Some models have a more paper books feel than others, but in general, it is as close to a paper book as screen can get. Most manufacturers use E Ink technology screen type technology that delivers a consistent reading performance under bright sunlight or even direct sunlight.
Can I Read eBooks on My Computer?
Yes, but before you can read your e-books on your laptop or PC, you need to have an application installed first. You can use iBooks for IOS, Google Play Books for Android and if you want to read on Windows, the eBook Reader is a great alternative.
No, you can not as e-books are usually subject to a single user license. You can share the eBook between your own devices however.
What Wireless Connection Do You Need for eReaders?
The short answer is – most of the time you do not need any. This is due to modern devices being capable of storing thousands of books with their internal storage. In addition, most major vendors offer cloud storage. It allows you to download books to your device whenever you need them, in which case a connection to a Wi-Fi hotspot is required.
I don’t think one should take into consideration the ecosystem or at least not have such ‘sophisticated features’ take precedence over the the core reading experience especially when Amazon kindle gets that wrong , even the ‘mighty’ oasis. To me the various ways one can adjust fonts, margins and the like within the kobo firmware without the need for Calibre etc… and the superior screen size and display of the Kobo Aura One mean Kobo has got the basic core fundementals down while Amazon does not and focuses on extraneous sophisticated extras. The Kobo aura One hardware is technically superior overall and so is the core reading experience. Sure, the ecosystem and certain kindle software/firmware extras make the kindle seem more mature e.g. x-ray, easily exporting annotations etc… however, with the exception of X-ray and audible I can pretty much do everything and more with my Kobo :
1.) I can buy and read books for use with my Kobo from all book stores including Amazon.com by stripping the DRM with or without Calibre. Also, I am no lawyer but stripping DRM on your ebooks does not seem to illegal, at least not here in New York, as long as you do not distribute them for piracy see here :
https://gizmodo.com/its-perfectly-legal-to-tell-people-how-to-remove-drm-1670223538
2.) Koreader can be installed on the Kobo for superior PDF handling without having to ‘jailbreak’ it unlike the Oasis , though Oasis has decent PDF rendering/support without Koreader.
3.) I can export annotations from my Kobo using various methods but none of them are as simple as emailing them to myself from an Oasis
So on and so forth etc…
Yeah, of course this means you have to have access to a PC or laptop to take full advantage of the Kobo and it is more time consuming but I find since it has 8 gigabytes of memory if I sit down one weekend and load everything on my ereader , with forethought, then it is not a constant hassle to use. That is called being smart and using the executive function of the frontal lobe of my brain instead of being impulsive. For on the fly impulsive online news stuff or articles there is always the pocket function for Kobo, though.
So for me the Kobo Aura One is 9/10 and the Kindle Oasis is an 8/10.
Amazon kindle Oasis gets only a 8/10 for me because 1.) Amazon focuses on sophisticated features while never perfecting the core reading experience (putting the cart before the horse) 2.) It tries to lock you into their ecosystem having less flexible support for ebook formats (no epub support ?! It is 2018 and this is not acceptable). 3.) Kobo aura one is truly the choice for booklover as I see things like audible as stuff for illiterates and people dipping their toe into being the literati but not committed to dipping their toe all the way in.
That being said I appreciate your opinion and review but I have my own opinion and we are both free to our own opinions of course 🙂
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your elaborate comment, I truly believe our readers will find it useful. I think I agree with almost everything you said and purely from the hardware and reading perspective, I think that the Kobo One (in the premium range) and Nook Glowlight 3 (in general purpose/mid range) are the best devices you can find. At the same time, I think that the ecosystem should be included in the overall score as it also contributes to the user experience a great deal. I found that if using the ecosystem results in a frustrating or incomplete behavior, it can put off people like me and others from using the device all up. To give you a real-life example from a different niche – I was choosing mobile phones for myself years ago. I always wanted to buy Nokia’s flagship, but could never give it a real chance since their ecosystem was just way too inferior to Apple’s.
With Kobo One and Amazon Oasis, if I had pick one purely based on reading experience, I would pick Kobo. With the ecosystem being in the mix, I would pick the kobo e reader – Oasis. Neither are perfect in my view, yet I hope you can see my point. Thanks again for the loads of useful information you have to share with our readers!
I wholeheartedly agree. I want the Kobo Aura One for the reading experience. I had a Kindle and a Nook and the one thing that frustrated me most was not being able to manipulate the text where I could be comfortable reading it. Both Kindle and Nook have limited options. The newest Kindles have a little more than before but clearly not as much nor as varied as KA1. One could say there are no options to change font size or style when reading g a real book and you survived. True, but it is an entirely different experience when reading a physical book. If the option could be there, why not use it and use it to its fullest ability?
Also, I just can’t stand the blue light. I feel it sucks away my soul when reading at night.
That the Oasis has buttons would be a positive for me, but they’re only on one side. I tend to change hands constantly while reading and I really don’t want to be flipping the e-reader every single time. My Nook had them on both sides. Plus, the buttons look a little small, which means I may have to place my fingers a certain way to access the buttons. My Nook’s were rather long, giving me freedom to place my thumbs almost wherever I want.
And lastly, I don’t care about the ecosystem, per se because both Kobo and Amazon will carry the types of books I’m interested in. What does concern me is being locked in and urged to buy from constant ads. I don’t want the hassle of dealing with a subscription to Kindle unlimited or prime, or using audible. I can check out audiobooks from the library and listen to them on my phone.
My two cents.
Thanks for sharing your feedback, I also think that KB1 is just a better package overall, in most respects.
I think Kindle Voyage is being decommissioned – is it still worth a buy?
I think it is, especially now that Amazon sells them at a discount. At the same time, an update Paperwhite has improved its features and got quite close to the ex-flagship Voyage. We have updated our Paperwhite review by the way to reflect the changes.
Which device will allow me to come the closest to the ‘page manipulation’ you have with a ‘real’ book? For example say I am on page 340 and I want to go back to page 72 and then back to 340 or any other page.
With a ‘real’ book, you just hold your place on page 340 and flip back to page 72 or any other place in the book..
So which device does the best job for what I’m looking for?
I read a lot ‘non-fictions’ books and would like to be able to quickly go back and forth between pages, chapters and sections.
Thanks
I believe what you are after is the ability to add multiple bookmarks and tag them. If that is the case, then all ebook readers in the review have that feature.
Hey guys, what about Onyx Boox?
Yeah, scratching my head a little bit now, it definitely deserves a place in the top 10 eReaders list.
Is Aura H2O the same as Aura One?
Nope, they are different models
What do you guys think of Kobo Nia?
Thanks for your comment! This is definitely something we will be looking into and reviewing shortly. Thanks for your feedback!