When reading from a paper book, by contrast, our brains switch to a more concentrated form of information processing – dubbed 'deep reading' – and it's a mode that actually helps us better absorb and comprehend what's on the page, even if it's a digital page. That said, the buttons on the Oasis are, by far, the best of the three. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs iPhone 12 Pro Max: which top-end phone is for you? If you've added books you've purchased from elsewhere, they will sit in the main library but you will not be able to move them to a folder. With battery life that lasts a few weeks, the Clara HD is a feature-packed device with a display that's the best-in-class for an ereader at this price point. Instead, some of the features from the Voyage have been added to the Kindle Paperwhite, making it one of the best, affordable Kindles till date. Most other ereaders I’ve noticed use portrait mode as a default with an option to change to landscape mode in the settings. Kobo Clara HD. Bath Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. Manufacturers determined the 'happy mean' of a display to be 6" to 7". Battery life doesn't seem to be as good as it was in the older version, but you'll still get days of use out of a single charge with the current model of the Paperwhite. It also has wireless OverDrive functionality, so you can browse and borrow from your local library's ebook collection directly on the device. amzn_assoc_linkid = "4fa9f6ee2afb25a71cb686183664b4bb"; There's over a thousand titles to choose from, but you won't own the books you read via the Prime Reading service. While the Kobo Store has a large number of audiobooks, you can't listen to them on any of the company's ereaders – not even the expensive Forma. Today, we’re going to compare the Kobo ereaders. That means the Nia lacks audiobook support, which even the base model of the current Kindle range has. While you can create folders and collections on both Kindle and Kobo devices, you can only organize ebooks you've purchased from the Kindle Store on an Amazon device. While it's priced a touch higher than the Kindle, you do get a slightly better and more responsive 6-inch screen, with a resolution of 1024x758, or 212ppi (a step-up from the 167ppi Kindle display). Then there's Pocket support on the Kobo devices as well. It is also handy to compare the prices to ensure you are getting a good deal as they vary ... amazon.co.uk, amazon.com.au, and others. It’s also waterproof, a useful feature, and is comfortable to hold and read, thanks to its clear and vibrant screen. A huge benefit for some people might be the ability to buy ebooks at your local Walmart. You also get a more streamlined user interface which, over the last couple of years, has seen steady improvements. Special features = ads. At the end, you won't go wrong with either a Kindle or a Kobo, with both offering their own set of pros and cons. However, integration with other platforms on Kindle devices stops there. (Yup, ereaders can be used for magazines, comics, or graphic novels.). Kobo Aura. Welcome to WIRED UK. Visit our corporate site. Despite the size disparity, both premium ereaders have similar weights, although the Forma's plastic body tends to lose its shiny look over time and use. How to compare ereaders You will receive a verification email shortly. Other than the standard use of wifi and a micro-USB cable, it has excellent waterproofing that stands up to 60 minutes under 2 meters of water. 2 Oct 2019. Similarly to the Kindle app, you can buy, browse and customise your ebook experience right from the app. The Kobo Aura ONE’s claim to fame is its night reading mode that reduces blue light for less sleep disruption. That said, the screen is adequate for reading indoors, the battery will see you through a couple of weeks of reading and you'll get up to 8GB of storage. Physically, the Kindle and the Nia are similar but the Kobo device has a textured rear panel that makes the ereader feel more secure in the hand. With the latest E Ink technology, the Libra H2O matches the Oasis in speed and responsiveness – whether you're just turning a page, selecting words for dictionary look-up or entering a Wi-FI password to set up the ereader. BA1 1UA. This has the feel of a more basic ereader. What the heck is Kobo, you might be wondering. Basically, this is exactly like the Kobo Aura ONE, except 4x more storage and comes with the new Comfort Light feature. Priced cheaper than its Kindle counterpart, the Clara HD manages to outperform Amazon's most popular ereader in almost every area that matters. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; These are unprecedented times and everyone is budget conscious at the moment. It has an 8” Glare-free screen, comes with 8 or 32G of storage, its own light source, and is waterproof. Kobo uses the ePub format, while Amazon’s e-reader uses the Mobi format. The responsiveness of the E Ink screen is also much faster and more precise than we're used to seeing on either Kindle or Kobo ereaders, which makes things like text selection for dictionary look-up (or highlighting and note-taking) much less hit-and-miss than before. In previous posts, I discussed the two most well-known ereader brands on the market today: Kindle and Nook. This basic eReader from Canadian company Rakuten Kobo is best for those interested in borrowing ebooks rather than buying them. This app allows you to read long-form articles on the web that you save for later, and syncing with your Pocket account will give you access to them all on your Kobo ereader. It would help them compete if they offered programs similar to Kindle Unlimited or Prime Books. This one has the usual 8G of space that most ereaders have. Kobo is a brand under which Rokuten sells ebooks and devices. Pretty nifty! amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; What makes this ereader fun is the curved design and actual screen rotation if you turn the option on. The compact Kobo Aura features a 6-inch display like the Kindle Paperwhite. Kobo E readers are a brilliant alternative, which aim to deliver an unrivalled reading experience. Yup, Kobo is probably the third leading ereader on the market. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "selenityjade-20"; England and Wales company registration number 2008885. You can adjust the font size according to what suits you best and, if you like to read before heading to bed, you can make sure you always get a restful sleep because the screen will automatically reduce blue-light exposure at night-time. However, all the latest iterations of the Kindle devices (Kindle 8th Gen, Kindle Oasis 8th and 9th Gen, Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen) have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones and audiobook support for anything you get from Audible. The backlight can be adjusted from white to warmer yellow hues to reduce eye strain, and it can even be scheduled to become warmer at bedtime (say, 9:30pm for example). There are some differences between the two platforms when it comes to the user interface as well – the main being the ability to organize your library on the device. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Your email address will not be published. Other than OverDrive support to borrow library books, Kobo also has a partnership with Dropbox. in case you all are wondering, I’m mostly a Kindle girl. If you’ve been put off from trying an e-reader by screen size, consider the Forma. But it's not just the Libra's relatively affordable price tag that makes it a compelling ereader alternative – it's also more durable than the expensive bigger brother listed below, and it boasts an improved user interface that offers a better reading experience than what you'd get on a Kindle. You'll even be able to read PDFs, text files, comics and graphic novels on your Kobo device, just to name a few. If money is no object and you want the most luxurious reading experience a digital ebook reader can give you, then it doesn't get any better than the 2019 version of Amazon's Kindle Oasis. All Kobos are black and come with some way to borrow from your library. It has an ergonomic curved design with page turn buttons for comfortable reading. The Kobo Forma is actually a pretty unique ereader. We couldn't have been more wrong if we thought our time spent indoors would be at end with the start of 2021. The Best eReaders for 2020 Whether you're considering joining the digital book revolution or want a new device to replace an older one, here are the best ebook readers on the market today. It also boasts a battery life up to 2 months, and it can store up to 3,000 books. With a 7-inch screen (compared to the Forma's 8 inches), it's smaller than its bigger brother, but that makes it more portable and it's a much faster device besides. If you happen to have your library saved in a Dropbox folder, you can easily connect the two and transfer files to the device without needing to plug the ereader into your computer. It’s just a distant third here in the US. Published . © The slight caveat is that this feature only works with KEPUB ebooks, i.e. We have a great range of Kobo from top brands. Before selecting an eBook reader, it is important to realise that not all eBooks on the market are compatible. Follow Us. Key among those is the screen. For this reason they prefer to use the ePub or PDF formats, which is a plus for Kobo, as writers are encouraged to upload their work into this e-reader. The latest edition of the Paperwhite is thinner and lighter than the previous generation, and offers 8GB of storage on its base model – twice that on the predecessor. Open up to over 6 million eBooks and audiobooks on award-winning eReaders and the free Rakuten Kobo App. If money is no object then the Kobo Forma might be the ebook reader for you. And while there's certainly something irreplaceable about curling up with a good hardcover or paperback, nothing beats the convenience of a digital device when it comes to portability and browsing for new books – with a dedicated ereader, you can arguably have the advantages of both, with screens that mimic printed paper. ... Kobo's e-book selection is impressive though not quite as easy to navigate as Amazon's. And, like the Oasis, there are Wi-Fi and cellular models available too. What Features to Compare. Compare eReaders; Kobo eReader Features; eReaders. And while the Oasis' metal body gives it a very premium look and feel – and carries a price tag to match its status – the Libra's affordability and usability make it easy to recommend – especially in countries where OverDrive support means you can borrow ebooks from you local public library. To us, that sounds like a great argument for giving ereaders their own space, away from the distractions of apps and constant notifications on our modern do-all devices. Thanks to its hard plastic body, the Libra has a more premium and rugged look than the Forma. While traditional tablet-like ereaders (like the Kindle Paperwhite mentioned above and the Kobo Nia and Clara HD below) are the most affordable ebook readers you can get, they're uncomfortable to use single-handed. Unlike some ereader brands (like Kindle doesn’t read EPUB and Nook doesn’t read MOBI), it does accept both MOBI and EPUB formats as well as a few others, like PDF. It's a great and easy way to keep tabs on your library. Another thing to keep in mind when choosing an ereader is the support for different file types. There was a time when Amazon had a Kindle called Voyage, but that has been discontinued. Your email address will not be published. That said, Amazon has the biggest marketshare by far, but Kobo devices have several advantages over their direct competition. However, the Nia lacks a blue light filter, so if you read a lot at night, we think the Kobo Clara HD is a better option – with a sharper 300ppi screen – if you can spare the extra cash for it. If you love your graphic novels or comics, you definitely want this one. The Kindle isn't waterproof, so you'll need to be careful if you're a poolside, beach or in-the-bath reader. Rokuten also does Ebates.com, in case you’ve heard of them. Our Sony eReaders are slim, light and small enough to slip unobtrusively into your pocket or bag and are capable of holding hundreds or even thousands of books at a time. According to a 2014 report from the Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning, we've trained our eyes to skim and dart on screens (thank you, internet), constantly hunting for specific bits of information we're after –  a non-linear behavior the Stanford paper calls 'surface reading'. While the Kobo Store has a large number of audiobooks, you can't listen to them on any of the company's ereaders – not even the expensive Forma. Both Amazon and Kobo have premium offerings in the Kindle Oasis and the Forma respectively, but there are budget ones as well. Compare these devices: Select up to 3 devices below to compare specifications. Kobo Forma: Who is it for? Learn more. How to compare ereaders Amazon drives their prices down by having a ‘special features’ option. The buttons to turn pages are within easy reach of the thumb even if you have small mitts, and the device can be turned upside down for use with either hand, with the pages swapping automatically to suit. The 6-inch display is glare-free but it's not the sharpest screen (an entry-level Kobo called Nia has beaten Amazon on that regard – see below for more details). As with most ereaders you can customize the font and size as well as language. The 6-inch screen is a gorgeous HD display with 300ppi pixel density that makes the words on the page appear sharp and clear, even in bright sunlight. These sizes make a device more compact and easy to transport than an average tablet. It retails for $89.99 / £69.99 / AU$139 a pop, but you get what you pay for. 32GB. If you were aware of it at all. It is also waterproof like so many ereaders these days and comes with Overdrive for you library lovers. If you're keen on owning all the books you read, then the Kindle Store usually has way more titles on offer than the Kobo Store – primarily due to Amazon's self-publishing platform – but Kobo's Super Points system allows you to save points you earn on purchases for later use (note that these points do have an expiration date). Thanks for the helpful rundown on the Kobo. Kobos, on the other hand, will support most file types – with the exception of Amazon's own .azw of course. All rights reserved. Read Why I Don’t Write Ereader Reviews (Spot a Fake Review) if you want my reasoning. Most public libraries in the UK and Australia now allow members to borrow ebooks, saving you plenty of money in the long term on purchasing books. The new features that debuted last year on the Libra H2O have made their way to the Nia, making it a lot more user-friendly than any Kindle model. It does have the Comfort Light feature for better nighttime reading, though. Memory. Whether you should opt for a Kindle or a Kobo ereader depends on what you're looking for from your ereader and, more often than not, that decision will be ruled by price and feature set. But the way we read on a bright, electronic screen is very different to how we read a physical page. So this means a 7.8” glare-free comfort light waterproof ereader that comes with Overdrive AND 32G of storage. Compare the display, resolution, dimensions, weight and features of our Kobo eReaders, including waterproofing, ComfortLight PRO and more. Cover art and text are rendered at a higher DPI (dots per inch) on the Clara HD than other older Kobo ereaders, making them appear significantly sharper in comparison. Kobo’s app is available on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Store, PC and Mac and allows you to continue reading your favourite Kobo books. 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