Kobo vs Kindle: Which One is Better and How to Choose?

Traditional, printed books have an undeniable, timeless appeal, but eReaders can be hard to beat regarding portability, ease, and practicality. Kobo and Amazon Kindle are two tech giants that are popular in the U.S. market and meet the needs of eBook readers. If you have discovered digital books and are about to explore stories digitally, you can improve your electronic reading experience with either Kobo vs Kindle. Get detailed information about Kindle vs Kobo, and learn which is better suited for your needs.

A Brief Overview of Kobo and Kindle

Kobo, by Rakuten, has a strong international presence and is renowned for its open ecosystem. It supports EPUB files and is compatible with vast eBook sources and public libraries such as OverDrive. Kobo provides great customization options, and some models also use eco-friendly materials, attracting readers who value flexibility.

Amazon Kindle is a popular e-reader backed by the Kindle Store. It provides a smooth reading and audiobook experience with a vast content selection. Kindles have a strong battery lifespan and are affordable for most readers.

Pros and Cons of Kobo eReader

👍What We Like

Compact: Kobo eReaders are small, lightweight, and compact, and they are easy to use. They are also waterproof, making it easy to read and enjoy your eBooks even in the bathtub.

Excellent Color Display: Kobo offers a superb color display for an immersive reading experience. It supports a blue-light filter for evening reading.

Built-in Library: The built-in library makes it easy to read any book anytime, anywhere. You can also easily access its vast library to purchase books.

Customization: Kobo eReaders offer customizable page options with an extended battery life.

Seamless Annotation: The stylus can help you seamlessly annotate with the Kobo Libra Color.

Kobo Plus Subscription: With Kobo's monthly subscription of US$10, you can access over a million eBooks and audiobooks.

👎What We Don't Like

Connectivity Issues: Some Kobo eReaders often have connectivity issues, interrupting your seamless reading experience

Slow Download Speed: Compared to other eReaders, Kobo's download speed is pretty slow.

No Access to Kindle Unlimited Books: Unlike Kindle eReaders, Kobo does not offer access to Kindle Unlimited books.

Pros and Cons of Kindle eReader

👍What We Like

Ease of Use and Convenience: A Kindle eReader is smaller and easier to carry. It can store over five thousand books in a single device. Also, books on Kindle are a bit cheaper than those in print format.

Allows Annotation: You can highlight passages, take notes, and bookmark a page electronically on Kindle. It also offers adjustable screen brightness and a Dark Mode facility with increased support to adjust the font size and style.

Web and Music/Games: Kindle allows users to surf the web clumsily, listen to MP3 recordings, or play games. Its long battery life lasts weeks without being charged.

Search and Dictionary/Translation: Kindle supports a search feature to help you find a specific word. It also supports a dictionary and translation feature to view any word's definition or translate a word or sentence into a different language.

Cheaper Books: Get free books from the Kindle Store or the Gutenberg Project website. You can also directly purchase books from Amazon and store them in the library. Contacting the Kindle team to get a book delivered automatically in Kindle format is easy.

Loan the Books: Kindle allows readers to lend/ borrow the ebooks to/from others for 14 days. You can also borrow books through Kindle using your library card number.

👎What We Don't Like

Electronic Device: Kindle lacks the touch and feel of a book. While Kindle has a long battery life, it does require charging. Also, not all Kindle models are waterproof, so you must be careful while handling them.

Colorless Images: Despite reading a colorful kids' book, the images are only black and white.

Complex Lending Procedure: Readers cannot share or lend the book easily to others for reading. It is challenging to keep track, and the book will be temporarily unavailable on your Kindle once it is lent. Also, if you have borrowed a book on Kindle, you only have two weeks to read the book, and then it will automatically be returned to the owner.

Advertisements: The new version of Kindle can show ads on the lock screen when in standby mode. You must pay extra charges to upgrade to a 'Without Lockscreen Ads' package.

Differences between Kobo and Kindle

Here's a table comparing the Kobo and Amazon Kindle eReaders to help you learn about the Kobo e-reader vs Kindle, their key features, and their differences.

In summary, both Kobo and Kindle have features that suit different types of readers. Kobo eReaders work well for people who want more variety and flexibility, as they support many file formats and make it easy to borrow and read library books. Kindle is a better fit for readers who prefer close integration with the Amazon Store and like buying and reading e-books in one place. The choice between the two devices mainly comes down to your reading habits and which features matter most to you.

Kobo vs. Kindle: How to Choose?

Still confused about Kobo eReader vs Kindle? The factors stated below can help you decide which eReader is better suited to your needs and reading habits, especially regarding style, design, storage, connectivity, and price.

Price and Available Products

Kobo Plus vs Kindle Unlimited can differ slightly in prices. While the entry-level eReaders can cost the same, the prices vary depending on their respective offerings and additional features.

Here's a breakdown of available Kobo eReaders, screen size, release date, and prices.

Here's a complete breakdown of available mainstream Amazon Kindle eReaders, screen size, release date, and prices.

Style and Design

There's barely a difference between the Kobo eReader vs Kindle regarding screen technology, and they are almost the same for B&W models. While the entry-level Amazon Kindle (2024) uses the old technology, retaining the E Ink Carta 1200 display, Kindle Paperwhites and Kobo Clara BW use the E Ink Carta 1300 screen tech. This responsive screen makes the pages turn super quickly with a better contrast.

While Kindle eReaders appear premium with a glass finish, most Kobo screens are covered in plastic. However, Kobo has a superior hand in screen sizes, from 6,7,8 to 10.3 inches, while Amazon Kindle only gives you 6,7, and 10.2 inches.

Unlike Kobo eReaders, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and Scribe models also offer a front light with auto-adjustable brightness.

Storage and Connectivity

Both Kobo eReader vs Kindle offer storage between 16 GB and 64 GB. However, some premium, high-end Kobo models also offer 32 GB storage as a default. Kobo offers basic WiFi connectivity. However, the newer Kindle Paperwhite devices offer dual-band WiFi. If you run into a kindle not downloading books situation, dual-band Wi-Fi can help with reliability. Also, Amazon Kindle supports cellular connectivity to download eBooks when away from WiFi. However, that feature is no longer supported and has been discontinued worldwide.

Feedback on Kobo and Kindle Users

In conclusion, the debate on these popular e-reader brands, such as Kobo vs Kindle vs Nook, is never-ending, with most choices ultimately coming down to personal preference. While Kobo devices are usually praised for their flexible formats and customization options, the Store selection lacks choices compared to Kindle. Also, occasional sync issues and slower software updates may not please American users. Still, environmentally conscious and international users may value Kobo's efforts to use recycled materials with support for multiple languages and global reach. 

Coming to Amazon Kindle, it has a seamless ecosystem, and integration with Amazon makes it highly convenient. Users often praise its battery life, wide content selection, and device reliability. However, it lacks native EPUB with a complex library browsing procedure and annoying ads, adding to the misery.

In a nutshell, when Kindle vs Kobo are compared, people in the U.S. prefer Amazon Kindle for its convenience and additional features. However, outside the U.S., most Amazon Kindle features cease to exist, offer a smaller catalog, and even book prices tend to increase. Undoubtedly, Kobo devices have the upper hand here.

Bonus: Best Way to Read Kindle eBooks Without eReaders

We have read and learned enough about Kobo vs Kindle. However, if you want to read Kindle eBooks without eReaders on any reading app or device, BookFab Kindle Converter can be your best choice. It has a built-in library, so you no longer need a separate app to browse your Kindle library. Plus, it can remove DRM protection from eBooks, letting you access region-specific eBooks on any device or reading app.

BookFab Kindle Converter

• Effortlessly removes DRM from Kindle eBooks to bid adieu to platform restrictions
• Transforms MOBI files into PDF and EPUB format for flexible reading
• Intelligent processing for ultra-fast conversions without compromising quality
• Convert Kindle eBooks into high-quality audiobooks for multitasking
• Supports Kobo and Amazon Kindle eBooks with continuous updates for expansion

How to Use BookFab Kindle Converter to Convert Kindle eBooks

Step 1: Download BookFab software

Install and open BookFab Kindle Converter on your computer. In the left sidebar, select the Kindle Converter tab. Make sure Kindle for PC is installed and that the eBooks you want to work with have been downloaded to the local folder.

Step 2: Import eBook Folder Downloaded via Kindle for PC

Use the Import Kindle Files option (or the refresh icon) to let BookFab scan the My Kindle Content folder. Select the Kindle eBook files or the whole folder. BookFab Kindle Converter will automatically load the titles and decrypt supported books so they are ready for conversion.

Step 3: Start Converting and Monitor Progress

After the Kindle eBooks have been parsed, select the titles you want to convert and choose your output format in the conversion settings. Start the conversion and watch the progress in the task list.

When the process finishes, open the output folder to check the DRM-free files, or send selected books to BookFab AudioBook Creator if you also want an audiobook version.

Final Wrap Up

We have explored detailed insights to help you learn about the Kobo vs Kindle. Both Kobo and Kindle are premium choices for any reader. While Kindle has always been a better-value device, Kobo has risen to fame for its balanced price and features. It has stayed ahead of the curve, giving Kindle intense competition. If you are less demanding, Kindle can be your go-to, convenient option; however, consider Kobo for a more customized and personalized feel. For others, using BookFab Kindle Converter can be a better option for converting eBooks and reading them on any device.