Kindle vs Kobo: Which E-Reader Is Better?
Kindle vs Kobo is one of those debates that gets e-reader fans fired up. And look, we'll be upfront: Amazon's Kindle dominates the market, so we carry more Kindle models in our catalog. But that doesn't mean it's automatically the better choice for everyone. The answer really depends on where you get your books and how much you care about being locked into Amazon's ecosystem. Kindle's biggest advantage is the store. Amazon has the largest ebook selection on the planet, and Kindle Unlimited is a solid deal if you're a voracious reader. The Paperwhite Signature Edition is our favorite model right now — wireless charging, auto-adjusting front light, and 32GB of storage for audiobooks. It's a beautiful piece of hardware. Kobo's edge? It plays nice with public libraries through OverDrive (now Libby) built right in. No sideloading, no workarounds — just borrow a book and it shows up. Kobo also supports ePub natively, which means you're not locked into one store. If you buy ebooks from multiple places or use your library heavily, Kobo is the less restrictive option. Fair warning though — Kobo's store is smaller and the hardware options are fewer.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) | Kindle | Wireless charging support | Buy on Amazon |
| Amazon Kindle (2024, 16GB) | Kindle | Lightest Kindle ever made | Buy on Amazon |
| Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) | E-Reader | 300 ppi display with adjustable warm light | Buy on Amazon |
| Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) E-Reader | E-Reader | 6.8-inch 300 PPI glare-free display | Buy on Amazon |
| Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 32GB (2024) | E-Reader | Larger 7-inch glare-free display is easy on the eyes | Buy on Amazon |
| Kindle Unlimited 12-Month Membership | Kindle-Unlimited | Access to over 4 million titles including many bestsellers | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024)
7-inch glare-free display with 300 ppi for sharp text. Wireless charging compatible and auto-adjusting front light. 32GB storage for thousands of books. Up to 12 weeks of battery life. Waterproof (IPX8).
- Wireless charging support
- Auto-adjusting front light
- 32GB storage
- 12-week battery life
- No color display
- Locked to Amazon ecosystem
Amazon Kindle (2024, 16GB)
Lightest and most compact Kindle ever with a 6-inch glare-free 300ppi display. Front light with 16 LEDs adjusts for comfortable reading in any lighting. USB-C charging and up to 6 weeks of battery life.
- Lightest Kindle ever made
- 300ppi sharp display
- USB-C charging
- 6-week battery life
- No warm light option
- 16GB only storage option
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB)
The Kindle Paperwhite features a 6.8-inch glare-free display with adjustable warm light for comfortable reading day or night. Its flush-front design and IPX8 waterproofing make it durable and comfortable to hold. Weeks of battery life means you rarely think about charging.
- 300 ppi display with adjustable warm light
- IPX8 waterproof for poolside or bath reading
- Up to 10 weeks of battery life
- No built-in audiobook speaker
- Audible requires Bluetooth headphones
Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) E-Reader
The Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen features a 6.8-inch 300 PPI glare-free display with adjustable warm light for comfortable reading day and night without straining your eyes. IPX8 waterproofing means it survives accidental submersion up to two meters for 60 minutes, making it perfect for poolside and bath reading. Weeks of battery life and USB-C charging complete a polished, purpose-built reading experience.
- 6.8-inch 300 PPI glare-free display
- IPX8 waterproof rating
- Weeks of battery life
- No physical page-turn buttons
- Audible not supported on this model
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 32GB (2024)
The latest Paperwhite Signature Edition features a larger 7-inch display with auto-adjusting warm light and wireless charging. With 32GB of storage and a flush-front design rated IPX8 for water resistance, it handles thousands of books in virtually any reading environment.
- Larger 7-inch glare-free display is easy on the eyes
- Auto-adjusting warm light adapts to ambient conditions
- Wireless charging eliminates fumbling with cables
- No color display for magazines or comics
- Page turn animations still lag behind physical books
Kindle Unlimited 12-Month Membership
Kindle Unlimited grants access to more than four million ebooks, thousands of audiobooks, and select magazine subscriptions across any Kindle device or the free Kindle app. Subscribers can hold up to 20 titles simultaneously and return books when finished. Especially valuable for voracious readers who finish multiple books each month.
- Access to over 4 million titles including many bestsellers
- Works on Kindle hardware and the free app on any device
- Audiobook titles included at no extra cost
- Many major publisher titles are not in the Unlimited catalog
- Annual prepay locks you in, monthly option costs more overall
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kindle borrow library books?
Yes, but it's clunky. You have to borrow through the Libby app on your phone, then send it to your Kindle via Amazon's website. It works, but it's not seamless. Kobo has Libby built into the device itself, which is way more convenient if you're a big library user.
Which e-reader has the better screen?
At the same price point, they're nearly identical. Both use E Ink displays with 300 ppi, warm front lights, and anti-glare. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature has a slight edge with its auto-adjusting light sensor, but in practice you probably won't notice a difference.
Is Kindle Unlimited worth it?
If you read more than two books a month, it usually pays for itself. The selection is huge — over 4 million titles — but the big-name bestsellers aren't always included. It's amazing for indie authors and series binge-reading. Try the free trial before committing.
Can I read PDFs on a Kindle or Kobo?
Technically yes on both, but neither is great at it. E-readers have small screens and PDFs are designed for letter-size pages. Kobo handles them slightly better with more formatting options. For serious PDF reading, you're better off with a tablet.