If you’re trying to get into e-books, you may have heard of two popular e-reader options: Kobo and Kindle. Both offer dedicated devices for reading digital books, but they differ in features, design, and how you access e-books.
If you’re not sure which one to choose, this guide breaks down the key differences between Kobo and Kindle to help you find the right fit for your reading.
Kobo is a line of e-readers developed by Rakuten Kobo, a subsidiary of Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten. First launched in 2010, Kobo e-readers are designed for reading digital books on E-Ink screens.
The E-Ink displays are designed to provide a paper-like reading experience and remain easy to view in natural light. The Kobo lineup includes different models with features that vary by device, such as adjustable lighting, waterproofing, color displays, and stylus support. Kobo also has its own e-book and audiobook store, allowing readers to buy and access digital books through the Kobo ecosystem.
Kobo and Kindle both offer dedicated e-readers for digital reading, but they have some differences worth knowing. I tried to research their features and differences as much as possible to give you a better idea of what each one offers.
Kobo e-readers do not display third-party ads. On the other hand, Kindle models have ad-supported and ad-free options, with users paying an additional fee for models without ads. Ad-supported models display sponsored screensavers and lock-screen ads.
Both Kobo and Kindle give readers access to paid e-books through their own stores and subscription services.
Sideloading is the term for the process of adding e-books from outside an e-reader’s built-in store. Kobo supports open formats like EPUB, PDF, MOBI, TXT, and CBZ, which you can transfer directly to the device using a USB connection. Supported Kobo models also support Dropbox or Google Drive for wireless transfers.
Kindle supports its own formats, such as AZW3 and KFX, while other formats such as EPUB, PDF, DOC, DOCX, and RTF can be sent to the device through Amazon’s Send to Kindle service.
One notable physical difference between Kobo and Kindle is the page-turn buttons found on some Kobo models, such as the Kobo Libra Colour. You can hold the device on either side and use the physical buttons to turn pages, or swipe on the screen if you prefer.
The Kindle relies on touchscreen swipes for page turns.
Both Kobo and Kindle let you adjust font size, line spacing, and margins. Kobo also lets you add custom .ttf and .otf fonts through USB, giving you additional control over font selection.
Kindle also lets you adjust font weight, size, spacing, and margins, along with other reading settings. You can also customize your Kobo’s screensaver with your own images. Read more about how to set up custom screensavers on Kobo e-readers in this PCWorld guide.
Both Kobo and Kindle offer models with color screens and stylus support, although these features vary by device.
For note-taking, compatible Kobo models let you write directly on EPUBs and non-protected PDFs, making them a good fit for readers who like to annotate pages directly. The Kindle Scribe also supports handwritten annotations through features like sticky notes and expandable margin.
| Feature | Kobo | Kindle |
| Lock-Screen Ads | No third-party ads | Ad-supported and ad-free options |
| Content Access | Kobo Store: 5M+ titles | Kindle Store: 10M+ titles |
| Subscriptions | Kobo Plus: ₱349–₱449/month | Kindle Unlimited: US$11.99/month (~₱600–₱700) |
| Public Libraries | Built-in Libby support in select countries | Libby access varies by market |
| Sideloading | EPUB, PDF, MOBI, TXT, CBZ; USB, Dropbox & Google Drive (select models) | AZW3, KFX; other formats via Send to Kindle |
| Page-Turn Buttons | Kobo Libra Colour | None; touchscreen only |
| Customization | Custom fonts + flexible font controls | Font, size, spacing, margins, and more |
| Color Display | Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Clara Colour | Kindle Colorsoft, Kindle Scribe Colorsoft |
| Stylus Support | Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Elipsa 2E | Kindle Scribe, Kindle Scribe Colorsoft |
| Screensaver | Book covers / Custom images supported | Book covers / ads (in ad-supported models) |
Overall, choose Kindle if you want a wider e-book catalog and closer integration with Amazon’s ecosystem. If you prefer a more open reading experience, especially for borrowing e-books from public libraries (if supported in your area) or adding books from other sources, Kobo may be a better fit. Kobo also offers more flexibility for customization, with support for custom fonts and custom screensaver images. Ultimately, the better choice depends on the features and reading experience you value most.
If you want to explore Kindle models in more detail, check out our Kindle Buying Guide.
The Kobo Clara BW is a compact black-and-white e-reader designed for everyday reading. It features a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD touchscreen, 16GB of storage, and a waterproof design, making it a straightforward option for readers who want a dedicated device for e-books.
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The Kobo Clara Colour is a compact color e-reader with a 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display. It offers 16GB of storage, IPX8 waterproofing, and a lightweight design for reading e-books in color.
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The Kobo Libra Colour is a 7-inch color e-reader with an E Ink Kaleido 3 display. It comes with 32GB of storage, IPX8 waterproofing, and Kobo Stylus 2 compatibility for highlighting and writing directly on e-books.
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The Kobo Elipsa 2E is a large-format e-reader with a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen. It comes with 32GB of storage and an included Kobo Stylus 2, letting you read, annotate e-books and PDFs, and create digital notes.
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| Kobo Model | What Makes It Different | Key Features | Best For | Price |
| Kobo Clara BW | Compact B&W reader | 6″ Carta 1300 HD, 16GB, IPX8 | Simple, portable reading | ~₱13,580–₱23,990 |
| Kobo Clara Colour | Compact color reader | 6″ Kaleido 3, 16GB, IPX8 | Color reading on the go | ~₱19,399–₱24,999 |
| Kobo Libra Colour | Color reader with stylus support | 7″ Kaleido 3, 32GB, IPX8, Stylus 2 compatible | Reading and note-taking | ~₱19,490–₱25,990 |
| Kobo Elipsa 2E | Large reader for writing | 10.3″ Carta 1200, 32GB, Stylus 2 included | Reading, annotating, and notes | ~₱33,590 |
If you’re deciding between Kobo and Kindle, the Kobo models above give you several options depending on your preferred screen size, color display, and note-taking features. Kindle offers a similar range of dedicated e-readers, so your choice may come down to the ecosystem and features you prefer.
Consider Kobo if you want features like custom fonts, flexible sideloading, or color and stylus options across select models. Kindle may appeal more if you already use Amazon’s ecosystem or prefer its e-book and subscription services.
Ultimately, both brands offer dedicated e-readers for digital reading, so the right choice depends on the features that matter most to you.
Both brands offer dedicated e-readers for reading digital books. The experience can vary depending on the model, features, and services you use, so it’s worth comparing specific devices based on your reading habits.
There’s no fixed price difference between the two because e-book prices can vary by title, publisher, and promotions so the same book may have different prices depending on when and where you buy it.
This depends on what you want from your e-reader. Switching may make sense if a Kobo feature or model better matches your preferences, but your existing Kindle library and familiarity with Amazon’s ecosystem are also worth considering.
Consider the screen size, display type, storage, waterproofing, and whether you need features such as color or stylus support. Kobo offers different models for basic reading, color content, and note-taking, so you can choose based on how you plan to use the device.
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