Kobo Aura HD

198 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
screen (36)
usability (30)
portability (28)
performance (17)
size (15)

Negative
price (14)
durability (4)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 198 reviews of Kobo Aura HD. The average rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the size and performance. The portability and usability are also appreciated, whereas many are negative about the durability and price.

screen, usability, portability, performance, size

price, durability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Kobo Aura HD is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 198 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(35% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (39% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (12% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (6% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (9% of reviews)
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Features

screen
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usability
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portability
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performance
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size
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Showing 60 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 41 of 60 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (138)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Kobo Aura HD

alaTest has collected and analyzed 12 user reviews of Kobo Aura HD from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.4/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the design and screen. The performance and usability are also mentioned favorably, whereas many are negative about the durability and price.

portability, usability, performance, screen, design

price, durability

75% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Kobo Aura HD

alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 user reviews of Kobo Aura HD from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the performance and size. The portability and screen are also mentioned favorably. Many are critical about the price, while opinions are divided on the battery.

usability, screen, portability, size, performance

price

89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by (engadget.com)

Kobo Aura HD review: a high-end e-reader with 'niche' written all over it

This reader's got solid specs, but price and size constraints will likely hamper wide appeal.

Big, high-res screen ; Strong front light ; Lots of storage for an e-reader

Pricey ; Big footprint ; Software still lacking

When Kobo first unveiled the Aura HD, it felt as though the company was shooting itself in the foot by announcing it as a limited edition, niche product. After playing around with the device, it's easy to see how the company came to that decision....

Apr, 2013

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Expert review by (digitaltrends.com)

Kobo Aura HD Review

Excellent high-res screen ; Light evenly distributed on the screen ; Comfortable design ; Includes browser and games

Design doesn't feel premium ; Text washes out when light is at full brightness ; Light is somewhat harsh ; Screen doesn't respond consistently

The Kobo Aura HD’s high-resolution screen improves the reading experience by making fonts crisp and clear at any size. Unfortunately, the Nook and Kindle E Ink readers already do a pretty good job of this and the Aura’s display doesn’t surpass them by...

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Expert review by : Wired (wired.com)

Light Up My Life

Yet, Kobo lives on — not just surviving, but thriving. The Japanese company's success in the e-reader market can be pinned equally on its strong international presence and its willingness to create a product specifically tuned to the wants and needs of...

May, 2013

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Expert review by : Jamie Lendino (pcmag.com)

Kobo Aura HD

Kobo strikes gold with the well-designed Aura HD, a premium ebook reader with high-quality edge lighting and a super-sharp display.

Large, sharp screen. Fast page turns. Soothing edge lighting for dark rooms. Excellent font customization options. Informative current progress display. Plenty of storage plus a memory card slot.

Thicker and heavier than competing readers, thanks to the larger screen. Hard plastic housing feels a little flimsy. Inconsistent touch response on occasion.

Tap the Aura HD's Percentage Read indicator on the bottom left screen corner, and a window pops up saying how far you are in the current chapter, along with an estimation as to how long it will take you to finish the chapter, how long the next one is,...

Apr, 2013

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Expert review by : Jonathan Fincher (gizmag.com)

Review: Kobo Aura HD e-reader

A few months ago, we sat down to compare the top e-readers released in the past year and find out which would work best for our avid readers out there. Naturally, the latest Kindles and Nooks scored high marks, but surprisingly the one device that...

. Kobo isn't exactly the first name that comes to mind when people think of e-readers, but after spending some extensive hands-on time with the Aura HD, we see an argument for that to change.

Feb, 2014

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Expert review by : cellphones.ca (cellphones.ca)

Kobo Aura HD

The new Kobo Aura HD reader is positioned as a premium e-ink reader. The manufacturer goes so far as calling it the Porsche of e-ink readers. According to the reviewers, this claim is largely met. Rather than attempting to undercut Amazon on price,...

Jul, 2013

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Expert review by : The eBook Reader Blog (the-ebook-reader.com)

Expert Review

The Kobo Aura HD is the newest ebook reader to hit the market, and it comes with a unique screen that is larger than typical E Ink ereaders, plus the resolution is higher. But is the screen good enough to win over would be Kindle Paperwhite buyers?

May, 2013

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Expert review by : Jay McGregor (gearburn.com)

Kobo Aura HD hands-on review: the hottest eReader yet

The new Kobo Aura HD has been launched at an invite only event in Millbank Tower, Central London. The new eReader is being launched as not just the rival t

Apr, 2013

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Expert review by : Campbell Simpson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Kobo Aura HD e-reader

When it comes to reading e-books, the Aura HD is without equal

Excellent screen ; Fast; good battery life ; Simple operation

Relatively thick

Kobo's new hero e-reader has an excellent E-Ink screen, and has the best specifications of any e-reader on the market at the moment. It's slightly thicker than its competitors, but that's really the only down-side to what is an excellent device for...

Apr, 2013

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)