Kobo eReader

277 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (185)
portability (92)
price (81)
battery (33)
screen (28)

Negative
performance (52)
reliability (41)
durability (12)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 277 reviews of Kobo eReader. The average rating for this product is 3.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. People are impressed by the screen and battery. The price and portability are also mentioned favorably. There are some critical opinions about the durability and reliability.

usability, portability, price, battery, screen

performance, reliability, durability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Kobo eReader is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 277 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(21% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (30% of reviews)
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Show all 2 star reviews (28% of reviews)
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Features

usability
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portability
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price
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performance
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battery
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Showing 274 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 75 of 274 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (2)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Kobo eReader

alaTest has collected and analyzed 12 user reviews of Kobo eReader from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.4/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the usability, but there are some mixed reviews about the portability. The performance and price get critical views.

usability

price, performance

50% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Kobo eReader

alaTest has collected and analyzed 53 user reviews of Kobo eReader from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. People really like the screen and portability. The price and performance also get good comments, whereas some have doubts about the size and design.

usability, performance, price, portability, screen

reliability, design, size

64% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

Kobo Wireless eReader Wi-Fi review: Kobo Wireless eReader Wi-Fi

Borders has been selling Kobo e-readers for a while and in recent weeks has been offering a version with built-in Wi-Fi for $99, discounted from its list price of $139.99.

Compact, lightweight, and affordable e-book reader with built-in Wi-Fi; integration with Borders e-book store (powered by Kobo); expansion slot for additional memory; decent battery life (up to two weeks); compatible with EPUB file format.

Somewhat generic feel to the whole device; sluggish compared with Kindle; screen contrast could be better.

Though the Kobo Wireless eReader is a serviceable e-book reader with built-in Wi-Fi, it's worth spending the extra money to get the Kindle or the Nook instead.

Jan, 2011

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Expert review by : David Pierce (pcmag.com)

Kobo Wireless eReader

The Kobo Wireless eReader adds some of the features the first Kobo was lacking, which makes it a viable competitor to the Kindle and the Nook.

Attractive design. Very lightweight. ePub file support. Simple to operate. Integrated Wi-Fi.

Shorter battery life than some competitors. No AC adapter in box. D-pad isn't always the easiest way to navigate.

More Ebook Reader reviews: Kobo Aura H2O Kobo Aura One Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle Oasis Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight Plus more

Dec, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Melissa J. Perenson (pcworld.com)

Kobo Wireless eReader: Improved, but Still Requires Patience to Use

The Kobo Wireless eReader aspires to compete with the big kids in the e-reader arena. This iteration represents a marked improvement over its predecessor, offering higher contrast, a sharper E Ink display, and better performance. Unfortunately, the...

Lightweight ; Easy to hold ; Improved display contrast and sharpness

Screen refresh still slow

The Kobo eReader's main appeal is to those who prefer ePub files; for now, this is the least expensive Wi-Fi-connected ePub-compatible model, and it handles the format well.

Dec, 2010

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

Kobo eReader review: Kobo eReader

Kobo eReader

Relatively compact, lightweight, and affordable; integrates nicely with Borders e-book store; built-in Bluetooth; expansion slot for additional memory; $20 gift card bundled with unit; good battery life (up to two weeks).

No Wi-Fi or 3G wireless; somewhat generic feel to the whole device; no competitive advantage over similarly priced Barnes & Noble Nook; screen contrast could be better.

The Kobo eReader isn't a bad little basic e-book reader, but it's just not a compelling deal now that the more full-featured Barnes & Noble Nook has matched its low price.

Jul, 2010

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Expert review by : Melissa J. Perenson (pcworld.com)

Kobo eReader E-Reader Review - PCWorld

Sony's first wireless e-book reader, though pricey, offers first-rate newspaper support--but only if AT&T's service cooperates.

Jun, 2010

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Expert review by : Jamie Lendino (pcmag.com)

Kobo eReader

If you don't need wireless book downloads, the Kobo eReader makes a fine digital reading companion—and it comes at a compelling price point.

Low price. Offers a comfortable reading experience. Sensible control layout. 100 preloaded classic books.

Book downloads require a PC or Mac. No AC adapter in the box.

Reading Books, Downloads, and Conclusions The Kobo eReader can display your e-book collection in a list, as raw text, or in a shelf view. In my tests, individual books loaded in less than ten seconds once chosen. The eReader's high contrast display and...

Jun, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by : EveryReview (everyreview.com)

Kobo Glo Review

If you are one for reading books at night or in the dark when a partner is asleep or you don't wish to disturb people the backlight of the Kobo Glo is a great feature that may sell this ebook reader to you.

Backlight, - Light weight

Kindle has better contrast, - Not 3G Option

May, 2012

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

Expert Review

The Kobo Wireless eReader is the 2nd generation device from Kobo and has just started hitting shelves in the US and Canada in time for the holiday season, and is expected to make it to Australia by Christmas too.

Apr, 2011

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Expert review by : Shane McGlaun (i4u.com)

Kobo Wireless eReader Review

Today I am going to check out the Kobo Wireless eReader. This eReader is very similar to some of the other devices on the market today from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. The little reader is compact and easy to use. If you are looking for an eReader on a...

Easy to use ; Nice screen ; Good battery life

Slow page turns ; Little text on a single page

The Kobo Wireless eReader is a nice eReader with a good price that most people will enjoy using. The only downsides are the slow page turns and the small amount of text on screen at one time.

Dec, 2010

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Expert review by : Jon Fingas (macnn.com)

Review: Kobo Wireless eReader

Kobo goes wireless in a hotly contested market.

Competitve price ; Simple, comfortable interface ; Light, very comfortable design ; Universal ePub support; some drag-and-drop ; E Ink battery and eye benefits ; Part of a multi-device ecosystem ; SD card slot ; Two-week battery offline

Kindle and Nook do more with Wi-Fi ; Wireless drains battery quickly ; On-screen keyboard slow to use ; Usual e-paper slowness ; No file support beyond ePub and PDF ; Bluetooth of limited help

Note: since the Wireless eReader is similar to the original version, some of the review will be familiar. The new review reflects the Internet focus, and all photos are of the new model.Design and the e-paper displayOther than the options of

Nov, 2010

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