Kobo eReader

277 reviews

Apr, 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 really like the screen and battery. The price and portability are also appreciated, whereas many are less positive 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 90/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 277 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(21% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (31% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (10% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (11% of reviews)
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 275 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 75 of 275 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 critical opinions about the performance and price. Comments are divided on the portability.

usability

price, performance

50% 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 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 are also appreciated, but there are some critical reviews 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.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by (expertreviews.co.uk)

Kobo Wireless eReader review

In the competition between the Amazon Kindle and other eReaders, Kobo's devices are the only ones that come close to matching Amazon's well-rounded package at present - at least until Sony gets round to launched its eBook store for the Sony Reader PRS-T1

Great desktop software and mobile app support make Kobo's readers a cut above the competition. It isn't perfect, but it's good value

Nov, 2011

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Expert review by : IT Reviews Staff (itreviews.co.uk)

Kobo Wireless e-Reader review

A fully-featured eReader for under £70, Kobo goes head to head with Amazon's Kindle... In a market that's increasingly dominated by Amazon...

Attractively priced, and easy to read, doing its base job perfectly well

Sluggish, frustrating control system, that gets in the way of you getting the most out of the unit

When you don’t have to interact with it, the Kobo Wireless eReader is entirely competent. But when you do, you realise where those corners have been cut.

Mar, 2012

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Expert review by : Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla (canadianreviewer.com)

Review: Kobo Wireless eReader

Its clear that the age of the eReader has arrived. Ushered in by the Sony Reader and defined by Amazon's Kindle, ebook readers aren't just a hip fad but a vital industry that's reshaping the business of books to the tune of $1Billion. Kobo's new...

Nov, 2010

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Expert review by : Melissa J. Perenson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Kobo Wireless eReader

The Kobo Wireless eReader offers better performance, but screen refresh and speed remain issues

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 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

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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

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