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Kobo Glo

Kobo Glo
Kobo GloKobo GloKobo GloKobo GloKobo GloKobo Glo
alaScore 92

745 reviews

Apr, 2024

  • Negative

alaTest has collected and analyzed 745 reviews of Kobo Glo. The average rating for this product is 3.7/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Comments about the size and screen are generally positive. The portability and usability also get good feedback, whereas there are some mixed reviews about the reliability.

performance, usability, portability, screen, size

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Kobo Glo is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 92/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 745 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (31% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (38% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (14% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

performance
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (74%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (65%)Show negative (35%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
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Showing 154 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 122 of 154 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (591)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Kobo Glo

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 43 user reviews of Kobo Glo from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, 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 screen and size. The performance and portability also get good reviews, but many are critical about the reliability.

usability, portability, performance, size, screen

reliability

81% 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 Glo

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 69 user reviews of Kobo Glo from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the price and screen. The usability and portability are also appreciated, but there are some less positive comments about the reliability.

performance, portability, usability, screen, price

reliability

57% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Andrew Williams (trustedreviews.com)

Kobo Glo

 

An E-ink reader with light that's out to kill the Kindle Paperwhite.

Great integrated light ; Pretty interface ; Light ; Good value

Rear not as pretty as previous model ; Kindle offers slightly better contrast

Nov, 2012
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Expert review by : Jamie Carter (techradar.com)

Kobo Glo review

 

Wi-Fi, an e-ink screen and EPUB compatibility on Kobo's Kindle Paperwhite rival

ComfortLight ; Sensitive touchscreen ; Customisable fonts ; EPUB compatibility

No emailing of ebooks ; No 3G option ; Tiny light switch ; Slow online store

It may sound like something to do with discrete illumination in a toilet bowl, but the ComfortLight on the Kobo Glo brings the e-reader bang up to date.

Nov, 2012
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Expert review by : Jamie Carter (pocket-lint.com)

Kobo Glo

 

When we first saw a prototype of the 6-inch, touch-screen Kobo Glo and its built-in ComfortLight a few months back, we asked a simple question to its makers: why didn't anyone think of this idea before? As it turns out, they did – you only have to...

Smooth and streak-free lighting, general reading experience, file format freedom

Syncing files too manual, online shop can be slow

So useful and well executed is illumination on this year's touchscreen eBook readers that we're sure that it will now become standard, though there's more here to like than light.

Oct, 2012
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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.co.uk)

Kobo Glo: A worthy Kindle alternative

 

While the Kindle and the Nook get all the notoriety, Kobo's new Glo is an impressive e-reader that also features a self-illuminated screen. And unlike the Kindle, it supports books bought from multiple online stores.

The ; is a lightweight, Wi-Fi-enabled e-reader that has an impressive front-lit, high-res e-ink display with a touch-screen interface. It also features an expansion slot for additional memory, supports EPUB files, and is compatible with any e-book...

Kobo's selection of e-books lags behind Amazon's and Barnes & Noble's. Loading library loaners and third-party e-book purchases requires tethering to a PC.

The Kobo Glo is an excellent Kindle alternative, especially for readers seeking EPUB compatibility and international options.

Nov, 2012
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Expert review by : Sandra Vogel (techadvisor.co.uk)

Kobo Glo eReader review

 

Most eReaders provide access to an online store and in this case it's a Wi-Fi only service. It's very similar to the way you buy books on a Kindle, being both easy and fast. The selection of books isn't quite on a par with Amazon's offering, but it's...

The Kobo Glo is an incredibly simple device, matching Amazon’s Kindle in its user-friendliness and gradual learning curve. It makes finding and buying books nearly seamless, although Amazon still has a slight edge in pricing and range of books. The Glo...

Nov, 2012
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Expert review by (expertreviews.co.uk)

Kobo Glo review

 

Kobo has done staggeringly well since it launched in 2010, providing the main competition to Amazon with its excellent hardware, store and smartphone apps. The great Kobo eReader Touch kept pace with the Amazon Kindle Touch last year, and Kobo has done...

A great hi-resolution screen, excellent store and built-in light make this an excellent eReader, but the Kindle Paperwhite is better if you don’t mind being locked into Amazon’s store

Oct, 2012
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Expert review by : mfereday (gadgetspeak.com)

An eBook Reader : Kobo Glo eReader

 

With its stores within a store, Kobo is certainly making an impression within its designated field of eBook readers.

A few years ago I would spend my time when travelling on the tube either observing other passengers reading newspapers, books or, like me, being squashed by the early morning or evening rush hour crowds. Nowadays, however, newspapers and traditional...

May, 2013
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Expert review by : Madeline Bennett (theinquirer.net)

Kobo Glo review

 

Basic ereader offers a light, ease of use and an open approach to ebook formats

User-friendly, bright screen, Epub support, good value, expandable storage

Touchscreen not always responsive, boxy design

Kobo also lets you copy across any other books you already have in the Epub format, along with PDFs, so you can view your business documents as well as reading your latest book.

Dec, 2012
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Expert review by (v3.co.uk)

Kobo Glo review

 

The Kobo Glo is the firm's first e-reader with a built-in light, and aims to go head to head with the Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon and the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight from US bookseller Barnes & Noble. Design and build The Kobo Glo doesn't have a...

User-friendly, bright screen, ePub support, good value, expandable storage

Touchscreen not always responsive, boxy design

The Kobo Glo is a great e-reader, and the rather functional design is more than made up for by the device’s light, its ease of use and open approach to e-book formats.

Nov, 2012
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Expert review by : Campbell Simpson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Kobo Glo e-reader

 

The Glo has an integrated light for its e-ink screen

Utterly simple to use ; Screen lighting is excellent ; Accessible price

Kindle Store offers more books at better prices ; Wi-Fi easy to forget

The Kobo Glo is an incredibly simple device, matching Amazon’s Kindle in its user-friendliness and gradual learning curve. It makes finding and buying books nearly seamless, although Amazon still has a slight edge in pricing and range of books. The Glo...

Nov, 2012
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Price comparison for Kobo Glo