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Which is better: Kobo or Kindle? How to choose the best e-reader for you
Including a list of top e-reader recommendations to buy
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PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Ken Wong
E-readers have come a long way from being simple digital book replacements, with Kobo and Kindle dominating the market. But given that we’re now in 2026, choosing between a Kobo and a Kindle is no longer just about screen size or battery life.
Colour E-Ink (electronic ink), deeper ecosystem ties, accessibility tools and how well each platform fits into Singapore’s reading habits now matter just as much.
Both brands have refreshed their lineups in recent years, but they have taken noticeably different paths. If you are looking to upgrade your e-reader or considering getting your first one, here is what you need to know.
In this article
Summary: Should I get a Kobo or Kindle e-reader?
Why get an e-reader in the first place?
Choosing between Kobo or Kindle: Features to consider
What’s new with Kindle in 2025-2026
What’s new with Kobo in 2025-2026
Best e-readers in Singapore to shop now
Older e-readers still available
Summary: Should I get a Kobo or Kindle e-reader?
Choose Kindle if:
You are invested in Amazon’s ecosystem
You want seamless syncing and subscription access
You are interested in note-taking and large-screen reading
Choose Kobo if:
You want native EPUB support and easy sideloading
You read long-form articles as well as books
You want colour E-Ink at a more affordable price point
In 2026, neither option is wrong - both Kobo and Kindle products are great. The better e-reader is the one that fits how and where you read.
Kobo users are likely to prioritise openness and format flexibility, while Kindle users likely lean heavily into ecosystem convenience and premium features.
Why get an e-reader in the first place?
Elderly Chinese woman in her sitting at the table with an e-reader
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Before we jump into the Kobo or Kindle debate, it’s first important to ask yourself: Why get an e-reader?
E-readers are popular with more digital-forward book lovers for their focused and distraction-free reading experience.
The use of E-Ink screens mimics paper, reducing glare and eye strain. They don't emit light, like typical LCD/OLED screens used for iPads and Android tablets. This makes reading more comfortable, even for extended periods.
More importantly, these light and portable devices can store vast libraries of content, offering access to numerous books when on the go. The owner is only really limited by the amount of storage space on their e-reader device.
Choosing between Kobo or Kindle: Features to consider
Understanding your motivations for wanting an e-reader will determine how you use it and in turn, which features are the most important. When deciding between a Kobo or Kindle or any other e-reader, compare the follow features.
E-Ink display: You want an e-reader that delivers crisp picture and word quality. For those who read comics, consider that colour E-Ink typically has lower resolution (150 ppi) than black and white text (300 ppi).
Additional backlight feature: Newer e-readers feature backlights for nighttime reading, with some offering blue light reduction. But E-Ink already reduces blue light exposure, and is less bright as compared to a backlit LCD screen; the backlight feature is more of a secondary consideration.
Screen size: Standard screen sizes are 6 to 7 inches with 300 ppi for sharp text, mirroring paperbacks for easy one-handed holding. If you prefer a larger e-reader, know that they exist but often double as multimedia and/or note-taking devices.
Waterproofing: Waterproofing (like the IPX8 rating on the Kindle International Edition and Kobo Clara Colour) is valuable for reading near water, such as by a pool or at the beach.
A woman reading an e-book on the beach
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Battery life: E-readers have impressive, weeks-long battery life due to power-efficient E-Ink screens. E-Ink displays are bistable, meaning they only use power to update the image; once the image is set, it stays in place without consuming additional power.
Storage: E-readers easily store thousands of e-books in the form of compressed texts. While running out of books during holidays is unlikely with most e-readers, buying one with a larger storage capacity can be useful for storing PDF files.
Ergonomics: E-readers mostly use touchscreens, but some models like the Kobo Libra Colour also feature physical page-turn buttons. Preferences vary: Some value the tactile buttons, while others favour the simpler touchscreen interface.
Ecosystem: A Kindle is the better choice if you already buy books from Amazon, use Kindle Unlimited, and want convenience and effortless syncing across devices. Kobo appeals to readers who want control over their content, support for open formats, and the ability to mix purchases, library loans and saved articles. It is also often easier to buy Kobo hardware locally through official retailers without region-locked features.
What’s new with Kindle in 2025-2026
PHOTO: AMAZON
The headline update is the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which adds colour to Amazon’s largest e-reader model. This makes it more appealing for reading comics, textbooks and documents with charts, while retaining the paper-like qualities E-Ink is known for.
The Scribe range has also become thinner and lighter, with improved handwriting responsiveness for note-taking. You can read an in-depth review of the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft here.
Across the Kindle lineup, Amazon has rolled out expanded text customisation options, including finer control over line spacing, word spacing and character spacing. These updates improve accessibility for readers with visual strain or dyslexia, a useful upgrade for long reading sessions.
For users, Kindle’s strength remains its tight integration with Amazon’s store and Kindle Unlimited subscription. Unfortunately, the subscription doesn’t seem to be available for the local Amazon.sg store, but you can sign up to Amazon.com for it.
Purchases sync instantly across devices, and delivery is seamless even though hardware availability here often lags the US by a few months.
However, Kindle still does not support EPUB files natively. Sideloading MOBI files requires conversion, which may be a drawback for readers who source books outside Amazon’s ecosystem.
What’s new with Kobo in 2025-2026
PHOTO: KOBO
The introduction of the Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Libra Colour brought colour E-Ink to Kobo’s mid-range devices, making illustrated books, highlights and annotations more visually useful without sacrificing battery life.
These models sit comfortably in the $200 to $300 range in Singapore, keeping colour E-Ink relatively accessible.
Kobo has also expanded beyond books. Instapaper integration allows users to save articles and long reads from the web and read them offline, turning Kobo devices into a more general reading companion.
Rakuten Kobo, a digital retailer and publisher, launched its all-you-can-read book subscription service, Kobo Plus, in 2025.
Native EPUB support remains one of Kobo’s strongest selling points. Local users who borrow e-books, sideload purchases, or access regional libraries find Kobo far less restrictive than Kindle. Kobo’s OverDrive support also works well with international library systems, which is useful for frequent travellers.
Best e-readers in Singapore to shop now
Kobo Clara Colour, $229.90
Original price: $249 (8 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: KOBO
Display: 6-inch E-Ink Kaleido 3 display with FastGLR and Dark Mode, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi colour
Storage: 16GB
Waterproof: IPX8
Kobo Clara Colour delivers a vibrant colour E-Ink display in a compact, lightweight reader with crisp text, long battery life and adjustable comfort settings, perfect for comics, articles and everyday reading on the go.
Want more information on the e-reader? Check out this in-depth review of the Kobo Clara Colour.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, $266.30
PHOTO: AMAZON
Display: 7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi
Storage: 16GB
Waterproof: IPX8
The latest Kindle Paperwhite has VoiceView screen reader, Bluetooth support for Audible, and a battery that lasts up to 12 weeks. It’s a reliable pick for book lovers.
Kobo Libra Colour, $336
Original price: $349.90 (4 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: KOBO
Display: 7-inch E-Ink Kaleido 3 display with FastGLR and Dark Mode, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi colour
Storage: 32GB
Waterproof: IPX8
The Kobo Libra Colour is a comfortable, waterproof e-reader featuring colour E-Ink, page buttons, and extensive format compatibility. Its long battery life makes it an excellent choice for daily reading, especially for users who enjoy comics.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, $366.58
PHOTO: AMAZON
Display: 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta display, 227 ppi
Storage: 32GB
Waterproof: None
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is a next-generation e-reader featuring a gentle colour display, signature Kindle battery life, and full access to Amazon’s e-book ecosystem, ideal for both text-heavy reads and visual content.
Kobo Elipsa 2E, $619
PHOTO: KOBO
Display: 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta display, 227 ppi
Storage: 32GB
Waterproof: None
The Kobo Elipsa 2E is a premium e-reader with a generous, large screen, built-in stylus support for notes and sketches, crisp glare-free display, and robust EPUB support, making it ideal for readers and creators alike.
Bemi Cognita Tab 6+, $229.99
Original price: $399 (42 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: BEMI
Display: 6-inch E-Ink Carta display, 212 ppi
Storage: 32GB, microSD card slot up to 256GB
Waterproof: None
The Cognita Tab 6 E-Reader delivers solid everyday reading with a clear display, integrated e-reader and tablet functions, expandable storage, and a lightweight design, making it a versatile and affordable choice for casual readers.
Bemi Cognita Tab 6Pro C, $399.98
Original price: $659 (39 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: BEMI
Display: 6-inch Kaleido 3 technology display, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi colour
Storage: 32GB, microSD card slot up to 256GB
Waterproof: None
The Cognita Tab 6Pro C E-Reader pairs an easy-on-the-eyes display with tablet versatility, long battery life, and expandable storage, making it a practical all-in-one choice for reading, browsing, and everyday tasks.
Older e-readers still available
Kobo Clara BW, $209
PHOTO: LAZADA
Display: 6-inch E-Ink Carta, 300 ppi
Storage: 16GB
Waterproof: IPX8
If you're looking for a more compact e-reader, the Kobo Clara BW might be the one for you. It's slightly more compact than the usual e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite and is a good entry-level e-reader to explore.
PocketBook Verse Pro, $241.40
PHOTO: AMAZON
Display: 6-inch E-ink
Storage: 16GB
Waterproof: IPX8
The PocketBook Verse Pro is another option to consider if you're curious to try e-readers outside of Rakuten Kobo and Amazon Kindle. This model provides audiobooks support and the usual features you can expect to find in a basic and decent e-reader.
All prices and deals are correct at time of publication
More FAQs: Which to choose, Kobo or Kindle?
Is Kobo available in Singapore?
Yes, Kobo is available in Singapore. If you’re wondering where to buy an e-reader in Singapore, you can buy e-readers like Kobo directly from the Rakuten Kobo website or on retailers like Shopee, Lazada and Amazon.
Can I read NLB books on Kobo?
Yes, you can read NLB books on Kobo. The e-book does not necessarily need to be available in Kobo format to be downloaded. To download the book, log in with your myLibrary username on your Kobo.
Does Kobo have all the same books as Kindle?
While there are Kindle-only books that are exclusive to the Amazon device, Kobo allows you to buy EPUB from anywhere. That means that you will likely have more book choice if you read using a Kobo.
Does Kobo charge a monthly fee?
Yes, Kobo does have Kobo Plus, which is a monthly subscription fee. But you do not need to have a Kobo Plus subscription to use your e-reader; you only need a free Kobo account.
Like Kindle Unlimited, Kobo Plus is an optional subscription service you can get to unlimited access to titles within the Kobo ecosystem.
This story was adapted from HardwareZone.
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