The pros and cons of switching from Kindle to Kobo e-readers

The Internet’s most passionate BookTokers, Bookstagramers, and Kindle users are angry this week. On April 7, Amazon informed affected users that the company would stop supporting 13 devices, including nine Kindle e-readers.

Amazon is already facing a lot of backlash in the book world. Last year, Amazon launched a massive book sale, which coincided with Independent Bookstore Day. This most recent news has left some Kindle users with a bad taste, and now some readers are wondering, “Should I upgrade to a Kobo?”

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While Kindle is the biggest name in e-readers, Kobos are moving up the ranks.

We’ve tried and loved the Kobo Clara and Kobo Libra, and the devices are just as good as any Kindle. Kobo e-readers have features that Amazon abandoned in its Kindles, like page-turning buttons, as well as seamless Libby integration. But if the decision to upgrade to a Kobo is driven by fear that your current Kindle will also be destroyed, then a Kobo won’t solve that problem.

The phasing out of older technologies is a sad reality of our modern age. Unlike a Kitchenaid mixer, which doesn’t require software updates to stay functional, a phone, computer, tablet or e-reader always will. Unfortunately, with such frequent product releases, we are used to a system of planned obsolescence. So it seems revolutionary when Google announces an automatic updates plan that allows Chromebooks to last up to a decade.

And to be honest, it’s impressive that Amazon devices that are at least 14 years old are still that way, which is a testament to the longevity of the device. However, it’s understandable if you want to upgrade to a Kobo. But our caution is to change for the right reasons, because it’s highly likely that Kobo e-readers will face the same fate.

Why you shouldn’t switch from a Kindle to a Kobo

If you want to upgrade from a Kindle to a Kobo because you think it won’t be interrupted, I have some bad news. Kobo also has a history of decommissioning devices and no longer supporting them with software updates. On the company’s website, they offer a list of products, including e-readers, that it no longer supports.

This is the fate of any device that requires regular software updates.

Companies also have an incentive to do this because it means pushing users to buy a new device, even if it frustrates the customer. And let’s clear up a misconception. Although Kindles and Kobos are no longer supported by software updates, these older generation devices can always run. (Our colleagues at PCMag have tips for keeping old Kindles.) This may mean they can no longer access the Internet; however, users should still have access to the library of books currently on the device and can add books by connecting it to a computer.

Another thing to keep in mind when upgrading to a Kobo is that you won’t be able to transfer through your library. Both Kindle and Kobo use DRM on books purchased from their respective stores, meaning you can only read those files on that specific brand of e-reader. However, you can still review these books through the Kindle app. Some users even recommend buying a used Kindle if you want to stay loyal to the brand.

So if you make a list of pros and cons, there are still plenty of other reasons why you should upgrade to a Kobo.

Why you should switch from a Kindle to a Kobo

Kindle Scribe (left) and Kobo Libra Color (right).
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

There are many reasons to buy a Kobo. Overall, Kobo e-readers are just as fast and user-friendly as any Kindle. They have an accessible user interface, but there are some slight differences, like how Kobo numbers its pages based on digital pages while Kindle numbers are based on the physical book.

Unless your Kindle library is completely filled with DRM-free EPUB files, you won’t be able to access the books you purchased from the Kindle Library on your new Kobo e-reader. But if you can get past that, then there’s a lot to look forward to with a Kobo.

Page turn buttons

Older Kindle models have a coveted feature that newer models don’t have: page-turning buttons. With models like the Kindle 5 no longer supported and the Kindle Oasis discontinued, users no longer have a new Kindle option to purchase that includes page turn buttons.

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If you want these buttons, go for the Kobo Libra Color, which has two page-turn buttons on the side so you don’t need to press the touchscreen. These buttons also mean there’s extra space to hold the device, for a truly comfortable grip. The Kobo Libra Color also has something no Kindle offers, an internal gyroscope, meaning you can rotate the device to hold it with the opposite hand and the screen will automatically rotate.

A native remote control

With just two buttons, the Kobo remote lets you turn the page forward and backward.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

For readers who maximize their reading nook with an e-reader stand, a remote control makes it easy to turn pages while keeping hands warm under the cover. Kobo is the first e-reader brand to offer a remote control to pair with its e-readers.

We tested the Kobo remote, and it works, connecting via Bluetooth, and it’s much better than any random remote you can find on Amazon to go with a Kindle.

Libby Integration

Libby users with a Kindle will enjoy even simpler integration on Kobo e-readers. On a Kobo, you can connect to your library card directly on your device and books you check out through Libby/Overdrive automatically appear on your device. The downside is that if you use multiple library cards on Libby, you can only connect to one at a time on a Kobo e-reader.

Color at a lower price

The Kindle has its own color e-readers, but the Kobos are much cheaper.

The base Kindle Colorsoft costs $199.99, while the comparable Kobo Clara Color costs just $159.99, which happens to be the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite. So if you want to upgrade to a color e-reader anyway, it’s much more affordable to do so with a Kobo.