Kobo Vs Kindle | Best eReader For Travelling With Kids Review
Are you considering an eReader for kids? Which Is Best Kobo vs Kindle?
Our kids love reading books, whether they’re at home or on the move. So, in addition to traditional printed versions, we’ve used several versions of Kindle and Kobo eReaders for almost ten years.
Physical books remain our favourite, but with thousands of eBooks stored in our digital libraries and instant access to millions more, we keep our compact eReaders to hand, especially when travelling with kids.
With eReaders costing from under £100 to over £300, your decision may ultimately come down to budget. That said, features like screen size, individual functionality, backlighting and waterproofness are important considerations and can make a real difference to your reading experience.
To help you decide, we’ve compared our two current models: the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and the Kobo Libra 2.
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Kobo Vs Kindle For Kids
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✅Automatic Landscape/Portrait
✅Touchscreen & Buttons
✅Waterproof
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✅ Touchscreen
✅ Sleek design
✅Waterproof
EReaders For Travelling | Which Is Best Kobo Or Kindle?
Unlike traditional paper books, eReaders can display an ever-changing selection of exciting new content.
They use electronic ink (e-ink) on a non-reflective screen that looks like paper. They have many customisable settings such as text size, light temperature, and accessibility options. EReaders like Kindle and Kobo are suitable for various user needs, such as dyslexia.
Kobo and Amazon (Kindle) are arguably the most well-known manufacturers of eReaders. They both produce high-quality devices that we’ve used trouble-free for a decade.
Our eReaders proved invaluable during our family gap year, allowing our tween and teens to continue accessing their books from their backpacks while we travelled.
1. Kindle Paperwhite EReader for Kids
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ BATTERY LIFE: Up to 10wks📖 Price: From £149 | ✅ Buy it!
Kindle Features and Functionality
The Kindle Paperwhite is a versatile eReader that does a great job of balancing affordability and performance. Our kids love the clear text and graphics that make reading comfortable, whether in bright sunlight or in the dark with a backlight. This flexibility means they can enjoy reading on its 6.8-inch screen almost anywhere, anytime.
A key feature of the Kindle Paperwhite is its robustness. It will even resist submersion in up to two meters of fresh water for 60 minutes. Its slim and lightweight design is suitable for prolonged reading sessions and allows for easy transport in a rucksack.
The Kindle Paperwhite has parental controls and Amazon’s proprietary family-friendly interface, Amazon Kids. These features allow parents to create dedicated profiles for their children, set reading goals and monitor their progress. Its seamless integration with Audible lets children listen to their favourite audiobooks, helping foster a love of literature even for those who can’t read or prefer to hear their books being read.
With 16 or 32GB storage options, the Kindle Paperwhite can hold thousands of eBooks and audiobooks, ensuring plenty of content for every family member.
Amazon states that the Kindle Paperwhite battery can last for up to ten weeks with 30 minutes of reading per day. In practice, ours lasts for three or four weeks as it is used daily for extended periods.
2. Kobo EReader for Kids
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ BATTERY LIFE: Up to 8wks📖 Price: From £210| ✅ Buy it!
Kobo Features and Functionality
The Kobo Libra 2 has a 7-inch screen and does a great job of mimicking the appearance of real paper. It has a wide range of adjustment options for setting the brightness and colour temperature of the built-in backlight, with reduced blue light exposure for night-time reading.
The Kobo is pretty tough and can withstand minor knocks and drops without coming to harm. Its waterproof rating means it can be safely read by the pool or even in the bath!
One key selling point is its physical page-turning buttons. These are great if you are not a fan of accidentally swiping the screen, although this is still an option if you wish to.
Kobo is widely integrated with local libraries around the world. We love that we can borrow new eBooks as they are released using our home library card. With its 32GB of storage, the Kobo Libra 2 can hold thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and documents, ample for almost any trip.
The battery life of the Kobo Libra 2 will vary with use, but it is stated to last up to 8 weeks. We’ve generally found it lasts between 3 and 4 weeks before it needs charging, but it does get a lot of use!
Kobo Vs Kindle | Comparison
At first glance, there isn’t much to distinguish between Kobo and Kindle. They both have high-definition screens with adjustable lighting for brightness and colour, and the glare-free surfaces are easy to read on, even in bright sunlight.
The difference in size is negligible, but one noticeable difference is the addition of physical page-turning buttons to the Kobo. Our son likes this feature, although our other children who use Kindles can’t see why they are needed!
Kobo vs Kindle – Software
Perhaps the most significant differences are with their user interface. The Kobo and Kindle are fast and responsive in terms of performance, but the Kobo’s home screen can look busy, with multiple tabs, while the Kindle has less clutter.
Kobo vs Kindle – Accessing Books
Both eReaders offer direct access to millions of eBooks. The significant difference between Kindle and Kobo is that the Kindle is locked to the Amazon store outside of the USA. The Kobo however, allows you to borrow eBooks from many public libraries around the world.
Kindles are best for those happy to download their eBooks and Audible audiobooks directly from Amazon. While you can download from elsewhere, you may have to use 3rd party software to convert them to the AZW file format.
Kobo supports multiple file formats, from EPUB and MOBI to PDF, CBZ and CBR Comic Book. They can all be side-loaded but if you want to read any Kindle content, you’ll have to convert it first.
Kobo vs Kindle – For Travel
Kobo and Kindle are sleek, portable devices that slip into your rucksack. Their ability to store thousands of eBooks makes the devices ideal for families on the move.
Our Verdict: Which Is Better Kobo Or Kindle For Kids?
Two of our children have Kindle Paperwhites and prefer their functionality and design to the Kobo. That said, our third child prefers the page-turning buttons and overall feel of his Kobo over the Paperwhites, so it really does come down to preference!
Our kids are firmly sat in their own Kindle or Kobo camp, each feeling their device is better than the other for all-around reader useability. One likes the more compact Kindle, another likes the ergonomic design of the Kobo for more comfortable holding, and our third child likes that she can read after lights out.
If your kids have e-readers, they should be durable and waterproof. Both the Kindles and Kobo have withstood the test of time for us, even after repeated abuse, including being sat on, dropped, soaked, squashed, left in a taxi, and combating extreme temperatures of 40 ºC in Dubai and -20 ºC at Everest Base Camp, they are still in great condition!
As both Kobo and Kindle offer similar reader experiences, the best eReader is a matter of personal choice. For our family, having both devices is the best option.
Benefits Of EReaders For Family Travel
Whether waiting at the airport, chilling on a beach, or relaxing in a hotel, eReaders can enhance your enjoyable and educational travel experience.
- You can have an extensive library of family-friendly e-books and audiobooks.
- They are compact in size and weight, making them a great alternative to physical books when travelling.
- Convenient and durable with a great battery life.
- Comfortable reading experience with options to minimise eye strain.
Negatives Of EReaders For Family Travel
EReaders may also pose challenges that require consideration when travelling in addition to their benefits for kids.
- Battery power – EReaders typically have exceptional battery life compared to other devices but will eventually require recharging. Children may forget to charge their devices, and travelling may prevent easy access to power outlets.
- Cost – An eReader requires an initial and ongoing investment per book. Although you can get deals on eBooks, they can be more expensive than purchasing a physical book.
- Technical Difficulties – Reading may be prevented due to format compatibility or technical issues with updates; over time, the device may become obsolete.
- Device time – Increasing screen time can result in less interaction with conversations, peers, and the world around them.
FAQs | Kindle Or Kobo EReaders
Kindle and Kobo are very similar. The main difference is that Kindle is locked to Amazon services, while Kobo provides an open platform that supports a broader range of eBook formats and sources. Kobo also has physical page-turn buttons, while the Kindle does not.
The Kindle Paperwhite offers a higher-resolution display with a built-in front light and more customisable options, compared to the more affordable basic Kindle. All Kindles offer access to Amazon’s vast eBook library.
Due to Amazon’s proprietary format, Kindle books are incompatible with Kobo eReaders. Non-DRM-protected eBooks can be downloaded to a Kobo device using compatible file formats like EPUB.
Kids can start using a Kindle at any age, depending on their reading ability and maturity. Typically, kids between 6 and 8 can start using a Kindle eReader, whereas younger children may benefit more from having a Kindle Fire.
🤩 Kobo Libre 2 is a great choice as a kids eReader
Final Thoughts | Kobo Vs Kindle For Kids
When choosing between Kindle and Kobo for family travel, it’s important to state that both eReaders are excellent choices for reading on the go. An eReader can keep your kids entertained and engaged in books, whether you’re on a family road trip or to a far-off adventurous destination.
Our kids love their Kobo and Kindles and firmly believe their device is superior to the other, so it comes down to personal choice; one thing is for sure: books spark children’s imagination, and eReaders can help foster a lifelong love of reading.
