Kindle vs Kobo
Get a Kindle if you buy from Amazon or use Kindle Unlimited. Get a Kobo if you borrow library books, want native EPUB support, or don’t want to use Amazon.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Choose Amazon Kindle (2026) if you buy e-books from Amazon, you use Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading or you want Wirecutter’s top pick. Choose Kobo Clara BW if you borrow library books, you read EPUB files or you want to avoid Amazon.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Amazon Kindle (2026) price (opens in a new tab)Check Kobo Clara BW price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Amazon Kindle (2026) | Kobo Clara BW | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry model | Kindle, $150 | Clara BW, $159.99 |
| Mid-range | Paperwhite, $200 | Clara Colour, $179.99 |
| Color | Colorsoft, $290 | Libra Colour, $259.99 |
| Note-taking | Scribe, from $400 | Elipsa 2E, $399.99 |
| EPUB files | Through Send to Kindle | Native |
This comparison uses Wirecutter’s[1] and WIRED’s[2][3] e-reader guides and Rakuten Kobo’s US store, with prices checked October 2026. It compares the base Kindle with the Kobo Clara BW, and covers the other models below.
Amazon Kindle (2026) vs Kobo Clara BW: side-by-side
| Kindle | Kobo | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry model | Kindle, $150 | Clara BW, $159.99 |
| Mid-range | Paperwhite, $200 | Clara Colour, $179.99 |
| Color | Colorsoft, $290 | Libra Colour, $259.99 |
| Note-taking | Scribe, from $400 | Elipsa 2E, $399.99 |
| EPUB files | Through Send to Kindle | Native |
| Library books | Libby (US) | OverDrive built in |
| Subscription | Kindle Unlimited | Kobo Plus |
How much do they cost?
Amazon Kindle (2026) plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle | $150 | Ads by default |
| Kindle Aluminum | $190 | 32GB, no ads |
| Paperwhite | $200 | Signature $250 |
| Colorsoft | $290 | |
| Scribe | From $400 |
Kobo Clara BW plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clara BW | $159.99 | |
| Clara Colour | $179.99 | |
| Libra Colour | $259.99 | About $330 with stylus |
| Elipsa 2E | $399.99 | Stylus included |
What are the pros and cons?
Amazon Kindle (2026): pros
- Biggest e-book store
- Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading
- Wirecutter’s top pick
Amazon Kindle (2026): cons
- Base models show ads
- No native EPUB
- Tied to Amazon
Kobo Clara BW: pros
- Native EPUB
- OverDrive library borrowing built in
- No Amazon account needed
Kobo Clara BW: cons
- Smaller store
- Library setup needs logging in on the device (WIRED)
Which should you choose: Amazon Kindle (2026) or Kobo Clara BW?
If you already buy e-books from Amazon, get a Kindle. If you borrow from the library or buy DRM-free EPUBs, Kobo is easier.
Choose Amazon Kindle (2026) if…
- You buy e-books from Amazon
- You use Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading
- You want Wirecutter’s top pick
Choose Kobo Clara BW if…
- You borrow library books
- You read EPUB files
- You want to avoid Amazon
Library books
EPUB and your own files
Kobos open EPUB files directly. Kindles don’t, so you use Amazon’s Send to Kindle, which converts them.
2026 Kindle prices
WIRED[2][3] reports Amazon raised prices on the new Kindle, Paperwhite and Colorsoft by $40. The new Paperwhite and Colorsoft go on sale October 28. See best Kindle, best Kobo and best e-readers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kobo better than Kindle?
Can Kobo read Kindle books?
Can a Kindle read EPUB?
Which is cheaper?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best e-reader (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
- WIRED: The best Kindles (Oct 2026) (wired.com)
- WIRED: The best e-readers (wired.com)
- Rakuten Kobo: eReaders (ereader.kobo.com)
Related
Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon refreshed both e-readers in October 2026. The $50 step up to the Paperwhite buys a larger 7-inch screen, waterproofing, adjustable warm light and twice the quoted battery life.
comparisonKindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Colorsoft
The two share a 7-inch, 300ppi waterproof screen and warm light. The $289.99 Colorsoft adds a 150ppi color mode for comics, illustrated books and color highlights, but it costs $90 more and gets 8 weeks of battery instead of 12.
best ofWhich Kindle Should You Buy in 2026?
The Kindle Paperwhite ($200) is the best Kindle for most people. The base Kindle ($150) is the cheapest and smallest, the Colorsoft ($290) adds a color screen, and the Scribe ($400) is for note-takers.
best ofBest Kobo E-Reader to Buy in 2026
WIRED’s best e-reader overall is the $259.99 Kobo Libra Colour. Wirecutter picks the $159.99 Kobo Clara BW for people who don’t want Amazon. The 10.3-inch Elipsa 2E is for note-taking.
best ofBest E-Readers of 2026
The base Kindle is Wirecutter’s top e-reader, and the Paperwhite is the upgrade. If you don’t want Amazon, WIRED picks the Kobo Libra Colour, with page buttons and built-in library borrowing.
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Price-first tablet picks under about $600: which base iPad, Galaxy Tab and iPad Air configs make sense when the budget is the constraint.