We’ve listed all the key features of the leading digital eBook readers into our comprehensive eReader Comparison Chart below, so you can quickly compare them and decide which one is best for you: the Kindle 3 from Amazon, the Nook from Barnes & Noble or the Kobo from Borders. Alternatively you can simply jump to our Conclusion section at the bottom where we reveal the best all-round eReader. And don’t forget our brutal field test including the infamous eReader frisbee!
eReader Comparison Chart
| Kindle 3 | Nook | Kobo | |
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1. Battery life quoted in the eReader comparison chart reflects typical usage rather than the maximum specified by manufacturers. 2. The EPUB format allows you to purchase books from multiple websites, and borrow from selected public libraries. |
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| Price: | $139 Wi-Fi / $189 3G | $149 Wi-Fi / $199 3G | $99 |
| Screen: | E Ink 6″ Pearl (16-grayscale) | E Ink 6″ Pearl (16-grayscale) | E Ink 6″ Pearl (16-grayscale) |
| Touch Screen?: | No | Yes | No |
| Battery Life: | 3 weeks1 | 10 days1 | 2 weeks1 |
| Weight: | 8.7 ounces (246 grams) | 11.2 ounces (317 grams) | 7.8 ounces (221 grams) |
| Size: | 7.5″ x 4.8″ x 0.335″ | 7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.5″ | 7.2″ x 4.7″ x 0.4″ |
| (190mm x 123mm x 8.5mm) | (196mm x 126mm x 13mm) | (184mm x 120mm x 10mm) | |
| Storage: | 4Gb | 2Gb | 1Gb |
| Expansion: | none | SD/SDHC up to 32GB | MicroSD/SDHC |
| Connectivity: | Wi-Fi, USB & free 3G | Wi-Fi, USB & free 3G | Wi-Fi & USB |
| Book Formats: | AZW, PDF, TXT, MOBI, PRC | EPUB2, PDF, PDB | EPUB2, PDF, TXT |
| Audio: | AAX, AA, MP3, speakers, headphone jack | MP3, speaker, headphone jack | none |
| Web Browser?: | Yes | Yes | No |
| Extras: | Text-to-speech | Color pane for navigation & typing | 100 free classics pre-installed |
| Keyboard | User replaceable battery | Simpler navigation interface | |
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Conclusion
Our eReader comparison chart review shows a clear winner: buy the Kindle 3 Wi-Fi for it’s sleek looks, crisp and responsive display, excellent build quality and impressive battery life. However if you do a lot of travelling or don’t have Wi-Fi at home then we’d recommend you pay extra for the 3G model instead.
The Kobo (USA / Canada) is nevertheless a perfectly good little digital eBook reader, particularly if you want to make extensive use of public library e-books or you just want the simplest and cheapest device, perhaps as a present for a younger child – they certainly won’t be disappointed. The Nook is perfectly adequate but let down by it’s poor battery life – however if you’re already a regular visitor to your local Barnes & Noble book store then this may be the eReader for you.
We hope this eReader comparison chart has been useful.