The Kobo Libra 2 is the best all-round ereader there is. It has far more storage than the Kindle Paperweight, Bluetooth support for audiobooks, and is packed with useful features the Kindle doesn’t have, such as OverDrive support to let you borrow library books. If you’re looking for the most value for money, this is it.
For
- Asymmetric design
- 32GB storage
- Audiobook support
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
The Kindle Paperwhite offers a very comfortable reading experience, with a clear display that’s easy to look at for hours at a time. It beats the Kobo Libra 2 on battery life (10 weeks versus six), but it’s more complicated to upload books that haven’t come from the Amazon store and falls short on features in comparison.
For
- Large and clear display
- Faster USB-C charging
- Reading experience
Against
- Limited to Amazon’s store
Choosing the best ereader is not easy. Do you go for the market leader, Amazon’s Kindle, and if so, what’s the best Kindle? Or do you try a different brand, like Kobo (which has also been around a long time, since 2010)?
Both Amazon and Kobo sell ebooks and audiobooks, as well as their stable of ereaders, but it’s the Kobo Libra 2 and the latest Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) that are the most popular.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Kobo Libra 2 and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2021, looking at how they compare to each other and, crucially, which one is right for you.
Kobo Libra 2 vs Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) ereader pricing
These ereaders both launched in September 2021. The Kobo Libra 2 costs $179 / £160 / AU$279 and has 32GB of storage. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) sells for $139.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.99 and has 8GB storage.
However, in addition to the standard Paperwhite, there’s also the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021), which sells for $189.99 / £179.99 / AU$289, and has 32GB storage, wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light.
Kobo Libra 2 vs Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) design and display
Both ereaders have large displays, with the Libra 2 offering a 7-inch screen to the Paperwhite’s 6.8-inch. At 144.6 x 161.6 x 9mm and weighing 215g, the Libra 2 is slightly heavier yet has a smaller footprint.
The Paperwhite measures 174.2 x 124.6 x 8.1 mm and weighs 205g. The Libra 2 has a plastic screen while the Paperwhite’s is glass.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Something else to think about when choosing between the Libra 2 and the Paperwhite is capacity, The Libra 2 offers 32GB as standard, which is good for thousands of ebooks or about 140 audiobooks.
That will be overkill for many. The default Paperwhite offers 8GB – a respectable 35 audiobooks – while the step-up Paperwhite Signature Edition offers the same 32GB as the Libra 2.
On displays, it’s a fairer fight. Using an HD E Ink Carta 1200 screen, boasting a 1264 x 1680 resolution (about 2.1 megapixels), the Libra 2 offers ComfortLight PRO, with adjustable brightness and color temperature. Though there’s no auto-adjust option, it’s very simple to adjust while reading.
</…….