Kindle vs. Kobo E-Readers Statistics – Which is Better? (2025 Updated)

Introduction

Kindle vs. Kobo E-Readers Statistics: As of 2024, the global e-reader market was valued at approximately USD 7.79 billion and is projected to reach USD 10.62 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.31%. Amazon’s Kindle continues to dominate the market, holding a 72% share, while Kobo maintains a significant position, particularly in regions outside the United States.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Amazon reported a 30% year-over-year increase in Kindle device sales, marking the highest quarterly sales in over a decade. This surge was attributed to the launch of new models, including the Kindle Colorsoft, priced at USD 280, and the updated Kindle Scribe, retailing at USD 399, both featuring advanced functionalities. The growth of the e-reader market is further supported by the increasing adoption of digital reading, with the number of e-book readers worldwide estimated to reach 1 billion by 2024.

Editor’s Choice

• Kobo devices come with up to 32GB of storage, while certain Kindle models can hold as much as 64 GB. But unless you’re planning to store over 24,000 books, the extra space won’t make much of a difference.
• Priced between $109 and $129, this entry-level model offers a 300 PPI display and USB-C charging. It’s a solid choice for casual readers seeking affordability.
• Kobo Clara BW, starting at $119.99, features a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display with Comfort Light PRO and is made from recycled materials. Ideal for eco-conscious readers.
• Kindle Scribe boasts a 10.2-inch display and includes a stylus for note-taking. However, writing is limited to dedicated note pages and cannot be done directly on e-books.
• The Kobo Elipsa 2E features a 10.3-inch display with stylus support, enabling handwritten notes to be taken directly on e-books and PDFs. Offers better integration for note-taking compared to Kindle Scribe.
• Kindle offers seamless integration with Audible, allowing users to purchase and listen to audiobooks directly on the device.
• Kobo supports audiobooks via Bluetooth, but only for content purchased from the Kobo Store.

Difference Between Kindle and Kobo

Kindle vs Kobo Overview Statistics

• Amazon sells three main Kindle eReaders: the Kindle (around $108), the Kindle Paperwhite (about $204), and the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (close to $230). Each new model includes additional features and improved performance.
• Kobo also offers standard models, such as the Kobo Nia (approximately $121) and the Kobo Clara 2E (around $165).
• For more advanced options, there’s the Kindle Oasis from Amazon (about $294), the Libra 2 (around $216), and the Sage (nearly $334) from Kobo. These models feature larger screens and physical page-turn buttons.
• At the high end, both brands offer premium devices with handwriting support, utilising a stylus.
• The Kindle Scribe is the priciest Kindle, costing around $525, while the Kobo Elipsa 2E is slightly cheaper at around $482.
• Amazon also offers the Kindle Kids (approximately $135), specifically designed for children. It includes a parent control panel that allows you to add books, check reading habits, adjust age limits, and set screen time rules.
• After testing all the options, the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Libra 2 are the top picks. They offer the best mix of design, screen sharpness, storage size, and battery life for the price.
• Scroll down for a detailed breakdown comparing Kindle vs Kobo across different features.

Kindle vs Kobo Audiobook Statistics

• Most Kobo devices now come with Bluetooth, except for the Kobo Nia, which doesn’t have this feature.
• That said, Kobo’s audiobooks are usually more expensive. A subscription to Audible from Amazon costs around USD10/month, giving you one free audiobook per month.
• In comparison, Kobo doesn’t have a monthly plan, so you’ll need to buy each audiobook on its own. For example, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” costs approximately USD 19 on Kobo.
• Both Kindle and Kobo only work with their audiobook formats, so you can’t use audiobooks from other services.
• Audible, owned by Amazon, controls around 41% of the global audiobook market, making it the leading platform worldwide.
• Kobo, owned by Rakuten, holds a smaller share and is primarily popular in Canada and Europe.

Pricing & Subscription

Kindle (Audible):

• Offers a monthly plan for about $10, which includes one audiobook credit each month.
• If you don’t use your credit, you can save it for later.
• You get access to a huge collection of more than 800,000 audiobooks.

 Kobo:

• Doesn’t offer subscriptions. You must purchase each audiobook separately.
• For example, the audiobook version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone costs around $19 on Kobo.

Device Support

Kindle:

• Newer models come with Bluetooth, so you can connect wireless headphones and listen to books.
• Audible books appear in your Kindle library after you link your Amazon account.

Kobo:

• Most newer Kobo devices also support Bluetooth, except for the Kobo Nia.
• You can listen to Kobo audiobooks straight from your device.
• The global audiobook market is booming, with an expected value of around $8.6 billion by 2025, up from $6.5 billion in 2024.
• In the U.S., approximately 52% of adults have listened to audiobooks, which translates to roughly 137 million people.
• People are listening to more audiobooks than ever, indicating a growing interest in the format.

Kindle vs Kobo Physical Consideration Statistics

Kindle

#1. Size & Weight

• Kindle (2024): This is the smallest and lightest model. It measures about 6.2″ by 4.3″ by 0.32″ and weighs 5.56 oz (158 grams). It’s ideal for individuals seeking a lightweight, portable reader.
• Kindle Paperwhite (2024): This one is a bit bigger, measuring 7″ by 5″ by 0.3″ and weighing 7.4 oz (211 grams). The larger size accommodates a bigger screen and more features.

#2. Design

• Kindle (2024): It has a simple, clean look with a 6-inch screen that doesn’t glare. You can get it in colours like Black or Matcha Green. It’s designed for easy and comfortable reading.
• Kindle Paperwhite (2024): It has a modern design with thinner edges and a flat front. Colours include Black, Jade, and Raspberry, so there are choices if you want something stylish.

#3. Lighting

• Kindle (2024): Comes with an adjustable front light to help you read in different lighting, but it doesn’t have warm light settings.
• Kindle Paperwhite (2024): Has a 7-inch screen with 300 pixels per inch and 17 built-in LEDs. You can adjust the warm light, and it automatically adjusts the brightness for comfortable reading in any light.
• Kindle Paperwhite (2024): It’s water-resistant with an IPX8 rating, so that it can be underwater in fresh water up to 2 meters deep for 60 minutes. This makes it ideal for reading near water, such as in a pool or bathtub.

Kobo

#1. Size and Weight

• Kobo Clara 2E: This small device measures about 159 × 112 × 9 mm and weighs 171 grams. It’s light and easy to carry.
• Kobo Libra 2: Slightly bigger, it measures 145 × 162 × 9 mm and weighs 215 grams. It has a larger screen but still feels portable.
• Kobo Sage: The biggest model, it measures 161 × 181 × 8 mm and weighs 241 grams. It features a large screen, making it ideal for reading and taking notes.

#2. Design and Build

• Kobo Clara 2E: It features a smooth design with a 6-inch screen that minimises light reflection. Comes in black, green, and orange, made with recycled materials.
• Kobo Libra 2: Features easy-to-use page buttons on the side and a 7-inch screen. It’s designed for comfortable reading with one hand.
• Kobo Sage: Has an 8-inch touchscreen that is flat and supports using a stylus, perfect for reading and writing.

#3. Lighting and Display

• All Kobo models use Comfort Light PRO technology, which changes brightness and colour to reduce eye strain.
• Kobo Clara 2E: Has a 6-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 screen with adjustable brightness and colour settings.
• Kobo Libra 2: Offers a 7-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with better lighting for different reading conditions.
• Kobo Sage: Comes with an 8-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen and advanced lighting options for clear reading.

Kindle vs Kobo Price and Available Model Statistics

#1. Kobo E-Readers 2024

• The 10.4-inch Kobo Elipsa 2E was launched in 2023 at USD 399.99.
• The 8-inch Kobo Sage was launched in 2021 at USD 2699.99.
• The 7–inch Kobo Libra Colour launched in 2024 at USD 219.99.
• The 6-inch Kobo Clara Colour launched in 2024 at $149.99.
• The 6-inch Kobo Clara BW was launched in 2024 at USD129.99.

#2. Kindle E-Readers 2024

• The 10.2-inch Amazon Kindle Scribe 2024 launched at USD 399.99.
• The 10.2-inch Kindle Scribe launched in 2022 for USD 339.
• The 7-inch Amazon Kindle Colorsoft from USD279.99
• The 7-inch Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) starts at $179.99.
• The 6-inch entry-level Amazon Kindle 2024 launched at USD 129.99.

Kindle vs Kobo Reading Statistics (Time Spent)

#1. Kindle

(Reference: ereader.blog)

• When examining daily reading patterns, 33.7% of Kindle users reported reading for 60 to 90 minutes each day. On the other hand, just 5.3% reported reading for less than 10 minutes a day.
• Another 23.9% of users spend 30 to 60 minutes reading on their Kindle each day, and a similar 23.9% read for about 10 to 20 minutes daily.
• Mobile Read highlighted in its report, “Kindle vs Kobo E-Readers Statistics – Which is better?” that only 4.33% of people who use a Kindle prefer using a screen protector instead of a regular cover. The other 95.67% like to use covers to protect their device.
• About 85.82% of Kindle users have taken their e-reader on a plane at least once.
• In addition, nearly 72.88% of users say they like the Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) more than the Oasis version.

#2. Kobo

• Kobo devices record the cumulative hours spent reading eBooks. For instance, a user reported spending over 254 hours reading books in a year, averaging approximately 21 hours per month.
• The devices calculate the average length of each reading session, helping users understand their typical reading patterns.
• Good e-Reader reported, based on Kindle vs. Kobo E-Readers Statistics, that Kobo tracks the average number of pages a user reads per minute, offering insights into reading speed.
• The total number of pages turned is monitored, providing a sense of reading progress over time.
• Once a user reaches 90% of a book or marks it as finished, Kobo counts it as completed and includes it in the user’s reading statistics.

Pros and Cons of Kindle and Kobo E-Reading

Kindle – Best for Seamless Amazon Integration

Pros:

• 7-inch high-resolution (300 PPI) display with adjustable warm lighting.
• Waterproof design (IPX8 rating) suitable for reading by the pool or in the bath.
• Extended battery life lasting up to 6–12 weeks on a single charge.
• Seamless integration with Amazon services like Kindle Unlimited and Audible.
• Wireless charging is available in the Signature Edition.

Cons:

• Supports primarily Amazon’s proprietary AZW format, limiting compatibility with other e-book formats.
• Lockscreen ads are present unless you opt for the ad-free version.
• Lacks physical page-turn buttons, which some users prefer.
• Readers are deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, seeking a reliable and feature-rich e-reader.

Kobo – Best for Format Flexibility and Library Access

Pros:

• 7-inch colour E Ink Kaleido 3 display, excellent for comics and graphic novels.
• Physical page-turn buttons for ergonomic reading.
• Supports a wide range of formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, and CBR.
• Direct integration with Overdrive for borrowing library books.
• Optional stylus support for note-taking.

Cons:

• Battery life of up to 5 weeks, shorter than some Kindle models.
• The colour display may appear less vibrant compared to tablets.
• Higher price point, especially when including the stylus.
• Readers who value format versatility, library borrowing, and an open ecosystem.

Conclusion

Both Kindle and Kobo make great e-readers with useful features, but the better option depends on your needs. If you already use Amazon services like Kindle Unlimited or Audible and want a smooth and easy reading setup, Kindle is a strong choice. But if you like using more file types, want to borrow books from public libraries, or prefer a device with page-turn buttons or even a colour screen, Kobo could be a better fit.

As of 2024–2025, both brands have improved their devices, offering better design, storage, and battery life. Ultimately, it comes down to your budget, reading habits, and which system (Amazon or Kobo) works best for you. We have provided a clear overview of “Kindle vs Kobo E-Readers Statistics – Which is better?”.