Kobo and the Non-Amazon E-Reader Path
Last verified: August 2026
Not everyone wants to live in Amazon's world. Kobo is the excellent, often-overlooked alternative — with library borrowing built right in and support for the open book formats a Kindle won't touch.
About Kobo e-readers
Kobo makes e-readers that rival the Kindle — the compact Clara and the button-equipped Libra (including the color Libra Colour) — and by 2026 their screens are every bit as good as Amazon's, using the same underlying display technology.
The biggest practical difference is library borrowing: Kobo builds OverDrive (the system behind Libby) right into the device, so you can browse and borrow library e-books without a separate app. If a lot of your reading comes from the library, that's a real, everyday convenience.
Kobo also reads the open EPUB and PDF file formats natively, which a Kindle does not — handy if you buy books from other stores or have your own documents. The trade-offs: Amazon's bookstore is bigger and its entry prices a bit lower. For library-heavy readers who value flexibility, Kobo is a wonderful choice.
When to skip the DIY and just call: Deciding Kobo vs. Kindle for your reading · Setting up library borrowing on the device · Loading your own EPUB or PDF books.
Common Questions
1 Why choose Kobo over a Kindle?
- You borrow a lot of library books and want that built into the reader itself.
- You buy books from stores other than Amazon, or have EPUB/PDF files to read.
- You like physical page-turn buttons (the Libra has them).
- You'd simply rather not be tied to Amazon's ecosystem.
2 How do I set one up?
- Charge it, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with (or create) a free Kobo account.
- Set your text size and font for comfort.
- Explore the built-in store, or head straight to the library borrowing feature.
- Your books sync over Wi-Fi and are ready to read.
3 How does library borrowing work on Kobo?
- On the device, look for the ‘OverDrive' library option and link your library card.
- Browse or search library titles right on the Kobo and tap Borrow.
- The book downloads to the reader; holds and returns work like Libby.
- You can also use the Libby app on a phone and send books to some Kobo readers.
4 Can I read books I bought elsewhere?
- Yes — Kobo reads EPUB files, the common open format many stores use.
- Connect the Kobo to a computer with its cable and copy EPUB or PDF files onto it.
- PDFs (like manuals or documents) open natively too.
- This flexibility is a key reason people pick Kobo.
5 Is the color model worth it?
- The Libra Colour adds color for covers, highlights, and comics, and keeps the eye-friendly e-ink feel.
- Color e-ink is more muted than a tablet screen — lovely for reading, not for vivid video.
- If you mostly read novels, the standard black-and-white models are cheaper and just as readable.
- Choose color if covers, kids' books, or comics matter to you.
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