Kobo Libra H2O (Black)

Awesome! The backlight auto-adjusts perfectly for any setting. Always easy to read. Unlike Kindles, this reader supports epub and several other file types natively. All you have to do is connect the USB cable and copy the files over to the root directory of the device. Once unplugged, the files are processed and added to your library automatically. Battery life is great. I have been reading constantly for about a week and I still have almost half of the initial charge left. The built in Overdrive app is amazing! All you need is a library card and an online account for your library district. You use that account to log into Overdrive, and you can borrow anything you want from your local library free of charge. If you prefer to own your books, the Kobo library has a vast collection of books to choose from with great prices and sales going on all the time. My first purchases were two 4 book collections. One cost $5, and the other was $7. This is easily one of the best purchases I've ever made, and I wish I had found this sooner. Make sure to get the cover with it. It will keep your screen safe, puts the reader into sleep mode when you close it, and acts as a kickstand in portrait and landscape mode.

I absolutely love this device. I have had other eReaders but this one offers so much more reader specific functions that it actually inspires me to read more. The ability to check out books from my local library is an absolute winner in my book (it helps with the budget). I enjoy the fact that it is so light in weight and I can easily add it to my handbag and not feel weighted down. I also thoroughly appreciate that I don't have to look at advertisements or other branded advertisements. I also love how the cover of my book displays when the reader is asleep. Overall - it is simply the best!!

I'm coming from an older Kindle model (Kindle Keyboard 3rd generation) which is about 10 years old now. I figured I'd splurge and get the latest model Kobo to see what I'm missing. After playing around with this Kobo, though, I decided to stick with the older Kindle. The Kobo is nice enough which is why I gave it 4 stars. If I didn't already have my Kindle I'd probably think it's great. The build quality is good, I appreciate the side buttons for turning pages, and the adjustable light is fine. But I enjoy the screen without the backlight more, the response time to open documents or start up was slower than the kindle, and wifi connectivity was pretty poor on the Kobo. I also missed the integration with the Kindle app. Kobo's app doesn't work the same way with syncing between the app and the device unless the book is purchased by Kobo. I have a lot of books from other sources, and unlike Kindle, I can't sync them. It's not a huge deal, but a minor annoyance. So at the end of the day, rather than compromise on a lot of the things I like about my existing setup just to have a newer gadget, I'll be returning the Kobo and sticking with what I already have.

First I had to connect the device to WiFi or a PC with Rakuten software installed and sign in in-order to use the device which means I do not own it I am just renting it. The quality of the device has a cheap plastic toy feel to it, the start button feels like a rubbery sponge and the page buttons are stiff. Also, I unfortunately did not luck out and receive a unit with an uneven light issue. Overall not a good impression for my first Kobo experience and this was a same day return because of all the issues.

Love this reader. I've been using all manner and sizes of Kindle for a decade now and the lightweight Oasis for one-handed use for over a year. For me this Kobo Libra H2O is the best. I found color readers are nice for pictures but terrible to read in sunlight. The Kindle paperwhite is excellent, but has nothing on the Kobo. Best of all, for me, is that you can use this in either hand, as the screen AND buttons rotate as needed. Also, a very nice upgrade is that ability to access so many more library books on loan than Amazon has available.