OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using eReaders Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo eReaders Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch Review | 68 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Screen size:6 inchesPixel density:167 ppiInternal storage:2 GBBattery life:30 hoursSupported bookstore ecosystem:Barnes Noble Ecosystem

Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch Review: Compare 68 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the eReaders category and whether it is worth buying.

4.9

Overall score

Score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the eReader's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best eReaders on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

90%

4.9

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 87% of ereaders
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the eReader's technical performance, covering key areas such as display quality, reading features, battery life, format support, ecosystem, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare eReaders based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

25%

3.9

Display

22%

5.8

Reading

18%

5.8

Battery

14%

4.6

Hardware

12%

3.2

Connectivity

9%

6.2

Design

â–¼Worse than 83% of ereaders
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the eReader.
When it matters
When you want to know how an eReader feels in daily reading and how reliable it is for screen comfort, battery life, and library management according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image

Best prices

    N/A~ £90

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of eReader Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the eReader's technical performance, covering key areas such as display quality, reading features, battery life, format support, ecosystem, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare eReaders based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components:

25%

3.9

Display

22%

5.8

Reading

18%

5.8

Battery

14%

4.6

Hardware

12%

3.2

Connectivity

9%

6.2

Design

4.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the eReader.
When it matters
When you want to know how an eReader feels in daily reading and how reliable it is for screen comfort, battery life, and library management according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the eReader.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose an eReader reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 72.1% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the eReader's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for an eReader with a good balance between reading comfort, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components:

60%

4.9

Overall score

40%

10

Price

6.4
Brand name
Barnes
Screen size
6 inches
Screen size
6 inches
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Market range: <5 inches – >10 inches
This ereader has a screen size of 6 inches which is smaller than 57.4% on this spec and equal to 40.2% of eReaders.
Screen resolution
600x800 px
Screen resolution
600x800 px
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
This ereader uses a screen resolution of 600x800 px, which is less sharp than that of 83.6% of eReaders and the same as that of 15.6% of eReaders.
Pixel density
167 ppi
Pixel density
167 ppi
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Market range: <150 ppi – >300 ppi
This ereader has a pixel density of 167 ppi which is lower than 77.9% on this spec and equal to 10.7% of eReaders.
E-paper display
yes
E-paper display
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This ereader uses an e-paper display. 2.5% of eReaders have an e-paper display.
Show more
Supported file types
2
Supported file types
2
â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
Market range: <9 – >24
This ereader supports 2 file types which is fewer than 97.5% on this spec and equal to 2.5% of eReaders.
PDF reflow support
yes
PDF reflow support
yes
â–² Better than 45% of models
This ereader offers PDF reflow. 45.5% of eReaders support PDF reflow.
Annotation support
yes
Annotation support
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This ereader offers annotation support. 1.6% of eReaders offer annotation support.
Dictionary
yes
Dictionary
yes
â–² Better than 1% of models
This ereader includes a built-in dictionary. 0.8% of eReaders include a built-in dictionary.
Text-to-speech
no
Text-to-speech
no
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
This ereader does not offer text-to-speech. 64.8% of eReaders include text-to-speech.
Show more
Battery life
30 hours
Battery life
30 hours
â–² Better than 72% of models
Market range: <12 hours – >42 hours
This ereader offers 30 hours of battery life which is longer than 71.9% on this spec and equal to 8.3% of eReaders.
Battery capacity
1,530 mAh
Battery capacity
1,530 mAh
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
Market range: <1k mAh – >4k mAh
This ereader has a battery capacity of 1,530 mAh which is lower than 50.4% on this spec and equal to 3.3% of eReaders.
Charging time
3 hours
Charging time
3 hours
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Market range: <1 hours – >6 hours
This ereader takes 3 hours to charge which is slower than 53.6% on this spec and equal to 27.3% of eReaders.
Wireless charging
no
Wireless charging
no
â–¼ Worse than 7% of models
This ereader does not offer wireless charging. 7.4% of eReaders offer wireless charging.
Internal storage
2 GB
Internal storage
2 GB
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Market range: <2 GB – >62 GB
This ereader offers 2 GB of internal storage which is less than 81.2% on this spec and equal to 17.2% of eReaders.
RAM capacity
0.256 GB
RAM capacity
0.256 GB
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >5 GB
This ereader offers 0.256 GB of RAM which is less than 71.3% on this spec and equal to 15.6% of eReaders.
CPU base clock speed
1x 0.8 GHz
CPU base clock speed
1x 0.8 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
This ereader has a CPU base clock speed of 1x0.8 GHz, which is slower than that of 76% of eReaders and the same as that of 14.9% of eReaders.
Operating system
Android 2.1
Operating system
Android 2.1
â–² Better than 72% of models
This ereader runs Android 2.1, which is more advanced than that of 72.1% of eReaders.
Memory card slot
yes
Memory card slot
yes
â–² Better than 57% of models
This ereader has a memory card slot. 57.4% of eReaders have a memory card slot.
Show more
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
â–² Better than 7% of models
This ereader connects over Wi-Fi. 6.6% of eReaders have Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
â–¼ Worse than 43% of models
This ereader supports Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is newer than that of 10.7% of eReaders and the same as that of 46.7% of eReaders.
Wi-Fi bands supported
2.4 GHz
Wi-Fi bands supported
2.4 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 43% of models
This ereader supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which is broader than that of 6.6% of eReaders and the same as that of 50% of eReaders.
Bluetooth
no
Bluetooth
no
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This ereader does not connect over Bluetooth. 60.7% of eReaders have Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
Weight
212 g
Weight
212 g
â–² Better than 52% of models
Market range: <160 g – >480 g
This ereader weighs 212 g which is lighter than 51.6% on this spec.
Thickness
12 mm
Thickness
12 mm
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Market range: <6 mm – >11 mm
This ereader is 12 mm thick which is thicker than 98.4% on this spec and equal to 0.8% of eReaders.
Height
165 mm
Height
165 mm
â–² Better than 61% of models
Market range: <150 mm – >240 mm
This ereader is 165 mm tall which is shorter than 61.5% on this spec and equal to 1.6% of eReaders.
Width
127 mm
Width
127 mm
â–² Better than 52% of models
Market range: <100 mm – >200 mm
This ereader is 127 mm wide which is narrower than 51.6% on this spec and equal to 2.5% of eReaders.
Water resistance (splashproof)
no
Water resistance (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 25% of models
This ereader does not have water resistance against splashes. 25% of eReaders have water resistance against splashes.
Show more

Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch vs the average eReader

246810TotalDisplayReadingBatteryHardwareConnectivityDesign
  • Memory card slot
    Memory card slot
    yes
    â–² Better than 57% of models
    This ereader includes a memory card slot, while the average eReader does not. 43.1% of eReaders include a memory card slot.
  • Page-turn buttons
    Page-turn buttons
    yes
    â–² Better than 56% of models
    This ereader has page-turn buttons, while the average eReader does not. 44.7% of eReaders have page-turn buttons.
  • 9 hours longer battery life
    Battery life
    30 hours
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <12 hours – >42 hours
    This ereader offers longer battery life than the average eReader (30 hours vs 21 hours). The average eReader offers 21 hours of battery life.
    30 hours vs 21 hours
  • More advanced operating system
    Operating system
    Android 2.1
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    This ereader uses Android 2.1, a more advanced operating system than Kindle OS on the average eReader.
    Android 2.1 vs Kindle OS
  • Broader library support
    Library lending platforms supported
    OverDrive, cloudLibrary, 3M Cloud Library
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    This ereader supports more library lending platforms than the average eReader (OverDrive, cloudLibrary, 3M Cloud Library vs OverDrive, Libby).
    Requires Adobe Digital Editions or manual transfer steps.
    OverDrive, cloudLibrary, 3M Cloud Library vs OverDrive, Libby
  • 88.9% cheaper
    Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch is cheaper than the average eReader (£90 vs £170).
    £90 vs £170
  • 88.9% cheaper
    Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch is cheaper than the average eReader (£90 vs £170).
    £90 vs £170
  • Broader library support
    Library lending platforms supported
    OverDrive, cloudLibrary, 3M Cloud Library
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    This ereader supports more library lending platforms than the average eReader (OverDrive, cloudLibrary, 3M Cloud Library vs OverDrive, Libby).
    Requires Adobe Digital Editions or manual transfer steps.
    OverDrive, cloudLibrary, 3M Cloud Library vs OverDrive, Libby
  • 9 hours longer battery life
    Battery life
    30 hours
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <12 hours – >42 hours
    This ereader offers longer battery life than the average eReader (30 hours vs 21 hours). The average eReader offers 21 hours of battery life.
    30 hours vs 21 hours
  • Memory card slot
    Memory card slot
    yes
    â–² Better than 57% of models
    This ereader includes a memory card slot, while the average eReader does not. 43.1% of eReaders include a memory card slot.
  • More advanced operating system
    Operating system
    Android 2.1
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    This ereader uses Android 2.1, a more advanced operating system than Kindle OS on the average eReader.
    Android 2.1 vs Kindle OS
  • Page-turn buttons
    Page-turn buttons
    yes
    â–² Better than 56% of models
    This ereader has page-turn buttons, while the average eReader does not. 44.7% of eReaders have page-turn buttons.
  • Limited bookstore ecosystem
    Supported bookstore ecosystem
    Barnes Noble Ecosystem
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    This ereader uses the Barnes Noble Ecosystem bookstore ecosystem, while the average eReader uses Android Open Ecosystem.
    Barnes Noble bookstore ecosystem.
    Barnes Noble Ecosystem vs Android Open Ecosystem
  • Less advanced E-Ink technology
    E-Ink technology
    Pearl
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This ereader uses Pearl E-Ink technology, while the average eReader uses Carta Plus.
    Pearl vs Carta Plus
  • No front light
    Front light
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This ereader does not include front light, while the average eReader does. 74% of eReaders include front light.
  • Lower screen resolution
    Screen resolution
    600x800 px
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This ereader supports lower screen resolution than the average eReader (600x800 px vs 1072x1448 px). The average eReader supports 1072x1448 px screen resolution.
    600x800 px vs 1072x1448 px
  • Limited DRM support
    DRM schemes supported
    B&N DRM, Adobe DRM
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    This ereader supports fewer DRM schemes than the average eReader (B&N DRM, Adobe DRM vs Adobe DRM, Social DRM).
    B&N DRM, Adobe DRM vs Adobe DRM, Social DRM
  • 37% lower pixel density
    Pixel density
    167 ppi
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <150 ppi – >300 ppi
    This ereader has a lower pixel density than the average eReader (167 ppi vs 265 ppi). The average eReader has a pixel density of 265 ppi.
    167 ppi vs 265 ppi
  • No USB Type-C
    USB Type-C
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This ereader does not have USB Type-C, while the average eReader does. 51.2% of eReaders have USB Type-C.
  • 13 fewer supported file formats
    Supported file types
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <9 – >24
    This ereader supports fewer file types than the average eReader (2 vs 15).
    2 vs 15
  • 5.44x less popular
    Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch is less popular than the average eReader (1 vs 5.4).
    1 vs 5.44
  • 13.5% worse value for money
    Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch has worse value for money than the average eReader (6.42 vs 7.3).
    6.42 vs 7.28
  • Less advanced E-Ink technology
    E-Ink technology
    Pearl
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This ereader uses Pearl E-Ink technology, while the average eReader uses Carta Plus.
    Pearl vs Carta Plus
  • No front light
    Front light
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This ereader does not include front light, while the average eReader does. 74% of eReaders include front light.
  • Lower screen resolution
    Screen resolution
    600x800 px
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This ereader supports lower screen resolution than the average eReader (600x800 px vs 1072x1448 px). The average eReader supports 1072x1448 px screen resolution.
    600x800 px vs 1072x1448 px
  • 37% lower pixel density
    Pixel density
    167 ppi
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <150 ppi – >300 ppi
    This ereader has a lower pixel density than the average eReader (167 ppi vs 265 ppi). The average eReader has a pixel density of 265 ppi.
    167 ppi vs 265 ppi
  • No color temperature adjustment
    Color temperature adjustment
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This ereader does not support color temperature adjustment, while the average eReader does. 51.6% of eReaders support color temperature adjustment.
  • 1 inches smaller screen size
    Screen size
    6 inches
    â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
    Market range: <5 inches – >10 inches
    This ereader has a smaller screen than the average eReader (6 inches vs 7 inches). The average eReader screen size is 7 inches.
    6 inches vs 7 inches
  • 5 fewer front-light LEDs
    N. of front-light LEDs
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    Market range: <0 – >35
    This ereader has fewer front-light LEDs than the average eReader (0 vs 5). The average eReader has 5 front-light LEDs.
    0 vs 5
  • Basic touchscreen technology
    Touchscreen technology
    infrared
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This ereader uses infrared touchscreen technology, while the average eReader uses capacitive.
    IR grid
    infrared vs capacitive
  • Limited bookstore ecosystem
    Supported bookstore ecosystem
    Barnes Noble Ecosystem
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    This ereader uses the Barnes Noble Ecosystem bookstore ecosystem, while the average eReader uses Android Open Ecosystem.
    Barnes Noble bookstore ecosystem.
    Barnes Noble Ecosystem vs Android Open Ecosystem
  • Limited DRM support
    DRM schemes supported
    B&N DRM, Adobe DRM
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    This ereader supports fewer DRM schemes than the average eReader (B&N DRM, Adobe DRM vs Adobe DRM, Social DRM).
    B&N DRM, Adobe DRM vs Adobe DRM, Social DRM
  • 13 fewer supported file formats
    Supported file types
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <9 – >24
    This ereader supports fewer file types than the average eReader (2 vs 15).
    2 vs 15
  • No audiobook playback
    Audiobook playback
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This ereader does not support audiobook playback, while the average eReader does. 72.5% of eReaders support audiobook playback.
  • No text-to-speech
    Text-to-speech
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This ereader does not support text-to-speech, while the average eReader does. 64.2% of eReaders support text-to-speech.
  • No folder support
    Folder support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    This ereader does not support folders, while the average eReader does. 54.5% of eReaders support folders.
  • No parental controls
    Parental controls
    only full device passcode
    â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
    This ereader does not have parental controls, while the average eReader does.
    only full device passcode vs yes
  • 9 fewer supported languages
    N. of supported languages
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <4 – >34
    This ereader supports fewer languages than the average eReader (1 vs 10). The average eReader supports 10 languages.
    1 vs 10
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    Charging time
    3 hours
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    Market range: <1 hours – >6 hours
    This ereader charges more slowly than the average eReader (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average eReader charges in 2 hours.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • 87.5% less storage
    Internal storage
    2 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    Market range: <2 GB – >62 GB
    This ereader offers less internal storage than the average eReader (2 GB vs 16 GB). The average eReader provides 16 GB of internal storage.
    2 GB vs 16 GB
  • 0.26 GB less RAM
    RAM capacity
    0.256 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >5 GB
    This ereader has less RAM than the average eReader (0.3 GB vs 0.5 GB). The average eReader has 0.512 GB of RAM.
    0.256 GB vs 0.512 GB
  • Slower CPU base clock speed
    CPU base clock speed
    1 x 0.8 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    This ereader has a slower CPU base clock speed than the average eReader (1x0.8 GHz vs 1x1 GHz). The average eReader has a CPU base clock speed of 1x1 GHz.
    1x0.8 GHz vs 1x1 GHz
  • No USB Type-C
    USB Type-C
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This ereader does not have USB Type-C, while the average eReader does. 51.2% of eReaders have USB Type-C.
  • No Bluetooth
    Bluetooth
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This ereader does not have Bluetooth, while the average eReader does. 60.2% of eReaders have Bluetooth.
  • No Bluetooth audio
    Bluetooth audio support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This ereader does not support Bluetooth audio, while the average eReader does. 57.4% of eReaders support Bluetooth audio.
  • No OTA updates
    OTA updates supported
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    This ereader does not support OTA updates, while the average eReader does. 81.7% of eReaders support OTA updates.
  • No web browser
    Built-in web browser
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    This ereader does not include a built-in web browser, while the average eReader does. 91.1% of eReaders include a built-in web browser.
  • 3.9 mm thicker
    Thickness
    12 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
    Market range: <6 mm – >11 mm
    This ereader is thicker than the average eReader (12 mm vs 8.1 mm). The average eReader thickness is 8.1 mm.
    12 mm vs 8.1 mm
  • 10 older
    Release date
    2011
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This ereader is older than the average eReader (2011 vs 2021). The average eReader was released in 2021.
    June 2011
    2,011 vs 2,021

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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Third-party reviews

What we like about Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch

  • Excellent battery life, often lasting up to two months with Wi-Fi disabled
  • Highly ergonomic design with a soft-touch, grippy rubberized back
  • Includes physical page-turn buttons on both sides of the bezel
  • Expandable storage via a microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
  • Glaring-free E-ink Pearl display offers high contrast and great readability in direct sunlight
  • Supports the universal ePub format and library lending
  • No intrusive on-screen advertisements
  • Compact and lightweight, making it easy to hold in one hand

What we don't like about Barnes Noble Nook Simple Touch

  • Lacks a built-in browser and 3G/4G connectivity (Wi-Fi only)
  • The 2GB internal storage is heavily restricted, with only ~240MB-340MB available for side-loaded content
  • Touchscreen can occasionally experience ghosting or become unresponsive when the battery is low
  • Lacks a headphone jack and speakers for audiobooks or music
  • PDF handling is poor, with limited zoom and layout issues
  • More difficult to sync non-B&N content compared to the Kindle ecosystem
  • Stiff and sometimes awkward power button located on the back

Verdict

The Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch is a compact e-reader featuring a 6-inch E Ink Pearl touchscreen with 800x600 resolution and 16 levels of greyscale, powered by an 800MHz TI OMAP 3 processor and 256MB of RAM. Its primary advantages include an exceptionally long battery life of up to two months, a lightweight 7.48-ounce design with a comfortable rubberized grip, physical page-turn buttons, and expandable storage via a microSD slot (up to 32GB) to supplement its 2GB internal capacity. However, it lacks a built-in web browser and audio support, its E Ink display is subject to occasional ghosting or flickering during page refreshes, and it is no longer directly compatible with the modern Nook bookstore for new downloads.

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