Kobo Glo Review | 68 Data compared

The CNET review highlights the Kobo Glo as a high-resolution, 6-inch E Ink Pearl (1,024x758) e-reader that serves as a strong, self-illuminated alternative to the Kindle, particularly praised for its crisp display, 6.52-ounce weight, and inclusion of a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The device excels in customization, featuring "TypeGenius" for adjusting font weight and layout, alongside broad EPUB format support that allows for ecosystem flexibility, although page-turn speeds are slightly slower than the Kindle Paperwhite. Key drawbacks include a smaller, less curated Kobo bookstore compared to Amazon and Barnes & Noble, a less efficient user interface for library borrowing, and inferior battery life compared to its top competitors.

The TechRadar review identifies the Kobo Glo as a high-quality, open-ecosystem competitor to the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, featuring a 6-inch E Ink screen with a 1024 x 768 resolution for a sharp, book-like experience. A standout feature is the "perfectly executed" ComfortLight, which provides comfortable, glare-free reading in the dark. The device is lauded for its broad file support—notably for EPUBs—and highly customizable interface, offering users significant flexibility over fonts and margins. However, the reviewer notes that the Kobo Glo relies on a computer for certain management tasks and can be slightly sluggish compared to tablets. While offering a decent two-week battery life, this requires keeping the Wi-Fi off, as active wireless connectivity drastically reduces battery performance. Additionally, the lack of an ambient light sensor means users must manually adjust the ComfortLight brightness.

The Kobo Glo is highlighted as a powerful, flexible alternative to the Kindle Paperwhite, featuring a 6-inch E Ink screen with ComfortLight technology for comfortable, illuminated reading. Key advantages include superior customization options for fonts and page, as well as native EPUB support for easy sideloading from various sources. While lighter than its competition at 185g, the device receives criticism for its build quality, described as having sharp edges and a less premium feel. Additionally, the on-device bookstore is noted as being slower and less intuitive compared to Amazon’s ecosystem. Ultimately recommended for users seeking, freedom, and control over their reading experience, the Kobo Glo offers an open ecosystem that supports, among other things, borrowing from libraries. While the Kindle Paperwhite is noted for better lighting and a superior store, the Kobo Glo provides a versatile alternative for tech-savvy readers.

The Kobo Glo is positioned as a competitive "sleeper pick" to the Kindle Paperwhite, featuring a high-resolution E Ink Pearl XGA screen and a uniform ComfortLight system that avoids common screen discolorations. Physical advantages include a dedicated light button, a 1 GHz processor for fast page turns, and an ergonomic design with a soft-textured back. Key functional pros include the Type Genius system for detailed font customization, a microSD card slot for expandable storage, and broad Adobe EPUB support for sideloading, according to The eBook Reader.com. Conversely, the review notes significant cons, highlighting that the software lacks the polish and ease of use found in the Amazon Kindle ecosystem. Users may face limitations such as wasted screen space, no landscape mode for standard ebooks, and a screen that can appear slightly grainier than rivals when illuminated. Additionally, PDF performance is described as basic, lacking essential features like text reflow, highlighting, and built-in dictionary support.

The Travgear review highlights the Kobo Glo as a well-constructed, 6-inch e-reader featuring "ComfortLight" technology, which provides uniform, adjustable lighting for reading in dark environments. The device is praised for its lightweight, thin design, responsive touchscreen, and high level of customizability, including 48 font sizes. Key advantages mentioned are its broad format support, specifically EPUB and PDF, which allows users to avoid proprietary ecosystems. Despite these benefits, the review notes that the device often requires a USB connection for managing content, rather than relying solely on Wi-Fi. Limitations include the lack of specific book-lending features compared to competitors, and a standard screen resolution that can make PDF reading, which requires frequent zooming, less enjoyable. For a more detailed look at the review, visit Travgear. travgear.com

Good e-Reader gives the Kobo Glo a hands-on review and likes the sharp E Ink Pearl screen for pictures and PDF pages. The front light lets you read in the dark and is easy on the eyes in long sessions. The 1GHz processor is faster than the Kobo Touch, but the testers found the device unresponsive at times and the touchscreen slower with longer use. They miss the home button and say page-turn buttons would earn a higher rating. The Glo has 2GB of memory that grows to 32GB with a Micro SD card, and it adds Wi-Fi and a browser. The glow has a soft blue tinge, and battery life stays around one to two months.

PCMag testers describe the Kobo Glo as a midrange reader that is about as good as the Kindle Paperwhite. They praise the light body, the sharp 1,024-by-768 screen and edge lighting that is brighter and more even than on the Nook and the Kindle. Page refreshes take just under half a second, and the 11 built-in fonts allow plenty of tuning. The touch screen is slightly stubborn and often missed light touches, and the design is pedestrian. There is no headphone jack or audiobook support. The verdict: a solid option for readers who want ePub compatibility and expandable storage, though it will not make Paperwhite owners switch.

Wired calls the Kobo Glo a delightful surprise that has nearly eliminated the lighting problems of the Nook and the Kindle. Five LEDs and a light guide film spread the glow evenly, with only some extra-bright areas at the edges. The downside is that the light does not get dark enough, and the reviewer found it annoyingly bright in a completely dark bedroom. The crisp 1024x758 screen is slightly darker than rivals but delivers text that often looks better. Type Genius lets readers fine-tune font weight and sharpness, and a setting picks how many page turns come before a full refresh. The reviewer calls the refresh setting probably overkill, but it is there.

Expert Reviews testers say the Kobo Glo keeps pace with the Kindle Paperwhite and particularly appreciate its sharper screen. The 1,024x768 E Ink Pearl display looks fantastic and allows smaller font sizes without extra strain on the eyes. However, direct comparison gives the Paperwhite a slight advantage because its text looks darker and its contrast appears stronger. The Glo's brighter light spreads less evenly across the screen, with a noticeable strip near the LEDs at the top. The touchscreen responds well, but the store offers only a search box, so purchases through Kobo's website prove easier. Page turns feel smooth and quick, and readers can choose full screen refreshes after every page or every sixth.