Kobo review
Updated October 12, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
Kobo sells eBooks and audiobooks alongside dedicated eReaders and reading apps for everyday use across home and travel. For frequent digital readers, its catalog of over six million titles and choice of screen sizes make steady reading on preferred devices straightforward.
Key facts
- Best for
- Readers wanting eBooks, audiobooks and eReaders together
- Markets
- AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
- Official website
- kobo.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- Catalog of over six million eBooks and audiobooks
- Electronic ink eReaders built for sunlight reading
- Waterproof and colour screen options in range
- Broad native support for many eBook formats
Cons
- Kobo Plus subscription is offered only in select countries
- Third party books must match supported formats for reading
- Reading centers on Kobo devices and apps rather than print
Ready to try Kobo?
Scored 8.0 / 10 by AcademyCue.
Who it suits
- Commuters who read eBooks across devices
- Fans of comics, manga and audiobooks
- Sunlight and travel readers wanting e ink
Who should look elsewhere
- Print only book collectors
- Readers wanting one universal bookstore
Who runs it
The business behind the brand is identified as Kobo, Inc., which develops the Kobo eReader line. Manufacturing is handled by Rakuten Kobo Inc, which operates as part of a Japanese e commerce group. That company runs the worldwide eBook and audiobook store together with the eReader hardware. It also runs the companion reading apps and web reader. The structure therefore joins hardware development, manufacturing and digital bookselling under one connected business.
What it does well
Kobo brings together a large digital catalog with hardware tuned for long reading sessions. Electronic ink screens keep text sharp in sunlight, while lightweight bodies leave room for thousands of books. Select models add waterproofing, colour reading and note taking with a stylus. The store supports discovery through previews, reviews and recommendations across eBooks, audiobooks, comics and manga. Support for many file types also helps readers bring compatible outside books into the system.
Our full take
Kobo sells eBooks, audiobooks and eReaders, and offers the Kobo Plus eBook and audiobook subscription in select countries.
How Kobo compares
8.0 vs 8.9
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Frequently asked questions
What does Kobo sell?+
Kobo sells eBooks and audiobooks through its worldwide store alongside a line of dedicated eReaders. The catalog covers more than six million digital titles across many genres. Reading apps and a web reader extend access beyond the hardware.
What is Kobo Plus?+
Kobo Plus is an eBook and audiobook subscription offered in select countries. It sits alongside single title purchases in the Kobo store. Coverage and title choice therefore vary by market rather than applying worldwide.
What are Kobo eReaders like?+
Kobo eReaders use electronic ink screens that stay sharp in natural sunlight. The range includes lightweight designs, select waterproof models and colour reading options. Screen sizes span compact six inch models to a larger reading and note taking model.
Which file formats work with Kobo eReaders?+
Kobo eReaders support many native file types including EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, TXT, HTML and image and comic formats. Third party books need a compatible format and no digital lock. That approach gives flexibility while setting clear format limits.
Which company is behind Kobo?+
Kobo devices are developed by Kobo, Inc. and manufactured by Rakuten Kobo Inc. That company operates as part of a Japanese e commerce group. The same business runs the eBook store, the apps and the eReader line.
Sources
- kobo.com/us/en/plus checked October 9, 2026
Backs: Description
Compiled from 1 source page, checked October 17, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price per month, Price from, Free trial length, Access model, Titles in the catalogue, Content types.