Kindle and Nook Comparison
In the battle of the eBook readers, which device reigns supreme? Amazon's Kindle and Barnes and Noble's Nook both offer readers easy access to a huge library of books on the run, but different features and construction mean that each has its pros and cons.
Kindle and Nook Comparison
Which eReader is right for you? Consider these comparisons to see how the Kindle and Nook stack up to each other.
Pricing
Both Kindles and Nooks are available at a few different price points, depending on the features you're after. Basic models of both come in under $150 with larger models that offer more storage, climbing to over $300. Pricing with both devices is a moving target, but Nooks tend to be slightly more expensive. Still, the price difference between the devices is generally minimal.
Contrast and Display Type
Screen readability is a big issue with eReaders. Bright sunlight can potentially make screens unreadable, depending on the level of contrast and the type of display used.
Kindles rely on an eInk display with high contrast for all their devices. The Nook uses eInk for its basic device and LCD display for its color device. Reviewers give Kindle the edge for readability, thanks to higher contrast and darker eInk.
Weight
Kindles are lighter than Nooks. The smallest Kindle weighs 8.5 ounces, while the smallest Nook weighs 11.5 ounces. The Kindle's light weight is considered a boon by some, but others find that it feels too flimsy.
Battery Life
With the Wi-Fi turned off, the battery on the basic Kindle lasts for one month. The Kindle 3DX battery lasts for two and half weeks. The basic Nook battery lasts for 10 days while the battery in the color Nook lasts for eight hours.
Storage
Both versions of the Kindle can store 4GB, which translates into approximately 3,500 books. The basic Nook can store 2GB or 1,500 books and the Nook Color can store 8GB or 6,000 books. Additional storage is not available for the Kindle. For the Nook, you can buy up to 16GB more storage for the basic and 32GB for the color version.
Start-Up Speed
Kindles start up immediately. Nooks have a three minute start-up time.
Supported Formats
Kindles support .pdf, .azw and .mobi book formats. Nooks support .pdf, .pdb and .epub formats.
Content
Both the Kindle and Nook offer access to bookstores with hundreds of thousands of titles, though Amazon's Kindle store has the slight edge in terms of numbers. Both services also allow you to access newspapers and magazines. The selections offered are nearly identical.
Both the Kindle and Nook allow readers to share books with other users. Note that not all books can be shared - for both devices, lending is enabled at the publisher's request. Both devices also allow you to "check out" books from virtual libraries. Just like a library book, you have a set amount of time to read the book before it is "returned," at which point it becomes unavailable to you.
Buying a Kindle or Nook
Once you've settled on which device is best for you, you have plenty of shopping options available. Of course, you can go right to the source and buy your Kindle from Amazon or Nook from Barnes and Noble. You can also turn to these retailers:
You can also find used Kindles and Nooks on online auction sites like eBay.
Kindle Versus Nook: Your Choice
When it comes to picking a Kindle or Nook, it all comes down to personal preference. Whether you prefer the sturdier feel of the Nook or the speedier, lighter Kindle, both of these eReaders will let you indulge your literary obsessions on the go.
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