Kobo Review (2026): Is Kobo Worth It for eBooks and Audiobooks?

If you love reading but don't always want to carry physical books around, Kobo offers a convenient digital reading experience. From eBooks and audiobooks to dedicated eReaders, Kobo provides several ways to access your favorite books wherever you are.

But is Kobo worth using in 2026? In this review, we'll look at Kobo's features, eReaders, apps, book selection, advantages, disadvantages, and overall value.

What Is Kobo?

Kobo is a digital reading platform owned by Rakuten Kobo. It offers eBooks, audiobooks, eReaders, and reading apps.

The Kobo Store allows users to purchase eBooks and audiobooks, while the Kobo Books app lets you read eBooks and listen to audiobooks on compatible smartphones and tablets.

Kobo also produces dedicated eReaders using E Ink displays, designed to provide a more paper-like reading experience.

Key Kobo Features

1. Huge Selection of eBooks

Kobo offers a large selection of eBooks across numerous categories, including:

• Fiction

• Business & Finance

• Biography & Memoir

• Science Fiction & Fantasy

• Mystery & Suspense

• Young Adult

• Nonfiction

• Romance

• Children's books

The Kobo Store also features bestsellers, new releases, free eBooks, pre-orders, and regular deals.

2. Audiobooks

Kobo isn't just for traditional eBooks. You can also purchase and listen to audiobooks through the Kobo Books app and selected Kobo eReaders.

Compatible Kobo eReaders can connect to Bluetooth headphones or speakers for audiobook playback.

3. Kobo Books App

The Kobo Books app allows you to read your eBooks and listen to audiobooks from your smartphone or tablet.

Your purchased content can be synchronized across supported Kobo devices and apps, making it convenient to continue reading across devices.

4. Dedicated Kobo eReaders

For people who prefer a dedicated reading device, Kobo offers several eReader models.

Depending on the model, you can get features such as:

• E Ink displays

• Waterproof designs

• Color displays

• Large storage

• Adjustable reading settings

• Stylus support on selected models

• Audiobook support on selected devices

Current models include devices such as the Kobo Clara Colour, Clara BW, Libra Colour, Sage, and Elipsa 2E.

5. Customizable Reading Experience

Kobo eReaders and apps provide various reading customization options. For example, eBooks can support adjustments to font size, font style, margins, and line spacing.

This makes Kobo suitable for readers who prefer to customize how their books appear on screen.

Kobo Pros

• Large selection of eBooks and audiobooks

• Dedicated eReaders available

• Kobo Books app for mobile devices

• Several waterproof eReader options

• Color E Ink models available

• Audiobooks supported on selected devices

• Customizable reading experience

• Regular book deals and promotions

• Available across multiple devices

Kobo Cons

• Kobo focuses on digital books rather than physical books

• Some features vary depending on your country

• Audiobook support isn't available on every Kobo eReader

• Some Kobo Plus features aren't available in every region

• iOS users need to purchase Kobo content through Kobo.com rather than directly inside the iOS app.

Who Is Kobo Best For?

Kobo is a particularly good option for:

• Frequent readers

• eBook lovers

• Audiobook listeners

• Students

• Travelers

• People looking for a dedicated eReader

• Readers who want a customizable digital reading experience

If you regularly read books and want access to your library without carrying physical books, Kobo is worth considering.

Kobo vs. Traditional Books

One of the biggest advantages of digital reading is convenience. A Kobo eReader can hold a large collection of books while remaining lightweight and portable.

You can also access your books through compatible Kobo apps on smartphones and tablets, giving you more flexibility when you don't have your eReader with you.

Is Kobo Worth It?

For frequent readers, Kobo can be an excellent investment.

The combination of a large digital bookstore, dedicated eReaders, mobile apps, audiobooks, and customizable reading features makes Kobo a strong option for people who prefer digital reading.

Whether you're looking for your next novel, an audiobook for your commute, or a dedicated eReader for everyday reading, Kobo has options worth exploring.

⭐ Final Verdict

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Kobo offers a well-rounded digital reading ecosystem with eBooks, audiobooks, dedicated eReaders, and mobile apps. Its range of devices means you can choose a simple eReader or a more advanced model depending on your needs.

If you're ready to discover new books or upgrade your reading experience, Kobo is definitely worth checking out.

📚 Sign Up for a Free Trial

Want to explore Kobo before committing to a subscription?

Kobo offers access to a wide selection of eBooks and audiobooks, making it easy to discover new titles and enjoy your favorite books across compatible devices.

👉 Sign Up for Your Free Trial