Guide to Quitting Kindle, Part 3

A comparison of all the top Kindle alternatives if you want a new device

We’ve made it to the end of the series, where I’ll compare all the Kindle alternatives on the market if you want to switch to a new device. I’m also including a bonus for audiobooks if you’d like to move over to another ecosystem.

If you’re looking to decrease your dependence on Amazon for your reading needs, you have a ton of options! You can either switch to another ecosystem and transfer your old Kindle books to your new device, or you can purchase an Android device for more flexibility. I’ll go more in depth into some of the top brands I’ve seen, share my top picks and experiences with different devices, and reveal whether I plan to continue using Kindle.

This post ended up being a lot longer than I thought, so buckle up!

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Ereaders With Built-In Ecosystems

This is the best option for people who want an ereader that’s easy to use right out of the box and makes it easy for you to purchase or sideload books. Here are the most popular brands available for purchase in the US:

Kobo (Top Pick)

This is a Canadian book marketplace that offers ereaders, books, audiobooks, and a subscription service similar to Kindle Unlimited (KU) called Kobo Plus.

They have a very open ecosystem that makes it easy to download and back up your books, borrow library books directly on your Kobo, and sideload your books from other devices. Their ereaders are really high quality and solidly made, and they’re also focusing more on sustainability by using recycled plastic and partnering with iFixIt to make it easier to repair your devices instead of buying a new one. As a company, they’re driven by the mission to make reading easier and more enjoyable, which really shows in their strategic partnerships and their commitment to improving their offerings. For example, I’ve heard rumors that they’re planning to partner with Bookshop.org to make their books available on Kobo devices in the future, which helps to support independent bookstores. For their values alone, they take the top spot for Kindle alternatives.

One caveat: Amazon locks in a lot of indie authors through exclusivity agreements, so if a lot of the books/authors you like to read are on KU, there’s a decent chance that they won’t be available on Kobo Plus. However, this could change if more people start switching platforms, which makes a more compelling case for authors to start selling their books elsewhere. While they don’t have as large of a selection as Kindle, I find that most of the books I want to read are available for purchase.

Barnes & Noble Nook

Nook devices have been around for a long time. In fact, the Nook Simple Touch was my first ereader before I entered the Kindle universe. They are also Amazon’s biggest competitor in the US, so that’s something to consider if you want to prevent Amazon from becoming a true monopoly in the book market.

Their devices are really nice and well-made, but the interface isn’t quite as snappy as Kindle or Kobo. They have an amazing selection, and they’re always running promotions on ebooks. They also have a ton of free ebooks available for download, including classics in the public domain. You can also read Libby books on these devices, but it requires downloading the book from the web browser, plugging your device into a computer, and using Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) to transfer the book to your device via USB. It’s a simple process, albeit a little clunky.

My biggest gripe is that their ecosystem is even more locked down than Amazon. While you can still back up your books by plugging your Kindle into your computer, this is not possible on the Nook. All the files are hidden and inaccessible. If they opened up their ecosystem even a little bit more to allow you to back up your files, I would recommend them without hesitation. Plus, while the devices have up to 32GB of storage, this storage is partitioned to only allow you to sideload up to 5GB of content onto your device. This isn’t a problem for me, but it could be problematic if you have an especially large library to migrate.

Pocketbook

This brand is based in Switzerland and has historically been more popular in Europe, but it seems to be gaining popularity in the US. Their devices seem to be very solidly made, but their book marketplace doesn’t have the best selection for English language books. That said, it seems pretty easy to sideload content from other devices and stores. Similar to the Nook, Libby books will need to be transferred to your device through ADE. Apparently there’s also a way to sign into your ADE account and download them through the browser directly on the Pocketbook device, according to some Reddit threads.

Android Devices

These devices offer the best of both worlds if you have books in many ecosystems or want to access books, graphic novels, or manga through different apps. You can also sideload your current book collection and use their default reading app. For those who love to tinker and customize, Android devices offer a lot of flexibility. If you value ease of use, don’t let that intimidate you. Once you complete the initial setup and customize the settings for each app, it’s smooth sailing.

Because these devices run on Android, which can’t be upgraded, they have a shorter lifespan. Security patches are no longer supported for Android 11, and will eventually be discontinued for later versions, which may affect the availability and functionality of some apps. This shouldn’t be a problem if you like to upgrade your devices frequently, but it’s something to keep in mind. To mitigate any security concerns, I created a burner email account specifically for my Boox Page (Android 11). I only use it for my reading apps, and don’t store any sensitive information on that device.

The price tag on these devices is higher because of the versatility, so it might not be the best option if you’re on a budget and don’t want to upgrade every 3-5 years.

Another difference is that the battery life is noticeably shorter because it runs Android apps, but it’s still pretty impressive. If you’re used to charging your ereader every couple months, you’ll likely have to charge these devices every couple weeks.

Boox (Top Pick)

This is by far the most popular Android eink tablet brand I’ve seen, and for good reason. Their devices have a premium feel, snappy performance, and guaranteed firmware updates for at least 3 years. They seem to release new devices pretty consistently, and have a ton of different models available, including those with more updated Android versions. The one downside I’ve heard is that their customer service isn’t the best, especially if you choose to purchase directly from their website. That said, their devices are available through Best Buy, Amazon, WalMart, and Target, which have a much better return policy.

Bigme

In addition to ereaders, Bigme also offers eink smartphones, which is kind of a niche product, but really cool if you want to minimize digital eye strain. I will say that their dedicated ereaders have very out-of-date Android versions, so that’s something to keep in mind. To be transparent, I don’t know a lot about this brand, but wanted to mention it as an Android alternative. These devices are available on Amazon.

Meebook

Meebook’s Android devices are even less well-known than Boox or Bigme, and I’ve heard mixed reviews, but a lot of people seem to like it as a more affordable option. Like Bigme, many of their ereaders have lower Android versions, which is a security consideration. These are also available on Amazon in the US.

Which Device Is Best For You?

Now that you know what’s out there, here are the best alternatives for each Kindle device based on your preferences. I’ll try to call out any major differences between the features available on each device vs. its Amazon equivalent.

If you loved the Kindle Oasis or must have page-turn buttons…

• Kobo Libra Colour (color eink)

• Boox Go 7 BW

• Boox Go Color 7 Gen II (color eink)

• Pocketbook Era or Era Color (color eink)

• Pocketbook Verse and Verse Pro (6” screen, page-turn buttons on bottom)

• Barnes & Noble Nook Glowlight 4 (6” screen) or Glowlight 4 Plus (7.8” screen)

If you loved the Kindle Paperwhite or want warm light or waterproof protection…

• Kobo Clara BW (6” screen)

• Pocketbook Verse Pro (6” screen)

• Nook Glowlight 4 Plus (7.8” screen, no dark mode)

If you loved the Kindle Basic or need something ultra-portable…

• Kobo Clara BW (warm light, waterproof)

• Kobo Clara Colour (color eink, warm light, waterproof)

• Boox Palma II

• Boox Go 6

• Nook Glowlight 4 (page-turn buttons)

• Pocketbook Verse Lite, Verse (page-turn buttons on bottom), or Verse Pro (page-turn buttons on bottom, waterproof)

If you loved the Kindle Colorsoft or want to try color eink…

• Kobo Libra Colour

• Kobo Clara Colour

• Boox Go Color 7 Gen II (page-turn buttons)

• Pocketbook Verse Pro Color

• Pocketbook Era Color (page-turn buttons)

If you loved the Kindle Scribe or want built-in annotation support…

• Kobo Elipsa 2E

• Kobo Libra Colour (7” screen)

• Boox Go 7 BW (7” screen)

• Boox Go Color 7 Gen II (7” screen, color eink)

• Boox Note Max

• Boox Note Air 4C (color eink)

What About Audiobooks?

For those who love to listen to audiobooks and want an Audible alternative, there are some great alternatives:

• Borrow through Libby or Hoopla (free through your local library)

• Libro.fm (subscription, supports independent bookstores)

• Kobo (individual purchases or subscribe through Kobo Plus)

• Chirp (discounted audiobooks for purchase)

• Spotify (subscription)

• Everand (subscription)

My Devices

Because I’m a tech nerd and love trying new devices, I purchased a Kobo Libra Colour, Boox Page, and a secondhand Nook Glowlight 4 from Unclaimed Baggage.

Kobo Libra Colour

I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with Kobo devices, and I really loved the idea of page-turn buttons. I had also heard good things about their color eink image quality over the other competitors, so I decided on this device to dip my toe in the color eink world. Most color eink on the market uses Kaleido 3, which has a color layer over a black and white eink screen. So if you see that the color eink displays look a little darker without the backlight on, this is why. Since I don’t read a ton of graphic novels or color content, I prefer the crispness of black and white eink. That said, it’s still really fun to see my book covers in color, and I also like having the option if I decide to read more color content in the future.

This device is solidly made, and the page-turn buttons are so fun to have. It’s a little heavy for long reading sessions because of my small hands, but I don’t mind because of how sturdy it is. Plus, it’s easy to switch hands by flipping the device over, and the page-turn buttons automatically adjust. I love the UI and how easy it is to navigate, and they also have cool reading statistics and customization options. You can browse and borrow library books directly from your device, which is a huge plus. While it’s possible to add multiple library cards to your Kobo, it’s a little clunky. I currently have my device synced with 2 different libraries, with the default being my home library that I use to browse directly on the device. However, if I end up borrowing from the other library using the Libby app, the content syncs seamlessly to my Kobo. The battery life is really impressive, and I’ve only had to charge it a couple of times since owning it for the last few months.

My only minor gripe with Kobo is not being able to sync sideloaded content across devices. They are loaded to the device manually, but do not show up through the Kobo app. This is a bit of a bummer, but not a dealbreaker. I would also love to see improvements to the Overdrive/Libby experience to allow easier switching between libraries if you have multiple library cards. Given their mission and values, I have high confidence that we’ll continue to see improvements in the reading experience.

Boox Page

I bought the Boox Page because I wanted a black and white ereader with buttons that supported different reading apps. Since then, they’ve released the Boox Go 7, which is the updated Boox Page with Android 13, stylus/annotation support, and slightly different page-turn buttons. My main use case was for reading books through Hoopla and Bookshop.org, since those are only currently available through apps.

This device has a premium feel, but is still lightweight and easy to hold for long periods of time. It doesn’t feel quite as durable because of the thinner, lighter form factor and the flush screen vs. the recessed screen on the KLC. For that reason, I don’t travel much with this device and use it mainly for reading at home.

The setup was fairly easy once I got used to all the different settings and navigating the interface. I’ve used it a lot for reading Libby books from libraries that aren’t synced to my KLC. One downside is using some apps in dark mode. Because the apps are built and customized for phone or tablet reading, parts of the interface are harder to see when turning on dark mode because the fonts and graphics used don’t always have enough contrast to see clearly. When reading in dark mode at night, I would need to adjust the font and weight to make it bolder and larger, so there’s some tinkering required to get the settings just right. Another weird quirk is that the page-turn buttons occasionally stop working while I’m reading, which requires me to quit and restart the app to get it working again. This seems to be mostly resolved after the latest firmware update, which are pushed fairly often to fix all known issues.

I would recommend Boox for people who want a completely open device and don’t want to be locked in to one ecosystem. I have the Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Hoopla, Libby, and Bookshop.org on it, so it’s really nice to be able to access my whole library and borrow books on one device.

Nook Glowlight 4

I bought the Nook Glowlight 4 on Unclaimed Baggage because I wanted to see if I could get my Nook books off my device by plugging in to my computer and manually transferring files, similar to Kindle. Unfortunately, it is not possible, at least for most people. When plugging my device in, the book files are inaccessible and can’t be unhidden. Some people have found success by jailbreaking their device or using a really old version of the Nook for PC app to download their books. Since I didn’t have that many books, I decided to leave it alone.

There’s a lot to love about the device itself. It’s small, light, and has a premium feel. I also love how they integrated page-turn buttons while keeping the smaller format. I also appreciate the little home button, where you can easily navigate back to your library or hold it down to turn the backlight on and off. The UI is pretty easy to use, and you can organize your collection by creating shelves in your library to make it easier to navigate. If you’re a Barnes & Noble superfan and prefer to buy your books here, these devices are great. They’ve since largely improved their ebook availability and pricing, so I probably would have stuck with it if they had been this competitive years ago when I first switched to Kindle.

Because their ecosystem is even more locked down than Amazon, it’s hard to find a compelling reason to switch if you value being able to back up your content and have the flexibility to move your content between different devices. Barnes & Noble seems to be more strategically focused on physical book sales than Nook devices, and it shows. Their Nook lineup hasn’t been refreshed in a while, and the navigation and load times are definitely slower. Their devices have adjustable warm light, but don’t have dark mode, which I feel should be a standard feature at this point. The battery life is also noticeably bad for a dedicated ereader, and my battery drained in days vs. weeks, even with wifi turned off and minimal backlight use. This could just be an issue with my device, since I bought it secondhand and don’t know its age or battery condition. However, I have seen this reported as a common issue on Reddit forums, so I don’t think it’s just me.

Will I Still Keep My Kindle?

Yes. Surprising, I know, since I just spent an entire series writing about how to divest from the Kindle ecosystem. This is the nuance you’ve come to expect from me, so let me share my reasoning.

The user experience still has benefits that I appreciate, such as Send to Kindle, which allows you to sync content and reading progress across all Kindle devices/apps. I also like the ability to send Libby books to my Kindle, which I still use a lot when borrowing from libraries that aren’t synced to my Kobo. I also find myself traveling with my Kindle the most. I’m very careful with my devices, but I think I subconsciously know that it can be easily replaced if something happens.

I also want to support the indie authors locked into exclusivity agreements with Amazon. While I buy the vast majority of my ebooks from Kobo or Bookshop.org these days, I have found a couple books from authors that are only available on Amazon. Owning a Kindle device allows me to support these authors and still back up my books by connecting my device to my computer and managing my library through Calibre. For now. It’s still possible that Amazon will further restrict their ecosystem in the future, similar to Barnes & Noble. If that happens, you can bet that I’ll never buy another Kindle again, regardless of the user experience.

And that’s the end of the series! Are you in the market for a new device? What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!