Kobo has been providing alternatives to Kindle e-readers for years, and its latest device, the Glo HD, takes dead aim at Amazon's most popular model, the Paperwhite. The Glo HD trumps it in nearly every respect: the screen, while the same size at 6 inches across, has a much higher resolution, making text crisper. It's also lighter, comes with more memory, supports more ebook formats, and has more customization options for text. Both come with a pleasant "frontlight" that illuminates text without stressing your eyes. And at $130, the Glo HD costs almost the exact same as the cheapest Paperwhite — which comes with built-in ads.
Of course, if you love Amazon's extensive ebook ecosystem or the optional 3G connection in its e-readers, the Kindle is the way to go. But we've used Kobo's devices and they're solid — and once you move to that sharper screen, it's hard to go back. If you're looking to go upmarket, there are the larger, water-resistant Kobo Aura H20 and Kindle Voyage, released last year.
For now, the Glo HD seems to be the best mid-range e-reader out there, but with the Paperwhite well over two years old, Amazon may see fit to freshen the Kindle lineup — so stay tuned.
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