Amazon Kindle Voyage vs Kobo Aura H2O Review: Specs and Features Comparison

By Virnelli Mercader, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Nowadays, most people opt to read e-books on their tablets or smartphones. But real bookworms will say that aside from a physical book, nothing beats reading on an e-book reader as the device is solely dedicated for that purpose, which causes manufacturers to make sure that one's reading experience is at an optimum level.

Though most e-book readers cost less compared to tablets—with most going for less than $100—voracious readers will appreciate any of these two premium e-readers which will be reviewed here, the Amazon Kindle Voyage and the Kobo Aura H2O. The former is Amazon's premium model, while the latter enables the reader to bring his reading material in the bath or in the pool.

Design:
The Kindle Voyage's design is sleeker and more compact than previous models and measures 6.4 x 4.5 x 0.30 inches and weighs 6.3 ounces. The page turning buttons are in the smaller bezel, which is flush with the case.

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At first glance, it's easy to mistake the Aura H2O for the Aura HD, however, the H2O is waterproof, so you can take it to the tub or to the beach without worrying about the device. Its IP67 rating means that it can stay under one meter of water for 30 minutes and it will remain undamaged. It measures 7.04 x 5.07 x 0.38 inches and weighs a hefty 8.2 ounces. The device is covered in a rubberized plastic, making it very comfortable to hold.

Features:
When it comes to e-readers, the size and the quality of the display matters. The Kindle Voyage's 6-inch screen has the highest resolution of any Kindle at 1440 x 1080 and a pixel density of 300ppi. Text looks sharp compared to other Kindles, and the backlight emits a nice, even glow that can be adjusted to just the right level for you. It also has Night Light which reduces brightness when it gets dark.

Meanwhile, the Aura H2O has a 6.8-inch screen with a resolution of 1430 x 1080 pixels, and a pixel density of 265ppi. The display uses the latest Carta E Ink HD panel, so text appears clear and sharp. The Kobo's Comfortlight edge lighting creates subtle illumination so you can read in the dark, with none of the glaring light that most tablets have.

The Kindle Voyage features Kindle Freetime, which allows parents to set up a profile for their kids and download books that are suitable for them.

The Aura H2O has 4GB storage, which, according to Kobo, is good enough for storing 3,000 e-books. But it also has a microSD card slot which allows the memory to be expanded to 32GB.

Price:
The Kindle Voyage costs $179.99, while the Aura H2O costs $244.