Nook vs Kindle vs Physical Books
by Dan Price ... mostly
Nook vs Kindle vs Physical Books
Dan Price • Partnerships Director
Around the world, eBook sales continue to increase at a rapid rate. Because so many of us are turning to digital content, it is more important than ever to make sure your eBook reader meets your needs.
Nook vs. Kindle: Price
Let’s be honest; the majority of all our buying decisions boil down to one thing: price. So, if the cost is a primary concern, which is better, Kindle or Nook? Barnes & Noble (which makes the Nook) and Amazon (which makes the Kindle) offer various models under the same brand name.
The entry-level Kindle is available on Amazon for $99.99, while the midrange Kindle Paperwhite costs $139.99. There’s also the Kindle Paperwhite Signature, retailing for $189.99.
The Kindle Oasis is the next generation of e-readers starting at $249.99 for an 8GB device or $279.99 for a 32GB device. The Kindle Scribe will cost you around $340.00, and is the most expensive of the bunch. It gives readers the ability to write or doodle in the margins of their eBooks.
Amazon offers two Kindle options for younger readers. The Amazon Kindle Kids cost around $120.00, and comes with a case and a two-year warranty. The second choice for the kiddos is the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. It offers young readers adjustable lighting and waterproof hardware for just under $160.00.
If you’re the type of person who spends all day reading eBooks, it’s easy to argue that six-inch devices do not provide enough screen real estate.
Nook vs. Kindle: Battery Life
The battery life on a Nook and Kindle is so good that it shouldn’t form a meaningful part of your decision. The battery that Barnes and Noble's claims lasts for weeks on a single charge. Amazon's Kindle models claim to last for a range of six to ten weeks, depending on model and reader usage.
Finally, the original Kindle lets you read for up to six weeks on one charge. Amazon does caution, though, that those figures are just estimates. Certain activities, such as listening to audiobooks on any of the Kindle devices, could alter the average battery life.
Nook vs. Kindle: Which Wins Out With Audiobooks?
Audiobooks have experienced rapid growth in popularity over the last few years. If you’re an audiobook addict trying to decide between a Kindle or Nook, the Kindle is the clear winner. All models of Kindle devices support audiobook playback via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The Nook GlowLight 3 and GlowLight do not allow audiobook playback. It’s worth noting, however, that the other Android-based tablets in the Nook range can download and play them.
Nook vs. Kindle: Supported Ebook Formats
There are many ebook formats, so compatibility is important.
The Kindle supports JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PDF, EPUB, DOC, TXT, RFT, and HTML. Historically, Kindle devices have supported MOBI and AZW file formats; however, the Send to Kindle feature ended the ability to send MOBI or AZW files to Kindle devices in 2022.
Nook devices support EPUB, PDF, PNG, JPG, BMP, and GIF file formats.
Despite the differences between Kindle and Nook devices, it is possible to read books on both regardless of format if you're willing to use one of these eBook converters available online.
Nook vs. Kindle: Online Stores
An eBook reader isn’t much use without some eBooks to put on it. While there are many eBook stores worth using, Kindle owners will do most of their shopping in Amazon’s Kindle Books store. Nook users have access to the Nook Books store.
Of the two competing stores, Amazon’s is more extensive and often cheaper. Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble add digital rights management (DRM) protection to their titles.
Both products provide a range of usability settings, such as different fonts, text sizes, and a backlight option. As you'd expect, you can also find plenty of third-party accessories, such as cases and sleeves, for both Kindles and Nooks.
Is a Nook or Kindle Better for You?
So, to come full circle, which is the best e-reader for you? In our mind, there’s only one winner: the Amazon Kindle. The Barnes & Noble Nook has some nice touches, but the Amazon Kindle is faster, easier to use, and has access to a larger store. The different Kindle models also mean there’s a device for everyone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Price • Partnerships Director(1537 Articles Published)
Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires about sponsored content, affiliate agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. You can also find him roaming the show floor at CES in Las Vegas every year; say hi if you're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.
I source much of this article to Dan Price with a few of my own edits. It was quite interesting to investigate the world of eReaders. I personally, as do a lot of my acquainted either read physical books or not at all (shame on them). I often tell people who say they don’t read, “I’m going to tell the big guy to put coal in your stocking.” It doesn’t change their minds, but it at least give me a quick response before they get out of hearing range.
On a secondary front, Why do people choose to read from an eBook rather than a physical book?
Again, it all comes down to PRICE, at least in some cases. If you do a lot of traveling, carrying several books, especially on an airplane, is problematic. I get it. Ereaders are convenient, lightweight, easily packed and in most cases, the price to download a book far less than a physical book.
But what about libraries, bookstores, and author signing events? What are they (we) to do? It’s hard enough trying to make a living selling the physical books without Amazon discounting the eBooks online and then undercutting the author on the physical books.
Authors need to eat. How are we to make a living in this tough and changing world of writing, and marketing? I may have a solution. It’s a compromise between the Ereaders marketers and the bookstores. It’s my Square Store. Yes, I have a square store where you can order any of my books both physical and digital. The paperbacks come signed, numbered and personalized. The digital books are formatted in Epub, Modi, rtf and pdf and since Ereaders can accommodate these formats, it’s the perfect solution. Most of the digital books are either FREE, .99 or priced competitively with Amazon. That way, I make all the profit from the sale and can enjoy an occasional meal (diabetes friendly, of course. ;). For your convenience, I’ve kept this article short and provided a link to my Square Store as well as that infamous Amazon store, there you still can get The Prodigal’s Return for $1.99.
If you are anywhere in North Georgia, come to one of the many festivals I’m scheduled to participate in and stop by.
I’ll be at the Pickle Festival in Cave Spring this weekend
Heritage Days in Talking Rock, GA – October 21-22.
Arts and Craft Festival – Braselton, GA – October 27-29
Happy Reading!