On September 28th 2011, Amazon introduced not one but a full half a dozen new eReaders making our task of picking the Best eReader even more difficult. Actually this time around we believe there is a clear winner (at least until Barnes & Noble puts out another eReader) and you can read all about it here on our Amazon Kindle vs Nook Simple Touch eReader comparison.
As you can see, it does look a little complicated, but we have done our best to make it simple for you!
Price
Touch Screen
Audio
3G
Built-in memory
Expandable memory
Dimensions
Weight
Battery life
Basic Kindle
$79
NO
NO
NO
1GB
NO
6.5" x4.5"x 0.34"
Kindle Touch
$99
Yes
Yes
Listen to music while reading
Listen to audio/audible books
Text-to-speech - reads out non-audio ebooks loud
Optionally available
Costs extra $50
No monthly 3G bills
4GB
NO
6.8" x 4.7"x 0.4"
Nook Touch
$99
Yes
NO
NO
2GB
Slot for microSD card up to 34GB
6.6" x 5" x 0.47"
Kobo Touch
$99
Yes
NO
NO
2GB
Slot for microSD card up to 34GB
6.5" x 4.5" x 0.4"
Sony Reader
$129
Yes
Yes
Listen to music and audio/audible books
NO text-to-speech
NO
1.3GB
Slot for microSD card up to 34GB
6.875" x 4.375" x 0.375"
Winner
Basic Kindle
N/A
Kindle Touch
Kindle Touch
Kindle Touch
Nook, Kobo, Sony
Basic Kindle
Sony PRS-T1
Nook Touch
This is really subjective and is highly dependent on the varying needs of different people. Here are some examples.
That’s right! If you want 3G in your eReader, the Amazon Kindle is your only option. The Nook Touch doesn’t have it, the Sony eReader doesn’t have it and the Kobo Touch doesn’t haven’t it (the older models of some of these had 3G, but the latest models do not)
If you want an ereader with 3G, the questions applicable to you are the following.
The only two electronic book readers that have audio features are the Kindle and the Sony Reader (current model:PRS-T1WC).
Who cares about audio features on an eReader? Watch this video and read the detailed review on why audio features may be useful for a ebook reader (click to open in a new window).
If you are already convinced that the Kindle Touch is the BEST eBook Reader for you, Click Here.
First of all, lets get the Kindle eReaders ‘With Special Offers’ and ‘Without Special Offers’ out of the way. That makes the rest of our eReader comparison a lot easier and we would only have to choose from 7 Kindles instead of 12 Kindles!
We sincerely believe that ‘Special Offers’ will NOT hurt you. The ads are displayed either as a 1/2 and inch strip at the bottom of the home screen of your Kindle (as shown on the image on the left) or on screensavers. Neither of these will interfere with your reading. You will NOT see them when you are reading an eBook.
Want to learn more? Read the detailed post we made on Kindle with Special offers or Kindle without Special offers OR watch the video below!
As far as we’re concerned, the following are the main deficiencies of the Kindle eReaders
Here are the 3 detailed comparisons between the
Please skip this video on the Audio Features of the Kindle, if you’ve already watched it earlier!
Convinced that the Kindle Touch or $79 Kindle is the right eReader for you?
Would rather settle for a Nook Touch?
Was this Amazon Kindle Touch Review helpful? Do you think it helped you figure out what the best eReader is? Please let us know by leaving a comment below! It will help us improve this and others who are trying to figure out which eReader suits them best!
Hi,
Thanks for this detailed review of e-book readers. I’ve almost settled on Kindle touch + 3G. I live in India and want to know how best can I use this “free” 3G connections? Can i browse anything on this connection or am i just allowed to browse wikipedia for free?
Thanks,
Uday
Unfortunately it’s just Wikipedia and Amazon store of course
Once again your review only compares what the spec sheets already tell you. The thing I am most concerned about is the file format limitations on the Kindle (AZW) & Nook (ePub). It would seem to be a lesson unlearned from Sony about limiting file formats. (Beta vs VHS; WM vs MP3) It is hard to look at the available ebooks offered. Since I see some of my favorite retailers offer ePub only and others offer AXW formats. Is there any resolution on the horizon?
hmm… I think we compare more than just what’s said on the spec sheets, have you seen the videos? You’re right, we don’t address the eBook formats – will update soon.
Well as far as ePub goes, you can always go to calibre-ebook.com to inter-convert any (I haven’t personally tested all possible combinations) format.
Hope that helps!
I think how about compare the Kindle Touch with Nook Simple Touch. What a better now?
Thank you for your response. One follow up question: Regarding the print clarity between the Touch and the Keyboard versions… I’ve read some about the non touch versions having more of a contrast between the print and background that makes it more clear/sharp for reading. The Touch I understand has more of a grey background, and the print is ‘softer’, but not as sharp. … does that make it seem a little blurry for reading? Your opinion is much appreciated.
Hi,
I don’t want to comment on if Kindle KB font looks crisper or not simply because it’s subjective. But what I will tell you is that the Kindle Touch font is not blurry at all. On the videos you may think it’s blurry, but that’s only because of the quality of the video. However, the Kindle Fire font is much sharper and nicer, I guess you’d expect that from a LCD screen!
Hope that helped and sorry about the delay!
Admin
These reviews are just what I’ve been looking for! However…how about review/compare the Kindle Keyboard 3G, with the Kindle Touch.
Well in short, both of them have 3G models and audio. One thing the keyboard version has and the touch doesn’t is landscape mode. The touch-screen adds a lot of extra functionality and I honestly can’t see any positives of the keyboard over the touch other than the landscape mode. It’s heavier, larger and way less sexier And when you want to highlight/annotate something you need to navigate using the left right up down buttons – no fun.
Hope that helps! Sorry if I sound like the Kindle touch-screen designer
160 the amazon kindle dx 160 longer, lighter and still thinner than a standard first generation kindle, the kindle dx is the new must have gadget for booklovers.
Dear all,
I have question regarding the Kindle Touch WiFi and web browsering. Am I right that I suppose that this Kindle Touch WiFi allows to browse all webpages (e.g. google mail) by using WiFI as the previous models. Or only Amazon website is allowed through WiFi connection?
Thanks for reply
Igor
You are allowed to browse anything, not just Amazon content using Wi Fi. But with 3G, it’s only Amazon
Hi.it would be great if any of these readers could take uploaded pictures to display. Any chance of that happening?
The Nook Touch has the feature. You can have screen savers using pics of your choice. I should update the table if it already doesn’t have that information. Thanks!
The advantage of 3G benefits the traveler who does not have to seek out “hot spots” to download newspapers, periodicals but it seems to come at a price: compare Nook 2 touch battery life of 1 hr X 2 months vs Kindle 3G touch of ½ hr X 2 months- probably not a significant factor. The factor of technical support has not been addressed. The advantage of taking a Nook to your local B&N store for advice vs. necessity to use web for Kindle support or waiting to talk to a person who has to get information from another technician or manual cannot be overstressed. The advantage of text to speech, while not up to vocal standards of audiobooks is a plus on Kindle Touch, particular when you are drowsy on a long plane flight, or driving/riding in an auto. Lastly, I presume when dealing with 3rd party vendors e.g. library sources or free source material both are similar? My Choice : Kindle 3G Touch
You’ve got great insights about kindle fire,kindle touch,kindle reviews,kindle books,kindle fire reviews 2011, keep up the good work!
I am quite disappointed in this review. I could care less if people want Nooks, i-pads or Kindles, but reviews like this should at least contain factual, non-misleading statements. Your comparison of the Kindle Touch and Nook Touch contains multiple inaccuracies.
First, both of the Touch e-readers are $99.
Second, the dimensions of the Nook are 6.5″ x 5″ x .47″ and it weighs 7.48 oz. The dimensions of the Kindle are 6.8″ x 4.7″ x 0.40″ and it weighs 7.5 oz. Come on. Those are virtually identical.
A fair assessment would be to say that if 3G and Audio are important to you, go with the Kindle. If more memory and perks like the free hour of reading at the B&N stores are more important, then go with the Nook.
We apologize Linda.
The pricing was $139 when we wrote this, will change it ASAP.
On the size and weight, yes we agree, but just for specs sake the Kindle touch is smaller. But will change it to reflect your views, because what we’ve said may be misleading.
Thank you for taking the time to point out those errors, we really appreciate that and we also approve comments that talk about our weaknesses, not just its strengths. Thanks again!
Admin
I appreciate the information. I am purchasing for my elderly mother in law who absolutely loves to read, but will sometimes leave her books and is also having a hard time with her hands. I think the touch will be better for her since she will be able to have the books read to her if she likes and the option to access amazons 3g for a one time payment is AMAZING.. The one thing that I didnt read is whether or not the screen is easy to adjust so that she can make the words bigger if she needs to….
Comments were very helpful. I’d like to get my husband an ereader as he reads a lot and is traveling a lot. He’ll always have light at night so that is not an issue. He has not liked some of the touch phones he has had because of size of font and finger accuracy.
Is this an issue with the Kindle? Where can I actually go look at one?
thanks
With the Kindle, it won’t be an issue because there are like 6 font sizes! You can check out the local BestBuy or Staples!
Battery life is important because we travel a lot, and charging isn’t always an option.
Contrast or backlite is important because lighting is not always good or even available. Also glare in direct sunlight can be an issue. Can you tell me if the light issue is adequate in the Kindle touch.
Hi Grace,
Thank you for your questions! Yes if you do travel for prolonged periods, battery life does become important. In that case you may want to consider the Kindle Touch with 3G as well.
Contrast and backlighting are two different things. Screens with backlighting are LCD screens. The only Kindle with an LCD screen is the Kindle Fire, all others have E-ink screens. With E-ink screens, you get NO glare from the sun, but with LCD screens you do get a glare. But with an LCD screen you don’t need external lighting to read under low lighting conditions, but with an E-ink screen such as the one on the Kindle touch, you will need an external lighting source to read at night! There are lighted Kindle covers on Amazon that you can purchase!
Hope that helps!
I bought a Nook about a year ago, spent like $220 on everything and I’m just so annoyed that I didnt get my monies worth. I’m thinking of selling my Nook, and getting a Kindle, I’m still not sure which one, lol, but the information was very helpful and I can make an educated decision, so thank you. :^)
good review again.
i hadnt known that there was a 3G kindle –and with no monthly charge. wish it had color tho.
thanks!
I have been considering the e-reader for some time but had not been able to locate comparisons. This review was a God-send. Thanks so much for the information it was very helpful in many was…keep up the good work.
D.T. Thew
hmm… I don’t think I will type too much on the Kindle, so I’m going to settle for the basic Kindle. 20 bucks is like 3-4 eBooks I don’t plan on using it for listening to MP3s or Audiobooks, that’s what the iPod is for
Anyways, detailed review, touches on many aspects others don’t!
needs to go more indepth. let me see keyboard vs touch; how it works pictures, more info
Wow, fantastic review! Thanks I was just about to get the $79 Kindle and now I may invest that extra $20 after reading this!
Call me wind because I am absolutley blown away.
Yes, this review helped. I love my local free library, read 3 books a week, so not really convinced that I need a e-reader. If I purchase, it will be the Touch with 3G, I liked the basic Kindle but this review steered me away from that. And like the concept of the Fire !! Would I be able to read books on it also, with the “plain paper” concept? Guess I’ll buy Touch, and let my wife buy Fire !
Hi John,
Thank you for your comments! Great to hear that you’re an avid reader!
We also have not seen and touched the Fire yet. But from what we know, yes you can read all the ebooks using the Kindle apps, but it is not an ‘E-ink screen’. It’s an LCD screen. So it is theoretically NOT as good on the eyes as the regular Kindles with the E-ink screens! Hope that was helpful!
You saved me $80!
I was about to buy the new $80 ($79) Kindle and now I am totally going to wait till the Kindle touch comes. I can totally see how the 5 way button can be a problem!
I’m not 100% convinced that the Kindle Touch is the right choice or not!
I AM VERY happy with the $79 Kindle, sure it doesn’t have a touch-screen – the 5 way controller really doesn’t bother me. I search for stuff on the computer and download it to the Kindle, that way I don’t have to bother typing using the 5 way button.
I don’t use the Kindle to listen to music or audiobooks – so that doesn’t bother me either. I’m happy about the 20 bucks I saved which I will use for Kindle books!
My Kindle 2 just broke. I’ve been waiting for the ipad 3 and suddenly found myself looking for a replacement e-reader. Thanks for the systematic and detailed review.
For the small segment of your readers that own the older Kindle models, it’s helpful to know that if your older Kindle breaks after the 1 year warranty has passed, Amazon offers the option of replacing it with the Kindle keyboard for $40. If you want to swap the old Kindle for the Kindle Touch, Amazon will also accept and trade-in the older keyboard but offer very little for it ($14).