The Kobo Glo is an ebook reader with a 6” grey-scale e-Ink touchscreen. This means it’s ideal for reading books even in bright light because reflections and screen glare are less of a problem than can be the case on a tablet.
However the device is limited to reading – you won’t be able to collect emails, browse the web or play games.
Like most modern ereaders, the Glo features WiFi access to a bookstore so you can download new books direct to the device, avoiding the need to connect it to a computer.
It also has a lit screen, meaning it competes with the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight we previously reviewed and Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite.
With its £99 retail price the Glo undercuts both its rivals by £10 but it’s hard to see this as much of a selling point – the saving would just about get you the ebook edition of a latest release.
As you might expect, the light is adjustable to ensure you can set it for your own comfort. At lower levels I found the light felt ‘hollow’ and a little like reading through a window but when turned up to around 40% it provided a very solid, comfortable reading experience.
The build quality of the Glo is impressive and the device feels solid enough to survive the bumps and jolts of everyday use.
However the quilted rubberised rear of the earlier Kobo reader seems to have been replaced with a harder feeling back panel that doesn’t offer the same level of grip and traction. This could be an issue for anyone whose grip is less firm.
Recommending the Glo over its rivals (or vice versa) is difficult because, as I wrote recently, the current generation of ereaders all offer the same features for much the same price. The best approach when buying a reader is to try out several in store before parting with your cash.
But if you’re looking to replace an older Kobo reader and want continued easy access to your existing books, the Glo is a great upgrade which, thanks to the in-built light, offers a huge usability boost.
