Rakuten Kobo has just unveiled its new e-reader, the Nia. This is an entry-level model (€99.99) which favors quality over waterproofing. Here is our full test…
Kobo has not missed its return to the e-reader niche for less than €100. The Nia incorporates a maximum of features that will appeal to both beginners and old digital reading backpackers who do not wish to lock themselves into a proprietary format. And it is certainly this compatibility with open formats that makes this reader interesting compared to its direct competitor, the Kindle (2019) from Amazon, equipped with a similar screen and marketed at 79.99 €.
Strong points
- Reduced format.
- Lightweight.
- Reading at night (ComfortLight).
- 8 GB memory.
Weak points
- Not waterproof.
- Questionable accessibility of the on/off button.
NB: The reported price drop is calculated by comparing the lowest price of the day with the average of the lowest prices charged by all merchants for the product last month, with security rules to exclude prices from shops whose the VAT policy is not clear (known as “grey” shops, typically in the case of imports from China).
Alternatively
For this price, there is no photo, this new Kindle 2019 is the ideal tool to start digital reading, knowing that it now includes a backlight. We can blame him for a small screen, but that’s the price to pay. Especially since it is the only one in its entry-level niche, the Kobo Touch having disappeared from the catalog. As for the other readers, the prices start above. Only mobile applications can compete with it, in particular with the possibility of listening to its book (Audible). Finally, there is the Amazon library, the richness of which is well established.