Kindle Oasis Versus Nook GlowLight Plus
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If you’re in the market for a new e-reader, our Nook vs Kindle review covers all the bases. From prices to specs and even reading selections, we provide a full picture of what each product has to offer. Perhaps you’re willing to pay more for the Kindle Oasis since it can download books from the public library, or maybe you’d prefer the Nook Glowlight which is waterproof and perfect for lounging by the pool. Either way you can make an informed decision about your e-reader purchase after reading our comprehensive Kindle vs Nook review below.
- The Good
- High-end resolution
- Extensive book collection
- Comfortable design
- Lightweight
- Included leather case
- The Bad
- Higher price point
- No adaptive front light
- 3G unavailable outside of the United States
Kindle Oasis is a good option for anyone who wants an e-book reader with the best resolution and a good amount of features. However, one interesting omission on the Oasis is the lack of an adaptive light, first introduced on the Voyage. Similar to the auto-brightness feature on phones, adaptive light alters the backlight depending on your environment (for instance, if you moved from a bright room to a dark one, it would slowly lower the light displayed by the device to better suit your eyes in the new environment).
- The Good
- Great screen resolution
- Waterproof
- Good book selection
- The Bad
- Unintuitive store interface
- Performance lag
Overall a very good e-book reader with pretty standard features for the midrange price point. The screen resolution is very clear and on point with similar e-books like the Kindle Paperwhite. The Nook store is also very well-stocked because it has access to all of Barnes & Noble’s online book options. The addition of it being waterproof is definitely the feature that sets it apart from other similarly priced e-books. The main complaints, however, are that it can often be difficult to find purchases if you have a large store of e-books, and occasionally people have noticed slow response times, which can be quite annoying.
- Price
- $289
The Kindle Oasis is expensive. Running at the high price of $289, it is often labeled the “Rolls-Royce of Kindles.” A standard Kindle is $60, and the backlit Paperwhite model is $100. The Oasis’ high price often makes other Kindle models such as the Voyage a much more affordable option.
- Price
- $130
While this price is slightly higher than the comparable Kindle Paperwhite, they are nearly the same and the Nook Glowlight Plus has the addition of being waterproof. The price is on the lower end of e-book readers overall and on par with other mid-range devices in terms of features.
- Specs
- Resolution
- 1448×1072, 300 ppi
- Display Size
- 6 inches
- Lighting
- Front-lit display
- Capacity
- Holds up to 2,000 books
- Battery Life
- 9-week battery life with case attached
- Weight
- 131 grams (4.6 ounces)
The front light system has been updated to include 60 percent more LEDs for a brighter display and more even light. The Oasis is 30 percent lighter than any other Kindle model, with the Voyage coming in at 6.3 ounces and the Paperwhite at 7.2 ounces, the equivalent of a standard paperback book. The Oasis is also 20 percent thinner than other Kindle devices. In fact, the Kindle Oasis is only 3.4 mm and thickens only slightly at the base. Kindle Oasis is easily the most lightweight of all other devices of its kind, and is also smaller. Visually, there is better contrast, and light is evenly spread; with 300 pixels per inch, the text looks as good as any printed word. The Kindle Oasis has more impressive specs than any other e-book reader. It is one of only two Kindle products to offer 300 ppi resolution, is one of the lightest eReaders, and has an extended battery life as well as a large storage capacity.
- Specs
- Resolution
- 300 ppi
- Display Size
- 6 inches
- Lighting
- Built-in Glowlight
- Capacity
- 4GB of memory, holds thousands of books
- Battery Life
- 4-6 weeks
- Weight
- 6.9 ounces
Again, these specs are pretty on point with other eReaders in this price range. The 300 ppi resolution is a newer addition and a vast improvement to the reading experience. The new design of the Nook, with its cream bezel in the front and smooth metal gold back, is slightly flashier than other similar e-book readers and also slightly lighter. Some readers also felt the cream, textured bezel made the screen look clearer and easier to read. The front-lit display is easier to read in the dark and reduces eye strain. And like other e-books, depending on usage, the battery should last about a month.
- Features
- 3G data connectivity
- E-ink display
- Landscape mode
- Physical page-turning buttons
- In-book dictionary option
- Easy-to-hold shape
- Leather case
The biggest advantage of the Oasis is that the asymmetrical shape puts all the weight in your palm, making this the best Kindle yet for one-handed reading. Instead of the on-screen buttons of the Voyage or the swiping capability of the Paperwhite, the Oasis features two physical buttons on the side of the display. The top one advances the page, while the bottom one turns it back, which feels very natural. The leather case (available in three colors) is not only stylish but adheres magnetically to the device, bumping battery life up to 9 weeks if Wi-Fi is not turned on.
- Features
- Waterproof
- Ad-free experience
- Free in-store support at any Barnes & Noble
- Handpicked fonts designed for easy reading
The two biggest features that differentiate the Nook Glowlight Plus from other e-book readers in this range is that it comes ad-free (a privilege you have to pay more for on any Kindle model) and that it is waterproof. While there are other waterproof e-book readers out there, you’re going to be looking at a much higher price point. It is also worth noting that you can go to any Barnes & Noble store should you have any issues with your Nook and they will troubleshoot at no cost. Amazon recently rolled out a new font to improve the reading experience on their e-book readers, but Nook has been on top of that since day one.
- Book Selection
- Access Amazon's book library
- Borrow books from local library
- Share books with friends
- Download free public domain books
Kindle products offer Amazon’s entire library of e-books, which is an extensive selection of hundreds of thousands of books. You also have the ability to “borrow” books from local libraries that have programs with Amazon, as well as lend your own books to friends and borrow books from them. Free public domain books also add to the already impressive free book collection.
- Book Selection
- Access to full Barnes & Noble e-book library
- Can upload Epub and PDF files
- Free public domain books
The Nook Glowlight Plus is directly linked to the Barnes & Noble store, which does have a great selection, though it can be a bit difficult to navigate. The books are organized by genre, with bestsellers being the first to come up. While you can upload third-party files, the Nook only supports Epub and PDF at this time (not Mobi or AMZ) and does not offer the option to rent books from a local library at this time. It also includes B&N readouts, which is a way to discover new books that are tailored to your interests based on previous purchases.
Kindle Oasis: User Reviews
Nook GlowLight Plus: User Reviews
Kindle Oasis: Comments
Nook GlowLight Plus: Comments
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Amazon has done amazing things with its suite of Kindle products, and the Kindle Oasis is the best of its kind. While the Kindle Oasis is expensive, if you’re one of those who want the top-of-the-line product, the Oasis is for you.
How Does the Kindle Oasis Work?
The Kindle Oasis works like most other e-book readers. After downloading a book to the reader, you can instantly access and browse through it as if it were an actual book. The home screen shows the most recent books you’ve been reading on the top left, a selection of titles added to your wish list, and some suggested books on the bottom. There are also settings like airplane mode, which significantly saves battery life, and data syncing from the Oasis’ toolbar.
Amazon’s library, with hundreds of thousands of books available, can be accessed straight from the Kindle Oasis. If your payment information is already set up in your Amazon account, you can buy books faster and easier. You then download the book to your personal library, which exists both on your Kindle and in your Amazon account, so you can access your books on other devices as long as you have a Kindle Reader app.
One of the best features is that you can access e-books from your local library and borrow them to your Kindle Oasis. You can also lend e-books you have bought to your friends, and they can do the same for you. This, along with the large library of free public domain books that Amazon has, means you can read thousands of books for free.
Kindle Oasis also comes with great features that can make reading easier. It has great LED lights that will make it easier to read both in direct sunshine and in the dark.
The Oasis is charged via micro-USB, and if the case is connected, then it, too, will automatically charge at the same time.
What Can You Read on a Kindle Oasis?
Books are not the only things you can read on your Kindle Oasis. Here’s a good breakdown of all the other publication options that you can buy and access:
Newspapers: You can buy a newspaper subscription straight from your Kindle or Amazon account, and it includes a 14-day free trial. You also have access to the 14 most recent issues of the newspaper, as well as the current issue.
Magazines: Magazine subscriptions work the same way as newspaper subscriptions, and they also include a 14-day free trial. With magazines, you actually have access to the 40 most recent issues of the publication, as well as the current issue. You can also link current subscriptions to newspapers and magazines to your Amazon account to get access to them on your Kindle.
Comic Books: Amazon also has a wide range of comic books that you can download and read on your Kindle Oasis. From graphic novels to standard comic books, the 300 ppi gives an almost “inky” quality to illustrations.
PDFs: You can upload your own PDFs to your Kindle to add to your library so you can access them when you need them. You can either use a USB port to transfer the files or use the Send to Kindle app. Since e-readers do better with black and white text, complex PDFs might not convert as well.
Common Kindle Oasis Reviews
Kindle is one of the top eReader brands, and Kindle Oasis is one of the top products in the line; however, the price has remained a deterring factor to some.
In almost every professional consumer product review of eReaders, a Kindle product ends up on top. It’s usually the Kindle Oasis, which has more options and features than the Kindle Voyage, but many argue that at $100 more, the features are not worth the money.
The Oasis, for all of its flash design, isn’t that much better than Amazon’s current batch of Kindles. Most argue that it is not worth a $90 premium over the Kindle Voyage, which was already overpriced ever since it launched at $199. With the Kindle Paperwhite available for $100, there’s simply no reason for most people to even consider the Oasis.
Is Kindle Oasis Right for You?
The Kindle Oasis would work best for die-hard Kindle fans who want the top-of-the-line Kindle experience and don’t mind paying extra for it.
Overall this is a very solid e-book reader, on par with others in this price range. It has a clear, easy-to-read screen and sleek look and feel. With the clear text and all-over back-lit glow light that won’t cause eye strain, it is easy to read both at night and in direct sunlight. The addition of the waterproof feature makes it a great option for travel, as it’s more insulated and portable – making it a good choice if you want to read while hanging out in the pool.
While the reading experience itself is pretty comparable with others, the user interface has received some criticism, with lag times of turning pages and difficulty navigating both the Barnes & Noble store and the library of books on your device.
While the Nook e-books struggled for a few years, since handing over the hardware and software development to Android we have seen a significant improvement in the usability and aesthetics of the Nook eReaders.
How Does the Nook Glowlight Plus Work?
The Nook Glowlight Plus functions pretty much like any other e-book reader on the market. When you power it up, you’ll have to connect it to Wi-Fi (no 3G option here) and then sign up for a Barnes & Noble account to begin buying books. All of the navigating options are available along the bottom of the Home Screen. You’ll see Library, which shows your downloaded books, Shop, B&N Readouts, Settings and Search. You can navigate around, buy books and then find them in your library when you’re ready to read them.
When reading, you use the touchscreen to turn the pages. There is no button to turn the pages and sometimes there is a few second lag when trying to turn the page. A minor complaint, but as this is the main feature of the eReader it can be a bit annoying.
One big difference from the Kindle Paperwhite is that the screen is not recessed, which makes for a slightly more enjoyable reading experience.
What Can You Read on Nook Glowlight Plus?
Book are obviously the primary purpose of the Nook eReader and there is a wide selection. Basically anything that you can find in a Barnes & Noble store — and in some cases more — is available to purchase for a very reasonable price through the store right on the eReader.
You also have access to purchase subscriptions to a variety of newspapers and magazines through the Barnes and Noble store and have them delivered right to your device.
The Nook also has the additional functionality of being able to plug into your computer and download either Epub or PDF files that you have onto your device. So if you purchase third-party books in either of those formats, you can keep everything in one place.
Common Reviews of Nook Glowlight Plus
The reviews are generally positive, with it receiving a 3.1 out of five stars on Barnes & Noble’s website. Everyone is very happy with the screen resolution and backlighting, saying it offers a wonderful reading experience. People also love the fact that you don’t have to swipe to get it to turn on. The evenly backlit screen is also a huge boon for the Glowlight Plus.
The main complaints center around the user interface and the performance lag time. People are very impatient nowadays and with other faster e-book readers out there, the difference is notable. A few reviewers also noted that while the battery does last a long time, it can take a few hours to reach a full charge, so make sure to leave plenty of time to charge.
Is the Nook Glowlight Plus for me?
This is a great option if you want to purchase a mid-range e-book reader that still has an amazing screen resolution and reading experience. It is also a great option for travelers because of its sturdy, waterproof and dust-proof construction. If you are already an Amazon prime subscriber, it might make less sense to go for a Nook over a Kindle since you would have to purchase an additional subscription instead of getting free unlimited access to Amazon’s book library. The two libraries are very similar in their offerings, but as many users have noted, the B&N library is not as intuitive to use as Amazon’s.
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