Kindle vs. Nook: Which One is The Best $99 E-Reader?

April 30, 2012 — -- intro: I get a lot of technology questions from my friends and family, but lately I've gotten the following questions very frequently: "Should I get a tablet or an e-reader? Oh, and if I go with an e-reader, should I go Nook or Kindle?"

That first question is fairly simple to answer, the second, however, is a bit more challenging.

Why an e-reader?

An e-reader is the best device if all you want to do is read and you don't want to carry around a heavy hardcover book or several paperbacks on a trip. Now, of course, a tablet could help too, but e-readers have a leg up on tablets when it comes to reading outdoors. They also have better battery life.

Most e-readers have an E Ink display, a monochrome screen that is readable in very bright light and indoors. Unlike tablet screens, E Ink screens are easy to read if you're lounging by the pool -- there's no glare to deal with. Also, e-readers tend to be thinner and lighter than tablets, like the iPad. They are easier to hold in one hand while lying down. Additionally, they have very long battery lives; typically you can read for a month without having to recharge.

So, if you've decided to buy an e-reader and not a tablet -- which one is the best? That's where that Nook vs. Kindle question comes in.

Barnes & Noble's Nook Simple Touch and Amazon's Kindle Touch are almost identical. Both $99 e-readers have 6-inch E Ink displays, infrared touch screens, built-in Wi-Fi for downloading books over-the-air, and access to millions of e-book titles. Of course, there are some differences; follow along below to find out how they stack up against each other.

quicklist: 1category: Round 1title: Hardware and Interface Design url: text: Both the Nook Simple Touch and the Kindle Touch are lightweight and easy to hold in just one hand. The 7.48-ounce Nook is slightly thicker and heavier than the 5.98-ounce Kindle, but I actually prefer the feel of the Nook to the Kindle.

The Nook has a rubberized back with contoured edges, making it very easy and comfortable to hold. Additionally, unlike the Kindle, the Nook has physical page-turn buttons, so you can easily press the buttons on the left or right side.

The software interface on the Nook is also easier to navigate than the one on the Kindle. The Nook's is more visually appealing, with icons that illustrate the different menus. Additionally, all your downloaded books or the ones in your "library" display covers of the books, which is more visually appealing than the Kindle's all-text interface. There are also no ads.

Amazon's $99 Kindle Touch has "special offers," which is a nice way of saying ads. The ads are confined to the Library page and to the screensaver; you won't find them in the middle of a book. But for the same price, Barnes & Noble offers an ad-free experience. For $139, you can get the Kindle Touch without special offers.

Verdict: The Nook Simple Touch is the more comfortable e-reader. That's not to say the Kindle isn't very thin and light, but the Nook has the edge on design and aesthetics.

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