Kobo Remote review: A game changer for cozy winter reading

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One thing about tech these days: there aren’t enough buttons. Our phones and tablets are all touchscreen, and even e-readers have lost their buttons. That’s why I love the Kobo Libra Colour so much. It’s one of the few e-readers that still features page-turning buttons since the Kindle Oasis was discontinued. Since Kobo understands the value of a button, it’s no surprise that it’s the first e-reader maker to launch a page-turning remote.

Page-turning remotes for e-readers are the hottest accessory. They’re especially coveted in the colder months when all you want to do is keep your hands under a blanket but still be able to read your book. On Dec. 2, Kobo launched its very own remote, making a device that’s native to its e-readers.

As a lover of the page turner I got for my Kindle, I was thrilled to try out Kobo’s new remote. And guess what? Amazon better watch out and start working on a Kindle remote — stat.

The best remote page turner — Kindles better watch out

The most popular remote page turners for e-readers are two pieces: one piece clips onto the side of the e-reader, and the other is the actual remote to turn the pages. Kobo ditches that design and is just a standalone remote that connects via Bluetooth to Kobo e-readers. Additionally, where most remotes have only one button, the Kobo Remote has two. One moves pages forward and a second turns pages back.

The top button on the Kobo remote turns pages forward while the bottom button turns the page back.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Kobo nailed the design of the remote. Having both page forward and back buttons is so clutch. Other remotes have only a single button, so if I accidentally click forward a few pages, to go back, I have to tap the screen. However, the Kobo allows you to do both, meaning your hands don’t need to leave the blankets once.

The remote also stays connected between sessions. Other e-reader remotes require you to reconnect every time you use them, but the Kobo remote stays connected, just like a TV remote stays connected to your TV.

All this to say, Kobo nailed its e-reader remote right out of the gate.

Perfectly designed for a comfortable hold and no screen interference

The Kobo Remote has a slightly curved design to fit nicely in your palm.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Beyond the buttons, the Kobo Remote measures just under four inches in length. It has a slight bend to it, replicating the curve of your palm. It’s very comfortable to hold, even for extended periods of time. I put my Kobo Libra Colour on my bedside stand and used the remote to read for a few hours, never experiencing fatigue while holding it.

Because the device connects to Kobo e-readers via Bluetooth, you don’t need a separate clip to turn the page. This means that, unlike most page turners, there’s no screen interference.

It won’t work with Kindles

Most page-turning remotes you can buy will work with any e-reader or tablet, as they’re made mainly by third-party manufacturers and not by the e-reader manufacturers themselves. Since the Kobo Remote is the first remote designed by an e-reader maker and the best-designed remote thus far, I wanted to see if it would work with a Kindle.

The answer — no. Whomp whomp. I tried to connect the Kobo Remote to my Kindle’s Bluetooth settings, but unfortunately, even when the remote was in pairing mode, my Kindle couldn’t find the device. So until Amazon gets it together and makes its own Kindle remote, you’re stuck using a third-party remote.

Should you buy the Kobo Remote?

Put your Kobo e-reader in a stand, grab the remote, and get cozy this winter.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you’re a Kobo e-reader owner, you should absolutely buy the Kobo Remote. It conveniently connects to the device and is the best-designed remote out there. The curved design of the remote will help prevent hand cramps during extended reading sessions, and with its two included buttons, you can easily turn to the next page or go back a page.

The Kobo Remote costs $29.99. You can find page-turning e-reader remotes ranging from $15 to $35, which technically puts it toward the upper end of the market. That being said, I think it’s a great value at $29.99, given its stellar design and functionality. It’s the best-designed page-turning remote I’ve tested, and at $29.99, it’s a great value.

Amazon better watch out because Kobo has mastered the page-turning remote. While we usually prefer Kindles over Kobo e-readers, the brand’s new remote gives its e-readers a leg up.