Compare the old and new Kobo H2O

Written by Robin

Edited on

11 January 2023

·

07:27

Compare the old and new Kobo H2O

Kobo launched their first water-resistant e-reader in 2014 with the Kobo H2O. With this model, you can also feel free to read an e-book at the edge of the pool. Kobo will release a new version of this e-reader in May 2017: the Kobo H2O (edition 2). In this article, I'll outline the differences and similarities between these two models.

No longer available, view the newer model

Compare the Kobo Elipsa to the Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage

The Kobo Aura H2O is no longer available. Read more on the successors in this comparison.
Compare the Kobo Elipsa to the Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage
Compare the Kobo Elipsa to the Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage

The Kobo Aura H2O is no longer available. Read more on the successors in this comparison.


View the Kobo Libra 2

With the waterproof Kobo Libra 2, you can easily leaf through books with the physical buttons. View it here.

Compare the Aura H2O and H2O (edition 2)

Kobo Aura H2OKobo Aura H2O (2nd Edition)
Water-resistant (IPX certificate)IPX730 minutes, up to 1 meter deepIPX860 minutes, up to 2 meters deep
Display backlightNo blue light filterEyes get tired fasterBlue light filterEyes become less tired
Thickness (in cm)0.990.85
Weight (in grams)233207
Kobo logo

Improved water-resistant coating

The Kobo Aura H2O (edition 2) has an improved water-resistant coating. The new version of the Kobo H2O is water-resistant for up to 60 minutes at a maximum depth of 2m. The old version is water-resistant for a maximum of 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1m. So the new version is even more resistant to water. If you accidentally drop your e-reader into the pool, the new H2O is a bit better protected than its predecessor.

View all water-resistant e-readers
Kobo K20 and Kobo H20 edition 2

Improved screen lighting

The new Kobo H2O is, like the Kobo Aura ONE, equipped with ComfortLight Pro. As a result, blue light is filtered from the backlight and you read an ebook just before you go to sleep. The backlight is automatically adjusted to the light of the environment. It is also possible to manually adjust the lighting of the screen to your preference. This technology was not used in the screen of the old model of the Kobo H2O.

Kobo H20 design comparison

Physical properties

The new Kobo H2O fits just a bit easier in your bag than its predecessor. The Kobo H2O (edition 2) is 0.85 cm thick and is therefore 0.14 cm thinner than the first version of the H2O e-reader. You also feel this when you hold the e-reader. The new variant weighs 207 grams. This is 26 grams lighter than the first version of the Kobo H2O.

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Article by Robin

E-reader Expert.

Robin