The Aura H2O weighs about 23 grams less but the more compact design actually makes it feel a little heavier in the hand than the Aura One, an unexpected twist.Īside from the screen, the internal hardware is virtually identical between the two models so there’s not much to say there. It’s 2 mm thinner, which doesn’t sound like a lot but it feels like a lot.

The Aura One is simply a lot nicer to look at and to hold with its flush glass screen and leaner frame. I didn’t mind the cheap plastic frame on the lower end model, which sells for $119 and frequently goes on sale for $99, but I was expecting better from a higher-end model that costs $179 USD. The new Kobo Aura H2O is basically a larger version of the Kobo Aura 2, Kobo’s entry-level model. I was expecting the new Aura H2O to be a smaller version of it but that’s not how things turned out at all. I really like the larger screen and the overall design-plus the OverDrive integration is super convenient. To me, the Kobo Aura One is one of the best ereaders to ever get released.