Which is better, Kindle or Nook e-readers?

While there are many similarities, there are subtle differences in the display and design and in the catalog of e-book offerings between the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook e-readers that can sway the decision of which is better than the other; some consumers prefer the Kindle, while others prefer the Nook. The consumers' priorities will dictate which they find preferable, and which is actually better is purely a matter of subjective opinion.

The Kindle Paperwhite is somewhat heavier than the Nook GlowLight at 7.3 ounces versus the Nook's 6.2 ounces; both feature a 6-inch screen. The differences between the two are quite subtle.

• The Kindle Paperwhite has a black frame while the GlowLight's frame is white with gray silicone edging.
• The Nook GlowLight has a brighter display, and the text looks sharper; however it is uneven across the screen as opposed to the Paperwhite's slightly dimmer but more even lighting. Some people find the unevenness distracting.
• Comparing the basic Kindle model to the Nook Simple Touch, the Kindle still uses manual page turning technology that results in a larger, clunkier unit.
• Kindle units can only read Amazon's proprietary file types - MOBI or AZW files - while the Nook reads standard EPUB and PDF files, so the user is tied to using Amazon with a Kindle and Barnes & Noble and other retailers with the Nook. Both retailers offer similar selections and competitive pricing however.
• The GlowLight features 2GB of storage versus 1GB with the Paperwhite.
• The Kindle Paperwhite offers more software extras than the GlowLight.