Kobo Aura H2O review: This e-reader is pool and bathtub-ready

November 24, 2016

Bathtubs, swimming pools—liquids in general, really—are the natural enemies of books. Get one wet, even once, and it’ll never be the same again. So too electronics, which makes many of the places we like to read—at the beach, in the bathtub, or anywhere water is present—a risky location. That’s not the case with the Kobo Aura H2O. As its name implies, it’s designed to wade into water and come out the other side unharmed and ready to use. Unfortunately, a number of disappointing quirks prevent us from giving it a strong recommendation.The H2O isn’t waterproof, but its IP67 rating means this e-reader is dustproof and highly water-resistant. The 6 means it can be submerged in just over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes and come out ready to use, and the 7 means it’s completely protected from dust. This is due in part to a plastic cover on the micro-USB port and microSD card slot located on the bottom of the device. I have some concerns about the long-term durability of that cover, which connects to the H2O by way of a thin plastic tang. Opening and closing the cover every time you want to charge the H2O or fiddle with a microSD card could cause it to break free of the e-reader over time.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Link: http://www.pcworld.com/article/3144444/e-readers/kobo-aura-h2o-review-this-e-reader-is-pool-and-bathtub-ready.html#tk.rss_reviews