Does Walmart Sell Kindle Readers In 2026? A Detailed Buyer‘s Guide

In the age of digital content and ebooks, eReaders have become incredibly popular. And when it comes to eReaders, Amazon‘s Kindle reigns supreme for most consumers. But if you want to get your hands on a Kindle, you won‘t find them on the shelves at Walmart.

So why doesn‘t America‘s largest retailer sell the most popular eReader brand? Where should you buy a Kindle device instead? And how do the Kobo eReaders now sold at Walmart compare? This definitive guide will explain it all in detail so you can find the perfect eReader.

A Brief History of Kindle‘s eReader Domination

Amazon first launched the Kindle eReader in 2007, and it quickly revolutionized the way people consumed books. The early Kindle models used exclusive electronic ink displays to mimic real print and allow for weeks of battery life. This key innovation made eReaders a viable alternative to paper books for the first time.

Within just a few years, Kindles were outselling physical books on Amazon. And by 2010, they had captured over 60% of the eReader market. Amazon was able to regularly release updated models with new features like touchscreens, backlights, and waterproof designs that kept Kindle on top of the market for over a decade and counting.

In 2022, Amazon controlled a commanding 80% of eReader sales in America. And analysts estimate over 100 million Kindles have been sold to date. For book lovers, Kindles have become nearly synonymous with digital reading.

Why Walmart Refuses to Sell Its Biggest Rival‘s Kindle Readers

Walmart made the decision to remove all Kindle devices from its stores and website back in 2012. This was around the time Amazon began accelerating as Walmart‘s biggest competitor across all retail channels.

amazon, TOP WALMART COMPETITOR

When shoppers purchased Kindle readers, they were investing in Amazon‘s full ecosystem beyond just ebooks. Features like deep Goodreads integration and free Prime reading enticed more spending directly with Amazon instead of at Walmart.

Essentially, selling Kindles equated to Walmart promoting its #1 rival and supporting the growth of Amazon‘s retail dominance.

% KINDLE UNIT SALES DRIVING AMAZON SALES
![Table showing 80% of Kindle owners purchase Amazon content resulting in avg $430 in additional Amazon sales per device.]

So Walmart decided Kindle readers were too much of a threat to continue carrying and discontinued sales in stores. This same reasoning is why you won‘t find Amazon Fire tablets, Echo speakers, or any other Amazon-branded devices for sale at Walmart either.

Kobo Throws Its Hat in the Ring as a Kindle Alternative

With Kindles banned at Walmart, the retailer needed an alternative eReader option. A promising answer arrived in 2018 through a new partnership with Rakuten and their Kobo brand eReaders.

Kobo entered the scene back in 2009 offering a line of eReaders to compete with the Kindle. While Kindle has maintained a decisive lead in U.S. market share, Kobo is the #2 eReader seller worldwide.

The Kobo brand has grown through partnerships with big retailers beyond just Walmart, including:

• Walgreens – Exclusive carrier of Kobo devices in-store from 2013-2021.
• Indigo – Canadian bookstore chain that acquired Kobo in 2011.
• Fnac – European electronics retailer selling Kobo devices across the continent.

These retail partnerships have expanded Kobo‘s reach while still lagging behind the Amazon Kindle juggernaut.

KOBO VS. KINDLE U.S. MARKET SHARE

Year	Kindle Share	Kobo Share
2016	67%	4%
2017	77%	7%
2018	72%	12%
2019	82%	9%
2020	80%	10%

Walmart Kobo eReader Models and Prices

As of 2024, Walmart.com currently sells 4 different Kobo eReader models at the following price points:

• Kobo Nia – $99.96 (6" screen, 8GB storage)
• Kobo Clara HD – $124.96 (6" screen, 8GB storage)
• Kobo Libra 2 – $169.96 (7" screen, 32GB storage)
• Kobo Sage – $249.96 (8" screen, 32GB storage, waterproof)

These Kobos align closely in pricing tiers and features to Amazon‘s entry-level Kindle, mid-range Paperwhite, and premium Oasis models. Both brands offer adjustable warm light settings, touchscreens, and access to an ebook marketplace.

One perk of buying Kobo from Walmart is discounted audiobook subscriptions. Walmart offers Kobo audiobooks for just $9.99 per month, compared to $14.95 for an Amazon Audible membership.

Beyond Kobo, Walmart‘s marketplace also sells cheaper eReaders from brands like BOOX and BK starting around just $30. However, these lesser-known options often lack refined software or accompanying content stores.

Where You Can Buy Kindle Readers

Despite not being sold at Walmart, prospective Kindle buyers still have plenty of options on where to purchase Amazon‘s popular eReaders:

Amazon – Obviously Amazon sells Kindle devices directly on their website with all models in stock. Unique bundles like Kids editions may be Amazon-exclusive.

Best Buy – Both in stores and on BestBuy.com, all current Kindle models are available. Often qualifies for same-day store pickup.

Target – Select Target locations sell Kindle devices. Check Target.com for local inventory availability.

Staples – Kindle readers can be found at most Staples locations and on Staples.com.

Kohl‘s – Kohl‘s department stores sell Kindles both in-store and online. Often qualifies for Kohl‘s Cash promotions.

GameStop – Surprisingly, the video game chain now carries Kindle devices both online and in many stores.

Whole Foods Market – Some Whole Foods locations sell Kindle readers right at checkout near the impulse buys.

Amazon Pop-Up Stores – Amazon‘s temporary concept stores prominently feature Kindle devices.

Microsoft – The Microsoft online and retail stores now carry Kindle eReaders.

Office Depot/OfficeMax – Select models like the Kindle Paperwhite can be found here.

Between ubiquitous online sales and wide availability at national chains spanning tech, retail, and groceries, Kindles maintain huge brick-and-mortar presence despite the Walmart ban.

Prime Day and Black Friday: Best Times for Kindle Deals

Savvy shoppers should pay attention to major sales holidays for scoring the lowest prices on Kindle readers.

Amazon‘s Prime Day in July and Black Friday/Cyber Monday in November reliably offer deep discounts up to 25% off Kindle devices. Third-party retailers also tend to match these sales prices on hot models like the Paperwhite.

The budget basic Kindle sees more frequent sale prices around $20-30 off throughout the year. Veterans Day, President‘s Day, and Amazon‘s device launch events are other prime times for Kindle promos.

Signing up for price drop alerts, monitoring sites like CamelCamelCamel, and strategizing bundle deals around the major sales holidays can help maximize savings on Kindle readers. Patience pays off for the avid bargain hunter!

Buying Refurbished Can Slash Kindle Costs Even More

For the truly budget-conscious shopper, choosing an Amazon certified refurbished Kindle can cut pricing by 20% or more compared to brand new models. These pre-owned Kindles have been thoroughly tested and inspected to function like new.

The savings from going the refurbished route depends on current market prices, but expect between $20-50 off the Paperwhite and $50-100 on the high-end Oasis. Refurbs are backed by the same 1-year warranty for peace of mind.

Supply of refurbished units fluctuates frequently as trade-ins ebb and flow. So bookmarking the Amazon Refurbished Kindle page to monitor is advised. With extra vigilance, you can often score premium models for entry-level prices.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Kindle vs. Kobo

Beyond where to buy and pricing strategies, the bigger choice becomes whether a Kindle or Kobo eReader is right for you. Here‘s an in-depth look at how the two brands compare.

Kindle Pros

• Huge ebook selection – Access to Amazon‘s library of over 5 million Kindle titles and counting. New releases are consistently added.

• Seamless Amazon ecosystem – Easy buying and managing Kindle books through existing Amazon account. Also connects with Audible.

• Advanced features – Like X-Ray for character references, Goodreads integration, Word Wise definitions.

• Customer support – Amazon‘s customer service resources for troubleshooting are superior.

• Resale value – Strong demand for used Kindles helps retain higher trade-in value.

Kindle Cons

• Higher entry price – The base model Kindle usually costs $20+ more than entry Kobos.

• Amazon lock-in – Purchased Kindle books can‘t be transferred to other eReaders easily.

• Limited format support – Native support for just a few formats beyond Kindle‘s .AZW DRM.

• Higher ebook prices – New release titles can be a couple dollars more than on Kobo.

Kobo Pros

• Lower cost – Greater pricing choices like the $100 Nia and Clara undercut the entry Kindle.

• Open ecosystem – Kobo books aren‘t restricted to a single vendor and their DRM is easier to remove.

• Format flexibility – Support for EPUB, PDF, TXT, RTF and other common non-Kindle formats out of the box.

• Pocket integration – Save web articles easily to your Kobo account using Pocket.

• Accessibility features – Kobo devices tend to offer more options for vision-impaired readers.

Kobo Cons

• Smaller book selection – Kobo claims over 6 million titles, still short of Amazon‘s massive Kindle library.

• Developer support lacking – Less third-party apps and accessories designed for Kobo devices.

• Features missing – Lacks Kindle‘s X-Ray, Goodreads, and Word Wise type add-ons.

• Book pricing model – Some titles follow "agency pricing" leading to higher costs than on Kindle.

Kindle vs. Kobo: Which Should You Buy?

With the pros, cons, and key differences laid out, who wins the Kindle vs. Kobo debate? Here are some buyer scenarios:

• For the bargain hunter, Kobo‘s cheaper base models offer better value.

• For the power reader seeking the most titles and features, Kindle wins out.

• For the casual reader who borrows ebooks often, Kobo‘s flexibility may be preferred.

• For the visually impaired reader, Kobo‘s accessibility is a plus.

• For the Amazon ecosystem user deeply invested, Kindle is the obvious choice.

• For the format flexible reader, Kobo‘s compatibility is advantageous.

• For the audiobook addict, Kobo‘s cheaper Walmart subscription plan has appeal.

Weigh your specific priorities as a reader to determine if the benefits of Kindle or Kobo line up better with your needs. There are solid reasons for choosing either device – it comes down to personal preference for each reader‘s wants.

Bottom Line

Walmart chooses not to sell its arch-competitor‘s Kindle eReaders, instead opting for Kobo as an alternative partner. But Kindle lovers need not be dismayed. Amazon‘s leading eReader remains widely available at many other major retailers and online stores for competitive pricing.

Savvy shoppers can save even more through buying refurbished Kindles and watching for the best deals around peak sales events. At the end of the day, both the Kindle and Kobo brands make quality eReaders with unique pros and cons. Decide based on your budget, preferred format support, and reading ecosystem allegiance.

Happy reading!