Kobo · 4 current models
Kobo e-readers, compared
Kobo is the main alternative to Kindle: native EPUB, built-in library borrowing, waterproofing on most models, and color from $179.99. Kobo has not released new e-reader hardware in 2026.
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Kobo lineup at a glance
| Spec | Kobo Clara BW | Kobo Clara Colour | Kobo Libra Colour | Kobo Elipsa 2E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch / list price (US) | $159.99 | $179.99 | $259.99 | $399.99 |
| Display size | 6″ | 6″ | 7″ | 10.3″ |
| Display technology | E Ink Carta 1300 | E Ink Kaleido 3 | E Ink Kaleido 3 | E Ink Carta 1200 |
| Color display | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Resolution | 300 ppi (1448 × 1072) | 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color | 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color | 227 ppi |
| Front light | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warm light | — | — | — | — |
| Auto-brightness | — | — | — | — |
| Storage | 16 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Waterproofing | IPX8 | IPX8 | IPX8 | Not stated |
| Battery (maker claim) | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Weight | 174 g | 174 g | 199.5 g | 390 g |
| Dimensions | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Charging | — | — | — | — |
| Stylus | No | No | Optional (sold separately) | Included |
| Audiobooks / audio | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) |
| Software | Kobo OS | Kobo OS | Kobo OS | Kobo OS |
| Formats | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images |
| Shop |
Specs from manufacturer announcements and product pages, verified 2026-11-09. “Not published” means the manufacturer hasn’t confirmed it. Prices are launch/list prices, not live retail prices.
Illustration, not a product photo.
Kobo · Current model
Kobo Clara BW
A waterproof 6-inch e-reader with native EPUB and built-in library borrowing.
Quick verdict
Kobo’s entry model has a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 screen, IPX8 waterproofing, 16 GB and Bluetooth audiobooks. It reads EPUB natively and borrows library books through built-in OverDrive.
Research-based review · verified 2026-11-09List price at Kobo$159.99
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who should buy it
- Library borrowers
- Readers who buy EPUBs from many stores
Consider an alternative if
- Your library is already in Kindle
- You want a 7-inch screen
Pros
- IPX8 waterproofing at the entry level
- Native EPUB and 15 formats
- OverDrive library borrowing
Cons
- No access to Kindle books
- 6-inch screen
Specifications
| Display size | 6″ |
|---|---|
| Display technology | E Ink Carta 1300 |
| Color display | No |
| Resolution | 300 ppi (1448 × 1072) |
| Front light | Yes |
| Warm light | — |
| Auto-brightness | — |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Waterproofing | IPX8 |
| Battery (maker claim) | Not published |
| Weight | 174 g |
| Dimensions | Not published |
| Charging | — |
| Stylus | No |
| Audiobooks / audio | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) |
| Software | Kobo OS |
| Formats | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images |
Configurations & list prices
| Configuration | List price (US) | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| 16 GB | $159.99 |
What we couldn’t confirm
- ppi is calculated from resolution and screen size; Kobo does not state it on the product page.
Sources for this product (2)
Illustration, not a product photo.
Kobo · Current model
Kobo Clara Colour
The most affordable color e-reader from a major brand.
Quick verdict
Clara Colour has a 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display (300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi color), IPX8 waterproofing and 16 GB. It costs $110 less than the Kindle Colorsoft.
Research-based review · verified 2026-11-09List price at Kobo$179.99
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who should buy it
- Color on a budget
- EPUB and library readers who want color
Consider an alternative if
- You want a 7-inch color screen
- You buy from the Kindle store
Pros
- $179.99 color e-reader
- IPX8
- OverDrive built in
Cons
- Small 6-inch screen for comics
- No Kindle store
Specifications
| Display size | 6″ |
|---|---|
| Display technology | E Ink Kaleido 3 |
| Color display | Yes |
| Resolution | 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color |
| Front light | Yes |
| Warm light | — |
| Auto-brightness | — |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Waterproofing | IPX8 |
| Battery (maker claim) | Not published |
| Weight | 174 g |
| Dimensions | Not published |
| Charging | — |
| Stylus | No |
| Audiobooks / audio | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) |
| Software | Kobo OS |
| Formats | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images |
Configurations & list prices
| Configuration | List price (US) | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| 16 GB | $179.99 |
Sources for this product (2)
Illustration, not a product photo.
Kobo · Current model
Kobo Libra Colour
7-inch color with physical page buttons and optional stylus.
Quick verdict
Libra Colour pairs a 7-inch Kaleido 3 display with physical page-turn buttons, 32 GB, IPX8 waterproofing and optional Kobo Stylus 2 support for notes and annotation.
Research-based review · verified 2026-11-09List price at Kobo$259.99
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who should buy it
- Readers who want page-turn buttons
- Light annotation on a 7-inch screen
Consider an alternative if
- You want Kindle store access
- You never need a stylus
Pros
- Physical page buttons
- 32 GB
- Stylus support
- IPX8
Cons
- Stylus sold separately
- No Kindle store
Specifications
| Display size | 7″ |
|---|---|
| Display technology | E Ink Kaleido 3 |
| Color display | Yes |
| Resolution | 300 ppi B&W / 150 ppi color |
| Front light | Yes |
| Warm light | — |
| Auto-brightness | — |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Waterproofing | IPX8 |
| Battery (maker claim) | Not published |
| Weight | 199.5 g |
| Dimensions | Not published |
| Charging | — |
| Stylus | Optional (sold separately) |
| Audiobooks / audio | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) |
| Software | Kobo OS |
| Formats | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images |
Configurations & list prices
| Configuration | List price (US) | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| 32 GB | $259.99 |
Sources for this product (2)
Illustration, not a product photo.
Kobo · Current model
Kobo Elipsa 2E
A 10.3-inch note-taking e-reader with the stylus included.
Quick verdict
Elipsa 2E is Kobo’s large-screen writing device: 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 at 227 ppi, 32 GB and Kobo Stylus 2 included. Kobo does not list a waterproof rating.
Research-based review · verified 2026-11-09List price at Kobo$399.99
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who should buy it
- Note-taking outside the Amazon ecosystem
- Large-format PDFs and EPUBs
Consider an alternative if
- You want 300 ppi on a large screen (Kindle Scribe)
Pros
- Stylus included
- $399.99 — less than the Kindle Scribe
- Library borrowing
Cons
- 227 ppi is less sharp than Scribe’s 300 ppi
- No waterproof rating
Specifications
| Display size | 10.3″ |
|---|---|
| Display technology | E Ink Carta 1200 |
| Color display | No |
| Resolution | 227 ppi |
| Front light | Yes |
| Warm light | — |
| Auto-brightness | — |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Waterproofing | Not stated |
| Battery (maker claim) | Not published |
| Weight | 390 g |
| Dimensions | Not published |
| Charging | — |
| Stylus | Included |
| Audiobooks / audio | Bluetooth (Kobo Audiobooks) |
| Software | Kobo OS |
| Formats | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, TXT, HTML, RTF + images |
Configurations & list prices
| Configuration | List price (US) | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| 32 GB with Stylus 2 | $399.99 |
Sources for this product (2)
Frequently asked questions
Can a Kobo read Kindle books?
Not books bought from the Kindle store — those use Amazon’s DRM. Kobo reads EPUB and other open formats natively, and books from the Kobo store.
Can I borrow library books on a Kobo?
Yes. Kobo e-readers have OverDrive built in, so you can borrow ebooks from libraries that use OverDrive/Libby directly on the device (availability varies by country and library).
Do Kobo e-readers play audiobooks?
Yes, Kobo Audiobooks play over Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Libby audiobooks are not supported on Kobo devices.
Is the Kobo Sage still sold?
Kobo’s US store showed the Sage as sold out at our last check (November 2026), so we don’t list it as a current model.