EDIT: Previously, I mistakenly stated that this has no security, but it does in the form of a PIN. I've updated my review to reflect that, and bumped it up to 5 stars
This is my first eReader so I have no comparison of performance compared to others. I'll list the cons first in case there are any deal-breakers for people, then they can stop reading and look for something else.
Cons:
-No SD/microSD slot
-No NAS drive option
-No headphone jack
-Will get you addicted to reading
Neutrals:
-Looks like something from old Star Trek
Pros:
-Clear, readable text
-Decent Colour
-Readable in blinding sunlight
-Super lightweight
-Great battery life
-Supports Google Drive, Overdrive & Dropbox
-Probably won't shatter when you drop it
Despite a few drawbacks, I still greatly enjoy this eReader. I don't foresee myself needing more than 32GB of storage for books, as I'm not an audio book guy (yet), and even so, I can transfer anything from my laptop to the Libra anyway. But still, I do have a NAS drive and microSD cards lying around, so being able to use those would've been a nice feature for peace of mind and feeling like I didn't overspend on tech stuff (lol). Maybe one day we'll get an OTA update that let's us use NAS drives.
Now for the cool stuff! I wasn't completely sold on an eReader since I already have a tablet, but I decided to buy one anyway to see what the fuss is about, and I ultimately still love this thing. It's incredibly light and doesn't tire my hands like a tablet or a book, and being able to fit so many books onto something so small still wows me. Dang it, I just love technology! Syncing this with Google Drive just makes things even better.
I've never dropped this thing but it looks a lot more durable than a glass phone, or even a tablet, and I'm confident it can survive a few drops. If you're someone who frequently drops stuff, I'd still buy a case for the aesthetic, if anything- this looks like it was designed by the same people who designed Star Trek Voyager computers. But maybe that's the case for all eReaders, no pun intended.
Thanks to my allergies, I dislike going outside, but I did bother to test it in direct, blinding, sunburnable light and the brightness still makes things more than readable. If you're someone who likes to pretend they're a White Lotus character and reads on the beach with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, this can be a part of your prop arsenal. Personally, I like to read in bed before I go to sleep and I haven't dropped it on my face yet. As far as colour is concerned, it doesn't look as nice as my tablet or phone, but maybe that's asking too much. Apparently colour eReaders are a mindblowing new thing so it might wow you.
I haven't fully converted and sub'd to their book shop, so I can't comment on the experience there; I still have my Kindle Unlimited sub still active and may also buy a Kindle to see how the experience compares. I do notice that the Kindle app on my tablet tries to sell me new books hardcore and is way more in my face than this shop's. Despite that, I might end up with two book subs since it's current_Year and everyone has 10 streaming subs anyway. Carrying around two eReaders is definitely not as physically demanding as carrying two thick books. If you have the expendable income, why not have the best of both worlds?
In short, this Libra Colour is gas. I've reconnected to my nerdy childhood and I'm reading tonnes more thanks to it. Like any tablet or laptop, you should be especially wary about it being stolen on public transportation, since this has 0 password/PIN protection. But for anyone who loves reading, this is an amazing experience with ridiculous battery life compared to a phone or tablet, and won't strain your eyes.
5 Ryan Reynolds'!
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Product Description
Kobo eReader Comparison Chart
 Kobo Elipsa 2E |  Kobo Sage |  Kobo Libra Colour |  Kobo Clara Colour |  Kobo Clara BW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Customer Reviews
|
319
|
1,039
|
1,549
|
203
|
225
|
|
Price
| — | $269.99 | $209.99 | $144.99 | — |
|
Color Display
| ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
|
Screen size & Text
| 10.3" E Ink Carta 1200 | 8" HD flush E Ink Carta 1200 | 7" colour E Ink KaleidoTM 3 | 6" colour E Ink KaleidoTM 3 | 6" HD E Ink Carta 300 |
|
Screen resoltuion
| 227 PPI | 300 PPI | 300 PPI (B/W),150 PPI (colour) | 300 PPI (B/W),150 PPI (colour) | 300 PPI |
|
Dark Mode
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
|
Page-turn buttons
| ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
|
Landscape Mode
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
|
Storage
| 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
|
Weeks of Battery Life
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
|
Kobo Audiobooks
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
|
Stylus Compatibility
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
|
Cloud Storage
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Yay for the page turning buttons!!
Through the reader years I have had a Sony, Nook and then used my IPad. That was too heavy and valuable to carry around. I had a Voyage, upgraded to an Oasis which I left on a plane (yes, check those seat back pouches 🙄). Paper White was new and less expensive so I went with that. I missed the page turning buttons and in November tried to buy one only realizing they had been discontinued. I bought a used one. The battery only lasts five hours. Amazon wouldn’t help because it was bought through a second party? I was willing to try my luck on another but there were no longer any used available. During my search Kobo popped up. I had not ever heard of it 🤭 How is that possible (I live in the US) ?! My book club wants me to bring this novelty to our next meeting. People seemed more pleased with it than the Kindle Colorsoft but regardless, I was buying for the page turning buttons. I’ve now had it one week. I’ve given the Paper White to my son and I’ll keep the Oasis because of my extensive library (and yes I can still read my kindle books on my IPad) but I’m now a Kobo person. I love my page turning buttons!! I do not read cartoons or Manga but being able to see the book covers in color is very enjoyable to me and helps me remember which books I’ve read. My library screen is much more pleasant to look at than the crowded Kindle page. Downloading from Libby has been very easy. Ready to borrow has popped up on the screen and I touch to download. I had the trial Kobo Unlimited but like Kindle Unlimited - the books I want to read are mostly new releases (which they wont have) or books that are already on Libby. I bought The Frozen River last night because I was 532 on the Libby waitlist (it must be good). It was $2.00 more than kindle and I understand Kobo will price match. I have the stylus and it works like my IPad pen. I’ve only scribbled so I can’t promise it’s perfect. I only bought it because I can and I like gadgets. I haven’t opened the notebook yet but it looks interesting. I ordered a total of four cases. I was hoping one of them would store the stylus. They do not. The stylus sticks to the left side of the kobo but that is covered by all the cases - even the kobo case. The Kobo case is the only one that allowed comfortable access to the buttons but again only the right side is exposed and the stylus won’t stick to that side. I’m very surprised Kobo hasn’t done something about this. I really DO NOT like the colors offered by the Kobo case but it is the best fit. I will say the butter yellow isn’t hard to miss when I’m looking for it.To close - I’ve been around in the e-reader world and I love my Kobo Libra Color. The BIGGEST selling point for me are the page turning buttons.
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Top reviews from other countries
- Arthur G.Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2025
Glad I switched - Kobo finally sticks it to Kindle!
Color: BlackVerified Purchase -
Juan CarlosReviewed in Mexico on January 3, 2025
La mejor compra que eh realizado
Color: BlackVerified Purchase -
Me gustó es justo como se ve en la imagenReviewed in Mexico on November 24, 2024
Preciosa kobo
Color: WhiteVerified Purchase -
