The Kobo Clara Colour is an awesome alternative to Amazons Kindle Paperwhite
The world of reading is constantly evolving, and one of the most exciting advancements we've seen recently is the rise of color e-readers. These devices are truly shaping the future of the e-reader market, blending the beloved, eye-friendly experience of e-ink with a vibrant new dimension. Every major brand is now launching its own versions, with Amazon, for instance, offering a range of Kindles that boast color displays.
However, if you're looking for an excellent e-reader experience without relying on Amazon's ecosystem, Kobo stands out as a top contender. We've already had a fantastic experience with the larger, feature-rich Kobo Libra Colour. But what about its more compact and budget-friendly sibling, the Kobo Clara Colour?
Even after spending countless hours testing a wide variety of e-readers, it's rare to come across a device that genuinely impresses me. The Kobo Clara Colour, however, did just that. It's a perfectly sized e-reader that fits comfortably in your hand, offering incredible value, especially when you consider its innovative color display. I've previously put the Kobo Clara Colour directly against the popular Kindle Paperwhite, highlighting some key differences. But today, our focus is solely on the Kobo Clara Colour itself. Is this compact color e-reader truly worth the investment? What are its strengths, and where does it fall short? Let's dive into everything you need to know about the Kobo Clara Colour to help you make an informed decision.
Kobo Clara Colour: Price, Specifications, and What They Mean for You
Let's start by looking at the core details. The Kobo Clara Colour is priced at a competitive $159.99. It's available in two classic colors, black or white, allowing you to choose one that best suits your style. But the real magic lies beneath its sleek exterior. Here's a breakdown of its key specifications and what they mean for your reading experience:
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6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display: This is the star feature. E Ink technology mimics the look of real paper, making it incredibly comfortable for your eyes, especially during long reading sessions. Unlike backlit phone or tablet screens, E Ink reflects ambient light, reducing glare and making it easy to read even in bright sunshine. The "Kaleido 3" part is Kobo's latest generation of color e-ink, bringing subtle but noticeable hues to your content.
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300 ppi black and white resolution and 150 ppi color resolution: What does "ppi" mean? It stands for "pixels per inch," and it tells you how sharp the text and images will appear. For regular black and white text, the Clara Colour boasts a crisp 300 ppi, meaning words look incredibly clear and defined, just like a printed book. When it comes to color, the resolution is 150 ppi. This is common for current color e-readers and means colors will be accurate but appear more muted or pastel-like compared to a vibrant tablet screen. It's perfect for highlighting, charts, and diagrams, but don't expect the punchy colors of a comic book on a glossy display.
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USB-C charging port with up to 6 weeks of battery life: The modern USB-C port means you can use the same charger as many of your other devices, making it convenient. The battery life is impressive for a color e-reader, offering up to six weeks on a single charge. This means you can go for extended periods without worrying about finding an outlet, making it ideal for travel or daily commutes. We'll delve deeper into the nuances of battery life later in this review.
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16GB of storage: This generous amount of storage is more than enough for thousands of e-books. A typical e-book takes up very little space, so 16GB allows you to carry an entire library with you wherever you go, ensuring you'll never run out of reading material.
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IPX8 waterproof rating: This is a fantastic feature for avid readers! An IPX8 rating means the Kobo Clara Colour can be fully submerged in water for up to one hour (in up to two meters of fresh water). So, whether you love reading by the pool, in the bathtub, or at the beach, you can do so without fear of water damage.
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Night mode available: For those late-night reading sessions, Night Mode in Kobo’s ComfortLight PRO system adjusts the screen's warmth and reduces blue light, creating a more comfortable and eye-friendly experience in dimly lit environments. This helps prevent eye strain and can even promote better sleep.
Beyond Amazon: Why Kobo is a Smart Choice for E-Readers
When most people think of e-readers, Kindles often come to mind first, largely due to Amazon's dominant presence. However, there are compelling reasons to consider a Kobo device instead, especially the Kobo Clara Colour. For many, the primary motivation is to avoid shopping on Amazon. If you're someone who prefers to diversify your tech ecosystem or simply wants a device that isn't tied to the Amazon marketplace, Kobo offers a fantastic alternative.
Having thoroughly tested a wide range of e-readers, we can confidently say that Kobo devices are just as impressive as Kindles in terms of performance and user-friendliness. They offer a smooth, responsive reading experience, intuitive navigation, and access to a vast collection of books through the Kobo Store. The real difference, and a significant one for many users, is that Kobo provides all these benefits without tying you into Amazon's ecosystem.
One of the most significant advantages across all Kobo devices, and especially true for the Kobo Clara Colour, is its deep integration with OverDrive. For those unfamiliar, OverDrive is a digital content platform that partners with public libraries worldwide, allowing patrons to borrow e-books and audiobooks for free using their library card. The popular Libby app, which many readers use to access digital library content, is part of OverDrive's system.
With Kobo's direct OverDrive integration, the process is incredibly smooth. Once you link your library card to your Kobo account, any book you borrow through Libby automatically appears on your Kobo e-reader. There's no need for extra steps like sending books to your device manually or jumping through hoops. This seamless "borrow and read" functionality is a huge time-saver and makes accessing free library books wonderfully convenient. While Kindle also offers a Libby integration, it often involves a few more steps, like sending the book to your Kindle from the Libby app or website, which isn't nearly as direct and integrated as Kobo's approach. For avid library users, this feature alone can be a game-changer.
Beyond this, Kobo generally supports a wider range of file formats compared to Kindles, making it more flexible for those who source their e-books from various platforms or prefer to sideload content. This commitment to open standards means less friction for users who aren't exclusively tied to a single digital storefront.
The Most Affordable Color E-Reader on the Market
One of the Kobo Clara Colour's most compelling features is its price point. At $159.99, it currently holds the title of the most affordable color e-reader available. This is a significant factor in the evolving e-reader landscape, as color e-ink technology has historically been quite expensive, often pushing devices well over the $200 or even $300 mark.
To put this into perspective, while the Kobo Clara Colour is a bit more expensive than a basic, entry-level Kindle, which typically costs around $109.99, it matches the price of the widely popular Kindle Paperwhite. The crucial distinction here is that for the same price as Amazon's premium monochrome e-reader, Kobo is offering a device with a full-color display.
This affordability is absolutely key. It democratizes access to color e-reading, making it a viable option for a much wider audience who might have previously found color e-readers out of their budget. Being able to experience the benefits of color e-ink – whether for subtle highlights, colorful book covers, or more engaging non-fiction content – without breaking the bank is a huge draw. It represents a significant step towards making color e-readers a mainstream choice rather than a niche luxury.
A Splash of Color, with a Touch of Reality: Understanding the Clara Colour's Display
When approaching color e-readers, it's crucial to set realistic expectations regarding color vibrancy. The Kobo Clara Colour, like most color e-ink devices currently available, delivers colors that are accurate but decidedly muted. They won't pop with the same intensity you'd find on a physical, glossy book or the bright, backlit display of a tablet or smartphone. This characteristic is inherent to E Ink technology, which prioritizes a paper-like, glare-free reading experience over vivid color saturation.
The technical reason for this lies in the resolution. As mentioned earlier, the Kobo Clara Colour boasts a sharp 300 ppi for black and white text, making your novels and articles incredibly crisp. However, its color resolution is 150 ppi. This lower color resolution means that while colors are present and correctly represented, they appear softer, more pastel, and less defined. Imagine a printout from a standard printer versus a high-quality photo print; the difference in richness is similar.
So, who will appreciate this display, and who might be disappointed? If you primarily read standard novels, non-fiction with occasional charts, diagrams, or colorful maps, or want the ability to highlight text in different colors, the Clara Colour's display will be a fantastic enhancement. The subtle color adds a layer of engagement without distracting from the primary goal of reading. Book covers look much more appealing in color than in grayscale, and children's books can certainly benefit from the added hues.
However, if your main interest is reading graphic novels, comics, or art books where vibrant, rich, and highly detailed colors are paramount to the experience, you might find the Clara Colour's muted palette a bit underwhelming. For these content types, a tablet with an LCD or OLED screen will likely offer a more satisfying visual experience, though at the cost of eye comfort and battery life. The Clara Colour’s strength lies in its ability to introduce color gently into the e-ink experience, enhancing readability rather than replicating a high-definition color screen.
Ergonomics and Portability: The Perfect Handheld Size
In my personal testing of the Kobo Clara Colour, I set aside my larger Kindle Paperwhite for several weeks. To my genuine surprise, I didn't miss the Paperwhite at all. It was genuinely refreshing to switch to a smaller e-reader that felt truly handheld and incredibly comfortable. The Clara Colour's six-inch screen is indeed smaller than the Paperwhite's 6.8-inch display, but I found that the slightly reduced screen real estate was a worthwhile sacrifice for the sheer comfort and portability it offered.
The Kobo Clara Colour fits perfectly in one hand, making it ideal for reading on the go, whether you're commuting on a crowded train, lounging on the couch, or simply enjoying a book while standing. Its lightweight design and balanced feel reduce hand fatigue, allowing for longer, more relaxed reading sessions. This compact size also makes it incredibly easy to slip into a bag or even a larger coat pocket, ensuring your reading companion is always within reach.
Visually, the Clara Colour's screen features a raised edge that surrounds the display, a design choice reminiscent of the basic Kindle model. This contrasts with the Kindle Paperwhite's flush screen, where the display and bezel are on the same level. While a flush screen can look more premium, the raised edge on the Clara Colour offers practical benefits. It provides a tactile border, making it easier to grip the device without accidentally touching the screen. It also offers a degree of physical protection to the display itself.
Interestingly, the Kobo Clara Colour shares almost the exact same dimensions as the basic Kindle. In my review of that Kindle model, I noted that it would be the perfect e-reader if only it were waterproof. Well, Kobo has answered that wish. The Kobo Clara Colour delivers a nearly identical, comfortable, and compact design, but crucially, it adds a robust IPX8 waterproof rating. This means you get all the benefits of a perfectly palm-sized e-reader, plus the peace of mind that comes with knowing it can withstand an accidental splash or even a full dunk, opening up new possibilities for where you can take your reading.
Enhanced Reading with Accessories: The Kobo Remote Advantage
Another compelling reason to choose the Kobo Clara Colour, especially if you enjoy reading in varied positions or appreciate added convenience, is its compatibility with the unique Kobo remote. This is a significant differentiator in the e-reader market, as Kobo is currently the only major brand to offer a native, dedicated remote control for its devices.
The Kobo remote connects to your Clara Colour via Bluetooth, providing a hands-free way to turn pages. Imagine lounging comfortably on your couch, propped up in bed, or even reading hands-free at a desk. With the Clara Colour resting on a stand or simply propped up, you can effortlessly move forward or backward through your book with just the press of a button on the remote. This eliminates the need to reach out and tap the screen every time you want to turn a page, enhancing the overall comfort and immersion of your reading experience.
This accessory truly elevates reading into a more relaxed and cozy activity. It's particularly fantastic for cold winter evenings when you might have your hands tucked under a blanket, or for anyone who struggles with mobility or prefers not to constantly touch their device. The Kobo remote transforms the Clara Colour from a great e-reader into an even more adaptable and user-friendly reading system, offering a level of convenience that its competitors simply don't match.
The Achille's Heel: Battery Life That Needs a Boost
While the Kobo Clara Colour shines in many areas, its battery life stands out as its most significant drawback. Kobo states that the device offers "up to six weeks" of battery life, which, when compared to the daily charging demands of a smartphone or laptop, might seem perfectly adequate. However, the benchmark for e-reader battery performance has been set quite high, largely by devices like Kindles, which can boast up to 12 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
In the months I've spent using the Kobo Clara Colour, I've consistently found myself needing to recharge it approximately twice as often as my Kindle Paperwhite. This discrepancy, while not a deal-breaker for everyone, can be a noticeable inconvenience for those accustomed to longer stretches of uninterrupted reading without thinking about power.
Several factors likely contribute to this difference. The color e-ink display, while energy-efficient compared to LCDs, still requires more power to refresh and display colors than a purely black-and-white screen. Features like the ComfortLight PRO (especially when set to higher brightness levels) and frequent Wi-Fi usage for syncing library books or accessing the Kobo Store will also naturally consume more power. While six weeks is still very good by general electronics standards, it falls short of the expectations many users have for an e-reader, where charging is often an infrequent event.
If Kobo aims to truly rival and potentially surpass Kindle's market dominance, addressing and improving the Clara Colour's battery longevity should be a top priority for future iterations. For now, users should be mindful of their charging habits and perhaps turn off Wi-Fi when not actively syncing to maximize the time between charges.
Who is the Kobo Clara Colour For?
Given its unique blend of features and value, the Kobo Clara Colour isn't just another e-reader; it’s a tailored solution for specific types of readers. Understanding who this device is best suited for can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your reading habits and preferences.
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The Amazon Avoider: This is arguably the biggest target audience. If you're actively looking to distance yourself from Amazon's ecosystem for ethical reasons, data privacy concerns, or simply a desire for brand diversity, the Clara Colour offers a robust and equally satisfying alternative to Kindle, without compromising on quality or features.
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The Avid Public Library User: Thanks to its truly seamless and intuitive OverDrive/Libby integration, the Kobo Clara Colour is a dream come true for anyone who frequently borrows e-books from their local public library. The convenience of having borrowed titles automatically appear on your device is unmatched, making it incredibly easy to keep up with your reading lists.
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The Budget-Conscious Color Seeker: At $159.99, the Clara Colour provides the most affordable entry point into the world of color e-reading. If you've been curious about color e-ink but found other options too expensive, this device makes it accessible without a significant financial commitment.
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The Portability and Comfort Prioritizer: Its six-inch, palm-sized design makes the Clara Colour exceptionally comfortable for one-handed reading and incredibly easy to carry anywhere. If you value a lightweight, compact device that can effortlessly slip into a bag or pocket, this e-reader is an excellent choice.
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The General Reader Who Appreciates Subtle Color: If you read mostly text-based books but enjoy the occasional chart, map, or highlight in color, or simply appreciate seeing book covers in their intended hues, the Clara Colour offers a pleasant visual enhancement without the glare or eye strain of a tablet.
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The Accessory Enthusiast: For those who appreciate innovative tech and added convenience, the Kobo Clara Colour's compatibility with the unique Kobo remote provides a hands-free reading experience that sets it apart from other e-readers on the market.
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The Bathtub/Beach Reader: With its IPX8 waterproof rating, the Clara Colour is perfect for reading in wet environments, offering peace of mind that your device is safe from splashes and accidental submersion.
Ultimately, if these characteristics resonate with your reading style and values, the Kobo Clara Colour is likely to be a highly rewarding purchase.
Final Verdict: Is the Kobo Clara Colour the Right E-Reader for You?
The Kobo Clara Colour enters the e-reader market as a strong contender, especially at a time when color e-ink technology is gaining traction. If your goal is to find an exceptional e-reader experience that stands apart from Amazon's ecosystem, the Kobo Clara Colour emerges as an outstanding choice. It offers an incredible value proposition, priced at $159.99—the same cost as the popular Kindle Paperwhite—yet it includes a vibrant color display, which the Paperwhite does not.
Its perfectly handheld size makes it wonderfully comfortable for extended reading sessions and incredibly easy to transport, solidifying its place as a truly portable companion. The seamless OverDrive integration, which allows for effortless borrowing of library books, is another powerful reason to opt for this device, making it a dream for public library patrons. Coupled with its robust IPX8 waterproofing and unique compatibility with the Kobo remote for hands-free page-turning, the Clara Colour offers a comprehensive and enhanced reading experience that genuinely differentiates it from its rivals.
While it is a formidable competitor to Amazon's Kindles, there is certainly room for improvement, most notably concerning its battery life. The "up to six weeks" claim, while respectable for electronics in general, falls short of the extended longevity offered by some monochrome e-readers. For users accustomed to charging their e-reader only a few times a year, this might require a slight adjustment to expectations.
In conclusion, the Kobo Clara Colour represents a compelling package. It successfully delivers an accessible and enjoyable color e-reading experience within a compact, ergonomic, and feature-rich device. For readers who prioritize avoiding Amazon, value direct library integration, desire a comfortable handheld size, and are curious about the subtle benefits of color e-ink without a premium price tag, the Kobo Clara Colour is an excellent and highly recommended investment, paving the way for the future of digital reading.
from Mashable
-via DynaSage
