Okay, so I’ve been messing around with these two e-readers, the Kobo Libra Colour and the Kobo Clara Colour. I really wanted to see what the deal was with color e-ink in a smaller form factor, ’cause, you know, who doesn’t love a splash of color, right?
Getting Started
First thing I did was unbox both of them. They’re both pretty sleek, not gonna lie. The Libra is a bit bigger with that 7-inch screen, and it’s got those page-turn buttons that I’m a big fan of. The Clara is more compact with a 6-inch screen, which is kinda cute and definitely more portable.
Diving In
I loaded up a bunch of books and comics on both. The color on these things is… well, it’s there. It’s not like your phone or tablet, more like faded colors. I found the colors on the Libra was slightly better than the Clara. I think its because the larger screen just give the colors a bit more room to breathe. Comics look alright, especially if they’re designed with this kind of muted palette in mind. It took me a while to get used to it.
Reading Experience
- Libra Colour: Feels great in hand. The buttons are a lifesaver, and that larger screen makes a difference for comics.
- Clara Colour: Super light, you can just throw it in your bag and forget it’s there. But reading for a long time, I found myself missing those buttons on the Libra.
I spent a good few days with each, reading before bed, on my commute, you name it. I started to notice little things. Like, the Libra‘s battery seemed to drain a bit faster, probably because of the larger screen and the color stuff.
Weighing the Differences
I’ve read online that people who are more in the single digits on black and white content are more around the 11% on the color. Honestly, that sounds about right from my experience. You’re definitely trading off some battery for the color, so I guess the user’s preference will matter a lot.
Making a Choice
After all this, if I had to pick one, I’d probably go with the Libra Colour. The bigger screen and the buttons just make for a better reading experience for me. But, I can totally see why someone would prefer the Clara Colour. It’s just so darn portable and easy to carry around. It really comes down to what you prioritize, screen size and buttons or portability.
So, that’s my little adventure with the Kobo Libra Colour and Clara Colour. Hope this helps someone out there trying to make a decision. They’re both solid choices, just depends on what you’re looking for in an e-reader.
