Kobo Clara BW

I own a Kindle Paperwhite (last gen, relative to this new one) and a Kobo Clara BW (purchase in the last 6 months). [...] It fits snuggly in my back pocket and strikes the perfect balance between screen size being large, but not too large to hold for my average male hands. [...]

[...] Been enjoying it for "read anywhere" as I can always carry it on me unlike my Kobo Clara BW. I sideloaded the Amazon Kindle fonts (Bookerly and Ember) and a few others using the builder at obviously you need to be running CrossPoint to load the fonts so have that flashed on first. [...] That said the Clara BW is still my preferred e-reader as I find the larger screen better for longer reading sessions however you really can't beat having a tiny 3.7" e-reader with you everywhere. All those "micro waits" at places and I can read a few pages or even a chapter of a book rather than using my phone for nonsense stuff. [...] I didn't have any issue with my regular ePubs but this optimised ones open faster and do look a bit nicer overall so it is worth the few minutes it takes to optimise all your books IMHO.

[...] I have a Kobo Clara BW. [...] They are way more open with the software and I have mine in "sideload" mode (an official setting), which really just means that it doesn't make me log into anything and it doesn't even attempt to connect to the internet. Also, I can purchase a DRM free ebook on the train, plug a USB cable into my phone and my Kobo, and then load it on like that. Now I own my digital book, have supported the author with a larger margin, and get to read it on my more private machine. [...]

[...] The $140 6" Kobo Clara BW for example is far far better than original $150 6" Kobo of 2010. Screen is much sharper and higher contrast, supports touch, it's way faster, has WiFi, front light, software does more, 16 times the storage. [...] Kindle is a similar story, although some value the physical keyboard and 3G. [...]

I switched from a Kindle Paperwhite (2023 is the year I got the Kindle, not sure what model that is, but it was the most recent version at the time) to a Kobo Clara BW right after it came out (pretty sure it's the same as the Kobo Clara 2). I personally really value the "sideload" mode on the Kobo where I have no internet connection and can drop my files onto it via USB without any work-arounds. [...] That said, the Kindle Paperwhite's display is incredible and the store is pretty good (you risk losing your book "license" on all platforms), plus the extra small bit of screen size on the Paperwhite is just the perfect size IMO. [...] I connect it to the internet like twice a year to get an update and then turn it back off. [...]

[...] My idea was that I can stick it to my phone when I go out or commute and don’t want to bring my standard Kobo reader, so I can read more instead of doomscrolling So far, my impression: - it’s a fun piece of tech, but it’s also a super simple one. Idk the price of a eink screen like that, but it’s basically a screen + esp32 + battery, so $70 might be a bit too much, and just includes all the ads budget, which is clearly huge - CrossPoint firmware is neat and OSS, so you can for and DIY whatever you can imagine - it’s still so much more convenient to read on a bit bigger reader. Even my Kobo Clara BW with Koreader, which is still quite portable, has way better UX. And it’s just about x2 more expensive - magnet is not strong enough to sit firmly on my phone - I got a epub rendering issue with one of my books - I don’t read a lot on it and still prefer my Kobo, so it failed the main objective for me personally - it’s still fun how much esp32 in such a tiny enclosure can do :)

[...] Honestly, it was a pretty good setup.[1] But it seemed like it would be harder to setup this way on newer devices, so when mine finally failed, I got a Kobo Clara BW. I was thrilled I could boot it up in "sideloader mode" and not even register it or enable wifi. [...] [1]: Except you cannot remove a wifi password if you aren't in range of that wifi signal. I had a rude experience when my two-year-old was fiddling with my Kindle at my in-laws' house and turned on the wifi where there was still a saved credential. An update triggered immediately and I was frustrated for days that everything in the UI changed.

I have a color eInk Android tablet and I greatly prefer my Kobo Clara BW for general readability. [...] It sounds like this new version of color eInk might be better. [...]

I bought a Kobo Glo HD for €129 in 2016. [...] A comparable entry-level model (Kobo Clara BW) today is €149 - 12% cheaper. It's also now waterproof and does bluetooth audio. It's a niche product that doesn't really benefit much from economies of scale (think eInk displays of that size). [...]

Kobo Clara BW is my everyday ereader. I've had it around for 3-4 years and absolutely no complaints so far. Also no ads unlike kindles, and can connect to your local library's catalog through Libby.

i've had a kobo clara bw since november and I LOVE IT! it's lightweight, you can change the luminosity and how orange (anti blue light thing) you want your screen to be, and also the dark mode is so nice

I got a kobo clara bw and a xteink x4 that I gave to my kid. Im quite happy with the kobo, it’s a much better experience for reading imo despite not having buttons. The touch screen is usable after all. [...]

My experience with battery life seems to be the opposite of yours. I'm using it on a Kobo Clara BW and my battery just lasts and lasts, even with an hour or more a day of reading. I don't have any firm data on it, but I know that right now I'm at 52% battery and it's been at least a week and a half since I plugged it in anywhere.

I also have Kobo Clara BW, and don't like swipe gestures, or any gestures whatsoever. [...] With gestures only e-ink books, I have to take extra caution how I hold it so that it doesn't trigger something.

As someone who has resisted buying an e-reader for years because I "prefer physical books", I finally purchased a Kobo Clara BW and love it. Even though I usually only read one book at a time, having my whole library in a small form factor is really wonderful.

Yes it does. I bought a Tolino Shine 5 and converted it to Kobo Clara BW following this guide: At the end I still returned the Shine 5 because the small front-facing LED kept shining for no reason. I don’t know if it was hardware related or happened because of the firmware switch.

[...] ethical standpoint, if you have the money for one. However, it is worth noting that Kindles will always be cheaper than Kobo devices [0] due to economies of scale and lockscreen advertisements (removable with jailbreaking). [...] [0] as of today, 12/8/25, the "base model" Kindle 11th Generation is priced at $109.99 USD, and the respective Kobo Clara BW is $139.99 USD. [...]

[...] Got a Kobo Clara BW a while ago -- great lil device. [...]

It's interesting he has an iPad in the picture of his gear, but doesn't mention it in the article. [...] I'd want an ereader as well, but when push comes to shove, I can read on my phone just fine. My Kobo Clara BW is small and light enough to be almost unnoticeable.

I like KOReader, but gave it up in favor of the default software on my Kobo Clara BW, mainly because of library navigation. [...]

kobo clara bw for me, i use it completely offline and never had to create an account either

oh oh i got a kobo clara bw recently i love this thing. i was tired of dealing with kindle. i got the remote too ive been lazy reading in bed with it

oooooo!!!! I'm so excited 😆 I bought my kobo clara bw in January and I've just loved it!!!

Of interest to anyone trying to achieve Amaz-Off in 2026, I recently picked up a Kobo Clara BW as a Kindle alternative. Delighted to say that it’s a far better e-reader than my Kindle was, with a vastly more responsive, higher resolution screen. It also has integration with my local (UK) library.

oh how could i forget, a big highlight this year was finally getting an ereader! i got the kobo clara bw, and it's probably my favorite device i bought this year. the e-ink display is so comfy on the eyes, and it really helped me a lot with not doomscrolling.

i bought my first own ereader ahhh 😍 (kobo clara bw) - i had a kindle like 15 years ago but got it used from someone - i dont even know from whom anymore??

I got a Kobo Clara BW that was delivered today (unexpectedly, never received tracking) and 1) she's cute, 2) I'm learning calibre, and 3) downloaded all the animorphs ebooks

Bought an e-reader after doing some research (stumped for the Kobo Clara BW!) because I was growing pretty tired of reading on my phone when not reading one of my paperbacks/hardbacks due to the eye strain (esp at night). I had a kindle paperwhite years ago and e-ink is one of the coolest modern

After quite a bit of research and looking into options I finally got a new ereader with a Kobo Clara BW. [...] Dug around for ways to transfer books I bought elsewhere and put on there. [...] Even linked my library & checked out the book on screen

I've had my Kobo Clara BW for a few days and loving it! The only thing I'm struggling with which is not related to the actual Kobo is the placement of my pop socket. I have moved it once already but it still doesn't seem to be in a comfortable location lol

I got a Kobo Clara BW because I don't need color and I don't like how it looks. Color eReaders are a little duller and with deuter eyes colors are already duller to me. Black and white is fine, also all the color models were sold out.

Finally got around to ditching my Kindle for a nice new Kobo Clara BW e-reader. Even though the screen size is a bit smaller, it's a clearer, nicer reading experience. [...]

So after a 14 day wait I got a replacement for the Kobo Clara BW ereader, but the replacement’s screen was even worse 😩 So I’ve had to return that and am now in week 2 of the replacement process. I really really really hope the third one has a working screen 🙏 Have other Kobo owners had this?

Fun story - my kindle died just in time for the Amazon boycott so I got myself a Kobo Clara BW. So far, I legit like it so much more than the paperwhite!

I'll say that if you wanna save some bucks, the Kobo Clara BW is just fine. I got the Kobo Libra Colour and it's nice to have the color cover art, but it's not much of a game changer or anything.

I have the Kobo Clara BW and it’s great – way harder for me to get distracted & fits in my pocket. Page turner remote has been good (very battery intensive though). However I use it as offline as humanly possible so I can’t comment on Overdrive etc.

There are no physical buttons on the front That's too bad. [...] I currently use a Kobo Clara BW and miss dedicated page-turning buttons. I see they're offering the print files for the case, maybe there will be some pins on the ESP32 exposed somewhere for adding buttons

I wasn’t sure about color e-ink, so I bought both the Kobo Clara BW and the Color version to test and return the one I didn’t like. I don’t read graphic novels, but some books have infographics and illustrations.