Rakuten Kobo recently launched two new e-readers that are changing the digital reading game: the Color Kobo Libra and Color Kobo Clara. Their calling card is that they finally come with color, and that changes everything. We had the opportunity to test the Kobo Libra Color, a kind of digivolved older brother of the Kobo Libra 2 that we reviewed earlier, and we will see what it brings us again.

Kobo Libra Color Specifications

The box is everything statement of intent, with a full-color sketch-type design that gives us a preview of what the Kobo Libra Color has to offer. But the important thing is inside. Generally speaking (and before turning it on), we are facing a device practically the same as the Kobo Libra 2, somewhat thinner and lighter, which is always appreciated. It has compact dimensions and the option of reading in vertical or horizontal format, which means that after adding a cover that works as a lectern, we can read wherever we want.

His cover letter, as we can get an idea from the name of the eReader itself, is E Ink Kaleido 3 color technology thanks to which e-book reading takes on a new dimension and maintains the visual comfort and battery life that characterizes the most classic e-ink.

When we turned on the Kobo Libra Color, the first thing that struck me is on the one hand that you can somehow see the “pixel density”. This means that the white background is somewhat less clean, because we can feel those small dots that change the color and they form all the images that this device promises us. If we compare it to its predecessor or other black and white devices, we can also see that there is somewhat less light intensity and less contrast than usual. I understand that’s the price to pay in exchange for finally getting a color screen.

Full color

As for the colors, we find a fairly wide range of tones, but they are placed in the area of ​​pastel colors and are more muted than what we can find on other types of screens such as smartphones or tablets. It’s understandable because we have a completely different screen concept. This made me afraid of ink “leftovers” when turning the pages of the e-book, but thanks FastGLR technology which includes the Kobo Libra Color, we find even less residue than what we see in black and white devices.

In the case of coloring books, comics, etc., it’s very common for them to be in PDF format instead of epub or similar, so the refresh rate (which you can adjust in your device settings) will automatically update each page, so the rest will leave no tracenever better said.

We find several options as reading supplements. On the one hand, and as a novelty, the Kobo Libra Color includes synchronization with Google Drive and Dropbox so that files can be accessed and even edited online in the cloud. Not as a novelty, but as an interesting addition we will find again audiobook support, which will allow us to enjoy this fashionable format if we connect headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. It might not be the most practical option for listening to an audiobook, but it’s great to have as an option.

It’s a semi-new thing take notes, which we have already seen in the Kobo Libra 2, but in its full-color brothers compatibility with the Kobo Stylus and Kobo Stylus 2, we were able to test the “old” version of this accessory, and if it is already becoming the best companion for your e-reader, the latest version will certainly much better. We can take notes and do whatever doodles we want in the My Notebooks section as well as in the eBooks themselves. While it’s evident that this is a tool that lacks a bit of fluidity, I’m sure it will continue to be polished in future versions and end up

We can also find it as an accessory Sleeping cover in three colors (butter yellow, twilight blue and black) made from recycled materials to protect your e-reader wherever you want to take it. This case, in addition to having an origami-like system that acts as a stand, “interacts” with the device and automatically turns on when you open it, or goes into standby mode when you close it. Very useful for battery optimization. The only thing I missed is some kind of stylus attachment system that would make it easier for us to carry the e-reader with accessories and also save us from possible losses.

Final conclusions

The Kobo Libra color is part of that first foray into the world of colors by Rakuten Kobo, a complete reimagining of what an e-book can be, is finally coming into our hands. This version has a screen that, while less bright and contrasty than its predecessors, provides a fairly decent color gamut and a screen refresher that eliminates any ink residue. Comic book and picture book readers celebrate. It has a convenient format and great autonomy that you can take anywhere and enjoy hours and hours of reading. In addition, we can supplement traditional reading with options such as accessing documents on Google Drive or Dropbox, listening to audiobooks or writing notes. The Kobo Libra Color (with all accessories) is available on the Rakuten Kobo store in two colors (black and white) for €229.99 and in retail channels such as Amazon.