(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (384 ratings).
An Android color reader that can run the Kindle, Kobo and Libby apps side by side, so no single store locks you in. But TechRadar found a yellowish, soft screen, constant ghosting and heavy battery drain. About 1 in 5 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, the highest share in this group.
Top complaints
- Yellowish, soft screen with ghosting
TechRadar says text lacks crispness, the display has a strong yellow hue, the front light isn't very bright, and ghosting is constant. Amazon's summary says some owners find the color faint and the screen dull and grainy.
- Heavy battery drain
TechRadar says it chews through its 2,300 mAh battery quickly even on default settings, and lost about 25% on average while asleep, versus the 5-10% it expects. Amazon owners report mediocre battery life.
- Complicated setup and units failing
Engadget says Boox's Android readers aren't easy for beginners and the built-in reader handles only DRM-free EPUBs. TechRadar says submenus are hard to find. Amazon's summary says setup is a pain for some, response can be slow, and multiple owners report the device failing on its own.
What owners love
- Open Android with any reading app
Engadget says you can read DRM books through the Kindle, Kobo or Libby apps, with very broad format support.
Source: Engadget - Better buttons and stylus support
TechRadar lists better page-turn buttons than the first generation and new stylus support at the same price.
Source: TechRadar review - Good built-in reader app
Amazon owners find the built-in reader excellent, with one saying it feels like reading a real book.
- You want a simple, set-and-forget reader
- You want weeks of battery life
- You need waterproofing
- Running Kindle, Kobo and Libby apps on one E Ink device
- Tinkerers who want Android and the Play Store
- Page-turn buttons plus optional stylus notes
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- TechRadar: 'Your money is best spent elsewhere': the screen is its biggest downfall, and battery drain is significant. TechRadar's roundup picks the black-and-white Boox Go 7 as its Android choice instead.
- Engadget: Best Android e-reader (Go Color 7, $250 list): capable and customizable, but not easy for beginners. The native app lacks DRM support, and the built-in store has only public-domain titles.