ConsFirst / E-readers

Kobo (Rakuten)

Kobo Clara BW: the downsides first

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#3 of 8
$$E-readerScore 3.9/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)

Wirecutter's pick if you don't want Amazon, and TechRadar's best budget e-reader: a sharp, waterproof, ad-free 6-inch reader with built-in library borrowing. Battery life is shorter than a Kindle's in real use, there's no cloud file transfer, and its Amazon low-star share (12%) is the highest of the mainstream readers here.

Top complaints

  • Shorter real-world battery than Kindle

    Kobo claims up to 53 days, but Wirecutter's reviewer got just a few weeks at higher brightness, versus about six weeks for the basic Kindle and two-plus months for the Paperwhite.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Software crashes

    Amazon's review summary says the software gets mixed feedback, with some owners reporting crashes.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Small screen, plain build, no cloud transfer

    TechRadar lists no cloud file transfer, a dated plastic design, and a 6-inch screen that some may find small. It also notes only Kobo-store audiobooks will play. Engadget notes Kobo's store is smaller than Kindle's.

    Source: TechRadar, Engadget

What owners love

Good for
  • Readers who want to avoid Amazon's ecosystem
  • Library borrowers (OverDrive built in)
  • Sideloading EPUBs over USB

Scores (tap for why)

  • Screen4.5
    Why 4.5?Carta 1300, 300 ppi, and sharpest in TechRadar's test; pages turn as fast as a Kindle's (Wirecutter).
    Source: TechRadar, Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Battery3.5
    Why 3.5?Up to 53 days claimed, but just a few weeks in Wirecutter's heavier use. NBC Select and Amazon owners rate it well.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), NBC Select, Amazon.com product page
  • Book store & formats4.0
    Why 4.0?Built-in OverDrive, wide format support and no ads (Wirecutter, Engadget). Kobo's store is smaller than Kindle's (Engadget).
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Engadget
  • Ease of use3.5
    Why 3.5?A joy to read on (Wirecutter), but there's no cloud transfer (TechRadar) and some owners report crashes.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), TechRadar, Amazon.com product page
  • Build & durability4.0
    Why 4.0?IPX8 and iFixit-repairable. Wirecutter finds it sturdier than the base Kindle, while TechRadar calls the plastic dated.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), TechRadar

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Best for non-Amazon users. Its flaw is battery life that isn't quite as long as a Kindle's.
  • TechRadar: Best budget pick (updated 2026-09-23), better value than the base Kindle thanks to waterproofing and a better screen. The cons are no cloud transfer and a dated plastic design.
  • NBC Select: Best Kindle alternative, with long battery life (rated up to 7.5 weeks) in a compact, waterproof design.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked e-readers whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in e-readersAmazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Tom's Guide and NBC Select's best overall pick: a fast, waterproof 7-inch Kindle with very long battery life and the lowest Amazon low-star share in this group. Reviewers say it's expensive for what it is, the slippery back attracts smudges, and the base model shows lock-screen ads.

Its catch: pricey for what you get#2 in e-readersKobo Libra Colour

TechRadar's best e-reader overall and NBC Select's best color pick: a 7-inch color screen, physical page-turn buttons, 32 GB of storage and optional stylus notes. The stylus costs extra, some functions lag, and the Kobo store is smaller than Amazon's.

Its catch: stylus sold separately; small for notes#4 in e-readersKobo Clara Colour

Engadget's best e-reader overall and TechRadar's best color pick, and the cheapest mainstream color reader. Colors look muted, text has less contrast than on a black-and-white screen, and some owners find the screen grainy.

Its catch: color costs text clarity

Head-to-head

See all 8 e-readers ranked →