Group 91

Best in Tests

Product Categories

SKU: N428-KU-WH-K-CK
(4.3 out of 5)
Last updated ( February 18, 2025 )
Home » Electronics and Technology » Digital Notepads » Kobo Libra Color

Kobo Libra Color Review - Tested 30 Days: Is It the Best Color E-Reader for Book Lovers?

The Kobo Libra Colour is a groundbreaking e-ink e-reader with a colour display, designed to provide a more immersive reading experience for both books and graphic content. Made by Canadian company Kobo (part of Rakuten) founded in 2009, this model has been launched in 2024 as an upgrade to the popular Libra series. The company targets book lovers, students and professionals looking for a flexible e-reader for both text and images. With its 7-inch Kaleido 3 colour display and IPX8 water resistance, the Kobo Libra Colour is one of the first e-readers to combine colour display with high readability in black and white (300 PPI). During our 30-day trial period, we explored its suitability for academic reading, graphic novels and outdoor use.

Overview

Can a color screen on an e-ink tablet provide a good reading experience?

How we tested the Kobo Libra Color: Methods and scenarios

To evaluate the Kobo Libra Colour in realistic contexts, we simulated four usage scenarios: academic reading, graphic novels, outdoor reading, and travel use. Each scenario tested color reproduction, battery life, and water resistance.
Scenario Use
Academic reading Reading PDF research with color charts, annotation via pen, quick access to integrated dictionaries.
Graphic novels Color display of series/magazines with Kaleido 3 technology, adjustable color temperature for different lighting conditions.
Outdoor reading Reading by the pool with IPX8 certification, screen performance in direct sunlight.
Travel use Portable design (197 grams), 28-day battery life, Bluetooth for audiobooks during transport.

Positive things about the product

  • Innovative color display - Kaleido 3 technology enables color display for graphic books without sacrificing reading resolution (300 PPI B/W).
  • Water resistance - IPX8 certification makes it a reliable companion by the pool or in rainy weather.
  • Ergonomic buttons - Page turn buttons facilitate one-handed operation during longer reading sessions.

Disadvantages

  • Limited app support - No access to third-party apps like Spotify or Kindle.
  • Slow color refresh - The color screen's low refresh rate means it doesn't work well with videos.

Which target group is the Kobo Libra Color best suited for?

The Kobo Libra Color is perfect for book lovers, students and graphic enthusiasts who want a tablet that can handle both text and color illustrations. Its water resistance and audiobook support also make it suitable for travelers. It's less suitable for users looking for app support or high-resolution color for photographs.

Our experience with the Kobo Libra Color: Rating and summary

(4.3/5) Build quality – Robust plastic frame with rubberized back, but less premium than metal competitors.

(4.5/5) Ease of use – Intuitive Kobo OS with page-turning buttons, but requires cloud account.

(4.0/5) Writing experience – Basic pen support for notes, but no text conversion.

(4.7/5) Reading experience – Sharp black and white text (300 PPI) and acceptable color (150 PPI) for comics/magazines.

(4.2/5) Price performance – Higher price than black and white readers, but unique in the color segment.

Final Words: Is the Kobo Libra Color a Good Choice for Color Reading?

Kobo Libra Color delivers a Good color experience for e-ink readers, especially for graphic content and outdoor use. Despite lower color resolution compared to LCD screens, it is a safe choice for those who want to combine reading books and images. With its long battery life and water resistance, it is a step forward in the category's development at a reasonable price.

4.3/5
from.
2690
kr
Compare prices now →
Best prices right now:

We do not make any money if you choose to place an order.

Clas Ohlson
Clas Ohlson
2690
To the Store
Kjell and Company
Kjell and Company
2799
To the Store
Internet
Internet
2690
To the Store
Dustin Home
Dustin Home
To the Store
Buyersclub
Buyersclub
To the Store
Webhallen
Webhallen
2790.00
To the Store
How does the color screen affect the reading experience?
The Kobo Libra Color uses Kaleido 3 technology with 150 PPI for color display and 300 PPI for black and white. The colors are less vibrant compared to LCD screens but adequate for graphic books and magazines. The screen also has adjustable color temperature for night reading
Yes, it's IPX8 certified and can withstand immersion in 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes - perfect for reading by the pool or in the bathtub
Yes, integrated dictionaries (e.g. Oxford Dictionary) are activated by tapping on words in the text. However, this feature only works with EPUB files, not PDF.
Absolutely. Kobo supports Adobe DRM, which enables borrowing of protected books from Swedish libraries via the Adobe Digital Editions app.
kobo-libra-colour-black 1

What sets the Kobo Libra Colour apart from other colour e-readers?

ONYX BOOX Go Color 7

The Kobo Libra Color competes with devices like Onyx Boox Tab Ultra and PocketBook InkPad Color 2While these offer Android OS or larger screens, Kobo focuses on reading optimization and water resistance. The table below outlines the key differences:

Kobo Libra Color vs ONYX BOOX Go Color 7

Specification Kobo Libra Color ONYX BOOX Go Color 7
Screen size 7"
Resolution 300 (color: 150)
OS/Format Support Kobo OS (EPUB, PDF)
Storage 32
Battery life 28
Water resistance IPX8
Price 2690 3690

Unbiased & Honest Reviews

On KoalatyCheck We review because we love technology – not to make money. Our tests are completely unbiased and we choose the products we review ourselves. We strive to provide honest and carefully crafted reviews to help you find the best technology, without influence from manufacturers or partnerships. 

Picture of Felix Wackenhuth

Felix Wackenhuth

Is one of our tech enthusiasts and reviewers with a keen interest in testing the latest gadgets. With years of experience, he reviews everything from smartphones and computers to TVs and smart home products.
All Reviews

Newsletter

Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive updates: Sign up for our newsletter today

Copyright © 2025 KoalatyCheck.com