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SKU: N367-KU-BK-K-CK
(4.0 out of 5)
Last updated ( February 19, 2025 )

Kobo Clara Color Review - Tested 30 Days: Budget-Friendly Color Screen for Reading Pleasure?

The Kobo Clara Colour is an affordable colour e-reader designed for readers who want a compact and versatile device without breaking the bank. Made by Kobo, part of the Rakuten group since 2012, this model is an upgrade to the popular black and white Kobo Clara HD. The company has long been a key player in the e-reader market, focusing on openness (such as support for DRM-free EPUB) and ease of use. The Kobo Clara Colour was launched in 2025 as one of the first budget-friendly e-readers to feature Kaleido 3-colour technology. With a 6-inch display, 16GB of storage and 21 days of battery life, it's aimed at students, travellers and casual readers who want colour for graphic books or magazines. During our 30-day trial, we explored its suitability for everyday reading, travel use and audiobooks.

Overview

Can a budget-friendly e-reader with a color screen compete with premium alternatives?

How we tested the Kobo Clara Color: Scenarios and methods

Scenario Use
Travel reading Portable design (158 grams), long battery life (21 days), support for 15+ file formats including PDF and CBR.
Academic Reading colorful research diagrams, note-taking functions with touch pen (not included).
Night reading Customizable warm/cold lighting, color display readability in low light.
Audiobooks Bluetooth support for external speakers/headset, integrated bookstore with audiobook content.

Positive

Disadvantages

Who should choose the Kobo Clara Colour over more expensive alternatives?

The Kobo Clara Color is perfect for students, travelers and casual readers who want a lightweight device with basic color support at a low price. It's also suitable for those who prioritize open file formats and privacy (no mandatory cloud subscription). Advanced users However, those who require higher color resolution or app support should choose premium models.

Our experience with the Kobo Clara Colour: Rating and summary

(4.0/5) Build quality – Plastic frame is lightweight but less premium than metal competitors.

(4.6/5) Ease of use – Simple interface with quick access to bookstore and settings.

(2/5) Writing experience – No pen included, can only be used as a highlighter (purchased separately)

(4.5/5) Reading experience – Sharp black and white text (300 PPI), but colors are faded (150 PPI).

(4.5/5) Price performance – Best in class for color displays under 3,000 SEK.

Final words: Is the Kobo Clara Color a worthwhile purchase?

The Kobo Clara Colour proves that colour screens don't have to cost a fortune. With its compact design, long battery life and support for open formats It's a great choice for readers who want to explore color images or graphic novels without paying for unnecessary premium features. It's a clear step up for the budget segment, even if the color resolution doesn't reach the Kaleido 3's full potential.

4.0/5
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Is it suitable for travel?
With a 6-inch screen and a weight of 158 grams, it is extremely portable. The battery lasts up to 21 days, eliminating the need for chargers during long trips
The color screen (150 PPI) provides basic color reproduction for images, but text is sharper in black and white mode (300 PPI). Recommended for casual reading, not professional graphics use
Yes, via Bluetooth connection to headphones or speakers. However, there is no built-in speaker, which requires external devices
No, it has 16GB of internal storage (about 12,000 books) with no microSD card option. Sufficient for most users, but limiting for media files
kobo-Clara-colour-black from the frontpage with books (2)

What makes the Kobo Clara Colour different from other colour e-readers?

kobo libra color black 1

The Kobo Clara Colour competes with models such as Kobo Libra Color and PocketBook Touch HD 3, but focuses on portability and affordability rather than advanced features. The table below highlights key differences:

Kobo Clara Color vs Kobo Libra Color

Specification Kobo Clara Color Kobo Libra Color
Screen size 6 7"
Resolution 300 (color: 150) 300 (color: 150)
OS/Format Support Kobo OS (EPUB, PDF) Kobo OS (EPUB, PDF)
Storage 16 32
Battery life 21 28
Water resistance No IPX8
Price 1890 2690

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.