Home Reviews Kobo Clara Colour Review: Is This Rs 16,999 Color E-Reader Worth It?

Kobo Clara Colour Review: Is This Rs 16,999 Color E-Reader Worth It?

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For years, I’ve flirted with e-readers. I’ve had a few Kindles, played around with other brands, but nothing ever fully pulled me away from the comforting weight and familiar scent of a physical book. I’m a print purist, or so I thought. That was until I got my hands on the new Kobo Clara Colour. This isn’t just another e-reader; it’s the first mainstream device to bring a much-needed splash of color to the e-ink world, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer, at least for this reluctant convert. Now available for Rs 16,999, it represents a considered purchase.

Kobo might not be the first to venture into color e-readers—Boox and Pocketbook have been playing in that sandbox for a while. But those devices, as beautiful and capable as they are, always felt a bit too… much. They were like the Swiss Army knives of e-readers, packed with features I’d likely never use. I wanted something simpler, something that felt like a natural extension of the reading experience, not a tech-heavy replacement for it. Kobo has always understood this, offering a streamlined, user-friendly interface combined with quality hardware. And now, they’ve cracked the color code, beating even the mighty Amazon to the punch. While I’m sure a color Kindle is brewing somewhere in Amazon’s vast labs, for now, the Clara Colour is the color e-reader to beat.

First Impressions: Familiar Comfort with a Colorful Twist

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The Clara Colour arrived in a neat little box, and upon unboxing, it felt instantly familiar. It’s almost identical in design to its predecessor, the Clara 2E, which I’d briefly used before. The same comfortable size, the same satisfyingly textured back that resists fingerprints (a small but significant detail for someone who dislikes smudges), and the same well-placed bezels that are just wide enough to rest your thumb without obscuring the screen. It’s a design that works, and Kobo wisely didn’t try to reinvent the wheel.

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But there’s one key difference: the screen. Instead of the usual monochromatic e-ink display, the Clara Colour boasts a Kaleido 3 panel from E Ink. This new tech adds a printed Color Filter Array (CFA) layer on top of the standard black-and-white microcapsule layer. Now, don’t expect the vibrant, eye-popping colors of your phone or tablet. E-ink color is more subdued, more… nostalgic. It reminded me of the slightly faded comic books I used to devour as a kid. There’s a certain charm to it, a warmth that actually looks better in bright sunlight, unlike the glare-prone LED screens of other devices.

Diving into the Details: A Closer Look at the Screen

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As a reviewer, I felt it was my duty to nitpick, to find the flaws. So, I did what any self-respecting tech enthusiast would do: I placed the Clara Colour side-by-side with the Clara 2E and scrutinized them under various lighting conditions. And yes, there are differences. The color filter array, because it’s always there, does have a slight impact on the black-and-white text. The text is still sharp, thanks to the 300 dpi resolution of the monochrome layer, but there’s a subtle “noise” in the white areas of the page. It’s barely noticeable unless you’re actively looking for it. Also, the warm front light is a bit more amber than the 2E’s.

Initially, I thought this might be a drawback. But here’s the funny thing: after a few days of reading, I realized I actually preferred the Clara Colour’s display. The slight warmth, the subtle texture, it all contributed to a more inviting, more… analog reading experience. It felt less like staring at a screen and more like reading from a well-loved paperback. It perfectly echoed the mood when I dug into my collection of old Stephen King and Anne Rice novels. The Clara Colour’s screen somehow managed to enhance that nostalgic feeling.

Beyond the Screen: A Speedy and Intuitive Experience

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The improvements aren’t just visual. Kobo has upgraded the processor in the Clara Colour, and it shows. Everything feels just a touch snappier. Page turns are quicker, menus load faster, and searching for new books is a breeze. It might not seem like a huge difference on paper, but in practice, it makes the whole reading experience smoother and more enjoyable. There’s nothing worse than getting interrupted by lag when you’re in the middle of an intense scene, say, following Murderbot as it protects its humans. You need to know what happens next, and you need to know it now. The Clara Colour delivers on that front.

The user interface is classic Kobo—clean, simple, and intuitive. Four options on the bottom menu bar: Home, My Books, Discover, and More. That’s it. No clutter, no unnecessary bells and whistles. The Discover section is where you’ll find the Kobo store, and it’s surprisingly well-curated. The “Just for You” recommendations were consistently on point, suggesting books I actually wanted to read. And the “Related Reads” section, while not groundbreaking in its suggestions, provided a good starting point when I was feeling indecisive.

The Library Advantage: OverDrive Integration is a Game Changer

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As a devoted library user, one of the Clara Colour’s biggest selling points for me is its seamless OverDrive integration. Borrowing ebooks from my local library is ridiculously easy. A few taps, and the book is on my device, ready to read. No need to switch between apps or websites. Kobo puts the public library front and center, treating it as an equal to its own store and subscription service. This is a huge win for anyone who values free access to books. This feature alone makes the Kobo a better choice over the Kindle for avid library users. The process on Kindle involves going to the OverDrive or library site, finding your book, and selecting “read on Kindle”. It’s not overly complicated, but it involves a few extra steps that the Kobo eliminates entirely.

The Kobo vs. Kindle Debate: Is It Really a Competition?

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Let’s address the elephant in the room: the Kindle. Yes, the standard Kindle is cheaper than the Clara Colour. But that lower price comes with some significant compromises. You’ll be bombarded with ads on the lock screen unless you pay extra to remove them. It lacks waterproofing and a warm light. And, of course, it doesn’t have a color screen (yet).

The real sticking point for many is the ecosystem. If you’ve spent years building a Kindle library, switching to Kobo can feel daunting. Thankfully, I only had a handful of Kindle titles, so starting fresh with Kobo wasn’t a big deal for me. And while Amazon’s ebook store is undoubtedly larger, boosted by its Kindle Direct Publishing exclusives, Kobo’s store is no slouch. Every major publisher is represented, and I never had trouble finding the books I wanted.

Kobo also has a subscription service, Kobo Plus, which is slightly cheaper than Kindle Unlimited. While it doesn’t have quite as many titles, it still offers a vast selection of ebooks and audiobooks. Plus, Kobo gives you the option to shop for ePub books from third-party retailers, something you can’t easily do on a Kindle due to Amazon’s proprietary DRM.

Kobo Clara Colour: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Color E-Ink Screen: Unique, enjoyable, easy on the eyes, better in sunlight.
  • Faster Processor: Snappier performance, smooth reading.
  • Easy to Use: Simple interface, great library integration (OverDrive).
  • Waterproof: Added durability.
  • Warm Light: Comfortable night reading.
  • Comfortable Design: Lightweight, good grip.
  • Ad-Free: No distractions.
  • Reads ePubs: More book source options.

Cons:

  • Pricey: More expensive than basic e-readers.
  • Slight Screen Texture: Minor “noise” due to color filter.
  • Warm Light is Amber: Preference, but different from previous model.

The Verdict: A Colorful Win for This Print Loyalist

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So, is the Kobo Clara Colour worth the extra cost? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. The faster processor, the waterproof design, the warm light, and the ad-free experience all contribute to a more premium reading experience that justifies the price difference between the Clara Colour and the basic Kindle.

But what about the color screen? Does it really make that much of a difference? Honestly, when reading a standard novel, the color is subtle. It’s not a feature you’ll constantly notice. But it’s there, adding a touch of warmth and personality to the reading experience. And when you do encounter a book cover or an illustration, the muted colors are surprisingly delightful.

There’s a psychological element at play here, too. Studies have shown that switching your phone to grayscale can make it less appealing, reducing screen time. I suspect the opposite is true for color e-ink. Anything that makes reading material more attractive, more engaging, is a win in my book (pun intended).

The Kobo Clara Colour has done something I thought was impossible: it’s made me excited about reading on a digital device. It’s not just a good e-reader; it’s a device that understands what readers truly want — a seamless, enjoyable, and distraction-free way to get lost in a good book. The addition of color, while subtle, is the icing on the cake, making the Clara Colour the most compelling e-reader on the market today. It’s cozy, it’s effortless, and it’s finally converted this print diehard into an e-reader enthusiast. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a very inviting digital page.

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