Kobo’s more open approach gives the Clara 2E a couple of neat advantages over any Kindle. The selection is somewhat limited, but there’s a whole heap of classics on there if you search for them (again, using that flaky search system). Then there’s Kobo’s new (to the UK and US at least) Kobo Plus service, which is a monthly subscription offering that’s akin to Kindle Unlimited. Of course, the easiest and most direct way to get something to read on the Kobo Clara 2E is to buy it through Kobo’s well-stocked storefront, which generally works as well as ever – though I’m not 100% sold on the in-built search function, which seems a little flaky. Those more premium Kobo eReaders are also set to gain Google Drive support, making them much better devices if your eBook library is scattered far and wide. ![]() You’re forced to use the bundled lead to connect up to your computer and transfer the files that way.įor some reason, Kobo has opted not to include Dropbox compatibility to pull files in wirelessly, as you can on the likes of the Kobo Elipsa 2E. Kobo’s audiobook offering isn’t the match of Amazon’s Audible service yet, though.Īccessing all these disparate file formats is made fairly easy, but not as easy as with the more expensive models. Unlike the Clara HD, you also get audiobook support, with Bluetooth connectivity enabling you to hook up a set of wireless headphones. Just about the only significant eBook format it lacks is Amazon’s proprietary AZW format, which will preclude you from ready Kindle books on it. Just like previous Kobo eReaders, the Clara 2E offers wide access to 15 file formats, including the commonly used EPUB. It’s certainly competitive with the Kindle (2022), broadly speaking, as you might expect given the similar hardware. I failed to get anywhere close to running it down during the fortnight or so I had it on test. There’s really nothing to worry about though. ![]() Kobo will only commit to a rather vague ‘weeks’ of battery life promise. It would have been nice to have further storage options, but it’s not too much of an issue. There’s an ample 16GB of internal storage on board, though, which should prove more than sufficient for storing dozens of books and audiobooks. Don’t go expecting smartphone-level snappiness from this set-up, which includes a 1GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM. It’s reasonably fluid when flicking between the pages of an eBook, but somewhat less slick when navigating through the UI and between menus. Performance with the Kobo Clara 2E is acceptable for a modern eReader, but that’s as far as I’d go. ![]() Talking of which, there’s also a slider that lets you turn the tone of the Kobo Clara 2E’s screen from cool to extremely warm, which lessens the blue light output that can disrupt your sleep patterns. It’s a shame there’s no auto-brightness function, but it’s a small matter of adjusting it manually, and you should only need to do so if you’re a nighttime reader. The front lighting is well-spaced and even, leading to a pure picture even in lesser lighting. With a 300 PPI resolution, text really pops here, yet it’s much warmer than the icy-cool Kindle (2022), with inkier black text.Īll in all, it’s just plain easier to read on the Kobo than it is on the cheaper Kindle, and will probably be less tiring on the eyes. The Kobo Clare 2E employs the same high-quality Carta 1200 E Ink display as you’ll find in Amazon’s classier Kindles, such as the Paperwhite, though in a smaller 6-inch form factor. Ultimately, this means that you only press the Clara 2E’s power/sleep button when you intend to. It’s positioned high and recessed into the back of the device rather than being exposed on the bottom edge, and is a large, tactile, clicky button. I prefer the Clara 2E’s power button to Amazon’s approach. It’s perfectly suited to poolside and bathtime reading. The Kobo Clara 2E also benefits from being IPX8 certified, much like the Paperwhite, meaning it can stand submersion in up to two metres of water for up to 60 minutes. True, it’s made from (85% recycled) plastic, but it has a nicely textured rear panel in a nice dark blue colour. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)īesides, that extra density reflects the Kobo’s superior build quality. ![]() It’s also a little heavier at 171g, with the Kindle (2022) hitting the scales at 158g, though it remains very easy to wield in one hand. But given that’s what most potential eReader buyers will be doing, we’re going to have to follow suit.Īt 112.05 x 159.02 x 8.66mm, the Kobo Clara 2E is fractionally larger than the Kindle (2022) rival. It might seem unfair to cast the Clara 2E in opposition to the massively popular Kindle (2022) and Kindle Paperwhite.
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