

The only feature I would add is a screen flush with the bezels, and that’s asking a lot at this price.Īs with Kobo’s other offerings, the Clara 2E supports lots of e-book and document formats from your favorite shop or free provider, built-in Overdrive and Pocket for library books and articles respectively, as well as audiobooks - still only from Kobo’s store, alas. Again, though, that’s good! At $130, the Clara 2E fits neatly into the entry-level but not bargain-bin level of device where you get the most important parts of more expensive readers (300 DPI screen, temperature-adjustable light) but skip the unnecessary luxuries.Ī larger screen can be both a blessing and a curse, and I’ve found that jotting notes on any screen smaller than 8″ diagonal is more trouble than it’s worth. So don’t worry about dropping it in the pool.īeyond these new features, it’s very similar to its predecessor. Last, it’s now waterproof - as in, an hour six feet under. Thank god! It also uses USB-C now, which should improve charge times and maybe cut down on the number of cables you have to lug around when traveling. Third, though the body is almost identical to the old Clara HD - and that’s not a bad thing - they have changed the baffling bottom power button to a nice recessed one on the back. Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

Of course that doesn’t apply to the screen, the chips inside, etc, but it’s at least nice to know that a device you’re getting is notionally less wasteful than the alternative. This is because the back plate of each device is made from recycled plastic, making its exterior only 15% new stuff. Second, the “E” in the name indicates Eco, as far as I can tell. The color-adjustable lighting is pretty much the same as far as I could tell. You may not notice unless you put them side by side, but if you did (like me) you’d agree it’s a real if not transformative upgrade. If you’re looking for big changes, look elsewhere: The Clara 2E is a lot like the Clara of old but with a few notable updates.įirst, there’s an improved screen - it isn’t night and day, but the improvements over the last few years are noticeable, with darker and sharper text and lighter backgrounds (or the inverse in dark mode). That recommendation has wavered as I’ve tested the compact Poke 3 and ergonomic Libra 2, but the new version of the Clara puts it back in the running for easiest to endorse.

It's also not waterproof - for that, consider the Kobo Aura H2O.For years when someone asked me what e-reader to buy, I’d say unless they care about Amazon stuff, the Kobo Clara HD. It may be comfortable to hold, but the effect on the back doesn’t look great compared to many other ereaders - including Kobo’s own range - so don’t expect this to be the best looking device on the market from the rear. It sort of feels perforated, but it's made of solid plastic rather than a pliable material that feels soft to the touch.

Kobo clara hd how to#
We don’t fully know how to explain it, but there are lots of little dots that looks similar to the pointillism style of artwork. It’s made of plastic, so doesn’t feel as premium as the latest version of the Kindle Oasis, but it’s easy to grip, with the rear of the device having an odd effect that helps your fingertips hold on.
Kobo clara hd series#
It managed to fit in the back pocket of men's jeans, and it's easy to slot this into your bag ready for your commute.īasically, it's a lot easier to pick up, carry and read the Kobo Clara HD than it is most of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series in paperback. Despite the 6-inch screen, this is still a very compact device with dimensions of 157 x 111 x 8.3mm.
