The Kobo Clara BW offers a robust, waterproof e-reader with a Carta 1300 display and adjustable warm lighting, appealing to readers who value durability and comfortable nighttime reading. While it lacks third-party cloud syncing and requires a computer for book transfers, its user-repairable design and absence of ads make it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable, no-frills reading experience. It's best suited for users who prioritize simplicity and longevity over advanced file-sharing features, and those who prefer not to use Amazon's ecosystem.
Full review
Design and Build Quality
The Kobo Clara BW features a robust plastic construction with a textured back panel designed for better grip, a design choice that reviewer Basem from My eReader noted as refreshing in an era of slippery glass devices. The device measures 6.3 by 4.4 by 0.4 inches and weighs 6.1 ounces, making it slightly heavier than the standard Kindle but comparable in size. The lack of physical page-turning buttons is a notable omission, though the screen-tap interface is functional. ModdedBear, who reviewed the device for moddedbear.com, found the build quality solid and appreciated the recessed display that reduces glare. The device includes a USB-C port at the bottom front and a power button on the back, with no other physical controls. The overall design is compact enough to be comfortably held in one hand, though two-handed use is more comfortable according to ModdedBear.
Display Performance
The Clara BW's 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display offers 16 levels of grayscale and over 4,000 colors, according to PCMag's Sarah Lord, though she noted that the contrast is not as good as the Kindle Paperwhite's Carta 1300 screen, which benefits from Amazon's custom oxide backplane and waveforms. TechRadar's review highlighted the display as crisp and responsive, with a built-in front light that adjusts brightness and temperature. ModdedBear, who tested the device for over two weeks, found the display to be 'fantastic' and crisp, noting that he never had to think about it during reading. The display is also glare-free and automatically adjusts blue light throughout the day, according to Avocado Diaries' reviewer. However, the contrast on color E Ink displays is generally not as great as black and white, as noted by ModdedBear, who questioned whether the color feature was a direct upgrade.
Battery Life and Performance
Battery life is a standout feature of the Kobo Clara BW, with ModdedBear reporting that he hasn't needed to charge the device since getting it, even after partial charges during book transfers. Avocado Diaries' reviewer noted that the device has weeks of battery life, depending on usage, and that he never had to charge it during a long trip. TechRadar's review also confirmed that the device offers excellent battery life, with the reviewer noting that the performance is snappy and the device feels limited only by the display refresh rate. The device's performance is described as fast and fluid, with no reported issues with menu navigation or app loading. The Clara BW is also waterproof up to 60 minutes in 2 meters of water, according to Avocado Diaries' reviewer, making it suitable for use in wet environments.
Software and User Experience
The software on the Kobo Clara BW is described as user-friendly and intuitive by PCMag's Sarah Lord, with fast and fluid menu navigation. ModdedBear from moddedbear.com found the software simple and easy to use, though he noted a few customizations that would be nice to have, such as seeing the clock while reading without bringing up the rest of the UI. The device offers a good reading experience with flexible layout settings, including font size, margins, and line spacing control, according to My eReader's Basem. However, the software does have some limitations, such as the inability to organize highlights by color, which ModdedBear noted as a missed opportunity. TechRadar's review highlighted that the software is unobtrusive, but also pointed out that there are no limits on the number of e-books downloaded with Kobo Plus, unlike Kindle Unlimited which allows borrowing up to 20 titles simultaneously. The device does not support third-party cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive, which limits wireless syncing of personal ebooks, according to My eReader's Basem.
Library Integration and Content Access
Kobo's integration with OverDrive allows users to borrow public library ebooks in thirteen countries, according to My eReader's Basem. This is a significant advantage over Amazon's Kindle, which does not support library borrowing in Canada. The Kobo Clara BW also offers access to Kobo Plus, a subscription service that provides access to a catalogue of e-books and audiobooks. Kobo Plus has three subscription plans: Read, Listen, and Read & Listen. In contrast, Kindle Unlimited allows borrowing up to 20 eligible titles simultaneously, with no time limit on each loan. According to Basem, Kobo Plus offers a wider selection of e-books from established publishers than Kindle Unlimited, particularly in nonfiction genres. The device also supports importing books via Adobe Digital Editions, which is useful for book reviewers, according to Avocado Diaries' reviewer. However, the lack of wireless cloud syncing for personal ebooks is a limitation, as noted by Basem.
What Reviewers Loved
Reviewers consistently praised the Kobo Clara BW for its excellent battery life, which allows for weeks of reading without needing to recharge, according to ModdedBear and Avocado Diaries' reviewer. The device's waterproof design is also a significant selling point, with Avocado Diaries' reviewer noting that it's suitable for use in the tub, and ModdedBear appreciating the protection it offers during travel. The user-repairability feature, thanks to Kobo's partnership with iFixit, is another highlight, according to PCMag's Sarah Lord, who noted that users can replace individual components if something breaks. The screen is also praised for being glare-free and automatically reducing blue light throughout the day, according to Avocado Diaries' reviewer. The device's ability to import books quickly using NetGalley and Adobe Digital Editions is also appreciated by reviewers like Avocado Diaries' Basem, who noted its usefulness for book reviewers. Additionally, the device's compact size and light weight make it easy to carry, according to ModdedBear.
Where It Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, the Kobo Clara BW has several drawbacks that reviewers have noted. The lack of physical page-turning buttons is a significant omission, according to ModdedBear, who noted that while the screen-tap interface works, it's not as convenient as physical buttons. The device also lacks support for third-party cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, which limits wireless syncing of personal ebooks, according to My eReader's Basem. Additionally, the device does not support exporting highlights and notes into notebooks, which is a feature that Kindle devices offer, according to Basem. The software also has limitations, such as the inability to organize highlights by color, which ModdedBear noted as a missed opportunity. TechRadar's review also pointed out that while the software is unobtrusive, it lacks advanced library filtering and sorting options, such as sending completed books to the bottom of lists. Furthermore, ModdedBear reported a software glitch where the device froze after copying books using Calibre, resulting in a lost library, which he chalked up to the device being new and needing a backup strategy.
Who It's Best For
The Kobo Clara BW is ideal for readers who prioritize battery life, waterproofing, and a simple, distraction-free reading experience. It is particularly well-suited for users who travel frequently or read in wet environments, as noted by Avocado Diaries' reviewer who used it in the tub. The device is also a strong choice for book reviewers who need to import books quickly using Adobe Digital Editions, according to Basem. However, it may not be the best option for users who heavily rely on third-party cloud services or need advanced note-taking features, as noted by Basem and ModdedBear. The device is also not ideal for those who want to make extensive use of color displays, as ModdedBear noted that the contrast on color E Ink displays is generally not as great as black and white. Additionally, the lack of physical page-turning buttons may be a dealbreaker for readers who prefer tactile controls, according to ModdedBear. Those seeking a more feature-rich experience may find the Kobo Libra Colour or Clara Colour more suitable, despite their higher price points.
Strengths
- +Waterproof design with IPX8 rating
- +Carta 1300 display with adjustable warm light
- +User-repairable with iFixit kits available
- +No ads by default
Watch-outs
- −No third-party cloud syncing support
- −Inconvenient book transfer process requiring computer connection
How it compares
The Kobo Clara BW stands out with its waterproof design and user-repairable features, unlike the reMarkable Paper Pro which has reliability issues. While it lacks the color display of the Kobo Libra Colour and the Android app access of the Boox Palma 2, it offers better battery life than the Kindle (2024) and no ads by default. It's more durable than the Kindle Paperwhite Kids but lacks its child-friendly features.
Who this is for
At a glance: Durability-focused readers.
Why you’d buy the Kobo Clara BW
- Waterproof design with IPX8 rating.
- Carta 1300 display with adjustable warm light.
- User-repairable with iFixit kits available.
Why you’d skip it
- No third-party cloud syncing support.
- Inconvenient book transfer process requiring computer connection.
Rating sources
“The Kobo Clara BW's Carta 1300 display and adjustable warm light make it a better option than the basic Kindle.”
“I can attest to its greatness. I took it on a recent long-haul flight, followed by a 5 hour train, then into a few sleepless jet lagged nights.”
Our 4.3 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
