The Kobo Elipsa 2E is a 2023 e-reader/digital notebook featuring a large 10.3-inch glare-free display with adjustable front light, making it suitable for reading in various lighting conditions. It includes a stylus with customizable buttons and USB-C charging, offering a pen-like note-taking experience. According to PCMag's Will Greenwald, the device is easier to set up than a Kindle as it doesn't require an Amazon account. However, its price point of around $400 USD is comparable to the Kindle Scribe, and reviewers noted the stylus requires separate charging with an exposed port, which may be inconvenient.
Full review
Screen and display resolution
The Kobo Elipsa 2E features a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with a resolution of 1404 x 1872 pixels, delivering 227 pixels per inch. This resolution is notably lower than the Kindle Scribe's 300 ppi, yet reviewers found the difference imperceptible during normal reading distances. According to pcmag, the display offers a paper-like reading experience without glare or eye strain, while twentyfirsttech noted that the 227 ppi resolution is sufficient for comfortable reading, especially when compared to the 300 ppi Kindle Paperwhite, where the difference was barely noticeable. The screen's aspect ratio is designed to accommodate book-like reading, allowing for both portrait and landscape orientations.
The screen's tactile experience, however, varies by reviewer. ewritable.net's Dan reported that the screen's smoothness made writing feel slightly slippy, which could impact the writing experience. The display includes a frontlight system called ComfortLight PRO, offering adjustable brightness and color temperature. womanandhome noted that the screen's performance in low-light conditions was adequate, though the dark mode functionality was inconsistent and not easily accessible. The display's performance in various lighting conditions was also noted by pickr.com.au, which found the warm lighting system to be unreliable at times, particularly in night mode situations where the interface did not consistently switch to dark mode.
Battery performance and longevity
The Kobo Elipsa 2E is equipped with a 2,400mAh battery, which, according to pickr.com.au, provides sufficient power for extended reading sessions but may not be adequate for heavy note-taking or extended use. The battery's performance was a point of criticism in several reviews, with ewritable.net's Dan highlighting poor battery life as one of the device's main drawbacks. The reviewer noted that the device's battery life was insufficient for users who rely heavily on note-taking features, suggesting that the device may require frequent recharging during intensive use. The device's battery performance was also criticized by womanandhome, which noted that while the device is capable, its battery life is not exceptional for a device of its size and feature set.
Twentyfirsttech reported that the battery life was adequate for reading but not for continuous note-taking, particularly when using the stylus extensively. The reviewer noted that the device's battery performance was acceptable for light to moderate use but fell short for heavy users. The device's power consumption was also a concern for some reviewers, particularly those who used the device for extended periods. The battery's longevity was also affected by the device's high-resolution screen and the power demands of the stylus, which together could drain the battery more quickly than expected. Overall, the battery performance was seen as a limitation rather than a strength, particularly for users who rely on the device for extended periods.
Stylus functionality and writing experience
The Kobo Elipsa 2E comes with a stylus called the Kobo Stylus 2, which features a digital rubber eraser on one end and a button on the other end for highlighting text. According to pickr.com.au, the stylus is well-designed and offers a natural writing experience, with the digital rubber allowing for quick erasing without the need for software menus. The stylus also translates handwriting into digital text, a feature that surprised many reviewers, including the author of pickr.com.au, who noted that even poor handwriting was recognizable and legible. The stylus's performance was also praised by womanandhome, which highlighted the device's ability to convert handwriting into digital text, making it a valuable tool for students and researchers.
However, ewritable.net's Dan criticized the stylus as being 'awful,' noting that it lacked the tactile feedback needed for comfortable writing. The stylus was also described as having a poor design, with the reviewer noting that it was prone to slipping out of its holder. The stylus's performance was also criticized by twentyfirsttech, which found that the stylus's writing experience was not as smooth as expected, particularly when compared to other devices in the market. The stylus's ability to convert handwriting into digital text was also questioned by some reviewers, who noted that the conversion was not always accurate. Despite these criticisms, the stylus was seen as a valuable addition to the device, particularly for those who rely on note-taking and annotation features.
Software and user interface
The Kobo Elipsa 2E runs on Kobo's proprietary firmware, which is designed to be simple and intuitive, according to ewritable.net. The software supports a wide range of ebook formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more, and integrates with services like OverDrive, Libby, and InstaPaper. womanandhome noted that the software's integration with library books was particularly strong, allowing users to borrow books directly from their local library. The device also supports Dropbox and Pocket, enabling users to upload and annotate research papers or recipes. However, ewritable.net's Dan criticized the software for its lack of versatility and fundamental features, noting that some essential features were omitted. The software's performance was also criticized by pickr.com.au, which found that the interface was not user-friendly, particularly in terms of accessibility and navigation.
Twentyfirsttech's reviewer noted that while the software was functional, it lacked the polish and ease of use found in competing devices. The reviewer also criticized the device's lack of support for third-party DRM-protected ebooks, which was a significant drawback for users who relied on such formats. The device's firmware was also criticized for its limited capabilities, with ewritable.net's Dan noting that it was below average in terms of firmware functionality. Despite these criticisms, the software was praised for its ability to support reading DRM-protected content via Adobe Digital Editions, which was a significant advantage for users who needed to access such content.
Build quality and physical design
The Kobo Elipsa 2E is constructed with 85% recycled plastic, according to twentyfirsttech, making it environmentally friendly. The device's design is described as ergonomic, with a textured back for better grip, and a wedge-shaped form factor that tapers to the right. The device weighs 390 grams and measures 193 x 227 x 7.5 mm, making it notably larger than other e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara 2E. The reviewer noted that the device's size makes it less comfortable for one-handed reading, particularly during commuting, and more suitable for use propped up on a desk or with both hands. The device's build quality was criticized by ewritable.net's Dan, who reported that the screen broke after only 30 days of use, even with minimal handling. The reviewer noted that the device's durability was questionable, and the customer service experience was unhelpful during replacement attempts.
pickr.com.au's reviewer praised the device's design, noting that the textured back and magnetized edges make it easy to hold and keep the stylus in place. The reviewer also appreciated the device's ability to accommodate a large screen while remaining lightweight. However, the reviewer noted that the device's size and weight make it less portable than smaller e-readers. The device's design was also criticized by womanandhome, which noted that while the device is smart and capable, the large screen size makes it less ideal for reading on the go. The device's build quality was also questioned by twentyfirsttech, which found that the device's construction was not as sturdy as expected, particularly when compared to other devices in the market. Despite these criticisms, the device's design was seen as a strength for users who prioritize functionality over portability.
Library and content access
The Kobo Elipsa 2E offers access to a wide range of content through the Kobo Store, which features everything from bestsellers to classics, according to womanandhome. The device also supports borrowing library books via OverDrive, provided the user's local library supports it, which was noted as a significant advantage for users who rely on library resources. The device's ability to support PDFs, EPUBs, and audiobooks was also praised by pickr.com.au, which noted that the device's flexibility in content formats made it a valuable tool for students and researchers. The device's integration with Dropbox and Pocket was also highlighted by womanandhome, which allowed users to upload and annotate research papers or recipes. However, ewritable.net's Dan criticized the Kobo Store for not being as rich as Amazon's Kindle Store, noting that the selection was limited compared to the Kindle's vast library.
twentyfirsttech's reviewer noted that while the device's content access was adequate, it lacked the volume and variety of Amazon's Kindle library, which still holds an edge in terms of sheer volume and variety. The reviewer also criticized the device's lack of support for third-party DRM-protected ebooks, which was a significant drawback for users who needed access to such content. The device's ability to support audiobooks via Bluetooth was also noted by pickr.com.au, which highlighted the device's versatility in handling different types of media. Despite these limitations, the device's content access was seen as a strength for users who prioritize library integration and flexible format support.
Strengths
- +10.3-inch glare-free touchscreen with adjustable front light
- +Stylus with customizable buttons and USB-C charging
- +Supports 15 conventional e-reader formats plus proprietary Coobo formats
Watch-outs
- −Expensive, priced around $400 USD
- −Stylus requires separate USB-C charging with exposed port
How it compares
The Kobo Elipsa 2E provides a glare-free 10.3-inch screen and customizable stylus, which the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft lacks, but it's priced similarly at around $400 and requires separate USB-C charging for the stylus unlike the Supernote Manta's more intuitive design. Compared to the reMarkable Paper Pro, it offers a more traditional e-reader experience without color display.
Rating sources
Our 4.0 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above; 4 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. More about methodology.
