Now that Kobo has annouced the upcoming release of the new Kobo Clara Colour and the Kobo Clara BW, I thought it would be helpful to outline the differences between each Kobo Clara model.
The Kobo Clara HD was the first Clara model, and it came out in 2018. Fast forward six years and now there are four different Clara models, all very similar but with enough subtle differences that covers and cases aren’t interchangeable between them, except with the most recent two.
It’s always confusing when companies keep using the same name over and over again with different models. It makes it harder to shop for accessories when multiple models share the same name.
With Amazon they specify the generation with Kindles to help mitigate confusion, but Kobo doesn’t do that. Each Kobo has a different model number, but that’s probably not going to help when shopping for covers, so you have to go off of the specific name for each device.
All Kobo Claras have similar designs with 6-inch 300 ppi E Ink screens, but it’s easy to tell the original Clara HD from the other models since it’s the only one with a micro-USB port, and it’s also the only one with the power button on the bottom edge. The Kobo Clara 2E is also easily distiguishable from the rest because it’s the only one with a blue back.
Here’s a list of the main differences between each Clara model:
Kobo Clara Colour
Released in 2024.
E Ink Kaleido 3 color screen.
Dual-core 2.0 GHz processor.
Waterproof.
USB-C port.
16GB of storage.
Dimensions: 112 x 160 x 9.2 mm.
Weight: 174 grams.
Model number: N367
Kobo Clara BW
Released in 2024.
E Ink Carta 1300 screen.
Waterproof.
USB-C port.
16GB of storage.
Dimensions: 112 x 160 x 9.2 mm.
Weight: 174 grams.
Model number: N365
Kobo Clara 2E
Released in 2022.
E Ink Carta 1200 screen.
Back panel is dark blue.
Waterproof.
USB-C port.
16GB of storage.
Dimensions: 112.05 x 159.02 x 8.66 mm.
Weight: 171 grams.
Model number: N506
Kobo Clara HD
Released in 2018.
E Ink Carta HD screen.
Power button on bottom edge.
Micro USB port.
8GB of storage.
Dimensions: 110 x 159.6 x 8.35 mm.
Weight: 166 grams.
Model number: N249
It took Kobo over 4 years to replace the Kobo Clara HD, but now they’ve replaced the 2E with the BW after just 1.5 years. The only upgrade appears to be the new Carta 1300 screen, which is supposed to have better contrast than the Carta 1200 screen on the 2E. It’s weird because Kobo is still selling the 2E for full price, and it’s $10 more expensive than the new BW, and I don’t see any reason to choose it over the BW with the newer screen.
I’m not sure color on 6″ is that useful since most color content are magazines/comics and those are larger format content. Unless the white levels are close to B/W which wasn’t the case with larger color devices so far. I did notice better contrast on the Kobo Libra Color so perhaps the white level is bit better.
Could you add the PPI to each of the models, please? It really matters.
They all have 300 ppi, and the color model has 300 ppi for black and white content and 150 ppi for color.
I saw a Youtube video claiming the reading experience for the Kobo color would not be very good because of the technical details in making a color screen. Is that accurate? I had a Kobo Clara 2e and would want the same refined reading specs as on that one should I buy the color.
The reading experience will be fine but contrast with color E Ink isn’t as good as regular E Ink because of the added color layer. See here for more info, Color E Ink: 5 Things to Know Before Buying and Kaleido 3 Screen Comparison Video.
So is there a difference with the Carta 1300 screens as far as text clarity and sharpness? Would I be able to see the difference between a Carta 1300 and the Paperwhite 5?
The difference is probably minor like Carta 1200 vs Carta HD (and somehow the screen on the Voyage is still better than ereaders with Carta 1200), but we’ll find out when it gets released.
Hello Nathan, question. I have a MacBook, and I recently created a patch for Kobo, but in order to install it, I need to copy it to the .kobo folder which I can’t seem to find on my Mac. I have looked everywhere and searched forms, but there is no concrete answer. This is strange. Any idea?
Typically, any files or folders that start with a period of the Mac are hidden. So you’ll either have to go into Finder settings and turn on showing hidden files, or use the Terminal app
Thank you for this comparison! I’m trying to decide on which ereader to purchase for my very first.
Hi, I have an old Kobo (Aura, I bought it like 10 years ago) and I love it so much, that now I’m planning to replace it with a new Kobo. Actually I’ve never really considered buying a Kindle…