Best Cheap Alternative Styluses for Kobo Libra Colour

The Kobo Libra Colour has quickly become one of Kobo’s most popular reading devices. The color E Ink screen is a big part of that, but the fact that the Libra Colour also supports stylus input and doubles as a notebook is a pretty big deal too, especially considering how much less expensive the Libra Colour is compared to typical eNotes.

While the Libra Colour is reasonably priced at $219, the official stylus that Kobo sells for it, the Kobo Stylus 2, is shamelessly overpriced at $69.99 (it’s even worse on Amazon, where it’s $79), which makes it one of the most expensive MPP styluses around.

Since Kobo’s official stylus costs a small fortune, people are often asking about alternative styluses that will work with Kobo’s devices. Luckily, there are a bunch of alternative styli that cost far less.

First off, there are four different Kobo models that support stylus input: the Kobo Libra Colour, the Kobo Sage, and the Kobo Elipsa and Elispa 2E. All support MPP (Microsoft Pen Protocol) for stylus input.

You can find a bunch of MPP styluses on Amazon for cheap, some are less than $20, but the one I see being recommended the most often is the Metapen M1. Some prefer the M2, but the M1 gets a lot of love and it’s a lot cheaper than the Kobo Stylus 2. Right now it’s listed at $32.99, and there’s coupon to take $5 off.

Kobo’s devices are even listed on the Metapen compatibility chart, but there’s a note saying that the buttons are reversed (the highlight and erase buttons on the side).

Best Styluses for Kobo’s Devices

Metapen M1 – A popular option, and it’s cheap.

Metapen M2 – Note that you have to use the eraser end to highlight with the M2 and the side button to erase because they are reversed.

Renaisser Raphael 520 – I see this brand being recommended sometimes too, and it’s also available in a lighter color.