Now that Kobo has announced the upcoming release of the new Kobo Clara 2E, I thought it would be helpful to post a summary of all the current Kobo ereader models that Kobo sells.
Kobo released three new models last year and one new model this year, and since it took them over four years to update the Kobo Clara HD, this lineup is unlikely to change any time soon.
The Kobo Forma is not included on this list because it’s an older model that was replaced by the Kobo Sage last year. You can still find it for sale new sometimes but lately it’s mostly been out of stock on Kobo’s website and since they’re no longer making them they probably won’t be available for much longer. Kobo does still sell refurbished Kobo Formas, as of this writing.
Here’s the list of Kobo’s current starting lineup, in order from largest to smallest:
Kobo Elipsa – 10.3″ Screen
The Kobo Elipsa is Kobo’s first large-screen model. It doubles as a notebook and an ereader, and it’s sold as part of a pack for $399 USD that includes a stylus pen and a heavy-duty cover (too heavy, frankly). It has a 1404 x 1872 resolution (227 ppi) E Ink Carta 1200 screen, with 32GB of storage, Bluetooth for streaming audiobooks, dual band WiFi, a USB-C port, it has a quad-core 1.8GHz CPU, and a frontlight but without adjustable color.
Here’s the link to full Kobo Elipsa review for more details.
Kobo Sage – 8″ Screen
The Kobo Sage has more of a “premium” feel to it than Kobo’s other models, and it has a flush 8-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen with 300 ppi and a frontlight with adjustable color temperature. It has 32GB of storage, a quad-core 1.8GHz CPU, dual band WiFi, USB-C, and it’s waterproof. It supports the notebook and writing features like the larger Kobo Elipsa, but it does not come with a stylus and it sells for $259 USD.
I never posted a review of this model but it’s known for having the worst battery life in Kobo’s lineup, and I personally prefer the Libra 2 over it because the frontlight on the Kobo Sage has a gradient from left or right, whereas the Libra 2 does not. But otherwise the Kobo Sage is a pretty nice device.
Kobo Libra 2 – 7″ Screen
The Kobo Libra 2 has a 7-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen with 300 ppi and a frontlight with adjustable color temperature. It has an indented screen, unlike the Kobo Sage, and it does not support writing with a stylus. There’s 32GB of storage space, it has a 1GHz CPU, it supports single band WiFi, there’s Bluetooth for streaming audiobooks, and it’s waterproof. It available in both black and white colors and it sells for $179 USD.
In my opinion, this is one of the best ereaders on the current market in terms of overall features and price. See my Kobo Libra 2 review for a closer look.
Kobo Clara 2E – 6″ Screen
The Kobo Clara 2E is Kobo’s latest new model. It’s an updated version of the Kobo Clara HD that adds more storage space (16GB), a USB-C port, it’s waterproof, and it has Bluetooth for streaming audiobooks. It has a 6-inch 300 ppi E Ink Carta 1200 screen and a frontlight with adjustable color temperature, along with a 1GHz CPU and dual band WiFi. This model is getting released on September 22nd. It sells for $129 USD.
Kobo Clara HD – 6″ Screen
The Kobo Clara HD was replaced by the Clara 2E, but Kobo will likely continue to sell it for quite some time. It’s mostly the same as the Clara 2E, expect it has less storage space (8GB), a regular E Ink Carta screen (which has slightly less contrast and is a bit slower) it’s not waterproof, and it has the older micro-USB port. It retails for $119 USD but often goes on sale for less.
See the Kobo Clara HD review for more details.
Kobo Nia – 6″ Screen
The Kobo Nia is the budget model in the lineup, selling for $99 USD. It looks like the Kobo Clara but it has a lower resolution E Ink Carta screen with 212 ppi and the frontlight doesn’t have color temperature control. It has 8GB of storage, a 900 MHz CPU, WiFi, and a micro-USB port. Frankly, I’ve never been a fan of the Nia. You’re better off just spending a bit more on the Clara HD or Clara 2E to get a nicer screen and a better frontlight.
Nathan,
Interesting on you Sage having a gradient….my copy has the most flawless screen of any reader I own,, including Oasis1,2 small Oasis, Voyage and Kobo Forma.
Battery life could be better though.
Yeah, mine is way brighter on the handle side with the cool light. With the amber light it’s less noticeable.
Amber lights seem to be very forgiving across different brands. White light on the other hand….
I tried the Sage twice. First was as soon as it came out and it arrived with a pinhole in the middle of the screen. The second time was a month ago. The battery life was horrible and the page turn buttons would either not work or send me forward by two or ten pages (kind of like the current Nook Glowlight). I had ordered the power cover but that would drop down to zero level very quickly to be almost useless. I sent it back and bought the Libra 2 which I am very happy with. I have had none of the problems the Sage gave me.
Does reading position sync across the phone apps and the hardware ereaders, like Kindle does?
Thanks.
For me I think Kobo syncs across devices better than Kindles do.
Awesome, thank you. Placing my preorder now.
Only for books bought by Kobo. Any sideloaded books or personal documents won’t sync. That’s why I simply can’t switch to Kobo, even though otherwise they have interesting readers.
I have the Nia and I agree it is an inferior version of the Clara but it is still pretty good. Black and white drawings come out excellent just like the Clara.
Would have bought the Ellipsa long ago, if the lighting color temperature was adjustable. Clara, Libra & Sage all have adjustable color temperature.
I bought the Elipsa when it came out and it is the reader I use the most. I only use it for reading – love the size. I do not totally miss the color temp option since I read permanently in dark mode with the black screen/white letters. I find it very comfortable.
I have the Kobo Libra 2. My device has such great screen that I don’t use color temperature on it, only normal brightness.
I also bought it for the night mode, dark screen and white letters. Honestly I forget to use it, I just turn down the brightness by swiping down the left side of my screen at night.
By far the absolute best screen I have used.
I have Paperwhite 2, Pocketbook InkPad 3, Boox 6″.
I absolutely love my Kobo Libra 2.