Kobo Libra Colour review

The Libra Colour is the most complete package for people who read a lot of library books. Kobo builds OverDrive and Libby into the device, so you can browse your library's catalog and borrow on the reader itself, and it reads 15 formats natively, EPUB included, which makes books from other stores easy to add. The 7-inch Kaleido 3 screen shows covers, comics and highlights in color at 150 PPI while keeping text at 300 PPI. Physical page-turn buttons, screen rotation and an ergonomically curved body make one-handed reading easy, and IPX8 waterproofing covers the bath. Kobo lists 32GB of storage, Bluetooth for Kobo Audiobooks and up to 40 days per charge at 30 minutes a day. Add the Kobo Stylus 2, sold separately, and it becomes a notebook as well. The tradeoffs are a softer color image than black-and-white text, a stylus that costs extra, and library and audiobook services limited to select countries. At $259.99, it is our top pick.

Who it is for

Library borrowers who want buttons, color covers and the option to mark up books, without being tied to one store.

Price

$259.99 at the Kobo US store when checked.

Black - $259.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color display at 300 PPI for black-and-white content and 150 PPI for color
• Borrows library ebooks on the device through OverDrive and Libby integration
• Physical page-turn buttons and left and right screen rotation
• Works with Kobo Stylus 2, sold separately, for color highlights and notebooks
• 32GB of storage, Bluetooth for Kobo Audiobooks and IPX8 waterproofing

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Library loans arrive without a phone or computer
• Strength: Reads 15 file formats natively, including EPUB and EPUB3
• Strength: Kobo says the device is repairable
• Weakness: Color content drops to 150 PPI
• Weakness: Stylus costs extra
• Weakness: Kobo Audiobooks and OverDrive are only in select countries

Key facts

• Display: 7 in E Ink Kaleido 3, 1264 x 1680
• Storage: 32GB
• Battery: Up to 40 days (30 min a day, 30% light)
• Waterproof: IPX8, 2 m for 60 min
• Weight: 199.5 g

Where it ranks

Kobo Libra Colour is No. 1 in our Best E Readers verdict.