Best Kobo E-Reader to Buy in 2026
WIRED’s best e-reader overall is the $259.99 Kobo Libra Colour. Wirecutter picks the $159.99 Kobo Clara BW for people who don’t want Amazon. The 10.3-inch Elipsa 2E is for note-taking.
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Quick answer
WIRED’s best e-reader overall is the $259.99 Kobo Libra Colour. Wirecutter picks the $159.99 Kobo Clara BW for people who don’t want Amazon. The 10.3-inch Elipsa 2E is for note-taking. Best overall: Kobo Libra Colour, $259.99. Best budget color: Kobo Clara Colour, $179.99. Best black-and-white: Kobo Clara BW, $159.99. Best for notes: Kobo Elipsa 2E, $399.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Kobo Libra Colour | most people | $259.99 |
| Best budget color | Kobo Clara Colour | a cheaper color e-reader | $179.99 |
| Best black-and-white | Kobo Clara BW | black-and-white reading | $159.99 |
| Best for notes | Kobo Elipsa 2E | note-taking | $399.99 |
This guide draws on WIRED’s[2] and Wirecutter’s[3] e-reader picks and Rakuten Kobo’s US store, with prices checked October 2026. Kobo e-readers don’t need an Amazon account; for Kindles, see best Kindle.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Model | Price (Kobo) | Screen | Stylus | Storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kobo Libra Colour | $259.99 | 7" color E Ink, page-turn buttons | Optional (Kobo Stylus 2) | 32GB | Most people |
| Kobo Clara Colour | $179.99 | 6" color E Ink | No | 16GB | A cheaper color e-reader |
| Kobo Clara BW | $159.99 | 6" E Ink | No | 16GB | Black-and-white reading |
| Kobo Elipsa 2E | $399.99 (refurbished $279.99, sold out) | 10.3" E Ink | Included | 32GB | Note-taking |
| Kobo Sage | $269.99 (sold out) | 8" E Ink | Optional | See Kobo | — |
The picks in detail
1. Kobo Libra Colour
Best for: most peopleWIRED’s[2] best e-reader has a 7-inch color screen, page-turn buttons and stylus support, so it doubles as a small digital notebook. WIRED lists up to 40 days of battery life and 32GB of storage. Kobo sells it for $259.99, or about $330 with the stylus.
Price (Oct 2026): $259.99 Source
Pros
- Color screen
- Page-turn buttons
- Note-taking with stylus
Cons
- Stylus costs extra
- Pricier than the Clara models
2. Kobo Clara Colour
Best for: a cheaper color e-readerWIRED’s[2] budget e-reader has a 6-inch color screen, is waterproof, has 16GB of storage and up to 42 days of battery life. Kobo lists it at $179.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $179.99 Source
Pros
- Color for less
- Compact and light (6 ounces)
Cons
- No page-turn buttons
- No stylus support
3. Kobo Clara BW
Best for: black-and-white readingWirecutter’s[3] best e-reader for non-Amazon users has a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 screen, which makes it more responsive. Wirecutter says library integration makes borrowing books easy. Kobo lists it at $159.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $159.99 Source
Pros
- Lowest-priced Kobo
- Easy library borrowing
Cons
- No color
- Small screen
4. Kobo Elipsa 2E
Best for: note-takingKobo’s largest e-reader has a 10.3-inch E Ink screen and comes with the Kobo Stylus 2 for writing notes. It’s $399.99 new; a certified refurbished unit was listed at $279.99 but was sold out.
Price (Oct 2026): $399.99 Source
Pros
- Big 10.3-inch screen
- Stylus included
Cons
- Expensive
- No color
Also considered
Kobo Sage: An 8-inch e-reader with stylus support, $269.99 but sold out at Kobo in October 2026.
Boox Go 6 (Gen II): WIRED’s[2] pick if you want Android reading apps; see best e-readers.
Kobo or Kindle?
Kobos read ePub files and don’t require an Amazon account. Wirecutter[3] still picks the Kindle for most people. Compare options in best e-readers and best Kindle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Kobo e-reader?
Which Kobo is cheapest?
Which Kobos work with a stylus?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Rakuten Kobo: eReaders (ereader.kobo.com)
- WIRED: The best e-readers (wired.com)
- Wirecutter: The best e-reader (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
Related
Kindle vs Kobo
Get a Kindle if you buy from Amazon or use Kindle Unlimited. Get a Kobo if you borrow library books, want native EPUB support, or don’t want to use Amazon.
best ofBest E-Readers of 2026
The base Kindle is Wirecutter’s top e-reader, and the Paperwhite is the upgrade. If you don’t want Amazon, WIRED picks the Kobo Libra Colour, with page buttons and built-in library borrowing.
best ofWhich Kindle Should You Buy in 2026?
The Kindle Paperwhite ($200) is the best Kindle for most people. The base Kindle ($150) is the cheapest and smallest, the Colorsoft ($290) adds a color screen, and the Scribe ($400) is for note-takers.