Kobo and Pocketbook my opinion if can help someone

[gionebook]

Dear Readers,

I decided to write this comparison based on my personal experience, and I hope it may help you.

Since I prefer pure reading, I’m not interested in color screens, which are visually inferior to black-and-white ones for reading text.

I’m a passionate reader, and as soon as e-ink ebook readers became available, I immediately recognized their value.

I'm not attaching photos, but I hope you'll take my word for it.
I used a 5-inch Sony PRS for many years. It was a well-considered purchase, especially given that screen resolution at the time was not great, and the 6-inch screens looked less refined.

Years have passed, and in the last three years, as my reading increased, I purchased three more readers:

1. Kobo Libra 2 (7 inches)
2. Kobo Clara BW (6 inches)
3. PocketBook Verse (6 inches)

These are my personal opinions, though I’m also a technology enthusiast.
In terms of screen quality—cleanliness, contrast, sharpness, and reading comfort—the Kobo stands out, especially the 7-inch Libra 2.

The Carta 1200 screen, though from a previous generation, feels slightly less sharp but more similar to real paper.
The screen of the Libra 2 is impressive, and for two years I used it even while traveling.

Later, I bought the 6-inch models, which are more practical for travel.
I now reserve the Libra 2 for reading at home.
For dark mode reading, the best is the Libra 2, followed by the PocketBook, and lastly the Clara BW.

Oddly, the Clara BW has a slightly annoying screen texture in dark mode, which is not present on the Libra 2 or PocketBook.

Standard (non-dark) mode looks great on all three, though with warm light enabled, I prefer Kobo’s color tone.

Kobo devices also benefit from more customizable fonts.
Battery life is better on the Kobo devices—roughly 40% more efficient, although I still need to do more reliable testing.

Page turning and book opening speeds are slightly better on the Kobo, while library navigation and updates are faster on the PocketBook Verse.

I installed KOReader on all three, and it's more stable on Kobo, with a few more features in the status bar.
With KOReader, the display quality on the Clara BW and PocketBook Verse is comparable.

One advantage of the PocketBook is the automatic horizontal/vertical orientation sensor (like the Libra 2), which the Clara BW lacks.
The Kobo bookstore connection is better than the PocketBook’s.

As for the default EPUB management software, the PocketBook offers slightly better text layout and PDF handling—though I don’t care much about PDFs, since KOReader is superior anyway.

KOReader installs more easily on the PocketBook.

The PocketBook is also slightly more configurable, offering the ability to create a custom LED lighting profile by time of day. Kobo only allows this automatically and only for color temperature, while PocketBook supports both intensity and color configuration.

That said, Kobo’s lighting colors are better, and despite PocketBook’s more advanced settings, I still prefer Kobo.

I’m not interested in Kobo’s Bluetooth audiobook features since they only work with Kobo audiobooks, which are overpriced.

Very useful on the PocketBook is the Pocket app integration, which lets you sync and read articles saved from your browser.

In terms of build quality, the PocketBook clearly wins, with better materials and a more premium feel.

In summary:

• I would’ve liked an open Android-based device like the Meebook 7, but I read a lot of negative feedback about battery drain due to the processor running at full speed.

• The 7-inch size is excellent for home use or stationary vacations.

• The 6-inch models are great for travel, especially when reading in landscape mode, which isn’t too different from a 7-inch experience—you just turn pages more often.

• KOReader definitely adds value and is highly recommended for PocketBook (easy to install and improves font control), and also for Kobo, where reading is already excellent but the extra info and features (like real page count) enhance usability.

• Kobo gives it’s best when EPUB files are converted to Kepub, but I had many issues managing my library with Calibre, so I find it simpler to use Kobo without Calibre.

• Overall, Kobo and PocketBook strike the best balance between all the features. Sadly, Kobo no longer produces a 7-inch black-and-white model.

• Of the three, I prefer the Libra 2 for its outstanding display. The two 6-inch readers are comparable—Kobo performs better in natural light thanks to its higher resolution and contrast, but overall I probably prefer the PocketBook because it works better in dark mode, the physical buttons are sometimes handy, and although its battery needs charging twice as often, that’s not a big issue. Also, KOReader improves both, and it's easier to install on PocketBook.

• I only regret that the PocketBook doesn’t support password protection.

• I’m waiting for a well-functioning Android reader to test out that final possibility.


Best regards.

[ps67]

Interesting opinion, very complete post. The only thing: there is Pocket app integration on Pocketbook? I have it on Kobo, I would be happy if there was also on Pocketbook.

[JSWolf]

The problem is the Kobo Libra 2 is discontinued. So that part of your comparison won't help anyone.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem is the Kobo Libra 2 is discontinued. So that part of your comparison won't help anyone.

Not true.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Not true.

It is true that Kobo discontinued the Libra 2.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It is true that Kobo discontinued the Libra 2.

That is not all thet you wrote.

You wrote: "that part of your comparison won't help anyone". It could help Libra 2 owners considering switching to somethine else, people considering buying a used Libra 2 (if they can find one), people interested in ereader comparisons and general, and probably others as well.

You have been making false absolute proclamations for many years, and it has long been tiresome.