Kobo Clara BW (2024) E-Ink Black & White eReader ( Black )

I recently switched to the BW version after having first purchased the Kobo Clara Colour. I'm very happy with the BW model. The colour model was a great device with a lovely interface but had two major flaws for me:
1) colour e-ink is inherantly darker and I needed the backlight on to read on the colour model.
2) the clarity of text wasn't as good as I expected (because of the colour layer sitting on top of the BW layer).
The BW version has all the features I liked about the colour version (easy to use, responsive, nice interface, good customisable settings) with the added bonus that the text is much clear and it is possible to read with t...view more I recently switched to the BW version after having first purchased the Kobo Clara Colour. I'm very happy with the BW model. The colour model was a great device with a lovely interface but had two major flaws for me:
1) colour e-ink is inherantly darker and I needed the backlight on to read on the colour model.
2) the clarity of text wasn't as good as I expected (because of the colour layer sitting on top of the BW layer).
The BW version has all the features I liked about the colour version (easy to use, responsive, nice interface, good customisable settings) with the added bonus that the text is much clear and it is possible to read with the backlight off. Without the backlight the background is not white (think reading on newsprint) but text is perfectly legible still. This means you can read without the backlight on (which was important to me). Obviously the BW version doesn't offer colour but I'm not going to be reading graphic novels on a Kobo and 99.9% of the time I'll be reading text rather than admiring the beatuiful colour covers. For me, while colour was nice to have, I didn't want it at the expense of clarity. Get the BW version if you value clarity of text or want to be able to read without the backlight. Get the Colour version if you are happy to use a backlight and MUST have colour.

Perfect for hiring books from the library. I love it so much I even brought one for my dad for Father’s Day and he’s a convert now! Perfect for hiring books from the library. I love it so much I even brought one for my dad for Father’s Day and he’s a convert now!

I upgraded from an older model Kindle which was very slow. I find the Kobo to be much better in terms of speed and also the physical device. It is easier to hold and operate. Most of all it's not and Amazon device. I upgraded from an older model Kindle which was very slow. I find the Kobo to be much better in terms of speed and also the physical device. It is easier to hold and operate. Most of all it's not and Amazon device.

great quality- prefer to kindle as dont have to buy books. perfect for my 12 year old book lower. low light is good for night too. great quality- prefer to kindle as dont have to buy books. perfect for my 12 year old book lower. low light is good for night too.

Not too pricey, easy to setup and link to your library card, battery lasts well, and kobo seems to have pretty frequent deals. Not too pricey, easy to setup and link to your library card, battery lasts well, and kobo seems to have pretty frequent deals.

Kobo is far superior to a kindle. Such a great e-reader. The best part you can read library books on it unlike on a kindle. Kobo is far superior to a kindle. Such a great e-reader. The best part you can read library books on it unlike on a kindle.

Easy to use, fantastic backlight. Easy to use, fantastic backlight.

Well designed, and easy to use. Replacing earlier Kobo, which lasted years. Hope this is as good! Well designed, and easy to use. Replacing earlier Kobo, which lasted years. Hope this is as good!

Being able to use Libby is a great plus. No need to buy an expensive subscription. Being able to use Libby is a great plus. No need to buy an expensive subscription.

Brought the Kobo Clara, and at the time if purchase was the best deal online. Fantastic service and superfast delivery to my back door.

It just doesn't get any better with PB Tech Brought the Kobo Clara, and at the time if purchase was the best deal online. Fantastic service and superfast delivery to my back door.

It just doesn't get any better with PB Tech

This is the first e-reader and kobo product that I’ve owned and I’m thoroughly impressed for the price. My one issue is the anti glare feature could be better as I still struggle with glare from overhead lights This is the first e-reader and kobo product that I’ve owned and I’m thoroughly impressed for the price. My one issue is the anti glare feature could be better as I still struggle with glare from overhead lights

Does what it says on the box. Reasonably smooth experience with both Overdrive and Pocket integration. Has had the odd freeze or dropped wifi connection but generally fixed by putting it through a sleep/wake cycle. Does need a bit of backlight if you want a truly white screen, and there is some noticeable ghosting when displaying images. Not sure why, but often won't download images in Pocket articles. For mostly text reading, the BW is better than the colour for the better contrast and longer battery life (as the backlight is needed in fewer situations). A bit thicker and heavier than the older Kindles and could be nicer to hold but small...view more Does what it says on the box. Reasonably smooth experience with both Overdrive and Pocket integration. Has had the odd freeze or dropped wifi connection but generally fixed by putting it through a sleep/wake cycle. Does need a bit of backlight if you want a truly white screen, and there is some noticeable ghosting when displaying images. Not sure why, but often won't download images in Pocket articles. For mostly text reading, the BW is better than the colour for the better contrast and longer battery life (as the backlight is needed in fewer situations). A bit thicker and heavier than the older Kindles and could be nicer to hold but small enough to carry in jacket pocket. Not perfect but overall great reading experience that is so much better than Libby / Pocket on a phone screen and would buy again.