Head-to-head · Best E-readers

Boox Palma 2 vs Kobo Clara BW

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Boox Palma 2 and Kobo Clara BW score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #2 in Best E-readers

Boox Palma 2

4.3

2 sources1 derived$399.99as of Jul 31

The BOOX Palma 2 is a pocket-size e-ink reader running Android, which puts it in different territory from a Kindle. Reviewers liked the size, the full Android access, and battery life measured in weeks, with one saying it's easier to carry than their Kindle Paperwhite and more useful on the road. Android 13 and the Play Store are on board, so apps and customization are open to you. Working against it: limited RAM, a slow fingerprint reader, and software that's already behind and won't be updated. Readers who want Android flexibility should look; those who need current OS features or more speed shouldn't.

Strengths

— Pocketable size and lightweight design (170g) for easy portability
— Runs Android 13 with full access to Google Play Store and sideloading capabilities
— Week-long battery life with optimized e-ink display readable in bright sunlight

Watch-outs

— Only 6GB of RAM can lead to performance limitations
— Slow and unreliable fingerprint reader
— Based on outdated Android 13 with no planned updates

$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #1 in Best E-readers

Kobo Clara BW

4.3

5 sources2 derived$159.99as of Jul 31

The Kobo Clara BW is a sturdy, waterproof e-reader with a Carta 1300 display and warm lighting you can dial in for reading at night. It doesn't sync with third-party cloud services, and loading books means connecting a computer. What it offers instead is a user-repairable design and no ads, which suits readers who want a simple device that lasts and who would rather stay out of Amazon's ecosystem. Anyone who relies on easy file sharing should look at other readers.

Strengths

— Waterproof design with IPX8 rating
— Carta 1300 display with adjustable warm light
— User-repairable with iFixit kits available

Watch-outs

— No third-party cloud syncing support
— Inconvenient book transfer process requiring computer connection

$159.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Boox Palma 2

While the Boox Palma 2 offers Android 13 access and full Play Store integration, it lacks the battery life of the Kindle (2024) and the color display of the Kobo Libra Colour. Unlike the reMarkable Paper Pro, it doesn't offer a paper-like writing experience, but it's more portable and versatile for general Android use. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids is more focused on children's reading, while the Palma 2 is better for users wanting Android flexibility.

Kobo Clara BW

The Kobo Clara BW stands out with its waterproof design and user-repairable features, unlike the reMarkable Paper Pro which has reliability issues. While it lacks the color display of the Kobo Libra Colour and the Android app access of the Boox Palma 2, it offers better battery life than the Kindle (2024) and no ads by default. It's more durable than the Kindle Paperwhite Kids but lacks its child-friendly features.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Boox Palma 2	Kobo Clara BW
Battery	Week-long	Weeks of battery life
Display	300ppi HD e-ink	Carta 1300
Weight	170g	—
Water Resistance	water-repellent design	IPX8 rating
Resolution	300 PPI	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth, USB-C	WiFi 802.11 ac/b/g/n, Bluetooth wireless technology, and USB-C
Dimensions	—	6.3 x 4.4 x 0.4 in
Storage	—	16GB

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