Aside from the color E Ink display, the Clara Colour resembles Amazon’s standard Kindle ($109.99). Both have 6-inch displays flanked by large, black bezels. A thicker bezel sits at the bottom, making it easier to grab with one hand. Both devices also have recessed displays that help to reduce glare.
The Clara Colour measures 6.3 by 4.4 by 0.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.1 ounces, which is similar to the base Kindle (6.2 by 4.3 by 0.3 inches, 5.6 ounces), though the Clara is slightly heavier than Amazon’s monochromatic ereader. Amazon’s color E Ink reader, the $249.99 Kindle Colorsoft, has a 7-inch display that’s flush with its thin bezels. It is taller, wider, and heavier than the Kobo, measuring 7.0 by 5.0 by 0.3 inches and weighing 7.7 ounces. The second-gen Boox Go Color 7 measures 6.1 by 5.4 by 0.3 inches, weighs 6.9 ounces, and has a 7-inch display and a similar design to the Colorsoft, but is more compact.
(Credit: Sarah Lord)
There are almost no ports or buttons on the Clara Colour. That means the device lacks page-turning buttons like the ones found on the more expensive Kobo Libra Colour ($229.99). I actually prefer tapping or swiping on the display to turn the page, but you may feel differently. A power button is on the back, and a USB-C port is at the bottom front. That’s it. You can use wireless headphones to listen to audiobooks via Bluetooth.
The Clara Colour only comes in Black. The base Kindle, on the other hand, comes in Black or Matcha Green versions. I didn’t think I’d like an ereader with a colorful design, but I find the Matcha Green fun, and I wish that Kobo would come out with multiple color options as well.
The Kobo is made entirely of plastic, which feels fine, if not premium. Most of the back is covered in a dotted texture imprinted directly into the plastic. This helps with grip, but if you prefer a case, Kobo sells form-fitting Clara Colour cases that automatically wake up your device when you open the cover. These cost $29.99 each and come in Black, Butter Yellow, Candy Pink, Cayenne Red, Dusk Blue, or Misty Green.
If you drop the Clara Colour and break it after its warranty has expired, you might be able to repair it yourself. Kobo has teamed up with iFixit to offer kits that allow you to replace the front cover, display, back cover, motherboard, and battery. The packs provide you with all the necessary parts and tools required for installation. They start at $19.99 for the front and back cover kits, while the battery and motherboard are $49.99 each. The display kit costs $79.99. Obviously, this can add up quickly, and it may make more financial sense to purchase a new device altogether, depending on the severity of the damage.
As a beach lover, I’m grateful that the Clara Colour has an excellent IPX8 rating. Accordingly, it can endure up to 60 minutes in 6.6 feet of fresh water. The Kindle and Onyx Boox Go Color 7 aren’t waterproof, but the Colorsoft is and is rated at the same level as the Clara Colour.
