In the range of Kobo eReaders, the Clara series has occupied a privileged place. It’s compact, affordable, and a step up from the entry-level Nia. While other models like the Sage (reviewed here) target die-hard e-reader fans with features like an oversized 8-inch screen and physical buttons, the Clara aims to deliver a solid consumer e-reading experience. . It even includes high-end features from the more expensive Kobo eReaders, namely the company’s excellent ComfortLight PRO. The latest version of the Kobo Clara is the new Clara 2E, and it offers some serious improvements over the previous generation Clara HD.
Recycled plastic makes up over 85% of this eReader’s exterior.
Upgrades for the Clara 2E
The basic form factor of the Clara 2E hasn’t changed much from the model it replaces. It’s a black hard plastic device with a 6-inch screen. There are minor changes like a different textured pattern on its back and it’s still a bit larger (fractions of an inch and a fraction of an ounce heavier).
Clara 2E fits in one hand, has a textured back for grip.
It still has advanced Kobo features, including the excellent ComfortLight Pro (with adjustable color temperature), TypeGenius, and built-in OverDrive support (for borrowing eBooks from libraries). It is designed to be a no-frills eReader but offers premium features for better user experience.
Clara 2E has USB-C and an IPX8 waterproof rating.
For 2022, Kobo has managed to keep the Clara HD’s $129.99 launch price (no small feat in these times), while still delivering an impressive list of upgrades. Here’s what’s new:
- Gets a new E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with dark mode
- Built-in storage increases to 16 GB
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth with audiobook support
- USB-C charging
- IPX8 water resistance (up to 60 minutes in six feet of water)
Any one of them would be a win, but put together they make for a much improved eReader equipped for modern users. However, there is another change worth adding.
Kobo’s first eReader made with recycled, ocean-bound plastic
It’s not a functional feature, but the Clara 2E can sway you with its green approach. Kobo claims that the Clara 2E’s casing is made from more than 85% recycled plastic, including 10% ocean-bound plastic. The company says its goal in making the move is to divert more than 200,000 plastic bottles from the oceans and keep more than a million CDs and DVDs out of landfills over the next year. SleepCovers for the Clara 2E will also be made from recycled materials.
Being eco-friendly isn’t going to improve your reading experience, but it can make you feel better about using an electronic device instead of a paper book.
Hands-on with the Kobo Clara 2E
The Clara 2E is a compact reader. It’s small enough to slip into a pocket (it will slip into the front and back pockets of most of my shorts), so you can take it anywhere. This includes in the bath if you wish – I’ve checked that being soaked in water is no problem. The patterned back provides some grip, but it’s a hard plastic, so you won’t get the same effect as a softer material. That being said, this eReader is small enough that I simply hold it in one hand like a smartphone, so I had a secure grip on the sides.
Kobo Clara 2E eReader next to an iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The E Ink Carta 1200 display (at 300 PPI) delivers crisp text and the touchscreen responds well to tap to turn pages. I noticed the Clara 2E was just a little slow compared to the Sage when it came to page flipping and screen switching, but I might not have noticed anything if I didn’t have the another reader to compare it. This may be an area where Kobo has cut costs – there are no specs listed for the processor other than 1GHz, and that’s the same speed as the outgoing model.
Clara 2E is significantly smaller and more affordable than the Sage (L), but has many of its … [+]
The personalized reading experience with Kobo’s TypeGenius remains the best on the market, and the ComfortLight PRO (with its ability to switch to a warm amber tint to avoid sleep-disrupting blue light when reading at night) remains one of my favorite Kobo features. This new screen also supports dark mode if you prefer.
Dark mode!
I’m not a fan of audiobooks, but if you like listening to books, the addition of Bluetooth will be a big win.
Key Features of the Kobo Clara 2E
- 6-inch E Ink Carta 1200 HD touchscreen display at 1448 x 1072 resolution (300 PPI)
- dark mode
- 16 GB of built-in storage
- Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- IPX8 water resistance
- ComfortLight PRO with adjustable brightness and color temperature
- Charging via USB-C, battery life rated at weeks
- TypeGenius (12 fonts and >50 font styles)
- Supports 15 file types including EPUB, PDF and TXT
- Supports Kobo audiobooks
- Built-in OverDrive support, built-in Pocket support for offline reading
- 4.4 x 6.3 x 0.34 inches, weighs 6.0 ounces
- Sleep covers sold separately
- MSRP $129.99
Recommendation
The new Kobo Clara 2E is a great option as an affordable 6-inch eReader.
The usual disclaimer for any Kobo eReader applies here: if you own an Amazon Kindle and have created a library of Kindle eBooks (with their proprietary file format), you are not at risk of jump from platform.
If you’re not stuck on Kindle and are looking for a solid e-reading (and audiobook) experience in a compact, affordable package – and “greener” than most – the new Kobo Clara 2E is well worth checking out. ‘to be considered. You get a lot of features for that $129.99 price. And if you’re looking for a more premium experience, remember that Kobo also has the Libra 2, Sage, and the unique Elipsa in its lineup.
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