Kobo Clara Colour eReader - Black

I recently switched to the BW version after having first purchased the Kobo Clara Colour. 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).
Both flaws are inherant in the colour e-ink technology used, where the colour layer sits over top of the BW layer. The BW layer is a higher resolution but because the colour layer is sitting on top of it there is a *very* fine mesh visible when colour e-...view more I recently switched to the BW version after having first purchased the Kobo Clara Colour. 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).
Both flaws are inherant in the colour e-ink technology used, where the colour layer sits over top of the BW layer. The BW layer is a higher resolution but because the colour layer is sitting on top of it there is a *very* fine mesh visible when colour e-ink isn't in use. It might not bother some people, but it bothered me and the text wasn't as clear ot my eye as my old kindle (which I've had for nearly a decade). Also I like reading without a backlight and on the colour model you MUST use the backlight, as without it there simply isn't enough contrast to easily make out text.

For me, while colour was nice to have (it was fantastic when browsing through covers), I didn't want it at the expense of clarity (and I didn't *need* colour, 99.9% of the time I'm reading text). 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 clearer and it is possible to read with the backlight off. Get the Colour version if you are happy to use a backlight and MUST have colour. Get the BW version if you value clarity of text or want to be able to read without the backlight.

Lightweight and easy to use. Works faster than my older model. Not sure if the colour feature was essential for me Lightweight and easy to use. Works faster than my older model. Not sure if the colour feature was essential for me

Thought it was going to be too small, but comfortable to use / read when in bed!!! Thought it was going to be too small, but comfortable to use / read when in bed!!!

Having colour is nice for comics but if that's your primary purpose just use a bigger screen but for me works well! Very light and battery is great so no complains and id recommend. Having colour is nice for comics but if that's your primary purpose just use a bigger screen but for me works well! Very light and battery is great so no complains and id recommend.

Looking for a eReader to read some books. Kobo is a great brand from Rakuten. Famous. Supports Auckland Council library books. The only dilemma is black & white or Colour, but $20 difference. Why not?

This Kobo easy to hold, lightweight, nice colour. If my kid needs to use it, definitely will buy another one Looking for a eReader to read some books. Kobo is a great brand from Rakuten. Famous. Supports Auckland Council library books. The only dilemma is black & white or Colour, but $20 difference. Why not?

This Kobo easy to hold, lightweight, nice colour. If my kid needs to use it, definitely will buy another one

Nice look and feel. I like that i can connect to my library borrowing ebooks on it. Nice look and feel. I like that i can connect to my library borrowing ebooks on it.

Bought this as my Amazon Fire is no longer compatible with Auckland Libraries Libby app. Bought it due to screen being colour and not blue light so good for reading before bed. Bought this as my Amazon Fire is no longer compatible with Auckland Libraries Libby app. Bought it due to screen being colour and not blue light so good for reading before bed.