Product Review · E-Readers · #6 Ranked
Kobo Clara BW
6-inch waterproof e-reader with warm light and Bluetooth · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 80
The Clara BW scores 80 and ranks #6 in our E-Readers category. For $159.99 it adds what the Kindle (2024) lacks: IPX8 waterproofing, adjustable color temperature through ComfortLight PRO, and built-in OverDrive library borrowing. Value lands at 84 and satisfaction at 88 from 4.4 stars across 2,955 ratings. Features stop at 76 because the screen is 6 inches, there are no page buttons and there is no color. Reliability is 84, trailing the Kindles on review volume and service reach. It is a strong budget pick if you are not tied to Amazon's store.
What you're getting
- 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300, 1448 x 1072 (300 ppi)
- ComfortLight PRO: brightness and color temperature control
- Dark mode for night reading
- IPX8: up to 2 meters of water for 60 minutes
- 16GB: up to 12,000 eBooks or 75 Kobo Audiobooks
- Bluetooth and USB-C; built-in OverDrive library borrowing
- Recycled and ocean-bound plastic, designed for repair
- 6-inch screen, no page buttons; no Kindle Store books
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 6-inch 300 ppi, warm light
- IPX8 waterproof, 16GB
- OverDrive library built in
- Price$159.99
- Tier6-inch waterproof e-reader with warm light and Bluetooth
- Category rank#6 of 10
Should you buy the Kobo Clara BW?
The Kobo Clara BW is for budget readers who want waterproofing and warm light without Amazon's ecosystem. At $159.99 it ranks #6 of 10 in our E-Readers category, and it costs $10 more than the ad-supported Kindle (2024) with more hardware. Library borrowers get OverDrive built in. If you want color, the Kobo Clara Colour is about $20 more. If you already own Kindle books, the Kindle Paperwhite (2024) keeps them.
Where it earns its score
- Waterproof at $159.99. IPX8 protection is missing from the $149.99 Kindle (2024).
- Warm light included. ComfortLight PRO shifts color temperature and cuts blue light for late-night reading.
- Library borrowing on board. OverDrive is built in, so borrowing from a participating library takes a few taps.
- Audiobooks too. Bluetooth plays Kobo Audiobooks through headphones, with room for 75 titles on 16GB.
What to know first
- Warranty is the lowest factor at 55. Kobo covers it with a 1-year limited warranty.
- Features trail at 76. A 6-inch screen, touch-only page turns and no color; the Kobo Libra Colour adds buttons and color.
- Not sold by Amazon.com. This listing comes from a seller other than Amazon, so confirm the seller and return window at checkout.
Our verdict
The Kobo Clara BW scores 80, a Good Buy ranked #6 in our E-Readers category, on Satisfaction (88), Value (84) and Reliability (84). It is the best cheap waterproof reader here for anyone outside the Kindle ecosystem. Its 6-inch screen and lack of buttons cap Features at 76. If you want color for about $20 more, the Kobo Clara Colour scores 82.
Kobo Clara Colour
Questions buyers ask
Is the Kobo Clara BW waterproof?
Yes. It is IPX8 rated for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 meters of water.
Kobo Clara BW vs Kindle: which is better?
The Clara BW adds waterproofing and warm light for $10 more than the ad-supported Kindle (2024). The Kindle wins if you buy from Amazon's store.
Does the Kobo Clara BW play audiobooks?
Yes. It plays Kobo Audiobooks over Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Ready to check it out?
Kobo Clara BW · ViperScore 80 · Good Buy · $159.99
How the other 9 e-readers scored
86Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
84Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
82Kobo Clara Colour
82Kobo Libra Colour
81Kindle (2024)
79Kindle Colorsoft
78Kindle Scribe (2024) 16GB
77Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 32GB
74reMarkable Paper Pro
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