Product Review · E-Readers · #3 Ranked
Kobo Clara Colour
6-inch color E Ink e-reader, waterproof, with audiobooks · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 82
At $179.98 the Clara Colour is the cheapest way into color E Ink in our E-Readers category, and value scores 86 because it costs $110 less than the Kindle Colorsoft. Satisfaction is 90 from 4.5 stars across 2,271 ratings, and features reach 84 with IPX8 waterproofing, Bluetooth audiobooks, built-in OverDrive library borrowing and color highlights. Reliability is 82, a step below the Kindles, reflecting Kobo's smaller service network and a thinner review base. It ties the Kobo Libra Colour at 82 and ranks ahead on value. The caveat: color E Ink is muted, closer to newsprint than a tablet.
What you're getting
- 6-inch Kaleido 3 color E Ink, 300 ppi black-and-white, 150 ppi color
- Color highlights you can add, erase or change
- ComfortLight PRO: reduces blue light, adjustable settings
- Dark mode option
- IPX8: up to 2 meters of water for 60 minutes
- 16GB storage, weeks of battery life
- Bluetooth for Kobo Audiobooks; built-in OverDrive borrowing
- No page buttons or stylus support; color looks muted
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 6-inch color E Ink
- IPX8, 16GB, Bluetooth audio
- OverDrive library built in
- Price$179.98
- Tier6-inch color E Ink e-reader, waterproof, with audiobooks
- Category rank#3 of 10
Should you buy the Kobo Clara Colour?
The Kobo Clara Colour is for readers who want color covers, comics and highlights without paying Kindle Colorsoft money. At $179.98 it ranks #3 of 10 in our E-Readers category. It also suits library-first readers, since OverDrive borrowing is built in. If you want a bigger 7-inch screen, page-turn buttons and stylus support, the Kobo Libra Colour costs about $80 more. If color does not matter, the Kobo Clara BW saves about $20.
Where it earns its score
- Cheapest color screen here. At $179.98 it undercuts the Kindle Colorsoft by $110 with the same 300 ppi black-and-white and 150 ppi color split.
- Library books built in. OverDrive lets you borrow eBooks from a participating library directly on the device.
- Waterproof and pocketable. IPX8 rated for 60 minutes in 2 meters of water on a 6-inch body.
- Strong ratings. 4.5 stars across 2,271 ratings matches the Kindle (2024) and Kindle Colorsoft.
What to know first
- Warranty is the lowest factor at 55. Kobo's standard coverage is a 1-year limited warranty.
- Color is subdued. Color E Ink looks closer to newsprint than a tablet screen; covers and comics are the sweet spot, not photos.
- 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 Colour scores 82, a Good Buy that ranks #3 in our E-Readers category, on Satisfaction (90), Value (86) and Features (84). It is the smart pick for color on a budget and for library borrowers. Readers who want a larger screen and buttons should step up to the Kobo Libra Colour, which also scores 82; pure-text readers get more from the Kindle Paperwhite (2024), which scores 86.
Kobo Libra Colour
Questions buyers ask
Can the Kobo Clara Colour borrow library books?
Yes. OverDrive is built in, so you can borrow eBooks from a participating library directly on the device.
Is the Kobo Clara Colour waterproof?
Yes. It carries an IPX8 rating for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 meters of water.
Can the Kobo Clara Colour read Kindle books?
No. Books bought in the Kindle Store do not open on Kobo devices; you buy from the Kobo Store or load DRM-free EPUB files.
Ready to check it out?
Kobo Clara Colour · ViperScore 82 · Good Buy · $179.98
How the other 9 e-readers scored
86Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
84Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
82Kobo Libra Colour
81Kindle (2024)
80Kobo Clara BW
79Kindle Colorsoft
78Kindle Scribe (2024) 16GB
77Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 32GB
74reMarkable Paper Pro
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