Product Review · E-Readers · #4 Ranked
Kobo Libra Colour
7-inch color e-reader with page buttons and stylus support · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 82
The Libra Colour scores 82 and ranks #4, tied on score with the Kobo Clara Colour but behind it on value. Features hit 90, the best of any reader under $300 here: a 7-inch color E Ink screen, physical page-turn buttons, 32GB, IPX8 waterproofing and support for the Kobo Stylus 2 for notes and markup. Satisfaction is 88 from 4.4 stars, but on only 625 ratings, which is part of why reliability sits at 80. Value lands at 84 because $259.99 buys the stylus-ready reader only; the pen costs extra.
What you're getting
- 7-inch color E Ink display, 1680 x 1264
- Physical page-turn buttons, left/right screen rotation
- Kobo Stylus 2 support for notes and color markup (sold separately)
- 32GB storage: up to 24,000 eBooks or 150 Kobo Audiobooks
- IPX8: up to 2 meters of water for 60 minutes
- Built-in OverDrive library borrowing and Kobo Plus
- Bluetooth for Kobo Audiobooks, weeks of battery life
- Stylus not included; only 625 ratings so far
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 7-inch color E Ink, 32GB
- Page buttons, stylus-ready
- IPX8 waterproof
- Price$259.99
- Tier7-inch color e-reader with page buttons and stylus support
- Category rank#4 of 10
Should you buy the Kobo Libra Colour?
The Kobo Libra Colour is for readers who want buttons, a bigger screen and occasional handwritten notes in one waterproof device. At $259.99 it ranks #4 of 10 in our E-Readers category and costs $30 less than the Kindle Colorsoft, which has no buttons or pen support. If you only want color reading, the Kobo Clara Colour saves about $80. If note-taking is the main job, the Kindle Scribe (2024) 16GB is the dedicated tool.
Where it earns its score
- Page-turn buttons. It is the only reader in this group with physical buttons, handy for one-handed reading.
- Stylus-ready. With the Kobo Stylus 2 (sold separately) you can annotate books and keep notebooks, which no 7-inch Kindle can do.
- More storage for less. 32GB at $259.99, versus 16GB on the $289.99 Kindle Colorsoft.
- Full waterproofing. IPX8 rated for 60 minutes in up to 2 meters of water.
What to know first
- Warranty is the lowest factor at 55. Kobo's standard coverage is a 1-year limited warranty.
- The pen costs extra. Budget for the Kobo Stylus 2 if notes are part of the plan; the $259.99 price covers the reader only.
- Thin review base. 625 ratings is the smallest pool in the category, and the listing is not sold by Amazon.com, so check the seller.
Our verdict
The Kobo Libra Colour scores 82, a Good Buy that ranks #4 in our E-Readers category. Features (90) and Satisfaction (88) lead, while Reliability (80) reflects a smaller review base. Buy it if page-turn buttons or light note-taking matter. If you just want color on a budget, the Kobo Clara Colour matches its score for about $80 less.
Kobo Clara Colour
Questions buyers ask
Does the Kobo Libra Colour come with a stylus?
No. It supports the Kobo Stylus 2, which is sold separately.
Does the Kobo Libra Colour have page-turn buttons?
Yes. It has physical page-turn buttons and the screen rotates for left- or right-hand use.
How many books does the Kobo Libra Colour hold?
Kobo says the 32GB can hold up to 24,000 eBooks or 150 Kobo Audiobooks.
Ready to check it out?
Kobo Libra Colour · ViperScore 82 · Good Buy · $259.99
How the other 9 e-readers scored
86Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
84Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
82Kobo Clara Colour
81Kindle (2024)
80Kobo Clara BW
79Kindle Colorsoft
78Kindle Scribe (2024) 16GB
77Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 32GB
74reMarkable Paper Pro
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