Going back to reading after years away
I have been rather undisciplined, and my yearly reading list has been getting shorter and shorter despite my trips to the library. Honestly, I had thought little about it until my daily work commute got longer. Somewhere between doomscrolling through the same apps and arriving at work already exhausted, I decided something had to change. So instead of another hour on my phone, I invested in an e-book reader.
Enter the Kobo Libra Colour. I’m two years late, but just on time for myself.
Here’s everything I’ve learned after using it daily.
AT A GLANCE
| Product | Kobo Libra Colour |
| Brand | Kobo |
| Price | SGD $339.90 |
| Where to buy | Kobo official store, major retailers |
What is the Kobo Libra Colour?
The Kobo Libra Colour is a 7-inch e-reader released in April 2024. It runs on E Ink Kaleido™ 3 technology, displaying both colour and the standard black & white ink, with a 300 PPI resolution for crisp text. It has ergonomic page-turn buttons on the side, IPX8 waterproofing, and 32GB of storage. Sold separately, the e-reader also supports the Kobo Stylus 2 for note-taking.
What sets it apart from a lot of other brands is Kobo’s ecosystem: you can sideload your own books, connect to Kobo’s online bookstore, and my personal favourite– integrate with Libby, the app that lets us borrow e-books directly from our local public library.
Other functional specs:
- Carry up to 24,000 eBooks or 150 Kobo Audiobooks with 32GB of storage*
- Listen to Kobo Audiobooks with built-in Bluetooth® wireless technology*
- Customise the reading experience: adjust font size, margins, and font style
- Physical page-turning buttons for one-handed, screen-free navigation
*check the Kobo Libra Colour webpage for more information
First impressions
The Kobo Libra Colour is noticeably light for a 7-inch device, which matters more than you’d think if you’re reading one-handed on a crowded train. The design is sleek and clean, kind of like a tablet.
The physical page-turn buttons on the side deserve a special mention, they’re one of my favourite things about this device. Reading without constantly tapping the screen feels more natural and far less tiring, especially during longer sessions. It also feels like a nostalgic style before touchscreens dominate the technology space.
How the e-reader performs in real life
I’ve been using this daily, mostly for my commute, sometimes in the evenings, and the reading experience is excellent. The display is easy on the eyes in a way that phone screens simply aren’t. I don’t finish a reading session with that slightly frazzled, overstimulated feeling you get from staring at a backlit screen.
The colour display is a nice-to-have. It’s particularly useful if you’re reading manga, illustrated books, or anything with colour-coded annotations.
One thing I enjoy is the ability to customise my reading experience. You can adjust font size, margins, and font style to suit exactly how you like to read. It sounds small, but it makes sitting down with a book feel personal.
Finding books to read has never been easier. Between the Kobo store, Libby (library integration), and sideloading, I’ve had no shortage of things to read. That alone has probably done more for my reading habit than anything else.
The Kobo Stylus 2, sold separately, also makes for a great note-taking experience. On top of using it for annotations, the Libra Colour can also be used as an e-notebook for journalling and taking down to-dos. Honestly, this writing feature is a bonus.
Final verdict: A Kobo Libra Colour Review
The Kobo Libra Colour is made for busy people who want to read more but keep running out of time or energy. It’s compact enough to slip into a bag, light enough to hold one-handed, and the library integration makes finding your next book completely frictionless.
If you don’t plan on reading manga or colour-illustrated books, consider the standard Kobo Libra. It’s the same ergonomics at a lower price. But if colour is on your list, this is a lovely device to own.
The possible downside of the Kobo Libra Colour? The price point. But, honestly? One of my best buys in 2026.
*Not a sponsored post. Just a satisfied customer.
