Kobo Clara vs Kobo Glo

Last updated: July 10, 2023
Kobo Clara and Kobo Glo are both eReader devices from Kobo, offering distinct features and reading experiences that cater to different preferences.

One key difference between Kobo Clara and Kobo Glo lies in their display technology. Kobo Clara features a 6-inch Carta E Ink display, which provides sharp text and a high-contrast reading experience. It also includes ComfortLight Pro, an adjustable front light that allows users to read comfortably in various lighting conditions. This feature is especially beneficial for night reading or reading in low-light environments. On the other hand, Kobo Glo also features an E Ink display with similar high-contrast and sharp text. It also offers built-in ComfortLight, which provides adjustable front lighting for reading in different lighting conditions. However, Kobo Glo may have an older generation of ComfortLight compared to Kobo Clara, which may affect the brightness and color temperature options.

Another significant difference lies in their physical design and form factor. Kobo Clara has a sleek and compact design, with a lightweight build that makes it comfortable to hold for extended reading sessions. It features a comfortable grip and is designed for one-handed use. Kobo Glo, on the other hand, has a slightly larger and wider design, providing a larger display area for reading. This larger form factor may appeal to readers who prefer a larger screen size or have visual preferences for larger text. The choice between the two devices may depend on individual preferences for portability and screen size.

Additionally, there may be differences in the storage capacity and expandability options. Kobo Clara typically offers 8 GB of onboard storage, which is sufficient for storing a considerable number of eBooks. It does not have an external memory card slot for expandable storage. On the other hand, Kobo Glo may offer different storage capacity options, including models with 8 GB or 16 GB of onboard storage. Some Kobo Glo models may also include a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand the storage further and carry a larger library of eBooks. Users who have a substantial eBook collection or prefer the option to expand their storage may find the expandability of Kobo Glo more advantageous.
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Kobo Clara
Kobo Clara always provides the best light for reading day or night with ComfortLight PRO. You can adjust brightness and color temperature to reduce blue light before bedtime. It has a natural, print-like reading experience on its 6" glare-free high-definition 300 PPI screen. Easily customizable features help you read the way you want to.
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Kobo Glo
Kobo Glo's revolutionary ComfortLight illuminates the screen with a soft, adjustable glow so you can read any eBook any time of day under the perfect light — no lamp required. Because Kobo Glo’s advanced high-res XGA Pearl E Ink screen doesn’t use a glass overlay for its front light technology, there’s never any glare, even in the brightest sunlight.
Kobo Clara vs Kobo Glo in our news:

2024. Kobo releases new firmware for Colour e-readers



Kobo has released a new software update for its three latest e-readers, the Clara Colour, Libra Colour, and the Clara BW, known for their superior performance and affordability. While details about the updates are scarce, Kobo has mentioned stability enhancements and bug fixes. However, this attention to the latest models underscores a prolonged period without updates for other Kobo e-readers. The update rollout begins today, promising availability to all users within a few days. Updating is straightforward - simply press the sync button. Alternatively, for those inclined, the latest firmware patches are accessible on our site. Select your model, download the file to your PC or MAC, connect your e-reader via USB-C cable, transfer the file to the root folder, and reboot your device to access the new features and enhancements.


2024. Kobo has introduced the Kobo Clara BW E-reader



Kobo is introducing the Kobo Clara BW, an enhanced black-and-white e-reader designed for an immersive reading experience. With its 6-inch glare-free E Ink Carta 1300 HD screen and full waterproof protection, reading becomes effortless. Powered by a MediaTek processor MT8113L, the device allows seamless access to Kobo's extensive library of audiobooks and ebooks. Enjoy your favorite titles via Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, compatible with earbuds, headphones, or external speakers. The USB-C port facilitates easy content transfer and charging. With a low-end 1,500 mAh battery, compact dimensions of 112 x 160 x 9.2 mm, and weighing just 174 g, it offers portability without compromise. Priced at $129.99 (USD), the Kobo Clara BW could be your perfect companion for endless reading adventures.


2022. Kobo's new waterproof Clara 2E e-reader takes on Kindle



Kobo is set to release the Kobo Clara 2E, a new waterproof e-reader that poses a strong competition to Amazon's Kindle e-readers. The device boasts an exterior crafted from over 85 percent recycled plastic, with 10 percent of it sourced from ocean-bound materials. Notable features of the Kobo Clara 2E include Bluetooth technology for audiobooks, water resistance for up to two meters for 60 minutes, increased storage capacity of 16GB for eBooks compared to previous Kobo models, a six-inch HD E Ink Carta 1200 screen that is glare-free and equipped with dark mode and blue light reduction, and an extended battery life lasting for weeks. Priced at $150, the Kobo Clara 2E falls in a mid-range bracket, being cheaper than the company's previous Forma model but more expensive than the Nia model. Additionally, Kobo's SleepCovers for the device are environmentally friendly, made from recycled polyester with an inner microfiber lining composed of 40 percent recycled plastic water bottles. The SleepCovers are available in various colors such as Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Coral Reef Orange, and Sea Glass Green.


2022. Kobo Clara HD 2 will be available soon



Kobo is set to launch the Kobo Clara 2, a second-generation e-reader, in the coming months. This new model is a successor to their highly popular 300 PPI e-book reader. It will feature a six-inch E INK Carta 1200 display panel, which will significantly improve page turn speed and overall performance. The Kobo Clara 2 will also have a 300 PPI screen, front-lit display, and a candlelight color temperature system. One particularly intriguing aspect of this model is that it will be the world's first e-reader to incorporate the innovative E Ink ComfortGaze technology. This advanced front light technology effectively reduces the amount of blue light emitted, resulting in a reduced Blue Light Ratio (BLR) and Blue Light Toxicity Factor (BLTF) by up to 60% and 24% respectively. The BLR represents the ratio of harmful blue light to the total blue light output, while the BLTF denotes the ratio of brightness to hazardous blue light.


2019. Kobo boosts performance of PDF files



Kobo has recently rolled out a firmware update for their complete lineup of e-readers. This update enhances the performance of PDF files, leading to quicker loading times. Moreover, users now have the option to customize the header and footer of their reading interface. They can opt to showcase page numbers, percentage read, time remaining, or even deactivate the header, footer, or progress bar entirely.


2019. Kobo brings many of the Libra H2O features to older Kobo e-readers



Kobo has released a new firmware update for the Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, and Kobo Aura, incorporating several features found in the latest Kobo Libra H2O model to enhance eBook navigation. The headers and footers now provide information on both chapter and book progress, ensuring you can easily track your reading position. Additionally, a progress bar offers a visual representation of your progress within the book. For further customization, you can adjust your page layout through the Reading settings. The book scrubber has been improved, now displaying the entire book instead of just individual chapters, allowing for smoother navigation. Lastly, the addition of page previews enables quick referencing and facilitates navigation to different sections of the book.


2018. New Kobo Clara HD is an affordable Kindle competitor



Kobo, the Canadian ebook reader manufacturer, has finally unveiled its highly anticipated device, the Kobo Clara HD, after months of speculation. This new addition to their lineup marks their first budget-friendly model in almost three years, yet it boasts an impressive range of features. The Kobo Clara HD boasts a 6-inch Cara E Ink screen with a remarkable 300ppi resolution, ensuring sharp and clear text. With a generous 8GB of storage, users can store approximately 6,000 ebooks, providing ample space for their digital library. Additionally, the device offers exceptional battery life, lasting for several weeks unless extensively used. One standout feature of the Kobo Clara HD is ComfortLight Pro, which sets it apart from other Kobo ebook readers. Unlike traditional illumination methods for E Ink screens, ComfortLight Pro employs orange and red LEDs, reducing exposure to blue light. While this technology has been implemented in previous Kobo models, the Clara HD is the most affordable option currently available in the market.


2017. Kobo makes managing ebooks simpler



Kobo has recently released a firmware update for its e-readers, introducing several noteworthy features. One of the key additions is the "Manage Books" feature, accessible under the "My Books" section. This new feature allows users to select multiple books simultaneously, enabling actions such as marking them as finished or unread, removing them, or adding them to collections. The "My Books" section itself has undergone a visual enhancement, offering a cleaner layout of information, along with the inclusion of convenient Filter and Sort menus. The reading experience has also been enhanced with this update. Now, by tapping the middle of the page, users can easily access reading menus, navigate to the Table of Contents, or adjust Reading Settings. Additionally, the screen will now refresh after each chapter, as opposed to every six pages, providing a smoother reading experience.


2015. Kobo unveiled new e-Reader Glo HD to take on Kindle Voyage



Kobo is set to release its latest e-reader, the Glo HD, which claims to offer the highest resolution at an affordable price point. Priced at $129.99 and launching on May 1, this new device from Rakuten-owned Kobo features a 6-inch display with an impressive 300 ppi pixel density. This resolution matches that of the $199.99 Kindle Voyage, ensuring extremely sharp and pixel-free text rendering. Both the Kobo Glo HD and the Kindle Voyage utilize e-ink's Carta screen technology, delivering text quality comparable to high-resolution e-ink screens found in modern smartphones, albeit with the low-power e-paper technology that provides black and white display, ideal for dedicated text reading devices.