Kobo Clara vs Kobo Touch

Last updated: July 10, 2023
Kobo Clara and Kobo Touch are two eReader models from the Kobo brand, offering different features and functionalities to enhance the reading experience.

One key difference between Kobo Clara and Kobo Touch lies in their display technology. Kobo Clara features a high-resolution E Ink Carta display, which provides sharp and crisp text for a comfortable reading experience. It also includes ComfortLight technology, offering adjustable front lighting for reading in various lighting conditions. The front light helps reduce eye strain and allows for enjoyable reading even in low-light environments. Kobo Touch, on the other hand, features an E Ink Pearl display, which provides a good reading experience but lacks the higher resolution and front lighting found in the Kobo Clara. If display quality and adjustable front lighting are important factors for you, the Kobo Clara may be the preferred option.

Another significant difference lies in their storage capacity. Kobo Clara typically comes with 8GB of internal storage, which provides ample space for storing a large number of eBooks. This storage capacity allows readers to carry a substantial library with them, ensuring they have access to a wide range of books. Kobo Touch, on the other hand, typically comes with 4GB of internal storage, which still offers sufficient space for hundreds of eBooks but has less storage capacity compared to the Kobo Clara. If having a larger eBook library readily accessible is a priority, the Kobo Clara may be the preferable choice.

Additionally, the availability and pricing may vary between Kobo Clara and Kobo Touch. Kobo Clara is a more recent model and may have a higher price point compared to the Kobo Touch. However, pricing and availability can differ based on region and promotions. Readers should consider their budget and availability when deciding between the two models.
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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 Touch
Just like reading a book with Real Touch. Contemporary, lightweight, and travel friendly design. Browse and buy on the go with Wi Fi. Earn awards just for reading – with Reading Life. Discontinued.
Kobo Clara vs Kobo Touch in our news:

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.


2022. Kobo now allows to adjust font sizes using a pinch gesture



Kobo has initiated the rollout of software update 4.33.19759 for their range of Kobo e-readers, introducing several new features pertaining to font size adjustment and PDF reading. One notable addition in this update is the ability to dynamically modify font sizes using a pinch gesture. While Kindle devices have offered this functionality for quite some time, it is commendable to witness Kobo implementing it as well. However, Kobo's execution could benefit from further refinement. When utilizing the pinch gesture, a small circular window with a font size preview appears, but it proves challenging to discern the precise size due to its small dimensions. Additionally, at times, the window may appear in a blank section of the page, displaying nothing, and after adjusting, it often leaves an unattractive afterimage. To enhance user experience, Kobo should consider incorporating numerical indicators to clearly indicate the chosen font size, eliminating the need for guesswork, as this aspect has been a longstanding concern for users regarding Kobo's font size settings.


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 launches the Touch 2.0 eReader



Kobo has recently introduced its second new e-reader of the year, the Kobo Touch 2.0. This updated version revamps the four-year-old Kobo Touch with enhanced features such as increased storage, extended battery life, a faster CPU, and a more affordable price. With a 1GHz CPU, 4GB storage, and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Kobo Touch 2.0 is positioned as a competitor to the basic Kindle, lacking audio capabilities and a card slot. The 6" screen boasts a resolution of 800 x 600 and an IR touchscreen, although it lacks a frontlight. Set to be available on September 9 in the US and Canada, the Kobo Touch 2.0 will retail for $89.99. However, we believe that for just $40 more, opting for the Kobo Glo HD would be a better value proposition, as it offers a significantly sharper screen and includes a frontlight.


2011. Kobo unveils Wi-Fi Touch Edition e-reader for $129.99



Kobo has introduced the Kobo WiFi Touch Edition, a new model of e-ink reader priced at $129.99. As the name suggests, this e-reader incorporates a touch screen utilizing Neonode's infrared technology, which is also present in Sony's 6-inch touch-screen e-readers. Additionally, it boasts E-Ink's latest generation Pearl e-ink screen, enhanced with Neonode's "responsive" zForce infrared touch technology, referred to as "Real Touch" by Kobo. The device offers 1 GB of onboard storage and a microSD card expansion slot, enabling users to add up to a 32GB card for additional storage capacity. The battery provides a charge that lasts up to two weeks. The Kobo Touch supports various file formats including ePub, PDF, and Adobe DRM, while offering color options of black (with a black back) and white (with choices of lilac, blue, or white back). It is also available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Dutch.