Color e-readers are finally a thing, and Mashable has rounded up the four best ones on the market. The verdict: Kobo wins, hands down. The Kobo Libra Colour takes the top spot as the best overall color e-reader, with the Kobo Clara Colour rounding out the budget pick.
The list arrives at a moment when color displays are spreading across the category, but Kindle has been slow to catch up. That delay created room for Kobo and other brands to step in with stronger devices. The ranking covers the Libra Colour, the Clara Colour, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, and the Kindle Paperwhite, though the Paperwhite is not a color e-reader at all — it is included only for comparison against the rest of the pack.
Why Color E-Readers Cost More Now
2026 has not been a good year for tech prices. A global memory crisis has pushed up costs on tablets, phones, laptops, and even e-readers. Three out of the four color e-readers on this list increased in price this year. The only device to avoid a hike was the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
That context matters when comparing the Libra Colour’s price against the rest of the field. Even at its higher price, it remains cheaper than any Kindle color e-reader.
The Muted Truth About Color Displays
Mashable’s reviewer tested their way through a lot of e-readers, and the color ones follow the same pattern. The colors are accurate, but they often look washed out. That applies to Kobo, Kindle, and every other brand on the list.
Don’t expect the vivid, punchy colors of an iPad screen. An iPad has a max brightness of 500 nits, while Kobo and Kindle e-readers max out at 100. The reviewer describes the tones as muted, which does not outweigh the convenience and portability of color e-readers, but it is worth tempering your expectations.
What the Kobo Libra Colour Does Well
The Libra Colour earns its top spot by combining several features that set it apart. Its seven-inch display offers ample space for reading graphic novels in detail, and the built-in gyroscope lets you switch between vertical and horizontal reading. That flexibility is unique to the Libra.
The device also has writing capabilities, making it one of the few e-readers with annotation tools. Aside from the Kindle Scribe, it is one of the only e-readers with writing capabilities, which makes it ideal for color-coding highlights and annotations. The reviewer notes that the Libra Colour is also one of the most popular e-readers among the Mashable team, alongside the Kindle Paperwhite.
The Libra Colour is also waterproof, has plenty of storage, and includes OverDrive integration. Log in with your library card, and your borrowed e-books instantly populate in the Overdrive tab. The reviewer considers it the best e-reader they have tested, calling it ergonomically superior to a Kindle, more square in shape with extra space for the page-turning buttons, which makes it easier to hold — especially while lying down and reading one-handed.
The Budget Option: Kobo Clara Colour
For readers who want color without spending too much, the Kobo Clara Colour is the pick. At under $200, it is the only color e-reader available for that price range. The reviewer describes it as a fantastic option, compact and speedy, even though its smaller screen means it is not the strongest choice for color reading.
The Clara Colour shares some of the Libra’s strengths: matte, glare-free display, waterproof construction, and ad-free operation. It also lacks page-turning buttons and cannot log in to multiple library accounts at once. There is no Amazon integration either, though the reviewer suggests that may be a pro depending on your reading habits.
Who Should Buy Which Device
The ranking is clearest when you look at who each device serves. The Libra Colour is for color enthusiasts and annotators, while the Clara Colour is for budget shoppers.
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft avoided a price hike. The Kindle Paperwhite appears only as a reference point for comparison, since it is not a color e-reader at all.
| Device | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Kobo Libra Colour | Increased this year | Color enthusiasts, annotators |
| Kobo Clara Colour | Under $200 | Budget shoppers |
| Kindle Scribe Colorsoft | No price hike | — |
| Kindle Paperwhite | Not a color e-reader | Comparison |
The Verdict on Color E-Readers
The ranking is clear about its subject. Color e-readers look washed out next to iPads, and that is unavoidable. But the reviewer argues that the convenience and portability of these devices outweigh the muted tones.
The Kobo Libra Colour remains the clear winner because it balances a large display, screen rotation, and writing capabilities with thoughtful design. The Clara Colour is a solid budget pick for those who do not need every feature.
Both are worth considering before you commit to a color display.
Source material: “Ready to read in color? These are the 4 best color e-readers.,” Mashable.
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