Hey everyone! Lots of interesting discussion happening in the comments. At the end of the day, the Libra 2 helps us read more books. THAT'S what matters. Not page turn buttons. Not a flush/not-flush display. Nothing like that. This review was meant to be a deep-dive into the hardware of the device. I believe buying an e-reader is one of the best investments people can make. I try making videos that go over all the little details to help people decide which device is best for them. Thank you to everyone who has commented to share their opinions and thoughts. It helps me learn what people care about, and also helps others make better decisions on what's important to them! Happy reading 🥰📚
If you don't like Kobo Libra 2, would you give it to me? I've been wanting to have one but I couldn't afford. It'll be a beautiful gift from you. I'm from the Philippines. You can send me message or reply.
Thank you, I appreciate reviews like this which highlight possible drawbacks (like the imperfect page turn bu’tons), so I can decide if they’re a dealbreaker or not for me. Personally I’d have preferred a less expensive 8MB model option, since I won’t be reading 24,000 ebooks or using it for audiobooks, but with its sharper screen and ComfortLight Pro the Libra 2 should be a nice upgrade from my Kobo Touch (the battery is fading after a decade).
You're being too hard. The feel: just because it's plastic, doesn't mean it's not a premium feel. The plastic used does not feel cheap. It's a silky matte texture that is nice to touch, gives enough grip and doesn't show fingerprints like your preferred glass top kindle. The sunken screen: by choosing not to use a flush glass top, the Kobo's screen looks better (sharper, better contrast) than the identical spec kindle screen. Also, a glass top would mean no contoured grip, which is super comfortable to hold. The buttons: there is no problem here on my unit. Yes the buttons are hinged on the inside, and that makes them slightly harder to push on the inside edge but you really have to specifically try to have a problem to have a problem. Like, using my fingernail on the very inside edge. If I use the pad of my thumb, I can easily push the button anywhere and it gives a nice tactile click. Fingerprints and grime on the rubberized back: Yes, fingerprints are an issue. But it's the back, I rarely look at and I'd rather keep the grippy rubber instead of something clean and slippery. And crumbs getting stuck in the texture on the back: I guess I won't be eating cheesy poofs while I read, oh well. I'm super happy with my Libra 2, and very glad to be done with the Amazon ecosystem. (I'm coming from a gen 1 paperwhite).
Absolutely....I just returned the new Kindle Paperwhiite2021 because of just that, The contrast sucks on it, the letters don't POP out, fuzzy dull looking screen
@@anneto8226 same, the letters on my 2014 Paperwhite are so crisp, clear and black, they pop and look almost like their floating on the background. To me it’s a step backwards for E-ink
I have a 4th gen kindle with sunken screen and page turn buttons. It's quite good but need an update for the light so i can read better in the dark. Libra 2 seems the ideal candidate although a bit expensive....
This is exactly the kind of in depth nitpicky review I was looking for. All e-readers are very much alike so it requires eyes for detail to be able to spot these small but important differences. Don't mind the critique and keep up the great work 👏
A Kindle Oasis-style asymmetric design for nearly $100 less (over $100 less if you compare to the Oasis’s ad-free 32GB variant for feature parity), a grippier, more durable design that doesn’t get cold in the winter, an incredibly clear screen because they’ve elected for function over form with the sunken screen, AND my money goes to support a competitor against the industry juggernaut? Oh, and USB-C charging is a nice touch, too. If you’re in the market for an asymmetric Oasis-style reader with page turn buttons, the Libra 2 is the clear choice.
I like it because im not forced to buy into Amazon. You can side load epubs too. Those two are reasons alone I am buying this. Being hyper critical though is good for there to be improvements. Though i CANNOT wait for color e-ink readers. This will make comics/manga so much more enjoyable
I think the reason it looks so crisp is because it’s not a flush display, because the plastic screen isn’t floating over top of the actual display it’s laid right on top of it, it looks sharper.
I specifically got this one because I don't like flush screens at all. Indented screens look super crisp! A lot of it just comes down to personal preference. What might be a con for someone may be a pro for someone else, and vice versa.
I have had the libra 2 for the past two weeks and coming from the paper white 3 it is a whole different league. Not even close. A few of the complaints you brought up The buttons on my unit work flawlessly no matter where I push it. Top, bottom, middle, no problems. Perhaps there is something wrong with your fingers as from what I have seen, no one else is having issues. Actually, no one else that I have seen has issues with the previous model. Flush screens on dedicated e-readers are simply not a good idea. We now know that, perhaps with one exception (the long since discontinued voyager) flush screens degrade the contrast and clarity. The most critical part of an e-reader is the screen. Anything that degrades that should be avoided. At present, the screen on the libra 2 makes a strong case for being the best screen on the market. It is certainly better than the paperwhite 5. In ten years of using e-readers I have yet to load a pdf. There is simply no need for a fast processor. 99% of the time I am reading a book, which means turning pages. Even the lowest level e-reader is plenty fast for the intended purpose.
Couldn't agree more! Especially on the flush screens. I've used a Kindle Oasis (most premium model!!) but the screen comes no where close to the screen of the Kobo Libra 2. This has definitely to do with the screen not being flush.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I disagree with your comment regarding processor not being important, it makes a big difference in general navigation around the software. Also, I'm pretty sure my fingers are just fine 😅
@@Maneetpaul Processor speed may be important to reviewers, but for people who use readers for actually reading books it is a secondary concern at best. For those of us who read books the time spent navigating is minimal. So I might be able to set up a new book ten seconds faster, than spend the next ten hours reading it. What the emphasis on processor speed by professional reviewers shows is just how out of touch reviewers are with people who buy e-readers to actually read books. The emphasis on processor speed should be on how unimportant it is to the reading experience. As long as it is not stupidly slow it’s all good. What is really important for people who use electronic readers to read is the screen. Of the professional reviewers comparing the Libra 2 to the Paperwhite 5 only one was honest about the significant difference in screen quality. The rest did everything they could to avoid the issue.
@@AlSelk I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one regarding the importance of processor speed, I read every day, and it makes a big difference for me. When it comes to the Libra 2 screen versus the new Paperwhite, I 100% agree that the quality is much nicer on the Libra 2! I'll be talking about this in an upcoming video comparing the two devices. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!
For those who like to tinker a bit, the kobo software is much much customizable with patches, nickelmenu, etc. I sold my 2018 ppw within two weeks after getting it and bought a libra h2o. 😊
*POSITIVES/NEGATIVES* 1) Build. Kobo's plastic is more robust, and pleasing to hold in colder climates than the premium metal Oasis, has page turn buttons, but less premium looking and feeling. 2) Openness. Kobo has library access outside US, and easier direct access in the US. Supports more format's than Kindles. Amazon Prime members can enjoy a decent loans library Prime Reading. Restricts audio books to Kobo only (at least for now), less choice than Amazon store. 3) Screen. Non-flush screen/e-ink Carta 1200 has better contrast, crisper images than Kindles. Looks less premium, lint, dust can get into the corners. 4) UI. Kobo generally has a better designed UI, quicker to change most settings, linked to Pocket. Kindle has extras like X-ray, page turn simulations, linked to Good Reads. 5) Performance. Decent performance on Kobo. Kindle has spectacular performance with changing settings, page turns, Manga.
it is “unfortunate” because it has a flush display? I was gonna spend an extra $40 for this thing over the 11th gen paperwhite because of the non-flush display! I think flushed display takes away the uniqueness of ereader device and makes it look like a typical tablet.
@@elvinventucillo4501 probably because they don’t realize the flush display actually decreases the sharpness. If people knew the sunken displays had a better reading experience (and often costs less), I don’t think anyone would want a flush display.
Lol, same reason. I was justifying Libra 2's higher price because of the sunken screen and also to NOT get Sage because it adds that flush screen (might have to do with stylus support as well), something that I don't plan to use as I have a separate pen tablet for that.
Hiya! The page turn buttons, perhaps KOBO did it on purpose. When you hold this ereader on the side and your thumb is between the two page turn buttons, you may accidently push down one of them, to avoid this they changed the hardware or software setting so that pushing the part of the button close to the center of the ereader will not be registered as a page turning action.
no issues at all with the page turn buttons and i like the feel of the kobo i like the recessed screen premium build depends on your view of premium....hate what you describe as premium look so very happy with my kobo and hope they ignore your comments
I’m glad your page turn buttons work. And that you love your Kobo. It’s a great device that helps us read more books. That’s what matters at the end of the day. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your experience.
I disagree with your opinion to move the power button. It’s located where it is because it is the least likeliest to be accidentally pressed while reading. If it were to be moved to the right side of the device, while holding it with your left hand (or in landscape) you could very likely press the power button accidentally. In addition, your concerns with the premium feel of the device are flawed. It is plastic to keep the weight of the device down. What other option do they have to keep the weight of the device low while making it feel more premium? Aluminum? There are no other materials that can match the light weight and low cost of plastic. Also, your concerns with the display not being flush is actually a lot of people’s reason for purchasing this device (people in the know anyways). Flush screens cause the text to look less crisp because the manufacturer has added an additional panel over the display. Kobo’s choice to not do that means they are wholly concerned with providing an exceptional reading experience.
Hey there! Fair point about the power button. I can see how that might have been an intentional placement. I still think the benefits of changing the side would outweigh the potential negatives. I don't agree regarding the plastic and display. The Kobo Sage is a perfect example. The Sage has a flush screen, and the display is arguably exactly the same in terms of crispiness. Maybe there's a slight difference, but to the naked eye with normal use, they look the same side-by-side. Same thing with the material. The Sage isn't as plastic-y, and still feels light and wonderful to hold. The Libra 2 is a lot cheaper than the Sage, so I understand why they chose not to use those materials. It wouldn't be as cost-effective. But technically speaking, it's all possible.
After watching this video twice, I tested the buttons of my older Libra h2O. The buttons work fine when I press the middle or outside edges. It's harder to push when I press the insides of the buttons, but I've never pressed the buttons there. When it's pressed down, it works. In fact I don't think Ive ever noticed an issue with these buttons. Ive never had an issue with my Libra h2O being plastic actually. The weight has always been fine. I love my Libra h2O Actually I just want to upgrade to the 32gb newer version so that I can add all my mangas to it. Sooo I may gift this one to my lady.
@@Maneetpaul you’re not unlucky. The buttons are designed on a sort of hinge located in the centre of the two buttons. When you press the buttons close to the hinge (I.e., close to the centre of the two buttons) it will be harder to press and may not even work due to that hinge design. Kobo probably did not think that would be much of a problem because most people would be pressing the buttons closer to the outside. However, that is only the case when the default directions are maintained (I.e., bottom button is for page forward). If you switch what the buttons do (I.e., top button for page forward), when resting your thumb on the top button it will be located closer to the hinge and the button won’t work as well. Kobo should have opted for two separate buttons that press downwards as opposed to being on a shared hinge.
@@ScholarsRest I've inverted the buttons, so that the top one goes forward, but not had any issues with page turns. I've only had the Libra 2 a few days, I had kindles and a Sony (with buttons) before then.
The only thing stopping me from using a Kobo full-time is their lack of support for exporting highlights to Readwise. Putting that aside, I love most of their devices. Just not this one!
Good review overall. But your only nitpick is about the buttons? Sounds like it should be a device that is and great and that you should recommend. I used to think I would love the premium design of a kindle oasis. So when the Libra H2O launched I bought it and the kindle oasis to compare. After a few weeks I decided to return the kindle. Couple of reasons: The Libra was comfortable to use because it was plastic. The cold metal was annoying as was the imo narrow thick part you grip on the kindle. Made my hand hurt. The kindle lacked landscape reading, epub support, open software and the warm light wasn’t as great as the Libra. It was a bit faster but I only read books/manga so it was negligible for me. The worst thing was the average battery life. My kobo literally lasts twice as long on similar settings. All in all, if premium feel, Kindle ecosystem and slightly better speed is your thing, go for kindle. For all else, take Kobo.
Bhaji !!! your reviews are really helpful. I watch your every video and ur right all that matters is reading more books. Thanks I have ordered my Libra 2 after watching ur videos. You were a little critical but that has helped to set up my genuine expectations from the device. Thanks and I’m proud of you being a punjabi helping us out.
Amazing reviews! I think this one seals the deal on this Libra 2. My ancient Kindle Keyboard finally stopped holding a charge so I'm in the market but with so many choices it's hard to tell the real difference between them all. I'm not tied to the Kindle market (I stick to what's available from my library) and having something high rez this time around is important (my eyesight isn't was it used to be). My phone is just fine for audiobooks, so that's not important. This sounds like a winner, winner, winner all around. Thanks so much! Your reviews are by far the best available that I've found.
That's not entirely true. The screen itself is still glass, so if there is going to be any glare or reflection, the indent isn't going to make much of a difference.
@@Maneetpaul I feel like I see more glare than I should on my new 2021 kindle compared to my 2012 kindle.. and it’s rly because of the flush! I wish it was indented.
Nice review! Yeah I'm one of the people who'd rather not pay extra only for a more premium feel/looks if they add nothing to the robustness of the device. I don't mind at all if my device looks "cheap" as long as it can withstand my usage and actually last long. And although I'm a bit late into the ereader world, but after some weeks looking around reading and watching reviews (including many of yours, thanks!), I think Libra 2 is still my best choice for the time being.
I ordered Libra 2 as an upgrade for my old Paperwhite 2018. Georgous 7 inch display and auto orientation sold me. Never used page turn button so that wasn't my priority. And oasis was too expensive :)
JFYI this video almost stopped me from buying KOBO Libra 2 because of the way how the buttons "don't work" in the middle. I've considered pocketbook era, but in the end the ergonomics and price factor led me to buying kobo libra 2 and i'm so happy with it. The buttons work JUST FINE. So i think it's more an production issue for some devices and can be returned.
I appreciate your review here. I think it was really fair. We certainly have different values around what's important in an ereader and I feel the Libra 2 met all of my needs well. Your criticisms are all true, but just not applicable to me. The only thing I disagree with is, as a "techie" being able to integrate with Linux and having a more open platform meant way more to me than premium feel. Of course, I'm a niche case user though.
I purchased both the new Paperwhite, and the Kobo Libra 2. I agree with most of the points in your review. The one thing that doesn’t bother me are the buttons. They seem just fine. The screen is indeed beautiful. It has really great contrast now. I agree that the should have bumped up the processing speed, it is super slow to start up. The new Kindle is so much zippier. The one thing I absolutely love about kobo, is the reading stats it gives you. I wish kindle would catch up in that regard.
@@veravandeven1925 I use them both because I am invested in both of their Ecco systems. I really wish I hadn’t. I prefer the Kobo software, but the kindle has the quick “read a few pages anywhere” feel to it’s advantage. The Kobo takes a minute to load up.
I'm also debating should I get Kindle Paperwhite 5 or Kobo Libra 2 as my first eReader... I'm leaning towards Kobo mostly because of more open ecosystem, but Kindle would be a cheaper option and it's easier to get in my country.
@@Deadomen123 both are a great option. If the extra stats aren’t a big deal to you, I might actually go with the kindle. It’s cheaper, has a faster processor and is smaller, and lighter so it’s arguably easier to carry around. The screen is excellent too. Choose your ecosystem carefully though. You really should buy into just one, so your books aren’t everyone like mine are.
@@ShawnDawson Thanks for the recommendation! How about, if I'm not so eager to use Amazon books (or even Kobo), but I want to support my local retailers? Do you think Kindle works just fine for the third-party books, if I'm willing to modify the file format?
I don't think buttons are big deal to be honest. And the Flush screen, apparently it hinders the contrast of the screen or so other Reviewers are saying. I too believe they could have improved the speed a bit more. Like increasing the clock speed of the processor a bit or something like that. The more I think about it, the more I prefer the New Kindle Paperwhite to this device. It is sad actually, I love Kobo. Their software division is really great, always making improvements and supporting old devices. But they're not providing new features here, the "Dark Mode" has been on "Developer's mode" for a couple of years now. And the Audiobooks... Well. I guess it's up to the person. I personally prefer to use my smartphone for audiobooks. I have disability and my hands are a little different than the average person. So I wonder how would the buttons help me.
So I came from the Kobo Clara HD, which i purchased in 2018 and I did love the device, but their was somethings I wanted, I wanted waterproof, I wanted to listen to audiobooks and I liked the page turns buttons. Since I’m in Canada having a Amazon Oasis did not make sense for me. The price is like triple, cant borrow books from my local library. So when Kobo announced the Kobo Sage and Libra 2 I really researched both devices since my old Clara was running out of battery at a fast rate, I looked into the Libra 2, since I felt 8” screen and note taking was not what I was looking for. So when the Libra when on sale for Mother’s Day I jumped at the chance. Now I feel your critique’s are justified for someone who is a techie, a regular book reader like my self well be happy with the features. I feel the sulked screen looks nice and the body of the device feels like a premium device for reading books which is what it’s for. I tested your theory with the buttons and I felt in all three places. I like the feel of them, the fact they create a nice click, I found a nice cover for mine from Amazon a lot cheaper then the 44 dollar sleep cover through Kobo. Thanks for your review and your thoughts.
Good review. I think a lot of people watch these reviews wanting validation for their purchase. When you say it's a bit...crap, they get upset. I want warts and all reviews for thing I'm thinking of buying. I'm one of those weirdos that watch reviews before, not after.
My Libra 2 has three different feels on each button depending on where I push down. One very clicky part at the end, the middle is a bit softer but still clicky and in the other end there is virtually no click at all. I much prefer the non-clicky buttons and the golden standard for me is Kindle Voyage with its touch-buttons (I absolutely love them!). Not sure why you have issues with your unit, perhaps there is some manufacturing problems with it? If the buttons on my Libra 2 only had been clicky, I would have returned it to the shop, but since the buttons have a non-clicky part I will keep it. Overall a super great reader for me :)
I had the oasis (which has since been given away), and have the libra h2O, and the libra2 at home. While I really enjoy the screen on the Oasis, I hated holding and reading on it because of the form factor (gave it to my mother who uses it with a stand case). The libra H20 is so light and easy to read on because of its weight and shape (as well as the grippy texture) that I find if "premium" materials are used, they would impact the weight significantly as well as the comfort of the grip (the aluminium on the Oasis I found awful to hold). In addition, using plastic also helps keep costs down, and we can see that in the price differences between the Kindle Oasis and the all-new Paperwhite, despite the fact that the latter is a newer device. Flush screens can (depending on how its done) have an impact on clarity and contrast. It adds a layer that's further away from the eink display. I also haven't had an issue with the page turn buttons, so I wonder if it has to do with personal grip, or your specific device. One of the things I do find disappointing with Kobos is the QC. I returned a Libra which had a squeaky/ creaking back panel (which I saw on reddit someone received with the new one as well). There is also the uneven lighting issue which hasn't bothered me but I do know has been a problem for others. Also wouldn't recommend any kobo except the elipsa for regular PDF users. Kindles handle them better, but I would honestly say to just pick up one of the larger android ereaders from Onyx or Boyue if a regular tablet isn't for them. I wonder if the position of the power button also has to do with making sure people don't accidentally press it when they're reading. This was a big issue for some people on the paperwhite 4 (and I think also the clara hd iirc) where one of the major complaints was the location of the button was positioned where they would naturally rest part of their hands/fingers and would consistently accidentally put their devices to sleep.
My Libra 2 locked up and wouldn’t reboot. Even a manual reset wouldn’t work! It’s frozen solid! And Kobo’s customer service sucks! I have to send it back AT MY EXPENSE! I had it one day! They won’t ship out my replacement till they receive my defective one. Very disappointing. I’d heard horror stories about Kobo’s customer service and sadly, those rumors are true. Buyer beware. During the day I was able to actually use it, I loved it. I will say this in Kobo’s defense, I’ve owned a number of their ereaders and a tablet and this is my first major issue. Just seems the whole return process is time consuming and inefficient. Like waiting two business days just for the email with the return label!
I Feel Kobo Libra 2 is one of the best offers in the marked price/quality. And it allows to chose between black and white shell. The only wrong thing with plastic back are those indentations i can see getting dust stuck there. But a nice sturdy plastic seems better than glass on these kinds of devices. Not to mention I assume most people will eventually opt to use a case anyways to protect the device in transport. That would make the back material would be irrelevant. Lastly the open side of kindle in formats seems to be more friendly. Although I think they should have a way to sync it to some sort of cloud storage like google drive or dropbox so we didn't have to plug it to a PC.
I'm coming back to this video after buying my own Kobo Libra 2 So If you're like me and you're a new e-reader, I'd still recommend. I think the review unfortunately doesn't do justice to the product, because I was thinking that perhaps the buttons had issue and it would be a real problem but I honestly don't see something wrong with it. I like your content, but I think since you're used to these gadgets you're very picky - because you're a conoisseur. If you're someone like me who just wants a product that works (very well by the way) to read more books I definitely recommend the Libra! 😄 However, thanks for this video it helped me make my choice. That's why I'm coming back after ordering the Kobo Libra 2
I really appreciate comments like this! The Libra 2 is a great device that helps us read more books. That’s what matters :) I’m glad you arent experiencing the same issues I did. Happy reading!
You dumped on the non-uniformity of the buttons' action. Did you consider that the stiffness towards the center helps readers know which button they are pressing at any one time?
I just got one for the girlfriend and got to play with it for a short while. Owning a Pocketbook Inkpad 3 Pro I really really liked the Libra 2. That screen looks so much better, it does trick my brain in thinking I'm looking at a piece of paper while other ereaders I've seen don't quite manage it.
i like Kobo screen coz its easy on my eyes. i cant stand bright screen such as mobile phone, tv etc. i always turn the brightness to almost low setting.
I found this guy just before the Sage and Libra 2 were announced and quite enjoyed some of his videos, but I feel like he’s now just saying things to get reactions from viewers since he saw that negative opinion gets clicks, views, and other engagement on his past videos. I appreciate honest reviews that show both the good and bad, but it’s just laughable how he’s trying to press the page turn buttons millimetres off the edges and say it’s unusable. It’s hard to listen to anything else after seeing that 😂
nope not glass or metal. id stick wth plastic because it is made from recycle plastic which makes it lightweight and made from recycled plastic witch is good for our environment. Glass breaks easily, metal makes it expensive.
Chuk it around like a utility device that it is. Honestly "premium" feel is just a quality deception if you have to be extra careful just to use your device. We have already lost that battle in phone industry, now this. Please let the devices be devices, not babies
I think you are kinda over-picky here....over stretching a bit. Kindle may have some features that Kobos don't but KOBO products are superior to Kindle.
I recently bought the Libra 2 and want to ask if the glitching is a normal issue with e-readers? Like there isn’t always a smooth transition screens? This is my first e-reader so I have not point of reference. Thanks!
Thanks for the review. May I ask you if Clara HD is still a good buy today? It would be nice to save some money as I have no interest for the Libra 2 buttons.
Yes I would still recommend it. The new Kindle Paperwhite is a strong competitor, but if you're looking for something a little less expensive and want to use the Kobo ecosystem, the Clara HD is still great.
If you dont care about taking notes and just want to read books and manga in the best contrast and clarity with reasonable price libra 2 is the way to go, it even beats the oasis and forma in my opinion. Formas 8 inch is great but its flush screen and price is too expensive for just a inch upgrade over the libra 2. Libra 2 is the perfect e reader for normies who just wanna rear their books and manga.
really good video. My questions are: quality screen is better on clara hd or new paperwhite? and , second question : quality screen of clara hd is very different with new tecnology of libra 2 screen? i don’t know what of the three e-readers bue. ( i really like the quality of the screen)
I got it and love the sunken screen, it is a bit sharper compared to flush ones and better if you read without the built-in light most of the time. The buttons I have to agree it's a really stupid and annoying thing to have as an issue that i didn't think would bother me this much... but it does since my natural finger position is on the "dead-zone"... it's a f*^&% button, how hard is to make a good one in 2021 ?!?!
Thanks for the great and deep review. I don't think your being too harsh, everything you said is true . The build does not compare to the oasis or even the paperwhite 5 , however I think the big selling point is that screen. The contrast is brilliant and I do slightly prefer to read on it then then the new paperwhite for that reason. Cheers.
Do you have any problems with the Kobo Forma or this device? im seriously considering buy one of the two, forma 8" is my first option but i have read a lot of complains about freezes, and display problems... some advice?
I've had the Oasis and sold it because I liked the screen of the Libra 2 better. The sunken screen in the Libra 2 gives a MUCH better reading experience: better contrast, easier on the eyes.
Don't have the new PW, but it is crisper than the Oasis. Contrast is a lot better. I'll be honest though, I don't see it being the sole reason for an upgrade from a previous gen 300ppi device unless you're looking into reading image-heavy content or reading small font.
honestly complaining about the buttons when most eReaders don't even have them seems a little stupid, also some people rest their thumb in between the buttons so them being hard to press is actually a feature not a bug (to avoid accidental presses). If you hate the buttons that much then just use the touchscreen like ALLLLLL other mobile devices.
It was somewhere I read that the black ones have a rubbery coated back, but the white ones do not, but are just plastic. Can someone confirm that, please?
Hi!! You rave about Kobo ereaders in some of your videos but most of your videos are about kindles. Why is this so? Is it kobo not up to your expectation?
I personally prefer Kindle as my daily e-reader. It works better for my needs and all of my books are in the Amazon ecosystem. But Kobo is a great alternative for a lot of folks who aren't as attached to Amazon.
Whatever you review, I'd be interested in seeing you hack it and sideload etc. Also would like to see the PDF possibilities as that's what I read a lot. Great reviews, thanks.
Someone please help me - i cannot transfer books from Adobe Digital Editions to my Libra 2. It says "your ereader is not authorized to open this book". I have tried everything: uninstalling and redownloading ADE; unpairing and pairing; etc etc. Cannot figure it out.
I think the issue with your Kobo reviews is how deep your are stuck in Amazon's eco system. Your reviews generally are summarized as "yes the kobo is better in every single way ... but it aint amazon though".. And I get where you are coming from if you are someone that actually buys every book he reads.. many of us ereader people are not. And if you are not ... then the Kobo is actually a 10000x better and easier. It's easier to throw a book on your kobo. it works better with stuff like calibre if you want to use that to send or organize your books (you can sent whatever file you want, just drop it in your kobo like it's a usb stick and it will work, but if you want the files, series of books etc to match in their meta data and what series they are, the number in the series etc you will needto organize it with something like Calibre) For me the fact that amazon has more books to offer makes little difference. First off all the most popular books are also on Kobo. But more importantly, you can basically download every single book you can imagine from sites like libgen. I basically pirate every single book, read through them. And only then, if I think they are good books, I go and order a nice hardcover edition, preferably a good special edition. My og kobo libra h20 (so not the second one) is absolutely amazing and I love it to death. It has so many things that make it a superior reading device to kindle stuff esp those of the same price range. And for me the most important things to you are moot.. And I imagine it's the same for most people. I think a lot of people get ereaders and hope to be able to throw free epubs and probably epubs they downloaded etc on their ereader. If amazon was the only option, I would stop using my ereader honestly. My ereader is a great way for me to access every single book I want and then decide if I want to support the author E.g I'm super happy I didn't spend money on the three body problem'/remembrance of humanities past because not only did the books suck, the writer is a uyghur genocide supporter. I'm happy I didn't buy hyperion cantos because dan simmons is a horrible writer, and his book is ultra overrated.
I had the last 2 gens of the kindle Paperwhite but lost my newest one so I bought a used libra 2. I haven’t gotten it yet but I’m excited to have a screen that isn’t flush. In my opinion, the flush screen stinks. It’s really glossy and also reflects light weirdly sometimes and makes the text less crisp. I’m curious to see how the switch from Amazon to Kobo will be.
на 2024 год это лучшее устройство формата 7 - 8 дюймов с кнопками листания. Тут carta 1200 и можно легко поставить koreader, нет жира на кнопках и паразитных бликов, ппосто лучшее устройство на рынке из того что есть на апрель 2024.
I always use the send to kindle app on my pc to send books to all my kindles including my phone and ipad (because I have the kindle app on them). Does kobo have a similar feature? It would be a deal breaker for me cuz send to kindle is very convenient.
Hello, I just got the Kobo Libra 2, sometimes you can see some marks from the previous page. It's my first e-book, I don't know if it's normal or if the device is defective. Thank you very much.
As someone who hasnt owned a kobo (or e-reader), i find myself torn between this and the ClaraHD. What would you recommend? I understand the ClaraHD is cheaper and older, but it seems to have all the features of online libraries, a decent screen, and I prefer the aspect ratio. Is there anythign to look out for for the ClaraHD?
The clara is brilliant I've had it for the last 2 yrs and loved the device. Its very similar the to libra 2 but is 6", isn't waterproof, only 8gb which is still plenty of space and doesn't have audiobook support. If my casing hadn't cracked on my clara I'd have kept it
Right? Just move your thumb a hair down/up. I did notice this button was harder to press towards the middle where they meet; so I just adjusted my grip.
It's annoying. It has buttons to use not for show. So if it has buttons they should work properly and consistently. That is something the manufacturer needs to improve. You can't be happy or resigned to pay premium for a device that does not work properly or you as a consumer have to find a fix or a workaround for.... My 2cents. But i guess quality control is not that important for companies or consumers anymore.
Bought this thing and found out it can't read .epub files properly. Just cuts off chunks of text at the end of chapters. But I guess if you only buy it for the kobo store you're golden. Hurts when I think of how many books I could have bought instead of something I'll probably just throw away at some point.
That's really weird. Kobos are known to be one of the best e-readers to support epubs. I would reccomend troubleshooting a bit more with multiple books or contacting their support.
I have a Kindle. But I'm looking at Kobo now for two main reasons. The Overdrive library direct download (Canada), and the warm screen option. I'm assuming it is possible to lock the orientation so the screen doesn't jump sideways if I lie on my side to read. I'm not concerned about feel as I'll put a cover on it. I'm not concerned about being locked into an ecosystem as all my books can be converted to any format to be read on any device. As for the buttons, I can probably test one of the models in the store first to see if it annoys me. The only issue for me is do I want to buy another ereader when I already have one that works great? Direct library download will be convenient compared to how I sideload library books now, but is convenience a good enough reason to get a new ereader? Still thinking about that.
I use a Kindle paperwhite to read off my ceremony when I officiate weddings. I need something bigger that I can see under the sun. What do you recommend?
This guy doesn't savor any punches, throws them all, a great honest reviewer. I kind of wish this guy reviewed more than ereaders, but nobody would send him free stuff like the other 'tubers because of his candor. Hell he didn't even clickbait this video, put an honest caption AND honest thumbnail. We need more 'tubers like this, but as you all know this isn't the "influencer" game. The typical influencer is on youtube to essentially do what Zoomers laugh at old people for being suckered into QVC/TSC trash for(which is shilling trash). My Clara HD sometimes doesn't wake from sleep and has to be restarted now, my other kobos have issues too, but the thing that keeps me from buying a Paperwhite is the lack of KO Reader on PW. Kindles are hard to "jailbreak" and they waste far too much space with their trash margin options. KO Reader lets you set margins as wide as you want to use all of the screen. For that reason I think I'm going to go with a Libra 2, KO Reader is just too strong an option to restrict from an ereader.
@@hesterwheelton8607yes. You can lock it to portrait or landscape. First thing I did in settings actually. Autorotation is a bs setting. And the best part is, even if you lock the rotation, if you flip the device from right hand buttons to left hands, it'll rotate automatically
Everyone will have their own opinion. For me, using this device is very annoying compared to my other e-readers. I'm sure for others, the experience will be the exact opposite.
Sounds like to me that whatever those buttons are coming into are much smaller than what the buttons are. I cannot think of much else. Amazon Kindle still sounds better.
Hey everyone! Lots of interesting discussion happening in the comments. At the end of the day, the Libra 2 helps us read more books. THAT'S what matters.
Not page turn buttons.
Not a flush/not-flush display.
Nothing like that.
This review was meant to be a deep-dive into the hardware of the device. I believe buying an e-reader is one of the best investments people can make. I try making videos that go over all the little details to help people decide which device is best for them. Thank you to everyone who has commented to share their opinions and thoughts. It helps me learn what people care about, and also helps others make better decisions on what's important to them!
Happy reading 🥰📚
+1
Hey there , I live in india but kindle doesn't support audible in india , can someone please is there any way of doing this ???
If you don't like Kobo Libra 2, would you give it to me? I've been wanting to have one but I couldn't afford. It'll be a beautiful gift from you. I'm from the Philippines.
You can send me message or reply.
Thank you, I appreciate reviews like this which highlight possible drawbacks (like the imperfect page turn bu’tons), so I can decide if they’re a dealbreaker or not for me. Personally I’d have preferred a less expensive 8MB model option, since I won’t be reading 24,000 ebooks or using it for audiobooks, but with its sharper screen and ComfortLight Pro the Libra 2 should be a nice upgrade from my Kobo Touch (the battery is fading after a decade).
There are other ways to turn a page. Enough with the buttons already.
You're being too hard.
The feel: just because it's plastic, doesn't mean it's not a premium feel. The plastic used does not feel cheap. It's a silky matte texture that is nice to touch, gives enough grip and doesn't show fingerprints like your preferred glass top kindle.
The sunken screen: by choosing not to use a flush glass top, the Kobo's screen looks better (sharper, better contrast) than the identical spec kindle screen. Also, a glass top would mean no contoured grip, which is super comfortable to hold.
The buttons: there is no problem here on my unit. Yes the buttons are hinged on the inside, and that makes them slightly harder to push on the inside edge but you really have to specifically try to have a problem to have a problem. Like, using my fingernail on the very inside edge. If I use the pad of my thumb, I can easily push the button anywhere and it gives a nice tactile click.
Fingerprints and grime on the rubberized back: Yes, fingerprints are an issue. But it's the back, I rarely look at and I'd rather keep the grippy rubber instead of something clean and slippery. And crumbs getting stuck in the texture on the back: I guess I won't be eating cheesy poofs while I read, oh well.
I'm super happy with my Libra 2, and very glad to be done with the Amazon ecosystem. (I'm coming from a gen 1 paperwhite).
I agree regarding pushing the buttons. Its never been an issue for me. I press my thumbs on the buttons and it's never once not worked.
Pfffff sunken screen is why I bought this device. I dont like flush screens, it decreases contrast. Function over form.
Hear hear.
Absolutely....I just returned the new Kindle Paperwhiite2021 because of just that, The contrast sucks on it, the letters don't POP out, fuzzy dull looking screen
@@Marcocats SAME!! I returned my paperwhite 2021 because of the screen, it does NOT look as good as my paperwhite from 2012.. pathetic :(
@@anneto8226 same, the letters on my 2014 Paperwhite are so crisp, clear and black, they pop and look almost like their floating on the background. To me it’s a step backwards for E-ink
I have a 4th gen kindle with sunken screen and page turn buttons. It's quite good but need an update for the light so i can read better in the dark. Libra 2 seems the ideal candidate although a bit expensive....
This is exactly the kind of in depth nitpicky review I was looking for. All e-readers are very much alike so it requires eyes for detail to be able to spot these small but important differences. Don't mind the critique and keep up the great work 👏
A Kindle Oasis-style asymmetric design for nearly $100 less (over $100 less if you compare to the Oasis’s ad-free 32GB variant for feature parity), a grippier, more durable design that doesn’t get cold in the winter, an incredibly clear screen because they’ve elected for function over form with the sunken screen, AND my money goes to support a competitor against the industry juggernaut? Oh, and USB-C charging is a nice touch, too.
If you’re in the market for an asymmetric Oasis-style reader with page turn buttons, the Libra 2 is the clear choice.
YES! Thank you.
What is the function of the sunken screen?
Whats the kobo store like?
I like it because im not forced to buy into Amazon. You can side load epubs too. Those two are reasons alone I am buying this. Being hyper critical though is good for there to be improvements. Though i CANNOT wait for color e-ink readers. This will make comics/manga so much more enjoyable
What do you think of the kobo sage? I am looking to buy my first ereader and I am between those two. Thank you!
I think the reason it looks so crisp is because it’s not a flush display, because the plastic screen isn’t floating over top of the actual display it’s laid right on top of it, it looks sharper.
That would be interesting!! Especially if the Paperwhite had the same display (I’m not sure if it does). There’s a noticeable difference.
@@Ahmedmahad789 no not on the libra 2
@@Ahmedmahad789 kobo sage and elipsa have stylus support. I think the elipsa comes with the stylus where as the sage has it separate
@@Ahmedmahad789 as far as I know no kine device supports a proper stylus and amazon hasn't made one for a device
I like reading on a Libra screen better than a flush display
I specifically got this one because I don't like flush screens at all. Indented screens look super crisp! A lot of it just comes down to personal preference. What might be a con for someone may be a pro for someone else, and vice versa.
voyage looks rather good
I have had the libra 2 for the past two weeks and coming from the paper white 3 it is a whole different league. Not even close. A few of the complaints you brought up
The buttons on my unit work flawlessly no matter where I push it. Top, bottom, middle, no problems. Perhaps there is something wrong with your fingers as from what I have seen, no one else is having issues. Actually, no one else that I have seen has issues with the previous model.
Flush screens on dedicated e-readers are simply not a good idea. We now know that, perhaps with one exception (the long since discontinued voyager) flush screens degrade the contrast and clarity. The most critical part of an e-reader is the screen. Anything that degrades that should be avoided. At present, the screen on the libra 2 makes a strong case for being the best screen on the market. It is certainly better than the paperwhite 5.
In ten years of using e-readers I have yet to load a pdf. There is simply no need for a fast processor. 99% of the time I am reading a book, which means turning pages. Even the lowest level e-reader is plenty fast for the intended purpose.
What a great review comment!
Couldn't agree more! Especially on the flush screens. I've used a Kindle Oasis (most premium model!!) but the screen comes no where close to the screen of the Kobo Libra 2. This has definitely to do with the screen not being flush.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I disagree with your comment regarding processor not being important, it makes a big difference in general navigation around the software. Also, I'm pretty sure my fingers are just fine 😅
@@Maneetpaul Processor speed may be important to reviewers, but for people who use readers for actually reading books it is a secondary concern at best. For those of us who read books the time spent navigating is minimal. So I might be able to set up a new book ten seconds faster, than spend the next ten hours reading it.
What the emphasis on processor speed by professional reviewers shows is just how out of touch reviewers are with people who buy e-readers to actually read books. The emphasis on processor speed should be on how unimportant it is to the reading experience. As long as it is not stupidly slow it’s all good.
What is really important for people who use electronic readers to read is the screen. Of the professional reviewers comparing the Libra 2 to the Paperwhite 5 only one was honest about the significant difference in screen quality. The rest did everything they could to avoid the issue.
@@AlSelk I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one regarding the importance of processor speed, I read every day, and it makes a big difference for me.
When it comes to the Libra 2 screen versus the new Paperwhite, I 100% agree that the quality is much nicer on the Libra 2! I'll be talking about this in an upcoming video comparing the two devices. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!
For those who like to tinker a bit, the kobo software is much much customizable with patches, nickelmenu, etc. I sold my 2018 ppw within two weeks after getting it and bought a libra h2o. 😊
what can you do
@@moresarmsmorequalms7901 For example you can install alternatiive reading software like KOReader or Plato
*POSITIVES/NEGATIVES*
1) Build. Kobo's plastic is more robust, and pleasing to hold in colder climates than the premium metal Oasis, has page turn buttons, but less premium looking and feeling.
2) Openness. Kobo has library access outside US, and easier direct access in the US. Supports more format's than Kindles. Amazon Prime members can enjoy a decent loans library Prime Reading. Restricts audio books to Kobo only (at least for now), less choice than Amazon store.
3) Screen. Non-flush screen/e-ink Carta 1200 has better contrast, crisper images than Kindles. Looks less premium, lint, dust can get into the corners.
4) UI. Kobo generally has a better designed UI, quicker to change most settings, linked to Pocket. Kindle has extras like X-ray, page turn simulations, linked to Good Reads.
5) Performance. Decent performance on Kobo. Kindle has spectacular performance with changing settings, page turns, Manga.
it is “unfortunate” because it has a flush display? I was gonna spend an extra $40 for this thing over the 11th gen paperwhite because of the non-flush display! I think flushed display takes away the uniqueness of ereader device and makes it look like a typical tablet.
It is a matter of taste. I myself prefer the libra's screen but many readers prefer the flushed screen.
@@elvinventucillo4501 probably because they don’t realize the flush display actually decreases the sharpness. If people knew the sunken displays had a better reading experience (and often costs less), I don’t think anyone would want a flush display.
Lol, same reason.
I was justifying Libra 2's higher price because of the sunken screen and also to NOT get Sage because it adds that flush screen (might have to do with stylus support as well), something that I don't plan to use as I have a separate pen tablet for that.
Hiya! The page turn buttons, perhaps KOBO did it on purpose. When you hold this ereader on the side and your thumb is between the two page turn buttons, you may accidently push down one of them, to avoid this they changed the hardware or software setting so that pushing the part of the button close to the center of the ereader will not be registered as a page turning action.
That was what I thought as well - considering I misclick all the time, that might be a feature for me, rather than a bug!
no issues at all with the page turn buttons and i like the feel of the kobo
i like the recessed screen
premium build depends on your view of premium....hate what you describe as premium look so very happy with my kobo and hope they ignore your comments
I’m glad your page turn buttons work. And that you love your Kobo. It’s a great device that helps us read more books. That’s what matters at the end of the day. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your experience.
I disagree with your opinion to move the power button. It’s located where it is because it is the least likeliest to be accidentally pressed while reading. If it were to be moved to the right side of the device, while holding it with your left hand (or in landscape) you could very likely press the power button accidentally.
In addition, your concerns with the premium feel of the device are flawed. It is plastic to keep the weight of the device down. What other option do they have to keep the weight of the device low while making it feel more premium? Aluminum? There are no other materials that can match the light weight and low cost of plastic. Also, your concerns with the display not being flush is actually a lot of people’s reason for purchasing this device (people in the know anyways). Flush screens cause the text to look less crisp because the manufacturer has added an additional panel over the display. Kobo’s choice to not do that means they are wholly concerned with providing an exceptional reading experience.
Hey there! Fair point about the power button. I can see how that might have been an intentional placement. I still think the benefits of changing the side would outweigh the potential negatives.
I don't agree regarding the plastic and display. The Kobo Sage is a perfect example. The Sage has a flush screen, and the display is arguably exactly the same in terms of crispiness. Maybe there's a slight difference, but to the naked eye with normal use, they look the same side-by-side. Same thing with the material. The Sage isn't as plastic-y, and still feels light and wonderful to hold.
The Libra 2 is a lot cheaper than the Sage, so I understand why they chose not to use those materials. It wouldn't be as cost-effective. But technically speaking, it's all possible.
@@Maneetpaul fair enough. To each their own.
After watching this video twice, I tested the buttons of my older Libra h2O. The buttons work fine when I press the middle or outside edges. It's harder to push when I press the insides of the buttons, but I've never pressed the buttons there. When it's pressed down, it works. In fact I don't think Ive ever noticed an issue with these buttons. Ive never had an issue with my Libra h2O being plastic actually. The weight has always been fine. I love my Libra h2O Actually I just want to upgrade to the 32gb newer version so that I can add all my mangas to it. Sooo I may gift this one to my lady.
It seems like some people have it worse than others when it comes to the buttons. Maybe I just got unlucky...twice 🤷🏽♂️
@@Maneetpaul you’re not unlucky. The buttons are designed on a sort of hinge located in the centre of the two buttons. When you press the buttons close to the hinge (I.e., close to the centre of the two buttons) it will be harder to press and may not even work due to that hinge design. Kobo probably did not think that would be much of a problem because most people would be pressing the buttons closer to the outside. However, that is only the case when the default directions are maintained (I.e., bottom button is for page forward). If you switch what the buttons do (I.e., top button for page forward), when resting your thumb on the top button it will be located closer to the hinge and the button won’t work as well.
Kobo should have opted for two separate buttons that press downwards as opposed to being on a shared hinge.
@@ScholarsRest I've inverted the buttons, so that the top one goes forward, but not had any issues with page turns. I've only had the Libra 2 a few days, I had kindles and a Sony (with buttons) before then.
Aren't you a little biased in favor of Kindle?
The only thing stopping me from using a Kobo full-time is their lack of support for exporting highlights to Readwise. Putting that aside, I love most of their devices. Just not this one!
Good review overall. But your only nitpick is about the buttons? Sounds like it should be a device that is and great and that you should recommend.
I used to think I would love the premium design of a kindle oasis. So when the Libra H2O launched I bought it and the kindle oasis to compare. After a few weeks I decided to return the kindle. Couple of reasons:
The Libra was comfortable to use because it was plastic. The cold metal was annoying as was the imo narrow thick part you grip on the kindle. Made my hand hurt. The kindle lacked landscape reading, epub support, open software and the warm light wasn’t as great as the Libra.
It was a bit faster but I only read books/manga so it was negligible for me. The worst thing was the average battery life. My kobo literally lasts twice as long on similar settings. All in all, if premium feel, Kindle ecosystem and slightly better speed is your thing, go for kindle. For all else, take Kobo.
Good info
Not all e-readers have buttons anyways so it's like nothing to care about
Bhaji !!! your reviews are really helpful. I watch your every video and ur right all that matters is reading more books. Thanks I have ordered my Libra 2 after watching ur videos. You were a little critical but that has helped to set up my genuine expectations from the device. Thanks and I’m proud of you being a punjabi helping us out.
Amazing reviews! I think this one seals the deal on this Libra 2. My ancient Kindle Keyboard finally stopped holding a charge so I'm in the market but with so many choices it's hard to tell the real difference between them all. I'm not tied to the Kindle market (I stick to what's available from my library) and having something high rez this time around is important (my eyesight isn't was it used to be). My phone is just fine for audiobooks, so that's not important. This sounds like a winner, winner, winner all around. Thanks so much! Your reviews are by far the best available that I've found.
in this moment the kobo clara is better option, his memory is a SD, and yua can install a 120 gb memory card
Flush screen causes reflection.... indented screen does not....
That's not entirely true. The screen itself is still glass, so if there is going to be any glare or reflection, the indent isn't going to make much of a difference.
Indented has less layers on top of it, so it looks better
@@anthuaizaba3100 exactly
@@Maneetpaul I feel like I see more glare than I should on my new 2021 kindle compared to my 2012 kindle.. and it’s rly because of the flush! I wish it was indented.
@@anthuaizaba3100 @Anthua Izaba That's a fair point. I only read indoors, so I never reallu had an issue with it!
Nice review! Yeah I'm one of the people who'd rather not pay extra only for a more premium feel/looks if they add nothing to the robustness of the device. I don't mind at all if my device looks "cheap" as long as it can withstand my usage and actually last long.
And although I'm a bit late into the ereader world, but after some weeks looking around reading and watching reviews (including many of yours, thanks!), I think Libra 2 is still my best choice for the time being.
I ordered Libra 2 as an upgrade for my old Paperwhite 2018. Georgous 7 inch display and auto orientation sold me. Never used page turn button so that wasn't my priority. And oasis was too expensive :)
JFYI this video almost stopped me from buying KOBO Libra 2 because of the way how the buttons "don't work" in the middle.
I've considered pocketbook era, but in the end the ergonomics and price factor led me to buying kobo libra 2 and i'm so happy with it. The buttons work JUST FINE. So i think it's more an production issue for some devices and can be returned.
I appreciate your review here. I think it was really fair. We certainly have different values around what's important in an ereader and I feel the Libra 2 met all of my needs well. Your criticisms are all true, but just not applicable to me. The only thing I disagree with is, as a "techie" being able to integrate with Linux and having a more open platform meant way more to me than premium feel. Of course, I'm a niche case user though.
If you dont want fingerprints or crumbs on your device get a case.
I purchased both the new Paperwhite, and the Kobo Libra 2. I agree with most of the points in your review. The one thing that doesn’t bother me are the buttons. They seem just fine.
The screen is indeed beautiful. It has really great contrast now.
I agree that the should have bumped up the processing speed, it is super slow to start up. The new Kindle is so much zippier.
The one thing I absolutely love about kobo, is the reading stats it gives you. I wish kindle would catch up in that regard.
Which one are you keeping?
@@veravandeven1925 I use them both because I am invested in both of their Ecco systems. I really wish I hadn’t. I prefer the Kobo software, but the kindle has the quick “read a few pages anywhere” feel to it’s advantage. The Kobo takes a minute to load up.
I'm also debating should I get Kindle Paperwhite 5 or Kobo Libra 2 as my first eReader... I'm leaning towards Kobo mostly because of more open ecosystem, but Kindle would be a cheaper option and it's easier to get in my country.
@@Deadomen123 both are a great option. If the extra stats aren’t a big deal to you, I might actually go with the kindle. It’s cheaper, has a faster processor and is smaller, and lighter so it’s arguably easier to carry around. The screen is excellent too.
Choose your ecosystem carefully though. You really should buy into just one, so your books aren’t everyone like mine are.
@@ShawnDawson Thanks for the recommendation! How about, if I'm not so eager to use Amazon books (or even Kobo), but I want to support my local retailers? Do you think Kindle works just fine for the third-party books, if I'm willing to modify the file format?
I don't think buttons are big deal to be honest. And the Flush screen, apparently it hinders the contrast of the screen or so other Reviewers are saying. I too believe they could have improved the speed a bit more. Like increasing the clock speed of the processor a bit or something like that. The more I think about it, the more I prefer the New Kindle Paperwhite to this device. It is sad actually, I love Kobo. Their software division is really great, always making improvements and supporting old devices. But they're not providing new features here, the "Dark Mode" has been on "Developer's mode" for a couple of years now. And the Audiobooks... Well. I guess it's up to the person. I personally prefer to use my smartphone for audiobooks. I have disability and my hands are a little different than the average person. So I wonder how would the buttons help me.
I think this too. Paperwhite 11 > kobo libra 2. For all the points that you mention before.
So I came from the Kobo Clara HD, which i purchased in 2018 and I did love the device, but their was somethings I wanted, I wanted waterproof, I wanted to listen to audiobooks and I liked the page turns buttons. Since I’m in Canada having a Amazon Oasis did not make sense for me. The price is like triple, cant borrow books from my local library.
So when Kobo announced the Kobo Sage and Libra 2 I really researched both devices since my old Clara was running out of battery at a fast rate, I looked into the Libra 2, since I felt 8” screen and note taking was not what I was looking for. So when the Libra when on sale for Mother’s Day I jumped at the chance. Now I feel your critique’s are justified for someone who is a techie, a regular book reader like my self well be happy with the features. I feel the sulked screen looks nice and the body of the device feels like a premium device for reading books which is what it’s for.
I tested your theory with the buttons and I felt in all three places. I like the feel of them, the fact they create a nice click, I found a nice cover for mine from Amazon a lot cheaper then the 44 dollar sleep cover through Kobo. Thanks for your review and your thoughts.
Good review.
I think a lot of people watch these reviews wanting validation for their purchase. When you say it's a bit...crap, they get upset. I want warts and all reviews for thing I'm thinking of buying. I'm one of those weirdos that watch reviews before, not after.
I agree with the bloody page buttons. I wish I had a Clara 2e design but in a 7 inch. I don't need the buttons and probably won't use them either
My Libra 2 has three different feels on each button depending on where I push down. One very clicky part at the end, the middle is a bit softer but still clicky and in the other end there is virtually no click at all. I much prefer the non-clicky buttons and the golden standard for me is Kindle Voyage with its touch-buttons (I absolutely love them!). Not sure why you have issues with your unit, perhaps there is some manufacturing problems with it? If the buttons on my Libra 2 only had been clicky, I would have returned it to the shop, but since the buttons have a non-clicky part I will keep it. Overall a super great reader for me :)
I had the oasis (which has since been given away), and have the libra h2O, and the libra2 at home.
While I really enjoy the screen on the Oasis, I hated holding and reading on it because of the form factor (gave it to my mother who uses it with a stand case). The libra H20 is so light and easy to read on because of its weight and shape (as well as the grippy texture) that I find if "premium" materials are used, they would impact the weight significantly as well as the comfort of the grip (the aluminium on the Oasis I found awful to hold). In addition, using plastic also helps keep costs down, and we can see that in the price differences between the Kindle Oasis and the all-new Paperwhite, despite the fact that the latter is a newer device.
Flush screens can (depending on how its done) have an impact on clarity and contrast. It adds a layer that's further away from the eink display.
I also haven't had an issue with the page turn buttons, so I wonder if it has to do with personal grip, or your specific device. One of the things I do find disappointing with Kobos is the QC. I returned a Libra which had a squeaky/ creaking back panel (which I saw on reddit someone received with the new one as well). There is also the uneven lighting issue which hasn't bothered me but I do know has been a problem for others. Also wouldn't recommend any kobo except the elipsa for regular PDF users. Kindles handle them better, but I would honestly say to just pick up one of the larger android ereaders from Onyx or Boyue if a regular tablet isn't for them.
I wonder if the position of the power button also has to do with making sure people don't accidentally press it when they're reading. This was a big issue for some people on the paperwhite 4 (and I think also the clara hd iirc) where one of the major complaints was the location of the button was positioned where they would naturally rest part of their hands/fingers and would consistently accidentally put their devices to sleep.
I totally agree that button position is so that accidental presses don't happen.
My Libra 2 locked up and wouldn’t reboot. Even a manual reset wouldn’t work! It’s frozen solid! And Kobo’s customer service sucks! I have to send it back AT MY EXPENSE! I had it one day! They won’t ship out my replacement till they receive my defective one. Very disappointing. I’d heard horror stories about Kobo’s customer service and sadly, those rumors are true. Buyer beware. During the day I was able to actually use it, I loved it. I will say this in Kobo’s defense, I’ve owned a number of their ereaders and a tablet and this is my first major issue. Just seems the whole return process is time consuming and inefficient. Like waiting two business days just for the email with the return label!
I Feel Kobo Libra 2 is one of the best offers in the marked price/quality. And it allows to chose between black and white shell.
The only wrong thing with plastic back are those indentations i can see getting dust stuck there.
But a nice sturdy plastic seems better than glass on these kinds of devices. Not to mention I assume most people will eventually opt to use a case anyways to protect the device in transport. That would make the back material would be irrelevant.
Lastly the open side of kindle in formats seems to be more friendly. Although I think they should have a way to sync it to some sort of cloud storage like google drive or dropbox so we didn't have to plug it to a PC.
I'm coming back to this video after buying my own Kobo Libra 2
So If you're like me and you're a new e-reader, I'd still recommend. I think the review unfortunately doesn't do justice to the product, because I was thinking that perhaps the buttons had issue and it would be a real problem but I honestly don't see something wrong with it.
I like your content, but I think since you're used to these gadgets you're very picky - because you're a conoisseur. If you're someone like me who just wants a product that works (very well by the way) to read more books I definitely recommend the Libra! 😄 However, thanks for this video it helped me make my choice. That's why I'm coming back after ordering the Kobo Libra 2
I really appreciate comments like this! The Libra 2 is a great device that helps us read more books. That’s what matters :) I’m glad you arent experiencing the same issues I did. Happy reading!
You dumped on the non-uniformity of the buttons' action. Did you consider that the stiffness towards the center helps readers know which button they are pressing at any one time?
I just got one for the girlfriend and got to play with it for a short while. Owning a Pocketbook Inkpad 3 Pro I really really liked the Libra 2. That screen looks so much better, it does trick my brain in thinking I'm looking at a piece of paper while other ereaders I've seen don't quite manage it.
i like Kobo screen coz its easy on my eyes. i cant stand bright screen such as mobile phone, tv etc. i always turn the brightness to almost low setting.
I found this guy just before the Sage and Libra 2 were announced and quite enjoyed some of his videos, but I feel like he’s now just saying things to get reactions from viewers since he saw that negative opinion gets clicks, views, and other engagement on his past videos. I appreciate honest reviews that show both the good and bad, but it’s just laughable how he’s trying to press the page turn buttons millimetres off the edges and say it’s unusable. It’s hard to listen to anything else after seeing that 😂
nope not glass or metal. id stick wth plastic because it is made from recycle plastic which makes it lightweight and made from recycled plastic witch is good for our environment. Glass breaks easily, metal makes it expensive.
Chuk it around like a utility device that it is. Honestly "premium" feel is just a quality deception if you have to be extra careful just to use your device. We have already lost that battle in phone industry, now this. Please let the devices be devices, not babies
I think you are kinda over-picky here....over stretching a bit. Kindle may have some features that Kobos don't but KOBO products are superior to Kindle.
I recently bought the Libra 2 and want to ask if the glitching is a normal issue with e-readers? Like there isn’t always a smooth transition screens? This is my first e-reader so I have not point of reference. Thanks!
Esa transicion es opcional, la puedes elegir en cada página, en cada cambio de capítulo o nunca.
Yeah it's normal. E ink screen don't refresh unless you tell them to. That's why it looks like a book and not an led screen.
Thanks for the review. May I ask you if Clara HD is still a good buy today? It would be nice to save some money as I have no interest for the Libra 2 buttons.
Yes I would still recommend it. The new Kindle Paperwhite is a strong competitor, but if you're looking for something a little less expensive and want to use the Kobo ecosystem, the Clara HD is still great.
If you dont care about taking notes and just want to read books and manga in the best contrast and clarity with reasonable price libra 2 is the way to go, it even beats the oasis and forma in my opinion. Formas 8 inch is great but its flush screen and price is too expensive for just a inch upgrade over the libra 2. Libra 2 is the perfect e reader for normies who just wanna rear their books and manga.
Just found your channel, great informative and helpful videos!
The built quality its not bad, that plastic is premium
really good video. My questions are: quality screen is better on clara hd or new paperwhite? and , second question : quality screen of clara hd is very different with new tecnology of libra 2 screen? i don’t know what of the three e-readers bue. ( i really like the quality of the screen)
Must've fixed some of these issues since this video released because the one I recently got is damn-near perfect.
I got it and love the sunken screen, it is a bit sharper compared to flush ones and better if you read without the built-in light most of the time. The buttons I have to agree it's a really stupid and annoying thing to have as an issue that i didn't think would bother me this much... but it does since my natural finger position is on the "dead-zone"... it's a f*^&% button, how hard is to make a good one in 2021 ?!?!
Loved the review! Will you be doing the kindle vs kobo review? I’m leaning more so towards the kobo only for the overdrive support
Man I can't believe how long you took to drop this video lol. I bought the Libra h2o last year not long after watching your review along with others
Thanks for the great and deep review. I don't think your being too harsh, everything you said is true . The build does not compare to the oasis or even the paperwhite 5 , however I think the big selling point is that screen. The contrast is brilliant and I do slightly prefer to read on it then then the new paperwhite for that reason. Cheers.
Do you have any problems with the Kobo Forma or this device? im seriously considering buy one of the two, forma 8" is my first option but i have read a lot of complains about freezes, and display problems... some advice?
Don't you keep your appliances in cases? I put mine in cases as soon as they are unboxed.
I love how honest is your review
May I ask you if the screen quality is the same than the one of the Oasis? Thanks for the review, loving your videos!
I've had the Oasis and sold it because I liked the screen of the Libra 2 better. The sunken screen in the Libra 2 gives a MUCH better reading experience: better contrast, easier on the eyes.
In all the videos I've seen the contrast looks great. How good is the screen on the Libra 2 compared to the new paperwhite and the oasis?
Screen contrast is better, text crisper, than the new Paperwhite and likely the Oasis, either because it's not flush and/or e-ink Carta 1200.
Don't have the new PW, but it is crisper than the Oasis. Contrast is a lot better. I'll be honest though, I don't see it being the sole reason for an upgrade from a previous gen 300ppi device unless you're looking into reading image-heavy content or reading small font.
Just bought one, buttons work fine no matter where exactly I apply pressure. You must have gotten a faulty unit.
honestly complaining about the buttons when most eReaders don't even have them seems a little stupid, also some people rest their thumb in between the buttons so them being hard to press is actually a feature not a bug (to avoid accidental presses).
If you hate the buttons that much then just use the touchscreen like ALLLLLL other mobile devices.
Thanks for watching! ☺️
It was somewhere I read that the black ones have a rubbery coated back, but the white ones do not, but are just plastic. Can someone confirm that, please?
Hi!! You rave about Kobo ereaders in some of your videos but most of your videos are about kindles. Why is this so? Is it kobo not up to your expectation?
I personally prefer Kindle as my daily e-reader. It works better for my needs and all of my books are in the Amazon ecosystem. But Kobo is a great alternative for a lot of folks who aren't as attached to Amazon.
@@Maneetpaul thanks for your reply. It’s like how most of my stuff are in the Apple ecosystem that I’m so used to
Whatever you review, I'd be interested in seeing you hack it and sideload etc. Also would like to see the PDF possibilities as that's what I read a lot. Great reviews, thanks.
Someone please help me - i cannot transfer books from Adobe Digital Editions to my Libra 2. It says "your ereader is not authorized to open this book". I have tried everything: uninstalling and redownloading ADE; unpairing and pairing; etc etc. Cannot figure it out.
I think the issue with your Kobo reviews is how deep your are stuck in Amazon's eco system. Your reviews generally are summarized as "yes the kobo is better in every single way ... but it aint amazon though"..
And I get where you are coming from if you are someone that actually buys every book he reads.. many of us ereader people are not. And if you are not ... then the Kobo is actually a 10000x better and easier. It's easier to throw a book on your kobo. it works better with stuff like calibre if you want to use that to send or organize your books (you can sent whatever file you want, just drop it in your kobo like it's a usb stick and it will work, but if you want the files, series of books etc to match in their meta data and what series they are, the number in the series etc you will needto organize it with something like Calibre)
For me the fact that amazon has more books to offer makes little difference. First off all the most popular books are also on Kobo. But more importantly, you can basically download every single book you can imagine from sites like libgen.
I basically pirate every single book, read through them. And only then, if I think they are good books, I go and order a nice hardcover edition, preferably a good special edition.
My og kobo libra h20 (so not the second one) is absolutely amazing and I love it to death. It has so many things that make it a superior reading device to kindle stuff esp those of the same price range. And for me the most important things to you are moot.. And I imagine it's the same for most people.
I think a lot of people get ereaders and hope to be able to throw free epubs and probably epubs they downloaded etc on their ereader. If amazon was the only option, I would stop using my ereader honestly. My ereader is a great way for me to access every single book I want and then decide if I want to support the author
E.g I'm super happy I didn't spend money on the three body problem'/remembrance of humanities past because not only did the books suck, the writer is a uyghur genocide supporter. I'm happy I didn't buy hyperion cantos because dan simmons is a horrible writer, and his book is ultra overrated.
Hope to see a review from you comparing this with the PaperWhite.. :)
I had the last 2 gens of the kindle Paperwhite but lost my newest one so I bought a used libra 2. I haven’t gotten it yet but I’m excited to have a screen that isn’t flush. In my opinion, the flush screen stinks. It’s really glossy and also reflects light weirdly sometimes and makes the text less crisp. I’m curious to see how the switch from Amazon to Kobo will be.
на 2024 год это лучшее устройство формата 7 - 8 дюймов с кнопками листания. Тут carta 1200 и можно легко поставить koreader, нет жира на кнопках и паразитных бликов, ппосто лучшее устройство на рынке из того что есть на апрель 2024.
I always use the send to kindle app on my pc to send books to all my kindles including my phone and ipad (because I have the kindle app on them). Does kobo have a similar feature?
It would be a deal breaker for me cuz send to kindle is very convenient.
No it doesn't the closest is using calibre and typing in the address in the kobo Web browser and downloading the books that way
Hello, I just got the Kobo Libra 2, sometimes you can see some marks from the previous page. It's my first e-book, I don't know if it's normal or if the device is defective. Thank you very much.
This is normal for all e-readers. It's a side effect of the e-ink technology :)
Hey there , I live in india but kindle doesn't support audible in india , can someone please is there any way of doing this ???
which do you prefer - kindle oasis or kobo libra 2? im torn please help ( i do have a paperwhite)
I think you forget about the sliding light when reading a book on the left of the screen.
As someone who hasnt owned a kobo (or e-reader), i find myself torn between this and the ClaraHD. What would you recommend? I understand the ClaraHD is cheaper and older, but it seems to have all the features of online libraries, a decent screen, and I prefer the aspect ratio. Is there anythign to look out for for the ClaraHD?
Buy both and return the one you like less.
The clara is brilliant I've had it for the last 2 yrs and loved the device. Its very similar the to libra 2 but is 6", isn't waterproof, only 8gb which is still plenty of space and doesn't have audiobook support. If my casing hadn't cracked on my clara I'd have kept it
Soo if you are a dirty greasy person your device will become greasy and dirty? My mind was just blown 🤯
Glass is not a good thing on e-readers.
Just wondering 🤔. Are the buttons any better on the kobo sage? Otherwise PW5 seems a better bet.
Does the LIbra 2 have a back light or front light display?
I LOVE my Kobo Libra 2!!! Amazing screen!!!
Thanks a lot Maneet!
Thanks!
Thank you for your support, Rebecca!
Oh boy your are splitting hairs again with the buttons lol
Right? Just move your thumb a hair down/up. I did notice this button was harder to press towards the middle where they meet; so I just adjusted my grip.
I never experienced his gripe on the libra h2o"s buttons as shown in his older reviews.
It's annoying. It has buttons to use not for show. So if it has buttons they should work properly and consistently. That is something the manufacturer needs to improve. You can't be happy or resigned to pay premium for a device that does not work properly or you as a consumer have to find a fix or a workaround for....
My 2cents. But i guess quality control is not that important for companies or consumers anymore.
Bought this thing and found out it can't read .epub files properly. Just cuts off chunks of text at the end of chapters. But I guess if you only buy it for the kobo store you're golden. Hurts when I think of how many books I could have bought instead of something I'll probably just throw away at some point.
That's really weird. Kobos are known to be one of the best e-readers to support epubs. I would reccomend troubleshooting a bit more with multiple books or contacting their support.
Kobo e-readers use epub files
i have a kobo libra 2 and i love it
My #1 question is do any kobos have text to speech capability?
Great review!
I genuinely feel you're pushing way too hard to dig the dirt here. When Amazon has a big elephant in the room of their needlessly oppressive ecosystem
I’ve spoken about the issues with Amazon just as much, if not more. Check out some of my more recent videos!
It reacts to swiping so that’s not such a big deal.
I have one and enjoy it.
I have a Kindle. But I'm looking at Kobo now for two main reasons. The Overdrive library direct download (Canada), and the warm screen option.
I'm assuming it is possible to lock the orientation so the screen doesn't jump sideways if I lie on my side to read.
I'm not concerned about feel as I'll put a cover on it. I'm not concerned about being locked into an ecosystem as all my books can be converted to any format to be read on any device. As for the buttons, I can probably test one of the models in the store first to see if it annoys me.
The only issue for me is do I want to buy another ereader when I already have one that works great? Direct library download will be convenient compared to how I sideload library books now, but is convenience a good enough reason to get a new ereader? Still thinking about that.
I use a Kindle paperwhite to read off my ceremony when I officiate weddings. I need something bigger that I can see under the sun. What do you recommend?
This guy doesn't savor any punches, throws them all, a great honest reviewer. I kind of wish this guy reviewed more than ereaders, but nobody would send him free stuff like the other 'tubers because of his candor.
Hell he didn't even clickbait this video, put an honest caption AND honest thumbnail. We need more 'tubers like this, but as you all know this isn't the "influencer" game. The typical influencer is on youtube to essentially do what Zoomers laugh at old people for being suckered into QVC/TSC trash for(which is shilling trash).
My Clara HD sometimes doesn't wake from sleep and has to be restarted now, my other kobos have issues too, but the thing that keeps me from buying a Paperwhite is the lack of KO Reader on PW. Kindles are hard to "jailbreak" and they waste far too much space with their trash margin options. KO Reader lets you set margins as wide as you want to use all of the screen. For that reason I think I'm going to go with a Libra 2, KO Reader is just too strong an option to restrict from an ereader.
A guy who loves power button
Can you lock the rotation?
Have you found a answer to this? I want to lock my books when i read on portrait. I do know where lock portrait is and it does not work. Thx.
@@hesterwheelton8607yes. You can lock it to portrait or landscape. First thing I did in settings actually. Autorotation is a bs setting. And the best part is, even if you lock the rotation, if you flip the device from right hand buttons to left hands, it'll rotate automatically
I have the Paper white 5 and the Libra 2. I prefer the paper white because it’s more tactile. The libra 2 is to hard and creaks.
The negatives you mention about the device are not big enough reasons to NOT reccomend it, it seems like you are hating unnecessarily
Everyone will have their own opinion. For me, using this device is very annoying compared to my other e-readers. I'm sure for others, the experience will be the exact opposite.
Does it have Google play
Great review. Thanks
Sounds like to me that whatever those buttons are coming into are much smaller than what the buttons are. I cannot think of much else. Amazon Kindle still sounds better.
Lol What use is an ebook reader that you can't turn pages on?
I'm always looking for honest reviews, not a fan boys opinion. Earned a subscriber. Great review.