Kobo's new 'whimsical' cases are gorgeous, but they aren't the hardware releases I was hoping for this year

Date:
Fri, 08 May 2026 01:45:50 +0000

Description:
Announced at BookCon 2026, Kobo has released some new limited-edition "collector" cases for its ereaders while we're still waiting for a new
ereader from the Japanese-Canadian brand.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter First revealed at the 2026 BookCon event in New York last month, Kobo has announced a range of limited-edition "collector cases" with "whimsical" and colorful designs. The cases are, indeed, beautiful, going from a leafy Green Canopy option to more fun and joyful Botanical Bliss and each design is available for all three
2024 ereader releases the Kobo Libra Colour, Clara BW and Clara Colour.

They're already listed for purchase on the Kobo websites in the US and the UK , and Aussies will be able to buy them from May 12 the smaller cases cost $29.99 / 24.99 / AU$44.95, while a Libra Colour collector case will set you back $39.99 / 34.99 / AU$49.95. I personally love the Botanical Bliss case
and wouldn't mind it on my Kobo Libra Colour, but, in all honesty, I'm a little disappointed with this announcement. I was really keen to hear about
an updated version of the Kobo Elipsa 2E that is now long in the tooth and feels dated against the likes of the latest releases of the Kindle Scribe and Boox Note series. You may like The best ereader for 2026 Onyx Boox Note Air5
C review: a solid color epaper tablet, but it doesn't feel 'new' The best Kindle in 2026 Latest Videos From I remember a time when Kobo would release new hardware nearly every May, but 2025 was an exception and the Japanese-Canadian brand launched the Kobo Remote later in the year instead. With no new ereader release since the three current devices from 2024, I really thought 2026 was when we would see an updated 10-inch slate. Analysis: the Kobo Elipsa 2E just doesn't compare any more The Kobo Elipsa 2E (bottom) now feels dated compared to the 2024 Kindle Scribe (top right) and the new Boox Go 10.3 Gen II Lumi (top left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) I make no secret of the fact that I'm partial to Kobo's user interface, and I'd been using the Kobo Elipsa 2E since its release in 2023 as my ereader and digital notebook. At the time, I liked it so much that I
called it a real Kindle Scribe contender in my Kobo Elipsa 2E review , but I replaced it with the 2nd-generation Kindle Scribe in 2025 as the latter offered me a better reading and writing experience. In fact, I find the Onyx Boox Go 10.3 a better digital notebook despite not having a frontlight.

I still love Kobo's Advanced Notebooks , but the hard-nibbed Kobo Stylus 2 doesn't feel as nice to use as Amazon 's Premium Pens or the many other styli that come packaged with their respective tablets. Nearly every other stylus I've tried, including those from ViWood , offers a smoother ballpoint
pen-like experience that you won't get from the Kobo Stylus 2.

The ambient light sensor on the 2024 Kindle Scribe makes the display look brighter and the 300ppi resolution puts the Elipsa's 227ppi screen to shame. In fact, most 10-inch monochrome digital notebooks released in 2025 have a 300ppi display. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign
up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

There have been several Boox tablets released since the Elipsa 2E and while I'm not expecting Kobo to match that frequency I really hope not as the Boox devices aren't exactly perfect even Amazon released new Scribe models in
2024 and 2025!

If you really want a Kobo note-taker, the Libra Colour is still my pick of
the best ereader to buy (and the Kobo Sage has been discontinued), but the Kobo Stylus 2 is still not the nicest pen to write with, so a refresh of a couple of hardware items is overdue.

So c'mon, Kobo, where's the new Elipsa at? Today's best Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024), Onyx Boox Go 10.3 and Kobo Elipsa 2E deals Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) 359.99 229.99 View See all prices Kobo Elipsa 2E 65.62 View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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