Boox vs Kobo: which e-ink tablet should you buy?

Date:
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:58:59 +0000

Description:
Key differences explained, to help you choose the right ereader for your needs.

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 Trying to decide between Kobo and Boox? This guide is here to help. These are two very popular e-ink tablet brands, and both feature in our ranking of the best ereaders . However, there are some distinct differences.

Kobo specializes in ereaders. It has a small range of different models, but all are geared towards reading and in some cases, can be used for annotating and note-taking. They offer an offline-first experience, and they're almost all waterproof, which is great news if you like to read in the bath. Boox (from parent company Onyx) is more of an e-ink tablet brand. Boox tablets run a full version of Android, which means you can use them in a wide variety of ways and for many different tasks. It's a particularly good option for those who have a Kindle but are looking to switch, because you can simply install the Kindle app from the Google Play store and then you'll still have access
to all your books.

The Boox range is wide and sprawling, and includes a selection of options
that are shaped and sized like a phone. It also just launched three new
models earlier this week: the Note Air6 C, Note Mini C, and Palma 3.

Below, I'll dig into the two brands in more detail, starting with an overview of the different ranges and then moving into specs comparison and some buying pointers. Kobo ereaders 13% OFF Kobo Libra Colour Argos 209.99 239.99 Shop
Now View Details Kobo Clara Colour Amazon 169.99 Shop Now View Details Kobo Clara BW Amazon 149.99 Shop Now View Details Kobo Elipsa 2E Amazon 349.99
Shop Now View Details Boox ereaders Note for UK readers: some of these models are only available direct from Boox at the moment. On the Boox Europe store, prices are only provided in Euros, but there are UK versions available and it does not look like they're being shipped from abroad. Boox Note Air6 C [new] Amazon 549.99 Shop Now Boox Note Mini C [new] shop.boox.com $579.99 Shop Now Onyx Boox Note Max euroshop.boox.com 629.99 Shop Now Onyx Boox Go 10.3 (gen II) Amazon 399.99 Shop Now Onyx Boox Go 6 (gen II) Amazon 189.99 Shop Now
Boox Palma 3 [new] shop.boox.com $339.99 Shop Now Boox Palma 2 Pro Currys 379.99 Shop Now View Details Boox Tab X C shop.boox.com $819.99 Shop Now Boox vs Kobo: specs compared Spec notes There are a few specs I haven't included here, because they aren't helpful when it comes to making a decision between models. 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.

I haven't included battery capacity . This is worth considering, of course, but how it relates to runtime depends heavily on what you're using the tablet for. If you're mainly just reading, with a low backlight, even a small
battery will deliver many days of use without needing to recharge.
Conversely, lots of note-taking or internet browsing will drain a larger battery relatively quickly.

You also won't find screen resolution here. In almost every case the resolution will be the same: 300ppi in black and white, dropping to 150ppi in color if the ereader supports that. There's a lot more variety in the display technology used, but the categories here aren't standardized so comparing
them especially across brands, using different terms is very tricky.

Finally, I haven't included supported file formats . Pretty much all of these models offer a wide range of file support, including but not limited to:
LIST, PDF, EPUB, EPUB3, MOBI, TXT, CBR, CBZ, and RTF. That's before we get into the support for image and audio formats. If you have a specific file
type you're interested in, double check the specs on the brand's own site before buying. Boox vs Kobo: product lineup Kobo lineup Kobo currently has four ereaders in its lineup. The Clara range is the most basic: the screens are the smallest (at 6 inches), the storage is limited to 16GB (which is
lower than all the other options here but realistically will still enable you to store more books that you'll ever need), and there's no writing support. You can choose between black-and-white (BW) or color versions.

If you want writing support and compatibility with Google Drive and Dropbox, you can choose between Libra Colour or an Elipsa 2E . The Libra Colour is the smaller and more basic option. The Elipsa 2E has a large, 10.3 inch screen
and comes with a Kobo stylus included. It's the only model in Kobo's lineup
to not be waterproof. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Boox lineup Boox has more options, and includes four main lines: Note, Go, Palma and Tab.

The Boox Note series is rather sprawling, encompassing Mini (small screen), Max (large screen), and Air (medium screen) options. These are billed as all-in-one productivity tools they're on the thicker side and on the larger options you can snap a magnetic keyboard on. The newest models are the Note Mini C and Air6 C.

The Boox Go series also offers options with different screen sizes, the smallest of which is an ultra-compact 6 inches. These options are marketed as being travel-friendly, and are generally thinner than the Note series. The newest options are the Go 6 (Gen II), the Go 10.3 (Gen II), the Go 10.3 (Gen II) Lumi, and the Go Color 7 (Gen II).

The Boox Palma models have the size and shape of a phone, with a 6.2-inch screen. They're designed for on-the-go reading and note-taking. The newest options are the Palma 3 and Palma 2 Pro.

The Boox Tab series seems to be limited to just the Tab X C. It's a large ereader tablet with support for a magnetic keyboard. (Image credit:
Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Boox vs Kobo: buying advice Buy a Kobo if... You want to read in the bath: Pretty much all Kobo ereaders are waterproof to
IPX8 standard, which means they can withstand up to an hour in two meters of water. In contrast, Boox models are 'water-resistant' at best which means anything more than a sprinkle of water could spell trouble.

Your priority is reading: Kobo's slates are specialized for reading and occasionally also annotating. If you aren't looking for a general-use tablet, Kobo is a better bet.

You're on a tighter budget: Almost all of Kobo's ereaders are cheaper than Boox's options and if you don't need the extra functionality offered by
Boox, Kobo will be a more cost-effective option. Buy a Boox if... You want tablet functionality: Boox ereaders run a full version of Android, which
means you can download a variety of apps to unlock up a wide range of functionality, depending on your needs. These tablets aren't just for
reading.

You want a pocket-sized option: The Boox Palma models are around the same proportions as a phone perfect for on-the-go reading and note-taking.

You want the biggest screen: Boox makes a number of slates with 13.3-inch screens, whereas Kobo models top out at 10.3 inches. Boox is the place to go if you're seeking a generously sized ereader. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tablets/ereaders/boox-vs-kobo-which-e-ink-tablet-is- better


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