Kobo Clara Colour eReader - 6in Colour E Ink Kaleido 3 Display

In this review we look at the Kobo Clara Colour, a compact colour eReader aimed at readers who want more than plain text. The bottom line: it is best for commuters and casual readers who want a pocketable device that shows covers, comics and illustrations in muted colour without the battery drain of a tablet. The Clara Colour's single biggest selling point is its 6 E Ink Kaleido 3 display, which brings full-colour eBooks and colour highlighting to an otherwise familiar E Ink reading experience.

Key Features

• 6 E Ink Kaleido 3 Display: Lets you read eBook covers, comics and graphic novels in subdued colour while preserving the high contrast of E Ink for text.
• Highlight in Colour: Multiple highlight colours are available at a touch so you can mark passages and view highlights by chapter for easier study or reference.
• ComfortLight PRO: Automatically reduces blue light and lets you adjust font size and line spacing to personalize long reading sessions.
• Waterproof IPX8: Full waterproof protection means the device withstands immersion up to 2 metres for up to 60 minutes, so it tolerates accidental spills and poolside reading.
• 16 GB Storage: Plenty of onboard storage for thousands of eBooks and a selection of audiobooks without relying on cloud access.
• Sustainable Design: Built with recycled and ocean-bound plastic and designed with repairability and waterproof sealing in mind.

Who It's For

The Kobo Clara Colour suits readers who want a lightweight, pocket-friendly eReader that supports colour content but still prioritizes eye comfort and long battery life. It is a good pick for commuters, students reading illustrated textbooks, and readers of comics or graphic novels who prefer an E Ink surface over a bright tablet screen.

Those who need vibrant, photo-quality colour or very fast page updates should look elsewhere, such as tablets or higher-end colour displays, because Kaleido 3 provides muted colour with occasional rainbow effect and modest refresh speed compared with LCD or OLED devices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Colour-capable E Ink display that shows covers and illustrations while keeping text comfortable to read.
• Built-in colour highlighting and easy highlight management by chapter for study and note-taking.
• Waterproof IPX8 rating and practical 16 GB storage make it robust for travel and daily use.
• ComfortLight PRO and Dark Mode reduce eye strain during long reading sessions.

Cons

• Colour reproduction can appear muted or show a rainbow effect compared with traditional color screens.
• Performance and refresh speed are adequate for books but not as snappy as a tablet for heavy graphics.

Specifications

Display	6 in E Ink Kaleido 3 colour display
Storage	16 GB
Waterproof	IPX8 up to 60 minutes in up to 2 m water
Lighting	ComfortLight PRO with blue light reduction and Dark Mode
Highlights	Multiple colour highlights, viewable by chapter
Materials	Includes recycled and ocean-bound plastic, repairable design

Our Verdict

The Kobo Clara Colour is a strong value for readers who want an E Ink device that can display colour content and offer sensible eye-care features. It excels as a portable, waterproof reader with useful colour highlighting and ample storage, though readers seeking vivid, photographic colour or tablet-level speed should consider other device types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it show full-colour eBooks?
The device uses a Kaleido 3 E Ink panel that displays subdued full-colour covers and illustrations rather than bright photographic colour.

Is the Clara Colour waterproof?
Yes, it meets an IPX8 rating and is rated for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 m of water.

Can I highlight in different colours?
Yes, you can add, erase, or change highlight colours and review all highlights by chapter.