Kobo Elipsa 2E vs Libra Colour: Which eReader is Best for You?
Naila Syifa
Updated January 2025
Rakuten Kobo offers a few e-reader options for avid readers, including the Kobo Elipsa 2E (USD 399.99) and the Kobo Libra Colour (USD 219.99). Both offer unique features and capabilities that cater to different reader preferences and needs, so let's see which e-reader could be a better companion for you!
Key Takeaways
Kobo Elipsa 2E has a larger 10.3" grayscale display for spacious note-taking, while the Kobo Libra Colour has a smaller 7" color display with more versatility for creative tasks. The Elipsa 2E includes the Kobo Stylus 2 pen, while the Libra Colour offers it separately. However, the Libra Colour is waterproof while the Elipsa 2E is not.
Kobo Elipsa 2E
Versatile E-Reader
✓ 10.3” Glare-Fee Display
✓ Search Handwritten Notes
✓ Kobo Stylus 2 Included
✓ Dropbox & Google Drive
Kobo Libra Colour
E-Reader Meets Color
✓ 7” Color Display
✓ Kobo eBooks & Audiobooks
✓ Kobo Stylus 2 Compatibility
✓ IPX8 Waterproof
Design & Display
Kobo Libra Colour
The Kobo Elipsa 2E is a larger, more premium e-reader with a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 display, while the Kobo Libra Colour has a 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display. The Elipsa 2E has a grayscale display, while the Libra Colour has a color display.
The larger screen real estate on the Elipsa 2E makes it better suited for tasks like note-taking and document reading, while the more compact Libra Colour is more portable and lightweight.
However, even if the Libra Colour is smaller and lighter, it is noticeably thicker than the Elipsa 2E. On one side, it feels like you're holding a real book, but on the other side, a slimmer design is preferred these days.
In terms of display sharpness, the difference is a bit tricky. For grayscale content, Kobo Libra Colour offers a high 300 PPI pixel density — a standard for a high-quality image in the industry — compared to the 227 PPI on the Elipsa 2E. However, for color content, the Kobo Libra Colour's display is limited to just 150 PPI.
One clear design advantage that the Libra Colour has over the Elipsa 2E is its waterproof design, with an IPX8 rating that allows it to be submerged in up to 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes. The Kobo Elipsa 2E is not waterproof, so it's best not to use it near water or in the bath.
Features
Kobo Elipsa 2E
Kobo Elipsa 2E and Libra Colour offer roughly the same set of features. You can access a range of books from the Kobo eBookstore or even listen to audiobooks when paired with Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
There is a built-in front light on both devices, which allows you to adjust the brightness levels and color temperature of the screen. Dark mode is also available for reading in low-light conditions.
On top of reading, you can also take notes, make planners, to-do lists, and more from a range of templates, then let the device convert your handwritten notes to text for easy sharing.
The difference is that with the Libra Colour's color screen, you can write, draw, or highlight with vibrant colors instead of just dull black and white on the Elipsa 2E.
However, the Kobo Elipsa 2E comes with the Kobo Stylus 2 included, while the Libra Colour requires you to purchase a stylus separately. The Kobo Stylus 2 costs USD 69.99, so the total cost of the Libra Colour + the stylus would be USD 289.98, still $110 cheaper than the Kobo Elipsa 2E. But that feels like an extra expense that the Elipsa 2E doesn't require.
Battery
Kobo Libra Colour
Kobo Elipsa 2E boasts a 2400 mAh battery, significantly larger than the 2050 mAh battery on the Libra Colour. However, Kobo claims that both devices can last for a few weeks on a single charge, especially if you just use them for a couple of hours of reading per day.
Kobo Elipsa 2E vs Libra Colour
Final Thoughts
Kobo Elipsa 2E
The Libra Colour's color display offers more versatility for creative tasks, but the Elipsa 2E has a larger display for more spacious reading and note-taking. Kobo Elipsa 2E also comes included with the Stylus, though it is not waterproof like the Libra Colour.
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on which features are most important to you - the larger display and included stylus of the Kobo Elipsa 2E, or the color display and waterproof design of the Kobo Libra Colour.
If you like to read more about E-Ink Tablets, check out our other relevant guides here:
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Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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