The Kobo Libra 2 is not a successor to the Kobo Libra, but the Kobo Libra H20. Which was given the name at the time to emphasize that it is water resistant. So is the Kobo Libra 2. You can read more about what the e-reader has to offer in this Kobo Libra 2 review.
Kobo Libra 2
Price: € 189 (excluding sleep cover worth € 39.99)
Screen: 7-inch e-ink with bedside lamp (1680×1264)
Processor: 1GHz
Storage: 32 GB (not expandable)
Weight: 215 grams
Dimensions: 14.5 x 16.2 x 0.9cm
Wireless: bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac/b/g/n
Connection: usb-c
Other: IPX 8
Website: https://en.kobobooks.com
8 Score 80 
- Pros
- Compact
- Nice to hold
- Reading comfort screen and night lamp
- Negatives
- Audiobook support falls short
The Kobo Libra 2 is the third part of a trilogy of Kobo e-readers that the manufacturer will release this fall. Kobo is trying to revive the e-reader, which is admirable. The first part that was reviewed was the Kobo Elipsa. An enormously large e-reader, which is pleasant to read, even if the eyes are a bit off. The format was primarily intended to allow the reader to also serve as a notebook, in combination with a stylus. The concept did not come out well because an e-reader screen reacts slowly and is more limited than a tablet.
Part two was the Kobo Sage. Also a fairly large e-reader, with the same notepad functionality. The innovation here was mainly in the fact that the Kobo Sage also plays audiobooks. While the e-reader once again did a fantastic job for e-books, limitations hit the audiobook shelf wrong.
This third part (finally) is the Kobo Libra 2. A lot smaller in size, but still an extremely comfortable reading size and a lot easier to put in a bag for on the go. However, the reader is able to play audiobooks. Finally, at 189 euros, the Kobo Libra 2 is a lot more accessible than the Sage (€ 289) and Elipsa (€ 399).
The Kobo Libra 2 is pleasant to hold thanks to the weight, edge and plastic material.
e-reader
As an e-reader itself, the Kobo Libra is very handy. Thanks to its 7-inch screen, it is somewhat reminiscent of an iPad Mini in terms of size. The Kobo reader is also a bit more pleasant to hold due to its low weight, which is a plus for the real bookworm who can lose himself for many hours in a good book. On the right side is a curved edge to which you can easily hold the reader – and turn the page with the two physical buttons. This is also possible with a tap on the touchscreen. It’s nice that you just turn the reader around to get the edge on the left side (for left-handers) or to have the edge under the screen. Personally, that’s the most comfortable reading position for me, although the pages do have a little less vertical space and that leads to smaller letters.
The main reason why the Kobo Libra 2 reads comfortably is of course the e-ink screen. Unlike an ordinary screen, such an e-ink screen cannot show colors, but it also does not emit light. This makes it comfortable for the eyes. For those who like to read in the dark, a built-in night light has been incorporated into the screen. Incidentally, this shines on the screen, not in the eyes, like a normal screen.
You can read books from the built-in Kobo reading service, but you can also put your own books on the device by connecting the reader to the PC. Unlike a Kindle, the Kobo Libra 2 supports all common book file formats. Even PDF, which is useful for study materials, for example.
audiobooks
The open nature that Kobo uses for e-books does not apply to audio books. You cannot copy audio or audiobook files to your reader for playback. Or sign up for another audiobook service like Storytel and Audible, which is understandable.
What is not understandable is that Kobo has not placed an audio connection on the reader. For example, you cannot connect your headphones wired, only via bluetooth. This means that you depend on the battery life of your Bluetooth playback device for how long you can read. Inconvenient for those who want to enjoy an audiobook for a longer period of time. Not only inconvenient, but also unnecessary.
Inquiries with Kobo only resulted in more questions unfortunately. In doing so, the contact person seemed unaware that a device can have both bluetooth and an audio connection: “As for the reasons for wireless versus bluetooth, the thought process was that it gave the reader more options and flexibility to listen (they can do this via wireless headphones, speakers or even autoplay, etc.). That way they are not always tied to a thread.”
Are you in the market for a new e-reader? Then the Kobo Libra 2 is the best you can buy right now.
Battery life and specs
Kobo has thought of providing enough storage space for the audiobooks. The Kobo Libra 2 has 32GB of storage space. Since an average e-book is a few MBs in size and an audiobook a few hundred MBs, it’s more than enough.
The battery of an e-reader lasts a long time, because an e-ink screen only uses power when you refresh the screen. That happens when you turn a page. The battery life of the Kobo Libra 2 therefore depends on how fast you read. In some cases you can go weeks on a charged battery. It is smart to turn off things like WiFi.
This is of course different with audiobooks, because there is continuous playback. The e-reader lasts for about ten hours. You may still be better off using your smartphone or tablet for your audiobooks.
Alternatives to the Kobo Libra 2
If you’re looking for a good e-reader, Kobo has a whole range of options available. Think of the Sage and Elipsa, which might be nicer if you’re looking for a large reading screen. For the stylus functions it is better to consider an iPad than these readers. This Kobo Libra 2 may be a better option, due to its lower price and more compact size – without compromising the reading experience.
There are also, of course, alternatives such as the Amazon Kindle and the recently launched Storytel reader. Both products, however, are a lot more limited than this Kobo Libra 2. The Amazon Kindle works closely with Amazon’s e-book service, of course, but can only handle epub files if you want to put your own books on the reader. The Storytel reader only works with its own (audio) books.
There are also older alternatives from Kobo’s stable, such as the Clara HD and the Libra H20. Excellent e-readers. Still, it seems wiser to choose the Libra 2: not only because of the better specs and USB-C connection, but also because the price difference is not that big at the time of writing.
Conclusion: buy Kobo Libra 2?
Are you in the market for a new e-reader? Then the Kobo Libra 2 is the best e-reader you can buy right now. The screen with night light reads wonderfully and the reader is comfortable to hold. Are you in the audiobook market? Perhaps it is better to keep an eye out for a while, there is no advantage compared to listening via your smartphone or tablet for the time being.
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