Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Color Books

Is your private library stuffed with bookmarked pages? Are your each thought written within the margins of your favourite books? In that case, you then most likely thought e-readers weren’t for you, however e-readers that permit annotations are rising in reputation. Amazon has the Kindle Scribe and Kobo has a number of e-readers with writing capabilities, our favourite of which is the Kobo Libra Coloration.

After utilizing each the Kindle Scribe and the Kobo Libra Coloration for just a few months, we have seen what each e-readers have to supply, and there is a clear winner for us.

Here is every little thing you should know in regards to the Kindle Scribe vs. the Kobo Libra shade.

Kindle Scribe Coloration vs. Kobo Books: Specs and Value

Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Coloration Comparability.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Since Scribe and Libra come from completely different manufacturers, it is no surprise they appear so completely different. The Scribe is way bigger than the Libra and comes with extra storage. However the Kobo has shade screens. Here is a complete rundown of all of the specs for every gadget.

Dimensions

Storage

RESOLUTION

Waterproof ranking

  • Kindle Scribe: ANY

  • Coloration of Kobo Books: IPX8

Entrance adjustable and heat mild

  • Kindle Scribe: sure

  • Coloration of Kobo Books: sure

Is a stylus included?

PRICE

all of the specs of the Kindle Scribe versus the Kobo Libra shade, the Kindle Scribe has the sting by way of dimension. It includes a considerably bigger 10.2-inch display, making it perfect for these in search of a notebook-like e-reader. Nonetheless, Kobo Books gives far more than that. Sure, it has a smaller 7-inch display, nevertheless it options page-turning buttons (a pleasant bonus) and a shade display for individuals who wish to take notes and spotlight in particular colours.

Each units have an adjustable entrance mild, a heat mild and 300 ppi decision when utilized in black and white. The place the Kobo Libra Coloration shines is with its waterproof ranking. The Kobo Libra Coloration has an IPX8 ranking, permitting it to be absolutely submerged in water, whereas the Kindle Scribe has no waterproof ranking; that alone makes Libra a winner in our guide.

However worth variations additionally separate the 2 units. The Kindle Scribe begins at $399.99 for a 16GB mannequin. Not less than it comes with a stylus. Nonetheless, the Kobo E-book is far more inexpensive. The 32GB mannequin prices $229.99, however sadly would not embrace a stylus. When you add it up for $69.99, it is nonetheless cheaper than the most affordable Kindle Scribe.

Winner: Coloration of Kobo Libra

Purchase Kindle Scribe and Kobo Coloration Books


Turn on the stylus writer


color e-reader kobo books

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Coloration Books: Battery Life

After testing many e-readers, I’ve realized one common fact: Kindles are king in terms of battery life. No different e-reader can compete with the battery life. Amazon claims the Kindle Scribe has 12 weeks of battery life, whereas the Kobo Libra Coloration has between 5 and 6 weeks of battery life.

Anecdotally, I’ve discovered this to be true, as I must cost the Kobo Libra Coloration continuously, whereas I can go months with out charging the Kindle Scribe.

Winner: Kindle Scribe

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Coloration Books: Person Expertise

A Kindle writer next to a color Kobo Book

The Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Coloration have related person interfaces, however the Kobo’s ergonomics make it higher for long-term use.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

General, the person expertise on the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Coloration is comparatively related. Every has a most important library and a separate pocket book part. Our evaluation of the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Coloration is an identical to what we had in our assessment of the Kindle Paperwhite versus the Kobo Clara Coloration — besides that the Kindle Scribe runs slower than most different Kindle e-readers, which means the Kobo Libra is simply as quick.

Kobo has the last word OverDrive integration constructed into all of its units, which means any e-book you borrow out of your library will robotically populate in your Kobo. To entry your library’s eBooks on Kindle, you will must take just a few additional steps. First, you will want to make use of the Libby app to browse for books after which ship them to your Kindle library. One function that units the Kindle aside is its Goodreads integration, which helps you to hyperlink your account to your Kindle.

The place the units differ essentially the most is within the studying expertise. The Kindle Scribe is a big e-reader, making it uncomfortable to carry for lengthy intervals. The Coloration Kobo Libra, then again, is the image of excellent ergonomics. It includes a pointed edge with two web page flip buttons, making it snug to carry and simple to show the web page.

Winner: Coloration of Kobo Libra

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Coloration Books: The Writing Expertise

The Kindle Scribe and the Kobo Libra Coloration are actually an e-reader showdown with writing capabilities, so which one is healthier?

The Kindle Scribe’s dimension is its downfall in terms of studying; nonetheless, it’s a nice assist for writing. The ten.2-inch show is similar dimension as a spiral-bound pocket book. It gives sufficient house for taking notes, doodling and drawing. Plus, you may ship your notes to your electronic mail to view them on a pc.

Kobo has related capabilities. If you begin a brand new pocket book, you may select its kind. One kind is fundamental, permitting you to attract and write as you’d count on. In distinction, one other kind of pocket book converts your handwriting to textual content as you go, making it extraordinarily handy for digitizing notes.

A Kindle Scribe on the left and a Kobo Libra Color on the right.

Whereas the Scribe has the bigger display dimension, the writing capabilities are the identical on each e-readers.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

For stylus choices, every gadget has its personal native choice. The Kindle Scribe comes with the “premium pen” that is constructed into the e-reader and magnetically attaches to the aspect so you do not lose monitor of it. It features a button for adjusting settings, whereas the tip of the stylus is hidden.

The Kobo Libra Coloration doesn’t include a stylus, however an choice is obtainable. Kobo has the Stylus 2, which prices $69.99 and should be bought individually from the Kobo E-book. Like Scribe’s premium pen, it could possibly erase and has a button for adjusting the writing choices.

Every gadget writes easily, the anti-glare display gives a paper-like really feel. The expertise is remarkably related on each units, essentially the most vital distinction being the Kindle Scribe’s bigger display.

Each the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Coloration have Google Drive integrations, making saving and importing notes even simpler.

The place each units endure is the problem of ghosting, which is when earlier pages of the present appear to stay below the brand new web page. Often, that is shortly fastened by refreshing the web page on each units.

Winner: tie

Kindle Scribe Coloration vs. Kobo Books: Do You Want Coloration?

Coloration The Kobo Libra has one necessary benefit over the Kindle Scribe: shade. As of October 2025, the Kindle Scribe nonetheless has no shade. At an occasion on September 30, 2025, Amazon introduced that the Kindle Colorsoft is coming; nonetheless, no launch date has been given.

Which means that for now, solely the Kobo Libra Coloration has shade writing and annotation capabilities. For e-readers, we often consider shade as pointless, however with writing and annotation, it is an enormous benefit. This lets you illustrate in shade, maintaining your notes color-coded. So, for now, the colour show of the Kobo Libra Coloration makes it the perfect gadget.

Winner: Coloration of Kobo Libra

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Coloration Books: The Winner

A color Kobo Libra on a blue background

The Kobo Libra shade is the perfect e-reader. It has writing capabilities, permitting you to take notes. Regardless that it is digital, the stylus and display really feel such as you’re writing with pen and paper. Moreover, the bonus of a shade show makes it perfect for avid notice takers preferring to paint code notes and notes.

The Kindle has a bigger display, which, whereas nice for taking notes, is usually a hindrance to studying. That mentioned, we want the Libra had the Scribe’s battery life.

Additionally it is a matter of worth. The Kobo Libra Coloration is sort of $200 cheaper than the Scribe for a similar performance, so we’ll select it over the Scribe each time.

Liam Johnson
Liam Johnson

Hi, I’m Liam Johnson, the founder and editor of Nextuo.
Technology has always been my passion, and for over 8 years I’ve been exploring the world of hot tech, mobiles, gadgets, and gaming.

At Nextuo, I share unbiased reviews, guides, and insights to help readers make smarter tech decisions. My goal is to make technology more accessible, clear, and useful for everyone.

When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find me testing the latest gadgets, discovering gaming innovations, or engaging with the global tech community.

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