Hi again! I posted recently asking for my first e-reader and wanted to follow up.
I ended up getting a black Boox Go 7 (B/W) after someone suggested Android devices. I bought it from Target knowing I might return it and try the Kobo Libra Colour instead—and now I’m still stuck because the KLC went on sale (But I don't hate it, I know theres a learning curve)
My use case:
- Mostly Libby + Hoopla
- No comics/manga
- Not tied to any ecosystem (which means i havent downloaded kindle or boox or anything else yet since I dont NEED it)
- Mostly borrowing (broke student lol)
What I like about the Boox:
- Flexibility (apps, Libby, Hoopla, Google Drive, etc.)
- The size — I knew it was 7", but it feels smaller in person in a good way (super portable, fits easily in my bag)
- Rotation is amazing, and I like having buttons (when they work)
What’s been frustrating:
- Settings are really unintuitive (optimize vs eink center vs app settings… I’m just guessing half the time)
- Libby issues:
- Dark mode looks completely broken (literally no words are visible)unless I change settings every time
- Page-turn buttons randomly stop working
- Hoopla issues:
- When I change screen color or open the settings in the app, I get a ~1 cm off-white bar across the top
- Sometimes its not there when I first open a book, but if I rotate the screen or open settings, it comes back and won’t go away
- Battery drain seems fast (~40% in less than a day with light use)
- Screen is darker than expected / needs more brightness
- Not very ergonomic to hold (super flat)
Reading experience :
While reading, I’ve noticed I actually want to highlight/annotate more than I expected—I keep having thoughts I want to capture.
But:
- Highlighting in Libby on Boox feels clunky. Hoopla is okay but that would be a non issue in KLC since its not integrated
- I skipped the Boox stylus because reviews were so bad (I've heard its much better with their bigger tablets)
Why I’m still considering Kobo Libra Colour:
- IT JUST WENT ON SALE (A SIGN OR FOMO?)
- Much more streamlined Libby/OverDrive experience
- Better ergonomics + buttons
- Color highlighting + annotation + notebooks (this is a big draw)
- Stylus experience seems way better overall
- the device comes in white and I am obsessed (got the Boox in black because the white model has lights around the edges in dark mode; realized I dont hate the flush screen but its not a deal breaker)
But:
- I don’t need color for reading itself (will it be a significant screen downgrade?)
- Not sure if I’d fully use the annotation features long-term
- Less flexible than Boox (no hoopla or other apps)
Where I’m stuck:
- Keep the Boox and hope it gets easier?
- Return it and switch to Kobo?
- Order the Kobo and compare both?
Would love to hear from anyone who chose between Boox vs Kobo—especially if you started with Boox and felt unsure at first. What made you stick with it or switch?
OR If you have recommendations about how to make my boox work better I am open.
I am afraid I'm just being influenced by these "cool features" and not giving the boox a chance but am also talking myself in circles so I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read and respond!