Boox and Kobo take different approaches to e-ink tablets

TechRadar's Ruth Hamilton compares Boox and Kobo, two popular e-ink tablet brands with different priorities. Kobo specializes in ereaders, while Boox tablets run a full version of Android and support a wider range of tasks and apps.

Kobo currently has four ereaders. The Clara line uses 6-inch screens and offers 16GB of storage, with black-and-white and color versions. The Libra Colour and Elipsa 2E add writing support and compatibility with Google Drive and Dropbox. The Elipsa 2E has a 10.3-inch screen and is the only Kobo model in the comparison that is not waterproof.

Boox has four main lines: Note, Go, Palma and Tab. Its range includes productivity-focused tablets, thinner travel-friendly models and phone-shaped devices. Palma models have 6.2-inch screens, while some Boox tablets use 13.3-inch displays. Recent models mentioned by TechRadar include the Note Mini C, Note Air6 C and Palma 3.

• Kobo ereaders are generally waterproof to IPX8, allowing up to one hour in 2 meters of water.
• Boox offers broader Android-based functionality.
• Kobo focuses more narrowly on reading and annotation.
• Boox provides more variation in device size and form.

The comparison also notes that battery life depends heavily on usage, and that supported file formats vary across models. TechRadar advises checking manufacturers' specifications for any specific file type.