Short answer: choose the XTEINK X4 Pro if the smallest possible reader matters most, the BOOX Palma 2 if you need Android apps and Google Play in a phone-shaped device, or the Kobo Clara BW if you want a conventional six-inch reader with adjustable front lighting and IPX8 water resistance. These recommendations are based on published specifications, not hands-on performance testing.
What makes the XTEINK X4 Pro different?
The XTEINK X4 Pro is unusually small even among compact e-readers. Its 4.3-inch E Ink display measures 800 × 480 pixels at 219 pixels per inch (PPI). The device is 111 × 69 × 5.95 mm and weighs 72 g, making it substantially lighter and smaller than the two alternatives in this comparison.
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XTEINK lists a front light, touchscreen, physical buttons, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 1,100 mAh battery and support for TXT, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, JPG and PNG files. It includes 16 GB on a microSD card and supports expansion to 256 GB. The storage figure refers to the supplied card rather than built-in flash storage. See the official XTEINK X4 Pro specifications for the current product listing.
The size is the main reason to buy it: it can fit where a normal six-inch e-reader may not. The compromise is reading area. A 4.3-inch screen displays fewer words per page, so you will turn pages more often or reduce the font size. Its listed software also does not provide the Android app environment available on the BOOX Palma 2. A TechRadar report says Kindle and Kobo apps cannot run directly on the X4 Pro and that sideloading is required; that is product reporting rather than a controlled laboratory test. Read the TechRadar report for that app-access qualification.
#1 Best Overall
- BOOX Palma2 Pro Mobile ePaper eBook Reader 8G 128G 150PPI in Color Mode
The three devices at a glance
| Device | Screen | Resolution and density | Size | Weight | Lighting | Software and storage | Water resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTEINK X4 Pro | 4.3-inch E Ink | 800 × 480; 219 PPI | 111 × 69 × 5.95 mm | 72 g | Front light listed | 16 GB on microSD; expansion to 256 GB; TXT, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, JPG and PNG listed | Not stated |
| BOOX Palma 2 | 6.13-inch Carta 1200 | 300 PPI | 159 × 80 × 8 mm | About 170 g | Front light listed | Android 13 with Google Play; 6 GB RAM; 128 GB storage; microSD expansion listed | Not stated |
| Kobo Clara BW | 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD touchscreen | 1,448 × 1,072 | 112 × 160 × 9.2 mm | 174 g | Adjustable ComfortLight PRO | 16 GB; USB-C | IPX8, up to 2 m for up to 60 minutes |
The X4 Pro is the smallest and lightest of the three by a wide margin. The Palma 2 and Clara BW both use roughly six-inch screens, but they target different priorities: Android flexibility on the Palma 2 and a conventional waterproof reading experience on the Clara BW. The figures are manufacturer specifications current to the product pages accessed in 2026; they do not predict page-turn speed, comfort, reliability or actual battery life.
Best alternative for Android apps: BOOX Palma 2
What you get
BOOX lists the Palma 2 with a 6.13-inch Carta 1200 display, 300 PPI, dimensions of 159 × 80 × 8 mm and a weight of approximately 170 g. It runs Android 13 with Google Play, includes 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, and supports microSD expansion. A front light is listed as standard. The BOOX Palma 2 product page also lists a 3,950 mAh battery.
Android and Google Play are the decisive differences. They allow you to install reading services and other Android applications instead of being limited to the X4 Pro’s listed file formats and reader software. This is useful if your library is split among several services, if you need a particular note-taking or dictionary app, or if you want one device that behaves more like an E Ink phone than a traditional e-reader.
What you give up compared with the X4 Pro
- Pocketability: at about 170 g, the Palma 2 weighs more than twice as much as the 72 g X4 Pro. Its 159 × 80 mm footprint is also substantially larger.
- Minimalism: Android adds flexibility, but it also introduces an operating system and app-management layer that the X4 Pro does not provide.
- Smallest-screen advantage: the 6.13-inch display is easier to use for normal book layouts, but it is not a substitute for the X4 Pro when your priority is the tiniest possible device.
The Palma 2 is the logical choice when app access outranks absolute size. Published specifications alone cannot establish how quickly individual apps open, how smoothly they scroll or how long the battery lasts in your particular app mix.
Rank #2
- Screen: 6.13"" Kaleido 3 (4,096 colors) glass screen with flat cover-lens Resolution: B/W: 824 x 1648 (300ppi)
- OS: Android 15 Document Formats: PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX Image Formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF Audio Formats: WAV, MP3 Supports 3rd-party apps
- Button: Power Button with Fingerprint Recognition, Volume/Page-Turn Buttons, Smart Button USB-C Port (Supports OTG or use as an audio jack) Hybrid SIM Card Slot Built-in Speaker Built-in Dual Microphones Battery: 3,950mAh Li-ion Polymer Dimensions: 159 x 80 x 8.8 mm (6.3"" x 3.1"" x 0.35"") Weight: Approx. 175 g (6.2 oz)
- Dark, gray, or wrongfully believed low resolution screen : All Eink products used Kaleido 3 color e-ink technology, which currently has inherent limitations and share the same darker or grayer screen than LCD/LED ones. This is a characteristic of all e-ink products, not a defect. If it doesn't meet your expectations, you may return the product under our return policy. However, please note this is not considered a product fault.
Best conventional compact reader: Kobo Clara BW
What you get
Rakuten Kobo lists the Clara BW with a six-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD touchscreen, 1,448 × 1,072 resolution, 16 GB of storage and USB-C charging. Its dimensions are 112 × 160 × 9.2 mm and its weight is 174 g. ComfortLight PRO provides adjustable front lighting, and the device has an IPX8 water-resistance rating. Kobo specifies protection for up to 60 minutes in up to two metres of water. Product details are on the Kobo Clara BW UK product page.
The Clara BW follows the familiar six-inch e-reader format. Compared with the X4 Pro, it provides a much larger page area and a taller, more conventional body for novels, PDFs and larger text settings. The adjustable light is designed for changing room conditions, while the IPX8 rating addresses accidental immersion that is not stated for the X4 Pro or Palma 2.
Battery estimate and its limits
Kobo says the Clara BW can last up to 53 days under its stated test conditions: 30 minutes of reading per day, front light at 10% brightness, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched off. That is a manufacturer estimate, not a universal runtime. Wireless use, brighter lighting, larger fonts, frequent page turns and software activity can all change endurance.
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What you give up compared with the X4 Pro
- Weight: the Clara BW weighs 174 g, 102 g more than the X4 Pro.
- Volume: its 112 × 160 × 9.2 mm body is designed for a normal six-inch reading experience, not the smallest carry-anywhere format.
- Phone-like flexibility: the listed product information does not describe an Android 13 or Google Play environment like the Palma 2.
Choose the Clara BW when screen comfort, adjustable lighting and water resistance matter more than minimizing every millimetre and gram.
Rank #3
- Select Refresh Mode to reduce ghosting: HD Mode (System Default): For reading books and other static content. Balanced Mode (Default for third-party apps in color E Ink models): For turning pages and browsing books and pictures. Fast Mode (Default for third-party apps in monochrome E Ink models): For browsing websites and other content that require scrolling. Ultrafast Mode: For video and other dynamic contents. *Regal Mode: As a refresh solution with less ghosting and better display quality especially optimized for color E Ink models.
- Screen: 10.3" HD ePaper glass screen with flat cover-lens Resolution: 2480x1860 (300 ppi) Touch: BOOX InkSense Plus stylus touch (4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity) + capacitive touch
- CPU: Octa-core RAM: 4GB ROM: 64GB Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz) + BT 5.1 G-sensor for Auto Rotation Front Light with CTM (Warm and Cold)
- OS: Android 15 Document Formats: PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX Image Formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF Audio Formats: WAV, MP3 Supports 3rd-party apps
- Button: Power Button USB-C Port (Supports OTG or use as an audio jack) Built-in Dual Speakers Built-in Microphone Battery: 3,700mAh Li-ion Polymer Dimensions: 235*183*4.8mm (9.3" x 7.2" x 0.19") Weight: Approx. 364g (12.8oz)
How the screens compare in real reading decisions
Screen area
The X4 Pro’s 4.3-inch diagonal is roughly two inches smaller than either alternative. That difference is not cosmetic: a page set for the same text size contains fewer words, and interface controls have less room. The compact display can be ideal for short sessions, quick reference material or readers who value one-handed use, but long books may require more frequent page turns.
The Palma 2’s 6.13-inch panel and the Clara BW’s six-inch panel are much closer to the standard paperback-sized e-reader experience. They offer more room for comfortable font sizes, margins and chapter navigation. Neither device is as light or compact as the X4 Pro.
Resolution and density
The X4 Pro lists 800 × 480 pixels at 219 PPI. The Palma 2 lists 300 PPI, while the Clara BW lists 1,448 × 1,072 pixels on its six-inch display. Higher density generally allows sharper small text and finer interface elements, but published numbers do not measure contrast, ghosting, refresh behavior or perceived comfort under a particular light.
Front lighting
All three listings include front-light functionality, but the controls differ. XTEINK lists a front light for the X4 Pro without the detailed adjustment range given for the Clara BW. Kobo explicitly names adjustable ComfortLight PRO. BOOX lists a front light for the Palma 2. If warm/cool adjustment or precise brightness control is essential, verify the current device software and regional listing before purchase.
Rank #4
- Screen: 6.13"" Kaleido 3 (4,096 colors) glass screen with flat cover-lens Resolution: B/W: 824 x 1648 (300ppi) Color: 412 x 824 (150ppi) Touch: Capative touch CPU: Octa-core + BSR RAM: 8GB ROM: 128GB Connectivity: Wi-Fi + BT 5.1 Front Light with CTM (Warm and Cold) G-sensor for Auto Rotation Light Sensor 16MP Rear Camera with LED Flash
- OS: Android 15 Document Formats: PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX Image Formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF Audio Formats: WAV, MP3 Supports 3rd-party apps
- Button: Power Button with Fingerprint Recognition, Volume/Page-Turn Buttons, Smart Button USB-C Port (Supports OTG or use as an audio jack) Hybrid SIM Card Slot Built-in Speaker Built-in Dual Microphones Battery: 3,950mAh Li-ion Polymer Dimensions: 159 x 80 x 8.8 mm (6.3"" x 3.1"" x 0.35"") Weight: Approx. 175 g (6.2 oz)
- Dark, gray, or wrongfully believed low resolution screen : All Eink products used Kaleido 3 color e-ink technology, which currently has inherent limitations and share the same darker or grayer screen than LCD/LED ones. This is a characteristic of all e-ink products, not a defect. If it doesn't meet your expectations, you may return the product under our return policy. However, please note this is not considered a product fault.
Size, weight and portability
| Portability question | XTEINK X4 Pro | BOOX Palma 2 | Kobo Clara BW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightest option | Yes, 72 g | No, about 170 g | No, 174 g |
| Smallest listed footprint | 111 × 69 mm | 159 × 80 mm | 112 × 160 mm |
| Thickness | 5.95 mm | 8 mm | 9.2 mm |
| Best fit for a very small pocket | Most suitable by dimensions | Phone-shaped but larger | Traditional reader proportions |
The Clara BW is only one millimetre wider than the X4 Pro in its shortest dimension, but it is much taller. The Palma 2 is wider and taller than the X4 Pro while retaining a phone-like shape. For a jacket pocket, small bag or one-handed carry, the X4 Pro has the clearest physical advantage. For a device that stays in a backpack or on a bedside table, the larger readers’ screen area may be more valuable than the weight difference.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Software, file formats and ecosystem trade-offs
X4 Pro: local files and sideloading
The X4 Pro listing names TXT, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, JPG and PNG support. It also lists Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a touchscreen and physical buttons. If your books are DRM-free files in those formats, the device’s appeal is straightforward: copy the files, organize them on the card and read without a large app ecosystem.
For commercial Kindle or Kobo libraries, the TechRadar report cited above says the corresponding apps cannot run on the X4 Pro and that sideloading is necessary. Sideloading can mean obtaining files through a computer or another supported workflow, and it may not preserve every store feature. Confirm the rights and format of your own books before choosing a file-first device.
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Android 13 with Google Play makes the Palma 2 the most flexible option on paper. You can install compatible reading apps rather than converting or transferring every title into the X4 Pro’s supported formats. The trade-off is complexity: app compatibility, notifications, updates and permissions become part of the reading setup. The specification does not establish performance for any particular app.
Best Value
- Palma 2 Pro Magnetic Case
Clara BW: dedicated e-reader approach
The Clara BW is presented as a dedicated Kobo reader rather than an Android tablet. Its 16 GB storage and six-inch display suit a conventional library, while USB-C and adjustable ComfortLight PRO address everyday hardware needs. The listed information does not claim Android or Google Play access, so do not buy it expecting the Palma 2’s app model.
Storage and expansion
The X4 Pro includes 16 GB on a microSD card and lists expansion up to 256 GB. XTEINK does not identify a tested card model, so this comparison cannot verify compatibility for a specific brand or capacity beyond the stated limit. The Palma 2 lists 128 GB of storage and microSD expansion. The Clara BW lists 16 GB of storage; its product page does not establish a user-expandable card slot.
For ordinary novels, 16 GB can hold a large library, but comics, scanned PDFs and image-heavy documents consume space faster. Choose based on the type of files you carry, not only the headline capacity. If you depend on expansion, check whether the card slot is accessible and whether your preferred capacity is supported in the current regional model.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWater resistance and outdoor use
Only the Clara BW has a stated water-resistance rating in the supplied specifications: IPX8, up to two metres for up to 60 minutes. That rating describes laboratory-defined immersion conditions; it is not a promise that every water incident is harmless, and it does not make the device suitable for salt water, soap, heat or impact.
No water-resistance rating is stated for the X4 Pro or Palma 2 in the cited product information. Treat both as un-rated for water exposure. If you read near a bath, pool or beach, the Clara BW has the only published protection claim among these three devices.
Which X4 Pro alternative should you choose?
Choose the XTEINK X4 Pro when
- Your first requirement is the smallest, lightest reader available among these options.
- You are comfortable managing local EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT, JPG or PNG files.
- You want both a touchscreen and physical buttons in a 72 g body.
- You value microSD expansion to the listed 256 GB limit.
Choose the BOOX Palma 2 when
- You need Android 13 and Google Play for multiple reading or utility apps.
- A 6.13-inch, 300-PPI display is preferable to the X4 Pro’s 4.3-inch panel.
- You can accept about 170 g and a larger 159 × 80 × 8 mm body.
- You want 128 GB of listed storage plus microSD expansion.
Choose the Kobo Clara BW when
- You want a conventional six-inch reading layout.
- Adjustable ComfortLight PRO is important for day and night reading.
- You need a stated IPX8 rating for up to two metres and 60 minutes.
- You prefer a dedicated e-reader design with USB-C and 16 GB of storage.
A practical decision process
- Measure the space you will actually use. If the reader must fit a small pocket or be held for brief one-handed sessions, start with the X4 Pro’s 111 × 69 × 5.95 mm, 72 g design. If it will live in a bag, screen area may matter more.
- List your book sources. DRM-free files in the X4 Pro’s listed formats favor the X4 Pro. Multiple app-based services favor the Palma 2. A single dedicated Kobo workflow favors the Clara BW.
- Set your minimum screen size. Select the X4 Pro only if a 4.3-inch page is acceptable. Otherwise compare the Palma 2’s 6.13 inches with the Clara BW’s six inches.
- Decide whether water protection is essential. The Clara BW is the only model here with a published IPX8 claim.
- Check storage needs. Image-heavy PDFs and comics may justify the Palma 2’s 128 GB or the X4 Pro’s stated microSD expansion; ordinary text libraries may not.
- Separate specifications from experience. None of the cited figures proves page-turn speed, long-session comfort, software stability or real-world battery life. Treat those as unknowns unless you can test the exact model yourself.
Important limitations before buying
- No independent performance test: the available evidence does not measure responsiveness, ghosting, refresh quality, durability or comfort.
- Battery figures are not directly comparable: the X4 Pro listing gives a 1,100 mAh capacity, the Palma 2 listing gives 3,950 mAh, and Kobo gives a 53-day estimate only under specific low-use conditions.
- Regional details can change: the Clara BW information cited here is from Kobo’s UK product page. Storage, accessories, firmware and availability may differ by market.
- Prices and stock are not fixed: no current price or retailer inventory is asserted because those details change by region and date.
- App support is model-specific: Android availability on the Palma 2 should not be generalized to the X4 Pro or Clara BW.
Verdict
The XTEINK X4 Pro remains the right answer when “compact” means genuinely tiny: at 72 g with a 4.3-inch screen, it is the smallest and lightest device in this comparison. The BOOX Palma 2 is the stronger alternative for readers who need Android 13, Google Play and a larger 300-PPI screen, provided they accept more than twice the weight. The Kobo Clara BW is the best fit for a normal six-inch reading experience with adjustable lighting, USB-C and a published IPX8 water-resistance rating.
There is no universal winner because each device solves a different problem. Pick the X4 Pro for minimum size, the Palma 2 for app flexibility, and the Clara BW for conventional reading comfort and water protection. Those conclusions follow the published specifications; they should not be read as claims about hands-on speed, comfort or battery performance.
Quick Recap
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