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Choose the BOOX Palma if you want a phone-shaped E Ink device with Android app flexibility; choose the Kobo Clara BW if you want a dedicated monochrome reader with Kobo’s reading features and an explicit IPX8 rating. “Palma” and “Clara” each refer to more than one model, though: this comparison focuses on the original Palma specifications documented by BOOX and distinguishes the Clara BW from the Clara Colour. Check the exact generation and variant before buying.
Which one should you choose?
| Your priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Phone-like shape and Android apps | BOOX Palma | BOOX describes the original Palma as a hand-held, phone-like device running Android 11 with Google Play. Those software details are specific to the original Palma page, not every Palma generation. |
| A dedicated monochrome reader with stated water protection | Kobo Clara BW | It has a 6-inch Carta 1300 HD screen, Kobo reading features, and an IPX8 rating specified by Kobo. |
| Color covers, illustrations, or highlights | Kobo Clara Colour | Its Kaleido 3 screen displays color, though Kobo specifies lower resolution for color content than for black-and-white. |
These are feature-based recommendations, not the result of a hands-on speed or battery test. The available manufacturer specifications do not establish a universal winner or a direct real-world battery-life advantage for either device.
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First, identify the exact Palma and Clara
BOOX Palma generations
BOOX’s help page lists both Palma and Palma 2, while its official product page describes the original Palma. A current TechRadar comparison also identifies Palma 3 and Palma 2 Pro. Treat Palma as a product family rather than assuming every listing refers to the same device. In particular, BOOX’s statement that the original Palma runs Android 11 and includes Google Play should not be applied to a newer model without checking that model’s own specifications. See BOOX’s original Palma product page and help page; model generations are also discussed in TechRadar’s comparison.
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Kobo Clara BW is monochrome, with a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD touchscreen. Clara Colour uses a 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display. Kobo specifies 300 PPI for black-and-white content and 150 PPI for color content on the Colour model. Color appears only when the page content was designed to display in color; a color screen does not make every ebook page colorful. Kobo explains the distinction in its Clara Colour specifications and color-screen explainer.
#1 Best Overall
- BOOX Palma2 Pro Mobile ePaper eBook Reader 8G 128G 150PPI in Color Mode
How the reading experience differs
Palma: a phone-like device with app flexibility
BOOX presents the original Palma as a compact, phone-like E Ink device. Its product page specifies a Carta 1200 screen at 300 PPI and says the original model uses Android 11 with Google Play. That can suit readers who want to use Android apps rather than rely only on a single ebook ecosystem. App compatibility and software details are generation-specific, so confirm them for the Palma model you are considering.
BOOX also lists a customizable function button and volume buttons that can turn pages or scroll. The original Palma page describes a 16 MP rear camera with flash for document capture. These features make it more versatile in form and controls than a conventional reading-only device, but the published specifications do not establish that it is faster or more comfortable for reading than a Clara.
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.
Clara BW: a reading-first monochrome option
Kobo’s UK product page specifies a 6-inch, 1448 × 1072 Carta 1300 HD touchscreen, 16 GB of storage, USB-C, Bluetooth, and a 1500 mAh battery for Clara BW. Its ComfortLight PRO provides adjustable brightness and color temperature. Kobo also lists Dark Mode and controls for font size, margins, and typeface. These are practical advantages if you mainly read ebooks and want reading settings integrated into a dedicated reader.
Kobo identifies access to the Kobo Store and local-library ebook borrowing as reading routes. Library availability depends on your location, and audiobook and Kobo Plus availability is limited to select countries. The product details above come from Kobo’s UK Clara BW page; check your local Kobo site for market-specific services.
Rank #3
- 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.
Clara Colour: color with a resolution trade-off
Clara Colour keeps the 6-inch form but uses a Kaleido 3 display. Kobo’s specifications give it 300 PPI for black-and-white content and 150 PPI for color content. That distinction matters if you read illustrated books, comics, or material that uses color, but the stated figures alone do not determine which screen will look better to every reader. The same US product page lists 16 GB, Bluetooth, USB-C, and IPX8 protection.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Water protection is not the same claim
Kobo rates Clara BW IPX8 and says it can withstand immersion for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 metres of water. BOOX describes the original Palma as water-repellent against everyday exposure, but the cited Palma page does not state an IPX8 rating. These claims are not equivalent: do not treat the Palma as having the same specified immersion protection as the Clara BW. Kobo also lists IPX8 protection for Clara Colour on its US product page.
Rank #4
- Ultra-Thin & Lightweight Design: Weighing only 138g with a super-slim 6.7mm body, the VIWOODS e reader features a compact 6.13-inch screen that perfectly balances portability and usability. Its sleek design fits effortlessly in your pocket, making it ideal for commuting, traveling, or enjoying your favorite reads anytime, anywhere
- Stunning Carta 1300 Display: Enjoy a premium reading experience with the advanced Carta 1300 E-Ink display. It delivers faster refresh rates, reduced glare, and a true paper-like feel for comfortable, long reading sessions
- Adjustable Front Light: Read comfortably in any environment with 20 levels of adjustable cool light, designed without warm light. Whether in low light or bright sunlight, the VIWOODS e-reader adapts to your needs for strain-free reading
- AI Button for Instant Assistance: Access AI-powered assistance with ease using the dedicated AI side button. Long-press for voice input or short-press for text-based queries, providing you with quick solutions, learning tools, or helpful summaries in seconds
- AI Screenshot Q&A: Struggling with a complex topic? Simply take a screenshot, let the AI analyze it, and receive a detailed summary or explanation. Dive deeper into any subject with follow-up questions, making learning easier than ever
Battery estimates are not a fair head-to-head test
Kobo estimates up to 53 days for Clara BW when reading 30 minutes per day with the front light at 10% and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. For Clara Colour, Kobo estimates up to 42 days under a different setup: 30 minutes of reading per day, front light at 30%, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. Both are manufacturer estimates, and the different light settings make the figures unsuitable as a direct BW-versus-Colour comparison.
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Choose by the way you read
- Pick the BOOX Palma if its phone-like shape and Android app flexibility are central to your routine. Verify the exact generation’s software and features before purchase.
- Pick the Kobo Clara BW if you want a monochrome reading-first device, Kobo’s built-in reading features, and a clearly stated IPX8 rating.
- Consider the Kobo Clara Colour if color content is important enough to justify a screen with a 150 PPI color specification, alongside 300 PPI for black-and-white.
The most useful comparison is not simply Palma versus Clara: it is the Palma generation and Clara variant that match your needs. For straightforward monochrome ebook reading, Clara BW is the clearer fit; for a compact E Ink device built around Android flexibility, the original Palma’s documented feature set is the better match.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
