We return with the analysis of the latest Rakuten product Kobo has launched on the market, a well-resolved electronic book or eReader. The manufacturer has decided to bet on a product that they wanted to call "eco-conscious", capable of offering the same characteristics as the rest of the devices in the range, but with the least possible impact on the environment.
Discover with us the new Rakuten Kobo Clara 2E, a versatile e-reader with a multitude of capabilities, designed for the most demanding users. We take an in-depth look at all the features of this new Kobo product, a reinvention of its iconic Clara 2 model.
As with previous reviews, we collaborated with our colleagues at Actualidad Gadget on this one, so you can simultaneously enjoy an unboxing and in-depth analysis on their YouTube channel. Let us know if you enjoy this type of content and help us grow by subscribing.
Materials and design
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In this respect, emphasizing the device's purpose, Kobo has opted for the most eco-conscious way to read and listen, as we can also play audiobooks with the Kobo Clara 2E. In our interview with Fabián Gumucio, the brand's communications manager, we reached the most honest conclusions on the matter:
Discover the Kobo Clara 2E, an eco-conscious eReader with the environment and big improvements in a small format. The Kobo Clara 2E is our first eReader made with recycled plastic and plastic recovered before it had ended up in the oceans.
Thus, we find a device with dimensions of 112*159*8,6 millimeters, quite compact and inevitably reminiscent of the previous Kobo Clara 2. It weighs 171 grams, slightly more than usual for the brand, but it is still exceptionally light.
In this aspect, the eReader continues to maintain a feeling of lightness, resistance and comfort in long periods of reading, so we have ended up quite happy with its performance.
As with other Kobo products, and this one is no exception, despite being built with recycled and recovered plastics, it has an IPX8 certified water resistance, so it won't have problems with moisture at depths of up to two meters for a maximum of sixty minutes.
display features
In terms of screen, perhaps the most relevant aspect of an e-book, Kobo has opted for an old acquaintance of the company: the E-Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen, which offers a good resolution of 1448×1072 pixels, resulting in a density of 300 pixels per inch for its six-inch total size.
In this respect, the Kobo Clara 2E offers sufficient resolution and clarity to provide a comfortable reading experience tailored to our needs. This is further enhanced by two key features: a dark mode that allows us to relax our eyes in certain situations, a welcome addition for fans of this technology; and a ComfortLight Pro lighting system, which, as you know, allows us to adjust not only different brightness levels but also the warmth of the LED light.
In this respect, the Kobo Clara 2E allows us to read comfortably in all possible scenarios, from the beach to bed. This is very important, as it makes it an extremely versatile product, as we have been able to verify in our own review.
Thus, the screen and the software work together to offer us Kobo's well-known TypeGenius, that is, up to 12 different fonts to choose from, accompanied by more than 50 styles in total, because not everything in life was going to be "Arial" or "Calibri".
Technical characteristics and connectivity
In terms of hardware, the Kobo Clara 2E uses a much more modest 1 GHz processor, the specifics of which are currently unknown. It will be paired with 16GB of storage and RAM, the amount of which is also currently undisclosed.
- Endurance: Depending on the typical user, between 9 and 12 days of daily use for our tests
Ultimately, what matters is the device's performance and smoothness, something we're quite satisfied with. At this point, the Kobo Clara 2E (as you can see in the video) moves smoothly through Rakuten's platforms and between the various file formats available: PUB, EPUB3, FlePub, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, and CBR.
As you know, Kobo audiobooks are available via easy-to-sync Bluetooth connectivity. This allows us to use our headphones for the listening experience. The playback system worked smoothly and comfortably in our tests, but let's be honest, audiobook functionality is a feature requested by users but doesn't really make sense on an eReader, considering that audiobooks are easily accessible on other devices we use daily, like our smartphones.
Accessories and covers
As on previous occasions, we've received the SleepCover for review. This time it's in orange, although as you know, you can purchase it from €29,99 on the Rakuten Kobo website in any of its available colors: orange, green, and black.
Like the Kobo Clara 2E, this case is made from 97% recycled plastic, as is its microfiber lining, which is composed of up to 40% recycled materials. The origami-style folding system allows for hands-free reading, and, as expected, the Kobo Clara 2E locks and enters standby mode when the case is closed.
A light cover, which provides extra peace of mind due to its resistance. Without a doubt, the covers become an almost obligatory purchase.
Editor's opinion
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Thus, we find in the Kobo Clara 2E an "eco-conscious" product that does not forgo any of the technologies available from Rakuten Kobo on the market, at a knockdown price of only 149,99 euros, which directly targets rivals such as the Kindle Paperwhite.
With Rakuten 's support behind it, we find a well-rounded product that has allowed us to enjoy a quality and comfortable reading experience.
Pros and cons
Professionals
- Quality and versatile screen
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Very competitive price
Cons
- The cover is purchased separately
- A single color of the device to choose