Kobo Libra 2, hit on the table in the mid-range [Analysis]

Kobo continues to work on offering great alternatives within the eReader environment, and their latest additions to our review table here at TodoeReaders could not be missing. For that reason and much more, we want you to discover with us this new Kobo Libra 2 that comes to lay the foundations of the mid-range with an innovative feature that many users have been demanding.

We reviewed the new Kobo Libra 2, a device that features Bluetooth and an audiobook store to meet user demands. We'll tell you what we thought of this new Rakuten Kobo device and whether it's really worth it.

Design: Standardizing the Kobo Product Range

The first thing that strikes you about the Kobo Libra 2 is its resemblance to its "big brother," the Kobo Sage, aside from the differences in size and features. To begin with, this new Kobo Libra 2 measures 144,6 x 161,6 x 9 millimeters, which I consider almost perfect dimensions for everyday use. I'm aware that some users have recently been requesting larger sizes, but I personally prefer the balance between portability and convenience that these dimensions offer. All of this is complemented by a weight of just 215 grams.

• Dimensions 144,6 x 161,6 x 9 millimeters
• Weight: 215 grams

As is typical for Rakuten Kobo, the device comes in two colors: white and basic black. It features a soft-touch plastic with a very pleasant feel, a far cry from the hard, brittle plastic of other brands. Once again, Kobo positions itself among products that aim to offer something more. The back displays the brand logo and the button that allows you to lock the device, along with a series of perforations that mimic geometric shapes and provide extra grip. The only physical port is the familiar USB-C.

Technical characteristics

Rakuten Kobo has opted for familiar hardware in this mid-to-high-end Libra 2, so it includes a 1 GHz processor, which we assume is a single-core. This is sufficient to run the device, which executes our commands through the user interface smoothly (as you can see in the video accompanying this review). It comes with 32 GB of storage; once again, Kobo hasn't been stingy , providing a capacity that's hard to exceed for eReader users and more than enough for the latest audiobook collections.

In terms of connectivity, we now have three options: WiFi 801.1 bgn which will allow us to access 2,4 and 5 GHz networks, a new Bluetooth module whose version we have not been able to find out, and finally the classic and versatile USB-C port.

As a hallmark of Rakuten Kobo devices, this Libra 2 is also water-resistant. You can read at the beach, in the pool, and even in the bathtub without fear; it has IPX8 certification for depths of up to two meters for a maximum of 60 minutes.

15 natively supported file formats (EPUB, EPUB3, FlePub, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR). For its part, Kobo Audiobooks are currently restricted to some countries. The same happens with the available languages, for the moment English, French, French (Canada), German, Spanish, Spanish (Mexico), Italian, Catalan, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazil), Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Turkish, Japanese, Traditional Chinese.

The audiobook arrives with some work ahead

Interacting with the new audiobooks integrated into the Rakuten store is easy. We have several options when connecting our Bluetooth headphones: either play an audiobook, which will trigger a pop-up window for headphone settings, or go to the new Bluetooth connection section located in the settings menu in the bottom right corner of the Kobo Libra 2's user interface.

The audiobook menu is sufficient for the moment, as it will allow us the following functions:

• Modify the headphone volume
• Modify the playback speed of the book
• Advance / Rewind 30 seconds
• Get book and index information

However, I missed the integration of audiobooks with traditional versions. By this, I mean being able to continue listening to a book from the exact point where we left off reading it, and then resume reading the traditional version where we left off. This would be especially important, as currently Rakuten Kobo only shows two separate versions depending on whether it's an audiobook or a traditional book.

We have to emphasize that we can not only use headphones, obviously we can also connect our Kobo Libra 2 to an external speaker with Bluetooth.

A well-known screen

For the rest, the Kobo Libra 2 has a 7-inch E Ink Carta 1200 high-definition panel, reaching 300 pixels per inch with a resolution of 1264 x 1680. The refresh rate is what you would expect from this well-known screen. .

It also integrates other familiar Kobo technologies such as ComfortLight Pro , which automatically adjusts screen brightness and color warmth to promote better sleep. Meanwhile, TypeGenius offers 12 different fonts with over 50 styles.

The brightness of the panel, as it happens with the memory, is a waste on the part of Kobo, it offers a maximum capacity that you will never use for its power and a treatment against the reflections of ten.

• Battery: We have scratched more than three weeks of autonomy without difficulty, yes, it does not include a charger, only a USB-C cable.

The experience with the touch interaction is sufficient, although I personally make more use of the side buttons when turning pages.

SleepCover, a necessary accessory

This case, inspired by Japanese origami, offers a wonderful experience. The fact that it opens "like a book" is particularly interesting, as is the durability of its materials, which have proven resistant to daily use. It's available in four different colors: pink, red, gray, and black. It's easy to put on and allows for countless positions.

If you're constantly going back and forth with your Kobo Libra 2, I think it's essential to get one of these cases, but not if you're just going to use it at home; you could save yourself the €39,99 it costs at the official Kobo store or at Fnac.

Editor's opinion

This device is slightly more expensive than some alternatives, such as those on Amazon, but certain features justify the price. The Kobo Libra 2's user interface remains excellent, as do its screens and hardware. You can buy it starting at €189,99 from both Fnac and the official Kobo website in Spain.

Pros and cons