Are there any E-readers that work in the sun besides Kindle PaperWhite?
E-reader that works in bright light
- Thread starter Donald
- Start date
Can’t you just invert it?
Not sure if you saw my comments on the reader I bought just over a week ago. I love it, my first e-reader. Ive been reading soooo much on the subjects we have been discussing.
I have nothing against PaperWhite, a sibling has one for years and loves it. I personally hate Amazon except using them all I can for ordering stuff. Amazon e-readers are strictly tied to their ecosystem in their own format and you need to do work arounds with a program to convert to standard accepted data format to get free e-books from your library - no way. I pay for a device and then stuck with only them? No
Enter KOBO, actually available around the world I have learned. You can buy books on the Kobo store, priced around Amazon prices but in some cases more money. Im not concerned with that, prices are close IF I want to buy.
The big draw for the Kobo for my use is, installed right on the device is "Overdrive" AKA "Libby"
I seamlessly enter my local library card information and search for and get free e-books to read right from my county library system. It will save your library and your card so it just needs to be done once.
Even better after that, I can also sign up and sign into the NC state library system on my Mac Desktop (or any device I think) computer and search for books my county system may not have. Once I find a book there is that extra step to download it onto the computer and then seamlessly transfer it to the Kobo using ADM (Adobe Digital Editions) and a USB- C cord supplied with the Kobo.
Over all you can take out, I think up to 10 e-books at a time and return them anytime through your device, or you can just let them self return which will happen once allowed time expires.
I bought this color one and it was on sale just over a week ago for the same price as the black and white one $139 now back to $159 which I think is a bargain compared to Amazons readers prices. Amazon even has the nerve to charge extra if you dont want ads showing up on your device, REALLY!?!? No way, for me anyway. Now having color, I would never go black and white. I just love this device, does not mean Amazon devices are bad in any way. Just my own reasons posted above.
Anyway, hope this helps. I am LOVING this device... I cant comment on sunlight (when the sun ever comes out I will test it) - there are MANY reviews on it and it does not sound any less capable than Amazon devices. Besides the one I bought Kobo offers many different devices.
This is mine on the link.
https://us.kobobooks.com/products/k...bo&utm_medium=TopNav&utm_campaign=ClaraColour
Here are two screen shots to give an idea on the look. You cant tell by a cell phone photo because the cell phone itself adjusts brightness. Currently I took this photo with the unit still on my preferred night time settings of 45% brightness and a soft yellow background for reading in darkness. Both the color temperature of the display and brightness is easy to adjust to your liking.
Also you can system wide adjust the font size using your finger tips to make larger or smaller or you can go into settings.
I have nothing against PaperWhite, a sibling has one for years and loves it. I personally hate Amazon except using them all I can for ordering stuff. Amazon e-readers are strictly tied to their ecosystem in their own format and you need to do work arounds with a program to convert to standard accepted data format to get free e-books from your library - no way. I pay for a device and then stuck with only them? No
Enter KOBO, actually available around the world I have learned. You can buy books on the Kobo store, priced around Amazon prices but in some cases more money. Im not concerned with that, prices are close IF I want to buy.
The big draw for the Kobo for my use is, installed right on the device is "Overdrive" AKA "Libby"
I seamlessly enter my local library card information and search for and get free e-books to read right from my county library system. It will save your library and your card so it just needs to be done once.
Even better after that, I can also sign up and sign into the NC state library system on my Mac Desktop (or any device I think) computer and search for books my county system may not have. Once I find a book there is that extra step to download it onto the computer and then seamlessly transfer it to the Kobo using ADM (Adobe Digital Editions) and a USB- C cord supplied with the Kobo.
Over all you can take out, I think up to 10 e-books at a time and return them anytime through your device, or you can just let them self return which will happen once allowed time expires.
I bought this color one and it was on sale just over a week ago for the same price as the black and white one $139 now back to $159 which I think is a bargain compared to Amazons readers prices. Amazon even has the nerve to charge extra if you dont want ads showing up on your device, REALLY!?!? No way, for me anyway. Now having color, I would never go black and white. I just love this device, does not mean Amazon devices are bad in any way. Just my own reasons posted above.
Anyway, hope this helps. I am LOVING this device... I cant comment on sunlight (when the sun ever comes out I will test it) - there are MANY reviews on it and it does not sound any less capable than Amazon devices. Besides the one I bought Kobo offers many different devices.
This is mine on the link.
https://us.kobobooks.com/products/k...bo&utm_medium=TopNav&utm_campaign=ClaraColour
Here are two screen shots to give an idea on the look. You cant tell by a cell phone photo because the cell phone itself adjusts brightness. Currently I took this photo with the unit still on my preferred night time settings of 45% brightness and a soft yellow background for reading in darkness. Both the color temperature of the display and brightness is easy to adjust to your liking.
Also you can system wide adjust the font size using your finger tips to make larger or smaller or you can go into settings.
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@Donald
I just tested the Kobo in direct sunlight. WOW!
There is no difference how bright or dark the light is. There is no glare. Interesting when taking the photo through the camera I did have to angle for flare but there is no flare to the naked eye.
Here are the photos that I just took in front of my house, full sunlight. Most crazy part is I didnt even turn up the brightness, I realized after I took the photos. E-readers use a different technology. They are not LED, it is why on the color models you are not going to have bright vivid colors, it will be "newspaper" type color. Still I recommend the color version unless you dont care about seeing covers of books in Black and White or any illustrations.
I took two photos, one in "dark mode" as @OilStained suggested. I use dark mode at night, I have been finding myself liking it.
The other was standard mode and only set to 41% brightness. It didnt matter which mode you chose, whatever one you like best. WOW, like WOW! Now I see the appeal to these readers, you cant do that reading a book on a tablet with clarity like this.
I just tested the Kobo in direct sunlight. WOW!
There is no difference how bright or dark the light is. There is no glare. Interesting when taking the photo through the camera I did have to angle for flare but there is no flare to the naked eye.
Here are the photos that I just took in front of my house, full sunlight. Most crazy part is I didnt even turn up the brightness, I realized after I took the photos. E-readers use a different technology. They are not LED, it is why on the color models you are not going to have bright vivid colors, it will be "newspaper" type color. Still I recommend the color version unless you dont care about seeing covers of books in Black and White or any illustrations.
I took two photos, one in "dark mode" as @OilStained suggested. I use dark mode at night, I have been finding myself liking it.
The other was standard mode and only set to 41% brightness. It didnt matter which mode you chose, whatever one you like best. WOW, like WOW! Now I see the appeal to these readers, you cant do that reading a book on a tablet with clarity like this.
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Which model of the Kobo did you get? I see a couple on Amazon.
KOBO CLARA COLOUR
I purchased it direct from Kobo. At the time they had $20 off I think for Presidents Day (or something like that) I was also deciding ordering from Amazon which I would typically do because I may have gotten it a day or two sooner. Amazon isnt the direct seller and all things equal I liked the idea of a "fresh" model from the company if that makes any sense.
So I ordered direct from Kobo, Kobo offers 45 day returns and free return shipping too.
This is the one, Kobo Clara Colour
https://us.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-clara-colour?variant=43784716714054
If you want the Android experience on an E-ink device, check EBay for Onyx Boox Tab X 13.3" 128GB Bundle - Very Good Condition - Pen2 Pro & Case.
I bought a "Grade B" one in Oct '25 for $320 and it works for the technical reading I need (.pdfs, OReilly app, Kindle app). I like it for the full 8.5"x11" format.
It's on the large side if all you are going to read is paperback, popular author, pleasure reading.
I bought a "Grade B" one in Oct '25 for $320 and it works for the technical reading I need (.pdfs, OReilly app, Kindle app). I like it for the full 8.5"x11" format.
It's on the large side if all you are going to read is paperback, popular author, pleasure reading.
I bought myself a Kobo last year (used) and enjoyed it for a couple of weeks. Then I made the mistake of putting it in my backpack and broke the screen. I would strongly urge one to get a case for theirs.
Yeah, already done! Can't discredit the device though. It's a thin, lightweight device that you hold to read. Lighter than my iPhone.
Besides what you wrote. The first thought on my mind at the time was something more robust to hold in my hand.
I L-O-V-E this case. leather too. Built in stand and hand strap, though honestly at least right now now SUPER comfy to firmly hold like a book.
oops one more to show how comfortable it is in the hand.
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