Best eReaders with Color E Ink Display

TL;DR: The Boox Note Air 5 packs a 10.3‑inch Kaleido 3 color E Ink screen, octa‑core 1.8 GHz CPU, 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage (expandable to 1 TB) for a premium $529.99 price tag.

The standout feature is the 10.3‑inch E Ink Carta 1200 panel with Kaleido 3 color technology, offering 4,096 colors and a native color resolution of 1240×930 pixels. In black‑and‑white mode the display runs at 2480×1860 pixels, delivering crisp text for long reading sessions. The device also includes an adjustable front light that lets you switch between warm and cold tones, which is handy for day‑to‑night use.

Compared with the other four contenders, the Note Air 5 sits at the higher end of the price spectrum and brings a larger screen than the 7‑inch Bigme B7 Pro Blue and the 6‑inch PocketBook Verse Pro Color. It also offers more RAM (6 GB vs. 1 GB on the Kobo Clara Colour and PocketBook) and a bigger internal storage pool (64 GB vs. 16 GB or 256 GB on the Bigme). While the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft Fig is slightly lighter, the Boox’s full‑featured Android 13 platform and USB‑C OTG capability give it a versatility edge.

Users repeatedly praise the lightweight feel and the precision stylus that comes with 4,096 pressure levels, noting it’s ideal for annotating PDFs and comics. Professional reviewers highlight the smooth performance of the octa‑core 1.8 GHz processor paired with 6 GB RAM for multitasking. On the flip side, the color mode’s lower pixel density (1240×930) can appear fuzzy for detailed graphics, and reviewers describe the dual speakers as adequate but not audiophile‑grade. Battery capacity sits at 3,700 mAh; reviewers note it drains faster when the color display is used heavily.

The Note Air 5 runs Android 13 with full Google Play access, so you can install productivity apps alongside reading tools. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.1, dual microphones for voice input, and a USB‑C port that handles charging, OTG and audio jack functions. The front‑light’s warm/cold adjustment and the built‑in hall sensor that detects stylus proximity add subtle convenience for note‑taking on the go.

Best for: Professionals and power users who need a large color e‑ink tablet for annotating PDFs, comics and multitasking with Android apps.

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $529.99.

TL;DR: The Kobo Clara Colour packs a 6‑inch Kaleido 3 E Ink display with 4096 colours, 42‑day battery life and a 2.0 GHz dual‑core processor, all for $159.99.

The standout spec is the 6‑inch E Ink Kaleido 3 panel with FastGLR, delivering 4096 colours and 30 % higher saturation than earlier models. At 150 PPI for colour and 300 PPI for black‑and‑white, the resolution of 1448 × 1072 pixels gives crisp text and vivid graphics while keeping the device compact.

Compared with the other four colour e‑readers in this roundup, the Clara Colour is the most budget‑friendly option. It shares the same 6‑inch screen size as the PocketBook Verse Pro Color but is lighter and runs a faster 2.0 GHz CPU versus the Verse Pro’s 1.8 GHz processor. Its 1500 mAh battery is smaller than the Verse Pro’s 2100 mAh cell and far below the 3000 mAh (Bigme B7 Pro) and 3700 mAh (Boox Note Air 5) packs, giving a respectable 42‑day read‑time but less endurance than the larger devices. The Kobo’s 1 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage match the Verse Pro but are modest next to the 8 GB RAM/256 GB storage of the Bigme and the expandable 6 GB RAM/64 GB storage of the Boox. Screen real‑estate is also smaller than the 7‑inch Bigme, the 10.3‑inch Boox, and the 11.01‑inch Kindle Scribe, making the Clara Colour the most portable of the group.

Users consistently praise the lightweight chassis and the IPX8 waterproof rating; it's safe for poolside or beach reading. Professional reviewers note the “perfect hardware” combo of a dual‑core 2.0 GHz processor and eMMC storage, delivering instant page turns and smooth zooming. Many note that the colour E Ink panel appears darker than monochrome screens, often requiring higher front‑light levels. Many readers complain about the lack of physical page‑turn buttons or stylus support, especially if they prefer tactile feedback.

Best for: Casual readers who want a compact, affordable colour e‑reader for graphic novels, comics and cookbooks.

Avoid if: You need a larger screen for detailed colour content, note‑taking, or stylus input.

TL;DR: The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft Fig delivers an 11.01‑inch color e‑paper screen, premium magnetic pen and weeks‑long battery life, but its thin bezels and high price may deter budget‑focused users.

The standout feature is the 11.01‑inch Colorsoft oxide‑based e‑paper panel with Kaleido 3 technology, offering a crisp 1980×2640 resolution at 300 PPI in black‑and‑white and 150 PPI in color. It includes a magnetic Premium Pen with a shortcut button and screen‑sensitive eraser that never needs charging.

Compared with the other four e‑readers in this roundup, the Kindle Scribe is pricier than the Boox Note Air 5, Bigme B7 Pro Blue, PocketBook Verse Pro Color and Kobo Clara Colour. Its 11‑inch screen outsizes the Boox’s 10.3‑inch display and the sub‑8‑inch panels of the other three. Storage-wise, it matches the Boox’s 64 GB internal capacity while offering far more than the 16 GB found in PocketBook and Kobo, though it falls short of the Bigme’s 256 GB.

Professional reviewers praise the paper‑like writing feel and the glare‑free, adjustable warm front light, noting that the custom chip delivers fluid PDF markup. Users echo the praise for the 11.01‑inch, 1980×2640 color display but warn that the ultra‑thin bezels can cause accidental taps and occasional smudging, especially for larger hands. Reviewers also flag the premium price point as a drawback for those who don’t need full‑color capabilities.

Additional technical context includes a lithium‑ion battery that lasts up to eight weeks of reading and up to two weeks of daily 30‑minute writing sessions, a USB‑C charging port, and a one‑year parts warranty. The device runs on a custom processor designed for smooth performance, and its front light uses miniaturized LEDs for uniform illumination.

Best for: Those prioritizing quality and willing to pay for premium performance

Avoid if: You're on a tight budget or only need basic functionality

TL;DR: The PocketBook Verse Pro Color packs a 6‑inch Kaleido 3 E Ink screen with 4096 colors, a 2100 mAh battery and 16 GB storage into a compact, waterproof design for under $180.

The standout feature is its 6‑inch E Ink Kaleido 3 panel that delivers 4096 colors and a grayscale resolution of 1072 × 1448 pixels (300 ppi) plus a color resolution of 536 × 724 pixels (150 ppi). It runs on a 1.8 GHz quad‑core CPU with 1 GB RAM, and the 16 GB internal storage provides ample space for a sizable ebook library. It also includes SMARTlight, which lets you adjust colour temperature, and an IPX8 rating that lets you read by the pool or on the beach.

Compared with the other four contenders, the Verse Pro’s 2100 mAh battery outpaces the Kobo Clara Colour’s 1500 mAh pack, while its CPU clock speed of 1.8 GHz is a touch slower than Kobo’s 2.0 GHz and the Bigme B7 Pro’s 2.6 GHz. All five models share a 6‑inch screen size with the Kobo, but the PocketBook is larger than the 7‑inch Bigme and far smaller than the 10.3‑inch Boox Note Air and 11‑inch Kindle Scribe. Bluetooth 5.4 gives it a more recent wireless audio capability than the generic Bluetooth support listed for the Kobo.

Reviewers consistently praise the device’s pocket‑friendly size, waterproofing and ability to stream audiobooks via Bluetooth. Professional reviewers note the indented screen design can collect dust and that the 150 ppi colour resolution feels modest for richly illustrated comics. Users also point out the lack of a microSD slot, which limits library growth beyond the built‑in 16 GB.

Beyond the headline specs, the Verse Pro runs a Linux 4.9.56 operating system, supports Adobe DRM and a wide range of formats (including EPUB, PDF, DJVU and comic‑book archives), and includes a cover sensor and G‑sensor that automatically put the device to sleep or rotate the display. The SMARTlight feature lets you fine‑tune colour temperature for day‑ or night‑time reading, adding a layer of comfort not always found in budget e‑readers.

Best for: Entry-level buyers or those on a tight budget

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional‑grade performance, such as high‑color fidelity for graphic‑intensive media or expandable storage via microSD

TL;DR: The Bigme B7 Pro Blue packs a 7‑inch color e‑ink screen, Android 14, 256 GB storage and 8 GB RAM, but its low color resolution and poor user rating limit its appeal.

The standout spec is its massive 256 GB internal storage paired with 8 GB of RAM, giving you plenty of room for books, PDFs and Android apps. Under the hood sits a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 octa‑core processor clocked at 2.6 GHz, while the 3000 mAh battery promises all‑day reading without frequent recharges.

Compared with the other four devices in this roundup, the B7 Pro’s storage dwarfs the 16 GB found in both the PocketBook Verse Pro Color and the Kobo Clara Colour, and it also exceeds the 64 GB of the Boox Note Air 5. Its 7‑inch display sits between the compact 6‑inch screens of Kobo and PocketBook and the much larger 10.3‑inch and 11.01‑inch panels of the Boox and Kindle Scribe, respectively.

A single 1‑star review dominates customer feedback, with users calling out the limited ~150 PPI color resolution (632 × 840 pixels) and the cramped 7‑inch real‑estate for comics or illustrated PDFs. Professional reviewers, however, note the crisp 300 PPI black‑and‑white rendering (1264 × 680 pixels) and praise the lightweight chassis, the capacitive stylus that charges wirelessly, and the inclusion of 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.3 and dual‑band Wi‑Fi for on‑the‑go connectivity.

Best for: Students, professionals and travelers who need a lightweight, Android‑compatible e‑reader with plenty of storage.

Avoid if: You prioritize high‑resolution color content or rely heavily on user satisfaction and reviews.