Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color via NewsFlicks

Is your own library full of annotated pages? Your each concept scribed at the margins of your favourite books? If that is the case, then you’ve gotten most certainly concept that e-readers don’t seem to be for you, however e-readers that permit for annotation are gaining popularity. Amazon has its Kindle Scribe, and Kobo has a number of e-readers with writing functions, our favourite of which is the Kobo Libra Color.

Having used each the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color for a number of months, we have now noticed what each e-readers be offering, and there is a transparent winner for us.

Here is the whole lot you wish to have to understand in regards to the Kindle Scribe as opposed to the Kobo Libra Color.

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color: Specifications and value

Evaluating the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Because the Scribe and Libra come from other manufacturers, it is no marvel that they’ve such other appears. The Scribe is so much higher than the Libra and springs with extra garage. However the Kobo has colour shows. Here is a complete rundown of the entire specifications for every instrument.

Dimensions

Garage

Answer

Water-resistant ranking

• Kindle Scribe: None

• Kobo Libra Color: IPX8

Adjustable entrance and heat mild

• Kindle Scribe: Sure

• Kobo Libra Colour: Sure

Stylus incorporated?

Worth

Taking a look over all the specifications at the Kindle Scribe as opposed to the Kobo Libra Color, the Kindle Scribe has the higher hand relating to dimension. It includes a considerably higher 10.2-inch show, making it best for the ones in search of an e-reader that resembles a pocket book. Alternatively, the Kobo Libra provides a lot more than that. Sure, it has a smaller 7-inch show, nevertheless it options page-turning buttons (a pleasing bonus) and a colour show for individuals who wish to annotate and spotlight in particular colours.

Each units have an adjustable entrance mild, a heat mild, and 300ppi solution when utilized in black and white. The place the Kobo Libra Color excels is with its water-resistant ranking. The Kobo Libra Color has an IPX8 ranking, permitting it to be totally submerged in water, whilst the Kindle Scribe has no water-resistant ranking; that by myself makes the Libra a winner in our guide.

However the associated fee variations additionally separate the 2 units. The Kindle Scribe begins at $399.99 for a 16GB fashion. On the very least, it does include a stylus. Alternatively, the Kobo Libra is way more reasonably priced. The 32GB fashion prices $229.99, however sadly does not come with the stylus. In case you upload it on for $69.99, it is nonetheless less expensive than the most cost effective Kindle Scribe.

Winner: Kobo Libra Color

Store Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color

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Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color: Battery lifestyles

Having examined a lot of e-readers, I have realized one common fact: Kindles are king relating to battery lifestyles. No different e-reader can compete with the battery lifestyles. Amazon claims the Kindle Scribe has 12 weeks of battery lifestyles, whilst the Kobo Libra Color has between 5 and 6 weeks of battery lifestyles.

Anecdotally, I have discovered this to be true, wanting to incessantly rate the Kobo Libra Color, while I will be able to pass months with out charging the Kindle Scribe.

Winner: Kindle Scribe

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color: Person enjoy

The Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color have identical person interfaces, however the ergonomics of the Kobo make it higher for long-term use.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In most cases, the person enjoy at the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color is quite identical. Every has a major library and a separate pocket book segment. Our evaluation of the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color is similar to the only we had in our assessment of the Kindle Paperwhite as opposed to Kobo Clara Color — apart from the Kindle Scribe runs slower than maximum different Kindle e-readers, that means the Kobo Libra is solely as fast.

Kobo has without equal OverDrive integration constructed into all of its units, that means any e book you borrow out of your library will auto-populate in your Kobo. To get entry to library e-books in your Kindle, you’ll be able to want to take a couple of additional steps. First, you’ll be able to want to use the Libby app to browse books after which ship them in your Kindle library. A characteristic that units the Kindle aside is its Goodreads integration, which allows you to hyperlink your account in your Kindle.

The place the units vary most importantly is within the studying enjoy. The Kindle Scribe is a huge e-reader, making it uncomfortable to carry for prolonged classes. The Kobo Libra Color, however, is the image of easiest ergonomics. It includes a pronounced edge with two page-turning buttons, making it relaxed to carry and simple to show the web page.

Winner: Kobo Libra Color

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color: Writing enjoy

The Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color are truly a showdown of the e-reader with writing functions, so which is healthier?

The Kindle Scribe’s dimension is its downfall relating to studying; on the other hand, it is a large boon for writing. The ten.2-inch show is similar dimension as a spiral-bound pocket book. It supplies plentiful area for taking notes, scribbling, and drawing. Plus, you’ll be able to ship your notes in your e mail to view them on a pc.

Kobo has identical functions. While you get started a brand new pocket book, you’ll be able to make a choice its sort. One sort is elementary, permitting you to attract and write as you would be expecting. By contrast, every other pocket book sort converts your handwriting into textual content as you pass, making it extraordinarily handy for digitizing notes.

Whilst the Scribe has the huge display dimension, the writing functions are the similar on each e-readers.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

For stylus choices, every instrument has its personal local possibility. The Kindle Scribe comes with the “top rate pen” this is constructed into the e-reader and magnetically attaches to the aspect, so you do not lose observe of it. It features a button for adjusting the settings, whilst the tip of the stylus erases.

The Kobo Libra Color does not include a stylus, however an possibility is to be had. Kobo has the Stylus 2, which prices $69.99 and will have to be bought one by one from the Kobo Libra. Just like the Scribe’s top rate pen, it may possibly erase and has a button for adjusting its writing choices.

Every instrument writes easily, the anti-glare display offering a paper-like really feel. The enjoy is remarkably identical on each units, probably the most important distinction being the Kindle Scribe’s higher display.

Each the Kindle Scribe and Kobo Libra Color have Google Power integrations, making observe garage and add even more uncomplicated.

The place each units endure is at the factor of ghosting, which is when earlier show pages seem to linger beneath the brand new web page. In most cases, that is temporarily mounted via refreshing the web page on each units.

Winner: Tie

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color: Do you wish to have colour?

The Kobo Libra Color has an important benefit over the Kindle Scribe: colour. As of October 2025, the Kindle Scribe does not have colour but. At a Sept. 30, 2025, match, Amazon introduced that the Kindle Colorsoft is coming; on the other hand, no unencumber date has been supplied.

Which means this present day, simplest the Kobo Libra Color has colour writing and annotation functions. For e-readers, we typically assume that colour is senseless, however with writing and annotating, it is a main benefit. It lets you illustrate in colour, whilst additionally retaining your notes color-coded. So, for at the moment, the Kobo Libra Color’s color show makes it the easier instrument.

Winner: Kobo Libra Color

Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Color: The winner

The Kobo Libra Color is the higher e-reader. It has writing functions, permitting you to take notes. Even supposing it is virtual, the stylus and display really feel like writing with a pen and paper. Moreover, the bonus of a colour show makes it best for avid notetakers preferring to color-code notes and annotations.

The Kindle has a bigger display, which, whilst nice for notetaking, is usually a hindrance for studying. That being stated, we would like the Libra had the Scribe’s battery lifestyles.

It is usually a subject matter of price. The Kobo Libra Color is sort of $200 less expensive than the Scribe for a similar capability, so we will pick out it over the Scribe each time.