I got my partner a Kobo Clara Colour. In my view, it has a few killer features: it's not tied to Amazon in any way, it works well with any public libraries that offer e-book lending through Overdrive. It lets you get books from your library without using a computer. It also has a color e-ink screen and seems to have adjustable backlight color.
this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2026
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Im interested more in the "I can load epubs or whatever the generic format of ebooks is" that I get off LibGen or Annas-Archive haha
Like loading with usb cord or bluetooth ;)
I think that pretty much any ereader can do that, since those files are DRM-free?
Some ebook readers, IIRC Amazon and maybe Barnes and Noble (when they had them) restrict sideloading by reducing the amount of storage that can be used for sideloaded books or other restrictions.
Interesting, thanks! I was not aware that they were doing this.
I have a boox palma 2. For me the killer feature is the size. It being phone sized, I take it more places and read more often with it than other ebook readers I've had.
I've also had a few Kobo devices, and loved them all, but for me a phone sized ereader has turned out to be the sweet spot. Since you mentioned it, it does have warm/cool backlight controls.
Kobo and Boox both place no restrictions on sideloading of books FWIW.
Check out this new wee little reader from Boox: https://shop.boox.com/products/picco
I think the idea of mounting it to the back of your phone is interesting, but I'm not totally sold on the idea. I'm amused by it, but not quite sold. I definitely wouldn't want it as my every day reader, and I feel like someone who would read while standing in line... would be enough of a reader to want an every day reader.
Anywhats, what I really wish for is a Boox phone. The Palma 2 pro is close, but I still actually need my phone number for professional purposes.
That picco is really cute! Maybe a smidge too small for me, but I like how they are thinking.
Anywhats, what I really wish for is a Boox phone.
I kind of have that too. It has some slightly rough edges but I've mostly been happy with it. Bit of a long story to how I ended up with both of these, but I love it. It's so refreshing to be able to use it on a sunny day and I find that being black and white it discourages too much doomscrolling.
I have not tried sideloading books to the hibreak, I actually mostly use it as a phone. But I suspect it would be fine. Note that there's a bit of fiddling you need to do (with some excellent and granular provided controls) to get some android apps to look good on it, but I've mostly been really happy with it.
I have a pocketbook. It is comparable to an amazon device in basically every regard, but it does not spy on you or show ads.
10/10 would buy again. And again. And again. Because I keep losing them.
The brand Uelshitama. It's great.
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I have an older Nook, but I found it too big to reliably take with me and use.
I just recently got an xteink x4 and flashed Crosspoint firmware on it. It's tiny and portable, and actually fits in my purse or tiny pockets! It'll take epub files loaded onto its SD card, and just sorta works.
I have a Nook. Pretty buggy device, its ony real killer feature is that it lets me buy books other than from Amazon.
Hehe I dont really do "buying" or "borrowing" if ya catch muh drift