Kobo Libra 2: In-Depth Review
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00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Unboxing
01:56 - General Overview: Lucy Edition
02:36 - General Overview
03:22 - Design And Build Quality
08:31 - Specifications
10:48 - Battery
12:23 - General Functionality
14:47 - Web Browser
16:02 - Image Quality
16:39 - Reader Performance
19:14 - Conclusion: Cons
22:19 - Conclusion: Pros
25:46 - Conclusion: Summary
OFFICIAL PRODUCT PAGE: us.kobobooks.com/products/kob...
Kobo Libra H2O was and still is a fantastic little e-book reader, however, earlier this year, it has been discontinued. Now, its substitute has arrived, the Libra 2, and Kobo has kindly sent me a review loan unit to check it out. So, let's check it out! :)
#mydeepguide #kobo #libra2
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Lucy was a great co-host!! Shows how good a book when your cat wants to lay on it. 😂. Sign of approval.
Hi Lucy! I've heard you occasionally in the background before, but it was lovely to finally meet you!
I just stumbled onto your video and I fell in with LOVE the Lucy Blue edition! Thank you for such a great review. I really appreciate all the details you provide. Thank you.
Thanks for the review. Upgraded from my old Kobo Aura to the Libra 2. What a big step they've made.
Great in-depth review, many thanks. Libra 2 ordered!
Now that i have purchased an e-ink tablet, listen to these reviews because i find them soothing. However, i just bought the libra 2 (dang it!) based on this review + the fact that you use the previous version personally.
ETA: i love this thing and use it daily. It’s made me realize how nice a front light is on an e-ink screen, too. I’m having one annoying issue: my device goes to sleep while I’m reading it. It seems to have something to do with changing the angle at which I’m holding it. Otherwise it’s a great little thing! The sleep cover is clever and the battery life is truly excellent.
Thank you for the review, it was really in depth and helpful!
Great all round review, thank you!
For years I used Kindles but a few weeks ago I bought my first Kobo, the Libra 2 and I have to say I love it. I actually prefer it to the Kindle. I love the Kobo eco system as well. But I’m still going to use the K as I still have a few unread books on it.
I like the indentation on the KL2, it makes it very comfortable to hold.
I love your cat, she is so cute! 😻
If you lrarn to tinker with it like installing patches and nickelmenu, you are going to love it even more.
Thanks for helping to make my mind what I want! Great video and good explanation.
Yours review are so nice to follow. I really like length and the details you put in to it... check out the light flickering, it seems that the camera shutter isn't synced with the lighting.
Great review! Thanks a lot!
Mine wasn't unfortunately not delivered with the fur and cute little legs... maybe it the color. 🤣🤣🦭
I recently got a Libra 2 and I love it. I have a Kindle Paperwhite from a couple years ago and a Boox Nova Air and the screen is miles above both, at least imo. So crispy.
I read on the bus to and from work approx 45 mins each way and usually also a couple of hours at home and sometimes for an hour or so at lunch, and also spent several hours on a couple of Saturdays reading. I wasn't really keeping track but I think I get a week or more out of a charge. Pretty decent.
I got the sleep cover, but I ended up returning it, as I did not find it comfortable to use. I found it added too much bulk, and it did make it a fair bit heavier. I have small hands for a guy, but I didn't think my hands were especially weak. Possibly had to do with the angle I was using it at first. But I don't really miss it either.
220$ bought in Poland today.
Thx for video,it helped me to make a right chose!
Very excellent information, just subscribed your channel as I am much interested in reading and so in Ebook readers. Liked this one Kobo Libra 2.
An excellent overview of the Kobo Libra 2 product. In fact, all of the videos on this channel are excellent and helped me decide on which product to purchase. I was debating between the Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Sage and Kindle Paperwhite 2021. The battery issue kept me from the Sage which left the Libra 2 and Paperwhite neck and neck. I actually thought about getting both products but the Black Friday prices offered today sealed the deal with the Kindle Paperwhite for me. One last comment. I teach technology a lot in my career and rarely do I see someone who has the natural gift of teaching something technical. This gentleman definitely has the gift. Thanks for these videos. Despite my purchase decision I will continue to watch your videos because they are just so darned interesting.
Thank you very much :)
@@MyDeepGuide Could you elaborate on import and export capabilities of devices, i.e., if I highlight texts or markup with a pen can I export those notes to my desktop computer?
Not sure about where you are, but in Canada, Kindle does not support library books or sharing books with other Kindle users (which I believe they can in the US). So even though the Paperwhite might be cheaper up front, it is can be more expensive in the long run, depending on how you use it.
Thorough review. Thank you.
Thank you for giving us in depth reviews and testing! It's much appreciated.
As a side note: you should narrate books, you have such a nice voice and intriguing accent!
Thank you :)
I've had a Kobo Libra H20 for a couple of years. I looked at everything available in the UK before I bought it. The clincher for me is that Kobo supports both Overdrive and Libby which means I can access my local library's stock. So I'm not tied into buying either Kindle's or Kobo's over-priced e-books. I'm a fast reader and buying books for fun would be expensive for me. Using the library is genius!
Perfect Review ❤️
Accompanies me everywhere!
Very nice review 👌
I have the forma and love it but I have the 8gb and its getting old. So I order the libra 2 tonight and order a cover from amazon. Will be here sunday. I hope I like the smaller size.
Great review and I love your cat 😂
Love my Libra 2. Upgrading from a PW4 and it's night and day. I still prefer a dedicated e-reader than an e-ink tablet.
The new e-ink Carta 1200 screen has amazing contrast. Been using (really) thin serif fonts and it remains sharp without the need to add font weight. And the screen is perfectly uniform. Battery solid on mine considering my usage. Lasts for ~1.5 weeks, reading for 4+ hours per day with 21% brightness setting.
My main gripe is it isn't as well built as a Kindle. Holding the device on certain points make it creak. And the buttons don't actuate throughout. It's harder to press the closer you get where they meet in the middle. Also something annoying with Kobo software, it doesn't enforce user typesetting. Publisher typesetting gets priority. Making the same settings for font size, line spacing and margins widely different from book to book. So I need to keep readjusting it. Unlike the Kindle that ignores publisher typesetting when you aren't using publisher font.
I've been using Plato and/or KOReader to match the performance speed of a Kindle. And gets rid of the inconsistent typesetting. Kobo sucks at developing their software.
so from your comment kindle much better than kobo
@@ahmedmohmed1341 Oh no. I like my Libra 2. The screen alone is worth the upgrade from a PW4. I can't go back. There are just things that annoy me about it which makes it less than "perfect".
@@FireFr0ggy what about PW5? Is it better than Libra 2? Can't decide between the two
Koreader is the best UI ever !
just picked one up and I loved the Libra H2o better for holding and using, The Libra 2 I find much harder to use the page turn buttons because of the ridge on the edge. Maybe if you dont have big thumbs it would be okay but as is it is big hindrance
Thanks for sharing your Kobo Libra 2 experience. Was wondering if you can highlight text to notes and export them? I like to capture quotes and review books. Also, I have books in PDFs I'd like to do this with, but heard somewhere that it can't capture PDFs like Kindles can... Is this correct?
Waiting for note air 2 in depth review!!! Pls man!
Does panel/guided view work in Kobo Libra 2? My son likes that feature in Kindle when he’s reading graphic novel/comics.
Beautiful voice ASMR. Hear this is a pleasure.
for an eReader this size that side grip and the back texture probably helps holding it, but on my 6" Kindle I glued a phone ring on the back (on that swivels) and it improved the comfort and security of the grip a lot, but this extra side grip and textured back on the Libra turn from advantages to disadvantages.
Yeah if you are not interested in note taking, definitely go for the Libra 2. It is a very good price. Sage has flush screen & wacom layer, so contract wont be as sharp as in Libra 2.
I think Libra 2 is a unique device atm, sporting a Carta 1200 sunken screen. There is nothing like it on the market.
My friend wants a dedicated e reader and I'm recommending she get the Kobo Libra - although the 'coming soon' Boox Leaf looks good.
There something to be said about a dedicated reader being focused on doing just that and nothing else :) I kinda like that with the Libra and similar dedicated e-book readers.
@@MyDeepGuide - and the price is so good - why spend £3-400 for functionality you don't need?
Which e-reader do u recommend for pdfs? thank you
My grandparents had a cat that looked a lot like Lucy Blue. She was a very calm old girl that would sleep on the shelf above the aga, and she had matts in her fur but she ate well and patiently let me pat and brush her, but avoided everone else (I was 5 but a calm kid).
Yes, Lucy Blue has to be brushed every day as well, as mats can form very easily, and they can become painful, if not regularly treated.
But I honestly don't know who enjoys more when we brush her, she or we ❤️😁
Hello! I have one question: can I somehow transfer files (books in ebup format, for example) from my phone/computer to Kobo Libra? Is WiFi or USB works in that case, can I use them while transferring? Thanks)
I would pay big bucks for lucky blue edition
I'm fairly set on upgrading from my Pocketbook Touch HD to this one (as I've been looking for something that is little bit bigger in screen size, while still being portable and has those physical keys). The added weight is my only concern (Libra H2O being 192g and Touch HD being 155g), but other than that, the pros that the new screen bring definitely seem to outweigh the reasons to go for the last gen devices.
Hopefully you don't mind, but I have few questions on some small details.
- You said the difference in weight is there, but it isn't huge. Have you noticed at all that your hands get more fatigued or anything like that if you read on Libra 2 for longer periods of time vs. Libra H20?
- You said you enjoy the texture on the back: how grippy would you say it is? Pocketbook Touch HD is a bit slippery when without the case, I'd prefer more grippy back as I often use the device without case at home.
- Lastly, the review unit you got is black, while your H20 is white. This is perhaps a little silly question, but which one do you prefer: white or black? Some people claim that the contrast apparently look better on a black unit. Do you think there is something to this or its just a personal preference?
P.S. I dig the background music a lot in your videos - is it your own or can you tell who is the artist? Is the music available on bandcamp or somewhere else to buy/listen? :)
- The weight and chunkiness is something I immediately noticed, mainly because my hands have grown so used to the H2O. However, it's not something that brings fatigue or anything like that, but I was aware of the fact that it's a bit heaver than the H2O or the Pocketbook or the Poke 2 that I also used a lot. Nothing that bothered me, I was simply aware of it, if that makes sense.
- it's very grippy. That mesh relief is a very smart way of doing it, plus, the plastic on the Libra 2 is in itself less slippery than the one on the H2O. I also don't use the case, as I use it indoors, and I never had it slip or attempt to slip during the testing period.
- I prefer the white color, always, because it causes less strain in the eyes and there is less contrast (natural one) attacking the eyes. Perception that the contrast is stronger is true, but this is merely an optical illusion and a manifestation of the strain that I talking about, because with a black frame you have a main silhouette (the device) and then the content being filled inside of that silhouette (which is a secondary process for our interpretation of the picture the eyes send to the brain). Additionally, on a pure physical basis you have a dark frame, bright background of the screen and then black content inside of it again. Because of that combo, the eyes strain much more and we see blacker blacks and whiter whites (stronger contrast).
On a white device you have none of those things and the "contrast" setting of our eyes and the brain are much more relaxed, meaning, less strain on the eyes and, more importantly, ability to discern finer details in the dark content of the screen, as it is the main and the only silhouette we are focusing on.
- music is not my own, it is from a licencing site called Epidemic Sound :)
@@MyDeepGuide Incredible, thanks for the very throughout reply, especially regarding that black vs. white question! I think I'm leaning towards getting a white device for a change, but I'm curious about one last thing: at least on the video, your device seems to be in a good shape. Is the white device typically more prone to showing dirt, scratches, yellowing etc. over time, in your experience?
This will depend on the individual. Personal hygiene, maintaining of the device, storing of the device, all of those will have a profound impact on a device over a long term use. Some people treat their devices as garbage, and then they end up looking like garbage. Some people don't and their devices can look as brand new even after years of use.
I'd like a waterproof e-reader with buttons. Is this still the best of the bunch that meets that criteria? Seems like it to me. Either the Libra 2 or H2O, if I can find one.
I'm really struggling to choose between kobo and pocketbook. The pocketbook let's me read on the cloud between multiple devices but kobo wins in every other aspect
Which of the two colors did you like most? I like both and can't decide on which one I want... Also loved the video!
I prefer the white one, and I do explain why in the video :)
Hello , and what about the new kobo device ? Thanks
thanks man perfect nice smooth and trusted truth Review
Thank you :)
More excellenter :) hahahahaha That should be the main reason to ever buy the Libra 2 :) Excellenter video, sir!
did you talk about the display reflections?
Have anyone found a way to side load audio books? Seems Libra 2 only allows audio books purchased from Kobo store
you just need to change the file name. A quick google search will show you.
With the web browser on, are you able to scroll the pages with the buttons on the side of the libra?
After the latest firmware update, my Libra won't turn on if the wi-fi is off. Has anyone else experienced this issue?
Can't wait for your review of Air Note 2 and Lumi 2. When are they coming out?
They are next in line. I've finished testing and data gathering for both devices, so I am ready to start recording and editing. I will try to have the Note Air 2 done for Saturday, but it's not a guarantee, since it's a lot of work and very time consuming. Max Lumi 2 will be for next week.
@@MyDeepGuide I am sure it is very time consuming. Your hard work is very much appreciated.
can we search book by keywords ?
Hello, I just got the Kobo Libra 2, sometimes you can see some marks from the previous page. It's my first e-book, I don't know if it's normal or if the device is defective. Thank you very much.
Yes, this is normal and it is called ghosting. This is how E-Ink screens work and why you have a full screen refresh command that will redraw the whole screen, to eliminate ghosting.
The button closer to the logo is less clicky and gives you less mechanical feedback than the other one. Is it a problem of just mine or is it common?
On the unit I had both felt equal.
Looks awesome! I can't decide between Libra 2 or Paperwhite 5. Heard Libra 2's screen looks better but PW5 runs faster. Any advice?
I haven't used PW5, so I don't have a reference point for comparison. Can't help here, unfortunately.
Libra 2 can match or even faster than PW5 if you install koreader.
@@jazminlei what’s Koreader?
@@krugmeup2162 it's an alternative ereader application that you can install on kobo.
Does Pocket integration not work properly? (At least I get this from the review) This would be a reason to replace my older Kindle Paperwhite (and the physical buttons). Can you please clarify?
No, it's something with my account, it never works. Other users report that it works good, and for few it works sporadically.
It works great on my Kobo Sage. It worked awesome on my Libra 2 too
It works flawlessly on my Kobo Elipsa too. From what I had read on Mobile E-reader forums, I wouldn't say that is a general issue.
The Lucy Blue Edition hahaha
For purely e-reading; is this a better experience than the Boox Nova Air?
It depends what you want to read. If you're interested in reading EPUBs, then yeah, it's more convenient and has a better image clarity. If you want to use it for reading PDFs, then no, because it doesn't have the extensive formatting options that Nova Air has.
@@MyDeepGuide thanks!
I only got my 10th Gen Base model Kindle last year. So tempted by the Kobo Libra 2.... But is that wasting the money i spent on the Kindle?
Yes, because you will not be able to read Kindle books on a Kobo device, as they are direct competitors. It would be like trying to play a PlayStation game on an XBox :)
@@MyDeepGuide Oh i can convert them. I figured out a way around that so i think a Kobo is in my near future
My Libra 2's contrast and screen uniformity compared to my Libra H20 is miles better. The text are crisp black compared to thr greyish text on the Libra h2o. And the frontlight is amazingly evenly spread. A bit heavier yes, but if you do not have the h2o to compare it with, then you won't notice it. The plastic used is even better in the new model. It is not as ssshiny and fingerprint magnet as its predecessor.
Is what you see compared here in the video the similar difference that you characterize as "miles better", because it's something that sounds like a fairly subjective characterization. This is why I included both devices at the same time showing the same content, so that people can have a more objective view of what the differences actually look like in reality.
@@MyDeepGuide i do not know about your h2o but in my case my h2o has noticeable grayish contrast of the text which is not improved much even by increasing the font weight. Also my h2o has an uneven screen tint that does not show in photos and videos but noticeable in actual use. When i first turned on the libra 2, the difference is screaming and the best screen i had so far compared to my pw4, likebook p78, libra h20. The lilebook has the whitest page of them all but the libra 2 has the best contrast. Even the darkmode is crisper black than the other devices
I think only thing that keeps me prefering Libra 2 over Sage is the better battery life.
I don't have any e-readers though, it would be a first for me.
Yeah that battery life problem is fatal.
@@yuzurin0623 Yes, that's why I bought the Libra 2, its size is actually perfect for carrying it anywhere without being cumbersome. I actually have been charging it every 2 and a half months or so, it's great.
@@Tonceitoys Tho I've go to store to compare those two, I would say Sage is still carryable.But 6 inches Libra2 is on another level, imagine you can simply go out with a shoulder bag , that's amazing.(Although I decided to buy Boox nova air, I still considering about buy a Libra2 lol)
Can I import my Kindle books?
No, because this is a Kobo device that uses the Kobo library of books, same as you can't import Kobo books on a Kindle. You can, however, do a process of de-DRM-ing of books and convert them to epub or pdf formats, but legality of that process is shady at best, so it's not something I can tell you how to do, nor encourage you to do.
I held off too long in buyibg a Libra 2 because Kobo was releasing its new range in 2024. Sadly, the Libra Colour does not seem to be anywhere near the reading quality of the Libra 2 and now the Libra 2 is unavailable for purchase, likely discontinued. A Libra BW would have dominated the market.
Black ore white?
Hello. What happened to the Air Note 2 Review plan?
It's waiting it's turn. These devices arrived first, so I do them first.
@@MyDeepGuide Ok, thank you for answering.
is it worth to upgrade to l2 or not
If you check the conclusion you will hear the answer.
Do you prefer the black or white color?
White one, less contrast and more comfortable for reading.
I guess the Kobo Libra2 is the Tolino Vision 6
What about performance comparison between H2O and Libra 2?
This isn't a comparison video, plus, what to compare? Page flipping and opening of books? They both perform as you would expect them. If there are differences, they are very minor, but generally speaking, maybe the Libra 2 is a bit snappier in general operations, but nothing that I noticed as being a huge difference.
@@MyDeepGuide thanks! Since you compared so much with the H2O, I thought you might just include the performance as well.
I have a Clara HD. I'm trying to decide which one to upgrade to, and the page flipping speed is a minor annoyance I have with the current one.
I haven't used Clara HD, so I don't know. As for the performance difference between the 2 Libra's, very minor, practically the same.
When it comes to handheld devices, I wish more manufacturers would use the same type of plastic Kobo uses. I hate the feel of magnesium alloy in higher end products of other companies, which adds weight and almost always feels cold to the touch.
Hhahaha I love the cat humor 😂❤😊
$219.00 in Newfoundland
Curious as to why Dark Mode wasn't mentioned? I believe it is a new feature for Kobo's at this price point?
It was mentioned in the specifications, but not shown simply because it's a completely basic inverted function, nothing really special about it. I mean, it works as one would expect it to.
@@MyDeepGuide thank you for explaining. :) Also thank you for all the deep guides!
@@MyDeepGuide Is it really just a completely basic inverted function? I thought there were new waveforms for it and it also doesn't invert everything the way their old Invert screen config did with images and the UI elements.
From what I tested, in eBooks it looks like a normal inversion of the content. Maybe they are doing something fancy, but at the end of the day, it looks and feels like a regular inversion. Maybe the stuff you mentioned is how images are treated, to get good contrast vies in inverted mode, but I would consider that basic functionality because you need to do some tweaking of how to invert which type of content to maintain it's look, and not just explode it. So yeah, it's a nicely functional inversion mode, but in the end, it's just a dark mode, useful and nice, but at this point, kinda expected from a dedicated reader device to have.
@@MyDeepGuide It would have been great to compare the Dark Mode on each devices side by side, testing with brightness 0% 10% 20%, I think the Libra 2 has deeper darks than Libra H2o
Using a pen for a notetaking is a beta feature. Do you think it will be developed futher?
For example, notetaking while reading or making todo-lists...
That pattern on the back doesn't trap gunk?
Well, depends how dirty you intend to keep it :)
@@MyDeepGuide hmm, I've never had to clean my Oasis. It was just a passing concern.
Joking aside, I don't know. Libra H2O has the same set and I never had any gunk in it, but I did use it for the majority of time in the cover, so that would negate that side.
Is libra 2 comes with stylus?
No, as it's not officially writing capable, even though there is an interesting trick that can get it to reproduce strokes, but as normal use, no, this is just a reader.
I was a bit disappointed not having pdf reflow capability at first and the pocket sync is not 100% reliable. And I'm of course looking forward to an update to get proper Dropbox sync.
But Hey...
My girlfriend isn't perfect either. ;) ... but I love them nonetheless.
Sideloading books and audiobooks are not a big issue. That's great because I already had a zillion public domain ebooks on my phone before I knew about Kobo.
I use Calibre for book management and it works great with the Libra2.
Thanks a lot for great reviews.
I really appreciate your channel.
And again... I love ❤️ this reader.
and would recommend it to anyone except for ppl already stuck in the Kindle ecosystem.
youre like a goody two shoes version of flossy carter on youtube. thanks for the review tho
I don't know who that is, or what that reference means.
Good video with a ton of ads.
Great review! Thank you.