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Kobo Forma — 2018
Kobo

Kobo Forma

2018

80
/ 100
From $279
VS
Kobo Libra Colour wins by 9
Kobo Libra Colour — 7″ E Ink Kaleido 3 · stylus · page buttons
Kobo

Kobo Libra Colour

7″ E Ink Kaleido 3 · stylus · page buttons

89
/ 100
From $219
Specdex verdict

Kobo Libra Colour takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Kobo Forma lands at 80 and Kobo Libra Colour at 89. That puts Kobo Libra Colour ahead by 9 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Kobo Forma if…

  • ✓Weeks of battery
  • ✓Glare-free E Ink
  • ✓Lightweight

Pick Kobo Libra Colour if…

  • ✓Color E Ink (Kaleido 3)
  • ✓Physical page-turn buttons
  • ✓Stylus support for notes
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Battery

Kobo Forma

Compared on the battery sub-score

Kobo Forma leads on battery (94 vs 92).

Display

Kobo Libra Colour

Compared on the display sub-score

Kobo Libra Colour leads on display (88 vs 80).

Speed

Kobo Libra Colour

Compared on the speed sub-score

Kobo Libra Colour leads on speed (86 vs 80).

Value for money

Kobo Libra Colour

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Kobo Libra Colour more score per dollar ($219 vs $279).

Kobo Forma 80
vs
89 Kobo Libra Colour

Score breakdown

Kobo Forma
80
display 80
speed 80
battery 94
ecosystem 84
Kobo Libra Colour
89
display 88
speed 86
battery 92
ecosystem 82

Specs side-by-side

Kobo Forma versus Kobo Libra Colour — full spec comparison
Spec Kobo Forma Kobo Libra Colour
Release year
2018
—
Display
—
7″ E Ink Kaleido 3
Storage
—
32 GB
Stylus
—
Yes (optional)

Kobo Forma

Pros
  • +Weeks of battery
  • +Glare-free E Ink
  • +Lightweight
Cons
  • −Slow refresh
  • −Ecosystem lock-in (most)
  • −Color options muted

Kobo Libra Colour

Pros
  • +Color E Ink (Kaleido 3)
  • +Physical page-turn buttons
  • +Stylus support for notes
Cons
  • −Color is muted vs LCD
  • −Slower refresh
  • −Smaller store than Amazon

FAQ: Kobo Forma vs Kobo Libra Colour

Which is better, Kobo Forma or Kobo Libra Colour? +

Kobo Libra Colour scores 89 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 9. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Kobo Forma worth the price? +

At $279, Kobo Forma delivers a Specdex score of 80 — strongest in battery.

Is Kobo Libra Colour worth the price? +

At $219, Kobo Libra Colour delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in battery.

Does Kobo Forma or Kobo Libra Colour last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for battery, Kobo Forma or Kobo Libra Colour? +

Kobo Forma — leads on battery (94 vs 92). Compared on the battery sub-score.

Which is better for display, Kobo Forma or Kobo Libra Colour? +

Kobo Libra Colour — leads on display (88 vs 80). Compared on the display sub-score.