Kobo Sage vs Kobo Libra 2

Howdy, folks.

I spent the last month with the Kobo Sage and Kobo Libra. Needless to say, I did a lot of reading. But I also did a deep dive into what separates these two eReaders.

Including whether they can go in the shower...
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GEAR I USE
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CHAPTERS
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00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Price difference
00:41 - Build & design
02:04 - Software & Overdrive
02:52 - Kobo Plus subscription service
04:20 - Audiobook support
06:12 - Kobo Sage pros & cons
09:07 - Kobo Libra 2 pros & cons
10:02 - Graphic novels & manga
10:57 - Extra features
11:44 - Conclusion
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[Jose.J]

Great comparison, A+ for being so thorough and honest about the pros and cons. It's those little details like the mentioned necessary eye movements and reading distance adjustment that made the difference for me, thank you.

[protractman]

I've only started researching ereaders in the last few days but have watched a fair few videos. Yours has been hands down the best and most comprehensive review and has changed my opinion of the libra 2 from thinking its too expensive and premium for my meagre needs to thinking that it's a bargain and incredible value. Cheers

[arisantosa]

Well, damn. Someone who reviews ereader as an actual reader, paying attention to little but important details. Thank you, sir!

[jean-paulviaud]

Have both. In fact I got the Sage despite its (manageable!) limitations: the battery needs to be recharged more often, I get about 15 hours reading time rather than 20-25 on the Libra 2. But the screen is bigger and I often takes notes while reading for my job.

The Libra 2 (in white) is just a little bit smaller. I got it for my wife who has better eyesight than me and don’t take notes.

At the beach I had to stop reading because the black finish makes the reader hot real fast while the white Libra 2 has not heat issue il under the sun.

Moral of story: next time I’ll get the Sage again in white! 😜

[irenecheca]

You can regulate the margins in your Kobo devices, so just make them wider, so the reading surface is smaller, if that is more comfortable. Not a big con. For note taking, it is more convenient to have 8 inches (or more), so it is a nice middle ground to be able to do both: note-taking and e-reading.

[ingrid-c]

just bought a Libra 2 and was about to exchange it for a Sage just because of the dropbox feature. Thanks for the video, saved me a trip and a headache. I'll stick to the Libra 2 for now.

[eleratakis]

Great review. I have the Kobo Sage and love the bigger screen. I am reading everyday for at least one hour and charging the Kobo Sage every 3 Weeks. I am absolut fine with it.

[miya]

I got the older generation of the libra a while ago and it’s genuinely one of the best purchases I’ve made

[sgpika]

Thanks. I just ordered the Libra 2 this morning, will arrive tomorrow, I was just "let me check if I've made the best decision", and I guess I did.

[beanchuuu]

I'm close to a year late, but thank you so much for this. I was torn between both models and ended up going with the Sage due to what you said about graphic novels

[micahbragg]

I bought my Sage last month. the battery is an issue, but the pen support is insane. It has no peer when it comes to reading books and marking them up as you go: my favorite way to read.

[nonefvnfvnjnjnjevjenjvonej]

Canadians always get the short end of the stick for everything. Good to see Kobo focusing on us for once.

[savedfaves]

Paperback books are actually over 10" in size. The issue isn't the size of the Sage, the issue is the size of the bezels and the incorrect aspect ratio of the display itself, and the fact that you cannot hold the Sage's page margins like you do with a real book. What I'm actually looking for is a 10.1" trade paperback sized e-ink reader with the same aspect ratio as those real books... and here's the kicker: no bezels.

If there was an e-ink reader on the market that size with no bezels and where you in fact hold onto the page itself people would love it. It would mirror the experience of reading a real book. That's the experience I'm after. And there are ways to add page turning such as swipes and pressure sensitive squeeze gesture along the margin of the page to turn the page. That's the product I want. Mirror the real reading experience as close as possible.

[Diman]

Yes, to the bath tub... Reading while bath is just so relaxing...

[bananachocopie]

Only just bought my Libra 2 thanks to your review. I don’t mark up my books other than highlights so I’m ok with the lack of stylus. The battery life is nice. I love it. Thanks for the review again.

[sergeboivin]

Kobo Plus... Yes, I read 8 books out of a 10-book series on it, and the last 2 were not on Kobo PLUS, even though the whole series was completed in the mid-90s 😞

[JT-olxo]

I bought the Kobo sage for the 8" screen size and LOVE it. I wish there was more options for 8" e ink readers. The smaller screens require more page turns and seems to jolt me out of my reading trance which is why I'm no longer on my paperwhite or oasis. The weight on the Sage is fine and not an issue. The battery life is good and with the USB C, I can easily charge up if I need to. I use my Sage for reading and not note-taking (since I can do that on an iPad or phone) so there is no noticeable battery decline and after a day of use, I'm still around 75%. I know I'm not going to get the kindle battery life of six weeks, but don't need that since I always have a USB C available to top it off.

[angelicajacobs]

This was super helpful! My neighbour has sage and I'm borrowing an old Kobo from a friend and turned out I love it. I held her sage and felt like it was too big. I feel Libra or Clara maybe best for me. I like theres more place to hold the reader on Libra.

[BlazeingGoldReviews]

I use the sage daily. The battery lasts long enough for me. Plus I got the power cover to extend it. Best reader I've ever owned. I read souch more often.

[aaronmathias]

Fantastic watch! Based on your solid review, I have placed an order for the Kobo Libra 2. I was this close to buying the Sage but your review absolutely addressed all my queries and the final decision.
Look forward to more of your awesome work.

& oh, I am now one happy subscriber of your channel.