Quick answer: If you are looking for an ereader in Singapore, the Kobo Libra Colour gives you vibrant colour and waterproofing for poolside reading. The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 runs Android so you can juggle Kindle, Kobo and Libby. For sharp black-and-white text without frills, the Kobo Clara BW is light, budget-friendly and plays nice with the NLB. Students and note-takers will want the big-screen Kobo Elipsa 2E, while the phone-sized Onyx Boox Palma 2 slips into your pocket for the MRT.
Kobo Libra Colour
The Kobo Libra Colour is a 7-inch ereader you can get online in Singapore, and it is one of the few with a colour E Ink screen that actually makes comics, graphic novels and even book covers feel alive. It uses an E Ink Kaleido 3 display that packs 300ppi for black-and-white text and 150ppi for colour, so your novels stay crisp while illustrations get a proper lift. You get 32GB of storage, enough for thousands of titles, and audiobook support over Bluetooth when your eyes need a break. The IPX8 waterproof rating means you can read by the pool or in the bath without that small panic, and stylus support (stylus sold separately) lets you scribble notes on the go. It plays especially well with the National Library Board’s OverDrive, so borrowing ebooks is a few taps away — no need to keep buying. Rakuten built it with repairability and recycled materials in mind, which feels right for a device you will use for years.
Available online 24/7 via Kobo’s official store, Shopee and Lazada. Check the latest price at Kobo Libra Colour.
If you love illustrated books and want something you can bring to the pool without a second thought, this one is a shiok choice. The NLB integration alone saves you a small fortune over time, and the colour display makes the whole browsing experience much more enjoyable than a plain black-and-white reader. It is light enough to hold with one hand on a crowded train, and the page-turn buttons are a nice touch for lazy weekends at a café.
Onyx Boox Go Color 7
The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 brings Android 12 to an ereader, so you can install Kindle, Kobo, Libby — whatever app you need to get at your books. It has the same 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 colour screen as the Libra Colour, with 300ppi for text and 150ppi for colour, plus 64GB of storage that dwarfs most rivals. Physical page-turn buttons sit comfortably under your thumb and the whole thing weighs just 6.9oz, which is lighter than it looks. Because it runs full Android, you can borrow library books through the Libby app, shop around different ebook stores, or even read web articles saved to Pocket. It is not officially waterproof, so maybe keep it away from the pool, but as a do-everything colour reader for a tech-savvy user it is hard to beat.
Available online through Boox’s official store and Shopee Singapore. View it at Onyx Boox Go Color 7.
This is our own selection, not a paid one. Tell us if there is somewhere we should have included.
If you already have books scattered across different platforms, the Go Color 7 pulls them all together without making you switch devices. It is especially handy for NLB users who prefer the Libby app over built-in OverDrive, and the extra storage means you can load a whole graphic novel collection and still have room. The back panel feels a little less premium than the price suggests, but the reading experience itself is solid.
Kobo Clara BW
The Kobo Clara BW is the compact option for anyone who just wants crisp black-and-white reading on a 6-inch screen that fits into a small sling bag. Its E Ink Carta 1300 display is sharp at 300ppi, turns pages noticeably fast, and does not feel like a compromise despite being an entry-level device. With 16GB of storage you can still carry thousands of books, and the IPX8 waterproofing means a sudden downpour on the way to work will not kill it. The body uses 85% recycled plastic, which is a nice bonus for eco-conscious readers. OverDrive is built in for NLB borrowing, and Bluetooth lets you switch to audiobooks when your eyes get tired. Battery life stretches to about four weeks with regular use, so charging becomes an afterthought.
Available online through Kobo’s official site and Lazada Singapore. Browse at Kobo Clara BW.
This is the one to get if you just read novels and want a light, fuss-free device that does not burn a hole in your wallet. At 174g it is barely there in your bag, and the NLB integration alone makes it a smart long-term buy. If your reading is all black text on a white page, you honestly do not need colour — and the Clara BW is sharper for that than any colour screen at the same price. For a deeper dive into dedicated ebook readers, you can glance at our earlier post on Discover Finest Ebook Readers in Singapore.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft finally brings colour to the Kindle line-up, and Singapore readers who are already deep in the Amazon ecosystem will find it a natural, familiar upgrade. It uses a 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display with 300ppi in black-and-white and 150ppi in colour, supported by 32GB of storage and Audible audiobook playback via Bluetooth. The IPX8 waterproofing and wireless charging add a touch of everyday convenience, and the battery can last up to 12 weeks — you might genuinely forget where the charger is. Graphic novels and richly illustrated book covers look vivid, though the colour resolution is a step below a tablet. This is a Kindle through and through: it pulls its content from the Amazon store, so library borrowing through OverDrive or Libby is not on the menu.
Available online via Amazon Singapore and some authorised retailers like Best Denki. Check it out at Amazon Kindle Colorsoft.
If you already own a library of Kindle books and rarely borrow from the NLB, this gives you a splash of colour without learning a new system. The wireless charging is especially nice on a bedside table, and the long battery life means you can take it on a two-week trip without a cable. It sits at a premium price point, so it makes the most sense when you know you will stick to the Amazon universe.
Onyx Boox Palma 2
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 is basically a phone-sized ereader that runs Android 13, so you can slip it into your pocket and read anywhere you get a spare five minutes. Its 6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen delivers 300ppi in crisp monochrome, and with 128GB of internal storage plus a microSD slot you can carry a staggering number of books, audiobooks and even some light games. Bluetooth 5.1 and a built-in speaker mean you can listen to audiobooks without reaching for earbuds. It supports the Libby app for NLB borrowing, alongside Kindle, Kobo and anything else you install from the Google Play Store. This is not a colour reader, so it is purely for text-heavy content, but the form factor is so convenient it changes when and where you read.
Available online through Boox’s official store and Shopee Singapore. See details at Onyx Boox Palma 2.
If you are the type who sneaks in a few pages while queuing for food or waiting for a friend, this form factor makes total sense. It is lighter than most phones and the E Ink screen is genuinely comfortable outdoors under Singapore’s sun. Pair it with a set of wireless earbuds and you have an audiobook machine that fits in the smallest clutch. For the full chill-out setup at home, take a look at our guide on Portable Air Conditioners in Singapore for Sophisticated Comfort — nothing beats reading in a cool room.
Kobo Elipsa 2E
For students and anyone who scribbles notes while reading, the Kobo Elipsa 2E gives you a huge 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 display at 227ppi and a USB-C rechargeable stylus that writes with a natural feel. You can mark up PDFs, sketch flowcharts, solve equations and journal, all on a screen that is easy on the eyes during long study sessions. 32GB of storage handles a whole semester’s worth of textbooks and papers, and cloud connectivity through Dropbox and Google Drive keeps everything in sync. OverDrive is built right in for NLB borrowing, and it supports EPUB files so you are not locked into a single store. The body uses recycled plastics and the whole device is repairable — important when you plan to use it daily for years.
Available online via Kobo’s official website and Lazada Singapore. Explore it at Kobo Elipsa 2E.
If your reading involves highlighting, annotating, and jotting down ideas, this is the one that actually replaces a stack of paper and a highlighter. It is also great for reading comics on a larger canvas without squinting. The NLB compatibility means you can borrow research materials without paying a cent, and the Advanced Notebooks feature makes organising class or meeting notes far tidier than a physical notebook.
PocketBook Color Ereader
The PocketBook Color Ereader is a compact 6-inch device that gives you colour E Ink without the higher price tag of larger options. Its screen handles 300ppi in black-and-white and 100ppi in colour, so while colour images are not pin-sharp they are perfectly serviceable for illustrated novels, comics and magazine-style layouts. With 16GB of storage expandable via microSD up to 32GB, you can load a generous mix of formats — EPUB, PDF, CBR, and more — plus it works with the Pocket app to save web articles for later reading. The 160g body is really light, and the battery lasts long enough that you charge it roughly as often as you remember to water a plant.
Available online through Shopee and Lazada Singapore. Find it at PocketBook Color Ereader.
This is our own selection, not a paid one. Tell us if there is somewhere we should have included.
If you want colour on a small screen and do not need waterproofing or stylus support, the PocketBook is a straightforward, affordable way in. The expandable storage is a real plus for comic collectors who like to sideload their own files. It is also one of the few ereaders that reads CBR and CBZ formats natively, which saves you the trouble of converting files. After you have found the perfect ereader, you might also like to pair it with the right supplements for eye health; our piece on Vitamin Brands in Singapore for Sophisticated Well-Being Seeker has some thoughtful recommendations.
How to choose
Picking the right ereader starts with two questions: what kind of content you read most, and where you get your books. Colour displays make a real difference for comics, graphic novels and illustrated non-fiction, but they cost more and the colour layer slightly softens black text. If you read mostly novels, a black‑and‑white screen like the Kobo Clara BW will actually look sharper and cost less. Think about whether you borrow from the NLB — Kobo devices have OverDrive baked in, Onyx Boox models let you run the Libby app, and the Kindle Colorsoft relies on Amazon’s own store. Size matters too: a 6‑inch screen is pocketable and easy to hold one‑handed on the MRT, while a 10.3‑inch screen is better for marking up documents but needs a bag. Battery life across all these devices is measured in weeks, not days, so that is rarely a deciding factor. Check official stores for current pricing — basic black‑and‑white models tend to start lower, while colour and note‑taking devices sit at a premium.
| Model | Screen Size | Display | Storage | Waterproof | Note‑Taking | NLB Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kobo Libra Colour | 7-inch | Colour (Kaleido 3) | 32GB | IPX8 | Stylus support (pen sold separately) | Yes (OverDrive) |
| Onyx Boox Go Color 7 | 7-inch | Colour (Kaleido 3) | 64GB | No | No | Yes (via Libby app) |
| Kobo Clara BW | 6-inch | Black & white (Carta 1300) | 16GB | IPX8 | No | Yes (OverDrive) |
| Amazon Kindle Colorsoft | 7-inch | Colour (Kaleido 3) | 32GB | IPX8 | No | Amazon ecosystem only |
| Onyx Boox Palma 2 | 6.13-inch | Black & white (Carta 1200) | 128GB + microSD | No | No | Yes (via Libby app) |
| Kobo Elipsa 2E | 10.3-inch | Black & white (Carta 1200) | 32GB | No | Included stylus, Advanced Notebooks | Yes (OverDrive) |
| PocketBook Color Ereader | 6-inch | Colour (E Ink) | 16GB + microSD | No | No | Check with the business |
Summary
Whether you need colour for comics, a big screen for marking up documents, or a tiny device for the MRT, Singapore has a solid range of ereaders in 2025. All these picks work well with the NLB — most directly via OverDrive or the Libby app — so you can borrow ebooks without spending extra. Decide if you value colour, note‑taking or sheer portability, then pick the one that fits how you really read.
Disclaimer: Details can change. Confirm with the business before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Which ereader works with NLB OverDrive in Singapore?
Kobo devices like the Libra Colour, Clara BW and Elipsa 2E have built-in OverDrive. Onyx Boox devices run Android and support the Libby app for library borrowing. The Kindle Colorsoft does not support NLB borrowing natively.
Should I get a colour ereader or black-and-white?
Colour is great for comics, graphic novels and illustrated books. Black-and-white screens are sharper for plain text and usually cost less. Choose based on what you read most.
Can I use these ereaders for note-taking?
The Kobo Elipsa 2E includes a stylus and Advanced Notebooks for handwritten notes. The Kobo Libra Colour supports a stylus as an optional extra. Most other models here are focused on reading only.
Are these ereaders waterproof?
The Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Clara BW and Amazon Kindle Colorsoft have IPX8 waterproofing. The Onyx Boox Go Color 7, Onyx Boox Palma 2, Kobo Elipsa 2E and PocketBook Color Ereader are not officially waterproof.
Where can I buy ereaders in Singapore?
Most are sold online through official brand websites, Shopee or Lazada. Amazon devices are available on Amazon Singapore and at some physical retailers like Best Denki. Dedicated ereader showrooms are rare.
What is the battery life like on these devices?
Ereaders typically last weeks on a single charge. For example, the Kindle Colorsoft claims up to 12 weeks, while the Kobo Clara BW offers around four weeks depending on usage. Expect to charge far less often than a phone.