We tested the new Kobo Libra H2O, the waterproof 7-inch eReader

Lovers of digital reading! we bring you news from the eReader world. It is increasingly difficult to decide on an eReader device, since the characteristics between one device or another are increasingly similar, or that is what they sell us, and in the end it is the price that makes us decide on one device or another. All this taking into account that there has to be a "Something" that makes us value the change of device (as long as we already have one) and is that eReaders are probably the devices that we least need to update because old devices perfectly fulfill the main function of an eReader: show us a book that we can read comfortably.

Today we introduce you to the new member of the Kobo family, a recognized firm in the world of digital libraries that has a range of devices for all tastes. Now comes the Kobo Libra H2O, a mid-range device that brings us the great features to which we are getting used to from Kobo: waterproofing, quality screens with a high resolution and illuminated, and the return of the physical buttons. Do you want to know all the news about the Kobo Libra H2O? After the jump we give you all the details of this new eReader ...

This year 2019, the guys at Kobo have made a study of eBook readers, they say, 93% of these readers like to read because it helps them relax and escape the stress of everyday life. A 45% of these eBook lovers They also feel that their reading is deeper and that it catches them more when they do it in a eReader. And what have the Kobo guys done about it? launch the new Kobo Libra H2O eReader.

A new eReader with H2O surname, obvious surname if, as we see in the previous image, we take into account that this Kobo Libra H2O is the perfect eReader for any environment. And is that It has IPX8 protection, it can not only be wet, but can be submerged to a depth of 3 meters. And this is one of the main characteristics of the Kobo Libra H2O, and I have to say that it is true, I have even been able to turn the page when I was submerged ...

7-inch waterproof screen with 330 ppi waterproof resolution

And not only is it a submersible device, but it has one of the best screens that we have found in an eReader, a HD display with 300 ppi resolution, perfect for having sharp texts in the 7 inches it occupies. A size that can make us somewhat uncomfortable when holding the device with one hand and turning the page by pressing on the screen. The guys at Kobo have solved this problem by incorporating the physical buttons that we already have on the Kobo Forma, the top of the range of the company. This makes it much easier to turn the pageIn fact, it is something that I have always missed in similar devices that work with a touch interface.

El Kobo Libra H2O arrives as a replacement for the Kobo Aura H2O with this display increment, I change the design to the Kobo Forma style (without the frameless design of the Forma), quite ergonomic design that the arm does not tire us when holding it. Yes, it also comes with some full-color covers that we can also "fold" to hold it as a lectern.

And by user demand, rescue the white color for the device, a color that they stopped using after launching the Kobo Pocket a few years ago. But the demand rules, never better said, and users wanted a white device, and they have. And with the colorful cases that we talked about, the Kobo Libra H2O in white is probably the best option.

And as you can see in the previous image, the Kobo Libra H2O debuts ConfortLight Pro lighting, a front display illumination that is capable of vary its color temperature to suit lighting conditions that predominate in our environment. It does it automatically although we can also do it manually according to our preferences.

The result I have obtained is quite satisfactory and today I see it as an essential function of an eReader since if we do not have it we will miss it in many environments with low lighting. And today how fashionable is the topic of lighting with warm color temperatures that avoid cold tones that strain our eyes, the Comfort Light Pro is the perfect screen lighting.

Navigation thread, searching inside a book has never been easier

As you can see in the previous image, the guys at Kobo wanted this Kobo Libra H2O to have a navigation thread through the book. A new way of interacting with the device and our book that you will certainly appreciate. And it is that sometimes we read books, or documents, without a conventional thread from beginning to end, that is, sometimes we may need to go back to a previous point in the book, or advance to another to consult any type of information.

Thanks to book thread (as a timeline) that appears when you press at the bottom of the screen, we can move tactilely through it. As you can see, we will be shown a thumbnail of the page that we can change. Once we meet at the time of the book we want, we can go back to the previous moment just by pressing the black circles that appear in the thread; We can do it up to 3 different times. Something very useful as we tell you especially when we read non-fiction books or documents that we have imported into the Kobo Libra H2O.

Discover new books in the Kobo store from the Kobo Libra H2O itself

As with other eReaders (with Amazon specifically being Kobo's direct competition), we can access the book store directly from the device itself, or bookstore, virtual company. A virtual bookstore that has a catalog of about 6 million books and audiobooks in digital format, with prices ranging from 4 euros to 13 euros in most cases.

By the way, all books come with their corresponding metadata, and as you can see in the previous image, when suspending or shutting down the Kobo Libra H2O we will see on the screen the cover of the book we are reading. And no, having the cover on the screen does not consume battery since when loading the image on the screen through the impulse of electronic ink, it is already fixed, that is, it is not continuously refreshing. Yes, I know that it is the typical screensaver, but compared to others that show stock images, it is appreciated that the cover of the book we are reading is shown (it can be changed if we do not want anyone to see this).

Save articles to Pocket and read them whenever you want from the Kobo Libra H2O

However not only can we add books purchased through the Kobo virtual bookstoreWe can also do it by connecting the Kobo Libra H2O to our device as if it were an external drive so that they are then imported into our library. Also, unlike its main competitor, the Kindle, the devices Kobo use books in EPUB format, a format that in my point of view provides much more than the Mobi used by Amazon. But as with other Kobo models, we can also use files PDF and navigate through them, yes, in this case we may lose some of the options for reading and controlling the typography.

But what I liked the most is the possibility to use our Pocket account on the Kobo Libra H2O. As simple as saving a post or news that we see on the internet in our Pocket news manager, and having it instantly in our eReader. Something quite useful since in our day to day we can see ourselves in the need to save articles from our smartphone when we are on the street, and with this function we can read the article from a "Reader" view (with all the possibilities to change the font, etc) Whithout ads to distract us.

Returning to eBooks, with this new Kobo Libra H2O it is capable of holding up to 6000 books nothing more and nothing less, obviously you have to take into account the size of these but it is a fairly approximate capacity. A capacity that escapes us considering that some studies speak of We will only be able to read between 2000 and 4000 books in our entire life.

Where to buy the new Kobo Libra H2O

The moment of decision has arrived, there are many options we have in the eReader market even focusing on a single brand like Kobo. This new Kobo Libra H2O is priced at € 179,99 (Yes it could be cheaper), a price that we would have to compare with the price of the Amazon Kindle Oasis, the main competitor in terms of eReader features, which is priced at 249,99 euros. So yes the Kobo Libra H2O is cheaper. It will be available from September 17 (reservations on the 10th) at the Kobo official page (in the devices section), and in Fnac (its main retailer) in most European countries.

So now you know, if you are thinking of buying an eReader, the new Kobo Libra H2O may be a great option. As you have seen, it has everything expected of a device with these characteristics. The eReader market little else can change and this device has everything you need to enjoy a good book wherever we are. We recommend your purchase, the Kobo Libra H2O is a good eReader.

Kobo Libra H2O Photo Gallery