E
%Begin Kobo Forma Review: An E-Reader That Takes Reading Seriously Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Tablets
visibility
969 views
thumb_up
8 likes
H
If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 4.4
Kobo Forma
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener What We Like 8-inch touchscreen Waterproof Dropbox integration Vertical and horizontal orientation supported Lightweight and comfortable to hold Adjustable front-light color What We Don't Like Shadows from the front light Expensive The Kobo Forma combines a class-leading screen size with desirable integrations, file support flexibility, and multiple reading options for the shopper who’s ready to make a digital reading investment. View On Amazon View On Kobobooks.com 4.4Kobo Forma
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener View On Amazon View On Kobobooks.com in this article Expand Design Setup Process Display Reading Store and Software Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the Kobo Forma so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it.
thumb_up
10 likes
A
Keep reading for our full product review. If you’re after a thoughtfully designed e-reader with a large screen that puts the reading experience in your hands, both literally and figuratively, the Kobo Forma could be the best e-reader for you. Its generous 8-inch touchscreen is one of the hallmarks that separate this e-reader from Amazon Kindle competitors, and the e-reading experience with design touches that distinguish it from the crowd I spent some quality time with the Kobo Forma to test other highlights including waterproofness, front-lighting, and the abundance of reading options that are trademarks of Kobo e-readers.
thumb_up
46 likes
C
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Design Slim and versatile
While the Kobo Forma is wider than most e-readers at nearly 7 inches wide, it’s also quite slim. The bezel is extremely thin at just 0.16 inches and rests flat on all edges except the thicker left edge. This gripping edge is a bit thicker at 0.33 inches but this makes holding the Kobo Forma in one hand easy and secure-feeling.
thumb_up
24 likes
C
Its thin build and light weight (less than half a pound) felt evenly distributed and created no arm or hand strain despite my small hands. And the rubberized texture on the back of the e-reader adds a bit of grip assurance. The horizontal orientation flexibility and physical page-turn buttons located on the thicker edge of the e-reader add more comfort options.
thumb_up
11 likes
L
The buttons are well-placed, easy to reach, and responsive for easy advancing or revisiting older pages. I can’t say the same for the placement of the power button, which lives along the thicker edge of the Kobo Forma.
thumb_up
26 likes
N
For me, the placement was slightly awkward and the lack of give on the button required a hefty push. Its thin build and light weight felt very evenly distributed and created no arm or hand strain.
thumb_up
38 likes
Z
The touchscreen page-turn prompts are also very responsive. I chose to turn off touch prompts and stick with swiping motions only.
thumb_up
17 likes
J
This helped prevent any inadvertent page-turning if my fingers touched the screen while reading. The Kobo Forma is also ready to head with you to the beach or even for a soak in the bath. It has an IPX8 waterproof rating and Kobo says it’s good for up to an hour in 6.5 feet of water.
thumb_up
41 likes
N
I took a spray bottle to the screen and noticed that the water pooled immediately. But drying the screen was a bit of an annoyance since there’s no water-lock function and any swipe of the cloth registered as a touchscreen prompt.
thumb_up
29 likes
M
Still, the device dried very quickly which signals to me that it would be a fine addition to your beach bag. But it’s not dust- or sand-proof, so you’ll need to be cautious of debris. Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Setup Process Quick and painless
The Kobo Forma was extremely speedy to set up. There’s minimal equipment, just a micro USB cord for charging the device and transferring files to the e-reader.
thumb_up
26 likes
D
The charging cable has a protective covering similar to bungee cord material, which lends a heavier-duty and upscale feel to this small accessory. I didn’t need to fuss with charging out of the box since it was nearly 100 percent full. All I had to do was follow the prompts to log in with my Kobo account, set up Wi-Fi, and start browsing for titles.
Display Almost perfect
This e-reader stands out for its large 1920x1440, 8-inch display.
thumb_up
15 likes
N
Most competitors come in at 6 or 7 inches tops. It also has a pixel density of 300ppi, or pixels per inch, and that falls in line with other models as the general standard for e-readers these days.
thumb_up
18 likes
N
Like other e-ink readers, the Forma isn’t backlit, which means there’s no glare to deal with. Even in the brightest light visibility was great from every angle. The only hiccup I experienced with the display was with the front-light feature known as ComfortLight PRO.
thumb_up
21 likes
N
In daylight, there’s no need to use it, but when I used it around dusk and later in the evening, I noticed a distinct shadow on the left edge of the display. This was distracting, especially because I used the gesture control to swipe the left side of the screen to control the brightness.
thumb_up
4 likes
H
Every time I would raise and lower the light, I noticed it. This was a bit of a letdown, especially for nighttime reading.
thumb_up
17 likes
J
But the other benefit of the front-light feature is the built-in blue light reduction throughout the day. If I set the Natural Light setting to automatic, this was adjusted automatically for me, which I appreciated. You can also control this feature manually to create a warm orange hue, similar to candlelight, if you want to eliminate blue light altogether.
thumb_up
37 likes
L
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Reading Enjoy books with numerous reading options
Despite the larger screen, the Kobo Forma is still an e-ink product that renders all content in grayscale. If you’re a bookworm that wants an experience that mimics the act of reading a print book you’ll find that here. If you’re a fan of graphic novels and black-and-white comics, though, the Kobo Forma could still be up your alley.
thumb_up
49 likes
C
I downloaded a couple of graphic novels, and while I wasn’t that impressed with the contrast and quality (both were converted to grayscale from color), the large screen did make it very easy to view and read each panel—especially when I enabled large print mode, which is just a beta feature for now. If you’re a bookworm that wants an experience that mimics the act of reading a print book you’ll find that here. The multitude of reading options help you cater the reading experience based on your preferences.
thumb_up
6 likes
M
The automatic orientation shift is on by default, but you can also opt to lock the screen in vertical or horizontal reading mode. Because of the generous display, I didn’t have an issue with font size, but accessing font style, size, and margin and spacing preferences is easy from the reading menu—which you can also control the placement of. Kobo says there are 11 fonts and over 50 font styles loaded onto the device for more reading customization.
thumb_up
16 likes
A
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Store and Software Integrations heighten the experience
The Kobo Forma offers a solid 8GB of device storage, which is good enough for 6,000 e-books, according to Kobo. The standard e-book files are supported: EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, and MOBI.
thumb_up
45 likes
R
Ten other file types are supported for images as well as file reading. Plus, you can purchase e-books from other stores for use with your Kobo Forma.
thumb_up
11 likes
G
If they’re protected by Digital Rights Management(DRM), you’ll need to register for Adobe Digital Editions software, which is free, and set it up on your device. Transferring content from your computer to the device is also quite simple.
thumb_up
44 likes
E
Just plug in the e-reader to your computer and drag and drop content. The Dropbox integration is another handy way to add content directly to the Koba Forms. It’s as simple as signing in on the Forma, linking the two accounts, and adding files from your Dropbox account either through the desktop or web apps. If you stick with the Kobo e-book library, you’ll have access to over 6 million pieces of content, according to Kobo.
thumb_up
9 likes
H
In addition to the Kobo e-book selection, the brand has partnered with Walmart to bring more content to customers from the retailer’s e-book inventory. The Kobo app is another compliment to the reading experience since it automatically syncs your progress and allows you to keep up with whatever you’re reading on your Kobo Forma. If you’d like to purchase e- and audiobooks for your phone, you can do that through the Kobo site, which I think is the better way to do it because browsing the Kobo e-book library on the device isn’t the fastest experience.
thumb_up
12 likes
H
The multitude of reading options helps you cater the reading experience based on your preferences. Other highlights include the OverDrive and Pocket integrations. With a Pocket account, you can save articles from the web for reading on the Forma, which could be convenient for a plane ride or daily commute.
thumb_up
46 likes
J
I found the OverDrive support the best aspect of the Kobo Forma experience. All I had to do was locate my public library branch, input my card number, and within seconds I could download titles to the device.
Price Expensive for the casual reader
The Kobo Forma costs about $270, which is quite a bit of money to put down if you’re not a regular or devoted reader.
thumb_up
9 likes
W
Since there are no other bells and whistles like Bluetooth and audiobook support, the customer who would find this investment worth it is a person who exclusively consumes e-books and doesn’t require a lot of extras to take the plunge.
Kobo Forma vs Kindle Oasis
The Kindle Oasis is a close match to the Kobo Forma.
thumb_up
22 likes
C
It costs about the same and also comes with a 300ppi screen resolution, IPX8 waterproof rating, adaptive front lighting, and 8GB of storage (though both e-readers can be upgraded to 32GB), which Amazon says is good enough for thousands of books or over 35 audiobooks—which the Forma doesn’t support. The Oasis is only slightly lighter, even though it’s noticeably smaller, with a 7-inch screen and measuring 5.6 inches wide and 6.3-inches tall. But the width variation matches the Forma, which could offer a similar ergonomic reading experience.
thumb_up
45 likes
N
There are also similarly placed reading buttons. If you want a more upscale feel, you might prefer the aluminum body of the Kindle Oasis.
thumb_up
1 likes
D
But if audiobooks, Bluetooth connectivity, and access to Kindle content aren’t really your priorities, the Forma could be the better choice. With respect to battery charging and library book borrowing, the Kobo Forma take the edge at only 2 hours with the provided charger (the Oasis can charge faster than 2 hours if you purchase a separate charge from Amazon) and built-in OverDrive borrowing is more convenient than the Amazon integration that requires you to visit your library website to initiate the lending/downloading process. But if you want an opportunity to upgrade to an Audible subscription and 4G LTE support, and you’re willing to pay for it, the Kindle Oasis is your better bet. Final Verdict If you want to take e-reading up a notch, the Kobo Forma is worth considering.
thumb_up
19 likes
L
The Kobo Forma is a solid e-reader with an upscale sensibility. It’s not packed with the many extras that Amazon Kindle e-readers throw into the mix, but the features it offers are focused squarely on enhancing your digital reading experience. If you’re most concerned about enjoying print-like reading in a portable device and you like borrowing content from your local library, this Kobo e-reader could more than fit the bill.
thumb_up
11 likes
L
Specs
Product Name Forma Product Brand Kobo MPN N782 Price $279.99 Product Dimensions 6.99 x 6.99 x 0.16 in. Warranty 1 year Compatibility Dropbox, OverDrive, Pocket Platform Kobo OS Battery Capacity Weeks Ports Micro USB Waterproof Rating IPX8 Connectivity Wi-Fi, Micro USB Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know!
thumb_up
4 likes
R
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 7 Best E-Readers for Seniors of 2022 Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 3 Review: A Great Nighttime E-reader The 9 Best E-readers of 2022 Is Buying a Kindle Worth It? 4 Reasons to Buy One Kobo Libra H2O Review: Digital Reading Made Easy and Waterproof How to Get Free eBooks: A Step-by-Step Guide Kobo Clara HD Review: A Convenient Reading Accessory for Bookworms on the Move Expert Tested: The 7 Best Kindles in 2022 Kindle Oasis (2019) Review: A Paper-Like Reading Experience Nook GlowLight Plus Review: Barnes & Noble’s Largest Screen 9 Things to Look for in an E-Reader Amazon Fire Tablet vs.
thumb_up
30 likes
C
iPad: Which Is Right for You? What Is a Kindle?
thumb_up
24 likes
J
How to Make a Book Cover Your Kindle Screensaver Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) Review: Books Just Got Better 16 Best Free Audio Book Websites (October 2022) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
thumb_up
29 likes
Similar Discussions
-
Internacional vs Red Bull Bragantino Prediction and Betting Tips September 28 2022
-
Shannon Brandt s political affiliation Man accused of fatally hitting teen with car over political views released
-
Minecraft s 7 cutest mobs as of 2022
-
Lifetime s Husband Wife and Their Lover cast list
-
It was time to change history Christophe Galtier lauds PSG s character and stubbornness after 2 1 Champions League win against Juventus
-
Elden Ring The Road to the Erdtree manga adaptation starts serialization on Comic Walker
-
3 Bold MLB Wild Card race predictions
-
Kung Fu Games Karate Kombat APK Download for Android
-
더 많은 세금환급 더환급 APK Download for Android
-
Spider Solitaire Kingdom APK Download for Android
-
Dans ce caf votre boisson vous sera factur e deux fois plus cher si vous tes impolis İnsolite Caf
-
San Diego police looking for suspect in College Area felony battery 5089 Area
-
Want to remove your lawn? Here are low water groundcover alternatives
-
Fans freak out over leaked Misfits boxing card but is it real? Dexerto
-
The Boys Season 4 Release date prediction cast plot amp more Dexerto
-
Dr Disrespect bashes slimy Warzone devs for stealing DEADROP skin Dexerto
-
Overwatch 2 How to Fix Hero Challenges Not Appearing
-
Hey Pandas What Is The Most Ridiculous Thing You Say So You Don t Swear? Closed
-
Hey Pandas Share Some Of Your Favorite COVID 19 Memes Closed
-
Teachers are being bullied by parents on social media
-
Sales Funnels The Definitive Guide
-
The Meta Quest 3 could be twice as powerful as Quest 2 Digital Trends
-
A Complete List of HTTP Status Lines
-
5 Computer Networking Trends for 2022 and Beyond
-
How to Organize Your Life With Your iPad
-
How to Change Default Programs in Windows 10
-
How to Open HEIC Files in Windows
-
Windows Hardware Compatibility List Definition Windows HCL
-
The 10 Best Google Sheets Add Ons
-
Mastering the Use of Wi Fi Network Security Keys