Kobo, a popular e-reader manufacturer, has increased the prices of its color and black-and-white e-readers in both the US and Canada. The price hike, which was first spotted by TheeBookReader, affects three of Kobo's e-reader models, with the prices rising by $10 across the board.

The affected models include the seven-inch Kobo Libra Colour, which is now priced at $229.99, and the six-inch Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Clara BW, which are now priced at $159.99 and $139.99, respectively. Notably, the prices of the larger Kobo Elipsa 2E and Kobo Sage e-readers remain unchanged.

This price increase is not the first for Kobo, with the company having raised its prices in January 2023. However, the latest hike does not appear to be related to recently announced tariffs or any effects they may have on the cost of Kobo's e-readers in the US and Canada.

Despite the price increase, Kobo's e-readers remain competitive with Amazon's offerings. The Kobo Libra Colour, for example, is still $50 cheaper than Amazon's $279.99 Kindle Colorsoft, although the latter features customized E Ink color screen technology for improved vibrancy and color accuracy. The Kobo Libra Colour, on the other hand, offers stylus support for highlighting text and note-taking, includes page turn buttons, and makes it slightly easier to sideload content like ebooks and PDFs sourced from outside Kobo's ebook store.

The Kobo Clara Colour, priced at $159.99, remains a cheaper alternative to the Kindle Colorsoft for those wanting an e-reader with a color screen or seeking to avoid Amazon altogether. However, the $139.99 Kobo Clara BW is a tougher sell, with the base-model Kindle now priced at $109.99. The Clara BW does offer upgrades like waterproofing, but consumers looking for a cheap e-reader with access to a robust ebook store may be better off opting for Amazon's entry-level offering. The price increase also narrows the gap between the Clara BW and the $159.99 basic Kindle Paperwhite, which features a larger seven-inch display and noticeably better build quality with a flush-mounted screen.

This price increase may impact Kobo's market share, particularly in the budget-friendly e-reader segment. However, the company's focus on providing stylus support and easier content sideloading may still appeal to users seeking a more flexible e-reading experience. As the e-reader market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Kobo's price hike will affect its competitive standing.