Sometimes the Kindle or Kobo just don’t cut it. Both of these eReaders require a deep immersion within their respective ecosystems, which means less versatility with the eBook format. They do offer support for other, more common book formats, but it requires a lot of tools, conversion, and whatnot. If you’re looking for an eReader alternative to the Kindle and Kobo, look no further than Onyx Boox eReaders. The company’s devices are compatible with EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and many other ebook formats, so no one will be left out of the fun. With a range of different models that offer high-resolution displays and a variety of features, from front-lit to backlit versions, it’s easy to see why these devices are gaining popularity among readers everywhere.
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Onyx Boox Nova Air C
PROS
- Great specs
- Colored e-ink screen
- Good battery life
- Stylus support
- Lightweight and portable
CONS
- No water resistance rating
- Clunky UI
Specs:
- Screen size: 7.8″
- Storage: 32 GB
- Resolution: 100dpi color
- Weight: 1.17lbs
- Front light: Yes
- Water resistant: No
- Battery Life: up to 4 weeks
The Boox Nova Air C is the company’s current front-runner if you’re trying to travel outside the realm of specialized e-readers. In comparison, this is basically Onyx Boox’s version of the Paperwhite but a fantastic alternative because of its readily transportable small form factor (which is thinner than a Kindle) and color screen. At 7.8 inches, the color screen is a little unnecessary, but because most color stuff, like magazines and comic books, needs a larger screen for easier reading. It’s especially useful if you read manga, comics, graphic novels, and the like. It’s worth noting that Kindles don’t have a colored e-ink version as of this year.
The high-quality screen makes your reading experience comfortable and enjoyable. In addition, the battery life of this eReader is excellent—lasting up to 4 weeks on standby mode.
Onyx Boox Nova Air C
Onyx Boox Note Air 2
PROS
- Sturdy durable build
- Excellent performance
- Note-taking apps
- Good battery life
CONS
- No water resistance rating
Specs:
- Screen size: 7.8″
- Storage: 32 GB
- Resolution: 300 dpi
- Weight: 1.17lbs
- Front light: Yes
- Water resistant: No
- Battery Life: up to 26 days
If the color novelty isn’t necessary for you, then the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 is the best Onyx Books eReader for you. With a 7.8″ E-ink Carta display, 32 GB storage, 26 days of hours battery life, and WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity options, the Onyx Boox Note still brings so much to the table for those looking for a versatile eReader. It supports many eBook formats (PDF, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX). It also supports image formats (PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF) and audio formats (WAV, MP3) for audiobooks. It supports 3rd party apps, specifically those who want to do some note-taking. The tablet also supports a stylus and touchscreen.
Onyx Boox Note Air 2
Onyx Boox Max Lumi 2
PROS
- Amazing screen
- Great specs
- Outstanding performance
- Many premium features
- Fingerprint recognition
- Highly consider it if you're looking for a digital notebook
CONS
- Expensive
- May be too large for some readers
Specs:
- Screen size: 13.3″
- Storage: 128 GB
- Resolution: 207dpi
- Weight: ≤570g
- Front light: Yes
- Water resistant: No
- Battery Life: up to 6 weeks
For those seeking an eReader for large books, PDFs, and the like, the Onyx Books Max Lumi 2 offers the best screen size, resolution, and features. It offers stylus support due to this being mainly a digital notebook. And with its battery life, you know the Max Lumi 2 is the most premium Boox eReader. This also means that it can be quite expensive. Though with this price, you are getting 128 GB storage, many ports including a headphone jack for audiobooks, Android support, and many more. It also comes with fingerprint recognition at the back.
Onyx Boox Max Lumi 2
Onyx Boox Is a Great eReader Alternative
Onyx Boox is a great alternative to Kindle and Kobo readers. It has some of the best features that you can find in any eReader. It has most of the basic and some premium features expected for an eReader—but with the versatility of allowing most ebook formats.
I hope this article has helped you better understand the Onyx Boox eReader line. If you’re looking to buy an eReader and are interested in trying something new, I would highly recommend going with one of these devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you read Kindle books on BOOX?
No, it can't. Unless you remove the DRM protection, Kindle books are only used for Kindle tablets. The Onyx Boox tablets can read any other format, though.