Kobo
Clara BW
$139.99
PocketBook
Based on 46 Reddit mentions
$119.00
Sentiment summary across the product areas Reddit users mention most.
Original Reddit posts and comments behind this analysis.
Just get the cheapest PocketBook that meets your needs (e.g., if you want USB-C, you'll have to buy the Verse or Verse Pro instead of the Basic Lux 4). It's a European company and their e-readers natively support more formats than Kobo does. You can also easily install KOReader on PocketBook devices
...khronikho in r/ereader
June 5, 2025 5:42 PM
15
Yes, but it may not be as cheap as you want. I have a PocketBook Basic Lux 4, I didn't bother with the "store" setup and just load all my books on it via USB. It's very simple, has physical page turn buttons, good screen, and good battery life. Not sure where you are located but in the US, the Basic
...DreamingofPurpleCats in r/ereader
July 23, 2025 12:04 AM
12
I have a Kobo Clara Colour at the moment and it works fine for me. Size is good for transportation and I can read in bed without disturbing my wife ;) I had a Pocketbook Basic Lux 4 before and it was the same. Reason I switched was Kobo Plus. Sideloading is easy on both too
Collec2r in r/ereader
February 23, 2026 12:03 PM
6
I have a PocketBook Basic Lux 4, which has physical buttons, and I really like it. Much faster than my Kindle Paperwhite, better organization options, no need for a store tie-in because books can easily be side-loaded via USB. The page turn buttons are on the bottom front of the Lux 4, which is a ve
...DreamingofPurpleCats in r/ereader
July 30, 2025 5:40 PM
5
PocketBook (konkretno Basic Lux 4). Brz je, pouzdan, odličan software koji se može skroz podesiti, prihvaća sve formate i ono što je meni najbitnije, ima fizičke tipke i aplikaciju za Android i iOS koja se sinkronizira s čitačem (znači npr. skine se knjiga preko mobitela i uploada u aplikaciju, isto
...RavenPrincess88 in r/citaonica
January 14, 2026 8:59 PM
3
The Basic Lux 4 is almost the same device as its successor, the PocketBook Verse. It's a good entry device into ebook reading I would say (had it too). Books can just be dragged and dropped via PC & USB onto your device, I wrote in another comment how you do this with cloud services. It will likely
...azoth980 in r/ereader
August 23, 2025 10:08 AM
4
As long as you sideload your books, you won’t be locked into any ecosystem, including Kindle So either Kobo Clara BW, Kindle Basic 2022/2024 or Pocketbook (Basic Lux 4/Verse/Verse Pro)
ihei47 in r/ereader
May 3, 2025 1:24 AM
3
I have a pocketbook basic lux 4 and I love it. I got it because it has a micro sd slot so I can load all my epubs from my computer to the micro sd card and its great!
Silly_Thing in r/BuyItForLife
September 27, 2025 8:46 AM
2
i feel you on wanting to avoid the amazon store. a kindle will work for sideloading via send-to-kindle or USB, but you're right to be wary. if you just want the cheapest device for loading your own epubs, the PocketBook Basic Lux 4 is usually under $100 and has no ads or store pushing at you. for a
...LetterheadClassic306 in r/ereader
February 21, 2026 4:49 AM
1
Any current device but the Kindle Basic, PocketBook Verse Lite & PocketBook Basic Lux 4 (which all don't have the possibility to change colour temperature). Kobo & PocketBooks are relatively open systems (support DRM-free & Adobe DRM protected books), Kindles slightly restricted (Kindle books can on
...azoth980 in r/ereader
November 27, 2025 11:14 AM
1