In our world of rising tech prices, when a new device hits the scene, the ultimate question is: is it worth it? If you're going to spend your money, you want it to be the best of the best. But the so-called best really depends on your priorities — do you want something that's the best value, best performance, or has the best features?
As someone who spends nearly every day writing about e-readers, Boox devices have shaken things up. These E Ink tablets challenge what we previously thought an e-reader could be, with added features you won't find on a Kindle or Kobo. But are they worth it? Well, that depends on what you're looking for.
Boox pricing: Is it more expensive than a Kindle?
First things first, let's talk price. Boox e-readers are really E Ink tablets, which means they can do a lot more than Kindle or Kobo e-readers. But does that affect their price? Less so than you'd think. Especially with tech prices on the rise, e-reader prices have been evening out across the board. Generally, Boox e-readers are more expensive than both Kindle and Kobo devices, but not by much.
The best way to compare prices is to look at each brand's 6-inch e-reader prices. The Kindle is cheapest at $149.99, the Kobo Clara BW is $159.99, while the Boox Go 6 is $199.99.
Get a Boox if you want an e-reader that can do more
Typically, on an e-reader you can access your library and all the books in it, but that's about all you can do. Boox e-readers do more.
So while you might be paying a little more for a Boox than you would for a similar Kobo or Kindle e-reader, you're also getting far more features. All Boox e-readers besides the Picco are Android devices, meaning they have access to the Google Play Store. That allows you to download any app. Yes, that means Libby, Kindle, and Kobo, but it also means you can get virtually any other app on there.
In perusing BookTok to see how Boox users maximize their e-readers, it's clear that Boox tablets are almost like distraction-free phones. You can download Goodreads and StoryGraph to update your reading progress or even your fitness tracker app, all the things you might want to check before bed. It just means not having to pull out your phone and instead staying on a more distraction-free tablet.
But keep in mind, Boox devices are about as distraction-free as you make them. Since you can download any app, that also means you could get social media on there too.
How does the Boox perform against Kindle and Kobo e-readers?
While Boox devices are tablets, they're a little slower than other tablets. For example, the Boox Palma 2 has a Geekbench multi-core score of 1,872 compared to Apple's iPad, which scores 6,233. However, if you're comparing the processing power of a Boox to other e-readers, it'll seem on par.
It has plenty of power to do what you need it to, like load books and turn pages. The only time Boox e-readers stalled out while I was testing them was when I was trying to turn a lot of pages in quick succession.
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Skip it if you're a bath or beach reader
If you live luxuriously and look forward to hours in the bathtub reading or taking your e-reader poolside, Boox e-readers are not for you. None of Boox's e-readers are submersible or have IPX waterproof ratings. Boox states that its Palma e-readers are water-repellent.
Boox specifically notes on the Palma: "The water-repellent design protects against daily water exposure, including accidental spills, splashes, or light rain. It is not intended to be submerged in water, or exposed to high-pressure water, or other liquids. The water-repellent effect may decrease over time. Please note that it is not waterproof."
So if you're reading around water, Boox e-readers aren't going to be worth it since you're so limited in where you can bring them.
Is a Boox worth it?
Boox e-readers are definitely worth the time and money, but who are they right for?
Perhaps you're an e-reader user who is sick of being limited to one brand's ecosystem, or you want to buy a device that's more multi-purpose than a Kindle or Kobo. If you fall into either category, a Boox will be a great e-reader for you.
When is a Boox not worth it? If you want an e-reader to take to the beach, skip it.
But overall, Boox e-reader are solid, well-priced E Ink tablets that are definitely worth it for the right person.
