Discover the Best: Color Screens or Classic Black & White?

Over the past ten years, e-readers have changed significantly. The pixel density on E Ink screens has increased, and the resolution has improved—now text is nearly indistinguishable from printed pages. Device memory has grown, and performance has improved, allowing users to listen to audiobooks and browse the internet to read various content. Models with large screens and advanced software have become convenient work tools. However, E Ink technology didn’t stop evolving—color displays became an exciting new stage.

E Ink technology was originally developed to create screens that closely resemble regular paper. Early e-readers had black-and-white displays with high contrast and minimal power consumption. Over time, users began to show interest in color displays—first for textbooks, and later for magazines and comics.

To meet this demand, in 2020 E Ink developed Kaleido technology by adding a color layer to the traditional black-and-white screens. This made it possible to display up to 4,096 shades while maintaining the core benefits of E Ink: low power consumption and excellent readability in sunlight. The innovation quickly caught the attention of readers, leading to improved versions—Kaleido 2 and Kaleido 3. Today, such screens are actively used in BOOX devices and other brands, opening up new possibilities for reading.

Now it’s only natural to ask—what kind of e-reader should you choose? Especially since the price difference between color and black-and-white screens has significantly decreased, and the variety has expanded. Many of our customers ask this important question, and it's not always easy to make a quick decision. A color display or the familiar black-and-white one? The time to buy has come, and we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Black-and-white E Ink screens: the classic comfort

BOOX e-readers are equipped with black-and-white E Ink Carta displays. This is a proven technology with several advantages:

Excellent contrast and familiar reading experience
Black-and-white E Ink screens offer higher contrast, making text sharp and easy to read—especially in bright sunlight. This creates a reading experience as close as possible to that of a paper book.

Energy-efficient performance
Color E Ink Kaleido screens use an additional layer or complex display technology, which consumes more power. In contrast, black-and-white screens only use energy when turning pages, making them extremely power-efficient.

Faster page refresh
Black-and-white screens have a faster refresh rate than color ones, especially when using Regal or A2 modes. This makes flipping pages and finding the right section quicker and more convenient.

Crisp image without color artifacts
Color E Ink displays can suffer from graininess and weak color reproduction. Black-and-white models don’t have this issue—the image remains clean and high-contrast, making them ideal for any text-based content.

Perfect for classic books
Since most literature, academic, and educational materials are originally designed in black and white, these screens are the best choice for reading such genres.

Who chooses a black-and-white screen?

For lovers of fiction — perfect for reading novels, short stories, and other works where only text matters, without illustrations or graphics.
For professionals working with text — writers, editors, lawyers, students, and researchers who need to focus on text without distractions.
For older readers — the simple interface and lack of color elements provide a calm and comfortable reading experience.
For those who value long battery life — if extended battery performance is a priority, a black-and-white screen is an excellent choice.

 

BOOX Color Screens: More Possibilities for Reading and Work

The new color BOOX displays, such as E Ink Kaleido, offer users expanded features. With support for up to 4,096 colors, these devices become even more versatile and convenient to use.

Advantages of color screens

Comfortable web reading
Many web elements are color-coded, making navigation easier. On a color screen, pages look familiar and are much more comfortable to read.

Viewing images and books in color
Color E Ink screens like Kaleido 3 let you enjoy illustrations, magazines, textbooks, and charts in full color, making reading more vivid and visual.

Faster information processing
Color makes it easier to understand tables, graphs, and complex materials, highlight key details, and absorb information faster — especially important for learning and work.

Enhanced creative features
Color readers allow for multi-color notes, stylus drawing, and image editing, unlocking more options for creativity and graphic work.

Perfect for comics and manga
Comics, manga, and graphic novels look vibrant and close to the original design on color screens, especially when they were created in color.

More features and a modern look
Color displays make devices multifunctional: beyond reading books, you can comfortably view colorful magazines, presentations, and websites.

These screens greatly expand the capabilities of e-readers, especially for those working with illustrations and visual content.

 

Who is a color screen suitable for?

Active internet users
For those who frequently read articles, blogs, news, or books directly in the browser. On a color display, web pages look more familiar than in monochrome, making browsing more convenient.

Students and those working with textbooks and reference materials
If publications contain lots of graphs, maps, tables, and diagrams — color helps navigate the content faster and improves comprehension.

Magazine and press enthusiasts
Colorful images and layouts make articles, photos, and ads brighter, more natural, and visually appealing.

Artists and creative users
BOOX models with color screens support stylus input — perfect for making color notes, sketches, or drawing directly on the screen.

Fans of comics and graphic novels
Illustrated books, manga, and novels look much more vivid on a color screen, especially if originally created in color.

Those choosing books for children
If the device is intended for a child or family reading, colorful images and layouts make the experience more engaging and fun.

What else should you keep in mind?
Color E Ink screens are not as bright and high-contrast as LCD or OLED displays, but they are much gentler on the eyes. They reduce strain during long reading sessions and let you enjoy books for hours without fatigue. They're also impressively energy-efficient. If you’re looking for a balance between colorful visuals and eye comfort — this type of reader is a perfect fit!

Conclusion: What should you choose?
Both color and black-and-white screens have their own strengths — it all depends on what matters most to you. Maybe you already know which one fits your needs best, or perhaps you’re still deciding between a few options. Don’t be afraid to experiment: testing in real use helps you understand what truly works for you.
Whichever screen you choose, reading with our ROKA store devices will always be comfortable, convenient, and modern.
Wishing you great discoveries and enjoyable reading!