Kobo Elipsa 2E is Kobo's large-screen note-taking e-reader, featuring a 10.3-inch 227ppi display and a Kobo Stylus 2 for handwritten annotations. Unlike Kindle devices, which require conversion of EPUB files before reading, the Elipsa opens EPUB files natively — drag and drop, and you're reading. This makes it particularly convenient for researchers, students, and professionals who convert PDFs to EPUB and want the simplest possible transfer workflow.
| Device | Screen | Stylus | Native EPUB | Library integration | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kobo Elipsa 2E | 10.3″ 227ppi | Yes (Stylus 2) | Yes | OverDrive / Libby | 390g |
| Kindle Scribe (2024) | 10.2″ 300ppi | Yes | No (converts) | Amazon only | 433g |
| BOOX Note Air 3 | 10.3″ 227ppi | Yes | Yes | OverDrive app | 420g |
| reMarkable 2 | 10.3″ 226ppi | Yes | No | No | 403g |
| Supernote A5X | 10.3″ 226ppi | Yes | Yes | No | 390g |
| PocketBook InkPad X | 10.3″ 150ppi | No | Yes | OverDrive | 315g |
Yes. Kobo Elipsa 2E natively supports EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 files with no conversion required. Copy an EPUB to your Elipsa via USB (drag to the Kobo drive's root folder) or use the My Kobo desktop app. The EPUB opens immediately in Kobo's reading environment with adjustable font, night mode, and stylus annotation support.
The key difference is native EPUB support. Kobo Elipsa 2E opens EPUB files directly without any conversion — you drag the file and read. Kindle Scribe requires the EPUB to be converted via Send-to-Kindle. Both have 10-inch+ displays and stylus annotation. Kobo also supports EPUB 3 features like fixed-layout and multimedia, and has OverDrive library integration. Kindle Scribe has tighter Amazon ecosystem integration and better handwriting-to-note export.
Yes. On Kobo Elipsa 2E, you can highlight text (tap and drag with finger or stylus), add typed notes (tap a highlight → Add Note → type), and write handwritten notes in the margin using the stylus. Handwritten sticky notes attach to the nearest passage. All annotations sync to the Kobo desktop app and can be exported as a reading report (highlights and notes in a PDF or text file).
Method 1 — USB: connect Elipsa to your computer via the included USB-C cable. The Elipsa appears as a drive. Drag the EPUB file to the Kobo drive's root folder. Eject and disconnect — the EPUB appears in your library within seconds. Method 2 — My Kobo app: open the My Kobo desktop app (Windows/Mac), go to My Books → Add Books, and select the EPUB. It syncs to your Elipsa over Wi-Fi. Method 3 — Kobo Sideload via USB drag: same as method 1, preferred for multiple files.
Yes. Kobo has built-in OverDrive integration — you can browse and borrow library ebooks directly from the Elipsa without a computer. Borrowed books are delivered as EPUB files protected with Adobe DRM (ACSM) and open automatically in Kobo's reader. Many libraries also support Libby, which works with Kobo's OverDrive integration. This makes the Elipsa one of the best e-readers for library borrowers.
Related: Kobo Colour EPUB guide · Kobo vs Kindle · Reading PDFs on e-readers