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In my hunt for the best e-readers, I set out to find a good alternative to the Kindle or Kobo. Don’t get me wrong, I love both of these e-readers and generally think they are the best e-readers you can buy, but I know there is a hunger for variety in the e-reader community beyond the big two. I’ve tried Barnes & Noble’s Nook, notable ink tablets, and Boox e-readers, but none of them impressed me. But the Durobo Krono caught my eye at CES 2026.
I often call an e-reader a library in your pocket, and the Durobo Krono is more than that. It’s a library, bookstore, notebook, and MP3 player all in one. But that’s a lot to promise for a palm-sized device. Luckily, it’s completely perfect. Here’s what you need to know about the Durobo Krono and why I named it the best open source Android e-reader.
Durobo Krono e-reader: Our quick decision
Do you have many different books in different applications? Durobo Krono could be for you.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
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Suitable for: Someone who has books on multiple apps – Kindle, Kobo, Audible, Libro.fm, and Libby. Also, it’s great for someone who likes to listen to audiobooks and read at the same time, and people who want a voice notetaker on the go.
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Key technologies: 6.13-inch Carta 1200 e-ink display, 128GB of storage, 6GB RAM, 300 ppi resolution, adjustable temperature and brightness, octa-core processor, and Android 15 OS.
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MSRP: $279.99
Your entire digital library in one device
Access your Kindle library from Durobo Krono.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
I find myself in a unique dilemma as an e-reader tester: I have collections of books on multiple e-reader platforms. While I could get used to cycling between different e-readers on a regular basis, it’s a lot to keep track of. It’s a dream to have them all in one device, and the Durobo Krono is that dream come true.
Running Android 15, the Google Play Store comes pre-installed on the Krono, so any app available in the store is available on the e-ink tablet. Suddenly, all the apps I use regularly since Audible, Kindle, Kobo Books, Libbyand Libro.fm now they are on my Durobo Krono.
Apps appear on a separate page from Krono’s built-in library, so you’ll need to navigate between them. A small amount of payment for easy access from one device.
Technically, you can get this convenience on a tablet, too. Except the iPad doesn’t have the simple, easy-on-the-eyes e-ink display that the Krono has.
Since it is an Android device, Apple apps (such as Apple Music and Apple Books) are not available, so as an Apple Music listener, I could not use the device as a music player.
It’s fast — until it’s not
In my testing, I find open Android e-readers to be slow, especially compared to Kindles and Kobos, which are zippy e-readers. The Boox Go and Boox Palma 2, similar devices to the Durobo Krono, both had disappointing performance, even out of the box. However, the Durobo Krono is surprisingly fast. Even though I’m moving between different books in different apps, I’m impressed with how fast it is between them.
Its speed is conditional. Too many apps, or apps that are too demanding, will slow down the device. After a week of use, I added the Substack app to Krono, which was very popular. Even if I wasn’t using the app, it slowed down the entire device. Once I uninstalled the app, it was quick to back up.
Some serious apps I’ve found are audiobook players like Audible. I noticed this especially when listening to an audiobook while reading an e-book in a different app. It’s disappointing that two applications aimed at readers have slowed down the e-reader device. Because best performance in Krono, run one app at a time and avoid the most demanding apps.
The perfect palm-sized e-reader
The Durobo Krono fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
I Durobo Krono has a 6.13 inch screenit’s a little bigger than the basic Kindle, but the whole device is smaller than the Kindle. It’s about the size of my hand and weighs 6.1 ounces. The small size makes it comfortable to hold for hours at a time – especially if you add a PopSockets grip to the back like I did. But that doesn’t make the screen size feel cramped either.
Needs better battery life
Once you’re used to the Kindle’s months of battery life, it’s hard to adjust to an e-reader with less. Using a few hours a day, the Durobo Krono e-readers have about one week of battery life. Compared to a smartphone or tablet, that’s great, but if you’re coming from a Kindle or Kobo, the Krono e-reader’s battery life feels pretty short.
Other features you may enjoy
Access Durobo AI on the Krono e-reader.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Easily scroll through articles and apps with Krono’s smart dial.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The features on Krono Durobo are many. It has a smart dial on the side that refreshes the screen, starts recording, and scrolls through the device. It has a built-in AI called Spark, which captures voice recordings and produces transcripts and summaries. It’s more than just a regular e-reader, but in months of use, I’ve never used Spark AI. Smart Dial is a great addition for smooth scrolling.
Is the Durobo Krono right for you?
Looking for a Kindle or Kobo alternative? Try the Durobo Krono e-reader.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
I Durobo Krono is the best open source Android e-reader. If you’re exploring the world of Boox Palma or Remarkable Move, Krono is my choice for its fast processing and support for third-party apps. In a complete, palm-sized package, it provides access to all of your digital libraries. It is more expensive than other e-readers, but with its additional benefits, it is worth the extra cost.
