I tested this e-reader for 3 months — can it replace my Kindle?
This nifty e-reader has great features but the price might be one its main drawbacks.
What we like
- Read almost anything, anywhere
- Pocketable size
Something to note
- Pricey
The Boox Palma 2 is far more than a traditional e-reader. It can browse the web, play music and podcasts, and download any app available in the Google Play Store — making it less of a dedicated e-reader and more of a distraction-free smart device. It’s also roughly the size of an iPhone 16 Pro Max, compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
The Palma 2 is versatile and easy to use. I could read through multiple books and comics because of how comfortable it felt in my hand. My Kindle, while lightweight, could often feel cumbersome to hold for longer reading sessions; the Palma 2 alleviated that issue — it weighs only six ounces. The battery life was also excellent. I could get anywhere from one to two weeks between charges during my testing. You can also pair the Boox Palma to a keyboard and type up notes.
If you want a device that can pull double duty as a semi-smart phone without distracting notifications or constant alerts, you will see the beauty of the Palma 2 design.
Boox sent me the Palma 2 to test, and I used it extensively for three months. I read multiple books, streamed music and podcasts and explored its full app functionality. I used it alongside my Kindle Paperwhite to compare refresh rates, UI smoothness and battery performance.
The Palma 2’s e-ink screen is crisp and clear — especially noticeable when reading visually rich content like comics or manga. I loved being able to switch between Libby, the Kindle app and even uploaded PDF and EPUB files. The device is format-agnostic, which means you’re not locked into one ecosystem — a huge plus over most e-readers.
What sets the Palma 2 apart is its portability. It’s about the size of a phone, weighs just six ounces, and easily fits into your back pocket or jacket. While the Kindle is also lightweight, the Palma’s slim form factor and added functionality make it feel more practical for daily use.
The Palma 2 also includes a fingerprint sensor and customizable side buttons. I programmed mine to quickly launch my notes app or open a web browser — features you won’t find on a Kindle or Kobo.
The Palma 2 has built-in Bluetooth, so connecting headphones was a breeze. I listened to Spotify, Audible, and podcasts without any issues. I also connected a Bluetooth keyboard for note-taking — the pairing process was seamless.
I was consistently impressed by the battery. I could go one to two weeks without needing a charge, even while streaming music and reading daily. Compared to my Kindle, it held its own — and it even helped conserve my phone’s battery since I used it instead of doom-scrolling.
Because the Palma 2 runs on Android, you can download any app from the Play Store — including Gmail, TikTok (yes, I tried it), Google Docs and more. After I had a device filled with my favorite productivity and reading apps, it essentially helped me replace my smartphone — it was basically a distraction-free phone.
The Palma 2’s $280 price tag is steep and arguably its biggest downside. While it’s packed with features, it’s more expensive than a standard Kindle or Kobo. If you value flexibility and portability, then it’s worth it.
The device’s plastic body also feels flimsy compared to the Kindle Paperwhite, which has a more premium, sturdy build. That said, this didn’t significantly affect my overall experience — the trade-off is its featherlight design.
If the idea of a smaller smartphone-sized e-reader that does more than just display books interests you, the Boox Palma 2 will immediately become appealing to you. The Boox Palma 2 can’t replace my love for paperback books, but I must admit this is one of the most enjoyable e-readers on the market.
I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, fitness, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. For this article, I tested the Boox Palma 2 for months alongside the Amazon Kinlde Paperwhite.
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