The market offers a wide selection of e-readers, yet I continually search for the perfect one – a device so compelling it eclipses all others. With the Onyx Boox Poke 3, I believe I’ve found that device, at least for the present time. This e-paper device from the Chinese manufacturer delivers an ideal combination of size, screen quality, and a surprising degree of adaptability that I hadn’t realized I desired.

The Poke 3 aligns with the category of standard e-readers, similar to the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Clara HD: featuring a 6-inch screen with a resolution of approximately 300 PPI, resulting in exceptionally clear text, and a price point between $100 and $200.

These readers are conveniently portable, fitting easily into a pocket, unlike the larger Oasis and Forma models. They generally prioritize reading books and saved articles, often including only a power button and minimal additional features.

However, both the Kindle and Clara have notable drawbacks. The Kindle is heavily integrated with the Amazon ecosystem, which I find restrictive, and includes default on-device advertisements. The Clara, while possessing a decent screen, suffers from subpar hardware quality. Kobo’s previous model, the compact and flush-front Aura, was my previous favorite, and I’ve now discovered a worthy successor in the Poke 3.

The Poke 3 represents the newest offering from Boox, the e-reader line of its parent company, Onyx. The company has primarily operated in Southeast Asia, particularly in China, so it’s understandable if you’re unfamiliar with the brand. Boox produces a diverse range of e-paper devices (which I will review in a separate article), with the Poke 3 being the most streamlined and compact of the bunch.

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

Let me begin by highlighting the device’s strengths. First and foremost, it’s a beautifully designed piece of hardware. The flush front provides a comfortable reading experience, free from shading or grime accumulation caused by a raised bezel. The power button is optimally positioned and offers satisfying tactile feedback. The device’s borders are sufficient for a secure grip without accidental screen activation, and extra space at the bottom allows for comfortable handling.

It’s slimmer than competing models, and the build quality is exceptional. The front features hardened glass from Asahi, which should minimize the need for a protective cover.

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

The finish, however, tends to attract fingerprints and oils, and could benefit from a more secure grip. The Paperwhite offers superior texture, but I prefer the smooth back to the Clara’s unusual perforated design.

Weighing 150 grams, it’s 16 grams lighter than the Clara and 32 grams lighter than the Paperwhite. While these differences may seem small, they become noticeable during extended reading sessions, and contribute to improved balance at this size.

The six-inch screen delivers a comparable resolution and font rendering quality to Kindle and Kobo devices. I compared the Poke 3 side-by-side with the Clara HD and Forma and observed no discernible differences when reading from a distance of 10-20 inches.

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

The device’s illumination approach differs, though the significance of this difference is subjective. Instead of separate brightness and temperature sliders, it features a combined warm and cool slider, adjusting both brightness and temperature simultaneously. You can also disable either slider independently or link them for unified control.

This system is admittedly more complex. I don’t believe it introduces any genuinely new functionality, but it’s manageable once you become accustomed to it. I would prefer that linked sliders maintain their relative positions. The overall system feels somewhat elaborate, and I hope Boox will simplify it in the future. Nevertheless, the light quality is excellent, and the display looks great once adjusted.

Text formatting is well-executed, offering numerous options for customizing the appearance of the included fonts, including weight and contrast adjustments for precise fine-tuning. Adding custom fonts is as simple as dragging and dropping files, similar to adding documents.

The Boox operating system provides significantly more options than those found on Kobo or Kindle devices. Amazon maintains strict control over its ecosystem, limiting device functionality beyond a few associated services. Kobo allows for a wider range of file formats to be loaded directly and now offers excellent Pocket integration for saving web articles. Boox goes further by providing a custom Android launcher, enabling the download of full applications.

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

Of course, the number of applications genuinely useful on an e-reader like this is limited, and not all function flawlessly. However, I can finally access Simplenote on my e-reader.

The experience isn’t as seamless as on a standard Android device. As the Poke 3 originates from China, it initially lacks access to Google services. You can add these through settings, which is straightforward, but a built-in sideloading store also provides recent (though not always the latest) install packages of popular, vetted applications.

It’s important to acknowledge that compared to the simplicity of Kindle and Kobo, this is already a more advanced setup. And whether you’re comfortable logging into a version of Evernote that you can’t easily verify the contents of… well, it’s not for everyone. However, it’s important to note that Boox is a legitimate operation – they may not be well-known here, but the quality of their devices is undeniable. The challenge lies in adapting an operating system designed for Chinese users.

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

Thankfully, the core functionality of loading and reading books remains solid, and that’s what you’ll likely be doing most of the time. While the interface can be busy when using other features, you can easily hide indicators like progress and title during reading, dedicating the entire screen to the text.

It boasts 32 GB of internal memory, facilitating the storage of audiobooks (with Bluetooth connectivity) and large documents, and connects quickly as a drive when plugged in via its USB-C port.

The Poke 3 will retail for $189 upon release next week, placing it at the higher end of the price range for this type of device. That’s $30 more than a Kindle Paperwhite and $70 more than a Clara HD. However, I believe the premium is justified. This is a superior e-reader overall; despite the occasionally complex interface, I enjoy using it and appreciate its unique capabilities. If you prioritize simplicity and affordability, the Clara remains a good option, but for an upgrade, the Poke 3 is worth considering.