This handheld e-reader has effectively replaced my Kindle, and it’s priced well

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The DuRobo Krono is a smartphone-sized ePaper tablet with a productivity focus.
• The Android-based Krono is meant to be a distraction-free device for reading, note-taking, and productivity.
• Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Krono is now available for preorder, with shipping scheduled for the end of January.

As an avid book lover, I’m a sucker for a great e-reader. Yet many of these devices are way too limited to really become a companion device. This is why I loved the TCL Nxtpaper tablet so much; however, the new DuRobo Krono is here to address that tablet’s single downfall: it’s a pocket e-reader and productivity device that is finally available for preorder.

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Admittedly, I am biased. I’ve been using a prototype of the DuRobo Krono for a couple of months, and it’s done what no e-reader has before: it’s the only one that has replaced my Kindle during travel. As an adult, I’ve never traveled without my Kindle because I like being able to read on the plane and before bed. 

Yet the DuRobo Krono is small and lightweight enough to make a compelling Kindle replacement, and its added features bring it over the top.

Describing the DuRobo Krono as a simple e-reader is a major injustice. It’s an e-paper Android tablet that works as a smartphone-sized productivity device. Its long battery life and Android-based OS make it more reliable than your average e-reader, without being as cumbersome or heavy as even a Kindle. 

“Krono was created for thinkers and creators who crave mental clarity,” said a DuRoBo spokesperson. “By combining thoughtful design, open software, and intelligent assistance, we’re giving people a new kind of digital space—one that helps them focus, reflect, and create without distractions.”

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The Krono features a built-in AI assistant that enables easy note recording by simply pressing a button, which then transcribes and summarizes the notes for you — which has turned out to be quite convenient for me as a writer. 

A 6.1-inch Carta 1200 HD display supports 300 PPI and color temperature adjustments, and is flanked by a rotating dial on the left and a wake button on the right.  You can rotate the Smart Dial to adjust the display’s brightness or long-press it to quickly record a voice note. 

The DuRobo Krono features 128GB of storage, allowing it to handle a wide range of documents, apps, voice recordings, and books. It’s now commercially available, with a preorder price of $280, and orders are shipping in late January.