This eReader does 3 things no Kindle will ever do

Published Aug 9, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT Bertel is a lifelong tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience writing thousands of articles about Android devices, Linux, and more. Before joining the How-To Geek team, Bertel wrote for the likes of MakeUseOf, MakeTechEasier, and Android Police—at the latter he wrote over 3,500 articles. He delights in helping others decide which tech to bring into their lives... and which tech to do without. Bertel graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2012 with degrees in History and Government. He has spent his entire career as a tech journalist covering Android, Linux, wearables, smart home devices, and more. Amazon's Kindle dominates the market, but that doesn’t mean that they are the best eReaders. There are other companies who are free to experiment with their products in ways that Amazon will not. The DuRoBo Krono is one of the more intriguing options to come out in the past year, and there is enough uniqueness here to capture even the most devout Kindle reader’s eye. An eReader that comes with character What's the last eReader you held that was this interesting to hold? Amazon isn't known for creating the most innovative hardware, and the Kindle is a textbook example of this. If the last time you saw a Kindle was 10 years ago, you have a good idea of how they look today. That doesn't mean there aren't fun things you can do with the concept of an eReader. They can be more than basic black slabs. The DuRoBo Krono is another in the growing line of smartphone-sized eReaders. While the Boox Palma 2 puts a pleasing texture on the back of an eReader that otherwise falls like an Android phone, the Krono takes an opinionated approach to both the hardware and the software. The back of this eReader has a gentle curve with a horizontal bar across the top that provides a comfortable place for your pointer finger to rest. On one end of that bar, you'll find the power button. On the other end, you find a new input method that sets the Krono apart from the other eReaders on the market. DuRoBo Krono Screen 6.13in HD Carta 1200 Resolution 824 x 1,648 (300PPI) Krono features an E Ink Carta 1200 HD display, delivering a pure paper-like aesthetic. You can see the delicate texture unique to paper. You can turn pages or control your frontlight’s brightness Credit: Bertel King / How-To Geek There is a scroll wheel on the left side of the bar that extends across the back of the Krono. It's ridges provide a tactile experience that feels distinct against my finger. The scroll where is marked by a pink circle, adding a splash of color that sets this eReader apart in the sea of black slabs that have passed through my home. There is an all-too-familiar star symbol on the side of this wheel that hints at the way it is intended to be used, but it can also be utilized in myriad other ways. Out of the box, it is set to activate voice recorder-related AI features. Among the various options, there are two that I find most compelling for those using this device to absorb digital books. One option is to use the scroll wheel as a way to switch between pages. This works, but I only find it comfortable when holding the reader with my left hand. If I'm holding it with my right, then I prefer using the scroll wheel to adjust the frontlight’s brightness instead. This gives me granular control over the lighting without having to dig through settings. This task benefits from the scroll wheel’s high placement, where it is more accessible than digging through a menu, but it is high enough that I do not bump against it by accident. Amazon won't make it this easy to export your books The Krono is at its best if you have a library of DRM-free books My first Reader wasn't a Kindle—it was a Barnes and Noble Nook. I lost interest in this device for the same reason I have no interest in a Kindle or a Kobo. These eReaders are directly tied to a specific store, and while they have varying degrees of compatibility with books from other sources, such books are treated as second-class citizens. I buy the majority of my ebooks from DRM-free sources, and it's not hard to download Calibre for the others. I value eReaders that make it simple for me to copy over my files, and I appreciate the work the Krono team has put into making this task as easy as possible. When you swipe down from the top of the screen to view your quick status icons, you will see a “transfer” option. Tapping this presents a QR code and an IP address. You can scan this QR code or type in the address on another device to open the Krono’s web-based transfer software. The Krono's transfer tool is not cloud-based software. The Krono instead functions as a server over your local network. Using the interface that appears, you can upload or download your books directly to and from the device. In this way, you are not tied to any cloud-based services in order to use your device as an eReader or get access to your library of books indefinitely, or at least until the built-in battery starts to swell. The Durobo Krono is, frankly, a lot more fun I understand why people buy Kindles. Amazon has the largest library of books, offers an unlimited subscription, integrates with apps like Libby, and hosts regular sales. But there are more interesting ways to read an ebook, with more Android-based eReaders hitting the market in more compelling form factors than ever—and the Krono ranks high on the list, even if it is far from a perfect device.