How I’m Using The Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2 + Pros & Cons

 

Over the past month, I’ve been experimenting with the Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2 — yep, that mouthful of a name for a 7-inch color e-ink device. I wanted to share how I’ve worked it into my daily routine, what’s been great about it, and where it’s a bit frustrating. If you’re curious about a lightweight, color e-reader that doubles as a productivity tool, this might be helpful.

Before diving in, a quick heads-up: this isn’t a deep technical review. Instead, I’m focusing on how I’m actually using the device day-to-day, what apps and workflows have clicked for me, and some honest pros and cons from a productivity perspective.

Why I Switched to the Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2

Over the years, I’ve tried a few e-ink devices — starting with a Kindle, then moving to the Boox Note Air 2 Plus, which is a larger device. While I liked the Note Air 2 Plus tech-wise, I found it a bit too bulky for my use case. It was awkward to toss into bags, heavier to hold for long reading sessions, and honestly, I just didn’t reach for it as much as I thought I would.

That led me back to my Kindle, which is simple and reliable but lacks some of the flexibility I wanted. When I heard about the Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2, a smaller, lighter device with color e-ink and Android OS I was hoping that this would hit the sweet spot. This was my first time trying a non-Kindle, smaller-screen format, and I was curious if it could strike a better balance between portability and functionality.

What really sold me was the combination of color display and Android’s flexibility. I could install apps I already love and use daily, like Readwise and Reader. Having those apps right where I’m reading is a huge plus for me.

How I Use the Boox Go Color in My Daily Workflow

My primary use for this device is reading, especially in the mornings. I carve out time every day to read, but I also want to capture ideas, notes, or tasks that pop up during that quiet time.

With the Boox Go 7, I can quickly open the notes app, jot something down, and know it’s saved. From there, I can easily send that note to myself, transfer it to my digital notebook, or add it to whatever system I’m using — whether that’s Roam Research for digital note-taking, Notion for databases and workflows, or even emailing myself to create a task in ClickUp.

This simple integration means I don’t have to grab my phone, open another device, or scramble for a pen and paper mid-read. I just capture the thought and keep reading. For me, that’s huge — it keeps my brain clear and my workflow smooth.

Reading More, Including Graphic Novels

One unexpected win has been how the device encouraged me to finally dive into a bulky graphic novel I’d been avoiding for years. I’m talking about Saga, a massive compendium that was just too unwieldy in print. It sat in a box, collecting dust because lugging it around or flipping through it was a chore.

Within a week of getting the Boox Go 7, I found an electronic copy and tore through it. The color e-ink made the graphic novel experience surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable. That was a pleasant surprise.

Of course, I’m also reading regular books and using Readwise to highlight and revisit key insights. I find myself reading more consistently, which is always a win.

Lightweight Browser and PDF Handling

The device also has a lightweight browser, which isn’t a full replacement for my phone or laptop but is handy for quick lookups while reading. If I want to check a fact, look something up, or grab a quick reference, I don’t have to switch devices — it’s right there.

On the downside, pinch-to-zoom on PDF files is clunky on this size screen. It’s just not great for detailed PDF reading, so if that’s your main use case, you might want a bigger device. For text-heavy PDFs, I usually reflow them in Readwise Reader, which works much better (for me).

Color Display: What to Expect

I’ve seen lots of questions about the color capabilities of the Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2. It’s not an iPad-level display — it’s e-ink color, so it’s more muted and less vibrant than backlit screens. But for me, it’s totally acceptable and actually quite nice for reading where color matters, like graphic novels or charts in articles.

Here’s a quick look at a page from the graphic novel I mentioned earlier. It’s not going to blow you away with brightness, but it’s more than enough for comfortable, colorful reading without eye strain. Also keep in mind that this is a screen grab from a camera, not a screenshot from the device itself.

Because it runs Android, you get a lot of customization options for your reading experience — margins, fonts, line spacing, and more. That flexibility is a double-edged sword, though, which I’ll touch on below.

Size, Build, and Handling

I really like the 7-inch size. It fits comfortably in one hand, is light enough to hold for long reading sessions, and slips easily into bags. The magnetic cover that came with mine is a nice touch — it automatically wakes or puts the device to sleep when you open or close it.

The physical page-turn buttons on the side are a nice bonus too. They make flipping pages effortless without needing to swipe the screen.

The Flip Side: What’s Frustrating?

While the flexibility of this device is a huge plus, it’s also one of its biggest challenges. Because it runs Android and supports multiple reading apps, there’s a lot to customize — fonts, margins, apps, and settings.

I find myself sometimes spending more time tweaking how things look or work than actually reading or taking notes. If you’re new to these devices, there’s definitely an initial learning curve. You’ll want to set aside some time to experiment, but once you dial in what works for your reading style, it pays off.

For reading apps, I’ve tried several:

• Neo Reader — great for graphic novels and general reading.
• KOReader — my go-to for books; highly customizable and what I’m using for books.
• Moon+ Reader Plus — another solid option I tested.

KOReader, in particular, has tons of settings, but you might need to dig into online docs or community forums to unlock its full potential. If you’re not into that kind of tinkering, this device might feel a bit overwhelming.

Stylus Compatibility

The stylus experience is another mixed bag. The device supports USI styluses, but when I bought mine, the official stylus was sold out. I ended up using a MetaPen, which works fine for quick notes, doodles, and precise highlighting.

It’s not perfect — the writing feels a bit “tappy” and less paper-like than some other e-ink tablets. But since I’m mainly using it for jotting down quick thoughts or marking up text, it’s been good enough.

If handwriting is your main focus, though, you might want to consider a larger device designed specifically for note-taking. Also, keep an eye on stylus availability, as that’s still a bit of a weak spot for this device and not all USI pens work with the Go 7.

Bonus Features: Speech-to-Text and Audio

One feature I’ve come to appreciate is the built-in microphone and speakers. I’ve used speech-to-text a few times to capture notes quickly without the stylus. It’s not perfect, but it’s surprisingly handy for those moments when I don’t want to stop reading to type or write.

This is another example of how the Android OS adds layers of flexibility, giving you multiple ways to capture ideas and stay productive.

Who Is This Device For?

Here’s where I want to be upfront: this isn’t a plug-and-play Kindle replacement for everyone. If you want something simple, no fuss, and just works out of the box, a Kindle or Remarkable might be better.

This device shines for people who like to tinker a bit, want color e-ink, and value having apps like Readwise, Roam Research, and Notion right on their reader. It’s great for readers who want to integrate note-taking and task capture into their workflow without juggling multiple devices.

Also, if you’re thinking about gifting this to someone, consider their tech comfort level. Setting it up and customizing it requires patience and a bit of learning.

Final Thoughts: Why I’m Sticking With the Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2

After about a month with this device, it’s become a natural part of my daily flow. It’s replaced my Kindle as my go-to e-reader, and I appreciate the added functionality without the bulk of a larger tablet.

It’s lightweight, comfortable to hold, and lets me read, take notes, highlight, and capture tasks all in one place. The ability to send notes to my preferred productivity apps means I don’t lose ideas, and I don’t have to carry extra devices around.

It’s not perfect — the stylus could be better, the initial setup takes some time, and it’s not ideal for heavy PDF reading. But for me, the trade-offs have been worth it.