# Boox Palma

13 Hacker News commenters recommended Boox Palma and 7 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Pocket-sized Android e-ink reader that people recommend for reading, writing and travel, with long battery life. Common caveat: the screen can break, and colours look washed out.

## Why people recommend it

- Pocketable with long battery life (3 comments): "it's pocketable and has excellent power management, so despite being android, the battery can last 1-2 weeks" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49304615)) "it stays in my pocket/bag most days, and it's so inconspicuous (looks exactly like a phone)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45854169)) "Smaller, so it fits better in a smaller bag or a pocket. And does have physical buttons." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47561835))
- Good for writing and programming (2 comments): "Pretty happy with the workflow overall - I use it extensively when travelling" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46310276)) "has actually worked out well for me for writing | programming" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46435499))
- Fast and better than expected (2 comments): "It's a great device and actually pretty fast" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45854172)) "it is better than one would expect" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45855341))

## What people warn about

- Screen breaks or cracks easily (3 comments): "its display broke randomly after 2 months in a soft pocket and now it's ewaste" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49513538)) "the display broke randomly (not the screen) while in a soft pocket within 3m of getting it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45856942)) "horror stories about screen cracking issues reported on reddit" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45854376))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Kobo e-reader](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kobo-e-reader.md): 154 recommend
- [Onyx Boox e-reader](https://hackerapproved.com/p/boox-e-reader.md): 48 recommend
- [Kobo Clara](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kobo-clara-bw.md): 38 recommend
- [Kindle Paperwhite](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kindle-paperwhite.md): 34 recommend
- [Kobo Libra Color](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kobo-libra-colour.md): 26 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Onyx+Boox+Palma+e-reader&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Boox Palma", https://hackerapproved.com/p/boox-palma/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).