What is Boox? Meet the trendy e-readers that BookTok loves.

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Just as BookTok goes through phases with its favorite books, it channels the same attitude toward e-readers. While Kindles are undoubtedly the e-reader to reign supreme, plenty of competitors come in swinging to dethrone it. The latest is Boox.

In between users touting their Kobo Clara and Kindle Paperwhite on BookTok, you'll also find a passionate, dedicated group of people discussing their Boox e-reader. The Palma Pro 2, in particular, has caught the interest of plenty of folks who want an e-reader even smaller than what Kindle can offer. Having tested several Boox e-readers myself, I was admittedly surprised by the device's popularity because these aren't your regular old e-readers but are instead e-ink tablets.

Unlike Kindles or Kobos, Boox e-readers let you access any app in the Google Play Store, so your books from any app (excluding Apple Books) are all available on one device. Ever dreamed of being able to update your Storygraph or GoodReads right on your e-reader? Well, you can download those to your Boox, too.

So here's what to know about Boox, the e-readers that BookTok can't get enough of.

What is Boox?

Boox e-readers are manufactured by Onyx International, a Chinese-based technology company. Onyx created Boox e-readers as an alternative to traditional smartphones and tablets, which have bright screens that cause eye fatigue and strain. The e-ink tablets have softer interfaces so you can read for hours at a time without bright, glossy blue light.

Onyx e-readers were also among the first to use Android 10, a departure from traditional e-readers like the Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo, which run on independent operating systems.

Are Boox e-readers or tablets?

But are Boox e-readers actually e-readers? Because Boox runs on an Android operating system, any Android app can be downloaded to the device.

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This is very different from Kindle or Kobo, which both run Linux-based operating systems. These unique OSes usually allow you to download and read books and explore new titles. However, there's no option to download other apps and access a home page as you'd expect on a smartphone or tablet.

Boox e-readers do have a library built into their OS, but they also have a standard home screen with access to the Google Play Store. That means any app in the Google Play Store can be downloaded onto the device. Technically, this makes them e-ink tablets, meaning they're like traditional tablets but with a matte e-ink display.

The perk of traditional e-readers is their distraction-free UX, so even though they're still digital devices, they're limited in their capabilities. But a Boox exposes you to more distractions. Luckily, they aren't that powerful and don't have nearly as much computing power as even a smartphone. So even though you have access to a world of apps and the internet, it doesn't mean you have the processing power to fully enjoy them.

What models of Boox are available?

Boox has lots of models, including past generations of current models, but not all of them are available. Here are the current tablets and e-readers available from Boox.

E-ink tablets

• Tab X C

• Note Max

• Note Air5 C

E-readers

• Go 10.3 (Gen 2)

• Go 7

• Go Color 7 (Gen 2)

• Go 6 (Gen 2)

• Palma 2 Pro

We're in the midst of testing Boox's e-readers with reviews of the Go 10.3 (Gen 2) and Go 6 (Gen 2) coming soon. For notes on our favorite e-readers, check out our guide to the best e-readers.

Are there privacy and security concerns with Boox e-readers?

When covering Boox's devices, there's some concern about Boox's privacy and security. This stems from Boox e-readers being designed and manufactured in China, and some users are concerned that the devices "phone home," meaning they send data back to servers in China. To be fair, on a Kindle, Amazon also takes your data, following nearly every book you read, including your bookmarks and annotations.

There are no known security threats associated with using a Boox e-reader; however, if you'd prefer to be in control of your data, you can download an app like NetGuard to your Boox e-reader via the Google Play Store. NetGuard is a cybersecurity app that lets you block WiFi usage for certain apps, allowing only the apps you want to operate over your network. Since Kindle runs on a closed system, you can't install NetGuard on your device. If you want more control over your data, a Boox e-reader might be a better option.