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Kobo was the only e-reader brand we saw present at BookCon 2026. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable photo composite
BookCon 2026 returned for the first time in six years, and fans returned in droves, selling out the event fast. We were on the ground at the event, covering panels and chatting with authors and BookTok creators. But just like the attendees, we also hit the exhibition floor to explore all the gadgets on display. With the popularity of e-readers, we expected to see a ton of devices on the floor, but there was a surprising lack thereof, and the enthusiasm focused on physical books.
But we looked at what BookCon attendees had on hand, too, including the tech they used to capture the event and the essentials for navigating the chaos of BookCon. Here are all the bookish tech and products we spotted at BookCon 2026.
Rakuten Kobo
Rakuten's Kobo e-readers were the only e-readers on display at BookCon 2026. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
On the show floor, while Kindle cases were a popular item to score, Kindle devices were noticeably absent. Instead, Rakuten Kobo was the only e-reader making an appearance. We've tested both brands at Mashable and love Kobo's color e-readers, including the Kobo Clara and Kobo Libra, both of which were on display at BookCon. Plus, the Kobo Remote was on display at Rakuten's booth, as the brand is the first to launch its own e-reader remote.