When Amazon launched the Kindle, it in all probability had no concept the system’s title would turn out to be synonymous with all eReaders. Amazon’s line of eReaders delivers an e-ink display that feels extra like a e book than studying from a smartphone or pill. And as units designed only for studying, additionally they boast higher battery life than a pill.
However, whereas all Kindles provide this e-ink studying expertise, there are a couple of key variations between fashions. Some are designed with waterproofing for beach reads, some have built-in note-taking capabilities, and a few are designed particularly for youths. The very best Kindle comes right down to the place and the way you prefer to learn with the intention to discover one that matches your studying model with out spending further on options you will not use.
Associated
How we test and review products at Pocket-lint
We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and check our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have truly reviewed.
All Kindles are well-connected, that means you’ll be able to simply obtain new books if you’re accomplished along with your present learn. Amazon is an apparent supply for brand new studying materials, however you may as well download free library books or use a subscription to keep costs down. Whereas there are common reductions all year long, the perfect costs are sometimes accessible round gross sales holidays like Black Friday or Amazon’s personal Prime Day.
The true determination is which mannequin you should purchase. There are presently 5 fashions of Kindle supplied by Amazon: the Kindle (refreshed in 2022), Kindle Youngsters (2022), Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version, and Kindle Paperwhite Youngsters. Then there’s the Kindle Scribe, however that is barely totally different. Which one is best for you? We’ll enable you determine.
The very best Kindle general: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
Editor’s Alternative
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
Finest Kindle general
Kindle Paperwhite affords a giant show, illumination, waterproofing, and colour temperature controls — however there aren’t any buttons for turning pages.
- Display
- 6.8in E Ink, 300ppi, 17 LED illumination, adjustable heat mild
- Storage
- 16, 32GB
- Battery
- 10 weeks
- Dimensions
- 125 x 174 x 8.1mm, 205g
- Show illumination and measurement
- Water-resistant
- Nice battery life
The Kindle Paperwhite affords the perfect steadiness between options and value, including extras like waterproofing and an adjustable backlight, whereas nonetheless sitting properly below $200. The most recent Amazon Kindle Paperwhite launched in 2021, bringing in a refresh of the earlier model. It affords a 6.8-inch show, which implies it is bigger than different Kindles, so there’s loads of house for studying, which we love. This mannequin additionally options 16GB of space for storing, and it is restricted to Wi-Fi connectivity solely. Whereas there is not any choice for mobile connectivity, that should not be an issue as you’ll be able to all the time hotspot off your cellphone.
8:50
Learn our overview
Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Still the best eReader
Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite from 2021 ups the show measurement and offers issues a lift. That is the Kindle to purchase.
The Kindle Paperwhite mixes a built-in mild with a glare-free display, so you’ll be able to regulate the display to learn comfortably in full solar on the seaside or preserve studying that page-turning late into the night time. There is a USB-C port for charging, with the battery lasting as much as 10 weeks. It’s waterproof with an IPX8 score.
There aren’t any buttons for web page turning — that must be accomplished by means of a faucet or a swipe, which we do not discover as pure as older Kindle fashions. Nonetheless, given the value and the options supplied by the Kindle Paperwhite, we expect it is the perfect Kindle for many customers. There’s additionally a full vary of equipment, so in the event you’re after a case for your Paperwhite, there’s a lot to select from.
Finest premium Kindle
Finest Kindle with premium options
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version
Paperwhite with a bit further
Including wi-fi charging the Kindle Paperwhite together with extra storage simply provides to the premium expertise.
- Display
- 6.8in E Ink, 17 LED illumination, adjustable heat mild
- Storage
- 32GB
- Battery
- 10 weeks, wi-fi charging
- Dimensions
- 174 x 125 x 8.1mm, 207g
- Wi-fi charging
- Autobrightness
- Nice Paperwhite expertise
- It is just a bit dearer
The Paperwhite Signature Version is predicated on the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite, nevertheless it provides a couple of adjustments to make it barely extra premium. Whereas it is the identical case and similar design from the outside, it affords 32GB of storage, which is twice what the usual Kindle Paperwhite does. It additionally affords an auto-adjusting entrance mild to swimsuit the studying circumstances you are in, so the show is a bit higher.
There’s additionally wi-fi charging, with a Wireless Charging Dock particularly designed for this mannequin (an non-compulsory further), so you do not have to plug it in. It will all make for a barely extra premium expertise general — however you’ll pay a bit extra for only a few small extras. At its core, it is nonetheless the identical nice Paperwhite — it is just a bit bit extra superior.
Finest Kindle for youths
Finest Kindle for youths
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for Youngsters
Bundled extras make it price contemplating
Bundling up the Paperwhite for youths provides a canopy, guarantee and entry to content material – on the identical nice Kindle Paperwhite system.
- Display
- 6.8in E Ink, 300ppi, 17 LED illumination, adjustable heat mild
- Storage
- 16GB
- Battery
- 10 weeks
- Dimensions
- 125 x 174 x 8.1mm, 205g
- Comes with a canopy and Youngsters+ subscription
- Nice studying expertise
- It is principally the identical because the Paperwhite
The Kindle Paperwhite Youngsters is similar mannequin because the Kindle Paperwhite (2021), so it has precisely the identical options because the “grownup” mannequin above, nevertheless it is available in a bundle designed for youths. That features a cowl to maintain it protected, a subscription to Kindle Kids+, and a two-year assure, so in case your children break it, Amazon will change it.
The very best factor is that when your children outgrow the youngsters’s content material, they will use the Kindle as a standard grownup Kindle. You may simply purchase the conventional Kindle Paperwhite because it has the identical parental controls on it, however the child’s model has extra perks bundled in. The largest of these perks right here is within the Kindle Youngsters+ subscription, which individually prices $5/month with Prime or $8 with out it. That enables your baby to pick from an intensive library of youngsters’s books for one yr with out paying these month-to-month subscription prices. The subscription, further two-year guarantee, and canopy, which makes the youngsters model barely greater than the grownup model with the identical {hardware}.
Finest finances Kindle
Finest finances Kindle
Amazon Kindle (2022)
If it is about value, then go fundamental
Thinner, lighter and with a sharper show, this is a perfect reasonably priced eReader — however there is not any waterproofing.
- Display Measurement
- 6in E-Ink show
- Storage
- 16GB
- Battery
- 6 weeks
- Dimensions
- 157.8 x 108.6 x 8mm
- Nice worth for cash
- Good show with lighting
The Kindle with out the “Paperwhite” within the title is Amazon’s fundamental finances Reader. There are some necessary adjustments for the 2022 Kindle. Whereas the show stays the identical measurement at six inches, it has elevated in pixel density over the older entry-level Kindle, so it’s sharper and affords a greater studying expertise. That is now the identical decision because the Paperwhite.
6:45
Learn our overview
Amazon Kindle (2022) 11th gen: Who needs a Paperwhite?
Amazon’s latest entry-level Kindle has a a lot sharper show and USB-C charging, making it even higher than ever.
Nevertheless, the illumination solely makes use of 4 LEDs, in comparison with 17 on the Paperwhite. However, this can be a skinny and lightweight Kindle, with loads of storage, and with USB-C, it is handy for charging. There isn’t any waterproofing on this Kindle, nevertheless, so in the event you prefer to learn on the seaside or within the bathtub, then the Paperwhite is price the additional value.
Finest finances Kindle for youths
Finest finances Kindle for youths
Amazon Kindle Youngsters (2022)
Preferrred Kindle for kids
An excellent reader for youths, because of the duvet and the 1-year subscription to Youngsters+ for extra content material.
- Display
- 6in E Ink, 4 LED illumination, 300ppi
- Storage
- 16GB
- Battery
- 6 weeks
- Dimensions
- 157.8 x 108.6 x 8mm, 156g
- Bundled with cowl and Youngsters+ subscription
- Nice worth for cash
- No waterproofing
- It is the identical because the Kindle, however prices extra
The Youngsters’ version of the Kindle is similar core system because the Kindle above, nevertheless it comes with a canopy (there is a selection of three designs), in addition to a two-year guarantee. There’s additionally a one-year subscription to Kindle Youngsters+, granting entry to a great deal of content material, ideally tailor-made for youthful readers.
This makes for a less expensive Youngsters model, however as with the Paperwhite equal, you really want to evaluate the worth of the Kindle Youngsters+ providing — in any other case you could be higher off shopping for the Kindle with a canopy, as all units have the identical parental controls.
Finest Kindle for writers and note-takers
Finest Kindle for writing
Amazon Kindle Scribe
A Kindle in a category of its personal
The Kindle Scribe has a giant show permitting house for notetaking or annotation, whereas nonetheless providing all of the Kindle studying capabilities.
- Storage
- 16GB, 32GB and 64GB
- Display Measurement
- 10.2-inch E Ink show – Paper-like texture – 300ppi
- Battery
- 12-weeks (studying solely) – 3 weeks (writing)
- Dimensions
- 196 x 229 x 5.8 mm – 433g
- The most important Kindle
- Helps observe taking and doc syncing
- It isn’t as properly related as some writing units
The Kindle Scribe is designed to open a brand new frontier in Kindle use, to broaden past studying and enterprise into note-taking and annotation. The Scribe is each an Reader and a paper pill, with the display that options glare-free studying in daylight providing a extra paper-like really feel than a typical pill. It comes with a pen equipped, permitting writing on a variety of paper varieties, together with music. It additionally permits you to write notes on books you could be studying.
8:32
Learn our overview
Amazon Kindle Scribe: Write on
Amazon’s biggest-ever Kindle can be utilized to learn and write, and stokes the paper pill bandwagon hearth to new heights
The opposite motive to swing for the Scribe is that its the largest Kindle display but. There’s an enormous battery, however that is clearly a a lot bigger Kindle than the others on this checklist, and that makes it barely totally different. Whereas the Kindle Scribe does all the things different Kindles do, the main focus right here is on note-taking and writing relatively than simply studying. Higher synchronization with companies like Google Drive would make for a greater Scribe expertise. However, in the event you do a variety of note-taking or just need a bigger display, the Scribe is a wonderful selection.
The underside line: Which is the perfect Kindle?
When it got here to picking my very own Reader, the Kindle Paperwhite was my best choice. It has some superior choices like an adjustable colour backlight and waterproofing, however with out the upper value level of the Scribe. The big backlit show makes it simple to see in just about any setting, there’s loads of storage to maintain your entire favourite books readily available whereas on the go, and battery life isn’t a difficulty.
Editor’s Alternative
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
That mentioned, the world of books is full of many several types of readers, from those that jot down notes for each e book to children and preteens who devour tales. In the event you love note-taking, think about the Scribe. If you need wi-fi charging, go for the Paperwhite Premium. For youths, the Paperwhite Youngsters affords the identical {hardware} however with a greater guarantee and a yr of free entry to an enormous library of youngsters’s books.
How we select the perfect Kindle
We’ve been utilizing the Amazon Kindle because it first launched, so we now have a variety of sensible expertise with a full vary of Kindle units all through its lengthy historical past. That is given us perception into not simply the Kindle {hardware}, however the software program expertise it affords as properly, from particular person options to the Kindle Retailer, and the subscription choices related to Kindle. We use Kindle units each day and have accomplished so for a few years, so we now have a depth of expertise and data about Kindle.
FAQ
Q: How to decide on the correct Kindle for you
A love of studying is necessary when selecting a Kindle since you’ll be gaining access to a variety of companies to give you loads of books, from Prime Studying to Kindle Limitless. Whereas all units provide entry to those companies, the house you get on the show differs. We have all the time discovered the larger is best, that means Paperwhite is our best choice, nevertheless it additionally prices extra.
If it is nearly worth for cash, then the usual Kindle is what you need. It affords illumination, entry to books, and nice battery life, so it can preserve you entertained for a lot of weeks.
A lot of the choice will come down to cost, with Amazon providing two distinct tiers, the usual Kindle and Paperwhite. Over the previous few years, these units decrease down the dimensions have benefited from the developments on the high of the dimensions. Options as soon as reserved for the top-level system are actually widespread decrease down, making Kindles even higher worth. You get extra on your cash than ever earlier than.
Q: Are the Kindle Youngsters fashions price it?
If in case you have a toddler who’s enthusiastic about studying, then the Youngsters fashions are undoubtedly price it. First, they arrive with entry to Amazon Youngsters+. This digital subscription supplies customers with entry to 1000’s of books, in addition to video games, movies, and particular Alexa expertise. The books are curated primarily based in your kid’s age, in addition to the remainder of the content material. Dad and mom have a simple solution to impose controls like display deadlines and curfews. Kindle Youngsters fashions include a one-year subscription to the service, one thing that might in any other case value you $5 per thirty days in the event you’re a Prime member and $8 per thirty days if not.
By far the perfect half about getting one in all these units is the two-year guarantee. In case your baby breaks it, you’ll be able to return it and also you get a free substitute. Since children are liable to dropping issues or sitting on units, this could put your thoughts comfortable.
Q: Which Kindle is greatest on your eyes?
All E-ink screens are good on your eyes as a result of they don’t emit blue mild like your smartphone, pill, or laptop computer. Nonetheless, even amongst Kindle screens, there are units that will probably be higher for you, such because the Paperwhite fashions. These have a matte end and do not mirror mild greater than common paper. Since they eradicate glare and have quite a few LEDs to backlight your display, the Paperwhite fashions are tremendous comfy to learn on, irrespective of the lighting circumstances in your room.
Trending Merchandise