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Looking for the best Kindle for reading? Here’s what to get

In this comprehensive guide, we explore and compare Kindle models to help you choose your perfect e-reader.

Published Dec 14, 2023
8 min. reading time
Image of person reading Kindle

As an avid Kindle reader, you’d know the joy of diving into  -books, getting lost in their pages, and emerging hours later, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

But carrying around physical books can be cumbersome and that's where Kindle e-readers come in. Lightweight, portable, and capable of storing thousands of books, they're a book lover's dream. 

In this guide, we'll explore some of the new Kindle models on the market and compare their features, advantages and drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.

Read more: Shop the best Audible books to listen to

Denim kindle with power adapter
Kindle Essentials Bundle including Kindle (2022 release)
$134.97 at Amazon
Black kindle on a stand with blue cover
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
$244.97 at Amazon
Front and back view of kindle with whale image
Kindle Kids Essentials Bundle (2022 release)
$152.97 at Amazon
Front view of black Kindle
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, 11th Generation
$139.99 at Staples

Specifications

Storage: 16 GB

Battery life: Up to six weeks on a single charge

The Kindle Essentials Bundle (2022 release) might be a sneak peek into the future of reading. This latest 2022 release comes with some promising upgrades, like a high-resolution display showcasing clear and crisp text and images. You no longer have to worry about eye strain or the screen glare from sunlight - this Kindle has you covered. Its adjustable front light and dark mode ensure your reading comfort, regardless of day or night.

With a whopping 16GB storage, the unit accommodates thousands of books. As it's powered by a USB-C charging system, the Kindle Essentials Bundle keeps you company for up to six weeks on a single charge. Now, that's what we call exceptional longevity.

Perhaps the best feature is its dedication to sustainability. Crafted with 30-75% recycled plastics and 90% recycled magnesium, this Kindle assures minimal environmental impact. Even the packaging is 100% recyclable.

On this device, interruption from messages, emails, or social media platforms is a thing of the past. The distraction-free interface allows you to fully immerse yourself in your favorite stories, which is, after all, the essence of reading.

Black kindle on a stand with blue cover
Photo: Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

You save $20.00 (7.55%)
$244.97$264.97

Specifications

Storage: 32 GB

Battery life: Up to 10 weeks

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition elevates your reading experience to new heights. With its massive 32 GB storage, it has room for thousands of titles. Its 300 ppi glare-free display mimics the texture of real paper, reducing eye strain and enhancing readability even under direct sunlight. Unwind at any time of the day with its adjustable warm light feature, which allows you to shift screen shade from white to amber.

Built to be waterproof, you don't have to worry about immersing it accidentally in water. The Signature Edition also comes bundled with a stylish leather cover, and a power adaptor. It charges via USB-C to last weeks making it ideal for travel or extended use. Plus, with included Kindle Unlimited, you get unlimited access to over two million titles, thousands of audiobooks, and more.

Adding another dimension to your reading habit, this Signature Edition allows you to go hands-free by pairing it with an Audible subscription and Bluetooth devices.

Specifications

Storage: 16 GB

Battery life: Up to six weeks

The Kindle Kids Essentials Bundle is built with young readers in mind. The glare-free, 300 ppi high-resolution display ensures sharp text and images, making the reading experience comfortable and strain-free.

The product is purpose-built for reading, steering clear of distractions like apps, videos, and games. The adjustable front light and dark mode add to the comfort, making it suitable for reading at any time of the day or night. A single charge lasts up to six weeks, ensuring your child's reading time isn't interrupted frequently.

Moreover, it is compact and lightweight, allowing for easy one-handed reading.

This bundle includes a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, a service designed for kids aged three to 12 to safely learn, grow, and explore with unlimited access to thousands of books and hundreds of audiobooks. There’s a Parent Dashboard for better control and customization, enabling you to add books from your account, view reading progress, adjust age filters, set a device bedtime, and more.

Specifications

Storage: 8 GB

Battery life: Up to ten weeks on a single charge

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is the perfect companion for book lovers on the go. Thin, lightweight, and easy to carry, it lets you take your favorite books with you wherever you travel. The 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display reads like real paper, even in direct sunlight.

With a single USB Type-C charge, it lasts up to an impressive ten weeks, letting you delve into book after book without worrying about running out of power. Its 8GB storage capacity holds thousands of books so you’ll never run out..

One of the standout features of this Kindle Paperwhite is its IPX8 waterproof rating. Whether you're lounging by the beach or unwinding in the bath, you can read without fear of water damage.

There are customizable reading options too. You can adjust the shade of your display from white to a warm amber and you can tweak the size and boldness of the text to suit your preference.

Specifications

Storage: 16 GB

Battery life: Up to six weeks

The Amazon Kindle 6-inch E-Reader (11th generation) is a compact yet powerful reading device, perfect for book lovers who love to carry their library wherever they go. It has a  300 ppi high-resolution display, providing sharp text and images.

One of its standout features is the glare-free screen that lets you read comfortably, whether you're indoors or outdoors, day or night. Plus, it has a new dark mode feature that further enhances your reading experience, especially in low-light conditions.

This Kindle also has double the storage capacity of the previous generation, with 16 GB of space to store thousands of books. This means more room for your favorite titles, and the opportunity to discover new ones with Kindle Unlimited, which offers access to over two million titles and thousands of audiobooks.

Kindle in yellow book cover
Photo: Target

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (16GB)

You save $25 (14.71%)
$144.99$169.99

Specifications

Storage: 16 GB

Battery life: Up to ten weeks

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (16GB) is a complete reading solution designed specifically for the young readers in your life. This package includes not only the 11th-generation Kindle Paperwhite but also a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, a child-friendly cover, and a two-year worry-free guarantee.

This Kindle Paperwhite has a 6.8-inch, 300 ppi glare-free display that allows for comfortable reading for extended periods, and it's waterproof, so it's safe for poolside or beach reading. 

The device is also equipped with tools like Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise to help young readers improve their skills. The one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription provides access to thousands of ad-free books, games, and apps from brands children love like National Geographic, Marvel, and LEGO.

With adjustable warm light, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is suitable for reading indoors and outdoors, day and night.

Grey Scribe Kindle with Pen
Photo: Target

Specifications

Storage: 16 GB

Battery life: Up to three weeks

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is more than just an e-reader; it's a digital notepad, a productivity tool, and a library that fits in your bag. With its world-first 10.2-inch 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display, reading is made comfortable and easy, even in bright sunlight. 

But the real game-changer is its ability to let you write and take notes as naturally as on paper, thanks to the included Basic Pen. Whether you want to jot down thoughts on sticky notes within your favorite e-book or create detailed checklists and journals, the Kindle Scribe has got you covered.

The e-reader quickly organizes your notes by book, making reviewing and exporting them via email a breeze. It's a perfect tool for students who want to make notes directly in their textbooks or business professionals who need to review and mark up PDF files. 

With its adjustable warm light and auto-adjusting front light, you can read and write comfortably day or night. Plus, larger font sizes ensure a personalized reading experience.

And the best part? The Basic Pen never needs to be charged.

Kindle in book cover with ocean images
Photo: Best Buy

Specifications

Battery life: Up to six weeks

Storage: 16 GB

The new Kindle Kids (2022 release)packs a high-resolution display, offering sharper text for an even better reading experience. Storage has also been doubled to 16GB, with ample room to hold a vast library of your child's favorite stories and adventures.

Every purchase includes a year of Amazon Kids+ giving access to thousands of titles for kids to explore and lose themselves in varied realms of adventurous tales, science mysteries, fairy tales, and much more.

The beautiful Ocean Explorer cover is not just visually pleasing; it protects the Kindle Kids, enhancing its longevity. The two-year warranty further ups the assurance of a worthy investment. Plus, this bundle comes in a pack of two, making it perfect for those with a big family.

Specifications

Storage: 8 GB

Battery life: Up to six weeks

The Kindle Oasis E-Reader offers a great reading experience for the tech-savvy reader on the go. At seven inches, the touchscreen provides ample space for reading, while the 300 pixels per inch offers a sharp and easy-to-read display.

With a generous internal memory of eight gigabytes, this Kindle is capable of storing thousands of books. The ability to adjust the warm light ensures the pages won't strain your eyes even after long reading sessions.

Boasting Wi-Fi connectivity, this e-reader allows for easy downloads and seamless browsing through your favorite eBook stores. Not to mention, with built-in Bluetooth technology, it's a breeze to connect headphones or speakers for audiobook listening.

What is the best Kindle for reading books on?

While all Kindle models are designed for Kindle reading the Kindle Paperwhite 2022 is a standout choice for avid readers. It boasts a large 32GB storage, adjustable warm light, and the ability to switch between reading and listening with Audible. It's also waterproof, making it a versatile choice for reading in various environments.

Which Kindle is the best value for money?

The new Kindle (2022 release) provides excellent value for money. It offers a high-resolution display, 16GB storage, and up to six weeks of battery life. It's also designed with sustainability in mind, featuring recycled plastics and magnesium in its construction.

What's the difference between a Kindle and a Paperwhite?

The main difference between a Kindle and a Kindle Paperwhite 2022 lies in their display and lighting. While both have high-resolution 300 ppi displays, the Kindle Paperwhite 2022 offers an adjustable warm light feature, allowing you to shift the screen shade from white to amber for a more comfortable reading experience. Additionally, the Paperwhite is typically waterproof, while the basic Kindle is not.

Is Kindle free with Amazon Prime?

While owning a Kindle doesn't automatically grant you free access to books for Kindle, Amazon Prime members can borrow books for free from the Kindle storeOwners' Lending Library. Furthermore, Prime members have access to Prime Reading, which offers a rotating selection of books, magazines and more at no extra cost.

Why buy a Kindle instead of a book?

Kindles offer several advantages over physical books. They're lightweight and portable, can store thousands of e-books for Kindle, and provide adjustable text size and lighting for a more comfortable Kindle reader experience. Additionally, Kindles are eco-friendly, reducing the need for paper and physical transportation of books.

Which Kindles get our stamp of approval?

Among the models listed, the Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation and Kindle Scribe get our vote. 

The Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation offers a host of premium features, including a large storage capacity and adjustable warm light, making it perfect for serious Kindle readers. 

On the other hand, the Kindle Scribe provides excellent value for money, offering a high-resolution display, ample storage, easy note taking and a commitment to sustainability. In short, there's a Kindle out there for everyone, whether you're a casual reader, a devoted bookworm, or looking to inspire a love of reading in your child. It’s time to explore the options in the Kindle store and discover the joy of carrying a library in your pocket!


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Prices updated on 12/14/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

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Written by
Afina Najib

A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.

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