If you’re in the market for an e-reader, Amazon’s Kindle range is likely your top choice. Our team of reviewers have reviewed every generation of Kindle since we first tested the original over a decade ago.
However, with Amazon now offering a variety of different Kindle models, choosing the right one for your budget and needs can be a bit more challenging. In the past, you could simply buy the latest Kindle, but now there are multiple variations, each with different features.
All the Kindle models reviewed below have the same basic features. They all use Amazon’s excellent Kindle Book store, run on some well-designed software and all have a screen that has several LEDs around the edge to allow for night reading. You don’t need to worry about buying a new Kindle without a light now.
The differences are noticeable though and range from the size of the screen, how resistant each model is to water and extras like stylus support.
Unlike iPads and other tablets, Kindle readers generally have a very long shelf life and models are often sold for around three years without getting updated. In 2024, Amazon updated the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle (the base model) and you’ll find both below. It also discontinued the Oasis, replacing it with Colorsoft – the brand’s first colour reader.
To help you find the right Kindle for your budget and specific needs, we have created this guide that details the best options that we have reviewed and are still available for purchase.
Each Kindle included in the list below has been thoroughly reviewed and used by one of Trusted Reviews’ product experts for at least a week, although often a lot more. During that time, we check all the most important aspects of an e-reader, including ease of use, portability, build quality, battery life, and display clarity and brightness, to ensure our advice is as accurate as possible.
But before you scroll down, keep in mind the Kindle app is available on most tablets and offers access to the same library of content. So if you only sporadically read books and don’t need a Kindle’s lengthy battery life it may be worth checking out our best tablet list as well.
Best Kindle: At a glance
- Best Kindle – Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) – check price
- Best value – Amazon Kindle (2024) -check price
- Best for kids – Amazon Kindle Kids Edition (2022) – check price
- Best for writing – Amazon Kindle Scribe – check price
How we test
We use any Kindle we review as our main e-reader for at least a week when reviewing it. During this time we will check its battery life with regular use and how much it discharges on average after an hour with the screen on.
On top of this, we will check battery recharge times, max brightness levels and how easy it is to read in a variety of different conditions, including outdoor sunlight. We check performance, ease of use and build quality to ensure it is pleasant to use and rugged enough to survive use on the go, or with small children.
- Excellent screen
- Nice colour options
- Improvements to the build quality
- Signature Edition required for some features
- Uneven light
- Tasteful new colour
- The smallest Kindle option
- Bright light
- No warm light
- No waterproofing
- Great to write on
- Pen included
- Sharp display
- The software is lacking
- No handwriting recognition
- Sharing notes is tricky and limited
- Excellent, sharp display
- Two-year guarantree
- Free access to Kids+
- It’s literally an Amazon Kindle (2022) with a jacket
- Kindle Kids+ not a comprehensive library
- Not waterproof
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
The best option for most people
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Nice colour options
- Improvements to the build quality
Cons
- Signature Edition required for some features
- Uneven light
Our current favourite Kindle option is the Kindle Paperwhite (2024) – this mid-tier model ticks all the boxes and doesn’t break the bank. The reasons to choose this model instead of the cheaper Kindle (2024) which sits below on this list, include the addition of a warm light for easier night reading, a larger display and around double the battery life.
While not a huge upgrade from its predecessor, the Paperwhite 2024 edition features a larger screen, a faster user interface and better text reproduction. It also comes in two sleek new colours, including a rather fetching pinkish hue.
The screen is now 7 inches, up from 6.8 before and this larger panel offers a more comfortable reading experience and looks better to the eye. The device itself isn’t too much larger, but Amazon has slimmed down the bezel surrounding the display. It’s still a monochrome panel – go for the Colorsoft if you’re after a colour reader – but the contrast is better this time around and in our testing, we found it looked more like printed paper than ever before.
We did notice that the lighting system – which is there for reading when it’s dark – isn’t quite as even as before, however this is far from a dealbreaker.
Constructed from smooth, matte plastic, the Paperwhite is lightweight and easy to hold in one hand, making it comfortable for extended reading sessions. Despite its portability, it still feels durable, and thanks to the IPX8 water-resistant rating it should survive an accidental drop in the bath or pool too.
Like all of its hardware, if you’re part of the Amazon ecosystem then you will get more from the Paperwhite. If you don’t plan on ever using the Amazon Kindle Store or Audible’s audiobook service, or you prefer to borrow books from local library apps then you’d be much better off with an e-reader from a brand like Kobo. We recommend the Kobo Libra Colour.
Battery life is estimated by Amazon at 12 weeks and this tallies with our lab results, although it does depend heavily on how much you read per day. When it comes to charging, there’s a USB-C port on the bottom.
Reviewer: Cam Bunton
Full review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review
Amazon Kindle (2024)
The best affordable option
Pros
- Tasteful new colour
- The smallest Kindle option
- Bright light
Cons
- No warm light
- No waterproofing
The cheapest Kindle is, as you can probably guess, the most basic option in this list. If you want a device purely for reading and aren’t fussed about design flourishes then the Amazon Kindle (2024) is a great choice if the Paperwhite (2024) is out of your budget.
Compared to the Paperwhite, the Kindle is missing a few features. There’s no waterproofing, meaning this isn’t a great choice for poolside or beach reading. What it does have is a light behind the display, a feature that used to be kept for the pricier Kindle models. The light is just as bright as the Paperwhite, but it lacks the orangey warm light which is easier on the eyes at night.
Now, the size of the Kindle (2024) could be a plus or a negative. If you want a pocketable device, that slips in smaller bags and is lighter then this model is best. Its 6-inch screen is smaller than the 7-inch Paperwhite and is close in size to a larger phone. However, the smaller screen naturally makes the text smaller and this could be an issue for some.
For many, the Kindle is a great choice. It has access to the same books as the other models, lasts numerous weeks on a charge and is fast to navigate. It’s also excellent value for money.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Amazon Kindle (2024) review
Amazon Kindle Scribe
The best for writing
Pros
- Great to write on
- Pen included
- Sharp display
Cons
- The software is lacking
- No handwriting recognition
- Sharing notes is tricky and limited
The Amazon Kindle Scribe is very different to the other readers on this list. For one, the 10.2-inch screen makes this the largest option and a good choice for those who find the smaller screens above tough to read.
It’s also the priciest model on this list and hard to recommend to anyone on a budget. But, most importantly, it’s the only Kindle you can write on. The Scribe comes with a pen and a few software tweaks to turn it from a pure e-reader to a smart, modern notebook.
The writing experience is great – the low latency ensures your scribbles are mirrored quickly on screen and the slightly textured display gives a good feeling of paper. There’s even a Premium pen option that includes an eraser and a shortcut button.
The Scribe is let down by its raft of missing features though. Notes can quickly become jumbled up in the messy software, sharing with other devices is tricky and the hardware is missing some basics like an IP rating, physical page turning buttons and a cellular option.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Amazon Kindle Scribe review
Kindle Kids (2022)
The best for kids
Pros
- Excellent, sharp display
- Two-year guarantree
- Free access to Kids+
Cons
- It’s literally an Amazon Kindle (2022) with a jacket
- Kindle Kids+ not a comprehensive library
- Not waterproof
While all Kindle devices can be locked down with parental controls, the Amazon Kindle Kids Edition is well worth it. Undr
It comes with Amazon’s excellent two-year worry-free guarantee (a staple of all Amazon’s Kids edition products): if the device is broken, accidentally or otherwise, Amazon will simply replace it.
Secondly, it comes with a year’s subscription of Kids+, which gives you thousands of books thrown in for free, ranging from comic books, educational titles and bigger books. That said, there are still plenty of big children’s authors whose books aren’t included, so expect to splash out on some titles to keep your kids amused.
Parental controls are built-in as standard, controllable through the web interface. For each child in your house, you can set up a profile, locking down content to titles that are suitable for their age only. Crucially, the controls also prevent children from buying books through your account. Parental controls work brilliantly and, combined with Kids+, it means you can leave children to explore and find a range of books, without the worry that they’ll download something inappropriate.
Otherwise, this is a standard Kindle 2022 you’ll find higher up in this list. It’s got a 6-inch screen and a light making reading at night or in the car easy. We found the screen to be sharp and detailed and a big improvement over the previous model. There’s a healthy 16GB storage and USB-C for charging, although no waterproofing.
Reviewer: Jon Mundy
Full review: Amazon Kindle Kids Edition (2022) review
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FAQs
There currently isn’t any version of a Kindle with 5G.
Most Kindle models use black and white e-ink screens, however the brand also sells the Colorsoft which has a colour display.
Numerous companies have and do make e-readers including Kobo, Sony, Huawei and many more. We generally recommend Kindles over rivals due to the wealth of content available on the store.
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Spec Comparison
You can see a detailed breakdown of all the devices mentioned in this guide’s specs in the table below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
