Each avid reader is aware of {that a} reading tablet is a game-changing system to have in your literary arsenal. As a substitute of making an attempt to lug round that 700-page novel, strive an Amazon Kindle as a light-weight, moveable studying companion with a long-lasting battery cost that will not overwhelm your tote bag.
Kindles have been round for nearly 20 years, and as we speak there is a system for each reader. For instance, the Kindle Scribe makes annotating a breeze, and the Kindle Colorsoft affords a full-color pill so you will not miss out on high quality illustrations. Whether or not you desire a premium expertise with the Kindle Paperwhite or the budget-friendly base mannequin system, we’ll assist you select the pill that most closely fits your wants.
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Offers are chosen by the CNET Group commerce staff, and could also be unrelated to this text.
What’s the greatest Kindle proper now?
We have examined the perfect Kindle studying tablets in the marketplace by exploring their options, researching buyer suggestions, and evaluating affordability. Even with extra superior gadgets obtainable, Amazon’s base model Kindle stays our favourite.
The $110 base mannequin Kindle is our greatest general choose for its glorious battery life, simple readability, and quick page-turning pace. Learn on for a full breakdown of the perfect Kindle studying tablets
Additionally: The best tablets you can buy
The perfect Kindle readers of 2025
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The Kindle base mannequin is the proper system to deal with your entire favourite books. The newest model of the pill affords a brand new coloration, Matcha Inexperienced, in addition to improved web page turning charges. Even with the upgrades, this Kindle stays probably the most reasonably priced within the product household at $110 — primarily the price of 4 hardcover books.
The handy and accessible 6-inch tablet is ideal for a reader on-the-go, and its battery life lasts about six weeks. It’s also possible to select to tack on a 3-month free trial of Kindle Limitless for much more digital books.
Evaluate: Amazon Kindle (12th-generation)
After I went hands-on with this Kindle, I might undoubtedly advocate it to any word-lover. It has all of the options you’d want in a decent e-reader together with a vivid, glare-free show, reactive and fast speeds, and an important battery life at an inexpensive value.
Amazon Kindle specs: Screen measurement: 6 inches | Storage: 16GB, Amazon Cloud | Battery life: As much as six weeks at half-hour per day | Lock display adverts: Sure, detachable with price | microSD card help: No
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The Kindle Paperwhite, which Amazon boasts as its “quickest Kindle ever,” is an upgraded model of the bottom mannequin Kindle. Whereas nonetheless 16GB, the 7-inch, glare-free display has a better distinction ratio and even quicker page-turning pace.
Maria Diaz, a ZDNET author, went hands-on with the system and most popular it over her present e-reader each day driver. Whereas it is not full coloration, it has an robotically adjusting entrance gentle to go simple in your eyeballs in any surroundings. The battery life additionally boasts spectacular efficiency with as much as 12 weeks of cost.
Evaluate: Amazon Paperwhite (2024)
“After two weeks of each day studying on a single cost, some days for as much as three hours a day, my Kindle Paperwhite’s battery remains to be at 32%. In line with Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite might final about 42 hours of studying with the brightness at 13,” Diaz mentioned in her overview.
Charlie Osborne, one other ZDNET contributor, all the time has her Paperwhite available when she travels. Osborne mentioned she prefers the Kindle show to utilizing the app on her smartphone.
Kindle Paperwhite specs: Display screen measurement: 7 inches | Storage: 16GB | Battery life: As much as 12 weeks at half-hour per day | Lock display adverts: Sure, take away with a price | microSD card help: No
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If you need just a few extra bells and whistles in your Kindle Paperwhite, you may take a look at the Paperwhite Signature Version. It is dearer, however the Signature Version comes with a whopping 32GB of storage.
As well as, the glare-free 7-inch display has a better distinction and a quicker page-turn price in addition to an adjustable heat gentle and wi-fi charging. Sadly, the $23
In line with Amazon, a single cost through USB-C lasts as much as 12 weeks, which provides as much as about half-hour per day at a light-weight setting of 13, in response to the system specs. Audiobook streaming by means of the Amazon Audible app may even drain the battery quicker.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version additionally sports activities a water-proof ranking of ranking of IPX8, which is ideal for poolside studying round splashy youngsters. The Signature Version is available in the identical colours as the unique Paperwhite, however with a metallic end.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version specs: Display screen measurement: 7 inches | Storage: 32GB | Battery life: As much as 12 weeks at half-hour per day | Lock display adverts: No | microSD card help: No
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The $340 Kindle Scribe combines a digital library with a digital notebook. You should use the Primary Pen to create notes both by means of an app or immediately on the pages of the e-book you are studying. It is a tremendous handy function if you happen to’re finding out for a check, take pleasure in annotating a novel, or need extra group whereas studying. The Primary Pen comes with the pill, however you may improve to the Kindle Scribe
The show is exceptional, with a high-resolution 10.2-inch display. You may even have entry to ample storage choices, and the battery life will allow you to learn the following bestseller with out worrying about discovering the closest plug for charging.
Evaluate: Amazon Kindle Scribe
When Matthew Miller reviewed the Scribe final 12 months, he known as it his on-the-go note-taking tablet of alternative. “My want to search out one thing that does not waste paper and in addition offers the power to protect and share my notes has been met with the Amazon Kindle Scribe,” Miller mentioned. He provides that the writing and erasing capabilities are prime tier — additional bolstered with the add-on Premium Pen.
Additionally: Best tablets for school in 2025
However there may be definitely room for enchancment. At the moment, you may export notes to a PDF and e mail them, although sending notes to different applications like Microsoft Phrase can be excellent, as will probably be a part of a future software program replace. Moreover, we discovered that organizing your notes on the Kindle Scribe is almost inconceivable.
Total, it is a superb foray into the digital note-taking market, however future software program updates will assist refine the product.
Kindle Scribe specs: Display screen measurement: 10.2 inches | Storage: 16, 32, or 64GB | Battery life: As much as 12 weeks at half-hour per day | Lock display adverts: Sure, detachable with price | microSD card help: No
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The Kindle Colorsoft lastly provides customers what they’ve needed for years: a full-color Kindle possibility. In comparison with related e-readers from different firms, Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft affords by far the smoothest expertise. When you like graphic novels, illustrative texts, or wish to take a bunch of kids’s books on a household trip, this Kindle is the proper instrument to view the artwork at its full potential.
When ZDNET’s Allison Murray examined the pill, she had no points studying within the daylight. It is also waterproof — an ideal companion for a sunny day on the pool.
Evaluate: Kindle Colorsoft
“I’ve nearly no complaints with this Kindle besides maybe its small measurement. The scale itself is simple and cozy to carry, however studying coloration books or magazines, a much bigger measurement like that of the Boox Observe Air C 3’s 10.3-inch show makes a higher affect, and you may actually see and recognize the colour photographs higher when seeing your entire web page,” Murray mentioned in her overview.
Just like the Paperwhite Signature Version, the Colorsoft has wi-fi charging capabilities, however the dock is bought individually. As well as, the battery life is simply eight weeks, in comparison with the 12 weeks different Kindles supply. Nonetheless, if you happen to want a colourful e-reader, look no additional than the brand new Kindle Colorsoft.
Kindle Paperwhite specs: Display screen measurement: 7 inches | Storage: 16 or 32 GB | Battery life: As much as 8 weeks at half-hour per day | Lock display adverts: No | microSD card help: No
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|
Finest Kindle reader |
Worth |
Display screen measurement |
Battery life |
Storage |
|
Kindle (Twelfth-generation) |
$110 |
6 inches |
6 weeks |
16GB |
|
Kindle Paperwhite |
$160 |
7 inches |
12 weeks |
16GB |
|
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version |
$200 |
7 inches |
12 weeks |
32GB |
|
Kindle Scribe |
$340 |
10 inches |
12 weeks |
16GB |
|
Kindle Colorsoft |
$280 |
7 inches |
8 weeks |
32GB |
*Lowest value on the time of writing. Please word that costs could fluctuate based mostly on retailer and obtainable promotions, gross sales, or reductions.
When searching for a brand new Kindle reader, apart from value, you also needs to contemplate how a lot space for storing you may want on your digital bookshelf.
Each the essential Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite have 16GB of storage. The Paperwhite Signature Version has 32GB of storage, nevertheless it’s dearer. The Colorsoft additionally has 32GB of storage, however a shorter battery life. As well as, if you happen to’re not planning to take notes whereas studying, the Scribe in all probability is not for you.
Beneath is a desk that outlines which Kindle corresponds to particular wants:
|
Select this Kindle reader… |
When you want… |
|
Kindle (Twelfth-generation) |
A fundamental reader that’s simple to convey wherever. It is reasonably priced and can go well with informal customers. |
|
Kindle Paperwhite |
If you need one thing extra fashionable and lighter than the standard Kindle, this may very well be greatest for you. |
|
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version |
If you need the Paperwhite expertise with extra storage and a wi-fi charging possibility. |
|
Kindle Scribe |
Finest for notetaking, annotating whereas studying, and even journaling. |
|
Kindle Colorsoft |
A full coloration studying system greatest for comics, manga, and graphic novels. |
- Worth: Kindles are usually reasonably priced, however with extra options, like drawing capabilities, robust battery life, and ample storage, you’ll pay a better value.
- Storage capability: The purpose of a tool like a Kindle is to retailer as many books in a single compact system as doable. We checked out Kindles with huge storage capacities that may maintain hundreds of titles.
- Environmental elements: A lot of fashions supply water resistance, so you may learn inside and out of doors. Nevertheless, keep in mind that Kindles are nonetheless digital gadgets, so that they shouldn’t be uncovered to excessive situations.
- Show: Kindles include quite a lot of show sizes. Do desire a pill about the identical measurement as the typical novel, or a bigger display?
- Children: When you intend to permit your kids to make use of a Kindle, you would possibly wish to go for a mannequin designed with child security and safety in thoughts. A minimum of spend money on a case.
- Coloration: It is a minor consideration, however colours could be restricted within the mannequin you finally choose.
- Battery life: The e-readers on this checklist ought to ideally final just a few weeks earlier than recharging. Turning off Wi-Fi when not in use can drastically enhance your Kindle’s battery life. Turning on airplane mode and decreasing the brightness setting also can preserve you studying longer.
Additionally: How to buy books on Kindle
ZDNET solely recommends merchandise now we have used and may communicate to. We do that by spending just a few weeks consistently utilizing the merchandise and evaluating them for efficiency, battery life, usability, particular options, and extra.
We deal with the typical shopper’s wants in addition to a very powerful elements in selecting a Kindle. This may increasingly embody show measurement, readability, and storage.
We write product spotlights or opinions and along with greatest lists. Every month, we consider which merchandise nonetheless deserve a spot on this checklist and swap out older fashions or these out of inventory with newer ones.
A Kindle will prevent shelf house, however some readers love an in-home library. Carrying a e-book with you is further weight, however Kindles are small, slim, and light-weight.
You do not have to decide on a facet, and you do not want a Kindle pill to entry Kindle’s library. You possibly can obtain the app in your cellphone to learn digital books and magazines, however a Kindle pill’s sole goal is to operate as an e-reader is distraction-free.
In brief, it is all in your desire.
Sure. Kindles are usually waterproof and sport glare-free shows, making studying in robust daylight a cushty expertise.
A skinny Kindle may very well be a splendid various in case your seashore bag is just too heavy for a thick e-book. Plus, you do not have to decide on between two or three books to learn — you may convey all of them in your pill.
A Kindle is a sturdy system if you happen to take correct care of it. I had a take a look at the r/kindle Reddit web page and located numerous folks boasting that their Kindles have lasted them over a decade lengthy.
All of it will depend on what sorts of books you wish to obtain, as completely different media information have completely different sizes.
Longer titles like Conflict and Peace by Leo Tolstoy can have a bigger file measurement than one thing like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Nice Gatsby. Picture-heavy graphic novels may also take up more room. Typically, plain-text information like novels, nonfiction titles, and even college textbooks have pretty small sizes. Your 32GB pill might plausibly home as much as 13,500 books.
You possibly can even obtain audiobooks from the Kindle app, though the audio information are sometimes massive. Which means that a 32GB Kindle will solely maintain about 150 audiobooks, relying on the size of the recording.
The Kindle Paperwhite boasts a extra outstanding show, a heat gentle adjustment function, longer battery life, and an improved waterproof construct. These options make the system dearer as properly.
All Kindles supply text-to-voice narration by means of Alexa. If you wish to purchase an audiobook particularly, you may have to make use of Amazon’s Audible. Audible is built-in into all newer Kindle fashions, and you may usually make the most of free trials or low cost subscriptions throughout gross sales occasions.
As well as, just like the Kindle app itself, you do not want a pill to make use of the Audible app.
Kindles want Wi-Fi to obtain a e-book and entry the web. When you obtain the e-book, you may learn it and not using a Wi-Fi connection.
I take my Kindle on the subway, the place there is no Wi-Fi connection, and don’t have any drawback studying my favourite titles. For different ZDNET authors, together with Charlie Osborne, a Kindle is a should on airplanes. Protecting a Kindle on airplane mode may even enhance its battery life.
There isn’t any goal reply to this. Like studying in your smartphone, a Kindle merely affords another and a strategy to digitally retailer your e-book assortment. Arguably, a very powerful factor is having fun with your studying time.
Sure, you will get Kindle books without cost. A lot of basic literature is within the public area, or now not protected by copyright legal guidelines, and may be offered without cost. It’s also possible to go to Amazon and search “free Kindle books.”
Additionally: How to get (great) free books on Kindle
You can also discover hundreds of titles for very low costs, typically as little as $0.99. Nevertheless, these are sometimes self-published works. It’s also possible to preserve an eye fixed out for “Stuff Your Kindle Day” to seize just a few free e-books.
Options to Kindles
ZDNET sourced exterior trade specialists for this text. Right here is extra details about them:
Ayman Chaudhary: Digital creator (@aymansbooks) on TikTok with over 900,000 followers. She creates content material and memes about novels and recommends the books she reads on the platform.
Tablets Reviewed & In contrast
