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Close-up view of a Kindle display menu with various book covers. Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

The Best Kindles of 2024

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Close-up view of a Kindle display menu with various book covers. Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

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Editor's Choice Product image of Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)
Best Overall

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)

Check Price at Amazon

The Kindle Paperwhite is an outstanding e-reader in every way, but one: Amazon's use of advertising on the lowest-priced iteration of the device. Read More

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Unparalleled selection of content
  • Gorgeous display

Cons

  • Must pay a premium to remove ads
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)
Best For Most People

Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2022)

Check Price at Amazon

Amazon’s entry-level Kindle offers the features that most people need to lose themselves in a great reading experience, at a reasonable price. Read More

Pros

  • Crisp, bright display
  • Responsive and easy to use
  • Compact and value-packed

Cons

  • Raised bezels
  • Not waterproof
  • No color temperature control
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Kobo Libra 2
Best Kindle Alternative

Kobo Libra 2

Check Price at Kobo

The Kobo Libra 2 offers a great alternative to Amazon's fleet of e-readers. We wish its user interface were a little more user-friendly, however. Read More

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Great display
  • Page-turn buttons

Cons

  • Lacklustre user interface
4
Product image of Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)
Best for Notetaking

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)

Check Price at Amazon

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first foray into digital note-taking—but it needs software updates to become an indispensable reading and writing companion. Read More

Pros

  • Large, bright display
  • Speedy performance
  • Comfortable writing experience

Cons

  • Too large for some reading situations
  • Lacks water resistance
  • Note-taking experience merely adequate
  • Best Overall Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Gen)
  • Best For Most People Amazon Kindle (2022, 11th Gen)
  • Best Kindle Alternative Kobo Libra 2
  • Other Amazon Kindles We Tested
  • How We Test Amazon Kindles
  • What You Should Know About Amazon Kindles
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

An Amazon Kindle provides readers with the ability to carry thousands of books, magazines, and comics with them, wherever they go.

The best Kindle models are easy to hold, can be read in any lighting condition, and have outstanding battery life. The ability to quickly purchase and download books on the go is the icing on the cake.

The bookworms at Reviewed have been testing Kindles for years. Right now, the best Kindle is the Kindle Paperwhite (available at Amazon for $139.99) . Redesigned in 2021, the 11th-generation version of the device is waterproof and offers a bright, crisp display, and loads of storage. Also, it can be used to read books downloaded from the Amazon Kindle Store or to listen to one via Amazon’s Audible audiobooks service with Bluetooth headphones or a wireless speaker.

That said, not everyone needs the best of the best. For most people, we recommend the latest version of the Amazon Kindle (available at Amazon). It still offers a great reading experience but at a lower cost than the Paperwhite.

If you want to take your library on the go but aren't sure whether an Amazon device is right for you, we suggest the Ratuken Kobo Libra 2 (available at Amazon) as an alternative. Beyond this, be sure to take a peek at our guide to the best e-readers to help you make an informed buying decision.

A Kindle Paperwhite sits on an outdoor table, against an overcast sky.
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

Our favorite Kindle, the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite, features a larger display, lighting temperature controls and, fast USB-C charging

Best Overall
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Gen)
  • Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.32 inches
  • Weight: 7.23 ounces
  • Display size: 6.8 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 8GB (32GB for the pricier Signature Edition)
  • Bluetooth capable: Yes
  • Waterproof: Yes (IPX8 rating)
  • Battery Life: Weeks of battery life
  • File support: Kindle Format (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, EPUB (via file conversion), MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX)

The 2021 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite thanks to its larger dimensions and thinner screen bezels, can accommodate a 6.8-inch E Ink display, a significant upgrade over the 6-inch display that had been the signature of the line since 2012. The latest version also has a faster processor, so books load faster and the transition from page to page is smoother.

Featuring a display resolution of 300 PPI (pixels per inch), text and grayscale images on the Kindle Paperwhite 2021 version appear crisp. It has 17 strategically placed LEDs, so side lighting is consistent. Also, for the first time, the Paperwhite features adjustable warm light, which can help reduce eye strain and help diminish the amount of blue light you’re exposed to. The device’s front lighting is capable of automatically adjusting to the ambient light in whichever room you’re reading in, making for a perfect reading experience, every time.

The Paperwhite can go up to 10 weeks between charges, depending on your reading habits. Once its battery has been depleted, it can be recharged in five hours when plugged into a computer or 2.5 hours if it’s plugged into a nine-Watt power supply.

What hasn’t changed is that Paperwhite owners still have access to an unrivaled collection of e-books, comics with their Amazon account, as well as Audible audiobooks and podcasts. Additionally, the Paperwhite is still tough enough to survive casual abuse of being knocked around in a book bag or purse and other similar misadventures. It also has an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means it will continue to function, even if it’s left in close to 7 feet of freshwater for up to an hour.

Amazon offers two versions of the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite. The premium version of the device, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (available at Amazon), comes with 32GB of internal storage, a light sensor to automatically change the device’s display brightness to match exterior lighting conditions, and 10-Watt wireless Qi charging. The entry-level Paperwhite comes packing 8GB or 16GB of storage and forgoes the Signature Edition’s light sensor and Qi charging capabilities.

It’s our opinion that most people should invest in the entry-level Paperwhite. While 8GB or 16GB isn’t a lot of storage if you’re using a laptop full of software, it’s more than enough space to store thousands of e-books. Additionally, for a device that can go for weeks between charges, wireless charging isn’t so much a convenience as it is an absurdity. Charging your Kindle’s battery via USB-C is faster and more efficient.

Pros

  • Waterproof

  • Unparalleled selection of content

  • Gorgeous display

Cons

  • Must pay a premium to remove ads

$139.99 from Amazon
A 2022 Kindle sits on a table top, next to a very large cup of coffee.
Credit: Reviewed / Séamus Bellamy

The 11th-generation Kindle comes with so many desirable features, you'll forget that it's a base model device.

Best For Most People
Amazon Kindle (2022, 11th Gen)
  • Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches
  • Weight: 5.56 ounces
  • Display size: 6 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 16 GB
  • Bluetooth capable: Yes
  • Waterproof: No
  • Battery Life: Weeks of battery life
  • File support: Kindle Format (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, EPUB (via file conversion), MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX)

While it might only be Amazon’s base model, the 2022 Amazon Kindle, the best e-reader for most people, offers most of the features of the larger, feature-packed Kindle Paperwhite for significantly less money.

Amazon has equipped this e-reader with a 6-inch, 300 PPI display, the same pixel density as the Kindle Oasis and Kindle Paperwhite—and a serious step up from the 167 PPI of the last generation. Text is crisp and legible at any of the numerous font sizes the 2022 Kindle supports, making it easy to avoid eyestrain.

It’s worth noting that it uses four LEDs to light its display. During testing, the display was bright enough to read by, no matter the conditions, but the lighting appeared uneven, especially when placed side-by-side with a Paperwhite.

We tested the 2022 Kindle with 16 GB of storage, which is the option we would suggest for most people. That’s enough room to hold thousands of e-books or dozens of audiobooks to listen to via Audible with Bluetooth.

The 2022 Kindle’s various settings, content library, and portal to the Kindle Store are easy to navigate. During testing, menus, options, and, most importantly, page turns were all incredibly responsive to the touch, and with no noticeable lag.

However, it’s not perfect. If you want a waterproof device for a little poolside reading, look elsewhere. It was also a little disappointing that the 2022 Kindle didn’t feature adjustable warm lighting to help you get as far away from blue spectrum light as possible.

It's worth noting that this device also comes in a Kindle Kid's Edition—an Amazon Kindle wrapped up in a colorful, abuse-resistant case. Every Kid's Edition Kindle includes a two-year warranty and one year of Amazon Kids+, giving your young reader access to over a thousand kid-friendly books.

Read our full 11th-Generation Amazon Kindle (2022) review

Pros

  • Crisp, bright display

  • Responsive and easy to use

  • Compact and value-packed

Cons

  • Raised bezels

  • Not waterproof

  • No color temperature control

$119.99 from Amazon

$99.99 from Best Buy

$99.99 from Target
a Kobo Libra H2O e-reader sitting on a desk.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Boasting an incredible range of features, the Kobo Libra H2O is the best e-reader, for most people.

Best Kindle Alternative
Kobo Libra 2
  • Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches
  • Weight: 5.56 ounces
  • Display size: 7 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 32 GB
  • Bluetooth capable: Yes
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Battery Life: Weeks of battery life
  • File support: EPUB, EPUB3, FlePub, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR) Kobo Audiobooks

While we love Amazon's Kindle e-readers for their simplicity of use and versatility, there's a whole wide world of other e-readers out there that you may want to consider before investing in a device to do all of your reading with. At the time that this guide was written, the Ratuken Kobo Libra 2 is, in our opinion, the best alternative to a Kindle e-reader that you can buy. Just like Amazon's more expensive e-readers, the Libra 2 comes with front lighting with adjustable color temperature controls, which makes reading easy on the eyes. Its readability is enhanced by a large selection of fonts, font sizes, and weights.

Its physical buttons and touch interface make for easy navigation. A built-in accelerometer detects when you change the device’s orientation and adjusts the e-ink display accordingly. This makes using the e-reader with your left or right hand a pleasure.

The Kobo Bookstore features millions of titles and offers an all-you-can-read monthly subscription service. Additionally, the OverDrive functionality makes it possible to borrow digital books and periodicals from your local library. Finally, there’s Pocket: a free-to-use read-it-later service that allows you to send articles and long-form content to peruse later. Click the extension and the content will be synced to your Kobo device in an e-reader-friendly format. What's more, just like the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis, the Libra 2 is waterproof, making it a great companion, pool-side.

Unfortunately, the Libra 2's excellent hardware and onboard services are taken out at the knees by its user interface. Important features, such as dark mode, are hidden away and not immediately easy to find.

Pros

  • Waterproof

  • Great display

  • Page-turn buttons

Cons

  • Lacklustre user interface

Buy now at Kobo

Buy now at Amazon

$169.99 from Walmart

Other Amazon Kindles We Tested

Best for Notetaking
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022)
  • Dimensions: 7.7 x 9.0 x 0.22 inches
  • Weight: 15.3 ounces
  • Display size: 10.2 inches
  • Screen resolution: 300 PPI
  • Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
  • Bluetooth capable: Yes
  • Waterproof: No
  • Battery Life: Weeks of battery life
  • File support: Kindle Format (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, EPUB (via file conversion), MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX)

The Kindle Scribe is the largest Kindle in Amazon’s current lineup of e-readers. The size of the display makes it feel as if you’re reading a full-sized hardcover book. With the sharpness of its screen, images, diagrams, and even comic books (provided you’re okay with viewing their art in grayscale) look fantastic. It’s also possible to listen to Audible content or side-load books using software like Calibre.

The Kindle Scribe is an e-reader first. Taking notes with Amazon’s Premium Pen, as well as compatible styluses from a number of other E-Ink tablets, was adequate, but there was an almost imperceivable amount of lag. The display’s front lighting makes it possible to take and view your notes in any lighting conditions.

Thanks to a recent update, the Scriber now comes with a better selection of note-taking tools than when it was first released. It still only comes with a small number of page templates, but there are a number of new pen style options, which makes it easier to personalize your notes, along with a number of line thicknesses. Notes are organized in their own section, away from your Kindle content, and can be organized using folders and nested subfolders.

Jotting down notes in books, however, feels a little clunky. It’s not possible to simply write on the page of a Kindle book like you would in a paper volume. You have to choose a spot for the note, open a note-taking field and write your thoughts there. That said, Amazon has been taking great strides to upgrade this device's software, improving the notetaking and organizing experience with each new update.

We were also disappointed by the slow transfer of personal documents to the Scribe: It’s only possible to move PDFs to the device by sending them to the Scribe’s unique email address or using Amazon’s clunky Send to Kindle app on a PC or Mac. Documents are slow to show up using either method.

Read our full Kindle Scribe review

Pros

  • Large, bright display

  • Speedy performance

  • Comfortable writing experience

Cons

  • Too large for some reading situations

  • Lacks water resistance

  • Note-taking experience merely adequate

$254.99 from Amazon

$254.99 from Target

How We Test Amazon Kindles

The Best Kindles
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The only way to test a Kindle is to use one—a lot.

The Tester

I’m Séamus Bellamy, a senior editor for Reviewed's electronic's team. As a full-time nomad, I rely on e-ink devices for all of my reading needs--there's just no room in my life for paper books. I love e-readers and use them, often.

Over the past few years, I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of e-readers from a wide range of companies. I want to channel my passion for these devices into helping you find the perfect Kindle for you or the bookworm in your life.

The Tests

To test the best Kindles at Amazon, we read a lot of e-books, taking note of a number of factors, including battery life. We use the Kindles for hours at a time in various reading conditions—in direct sunlight, with the lights out in bed, and during the day in well-lit rooms—to ensure that e-books are legible. We also pay close attention to how easy they are to use, what content is available to read on them, and, whether or not they're well designed for use for long reading sessions.

What You Should Know About Amazon Kindles

The Best Kindles
Credit: Reviewed / Seamus bellamy

The 2019 Kindle Oasis' warm, adjustable display lighting is a very desirable upgrade.

Display

Because Kindles are designed for e-reading, you’ll be able to consume media without difficulty in all lighting conditions—from a sunny day at the beach to the darkness of your bedroom before going to sleep.

The Paperwhite, Oasis, and Scribe all feature adjustable warm lighting. This allows you to change the color temperature of a device’s lighting, which can help reduce eye strain and help to diminish the amount of blue light you’re exposed to.

Battery Life

Depending on your reading habits, a Kindle may be able to go for weeks at a time between charges, which was the case with the Kindles we tested. We prefer USB-C charging ports over MicroUSB. They recharge your Kindle faster, and you’ll also be able to use the same power cable likely used with your laptop, smartphone, and headphones.

Size and Weight

Most Amazon Kindles are small and light, so they're easy to hold during hours-long reading sessions. The Kindle Scribe? Not so much: it's currently the largest Kindle that Amazon makes. Holding it feels as if you're wrangling a full-sized hardcover book. The Scribe is best used, flat, on a tabletop, especially since it is not only designed to be used for reading, but, also, for writing.

Kindle vs. Tablet: Which is Better for Reading?

Tablets are great for productivity tasks and they’re versatile, allowing you to stream shows, watch videos, browse the web, and play games. By installing Amazon’s free Kindle and Audible apps, you can also download e-books and audiobooks to your tablet, just like you would on a Kindle. A Kindle, on the other hand, is designed to focus on one task—letting you read or listen to a good book.

Because Kindles don’t come packing dozens of apps, you’ll find that using one allows you to become immersed in the reading experience in a way that tablets can’t. A tablet’s beautiful high-resolution display might be gorgeous—provided you’re indoors. If you want to take the show outside, you’ll discover that your display is hard to enjoy in direct sunlight. Not so on a Kindle with its E-Ink display.

While investing in a one-trick pony like a Kindle might feel like a waste of money, we’d argue that it’s a sound investment for bookworms.

Subscription Options: Kindle Unlimited vs. Prime Reading

Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service offered by Amazon that is sort of like the Apple Music of reading material. For a subscription fee, users receive instantaneous access to a huge, ever-expanding library of books, audiobooks, and magazines.

Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited both function in the same basic way: as subscription-based services that offer users access to books. That said, it's worth understanding their differences.

Prime Reading is available to anyone with an active Amazon Prime subscription. It's not limited to Amazon Kindles and can be accessed on any device that supports Amazon’s Kindle app. This includes iPhones, Android phones, iPads, and Android tablets. Reading materials can be "checked out" of the Prime Reading Library.

Kindle Unlimited is a little different. It requires a monthly subscription. So, if you have an Amazon Prime account and want to access Kindle Unlimited, you’ll have to fork over an additional monthly fee for the privilege. For voracious readers, it could be a smart investment.

Which Amazon Kindles are Waterproof?

Right now, the only Kindles that are waterproof are the Kindle Oasis and the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite. Both have an IPX8 water resistance rating, which means they can be submerged in up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) of freshwater for an hour at a time. We tested the waterproof claims by submerging them in hot tubs, pools, and, for the sake of consistency, a sink full of water for 45 minutes.

Being waterproof doesn’t make your Kindle corrosion-proof, though. If you plan on using your Oasis or Paperwhite in a saltwater pool or at the beach, try to avoid getting it wet as the salt can eat away at the charging port and, in the case of the Oasis, its aluminum body. If your device is exposed to saltwater, don’t panic: rinse it off as soon as you can with fresh water and you’re good to go.

Meet the tester

Séamus Bellamy

Séamus Bellamy

Senior Editor: Mobile Devices & Wearables

@@SeamusBellamy

Séamus Bellamy is a senior editor on Reviewed's Electronics Team. Before coming to Reviewed, his work was featured in The New York Times, The Globe & Mail, BBC World, Macworld and Maximum PC.

See all of Séamus Bellamy's reviews

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