Whether you want to start reading on a Kindle, or you’re ready to upgrade an aging model you’ve been using for years, there are plenty of options for you to pick from.
There’s an entry-level Kindle that nails the basics, the Paperwhite that seemingly does it all, the Oasis that’s long overdue for an upgrade, or the latest entry, the Kindle Scribe that works with a stylus for jotting notes in a digital notebook.
While the Paperwhite is the easy pick for the best Kindle in Amazon’s (AMZN) current lineup, that doesn’t mean you should mash that Buy Now button and call it a day. There are still reasons to consider the rest of the Kindle lineup.
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Best Overall: Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle out there because it walks the line of offering premium features without being too expensive.
For $139, you get a Kindle with a 6.8-inch display, 8GB of storage, 17 LEDs to light up the display for reading in any conditions and an adjustable warm light that makes the screen easier on your eyes.
The Paperwhite’s design also features a flush front (the display isn’t recessed below the housing as is the case on the standard Kindle) and it’s waterproof, giving you the confidence to use it at the pool, beach or even in the bathtub; it’ll withstand the occasional splash.
I’ve found the 11th generation Paperwhite to be comfortable to hold for extended periods of time, thanks to the rounded back and the fact that it doesn’t weigh all that much at just 205-grams (7.23-ounces).
Turning pages and navigating the Kindle’s interface, be it browsing the store for a new book or my library, I rarely feel like the Paperwhite is struggling to keep up.
There’s also a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition model for $189.99 that comes with 32GB of storage, an auto-adjusting light and it can be charged via USB-C or via a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. The Signature Edition is for those who hoard digital books and need extra storage, or want the extra niceties of wireless charging and an auto-adjusting light.
The Paperwhite is the ideal Kindle for avid readers who want the best possible experience without spending a ton of money.
Best Entry-Level Pick: Kindle
The $99 Kindle is a fantastic starting point for anyone who is unsure if reading digital books is for them. It’s a smaller, more portable eReader that doesn’t require you to spend a whole lot.
For just under $100, you’re getting a 6-inch display, 4 LED lights for reading at night, and 16GB of storage. It feels snappy when turning pages or browsing the Kindle store, and its battery keeps up with the rest of the Kindle lineup, offering weeks of reading on a single charge. As for color options, you can pick between black or denim.
Related: Amazon Kindle 2022 Review
Most Versatile: Kindle Scribe
The Kindle Scribe is the largest Kindle in Amazon’s lineup with a 10.2-inch display and it’s the only one that doubles as a digital notebook. That means you can use the included stylus to write notes, sketch ideas, or even markup and sign documents.
You create notebooks within the Kindle interface to store your documents, sketches, ideas and meeting notes, separating your personal items from your Amazon Kindle library.
Starting at $340, the Scribe comes with 16GB of storage and Amazon’s Basic Pen for note-taking. For $30 more, you can get the Premium Pen which boasts a dedicated eraser on the non-business end and a customizable button.
Amazon also offers the Scribe model that includes the Premium Pen and 32GB or 64GB of storage for $389 or $419, respectively. The Scribe has the brightest display that makes it easier to read in direct sunlight, but it also means you can write on it in a dark environment, which is something you can’t do on a dedicated digital notebook like the reMarkable 2. In total, the Scribe has 35 LEDs that encircle the 300 ppi display.
Related: Amazon Kindle Scribe Review
It’s the heaviest Kindle out of the group, weighing nearly a pound. I’ve yet to adjust to its increased size for long reading sessions, but instead have most often used it laying flat on a table or desk.
The Scribe is ideal for those who want to test the waters of a digital notebook or for those who want a Kindle with a large display.
An Oldie But Goodie: Kindle Oasis
The Kindle Oasis is long overdue for a refresh. It was last updated in 2019, and despite having a few features the rest of the Kindle lineup lacks, its age is starting to show.
For example, the Oasis still uses microUSB for charging and syncing documents. The rest of the Kindle lineup has made the switch, and rightfully so, over to USB-C. Another example of its aging design is the fact that its 7-inch display--once the biggest out of the Kindle lineup--is barely larger than the Kindle Paperwhite’s 6.8-inch screen.
That said, the Oasis offers automatic screen rotation, putting the page turning buttons--an exclusive feature--on either the right or left side of the screen. Another benefit the Oasis offers over the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite is more LEDs to light up the screen: jumping from 4 and 17, respectively, all the way up to 25.
At $250, it’s nearly double the price of the Paperwhite and at this point, I’m not sure you’re getting twice the experience of the Paperwhite. But, if you’re looking for a Kindle with physical buttons for turning the page and a brighter display, then the Oasis is worth considering.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of publishing.
