Thinking of buying a Kindle? It's a good shout — they're some of the best e-readers around. I'm on my third, and I use it almost every day. And now's a good time to be planning your purchase, with Amazon confirming that its next Amazon Prime Day deals even for June 23-26. Kindle is an Amazon brand, so it's a pretty safe bet that we'll see discounts on a number of different models in the range.
Figuring out which Kindle will best suit your needs can be tricky. Below, I've rounded up all your options, and if you scroll down the page you'll see a table comparing the key specs for each one. I'd start by deciding if you need a color screen, in which case you'll want to look at the models with Colorsoft in their name (as opposed to the basic Kindle and the Paperwhite models, which are black-and-white only). This function is essential if you want to use your Kindle to read graphic novels, but might also be helpful for students, as it'll allow you to highlight text in different colors.
Some Kindles will let you go a step further, and make handwritten notes as well as reading. These are the options with Scribe in their names, and they also have bigger screens than the rest of the range. Utilizing the writing functions will drain the battery much quicker than reading will, but you're still looking at up to two weeks of note-taking before you need to recharge.
Me? My ereader of choice is the classic Kindle. I'm just using it for novels, there's ample storage for my needs, and the small and light format is perfect for travel. Scroll down for a run through all the Kindle options, and the best prices for each model right now.
Kindle models
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Pros
- Finally, color on a Kindle
- Speedy refresh and zooming
Cons
- Doesn’t feel premium enough for the price
- No way to access Marvel Unlimited or DC Infinite subscriptions
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Amazon Kindle Scribe
Pros
- Still the best big ereader, with better writing tools
- Subtle improvements add up in a big way
- AI tools that are [gasp] useful?!
Cons
- It’s more expensive without new hardware
- It’s got AI, like everything – you can’t escape
Pros
- Gets the basics right
- Color and Scribe features are well-packaged
- Large and sharp display
Cons
- Pricey
- Some features could use updating
Specs compared
Model: |
Kindle |
Kindle Paperwhite |
Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition |
Kindle Colorsoft |
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition |
Kindle Scribe |
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display: |
6-inch glare-free |
7-inch glare-free |
7-inch glare-free |
7-inch glare-free w/ color display |
7-inch glare-free w/ color display |
10.2-inch glare-free |
11-inch glare-free with color display |
Resolution: |
300ppi |
300ppi |
300ppi |
300ppi (black and white) / 150ppi (color) |
300ppi (black and white) / 150ppi (color) |
300ppi |
300ppi (black and white) / 150ppi (color) |
Storage: |
16GB |
16GB |
32GB |
16GB |
32GB |
16, 32 or 64GB |
32 or 64GB |
Max battery: |
6 weeks |
12 weeks |
12 weeks |
8 weeks |
8 weeks |
12 weeks reading / 3 weeks writing |
8 weeks reading / 2 weeks writing |
Waterproof (IFX8): |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Writing capability: |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
List price: |
$109.99 / £94.99 |
$159.99 / £159.99 |
$199.99 / £189.99 |
$249.99 / £239 |
$279.99 / £269 |
$399.99 / £379.99 |
$679.99 / £569.99 |
Read our review: |
