The best Kindles for every type of reader

The Kindle remains the most popular reader on the market, but which is the best model for you?
By Joseph Green and Ashley Keegan  on 
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Overview

Best for travel

Kindle Paperwhite

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Best For Basics

Kindle

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Best For Commuting

Kindle Oasis

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Best For Studying

Kindle Scribe

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Best For Cool Covers

Kindle Kids

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Best For Kids Overall

Kindle Paperwhite Kids

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See 2 More

Table of Contents

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you're a bookworm but haven't yet upgraded to an Amazon Kindle, we have to ask: what on earth are you waiting for?

We know nothing compares to the feel of a book in your hands — or even that distinctive book smell — but since the Amazon Kindle's 2007 debut, it's hard to imagine the world without a handily portable device that stores thousands of books.

But we get it. There are a lot of Kindles out there to consider. Whether you're new to e-readers or simply can't decide which Amazon Kindle you should purchase, let us break down all the models and help you make the best choice for you. 

What is a Kindle?

They may be similarly sized, but these handheld reading devices are not to be confused with a tablet or even a smartphone. Kindles are designed specifically for reading. This is made possible by the Kindle's distinctive black-and-white-only, glare-free display that reads like paper, even when you're sitting under a bright sky. 

Kindles boast a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity to allow you to access and download all the reading material you want. You can find books through the Amazon Kindle eBooks store, Prime Reading, or via a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

What should you consider before buying a Kindle?

When shopping for the best Kindles to fit your lifestyle, consider the following factors that are most likely to vary between models:

  • Battery Life — Kindles generally have outstanding battery life (depending on your usage), but some models are even more impressive. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.

  • Display Size — The smallest Kindle has a 6-inch display while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.

  • Storage Capacity — Depending on the model, Kindles can have anywhere from 8GB to 64GB of storage capacity to stash thousands of your favourite reads at a time.

  • Waterproof Protection — Not all Kindles are waterproof, but those that are provide peace of mind in case of accidental immersion in water without incurring damage.

Keep these features in mind when considering your options.

What features do Kindles offer?

Beyond the standard features that are found across most (if not all) of the latest Kindle models, there are also specialised features that you'll find on the higher-end models.

If you like to read outside, choose a Kindle with an auto-adjusting light. Or if you read during your daily commute, select want a Kindle with easy page-turn buttons so you can get to the next page with a one-handed action. There's even a Kindle that will allow you to jot down notes on your texts for later reference.

All Kindles offer parental control options as well. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via any Kindle's built-in Bluetooth connection.

You'll usually have the choice to select either an ad-supported or an ad-free experience, with the latter option typically costing about £20 more. If you don't want to go for the mini splurge of nixing the ads, you'll get ads on your lockscreen whenever you open the cover of your Kindle. That's fine if you don't mind swiping them out of the way.

Is there a monthly fee for Kindles?

All Kindle devices allow for instant access to the Amazon Kindle eBooks store where you can buy individual titles with no monthly subscription fee required. That said, Amazon Prime members can access free books via the Prime Reading service which would be subject to the current Prime membership rate. 

Beyond that, you can get a Kindle Unlimited subscription for £9.49 per month to gain unlimited access to more than three million titles and thousands of audiobooks, and borrow up to 20 eligible Kindle Unlimited titles at a time at no extra cost. You can typically opt into a few free months of Kindle Unlimited to trial it.

What is the best Kindle?

There is no such thing as a best Kindle for everyone, because everyone will have different reading and lifestyle needs. To help you pinpoint the best model for you, we've lined up a selection of devices to suit everyone. We recommend checking out everything listed here, and carefully considering your options.

These are the best Kindles in 2024.

Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite here.

With a larger display than the standard Kindle (6.8 vs. 6 inches), the Kindle Paperwhite is still the perfect size and weight for comfy handheld reading.

It also adds a few key features that make it a nice upgrade over the base model, with more than a dozen LEDs for easier reading in bright settings. Plus, there's an adjustable warm light, which makes it easier on the eyes when you're winding down with a good read before bed. 

Do you read in the bath? The Paperwhite has IPX8 waterproof protection so it can withstand getting wet or being dropped in the tub briefly.

Similar to the original Kindle model, you can choose to get three free months of Kindle Unlimited at no extra charge, and you can banish lockscreen ads for an additional £10. A bargain, hassle-free add-on.

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Read our full review of the Kindle (2022 release) here.

If you're just getting into Kindles (or you don't need all the extra bells and whistles), the OG Kindle is still the best, most budget-friendly choice.

It's lightweight and compact so you can easily slip it in a bag or backpack and take it on the go. It has a glare-free, 6-inch display and boasts 16GB of storage — twice as much as previous models — so you can keep thousands of books.

This Kindle also has an adjustable front light for easier reading in bright light conditions, and dark mode for a more comfortable reading experience at night. Plus, a full charge via USB-C cable gives the Kindle up to six weeks of life.

You can opt into four free months of Kindle Unlimited at no extra charge, and you can select the "Without Lockscreen Ads” option for just £20 more.

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Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition here.

Building upon the already great Kindle Paperwhite, the Signature Edition boasts a comparatively whopping 32GB of storage space. Its display is the same size as the standard Paperwhite and offers the same IPX8 waterproof rating so you can enjoy your “beach reads” poolside without any worries.

However, the Signature Edition adds an automatically adjusting front light, so you don't have to manually adjust the screen for optimal clarity when you switch from indoors to outdoors and back again — a small but critical feature for someone who reads anywhere and everywhere. Even cooler, the Paperwhite Signature Edition is the only Kindle on this list that can be charged wirelessly.

Like the other Kindles, you can opt into three free months of Kindle Unlimited. Unlike other Kindles, you don't have to pay extra to get rid of ads.

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The next rung up on the Amazon Kindle ladder is the Kindle Oasis. It offers a slightly larger display than the Paperwhite but is designed differently.

Rather than having the largest bezel on the bottom, the Oasis places that space on the side and adds page turn buttons, making this the ideal Kindle to use one-handed. It automatically rotates the page orientation so you can hold it with either hand, and it has a lighter, more ergonomic build.

The Oasis is also the only Kindle on this list that has both WiFi and free cellular connectivity so you can pick up where you left off from anywhere. 

Like the above models, it's IPX8 waterproof, and has an adjustable warm light and an auto-adjusting front light that's packed with 25 LEDs for maximum brghtness. You can also opt into three free months of Kindle Unlimited.

The Good

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Read our full review of the Kindle Scribe here.

If you need to jot down notes in the margins of your books, the Kindle Scribe is the one for you. For supported books and imported files, it allows you to add digital "sticky notes" that you handwrite with the included battery-free pen. With its bigger-than-usual display, it also works as a notebook and a journal with included templates such as blank pages, lined paper, and to-do lists.

That size (and corresponding weight), however, might be a problem for some. This Kindle is hefty enough that it could potentially cause some wrist strain from repeated one-handed use. It's great for two-handed reading though.

The Kindle Scribe also boasts the elevated features of other higher-end Kindles: Adjustable warm light, auto-adjusting front light, and automatic rotating page orientation. You get to choose from three different storage capacities and you can also opt into four free months of Kindle Unlimited.

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All-New Kindle Kids

Kindle Kids

Best For Cool Covers

The Kindle Kids model essentially has everything the baseline Kindle has, but with a few key benefits. It has the same 6-inch, glare-free display with 300 ppi for sharp resolution. It also has an adjustable front light and dark mode to ensure kids' comfort while reading, both day and night.

But it really stands out when it comes to kid-friendly extras, including one year of unlimited access to thousands of ad-free books with Amazon Kids+. This service also includes a Vocabulary Builder where children can look up definitions and gain familiarity with previously unknown words. 

Bonus: The Kindle Kids comes with a fun cover and a two-year worry-free guarantee that states Amazon will replace the device (for free) if it breaks.

The Good

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Details

Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Kids here.

Much like the comparison between the OG Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite, the same goes for the Kindle Kids and Kindle Paperwhite Kids. The Papwerwhite Kids does everything the regular model does (including the year of unlimited access to Amazon Kids+) but with a few key upgrades.

Firstly, it has a larger display (6.8 inches) and an adjustable warm light to cut down on blue light, especially as bedtime nears. It also has a longer battery life (10 weeks) and offers the option to double the storage capacity to 16GB.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids is waterproof so parents don't need to worry about spills or accidental immersion in the bathtub, the pool — wherever. Plus, it comes with a fun and colourful cover and a two-year worry-free guarantee.

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Topics Amazon

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Global Shopping Editor

Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming services, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.

Mashable Image
Ashley Keegan

Ashley Keegan is a freelance contributor to Mashable.

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