HomeBuying GuideBest Kindle (2023): Which Amazon Ebook Reader Should You Buy?

Best Kindle (2023): Which Amazon Ebook Reader Should You Buy?

April 18, 2023

Best Kindle (2023): Which Amazon Ebook Reader Should You Buy?

  • Photograph: Amazon

    Best for Most

    Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation)

    We think most people will like the Paperwhites the best. The step-up, waterproof e-reader went from one to three models, and they rival the more expensive Oasis. We tried the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but all three have bigger, 6.8-inch screens with smaller bezels. The screens are brighter overall at their max and have adjustable warm lighting, but only the Signature can auto-adjust that brightness to your surroundings—we think that should be standard across all models. Its faster page-turn rate means there's no delay while you read.

    The Signature has 32 gigabytes of storage and the Standard has 8 gigs. That's a big difference, but you can still read and store a lot of books with 8 gigabytes (around 5,000). If you mostly listen to audiobooks, you may want to go for the Signature, since those tend to take up more room. Still, if you want to save some cash, just clean out your backlog; you can remove a book from your device without deleting it entirely from your Amazon account. The 2021 Paperwhites all have USB-C charging, but the Signature supports wireless charging.

    $140 at Amazon
    $190 at Amazon (Signature Edition)
    $160 at Amazon (Kids Edition)

  • Photograph: Amazon

    The Smallest and Least Expensive

    Amazon Kindle (2022, 11th Generation)

    The difference between Kindle models is not as stark anymore, so you'll probably be happy with whatever price point you prefer. This base Kindle was finally updated in 2022 and is the cheapest one at $100. It's the smallest of the lot at 6.2 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, with a 6-inch screen (the same screen size as the new Kindle Kids). If you find tablets too cumbersome to hold with one hand, consider this one.

    The price increased by $10 from the last version, but it doubled the storage from 8 gigabytes to 16, and the screen is a 300-pixel-per-inch (PPI) resolution versus the old one's 197 PPI. It gets the same USB-C port for charging as the Paperwhite models, and it charges quickly. However, it's not waterproof, and it doesn't get warm lighting or auto-adjusting light.

    $100 at Amazon

  • Photograph: Amazon

    Frivolously Awesome

    Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019, 10th Generation)

    There's no practical reason to buy a $270 ebook reader. (You can save $20 if you agree to have ads, but at this price, you don't want them.) Sure, the Oasis is an absolute joy to use, but it costs the same as three standard Kindles. Many of the Oasis' features now show up in the new Paperwhites, like adjustable warm lighting, water resistance, and a faster processor. At 7 inches, the touchscreen is only slightly bigger too. It still has a sleek aluminum design with a ridge on one edge and physical buttons to turn the pages. These make it ideal for one-handed reading. The light-up display also looks a little more natural and automatically adjusts the brightness. 

    If you're investing in a Kindle this expensive, you may also want the premium leather cover to complete that luxe feel. On the downside, it's too large to fit in many pockets. If your library includes a ton of audiobooks, you'll want the 32-gigabyte option, which is $30 more.

    $270 at Amazon

  • Photograph: Amazon

    Best for Kids

    Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition (2021, 11th Generation)

    The 2021 Paperwhites include a Kids Edition, which brings a bigger and sleeker screen, more lighting options, and IPX8 water resistance for the first time over the original Kindle Kids Edition. The rest of the features are pretty much the same as the new Kindle Paperwhite, except you'll get a year's subscription to Amazon Kids+, a kid-friendly content library with parental controls. (You can access the same platform across other Amazon devices, like Fire Tablets or Echo speakers.) It also comes with a case and a two-year no-questions-asked replacement guarantee. If your kid smashes it just once, you get your money back. If you're going to get your kid an entertainment device, an ebook reader that doesn't have access to social media is a safer choice. There is a web browser, but it's restricted by default (you can completely disable it too). There are 8- and 16-gigabyte storage options

    ★ A Cheaper Alternative With More Storage: The newest base Kindle Kids ($120) is cheaper than the 8-gig Paperwhite Kids, but for 16 gigabytes (that's also double what the original Kids Edition was). But this one isn't waterproof if you think that will be a problem with your kiddos, and there's no adjustable warm lighting.

    $160 at Amazon
    $160 at Best Buy

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