Category: Amazon

Do unlimited reading with Amazon’s most impressive lineup yet.

All the popular models have gotten a big makeover, along with a surprise new addition. The Kindle brand name has long been synonymous with e-readers, and it’s easy to see why Amazon dominates the category.

Amazon is finally embracing color as it adds its first-ever color Kindle to the lineup, called theKindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. For most readers though, the new Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is a fantastic starting point if you’re looking to get your feet wet with an e-reader.

There are plenty of other great picks available at various price points. If you’re in the market for thebest E Ink tablet, here are some of our top choices when it comes to the best e-readers that Amazon makes.

Best overall

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen, 2024)

Best overall

Specifications

Display:7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:211g

Dimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm

Storage:16GB

Battery life:Up to 12 weeks

Waterproofing:IPX8

Colors:Black, Raspberry, and Jade

Reasons to buy

+300ppi E Ink screen
+IPX8 water resistance
+Thin and light, with USB-C port
+20% faster than before
+Audible integration
+Slight larger display

Reasons to avoid

-No physical buttons

The Kindle Paperwhite set the benchmark for affordable e-readers for a long time, and the latest model adds even more compelling features to the mix. The highlights of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) model include a faster processor which is said to deliver 25% quicker page turns, and a new oxide thin-film transistor in the display for a higher contrast ratio. The screen size is also slightly larger at 7 inches, and it’s the thinnest Paperwhite device yet. What’s impressive, is the (up to) three-month long battery life.

Like the previous model, the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite has IPX8 water resistance, which lets you take your e-reader to the pool. The Paperwhite can survive up to two meters of water for an hour, giving you much more flexibility. There’s only a single storage variant now with 16GB, allowing you to store thousands of books at a time. The Paperwhite also get an adjustable warm light so you can adjust the screen’s color temperature based on the ambient lighting around you. It comes in three neat colors; Black, Raspberry, and Jade.

Just like the11th Gen Signature Edition, there’s a new Paperwhite Signature Edition (12th Gen) too which has all of the features from the standard model, but with 32GB of storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting light sensors for roughly $50 more.

also:ST32 Battery for Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 5

Best entry-level

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2024)

Best entry-level

Specifications

Display:6-inch display with built-in light, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:158g

Dimensions:157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mm

Storage:16GB

Battery life:Up to six weeks

Waterproofing:No

Colors:Black, Matcha

Reasons to buy

+Great value
+Front light is nifty
+Audible integration
+Lightweight design
+Bluetooth and USB-C charging

Reasons to avoid

-No water resistance

The entry-level Amazon Kindle is the perfect stepping stone if you’ve taken up reading as a hobby. The 2024 refresh comes in a fun Matcha shade, and it’s very compact and light weighing just 158g. It shares many of the features with the new Paperwhite like a 300 ppi display, 16GB of storage, Audible audiobook playback via Bluetooth, and the same max brightness of 94 nits. It does miss out on some features like the waterproofing, adjustable warm light, and has nearly half the battery life of up to six weeks. 

The 2024 Amazon Kindle features faster page turns, and a front light that’s 25% brighter at max settings. Just like before, you can get it with or without lockscreen ads.  

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Best for kids

(Image credit: Amazon)

3. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (12th Gen, 2024)

Best for kids

Specifications

Display:7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:329g

Dimensions:132.2 x 178 x 13.2 mm

Storage:16GB

Battery life:Up to 12 weeks

Waterproofing:IPX8

Colors:Black Kindle with Starfish, Cyber City, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid cover

Reasons to buy

+Same great features of the standard Paperwhite
+Excellent value
+Two-year warranty
+Cover included
+USB Type-C port

Reasons to avoid

-Heavier device
-Only six months of Kids+ subscription (down from 1-year)

There’s never been a better device with a screen to hand to your kids than the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. This 12th Gen 2024 model gets all the same upgrades as the standard 2024 Paperwhite, but with a bundled cover and two years of “worry-free” warranty from Amazon. The latter entitles you to a ‘no-questions-asked’ replacement of the device in case it gets damaged through regular wear and tear. There are three new themes for the covers on the 2024 kids edition, which are Cyber City, Starfish, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

One of the other advanatge of getting the Kids edition of the Paperwhite is the six month subscription to Amazon Kids+. This used to be one year on the previous model, so its a bit of a downgrade actually. With this subscription though, your child will be able to read thousands of kid-friendly books for free. You can even restrict access to certian types of books for your child via the Amazon Kids+ Parent Dashboard app for Android and iOS.

also:MC-354775-03 Battery for Amazon Kindle Paperwhite EY21 2012 Gen 1

Best for writing

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)

Best for writing

Specifications

Display:10.2-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:433g

Dimensions:196 x 230 x 5.7 mm

Storage:16GB, 32GB, 64GB

Battery life:Up to 12 weeks

Waterproofing:No

Colors:Black, Matcha

Reasons to buy

+Premium Pen included
+10.2-inch 300ppi e-paper display
+Improved design
+Amazing battery life with USB-C port
+16GB, 32GB, and 64GB memory variants

Reasons to avoid

-Not waterproof
-Large size can be uncomfortable to hold for long durations
-Expensive

The new Kindle Scribe (2024) comes with a redesigned display with evenly thick white borders all around it. The e-reader has the same 10.2-inch glare-free display as the firstKindle Scribe, and with the paper-like texture makes it feel like you’re writing on an actual piece of paper. The new design looks a lot more modern and the added color option is welcomed. Amazon has addressed ourbiggest complaint with the Scribe, and the 2024 model has something called Active Canvas which lets you annotate directly within the pages of the book. Not only that, your notes stay anchored to the text and adapt to the change in layout or font size. This is a fantastic new addition, which should make it easier to read your written notes. 

The new Kindle Scribe lets you highlight text for the first time. There’s also an AI-driven summary feature that’ll come as an update next year, which is said to be able to summarize pages or the notes taken in the hideable side panel. The second generation Scribe has the same three storage variants, and starts at the same price too of $399.99. The e-reader ships with the Premium Pen which is weighted to feel like an actual pen and sticks magneticallly to the side of the Scribe. It even has a soft-tip eraser for erasing written notes.

Best color Kindle

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

Best color Kindle

Specifications

Display:7-inch Colorsoft display, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi color, 16-level gray scale

Weight:219g

Dimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm

Storage:32GB

Battery life:Up to eight weeks

Waterproofing:IPX8

Colors:Metallic Black

Reasons to buy

+7-inch color display
+Up to eight weeks of battery life
+Same features as Paperwhite Signature Edition
+Supports wireless charging

Reasons to avoid

-Only comes in one color
-Pricey

This bold new addition to the Kindle family finally lets you read your graphic novels in full color. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition but with a new color display. The screen can show black and white content at 300 ppi, but also color at 150 ppi. This version also lets you highlight text in different colors. The paper-like colors should make browsing your library more vibrant and comic books more fun to read. The new Kindle Colorsoft has dedicated child profiles too, so you can share your Kindle with your kids.

The Colorsoft has a claimed battery life of up to eight weeks, which is pretty respectable for a color display. It’s only available in a single Metallic Black though, which means you’ll have to get a case for it if you want a different look. This is Amazon’s first attempt at a color Kindle, which it hopes will keep customers looking for a color e-reader from going to the competition like Onyx Boox. The Kindle Colorsoft only comes in one storage variant, and it’s a bit on the pricey side.

How to choose

Which is the best overall?

The Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is the best e-reader for most people, and it is an absolute steal for what’s on offer. The superb features — in the form of water resistance, a bigger display, and a warm light setting — represent a significant step up from the base Kindle, making the Paperwhite 2024 a no-brainer if you’re in the market for a new e-reader. If you’re simply looking to upgrade from an older device, like a 11th Gen Paperwhite, then this might not be a massive upgrade for you.

What if I’m looking for some extra features?

The Signature Edition of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) tablet is worth looking at if you need more storage and wireless charging, on top of the slew of features already included with the base version.

Which is the best for writing?

The new Kindle Scribe 2024 is currently the best option if you’re looking for anE Ink tabletsporting the Kindle brand. The improved note-taking abilities and upcoming AI-integration makes it a no-brainer over the first model. It is quite expensive though which means you need to make sure you’ll use all its features before making this commitment.

Why should I buy the Kids Paperwhite over the standard version?

If you have a child and you want to get them their own Kindle, you may be wondering why the Kids version of the Paperwhite is a better option than the non-Kids Paperwhite. While the ordinary Paperwhite is certainly a viable pick for a child, the Kids version comes with the Amazon Kids+ trial, along with the Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise tools. A range of cases more suitable for children makes the Kids’ edition of the Paperwhite potentially more appealing visually as well.

What if I want a color e-reader?

In the world of Kindle, you only have one choice right now and that’s the newly launched Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. It’s essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition but with a color display and a higher price tag. If you’re reading regular books, this might not be of great value. But if you have a vast comic book or graphic novel collection, viewing them in color would be an infinitely better experience.

Which of the biggest names in ereaders works best for you?

(Image credit: Amazon / Kobo)

Digital reading has gained popularity so much that ereaders are now one of the most popular tablets people are buying. It’s not uncommon to see someone on public transport staring at aKindleor someone scribbling away on an e-paper tablet at the airport lounge while waiting to catch a flight.

And while the name ‘Kindle’ is still synonymous with ‘ereader’, there’s a lot of competition coming from one other brand – Kobo. There are currently five Kobo ereader models to choose from, compared to seven Kindles, but how exactly do the two differ and does it really matter which one you choose?

Well, both brands have ereaders that are quite similar to each other, but they offer something a little different in terms of features. To help you make the best buying choice possible, we’ve put together this little guide to help you answer the ereader conundrum of Kindle vs Kobo – which is best.

Kindle, of course, is owned by Amazon, while Japanese company Rakuten owns Kobo. Both make exquisite e-paper tablets to suit all types of readers and budgets, but they are cut from different cloth. There are other players in the ereader market, of course, with the likes of Onyx Boox, Barnes & Noble’s Nook ereaders and even PocketBook offering alternatives, but their availability around the world is limited and, even though they can be imported, they could cost you a pretty penny to do so.

That leaves Kindles and Kobos as the main choice, so here’s what you need to know before you buy.

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Kindle vs Kobo design, display and features

When it comes to screen technology, both Kobo and Kindle ereaders arealmostthe same for the black-and-white models. The entry-level 2024 Kindle still uses the old hardware, so retains the E Ink Carta 1200 display, but the Kobo Clara BW and the two 2024 Paperwhites now use the E Ink Carta 1300 screen tech.

The next-gen in e-paper technology has a slight edge over the previous 1200 generation as it offers even better contrast than before. That means text on the page appears darker, so easier to read, and also sharper. It’s also a marginally more responsive screen, which makes page turns on the new Kindles remarkably quick.

All the current ereaders available from both Amazon and Kobo have a 300ppi screen resolution for grayscale displays, with the sole exception of the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa 2E, which gets a slightly lower 227ppi resolution. That, however, doesn’t diminish how well text and writing appears on the display. However, in terms of design, every Kobo screen is covered in plastic, while Kindle has a couple of models that’s topped with glass, giving them a premium look.

When it comes to screen size, though, Kobo has Kindle beat – covering 6 inches all the way to 10.3 inches, there’s even options for 7 and 8 inches. With Amazon, you get 6 inches, 7 inches and 10.2 inches.

IPX8 water resistance is available from both, (except on the entry-level Kindle and the 10-inch models from both brands), as are adjustable illuminated displays for reading in the dark. Most of the higher-end models also allow you to change the hue (or temperature) of the light from cold to warmer yellow for nighttime reading. However, only the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and the 2024 Kindle Scribe have a front light with an ambient light sensor that auto-adjusts its brightness. The former is also capable of wireless charging, which Kobo doesn’t offer at all.

An increasingly popular feature available from both Kobo and Kindle is Bluetooth, great for pairing wireless earphones, primarily for listening to audiobooks, although Amazon has disabled Audible support for Australia.

Amazon has also discontinued its one and only asymmetric ereader (the Oasis), which means Kobo is the only one to still offer physical page-turn buttons on select devices for better ergonomics when holding a device single-handed.

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Kindle vs Kobo storage and connectivity

Current ereaders from both Kobo and Kindle go from 16GB through to 64GB (the high-end Kindle Scribe) of onboard storage, with all Kobo models from the Libra Colour and bigger offer 32GB as default. We’re not convinced that internal storage is hugely important unless you intend to cram an insane number of audiobooks onto your ereader as, otherwise, the base 16GB can hold hundreds of ebooks, if not thousands.

Kobo devices offer basic Wi-Fi across the entire range, which will suffice for most users, and that’s true on most Kindles, too, although dual-band Wi-Fi is now available on the newer Paperwhite models.

Amazon used to give Kindle users cellular connectivity for downloading ebooks too (and checking email) while away from Wi-Fi, though that no longer seems to be case in any market.

Kindle vs Kobo software, side-loading and storefronts

The most important differences between the Kindle and Kobo are in their software. Both devices are slick enough, especially since Kindle revamped its OS in 2021. Since then, it’s become very Kobo-like.

Depending on which ereader model you buy from either brand, your home screen setup will appear differently, with the number of tabs at the bottom changing if you have a note-taking ereader. Kobo’s OS is a bit more comprehensive here, with multiple tabs for ebooks, notes and Kobo’s own store. We found that the Kindle’s home screen can look comparatively more cluttered than on a Kobo, but it’s still easy to navigate.

Both brands offer direct access to their own online stores hosting many millions of ebooks. The major difference between Kindle and Kobo is that the former is locked to the Amazon store and the latter offers a more widely accessible experience. Kindles are best for those happy to download ebooks (and Audible audiobooks where support is available) to their device only from Amazon, whether via one-time downloads or while usingKindle Unlimitedand/orAmazon PrimeReading.

File format support is quite good from both brands, and that includes the Kindles now playing nice with EPUBs, which are natively supported. That said, you cannot plug in a Kindle directly to your PC to transfer files via a wired connection – you need to use the Send To Kindle platform.

On the other hand, Kobo offers unlimited reading viaKobo Plusin some markets, while its ereaders natively support all kinds of file formats from EPUB and MOBI to PDF and CBZ and CBR Comic Book formats, all of which can be side-loaded either via a wired connection or via cloud sync on the more premium models. Kobo will also allow you to side-load custom fonts too, including Amazon’s own (and rather popular) Bookerly.

In short, Amazon Kindles suit anyone willing to get tied up in a closed ecosystem, while Kobo is a little more open. The only exception that Kobo makes is audiobooks, which will play on it Bluetooth-enabled models when only purchased from the Kobo Store – no side-loaded audiobooks will work on a Kobo.

Kindle vs Kobo note-taking

It’s not much talked about, but ereaders from Kindle and Kobo allow users to highlight passages of text and type notes by pressing, holding and dragging a finger across text. On a Kindle those notes are fully searchable within an online notebook and accessible via the Kindle app on a smartphone.

However, full-featured note-takers are now gaining popularity and Amazon now has two Kindle Scribe models available for purchase. Kobo gives you a bit more variety, with stylus support on the Libra Colour, the Sage and the Elipsa 2E, so it covers different screen sizes. The last model is the only one that ships with the Kobo Stylus 2, but it can be purchased separately for use with the others.

Notes are accessible via the Kindle or Kobo apps, but you can email them to yourself on the Kindle Scribe, or sync toGoogleDrive or Dropbox on one of the Kobos.

While you can scribble in the margins of ebooks on a Kobo Libra Colour, Sage or Elipsa 2E, it works a little differently on the new Kindle Scribe. The latter uses afeature called Active Canvas(which the older Kindle Scribe will get in 2025), that automatically adds a box around your squiggles and indents the adjoining lines to reformat the page, wrapping text around your annotation.

You can create notes/notebooks of various kinds on note-taking ereaders from both brands, although the pen types and ink shades are far better on a Kobo. Moreover,Kobo’s Advanced Notebooksoffer a staggering number of tools that include handwriting recognition for converting your notes to text, plus the capability of inserting drawings, diagrams and formulae into your notes.

There are someAI features on the new Kindle Scribe, but currently available only to US customers. These include a summary option and handwritten conversion.

Borrowing library books

If you live in the US, your options to borrow ebooks from your local public library are much more. Both Kindle and Kobo ereaders will work, with the latter using OverDrive support to do so.

However, if you live outside the US and you wish to borrow library books, then Kobo should be your port of call. Every single Kobo ereader has OverDrive baked in, so you can check with your local library if support is available. After that, you just need a library card to get set up. Kobo is available in select countries, so you will need to check on library support in your local area before deciding to purchase – in Australia, for example, most public libraries now offer OverDrive support.

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Takeaway

There was a time when a Kindle was the better-value device but given Amazon’s penchant for price increases with each new release, it’s getting harder to justify a Kindle. That’s more so because in some markets, Amazon isn’t even offering Audible support on the Kindles anymore.

Kobo, on the other hand, has managed to balance price and features much better and, despite some models costing more, offers better value for money now. From waterproofing for its entry-level model (Kobo Clara BW) to adopting the latest screen tech, Kobo has stayed ahead of the curve.

Moreover, all the 2024 Kobo ereaders are repairable, which is a gold star in our books.

Moreover, if you really want to tinker with the parameters of the text, bring in ebooks and documents in several different formats and arrange them in custom collections, then you should be looking at a Kobo ereader. That goes double if you live outside the US and are keen on borrowing library books.

However, if you’re a bit less demanding and you’re fine with just downloading books from Amazon, a Kindle is probably going to be the most convenient option for you. Or if you live in the US, where there’s wider library support for Kindles.

Build out the smart home that fits your everyday needs rather than focus on specs

(Image credit: Future)
The best smart speakers are powered by one of three smart assistants: Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or the Google Home Assistant. Alexa remains the most popular as it works with the widest variety of smart home devices and its excellent speakers don’t break the bank. Amazon’s value focus only gets better when you account for its ease-of-use and versatility to play nice with both Android and Apple households.

The Google Home Assistant is a tidbit-lover’s dream. Thanks to the search giant’s wealth of data, it’s more knowledgeable when providing information. Its more human-like speaking cadence and ability to understand multi-part commands stands out from the competition. If you happen to use Google’s services it also offers much tighter news briefings, pulls up more personalized music content, and can even read your emails.

HomePod speakers provide the best sound quality and secure, local processing of all the systems. They’re best for those in the Apple ecosystem. However, Siri isn’t as smart when conversing or giving information. It’s meant primarily for controlling home devices and syncing things like calendar events and messages with your iPhone.

Alexa and Google have traditionally been the more popular platforms due to their wider range of compatible devices. Although each platform supports Matter, its arrival has been most beneficial for Apple’s HomeKit. Matter provides HomeKit with more parity since it now has more smart home devices to choose from and you can transfer Matter devices between platforms.

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Amazon

(Image credit: Future)
Amazon’s Echo was the first smart speaker to hit the market. These speakers offer the best value by balancing affordability with impressive sound. From the easy-to-use Alexa app, even a smart home newbie can build out complex routines to automate tasks. Thanks to understandable “If” and “when” building blocks, you can tell your devices like smart lights to turn on, but only if it’s at certain times on certain days.

Echos are also the most smart-home-oriented devices since they come loaded with sensors and work with the largest number of devices. Even the budget Echo Dot smart speaker can detect motion and temperature changes to trigger automations. Plus, with Alexa, you can even change the wake word, whereas you’re stuck with “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri” with the other two options.

The Alexa assistant experience sits between Google’s brainiac helper and Siri’s more bare-bones nature. It can consult the web for information and have basic conversations about the status of your smart home. Google Assistant fleshes out its answers and provides more context to your questions. For example, ask about an actor’s birthday and you’ll get a whole biography. However, Alexa’s skills (essentially audio apps) allow it to evolve its abilities over time.

Alexa is the most universal platform and is best for most people. But suppose you’re in Apple or Google’s ecosystems. In that case, the other assistants have stronger ties to your accounts in their services, as well as better integration handing off content between either your iOS (Siri) or Android (Google) phone. With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that means you have those assistants at home, while you drive, and on your phone for the tightest integration possible.

Google

(Image credit: Future)
Google’s Assistant is seriously smart and I consider it more of a “lifestyle” helper than the smart home-centric Alexa. Voice Match customizes your device to offer personalized calendars, flights, payments, photos and more; you can even set your own default media services. On top of that, it handles everyday tasks like booking a reservation or making recommendations better.

The Nest smart speaker lineup isn’t as forward-thinking as Amazon or Apple’s since it lacks built-in smart home sensors to trigger routines. In our faceoff between Alexa and Google Assistant, Amazon’s smart assistant controls devices faster, too. That said, Google Home can still make advanced routines. Plus it’s not as obnoxious with recommendations or attempting to upsell you on a service like Alexa does.

Google knows things. Alexa does them. If you want to get information fast, like directions for how to use a gadget or find a nearby take-out spot, Google Assistant is the way to go.

Apple HomeKit

(Image credit: Future)
Apple’s HomeKit prioritizes seamless connectivity between iOS devices and your smart home. It’s a polished experience with enhanced privacy and security since it encrypts and processes commands locally. Plus, it banks on you always having an iPhone or Apple Watch on hand for a physical universal smart home controller.

Like the rest of Apple’s hardware, you pay a premium for a powerful device that “just works.” HomePods offer unrivaled sound with better woofers and tweeters than Alexa or Google’s speakers, and they tune themselves to the acoustics of the room they’re placed in automatically. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, this is great for handing off content like calls and music with a press (or you can simply tap your iPhone against it).

Siri still isn’t as smart as Alexa or Google when you ask it questions, deferring to say “Here’s what I found on the web” while taking you to links. We’re hoping to see the assistant evolve with the arrival of Apple Intelligence. Of course it’s quick to remind you about upcoming appointments or set alarms. But at the moment it excels at commands like controlling smart home devices or playing content. You’ll still need to use a third-party app to manage devices like robot vacuums until they arrive in the next HomeKit Matter update. Over time this platform has the potential to be the best, but priciest option.