Best Kindle 2025: Read chart topping hits with these tested e-readers

Our current favourite Kindle option is the Kindle Paperwhite (2024) – this mid-tier model ticks all the boxes and doesn’t break the bank. The reasons to choose this model instead of the cheaper Kindle (2024) which sits below on this list, include the addition of a warm light for easier night reading, a larger display and around double the battery life.

While not a huge upgrade from its predecessor, the Paperwhite 2024 edition features a larger screen, a faster user interface and better text reproduction. It also comes in two sleek new colours, including a rather fetching pinkish hue.

The screen is now 7 inches, up from 6.8 before and this larger panel offers a more comfortable reading experience and looks better to the eye. The device itself isn’t too much larger, but Amazon has slimmed down the bezel surrounding the display. It’s still a monochrome panel – go for the Colorsoft if you’re after a colour reader – but the contrast is better this time around and in our testing, we found it looked more like printed paper than ever before.

We did notice that the lighting system – which is there for reading when it’s dark – isn’t quite as even as before, however this is far from a dealbreaker.

Constructed from smooth, matte plastic, the Paperwhite is lightweight and easy to hold in one hand, making it comfortable for extended reading sessions. Despite its portability, it still feels durable, and thanks to the IPX8 water-resistant rating it should survive an accidental drop in the bath or pool too.

Like all of its hardware, if you’re part of the Amazon ecosystem then you will get more from the Paperwhite. If you don’t plan on ever using the Amazon Kindle Store or Audible’s audiobook service, or you prefer to borrow books from local library apps then you’d be much better off with an e-reader from a brand like Kobo. We recommend the Kobo Libra Colour.

Battery life is estimated by Amazon at 12 weeks and this tallies with our lab results, although it does depend heavily on how much you read per day. When it comes to charging, there’s a USB-C port on the bottom.

The cheapest Kindle is, as you can probably guess, the most basic option in this list. If you want a device purely for reading and aren’t fussed about design flourishes then the Amazon Kindle (2024) is a great choice if the Paperwhite (2024) is out of your budget.

Compared to the Paperwhite, the Kindle is missing a few features. There’s no waterproofing, meaning this isn’t a great choice for poolside or beach reading. What it does have is a light behind the display, a feature that used to be kept for the pricier Kindle models. The light is just as bright as the Paperwhite, but it lacks the orangey warm light which is easier on the eyes at night.

Now, the size of the Kindle (2024) could be a plus or a negative. If you want a pocketable device, that slips in smaller bags and is lighter then this model is best. Its 6-inch screen is smaller than the 7-inch Paperwhite and is close in size to a larger phone. However, the smaller screen naturally makes the text smaller and this could be an issue for some.

For many, the Kindle is a great choice. It has access to the same books as the other models, lasts numerous weeks on a charge and is fast to navigate. It’s also excellent value for money.

The Kindle Scribe (2024) stands out from the crowd, not just for its high price, but also because it’s the only Kindle you can write on. This capability helps transform the Scribe from an e-reader into a more versatile smart notebook.

The 2024 model, in particular, fixes some of the hardware and software complaints we had with its predecessor, the Amazon Kindle Scribe.

With its improved screen texture and more balanced stylus design, the new Scribe offers one of the best digital note-taking experiences around. Writing on the 10.2-inch screen feels more like writing on paper and the colour temperature has been tweaked slightly.

The large screen is responsive when compared with other e-ink displays, resulting in much less lag when tapping to change the page and scrawling notes on the screen. In fact, it offers one of the best writing experiences around, save for perhaps the Remarkable 2.

Amazon has added the ability to take notes directly in eBooks rather than just PDF files, which is a major improvement compared to its predecessor. There’s also AI handwriting recognition for sharing text via email, though this feature is limited with no full OCR or ways way to translate your handwritten notes into regular text.

The battery life is also exceptional, though we’d like to see an IP rating, automatic temperature adjustment and wireless charging included in the next generation.