The Kindle branding has become almost synonymous with e-readers over the years, which might one your first choice when looking to take your books digital. We’ve reviewed a wide range of Amazon e-readers and included only the best Kindles in this list.
It’s been more than a decade since Amazon released its first Kindle and it’s safe to say the e-reader has only gotten better in the years that have followed. The retailer now offers a variety of Kindle models, making it possible to select the right balance of specs and features for your budget. However, that doesn’t mean this decision is easy.
There are a good number of differences between each model, which can make it tricky to identify which Kindle is right for you – especially if you’re new to e-readers and aren’t sure what type of screen or storage amount you’ll need.
Every Kindle on this list covers the same basic features, including the same great software, an LED-bordered display for late-night reading and access to the same huge library of ebooks in the Kindle Store. This includes new releases, best sellers, £1 discounted titles and a range of free classics, all across a wide array of genres.
However, key differences include the screen size, water resistance and storage, as well as more advanced features, such as stylus support and whether or not the Kindle has a colour display.
Every Kindle in this list has been thoroughly tested by our team of expert reviewers for a week (if not more), ensuring that we gain a well-rounded impression of what each model has to offer, along with how it compares to other e-readers on the market. We examine the build quality, display, software and battery life to ensure every Kindle on this list is up to scratch and worth your consideration.
There are a couple of things worth noting before reading on. Firstly, the Kindle app is available on many tablets, meaning you don’t necessarily need to pick up an e-reader to access digital copies of your favourite books. However, a Kindle can be a great choice to help you focus on your reading with no distracting apps or notifications and a longer battery life for travelling.
Secondly, unlike tablets, e-readers tend to have a longer shelf life, with Amazon typically updating its Kindle models every three years. This is great news because it means you shouldn’t feel the same pressure to update your hardware year-on-year as you might with your phone or tablet. However, it does mean that not every Kindle on this list will be from 2025.
Keep reading to discover all of our top-rated Kindles, or head to our best e-reader guide for more great options from brands like Kobo and Onyx. If you’re also interested in a digital notebook for scrawling ideas and annotating books, some of our best e-ink tablets could fit the bill. Finally, if you’d prefer a versatile tablet for work, home and/or travel, don’t forget to visit our guides to the best tablets and best iPads, many of which are also compatible with the Kindle app.
Best Kindle: At a glance
How we test
We use any Kindle we review as our main e-reader for at least a week when reviewing it. During this time we will check its battery life with regular use and how much it discharges on average after an hour with the screen on.
On top of this, we will check battery recharge times, max brightness levels and how easy it is to read in a variety of different conditions, including outdoor sunlight. We check performance, ease of use and build quality to ensure it is pleasant to use and rugged enough to survive use on the go, or with small children.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
The best option for most people
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Nice colour options
- Improvements to the build quality
Cons
- Signature Edition required for some features
- Uneven light
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.
Reviewer: Cam Bunton
Full review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review
Amazon Kindle (2024)
The best affordable option
Pros
- Tasteful new colour
- The smallest Kindle option
- Bright light
Cons
- No warm light
- No waterproofing
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.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Amazon Kindle (2024) review
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
The best for writing
Pros
- One of the best digital writing experiences around
- Exceptional battery life
- Fantastic big-screen reading experience
Cons
- Handwriting recognition and transcription could be more in-depth
- No wireless charging like cheaper Kindles
- Stylus can easily become detached from the Scribe
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.
Reviewer: Lewis Painter
Full review: Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review
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FAQs
There currently isn’t any version of a Kindle with 5G.
Most Kindle models use black and white e-ink screens, however the brand also sells the Colorsoft which has a colour display.
Numerous companies have and do make e-readers including Kobo, Sony, Huawei and many more. We generally recommend Kindles over rivals due to the wealth of content available on the store.
Spec Comparison
You can see a detailed breakdown of all the devices mentioned in this guide’s specs in the table below.
UK RRP
USA RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Rear Camera
Front Camera
IP rating
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Resolution
Ports
Colours
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