A Kindle isn’t the only eReader you can buy in 2023, but it might be the only one you’ve heard of. Amazon has established itself as the go-to brand for digital books, thanks to its huge library of content and range of devices that are very easy to use.
However, that doesn’t mean you should automatically assume a Kindle is right for you. There are plenty of alternatives in our best eReader chart, including devices from Kobo, reMarkable and Huawei.
If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably set on buying an e-ink device made by Amazon. But deciding which model to go for is more difficult than it sounds.
These days, Amazon makes no fewer than seven types of Kindle across four main product lines – regular, Paperwhite, Oasis and Scribe.
This article will help you figure out which will work for you, with a round-up of the 10 best and detailed buying advice at the bottom of the page. The list is ranked, but that doesn’t mean entries near the top of the list will suit you best.
Best Kindle 2023
1. Kindle Paperwhite (2021) – Best Overall
Pros
- Larger display with colour warmth
- Longer battery life
- USB-C
Cons
- Small price rise
The latest entry in the Paperwhite series remains the sweet spot of the Kindle range.
Amazon’s popular eReader now has a larger 6.8in that has the adjustable warmth previously reserved for the Oasis model. Battery life is also improved and the move to USB-C has finally arrived.
There’s very little to dislike here unless you really need physical page turn buttons. The slightly higher price might put some off so look to the 2018 Paperwhite while it’s still on sale if you need something cheaper.
2. Amazon Kindle (2022) – Best Budget
Pros
- Great display
- Solid performance
- USB-C charging
- Good value for money
Cons
- Must pay extra to remove ads
- No waterproofing
- Scuffs easily
The 2022 refresh of the regular Kindle was overdue, but there’s one change that makes it instantly worth buying. Amazon has finally ditched micro USB charging in favour of industry-standard USB-C, meaning it finally feels like a modern device.
You probably won’t be using it much, though. The regular Kindle still lasts for weeks on a single charge, while limitations on sideloading books means you’ll probably be relying on the Kindle Store.
But with an improved display with backlighting and solid performance, it’s easier than ever to recommend if you’re considering a Kindle. That’s true despite no waterproofing, a body that’s prone to scuffs and having to pay $10/£10 extra to remove ads.
3. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021) – Best Premium Features
Pros
- Great display
- Stellar battery life
- Solid performance
- USB-C and wireless charging
Cons
- Ineffective auto brightness
- Some software inconsistencies
- Expensive
- No 4G model
The Kindle Paperwhite now comes in a new Signature Edition and although it’s cheaper than the Oasis, it has features not even the most expensive Kindle brings to the table.
This mainly consists of USB-C and wireless charging so you can keep it topped up a lot easier, although great battery life means that may not be very often.
It’s also got 32GB of storage if you need a lot of space but is otherwise very similar to the latest regular Paperwhite. If the auto-adjusting sensors worked better it would be in with a shout of topping the chart.
4. Amazon Kindle Scribe – Best for note-taking
Pros
- Excellent 10,2in display
- Pen included in box
- Great battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Sub-par note-taking experience
The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first ever eReader which supports pen input, meaning it’s pitched as a great device for note-taking as well as reading.
But while the experience using the included pen on this large 10.2in display is excellent, it’s let down by a poor software experience. You can’t write directly onto books (just PDFs), with Amazon requiring you to highlight a passage and add a barely visible sticky note instead. The organisation of notebooks also needs work.
However, if you are just looking for a bigger version of the Kindle, the Scribe is an excellent choice. The 300ppi screen is a joy to use, while great battery life and a durable build remain.
At this price, though, most people can get a great Kindle for a fraction of the cost of the Scribe. Its shortcomings could theoretically be fixed with a software update, but it’s a risk to buy one hoping for that.
5. Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2021) – Best for Kids
Pros
- Includes case and Kids+ subscription
- Waterproof
- Can be shared with an adult
Cons
- Fire Tablets can be cheaper
- Kids+ subscription lasts just a year
The Paperwhite range now has a kids edition and although it’s more expensive than the regular Kindle Kids Edition, it’s better value thanks to the more impressive set of specs plus still an included case and subscription.
You’ll benefit from waterproofing which could be device saving as well as a bigger screen, flush design, higher resolution and adjustable warm light (with many more LEDs)
Performance is also faster and it’s easy to share the Kindle if you want to use it too. Overall, worth the extra money if you ask us.
6. Amazon Kindle Oasis – Best Premium Design
Pros
- Warm light
- Premium metal design
- Page turn buttons
Cons
- Expensive
- Micro-USB
As you would expect, the Oasis is one of the best Kindles you can buy in terms of the specs and features it offers. We can’t complain too much about the price staying the same and the eReader now having an adjustable warm light.
However, we’d like some more advancements such as USB-C and even a headphone jack. It’s also a shame that Amazon has ditched the magnetic case from the previous Oasis in favour of a full wrap-around design.
With the introduction of the Paperwhite Signature Edition, there’s even less reason to buy the Oasis unless you really want a metal design with dedicated page turn buttons.
7. Amazon Kindle Kids Edition – Cheapest Kids Option
Pros
- 8GB storage
- 1-year of subscriptions
- Accidental damage warranty
Cons
- No waterproofing
A different kind of tablet for kids, the Kindle removes the distractions of apps, games and other stuff and ensures they can focus on reading.
You get a 12-month subscription to Fire for Kids Unlimited / FreeTime Unlimited which includes over 1000 books for kids of various ages. There’s also 8GB of storage which is double the cheapest Kindle.
The selection is not the best it could be, but overall this is a decent package for the money. If you’re not too fussed about those extras then you can save money by just getting the regular Kindle.
It’s also worth noting that there’s a 2022 version of the Kindle Kids Edition, which also gets a better screen and USB-C.
FAQ
What do all Kindles have in common?
Before figuring out which Kindle to buy, it’s worth being aware of what you get regardless of the model you choose:
- Full access to the entire Amazon Kindle Store
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Built-in light
- Touchscreen e-ink display
- Take and share notes within books
- Audible audiobook support
- Removing ads requires paying extra
How do Kindle models differ?
Let’s start with the regular Kindle, the most basic device in the range. It has a decent 6in screen, 16GB of storage and now USB-C, making it closer to the Paperwhite than ever before.
The regular Paperwhite has a higher quality 6.8in display, but strangely less storage at 8GB. The Signature Edition will get you 32GB instead, plus auto brightness and wireless charging support.
The there’s the Scribe, which increases the display size all the way to 10.2in. It also supports a stylus, with the software adjusted to accommodate it.
Finally there’s the Kindle Oasis, which hasn’t been updated since 2019. It adopts a wedge-shaped design and has physical page turn buttons.
There are also Kids Editions of the regular Kindle and Paperwhite, which include a protective cover and two-year guarantee.
How much should you spend on a Kindle?
It depends on what you need from a Kindle. If you’re new to the world of eReaders, spending under $100/£100 is a good starting point to see if you enjoy the experience.
Spending slightly more to get the Paperwhite is the sweet spot for most people, with the extra features on the Signature Edition not justifying the extra spend.
Unless you really want a different design or large screen, there’s no reason for most people to spend over $200/£200 on a Kindle. That’s especially true of the Oasis, which is now over three years old.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.