I’ve tried each Kindle and the Paperwhite is the one one you want

Desk of Contents

No, you most likely do not want one other gadget. However you may want a Kindle. There are a good variety of e-readers in the marketplace, however having tried a lot of them, Kindles are the very best. However which Kindle is the very best? Nicely, that is the Kindle Paperwhite, particularly after this yr’s replace.

After a couple of years of ready, Amazon lastly launched a brand new batch of Kindles. The lineup contains upgrades to each mannequin, together with the addition of the Kindle Colorsoft, the model’s first foray right into a shade e-reader. Whereas we have but to strive the most recent entry, we did get our palms on the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite.

The Kindle Paperwhite stays pretty much as good as ever, even when it is lacking some updates we had been hoping for. It is fast, light-weight, and straightforward to make use of. This is why the Kindle Paperwhite is the very best e-reader of the second.

Kindle Paperwhite value and specs

The 2024 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite prices $159.99 for the ad-supported gadget, whereas the mannequin with out lock display advertisements prices $179.99.

Up to now, Amazon has provided totally different storage choices for every Kindle mannequin, however 16GB is the brand new customary, and to improve to 32GB, you need to go for the Signature Version. Now, the one alternative you need to make when buying the Kindle Paperwhite is whether or not to have advertisements or go ad-free.

Regardless of which model you go for, these are the specs for the 2024 Paperwhite.

• 7-inch show, as much as 94 nits brightness and 300 ppi decision (up from 6.8 inches on the 2021 mannequin)

• USB-C charging port with as much as 12 weeks of battery life

• 16GB of storage

• IPX8 waterproof ranking will be totally submerged in water for as much as one hour

• Is available in black, raspberry, and jade

It is quick, with a vibrant display

Earlier than testing the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite, I totally loved the prior mannequin, and I did not assume there was a lot to enhance upon. It was already a quick-moving e-reader that made studying extra handy. Nonetheless, essentially the most vital upgrades come to the efficiency and display.

The newest Kindle strikes quick. The earlier technology was already fast, so the 25 p.c improve in pace is not fairly noticeable if you happen to’re shifting from there, however it nonetheless improves the studying expertise with far much less loading in between web page turns or stalling when opening and exiting books.

Whereas the brightness and determination specs have not modified from the earlier mannequin, the display on the 2024 mannequin does look increased decision, edging nearer to the decision of a pill and away from the traditional, dim e-reader. The Paperwhite’s display nonetheless sports activities a matte end that’s as simple to learn exterior on a sunny day as in a darkish bed room.

Constructing a library is affordable and handy

You should buy or borrow books to construct your Kindle assortment.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino

You won’t imagine me once I say shopping for a $160 gadget makes your studying behavior cheaper, however belief me once I inform you it’ll. The price of a Kindle Paperwhite is identical as about 5 to 6 hardcover books, however fortunately, Kindle e-books are loads cheaper. For those who plan on shopping for books from the Kindle retailer, finally, the Kindle will earn itself in financial savings. Plus your purchases earn you factors by the Kindle Rewards system, the place each 300 factors is changed into $3 in Kindle e book credit. However there are much more reasonably priced methods to learn.

For those who do not need to purchase books, studying library books in your Kindle is so easy. With the Libby app, you may try e-books out of your native library and ship them to your Kindle with the press of a button. It is essentially the most easy Libby integration moreover the Kobo’s. Nonetheless, I desire the Kindle integration as you should utilize a number of library playing cards to take a look at books, whereas the Kobo solely lets you use separately.

One other reasonably priced studying possibility is the Kindle Limitless Program. The subscription program lets customers borrow books for so long as they need for a month-to-month charge of $11.99. You do not want a Kindle to make use of this system, so long as you may have the Kindle app you may subscribe. Nonetheless, with the acquisition of a Kindle, you acquire entry to a free three-month trial.

Amazon additionally has a First Reads program the place Prime members get free early entry to editor-selected e-books. Throughout Prime Day months, members get to pick two free books.

The library interface is clunky

As a lot as I like how simple it’s to learn library books on my Kindle, they’ll additionally make the Kindle library clunky. After you learn a library e book and the mortgage expires, you will not have the ability to learn the e book. Nonetheless, the quilt nonetheless seems in your Kindle library.

Identical to I would like my books tidy IRL, I would like them organized on my e-reader, too. Nonetheless, there isn’t any filter to cover your library books. As a substitute, if you wish to conceal the expired titles, it’s essential to make a group in your Kindle library to separate your library books from these you personal.

The Paperwhite is best than the Signature Version for this one cause

I’ve spent weeks with each the Paperwhite and the Signature Version, and regardless of the SE’s further options, I desire the Paperwhite. The reason being the ad-free lock display. Sure, advertisements are annoying. Nonetheless, the lock display with advertisements forces you to swipe previous the display while you flip it on. That is totally different from the SE’s display, which mechanically pushes previous the lock display while you hit the ability button.

On its face, that sounds tremendous handy, saving you a step. That’s till you throw the Signature Version in your bag and pull it out to find you’ve got misplaced your web page in your e book as a result of it unintentionally turned on. In the meantime, this was by no means a difficulty with the Paperwhite, which stayed locked whereas I used to be on the go.

This subject will probably be on any ad-free Kindle, not simply the Signature Version. You possibly can add a PIN as a workaround, however like many customers, I might reasonably simply swipe.

All these updates, however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment

From the earlier mannequin, the Kindle Paperwhite stays our favourite e-reader. Nonetheless, it is lacking a couple of upgrades that I used to be actually hoping to see. Amazon ought to have moved the ability button to the highest of the Kindle reasonably than conserving it on the underside. I hit the ability button whereas holding the gadget consistently due to its placement. It might be high quality if the Kindle had an inner gyroscope just like the Kobo Libra Color does, and the Kindle might rotate the web page, however alas, one other lacking characteristic.

One other perk the Kobo Libra has over the Kindle is page-turning buttons. Amazon devastated customers by discontinuing the Kindle Oasis in June 2024, taking away the one Kindle with page-turning buttons. I used to be hopeful that meant this new batch of Kindles would characteristic buttons, however they’re noticeably absent. Whereas the buttons aren’t needed — the Kindle’s touchscreen is lots responsive — having the buttons is only a higher studying expertise, which is why, when it comes to ergonomics, the Kobo Libra is a lot better.

None of those lacking options are dealbreakers, however they do remind us that the Kindle Paperwhite is not excellent.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite value it?

You possibly can’t beat the shows on the Kindle Paperwhite.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kindle Paperwhite is not only the very best Kindle however the very best e-reader total. It is compact and light-weight, simply the fitting dimension for toting round. The display strikes the steadiness of tech and paper, and the adjustable heat makes studying within the night higher on your eyes. With the discharge of the 2024 mannequin, it is the quickest Kindle but, which is nice information. If you flip the bodily web page, it by no means buffers, so digital readers deserve the identical.

Whereas Amazon nonetheless leaves some to be desired, it stays the very best e-reader you should buy. It is $10 costlier than the final mannequin however remains to be a superb worth.