Amazon Prime Day 2024 is upon us, which implies it is virtually all the time the most effective time to get Amazon gadgets for reasonable.
Whereas the early offers might not be spectacular, day-of Kindle costs will doubtless be fairly beneficiant. The default 2022 Kindle noticed $35 shaved off its $99.99 price ticket final yr, and doubtless will once more. The $139.99 Kindle Paperwhite might additionally see a worth drop, so we’re right here to check the 2 for anybody in search of their subsequent studying companion.
Earlier than diving in, it is in all probability a good suggestion to get some issues out of the best way first. Specifically, there is not a lot distinction between the 2 Kindles we’re evaluating. Display screen and battery specs differ, however core options (roughly) don’t. Both approach, you are getting a well-reviewed e-reader, so you may’t lose.
With that in thoughts, right here we go.
Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Value
Our first class is the only. One quantity is greater than the opposite, in spite of everything.
By way of worth, the common Kindle walks away with this one as a result of it is $40 cheaper than the Paperwhite. No matter different benefits the Paperwhite might have, it’s going to by no means have that one. Until there is a actually wonderful Prime Day deal, after all.
Winner: Kindle (2022)
Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Design
Heat gentle is a welcome possibility.
Credit score: Molly Flores / Mashable
Each gadgets are imminently recognizable as Kindles, with default black colorways giving option to cumbersome bezels round Amazon’s signature Kindle shows. Whereas one does not essentially look cooler or all that completely different from the opposite, there are main dimension variations to think about.
Here is how the 2 Kindles stack up by way of dimensions:
The Paperwhite is an effective deal bigger than the common Kindle, which is its foremost promoting level. It additionally has an adjustable entrance gentle with 17 LEDs, in comparison with the 4 LEDs on the common Kindle. If you happen to want an even bigger and/or brighter show, the Paperwhite is the one to get. It additionally means that you can use a “warm light” possibility for a extra nice studying expertise at the hours of darkness.
Simply know that you’ll sacrifice some weight alongside the best way. The common Kindle is available in at 5.56 ounces, whereas the Paperwhite is a comparatively cumbersome 7.23 ounces. Nonetheless, the Paperwhite has extra going for it by way of design, regardless.
Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Options
One of many all-time nice ebook titles.
Credit score: Mallory Minich / Mashable
This could’ve been a way more substantial dialog just a few years in the past. There was a time when the common Kindle did not actually have a entrance gentle, which made the Paperwhite rather more fascinating by comparability. Nevertheless, occasions have modified.
Today, the 2 gadgets’ performance may be very related. Each can learn books (duh), play audiobooks through Bluetooth, and have screens that ought to look effective in daylight because of a scarcity of glare. Sadly, each will show ads on the lock display except you pay an additional $20 for both Kindle.
As a result of the 2 gadgets’ fundamental performance is so related, this one is type of a wash. You may be effective both approach.
Winner: Tie
Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Storage
Right here is the place issues get fascinating.
Often, the costlier gadget has greater storage. That is how tech works, proper? Not so with these two e-readers. The 2022 Kindle, regardless of being $40 cheaper earlier than any Prime Day reductions, really has twice as a lot storage at 16GB because the 8GB Paperwhite base mannequin. Although, you may improve the Paperwhite to 16GB for $149.99 (or $10 additional). There is a considerably costlier Paperwhite Signature Version with 32GB of storage, however that does not assist us right here.
Winner: Kindle (2022)
Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Battery life
Time to normalize issues slightly bit. This time, the costlier gadget is the higher possibility.
Amazon charges the 2022 Kindle for six weeks of battery life on a full cost. As for the Paperwhite, the estimated battery life is a whopping 10 weeks. That is arguably splitting hairs as a result of there’s not a lot practical distinction between having to plug within the Kindle each six weeks versus each 10 weeks, however 10 is larger than six, so the Paperwhite wins.
Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Water resistance
Some individuals like studying on the pool, on the seashore, or within the bathtub. Why not? It is tremendous stress-free. If you happen to’re a kind of individuals, there is a clear winner right here.
The 2022 Kindle shouldn’t be waterproof in any respect. Do not get it moist. The 2021 Paperwhite, in the meantime, has an IPX8 score, which, in accordance with Amazon, means it could possibly survive for as much as 60 minutes submerged in as much as two meters of water. That looks like a reasonably unrealistic state of affairs, so when you by chance drop the Kindle Paperwhite within the bathtub, you will not want to purchase one other gadget.
Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
Our winner: Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite
The excellent news is that each of those Amazon e-readers supply roughly the identical performance. The key variations are display brightness, battery life, and water resistance. If you happen to merely wish to learn books with out shopping for precise books, each Kindles ought to do the trick simply effective.
However these variations do matter. Ten weeks of battery life is greater than six weeks, and high quality water resistance is greater than zero. Mix that with an even bigger and higher show, and the Paperwhite wins this one.
