Individuals seeking to get a brand new Kindle usually get confused by Amazon’s number of completely different Kindle fashions and sub-models, and the query of which is the perfect one to get comes up incessantly, so I assumed I’d do my finest to reply that on this submit.
First off, the “finest” Kindle isn’t going to be the identical for everyone. Some individuals have completely different wants and makes use of for Kindles, and a few worth sure options greater than others. Provided that, I’ve damaged down the perfect Kindles into completely different classes.
Amazon did an entire refresh of the Kindle lineup in late 2024 so all the present fashions are lower than a yr outdated. Due to that, it’s impossible that Amazon will substitute any of them in 2025; Amazon often sticks with every new Kindle mannequin for a minimum of 2 years.
Some individuals are nonetheless ready for a brand new Kindle Oasis, however it’s time to surrender on that dream. Amazon launched the Kindle Oasis 2 in 2017, and all they did was add a heat frontlight to it in 2019 and referred to as it a brand new mannequin, so technically the final Oasis design goes again 8 years. There’s no method they’re engaged on a brand new one after that a few years.
For those who’re questioning concerning the fashions that Amazon markets for teenagers, they’re precisely the identical as common Kindles. They’re only a bundle package deal that features a cowl, an upgraded 2-year guarantee, and a 1-year subscription to Amazon Youngsters+. Generally the children fashions go on sale for lower than common Kindles, at which level you’re higher off shopping for the children bundle as a substitute.
Finest Kindle General
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is the perfect Kindle within the present lineup. It has the perfect display screen, the perfect battery life, it’s the quickest Kindle, and it’s the higher worth if you need an ad-free Kindle with probably the most options.
You may get the base Kindle Paperwhite for $40 lower than the Signature Version when you don’t thoughts the screensaver adverts and the smudge-prone rubbery coating on the again, however it prices $20 further to take away the adverts so at that time it’s solely $20 extra for the upgraded Signature Version.
The Signature Version provides wi-fi charging, an auto-brightness sensor, it has double the space for storing with 32GB, it doesn’t have screensaver adverts, and it has a metallic end on the again as a substitute of a rubbery coating. The bottom Paperwhite is the higher choice when you don’t care about any of that.
See my Kindle Paperwhite evaluation for extra particulars.
Finest Kindle for Portability
If you need a small and light-weight Kindle, the fundamental Kindle is sort of a bit smaller than the Kindle Paperwhite. It’s extra pocketable and simpler to take with you, and it’s very light-weight at 158 grams.
Plus the present fundamental Kindle isn’t as fundamental because it was once. It has a lot of the similar options as the bottom Kindle Paperwhite, minus the nice and cozy frontlight and the waterproofing.
Battery life isn’t pretty much as good because the Paperwhite, although, and the plastic feels fairly low-cost and it scratches simply, however the display screen is very nice and it’s not a fingerprint magnet just like the flush display screen on the Paperwhite.
See my 2024 Kindle evaluation for more information.
Finest Low-cost Kindles
The entry-level Kindle is an efficient choice at $109 (with adverts) if you wish to get a brand new Kindle, and it usually goes on sale for much less, however you will get an older used or refurbished Kindle for even much less when you don’t need to spend a lot.
You may usually discover used Kindles for actually low-cost from locations like Goodwill or eBay. And Woot is an efficient place to get refurbished Kindles, however their Kindle listings are sporadic so you must examine usually.
Kindles final a very long time, however I wouldn’t advocate shopping for something older than a tenth gen Kindle at this level, which date again to 2018 and 2019. Something older than that has a great probability of getting a battery that’s beginning to wear down.
The most effective older fashions to think about are the Kindle Oasis 3, the 2022 fundamental Kindle, and the eleventh gen Kindle Paperwhite. I nonetheless actually just like the Kindle Voyage and suppose it’s the most effective Kindles ever, however at this level I wouldn’t advocate shopping for one except you’re snug changing the battery your self since that mannequin is now over 10 years outdated.
Finest Kindle for Notetaking
This one is just a little difficult. The Kindle Scribe is the one Kindle that helps notetaking with a stylus (you may add highlights and textual content notes utilizing common Kindles, however solely the Kindle Scribe helps notebooks and writing in ebooks), however it nonetheless may not be the best choice for everyone.
If you need superior notetaking options you is likely to be higher off forgoing the Kindle Scribe solely and getting an eNote from Onyx as a substitute. Their pocket book app provides much more options, and Boox units run Android to allow them to be used to learn Kindle ebooks as properly. Nonetheless, you may’t write on Kindle ebooks utilizing the Android app, so there are some limitations in that regard.
Amazon launched a brand new Kindle Scribe for 2024, however it’s nearly precisely the identical as the unique that got here out in 2022. The brand new mannequin has a white bezel, whereas the outdated mannequin has a black bezel. The options are the identical so it simply comes down to private desire. If you should purchase the older mannequin for much less you aren’t lacking out on something.
The Kindle Scribe can also be good when you simply desire a Kindle with a bigger display screen, and it’s significantly better suited to studying PDFs and such than smaller Kindles.
