If you're a book lover who wants to give your library a high-tech upgrade, the Amazon Kindle is an obvious choice.
Kindles are terrific companions for those who travel frequently or commute on public transportation. There's also tremendous appeal in being able to sit at home and browse through an entire bookstore on a device where you can also purchase and read your selections.
With seven versions of the ebook reader, not to mention Amazon'e Fire tablets, the company has something for everyone. This Prime Day, Kindles are guaranteed to be discounted since they're manufactured by Amazon itself. (You might even find some early Prime Day deals before July 11.) But how do you know which Kindle is best for you or a lucky gift recipient?
Whether you're new to Kindles and eReaders in general or are a tech-savvy reader who's looking to upgrade, here's what each Kindle brings to the table.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Why We Picked It
The latest Kindle Paperwhite has a lot of things going for it. It features a larger, brighter screen than the previous model, page turns are faster, and the battery lasts for approximately three months on a single charge. It holds 16GB of content and comes in Black, Jade, or Raspberry. The Paperwhite is waterproof, features a flush-front glass, and has an LED system that adjusts from blue-white to yellow for more comfortable reading in the dark.
Who It's For
Most readers: The Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle for most people. It's compact and affordable, featuring an auto-adjusting front light that matches ambient lighting conditions, making it easy on your eyes.
Poolside loungers: The Paperwhite is waterproof, so it can take a quick dip in fresh water. That means it's the best ereader to have on hand if you like to read in the bath or near the pool.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids
Why We Picked It
If you want a serious ereader for your kids but don't want to shell out serious cash, then the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids is the answer. It has adjustable warm lighting, a flush-front design, and is waterproof. The Paperwhite Kids also enjoys a two-year repair and replacement guarantee and six months of Amazon Kids+ for unlimited reading options.
Who It's For
Young readers: The Paperwhite Kids is one of the least expensive ways to get your tech-savvy kids reading. It's affordable, comes with a case, and includes a trial subscription to Amazon's content library.
Parents: If you want to encourage your kids to read, the Paperwhite Kids is a great place to start. Its foolproof warranty means it's a sound investment, and the age-appropriate selections mean you can relax knowing they won't come across the wrong stuff. Oh, and it's waterproof, making it a great travel companion.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Why We Picked It
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition features 32GB of storage—twice the storage capacity of many of its peers—plus wireless charging and auto-adjusting lights.
Who It's For
The ad-averse: One of the benefits of the Paperwhite Signature Edition is that it comes free from lock screen ads. That means you won't be presented with unwanted ads each time you grab the ereader.
Those with larger libraries: The Signature Edition has double the storage of the standard model—32GB—which makes it ideal for anyone who has a large number of books or audiobooks.
People who read on the go: An upgrade you get with this model is a frontlight that automatically adjusts the color balance. While your evening reading space at home may have the same lighting every time you settle in for a read, if you like to read on public transportation, or while on the treadmill at the gym, or in the cafeteria at work, you'll encounter different lighting in each place. This Kindle automatically adjusts the screen to ensure it always looks great and is easy on your eyes.
Why We Picked It
If you're just looking to carry your library with you, the entry-level Amazon Kindle provides everything you need. It has a slim profile, 16GB of storage, white backlighting, and good battery life. This latest version features a slightly brighter screen and is available in two different colors.
Who It's For
Readers on a budget: If you're looking to grab an ereader with a minimal investment, this is the ereader to pick. It's Amazon's most affordable model, and it still provides a good reading experience despite its limitations.
Why We Picked It
If you want kids to browse books freely without worrying about them encountering inappropriate content, the Kindle Kids is a good choice. It's an entry-level ereader with a protective case, a six-month subscription to thousands of age-appropriate books on Amazon Kids+, and a no-questions-asked two-year replacement warranty.
Who It's For
Parents on a budget: The Kindle Kids is an excellent bargain for parents, offering an easy-to-manage device at a low cost. And it still includes the kid-friendly features of more expensive Kindles.
Non-discerning kids: For kids who don't mind having a basic ereader, the Kindle Kids gets the job done. It doesn't have some of the more advanced features of pricier Kindles, but it's a solid ereader that lets kids read wherever they may roam.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
Why We Picked It
Comic and magazine readers will want to reach for the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, which has less storage than the Signature Edition and drops the wireless charging, but costs $30 less. It's one of a small number of color ereaders to choose from, featuring 16GB of storage, a user-adjustable front light, a waterproof design, and an ad-free lock screen.
Who It's For
Comic lovers: There's something to be said for color E Ink. If reading in grayscale doesn't do it for you, or you're a big fan of comic books or graphic novels, you'll want the additional razzle-dazzle afforded by Colorsoft's display.
Why We Picked It
The Kindle Colorsoft for Kids is a shrewdly repackaged version of the Kindle Colorsoft, which includes a case, a trial subscription to Amazon's kid-focused content service, and a bulletproof warranty against damage. It is also among the only color ereaders available for kids, and if your young reader prefers comics and other visual books to long reads, this is the Kindle to get.
Who It's For
Kids who love comics: Most comics are colorized, and reading them on grayscale screens is simply no fun. The Colorsoft for Kids has a color E Ink display that brings comics to life in a way that gray screens simply cannot.
Parents who want peace of mind: This ereader's age-appropriate content, preinstalled case, and warranty all mean parents can rest easy. Not only will your kids be able to find the content they want, but the device itself is protected from breakage.
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
Why We Picked It
Some readers enjoy scribbling in the margins of books and underlining passages. The 2024 Kindle Scribe is one of the largest Kindles you can buy, at 10.2 inches, and lets you handwrite notes in (and out of) ebooks. Amazon updated the Scribe last year with a sleeker design and a larger 11-inch screen, but few other improvements. It also bumped up the price significantly, so while the 2024 Scribe is still available, it's the version we recommend.
Who It's For
Note-takers: With a big, easy-to-read screen textured to feel like paper when you're writing on it with the included Premium Pen stylus, the 2024 Kindle Scribe is the best way to take notes and annotate Kindle books.
Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft
Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 32GB (newest model) — 11” paper-like color display with front light — Thin, light, powerf
Why We Picked It
Amazon's first large color ereader looks and feels nice, with an 11-inch screen that seems like paper when writing with the included Premium Pen stylus. It's the only option if you want a Kindle with a large color screen, though its high price keeps it from earning a higher rating.
Who It's For
Comixology fans: If you swear by Amazon's Comixology service for your comics, the Kindle Colorsoft is the best way to read them on paper-like E Ink and enjoy weeks between charges.