Most people call any ereader, irrespective of brand, a Kindle. And while I find that annoying, I also understand why. The best Kindles are so good and popular, plus have been around for so long, that it really shouldn't come as a surprise.
I'm not expecting any new models to join the best Kindles list in 2025 – that's because a new batch of Kindles was released only in October 2024, and we've reviewed them all here at TechRadar. In fact, we've tested nearly all Kindle models released in the last decade (a small fraction of the 100+ ereader reviews my colleagues and I have done since 2009), and all of them have since been discontinued officially.
You can currently only find the 2024 models being sold on Amazon, with the sole exception of the 2022 Kindle Scribe that's still available in select countries (it's been discontinued in Australia already). The Kindle Colorsoft – the only color Kindle so far and part of the 2024 range – isn't widely available either.
That's where having colleagues based in all parts of the world has an advantage – we've tested all five of the latest Kindles and I, personally, have reviewed two of them.
Our review process is very thorough. We ensure each model is tested under different ambient light conditions, we go through each setting to see how it improves (or doesn't) the reading experience and, of course, we read a heck of a lot to check battery life. In fact, our battery life testing is also done at different settings to see how it holds up.
I've also been lucky enough to get my hands on nearly every Kindle since the Voyage, and have reviewed nearly 30 different ereaders for TechRadar to be able to base my picks of the best Kindles.
I've previously been partial the standard Paperwhite; however, with price hikes across the board for the current crop of Amazon ereaders, my choice for the best Kindle has changed, purely based on the value per dollar (or pound) spent on the ereader.
One thing to note about the new Kindles: not all territories will have Audible (or audiobook) support on the 2024 models. While users in the US will be able to use Bluetooth connectivity to pair wireless headphones and access their Audible accounts on any of the Kindles, that's sadly not the case for Australia, for example.
If you're not sold on a Kindle, take a look at my picks for the best ereaders, which lists options from various brands we've tested.
Recent updates
April 2025: Amazon recently released a new firmware (v 5.18.1) that adds a double-tap feature to older Kindles (10th gen and newer) that allows you to double tap the frame to turn to the next page. This is available globally, but an AI-powered Recap feature is currently being tested in the US. That said, these older models have been discontinued, so my picks of the best Kindles remains the same as before.
While she spearheads the day-to-day functioning of the TechRadar editorial team in the APAC region, Sharmishta is a voracious reader. It's what got her interested in ereaders in the first place and, over the last few years, has tested over 25 models from various brands, including several Kindles. She's even appeared on Singaporean radio twice to speak about e-ink tablets.
The quick list
Below you'll find a quick list of the main best Kindles that I recommend you buy right now. But for more details, read on for further product breakdowns and links to the full reviews, where you can read how the Kindles are put to the test. Our price comparison tool will also flag the latest Kindle deals that are worth your attention.
Best overall
With new color options and faster performance, the Signature Edition now takes top spot as the best Kindle overall. An updated screen and 32GB of storage add to its value, although wireless charging might be superfluous.
Best budget
The basic Kindle is fine for most people as long as you won't get it wet. Amazon hasn't done much to make it different from the previous 2021 model, but the new Matcha Green color is lovely and overall performance is slightly better.
Best color Kindle
It might be the only color Kindle but it aced our tests – our reviewer loved it enough to give it a high score. Good colors, responsive performance and excellent battery life – what more could you want?
Best for note-taking
Brighter even than the previous Kindle Scribe, the 2024 edition continues to impress not just as a writing tablet, but also with its useful AI features. There's a new colorway to choose from in some markets, although the white bezels aren't quite doing it any design favors.
Best Kindle alternative
If you're not too enthused about getting stuck within Amazon's ecosystem, your best alternative is to opt for a Kobo ereader and the Clara BW would be our pick. It gets the latests E Ink Carta 1300 screen, adding more responsiveness and clarity.
The best Kindle 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find details for each of the best Kindles in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best Kindle overall
✅ You source your material from the Kindle Store: If you don't need to sideload an existing private library, the Paperwhite SE makes it easy to purchase content from the Kindle Store.
✅ You need a lot of storage: While you can get a cheaper Paperwhite, the Signature Edition doubles the storage, which might make it better value for avid readers.
❌ You have your own ebook library: It's easy enough to sideload ebooks, but you will have to jump through hoops (aka use the Send To Kindle platform) to do so.
❌ You'd prefer something cheaper: If you're on a smaller budget, opting for a 6-inch ereader will save you some cash.
The Paperwhite Signature Edition manages to balance size, feature set and price well, but it doesn't necessarily represent the best value option. But given it offers more than the standard Paperwhite and can be picked up at a discounted price, it's arguably the best Kindle right now.
When Amazon released a Signature Edition of the Paperwhite in 2021, I wasn't sold on it. I thought wireless charging was superfluous and paying extra for it was not worthwhile at all. With the 2024 release, however, I've changed my mind.
While I haven't tested it personally, my colleague who did isn't sold on its design, but agrees that its performance is better than before. He still thinks wireless charging is gimmicky, but given the price hike of all the 2024 Kindles, a can be made that the per dollar value of the Signature Edition now makes it the better choice over the standard Kindle.
The Paperwhite SE (for short) gets you 32GB of storage – double that of the standard 16GB Paperwhite which, incidentally only has 11.5GB of usable space – and the wireless charging to boot. The storage alone can be worthwhile for avid readers like me – in fact, I'd much rather have 64GB of storage on my ereader but then I am voracious!
Battery life is also extraordinary, although it will depend on how bright you keep your screen lit and how much you use the device. And I absolutely appreciate the fact that it's IP67 waterproof, which means it can survive an accidental dunk in the sea. Yes, the sea – most other waterproof ereaders are only IPX8 rated, which means fresh water only please. That said, if you do drop it in saltwater, it's best to immediately give it a rinse so as to avoid corroding the USB port.
Between the extra storage and the waterproofing, the 2024 Paperwhite Signature Edition takes over as the best Kindle.
Read the full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) review
The best budget Kindle
✅ Size doesn't matter: The 6-inch screen could be small for some users, but if that's not an issue, the base Kindle can slip into any bag, even into a large jacket pocket.
✅ You're on a tight budget: It's hard to justify its higher price, but it's still the cheapest Kindle available.
❌ Screen size is important: If you use larger font sizes when reading, you'll be turning pages often on the base Kindle, which could eat into the battery life.
❌ You want a secure hold: The rear of the Kindle is smooth, which can make it slippery to hold for long reading sessions – buying a case separately might solve this problem if you're willing to spend.
It's only the most minimal upgrade, but it's the only entry-level Kindle now available. While it price tag is hard to justify, the new color and the slightly better performance might make it worthwhile if you source your books from the Kindle Store.
Where the 2022 Kindle was a worthy successor to those that came before, the 2024 release of Amazon's entry-level ereader is, sadly, not so. I love the new Matcha Green color, but beyond that I found it hard to praise the new Kindle very much. And that made it harder for me to justify it's higher cost over the previous model. However, it's now the only entry-level Kindle as Amazon has discontinued the previous one, so if you use the 2022 Kindle already, it's not worth upgrading.
That said, if you've never used an ereader before or want to gift someone their very first Kindle, this isn't a bad option. I won't call it 'cheap' anymore, but it is still the most affordable Kindle available.
Other than the new colorway, not much else has change here – so there's still no waterproofing and there's 16GB of storage on board. It's definitely had some performance upgrades, but that seems to be mostly software related and that, sadly, seems to take up a heck of a lot of space on the device. With the operating system now large, there's just 11.5GB of usable storage on board.
Amazon has 'brightened' the screen, but I think it was just by adding an additional LED which, in my opinion, wasn't needed at all. At maximum brightness, the screen can be borderline painful in dim conditions.
Like I said, it's the same old Kindle dressed up in a new color. It's hard to recommend at full price, but the good news is that Amazon always – and I do mean always – discounts its Kindles during major sale events. If you pick up the 2024 Kindle then, it's not a bad ereader at all.
Read the full Amazon Kindle (2024) review
The best color Kindle
✅ You really want a color Kindle: Well, it's the only one and it ain't bad at all. If you're already embedded into Amazon's ecosystem, it's arguably the best option.
✅ Battery life matters: It's not just the screen that's the headline here, Amazon has upped the battery life on its latest Kindles too.
❌ Reading in color isn't important: You can save a lot of money if you don't read a lot of comics or graphic novels – monochrome ereaders are cheaper.
❌ You want a cheaper option: As good as it might be, you'll likely get more bang for buck from something like the Kobo Libra Colour.
It's expensive, even for a color ereader, but if you really love a Kindle, it's a brilliant upgrade. However, there are cheaper 7-inch color ereaders that offer more features.
Amazon is pretty late to the color ereader party and, even though its first color Kindle ran into some teething issues at launch (some users complained about discoloration on the screen), our reviewer loved the Kindle Colorsoft, saying that monochrome Kindles now "seem like a step back".
In fact, he even says it's the "fastest, smoothest ereader" he's used to date, and that's saying something. Unlike a lot of other ereaders, scrolling and zooming didn't cause any ghosting, which could indicate that Amazon has improved the refresh rate for the screen.
What's really great is Amazon has added waterproofing to the Colorsoft, so it's also perfect for traveling with or reading by the pool. You will, however, want to be careful not to expose it to salt water as that could corrode the open USB-C port.
During our testing, we also found the battery life to absolutely excellent – lasting up to 12 weeks, although that will change depending on how much you use the device and how bright you like the screen.
The only disappointment was the build. Our reviewer wasn't quite enthused by the fact that, for its price, the Colorsoft doesn't look premium enough. That might be a deal breaker for some readers looking to upgrade their old Kindle, but there's no denying it is expensive compared to its competition. For example, the Kobo Libra Colour is slightly cheaper and offers stylus support to boot, which the Colorsoft doesn't offer.
Read our full Amazon Kindle Colorsoft review for more details
The best Kindle for note taking
✅ You want a big and bright screen: The Scribe has hands-down the best screen an avid reader could ask for – it's bright, with auto-brightness and adjustable lighting.
✅ You take long notes and need quick summaries: The AI Summary feature works marvelously well, and can be handy for anyone who takes a lot of notes.
❌ You're not much of a writer: If you aren't going to take full advantage of the Scribe's writing capabilities, this is an expensive ereader.
❌ You'd prefer a cheaper note taker: While it's priced competitively, there are now smaller digital note takers that will save you money and allow you to jot notes or doodle.
It's a hefty investment that looks just as premium, plus the stylus input is the best we've experienced. But if you aren't going to take full advantage of the writing suite on the 2024 Kindle Scribe, it's a lot of money to spend on an ereader.
The original Kindle Scribe from 2022 just a firmware update that makes it just as good as the 2024 model, but it's highly likely Amazon will discontinue it soon, as it's already disappeared from the Australian site. The 2024 Scribe will cost you more, but I adore its auto-brightness feature for that large screen and, as before, my experience writing on it is par excellence. I don't particularly like the white bezels on the new model, but some markets get the lovely Jade Green model that carries off those bezels better than the Tungsten colorway I'm stuck with in Australia.
While I'm disappointed Amazon hasn't update the hardware much – it still uses the E Ink Carta 1200 screen from the 2022 model – the addition of AI features makes it quite useful in my books. If, like me, you take copious amounts of notes, the Summarize feature can be very useful indeed. Other than that, I still think the writing tools offered by Kobo and Onyx Boox are better.
And while you still can't quite scribble in margins in the truest sense, I think the Active Canvas and the newer Side Margin features are good additions, and they work on sideloaded ebooks too. The former will add a box on one side and then realign the page to wrap around it, while the latter is quite literally a side margin where you can add notes. If you a note associated with a specific word or sentence, simply highlight, write and save, which will add a tiny note icon to the selection.
Amazon had definitely improved on the Scribe, but it's hard to justify the price now, especially when the older model has the exact same features and might still be available to buy at some retailers. If money is no object, though, I'd say that screen makes up for it.
Read the full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review
The best Kindle alternative
✅ You want the latest in e-paper screen tech: This little ereader is the first mainstream device to debut the next-gen E Ink Carta 1300 screen, making it more responsive and adding a bit more contrast for better sharpness.
✅ You want an ereader to go the distance: While most ereaders have a lifespan of 6-10 years, this one can be repaired to extend that – from its motherboard to screen and battery.
❌ You want a larger screen: It's another 6-inch ereader, and that could get too small for some users who prefer larger font sizes.
❌ You want more features: If you prefer a color ereader or want stylus input, you'll need to look elsewhere.
When it comes to 6-inch entry-level models, the Clara BW is the best you can get because of the screen it uses. It's the sharpest we've seen yet and performs well.
The first mainstream ereader to get the latest in E Ink screen technology, the Kobo Clara BW boasts a 6-inch Carta 1300 display (all the Kindles on this list use the E Ink Carta 1200 screen). In our testing we found that to translate into a faster, more responsive display than any of the Kindles listed here (they use the E Ink Carta 1200 screen), plus it adds more contrast that makes it a lot easier to read anything on the monochrome screen.
It's other party trick that no Kindle possesses is that it's repairable – Kobo has partnered with iFixit to provide both spare parts and instructions on how to self-repair the ereader, which should extend the life of the device further and keep it out of the landfill. In fact, 80% of this tablet's chassis is recycled plastic, and the packaging is fully bio-degradable, including the ink used to print on it.
Essentially competing with both the base Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite, the Clara BW gets you IPX8 waterproofing and 16GB of onboard storage, with battery life similar to the base Kindle. The latter was the only disappointment we had when we tested this excellent mid-range ereader – we had hoped Kobo would use a bigger battery in its 2024 upgrade to the Clara line.
While you can use the Kindles to borrow from select public libraries, this option is only available to US customers. Kobo's partnership with Libby, however, expands that to other regions thanks to the baked-in OverDrive support. If you read long-form web articles offline via Pocket, you can access these on the Clara BW by signing into your account. And we think both these features add value to the device.
Audiobook support is also available, although the Kobos can only play those purchased from the Kobo Store or downloaded via a Kobo Plus subscription.
Read the full Kobo Clara BW review
Alternatives to consider
While I've already got one good Kindle alternative listed above, there are a few more worth noting here, including two more Kindles that didn't make the cut for the list above. All the products below have been labeled to explain why they've been recommended as alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Kindles
How to choose the best Kindle for you
Choosing the best Kindle for your needs will firstly be determined by your budget – if it's really tight, you'll probably need to opt for the base Kindle model. And that's perfectly fine as it's a great little ereader, but you have to make sure you keep it away from water. Even its 4-week battery life is fine.
If money is no object, then you have a wider choice, so figuring out which one to choose will depend more on the features you're after. It's it's just reading you're after, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best option, but if you listen more than you read, you might want to consider the Signature Edition just for the additional storage it offers.
The best of the best, though, the 10.2-inch Kindle Scribe. Whether it's reading, writing or listening, it will be your constant companion, but it's not waterproof. However, its size makes it a little less portable than the rest of the Kindle range.
Which Kindle has the best battery life?
Out of the 5 new 2024 Kindles announced in October, the two new Paperwhites stand out in terms of claimed battery life and, in our testing, held on for as long as Amazon claimed.
Both the Kindle Paperwhite (2024) and the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) have claimed battery lives of up to 12 weeks, although Amazon is refusing to reveal the capacity of the battery pack being used.
If you're a voracious reader, I think you'll be able to eke out 9 to 10 weeks from either of them, depending on the screen brightness level. Reading for about 2 hours a day at mid-level brightness got me about 10 weeks of use from a single charge. With the Kindle Scribes, battery life will also depend on how much you use them for writing.
No matter what, though, you can easily take any Kindle on holiday and still get at least 4 weeks out of them, if not more, depending on the model, your personal use case and the device settings.
If you're curious as to how long the other Kindles will last, below is a quick breakdown for all the current Kindles available. The 'tested battery life' listed below is based on the Kindles set at brightness level 8 (warm light switched off where applicable), 2 hours of reading per day, Wi-Fi always on, and screen refresh set to every page turn.
Model name | Claimed battery life | Tested battery life | Header Cell - Column 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Kindle (2024) | Up to 6 weeks (reading only - 30 mins per day) | Up to 5 weeks (reading only - up to 2 hours per day) | Row 0 - Cell 3 |
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) | Up to 12 weeks (reading only - 30 mins per day) | Up to 10 weeks (reading - up to 2 hours per day) | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024) | Up to 12 weeks (reading only - 30 mins per day) | Up to 10 weeks (reading - up to 2 hours per day) | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft | Up to 8 weeks (reading only - 30 mins per day) | Up to 6 weeks (reading - up to 2 hours per day) | Row 3 - Cell 3 |
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2022) | Up to 12 weeks (reading only - 30 mins per day) | Up to 7 weeks (reading and writing - up to 2 hours per day) | Row 4 - Cell 3 |
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) | Up to 12 weeks (reading only - 30 mins per day) | Up to 8 weeks (reading and writing - up to 2 hours per day) | Row 5 - Cell 3 |
What about Kindle Kids, is it worth buying?
No, not if you already have a library of books for your kids, or if you have specific books in mind you want them to read. It isn't worth the premium just for the colorful cover, so make sure you'll put the Kindle Kids Unlimited library to good use, or else it's worth buying the non-Kids version.
We're not including the Kindle Kids options on this list because the Kindle you get isn't different if you buy the 'Kids' version. If you get the Kindle Paperwhite Kids, you get the exact same Kindle Paperwhite, just with a kid-friendly case.
Where can you get books for a Kindle?
Every single Kindle device gives you access to the Kindle Store, you just need to sign in with your Amazon account to access it. The Kindle Store is a great place to purchase titles from, and they're typically cheaper than other online bookstores too. We've got a handy guide to how to buy books on Kindle too.
If you happen to be a Prime member or have an existing subscription to Kindle Unlimited, you can access them both directly from any of the Kindles. In fact, all the current Kindle models have Bluetooth connectivity and, if you have an Audible account, you can listen to audiobooks too via pair of wireless headphones.
Better yet, Kindle users in the US can take advantage of borrowing from a local library if you already have a card. You'll be able to browse their digital catalog on the Kindle and borrow ebooks or magazines.
You can also sideload ebooks from an existing library you might have, but you will need to make sure that the file format is natively supported. Read more about how to send an ebook to Kindle.
What is Kindle Unlimited and is it worth subscribing to?
Kindle Unlimited is Amazon's subscription service catering to the avid reader. For a monthly cost of $9.99 / £7.99 / AU$13.99, you get access to millions of titles – including some audiobook versions of the ebooks – and you're allowed to 'borrow' no more than 10 at a time. That means you can't have more than 20 'saved' titles in total in your library.
Whether it's worth the monthly subscription will depend on how much you read and what you like to read. There are some popular titles and authors in the catalog but it can be a little skewed towards romance and self-published content. This can be great for someone who keeps needing new things to read all the time, but if you're after something specific, Kindle Unlimited may not be for you. Find out more in our in-depth Kindle Unlimited review.
Can I do more than just read on a Kindle?
While most Kindles are meant to be digital readers, the Kindle Scribe is the only Amazon e-paper device that will also let you write on it. However, all Kindles have some useful features that you can take advantage of.
For example, you can enable Word Wise in the device settings that will display short definitions of words in small text between the lines of an ebook. You can then tap on the definition to be forwarded to a longer definition either from a dictionary – you have the choice between the Oxford English Dictionary or the New Oxford American Dictionary – or a Wikipedia page. You can even get translations sometimes, but note that this feature doesn't work for all ebooks.
A screen reader called VoiceView is also available on all Kindles, which is accessible via Settings > Accessibility, and is handy for the visually impaired. Given all Kindles are Bluetooth-enabled, you can connect a set of the best wireless headphones or best wireless earbuds to listen. In a similar vein, there's a specific font available on all Kindles – called OpenDyslexic – to help making reading easier for people with dyslexia.
You can even connect your Goodreads account, if you have one, to a Kindle and this will allow you to post reviews or browse your bookshelf on the device itself.
When is a good time to buy a Kindle?
Given these Amazon devices, the best time to pick up a Kindle would be during one of the retail giant's big sales. Kindles are invariably discounted during Prime Day and Amazon's Black Friday sale.
How we test the best Kindles
We read. We read a lot, and we read every day. We use our Kindle devices to read books from Amazon, and we also use accounts from our local libraries to load free ebooks onto our Kindle. We also have a selection of documents and files that we use to test the clarity of the Kindle display, and the ease of transferring our own files.
We are also avid audiobook fans, and keep a subscription to Audible that feeds us new books monthly. We use our Kindle for listening to books, and occasionally for reading and listening at the same time, depending on content.
We read at all times of day, on the train, by the bed, in the bath, and wherever we find the time. We love to read, and we test our Kindle devices doing what we love.
- If you're a fan of Amazon but want a bit more color, check out our list of the best Amazon Fire tablets
