The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best budget
3. Best for a big screen
4. Best for audiobooks
6. Best premium
7. How to choose
8. How we test
The best Kindles are more than just digital replacements for your book collection – these days, they can also be audio players, notepads and much more.
Choosing the best Kindle for your needs is therefore slightly more complicated than just picking the most expensive one you can afford. That's because the Kindle range has expanded in recent years to include the pen-toting Scribe, the wireless-charging Paperwhite Signature Edition and a couple of dedicated Kids models. Note, though, that we don't include the Kids models in our list, as these are essentially the same as the standard models but with a child-friendly interface.
All five of the models in our list offer something slightly different, so you'll want to decide which features are most important to you and how big a screen you desire, as well as what your budget is. Although on that last point, bear in mind that Black Friday Kindle deals are on the way, and these almost always see Amazon slash prices to record lows.
We test each Kindle thoroughly in a variety of settings, so you can be sure that our recommendations below can be trusted. So read on for our selection of the best Kindles and find out which one might be right for you.
The quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which Kindles are the absolute best? Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of each Kindle further down the page, and our price comparison tool will help you find the best deals.
Best overall
The Paperwhite hits the sweet spot between price and performance: cheaper than the Oasis, but with a better screen than the basic Kindle. Battery life is excellent, and it now has USB-C charging, too.
Best budget
Can't stretch to the Paperwhite? Then the base Kindle is your only option. You'll have to put up with a smaller screen and lack of waterproofing, but the low price makes that a fair compromise.
Best for a big screen
Amazon markets the Scribe as the Kindle you can write on, but its real standout feature is that vast 10.2-inch display that makes it the best big-screen Kindle by a distance.
Best for audiobooks
The Signature Edition offers a few upgrades over the standard Paperwhite, including wireless charging and an auto-adjusting light. It also offers 32GB of storage, making it ideal for storing audiobooks.
Best premium Kindle
The 2019 Oasis is a little old now, but it remains the most premium Kindle, Scribe-aside. A metal shell, excellent ergonomics, auto-adjusting lighting and physical buttons make it the ultimate Kindle for readers.
The best Kindle 2023
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Below you'll find full write-ups 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
The Amazon Paperwhite is the ideal electronic book reader, and you can take it just about anywhere you might take a regular old book. You can read in the bathtub, or by the pool, with less worry than you'd have holding a paperback, because the Paperwhite can get wet, no problem.
You can read in bed and the Paperwhite will adjust to a warm backlight to make your eyes more comfortable. Reading on a Kindle's ultra-sharp display is already more comfy than reading on your phone or iPad, and the Paperwhite has plenty of backlight for reading any time, day or night.
You can also read while you travel, because the Kindle Paperwhite comes with 16GB of storage. That's enough to pack a full library, but if you also enjoy listening to audiobooks from Audible, you'll have space for a bunch of titles to go alongside your texts.
Read the full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite review
The best budget Kindle
The base model Kindle is no slouch, and recent upgrades have made it maybe the best bargain-priced Kindle ever. Keep an eye on that price, too, because Amazon loves to put this ereader on sale whenever it throws a Prime Day party.
The screen on the Kindle is now just as sharp as every other Kindle display, a full 300 pixels per inch (to compare, the mighty iPad Pro is only 265 ppi). That's the best upgrade you can give a reading device, and the only feature the Kindle is lacking compared to the more expensive Kindle Paperwhite is water resistance. Don't get this Kindle wet.
Otherwise, you still get 16GB of storage, which is plenty of space for a ton of books, magazines, and even audiobooks. The battery also lasts and lasts on Kindle devices, so you can count on a month of daily reading with this Kindle. If you want something brighter that you can also take to the beach, go for the Paperwhite. The Kindle is still great for reading during the day on dry land.
Read the full Amazon Kindle (2022) review
The best Kindle for a big screen
The Kindle Scribe is an amazing device when you realize all it can do. It's a full-fledged Kindle with the biggest reading screen, but it doesn't sacrifice that great Kindle sharpness, so text still looks super crisp. If you like reading on a screen the size of an iPad but want Kindle comfort, the Kindle Scribe is your best bet.
You can also write on the Kindle Scribe, and Amazon has been steadily improving the writing and doodling features, adding more pen styles since launch. There's also a special section of the Kindle book store with books you can write on if you own a Kindle Scribe. The selection is mostly crossword puzzles and semi-blank daily journals, but it's growing and shows a lot of potential.
The Scribe may seem pricey for a Kindle, but it's a great deal for a writing tablet this size, and Amazon does love to put Kindle devices on sale. If you want to take notes, especially if your textbooks are available for Kindle, this is the only Kindle to buy.
Read the full Amazon Kindle Scribe review