TechRadar Verdict
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition didn’t need a big upgrade, and it didn't get one, but the new SE is snappier and smoother to navigate, and it still looks fantastic when you dive into your favorite texts. The Signature Edition I tested may be too much for most folks, and if you’re looking for that bigger Kindle upgrade, check out the Kindle Colorsoft before you stick with the good old black and white. If you can forgo color, though, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is perfectly simple as a book and, if you want extra storage, could be better value than the standard Paperwhite.
Pros
- +
Snappier interface means faster menus and smoother zooming
- +
The best e-reader if you buy books from Amazon
Cons
- -
Design feels out-of-date and cheap, lacks buttons
- -
Once you see the Kindle Colorsoft, it’s hard to go black and white
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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition: Two-minute review
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has been a mainstay on our list of the best Kindles, with the Signature Edition typically taking a back seat due to its higher price tag. The 2024 Paperwhite Signature Edition offers just enough improvements to keep the e-reader feeling fresh while still leaving me wanting a bit more. It’s a little brighter, a little sharper, and a lot faster, and it turns out that speed truly makes a difference if you read a lot.
The main factor behind your choice of e-reader is where you get your books. If you buy books from Amazon or subscribe to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited service, the Kindle is your only choice, and the Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle for most people. It’s bright, durable, and even water-resistant enough to survive a splash even in salt water if you want to read on the sand.
Of course, the color Kindle is here, but don’t look at the Kindle Colorsoft if you don’t yearn for color when you read. It’s hard to go back to black and white once you’ve seen it, and the Colorsoft costs a lot more than the Signature Edition.
That’s fine because the Paperwhite SE does everything you’d expect from a Kindle, with wireless charging thrown in for extra measure and you'll get 32GB of storage instead of the standard 16BG. I didn’t once charge the Kindle wirelessly except to test that it works, but you can buy a dock from Amazon to prop your Kindle at your bedside and let it charge while it shows you the cover of the book you’re reading.
So it's a good thing that the Paperwhite SE doesn't have lockscreen ads like the standard Paperwhite. I’m not a fan of Amazon’s common lockscreen ad scheme (something that's, thankfully, not available in Australia). I don’t like my phone, tablet, or e-reader serving me ads as a privilege of ownership. It feels cynical, and even though you can save $20 / £10 (and why is it so much cheaper in the UK?!) by allowing Amazon to take over your Kindle lockscreen with advertisements, I’d rather see my book covers or even just Amazon’s pleasant reading-themed wallpapers.
If you get your books from the library (local libraries in the US will lend you an e-book, but this feature is not available elsewhere) or if you buy from a seller other than Amazon, you have more choices, but the Kindle Paperwhite SE is still one of the best. I wish it had real buttons to turn pages, like the Kobo Libra e-readers. Buttons just feel more reliable than tapping or swiping, especially if I’m in the tub and my fingers are soapy.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition exceeds other e-readers in its speed and responsiveness. Turning pages feels fast now, much faster than it was on older Kindle devices, and zooming into a chart or a picture happens almost as quickly as it would on a smartphone. I didn’t think a performance boost would make such a huge difference for a Kindle, but it’s really noticeable and makes the e-reader better.
Besides the library, Amazon’s Kindle bookstore is also the most robust place to buy books. You’ll find every title you want, and the store is great at making suggestions. I was slightly disappointed by the Kindle Unlimited content offering, though, so I wouldn’t recommend the subscription service unless reading is your passion and not just a pastime.
The new Kindle Paperwhite SE is an easy e-reader to recommend because the Paperwhite wasn’t broken, and Amazon didn’t fix it. It’s just a bit better, but it does everything I need an electronic book to do. The only thing I miss is color, and I suspect that the next Paperwhite upgrade that comes along in a few years will satisfy that craving.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: price and availability
- Announced October 2024
- List price of $199.99 / £189.99 / AU$329
- $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$299 for the standard Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage
The Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition are a bit more expensive than the Kindle Paperwhite from 2021, and you don’t really get anything new. The Signature Edition is the better device, to be sure, with a brighter screen and a more responsive interface, but I don’t like that it’s creeping up in price, especially since it’s an excellent vessel for Amazon to sell you more Kindle books.
Never fear! Because the Kindle Paperwhite and the Signature Edition will likely get discounted often, particularly during big sales.
But is it worth the price? Compared to what? There aren’t any other e-readers that synchronize perfectly with Amazon’s book store, unless you buy a more expensive device that runs Android and can load the Kindle app. That’s a bridge too far, on my reading journey.
You can find a Kobo Clara e-reader with a smaller display for less money; you can even get a Kobo Clara Color e-reader for less than a Kindle Paperwhite, let alone the Signature Edition Paperwhite. The Clara has a smaller display, and you should definitely explore Kobo’s book library before you commit if you’re making a switch.
- Value score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: Specs
Price: | $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$329 |
Display type: | E Ink Carta 1300 |
Display size: | 7 inches |
Storage: | 32GB |
Display sharpness: | 300 ppi |
Weight: | 214g |
Dimensions: | 127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8mm |
Screen lights: | 12 white LEDs; 13 amber LEDs |
Battery life: | 12 weeks, reading 30 minutes/day, Brightness: 13 |
Document support: | Kindle Format, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB |
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: design
- Looks nicer with Signature Edition metallic paint
- No page-turning buttons, and power button is poorly placed
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is a very simple e-reader, and Amazon hasn’t improved the design at all except to offer some brighter paint options, especially if you spring for the Signature Edition with its metallic paint. There are three color options in some markets – black, green and pink – but only the black and green are available elsewhere. I was sent the Raspberry (pink) colorway for this review and I like the look much more than the basic matte black finish, as you’ll find on the Paperwhite and the Kindle Colorsoft.
What happened to Kindles that felt premium? The Kindle Oasis lingered for years as a premium model, clad in metal with real page-turn buttons. I guess Amazon gave that all up to cut prices, or maybe readers just didn’t want to pay more for a luxurious electronic book. In any case, I hope Amazon offers an alternative to the bland plastic Kindle Paperwhite slab in the future.
I also hope Amazon brings back page buttons because pressing a button is easier than swiping or tapping on the correct spot. If I held the Kindle Paperwhite SE too high, I’d open a menu instead of turning the page. Just give me a button.
There's only one button on the Kindle Paperwhite SE, and it’s the unfortunately placed power button. If you rest the Paperwhite on a desk while reading or rest it heavily on a finger for balance, you might turn off the screen by accident.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is certainly simple; I just wish there were more elegance to be found.
- Design score: 2 / 5
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: display
- E Ink Carta 1300 display
- Full set of white and amber LEDs for reading at night
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition uses the latest E Ink black and white Carta 1300 display, which doesn’t offer more sharpness than past Kindle screens, but it does increase overall contrast ever so slightly that it makes text stand out better and, thus, easier to read without straining. Pictures look good enough in 16 levels of grey, but if you want better graphics, you should go for the Kindle Colorsoft.
The display does an impressive job keeping up with the improved performance inside. I expected to see a lot more ghosting and residual characters as I zoomed in and out of a page, but the Paperwhite SE gave me a lighter version of my screen for panning, then flashed briefly and gave me a darker, final version when I was steady.
The Kindle Paperwhite SE can get plenty bright, so be warned that the incredible 12 weeks of battery life only applies when you are reading at half brightness. If you are in a well-lit room you won’t need any light at all, but reading before bed is my personal habit, so I use the light frequently. There’s a full set of amber lights and white LEDs inside so that you can eliminate all the blue light before bedtime.
- Display score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: software
- Amazon’s Kindle software keeps things very simple
- Better performance makes menus and libraries move faster
If you buy books through Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition does a perfect job delivering those books to your device. The Kindle can synchronize your progress easily if you read across multiple devices. It can also report your reading to Goodreads automatically or connect you to the social service to write your own reviews.
There isn’t much more to the Kindle Paperwhite SE. Unfortunately you can no longer connect any Kindle to your computer to transfer files via a wired connection; Amazon now requires you to use the Send To Kindle platform available as a desktop application.
There is a web browser, but it’s dreadfully simple, maybe thankfully so. You won’t find yourself distracted and browsing your favorite websites on this e-reader. I could barely get TechRadar.com to load beyond some text boxes.
The big thing that I’m missing with Kindle software is the ability to annotate my books right on the page. The Kobo Libra Colour can use a stylus to take notes on a book. Not just highlighting or sticky notes but actually drawing in the margins and on the page. It’s a nifty trick that Amazon really needs to adopt, especially for the Kindle Scribe.
- User experience score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: performance
- Surprisingly fast performance on E Ink
- Improved scrolling, moves faster than before
Amazon gave the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition a dual-core processor inside, which makes this electronic book more powerful than the Apollo 11 lunar lander. That means it can turn pages very quickly. I joke, but in fact, the difference is noticeable if you’ve ever owned a Kindle and been annoyed by slow page turns.
The only place where the Kindle still lags behind modern technology is in touch sensitivity. The E Ink display is not very sensitive, and I still felt a delay between tapping the screen, like when I needed to enter my Wi-Fi password, and when the character appeared. Menus were faster when I was scrolling, but still not totally reliable when tapping through them.
Frankly, there’s not much more I could ask for with Kindle performance. I’ve seen E Ink displays that try to do a lot more, and they overcomplicate simple technology like e-paper. I’m happy that Amazon made the interface more responsive. The next frontier is touch response.
- Performance score: 4 / 5
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: battery life
- Excellent battery life, if you follow the rules
- Avid readers will get a week of battery life or more
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition will last for 12 weeks on a single charge, if you’re a casual reader. Amazon’s 12-week claim calls for 30 minutes of reading with the screen at just under half brightness. If you read all day in bright sunshine, the Kindle Paperwhite SE might last longer. If you read in the dark New England winter nights, the Paperwhite will need to charge more often.
The good news is that you will get over 40 hours of screen time between charges, and the battery won’t die if you put the book down for a few weeks. If you read at a good pace, you’ll be able to finish a couple of books before you need to charge the Kindle Paperwhite, and that’s exceptional for any modern electronic device.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition features wireless charging. I like the wireless option as an elegant solution for keeping your Kindle topped up on a bedside stand, but it’s not essential at all.
- Battery score: 5 / 5
Should I buy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?
Attribute | Notes | Score |
---|---|---|
Value | More expensive than last year, but what are you going to do if you married the Kindle library? Join the local branch. | 4/5 |
Display | Slight improvements were all that’s needed for an e-book, this is still sharper than most iPad displays and better for reading at night. | 4/5 |
Design | Ugh, the Paperwhite feels cheap with thick plastic and few hardware features. Whither goest thou, Kindle Oasis? We need more luxury for book fans. | 2/5 |
Software | Amazon keeps it simple and easy, and it works well when you buy into the Kindle library. If you want more… you’ll be distracted from reading. | 4/5 |
Performance | The interface and menus are faster, but I still wish the Kindle Paperwhite SE responded to touch more like my smartphone. | 4/5 |
Battery | If you want better battery life from a book, you’ll need an actual paper book… which won’t be water resistant. The Kindle Paperwhite lasts two novels, easily. Don’t pay more just for wireless charging. | 5/5 |
Buy it if...
You want a new Kindle
Amazon hasn’t given us a proper new Kindle for reading in years. Time to rejoice! New Kindles have arrived.
You’re a serious reader
You can buy the cheaper Amazon Kindle, but serious readers want brighter displays with better battery life, and the Paperwhite SE is the one.
You’ll be reading in harsh, beach-like conditions
The Kindle Paperwhite is IP67 rated, so it can resist sand and even saltwater (with a proper rinse after).
Don't buy it if...
You read comics or graphic novels
If you don’t care about color, don’t worry about the Kindle Colorsoft. But who doesn’t care about color?!
You want to take notes on your books
E-readers from Kobo can write directly on the pages, and there’s always the Kindle Scribe if you need a pen.
You expect a real web browser
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite SE still keeps things simple. This device is for reading without distractions, not doomscrolling.
Also consider
Header Cell - Column 0 | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | Kobo Clara Color |
---|---|---|---|
Price | $199.99 / £189.99 / AU$329 | $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$299 | $149.99 / £139.99 / AU$259.95 |
Screen | 7-inch E Ink Carta 1300 | 7-inch E Ink Carta (black and white) | 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color |
Storage | 32GB | 16GB | 16GB |
Battery | 12 weeks, reading 30 minutes/day, Brightness: 13 | 12 weeks, reading 30 minutes/day, Brightness: 13 | 1,500 mAh |
Weight | 214g | 211g | 174g |
Buttons | Power | Power | Power |
Dimensions | 127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm | 127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm | 112 x 160 x 9.2 mm |
Kobo Clara Colour
You can save a bit of money and even check out a color E Ink display with the Kobo Clara Color. As long as your books aren’t all on Kindle, it’s worth a look.
Read our in-depth Kobo Clara Color review
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
The base model Kindle Paperwhite doesn't have wireless charging, which I never needed, and it comes with only 16GB of storage, which is more than enough for most avid readers.
How I tested the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
- Testing period – three weeks
- Subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and Comixology
- Tested books, comics, audiobooks, and bathtub reading
I used the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for three weeks before I published this review. I read two novels, multiple short stories, Japanese manga, and a number of other materials, including cookbooks and magazine.
I used the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for listening to audiobooks from Audible, and for listening while I read the same book. I used the Paperwhite in the bathtub to test its water resistance, and because reading in the bathtub is the main reason I like to review Kindle Paperwhite devices.
I did not have a dedicated wireless charging dock, but I tried charging the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with a Qi-compatible wireless charging adapter that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone. Before my review period I charged the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition using the USB-C port, and I only charged it one more time before this review was completed, even though I read daily and usually for more than an hour a day.
I used the Kindle Paperwhite without a case, and the photos in this review reflect its condition after daily use without a case, which is pretty good. I subscribed to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited service and Comixology, and I also loaded books into my collection through the Overdrive library borrowing system and my local library.
Read more about how we test
[First reviewed November 2024]
Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.
Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.