Amazon Kindle has been one of our favorite e-readers for years — some of our editors have been using them as far back as 2012. (The first Kindle came out in 2007). If you’re unfamiliar, they’re known for being lightweight, simple to use and make reading on the go a lot more pleasant than using your phone or a tablet.
Now, more than 18 years after the release of its first model, Amazon makes a few versions, each with slight variations that can make it confusing to know which one is right for you, especially when most of them look the same at a glance. I’ve tested different Kindles for years, and explain the key differences below.
An Amazon Kindle is a book-sized device that uses an e-ink screen to display text, which simulates the appearance of ink on paper, says Nick Tanzi, assistant director of the South Huntington Public Library. E-ink screens are more comfortable to look at for long periods of time than smartphone or tablet screens, in our experience. They are also free of glare and reflections, which make them easy to read outside in the sun, unlike a smartphone or tablet. You can adjust the brightness of the screen, charge from light mode to dark mode and, with some models, change the warmth or cool hue of the light.
E-ink screens also use significantly less battery power than other kinds of screens — it’s part of the reason Kindle devices can go so long without needing a recharge.
Amazon Kindle devices connect to Wi-Fi so you can browse the Amazon Kindle store, where you can purchase and download e-books and audiobooks. Your Kindle can also typically sync to public library apps like Libby, so your loans will appear on your Kindle too.
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There are a handful of different Amazon Kindle models to choose from. We’ve tested nearly all of them, and they each have key differences that make choosing the best one for you easy.
Best overall:
The Kindle Paperwhite is the go-to model for many NBC Select staffers, myself included. Like all Kindles, it has a glare-free screen that makes it easy to read outside, even under bright sunlight. What makes the Paperwhite our favorite is its long battery life (the longest of any Kindle) and adjustable hue — you can change the tone of the screen light to be warmer or cooler. The warmer hue in particular makes it easier on the eyes when reading in dark rooms.
I pair mine with a Kindle Paperwhite fabric case — it’s soft and slim, and automatically turns the screen off when closed.
Best budget:
The plain Amazon Kindle, no tagline, is the model to get if you want the lowest-price possible. Despite its lower price, using it is much the same experience as any other Kindle model — it uses the same software and same Kindle bookstore. Reading books and listening to audiobooks feels very similar on this (and every) Kindle.
It’s also the smallest and lightest Kindle at 0.34 pounds — the weight of an average-size orange.
It doesn’t have the Paperwhite’s adjustable light hue and it isn’t waterproof, but while you are reading and swiping through your favorite book, you might not notice much of a difference.
Best color:
Amazon’s first color e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft is a great fit for anyone reading a lot of colorful comic books and graphic novels. The pop of color also makes highlighted text more noticeable and useful than on black and white Kindles.
Outside of the color screen, the Kindle Colorsoft is most similar to the Kindle Paperwhite: it has the same adjustable light hue, waterproof design and seven-inch screen size.
It isn’t the best option if you plan on mostly reading regular, black and white books — the screen has slightly less contrast, so black and white text looks a little less crisp than on the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.
Best note taking:
If you want a Kindle that can also be your notetaking companion, the Kindle Scribe is what you’re looking for. Former NBC Select production coordinator Kelsey Fredricks tested it for two months and loved how responsive the screen was for notetaking. It comes with a stylus included in the box that’s smooth, comfortable and attaches to the side of the Scribe with magnets for convenient storage.
You can sort your notes and documents on the device and send them to your phone, computer, email or printer easily, says Fredricks.
The Scribe is larger than other Kindles, which makes it more comfortable for note taking but a bit bulkier in your hands and bag. At nearly a pound, it’s also a much heavier model. You can read more in our Amazon Kindle Scribe review.
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Aside from the Kindle Scribe, all of the Kindles above come in kid-versions: The Kindle Kids, Kindle Paperwhite Kids and Kindle Colorsoft Kids. They are the same device as the “adult” version, but come with no ads, a protective cover and six months of Amazon Kids+, the brand’s age three to 12-book subscription service, included.
Amazon also makes pricier versions of its Kindle Paperwhite and a Kindle Colorsoft, called Signature Editions. The Signature Edition models have more internal storage (32GB, up from 16GB), automatically adjust the screen brightness when you are in a bright or dark space, come without ads on the lockscreen and support Qi wireless charging.
For most people, I don’t think the Signature Edition is worth the extra cost — I have never come close to running out of storage space on a Kindle, and the device has such good battery life that wired charging has never been an inconvenience.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Nick Tanzi is the assistant director of the South Huntington Public Library.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, running shoes and point-and-shoot cameras. I’ve used Amazon Kindle devices for over five years, and spoke with book industry experts about how e-readers work and what they are best for.
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