While digital books are a popular way to read your favorite series these days, choosing a Kindle over a standard tablet is simply a different experience. Their displays are based on comfortable reading, with e-ink technology and carefully considered brightness and contrast options, some of the main reasons why the Amazon Kindle range is popular. That's not to mention the covers and accessories you can buy for them, too. But which one should you choose? With different sizes available, anti-glare screens, and auto-adjusting backlights, it's easier than ever to read your favorite books indoors under mood lighting or outdoors in direct sunlight. Most Kindle tablets have fixed internal storage, but many support Amazon Cloud backup or microSD cards to store even more books and media.What is the best Kindle right now?We've broken down their features and price points to help you decide which is the best fit for your reading needs and budget. We tested the best Kindle readers available right now, and Amazon's base model Kindleis the best overall for its excellent battery life, easy readability, and faster page-turning speed. This model is available for $110. Keep reading to find the perfect Kindle model for you. Sort by All The best Kindle readers of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon The Kindle base model is the perfect device to house all of your favorite books. Thankfully, the newest generation has the best upgrades yet. The new version offers an extra color, Matcha Green, and improved page turning rates. Plus, the price is very justifiable at only $110, perfect for a self-care splurge or a holiday gift for your bibliophile loved ones.The size is small at around 6 inches, but it is convenient. You could stash it in your pocket to hop on the subway like ZDNET editor Nina Raemont did when she went hands-on with the product. You wouldn't have to worry about the charge, either, as the battery life lasts about six weeks.Review:Amazon Kindle (12th generation)"If you haven't purchased an e-reader before or are contemplating buying one for a loved one over the holidays, I'd without a doubt recommend this Kindle. It has all the features you'd need in a respectable e-reader, like a vivid display, reactive and quick speeds, a great battery life, and a lovely color, all for a good price," Nina said in her review.Amazon Kindle specs: Screen size:6.2 inches |Storage:16GB, Amazon Cloud |Battery life:Up to six weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:Yes, removable with fee |microSD card support:No Pros Faster turning speeds Six week battery life New color Portable Cons Shortest battery life No microSD card support The Kindle base model is the perfect device to house all of your favorite books. Thankfully, the newest generation has the best upgrades yet. The new version offers an extra color, Matcha Green, and improved page turning rates. Plus, the price is very justifiable at only $110, perfect for a self-care splurge or a holiday gift for your bibliophile loved ones.The size is small at around 6 inches, but it is convenient. You could stash it in your pocket to hop on the subway like ZDNET editor Nina Raemont did when she went hands-on with the product. You wouldn't have to worry about the charge, either, as the battery life lasts about six weeks.Review:Amazon Kindle (12th generation)"If you haven't purchased an e-reader before or are contemplating buying one for a loved one over the holidays, I'd without a doubt recommend this Kindle. It has all the features you'd need in a respectable e-reader, like a vivid display, reactive and quick speeds, a great battery life, and a lovely color, all for a good price," Nina said in her review.Amazon Kindle specs: Screen size:6.2 inches |Storage:16GB, Amazon Cloud |Battery life:Up to six weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:Yes, removable with fee |microSD card support:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The Kindle Paperwhite is the bigger and better version of the base model Kindle. The display is about 7 inches, leaving lots of room for more words, larger pages, and more storage with a capacity of up to 32GB. The best part, however, is that the Kindle Paperwhite is an ad-free reader.Maria Diaz, a ZDNET writer, went hands-on with the device and preferred it over her current e-reader daily driver. While it's not full color, it has an automatically adjusting front light to go easy on your eyeballs. The battery life also boasts impressive performance with up to 12 weeks of charge.Review: Amazon Paperwhite (2024)"After two weeks of daily reading on a single charge, some days for up to three hours a day, my Kindle Paperwhite's battery is still at 32%. According to Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite could last about 42 hours of reading with the brightness at 13," Maria said in her review.Charlie Osborne, another ZDNET contributor, always has her Paperwhite at hand when she travels. While she could use the Kindle app on her smartphone, she prefers the comfortable display of a Kindle.Overall, the Kindle Paperwhite is better for those who need more bells and whistles, such as longer battery life, larger screen, and storage capacity.Kindle Paperwhite specs:Screen size: 7 inches |Storage:16 or 32 GB |Battery life:Up to 12 weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:No |microSD card support:No Pros Lightweight Long battery life More storage Cons It's expensive Black and white The Kindle Paperwhite is the bigger and better version of the base model Kindle. The display is about 7 inches, leaving lots of room for more words, larger pages, and more storage with a capacity of up to 32GB. The best part, however, is that the Kindle Paperwhite is an ad-free reader.Maria Diaz, a ZDNET writer, went hands-on with the device and preferred it over her current e-reader daily driver. While it's not full color, it has an automatically adjusting front light to go easy on your eyeballs. The battery life also boasts impressive performance with up to 12 weeks of charge.Review: Amazon Paperwhite (2024)"After two weeks of daily reading on a single charge, some days for up to three hours a day, my Kindle Paperwhite's battery is still at 32%. According to Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite could last about 42 hours of reading with the brightness at 13," Maria said in her review.Charlie Osborne, another ZDNET contributor, always has her Paperwhite at hand when she travels. While she could use the Kindle app on her smartphone, she prefers the comfortable display of a Kindle.Overall, the Kindle Paperwhite is better for those who need more bells and whistles, such as longer battery life, larger screen, and storage capacity.Kindle Paperwhite specs:Screen size: 7 inches |Storage:16 or 32 GB |Battery life:Up to 12 weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:No |microSD card support:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The $340 Kindle Scribe combines a digital library with a digital notebook. You can use the basic pen to create notes either through an app or on the book you're reading, making it convenient if you're studying for a test and want to organize what you're reading and your notes in one place. Additionally, you can upgrade to the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen to easily erase notes.The display is remarkable, with a high-resolution 10.2-inch screen. You'll also have access to ample storage options, and the battery life will let you read the next bestseller without worrying about finding the nearest plug for charging.Review:Amazon Kindle ScribeWhen Matthew Miller reviewed the Scribe last year, he called it his on-the-go note-taking tablet of choice. "My desire to find something that doesn't waste paper and also provides the ability to preserve and share my notes has been met with the Amazon Kindle Scribe," Miller said. He adds that the writing and erasing capabilities are top-tier, too, especially with the add-on Premium Pen.One Scribe owner on Reddit said that the wider screen is "a joy to read on," while other Redditors reported that the writing software is "half-baked" with minimal note-taking capabilities. So, if you're looking for a Kindle with a great screen and some beginner note-taking options, this one is for you.There is certainly room for improvement. Currently, you can export notes to a PDF and email them. However, sending notes to other programs like Microsoft Word would be ideal, as it will be part of a future software update. Additionally, we found that organizing your notes on the Kindle Scribe is impossible.Overall, it's an excellent foray into the digital note-taking market, and with future software updates, it should become one of the more popular models in the Kindle lineup.Kindle Scribe specs:Screen size:10.2 inches |Storage:16, 32, or 64GB |Battery life:Up to 6 weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:Yes, removable with fee |microSD card support:No Value for money 8 Storage 8 Performance 8 Display quality 8 Battery life 8 Pros You're able to sign documents, take notes, and draw Robust 10.2-inch screen Battery life for days Cons It's expensive Limited note-taking capabilities Kindle Scribe Best Kindle for note-taking 4 / 5 Score The $340 Kindle Scribe combines a digital library with a digital notebook. You can use the basic pen to create notes either through an app or on the book you're reading, making it convenient if you're studying for a test and want to organize what you're reading and your notes in one place. Additionally, you can upgrade to the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen to easily erase notes.The display is remarkable, with a high-resolution 10.2-inch screen. You'll also have access to ample storage options, and the battery life will let you read the next bestseller without worrying about finding the nearest plug for charging.Review:Amazon Kindle ScribeWhen Matthew Miller reviewed the Scribe last year, he called it his on-the-go note-taking tablet of choice. "My desire to find something that doesn't waste paper and also provides the ability to preserve and share my notes has been met with the Amazon Kindle Scribe," Miller said. He adds that the writing and erasing capabilities are top-tier, too, especially with the add-on Premium Pen.One Scribe owner on Reddit said that the wider screen is "a joy to read on," while other Redditors reported that the writing software is "half-baked" with minimal note-taking capabilities. So, if you're looking for a Kindle with a great screen and some beginner note-taking options, this one is for you.There is certainly room for improvement. Currently, you can export notes to a PDF and email them. However, sending notes to other programs like Microsoft Word would be ideal, as it will be part of a future software update. Additionally, we found that organizing your notes on the Kindle Scribe is impossible.Overall, it's an excellent foray into the digital note-taking market, and with future software updates, it should become one of the more popular models in the Kindle lineup.Kindle Scribe specs:Screen size:10.2 inches |Storage:16, 32, or 64GB |Battery life:Up to 6 weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:Yes, removable with fee |microSD card support:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The Kindle Colorsoft is the newest model in the Kindle lineup, and it brings what people have been asking for years: a full-color Kindle option. Compared to the full-color models other companies make, Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft offers the smoothest experience. If you like comics or manga, this Kindle would be perfect to take in the art as the artist intended.The full-color display performs well in the sun, too, as ZDNET writer Allison Murray tested it out herself. The device had no issues being visible in the sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor reading. It's also water-resistant, so you could also read poolside or in the bath.Review: Kindle Colorsoft"I have virtually no complaints with this Kindle except perhaps its small size. The size itself is easy and comfortable to hold, but reading color books or magazines, a bigger size like that of the Boox Note Air C 3's 10.3-inch display makes a greater impact, and you can really see and appreciate the color images better when seeing the entire page," said Allison in her review.If you need a colorful e-reader, look no further than the new Kindle Colorsoft.Kindle Paperwhite specs: Screen size: 7inches |Storage:16 or 32 GB |Battery life:Up to 8 weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:No |microSD card support:No Pros Wireless charging Full-color Cons A tablet for only reading Could be bigger The Kindle Colorsoft is the newest model in the Kindle lineup, and it brings what people have been asking for years: a full-color Kindle option. Compared to the full-color models other companies make, Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft offers the smoothest experience. If you like comics or manga, this Kindle would be perfect to take in the art as the artist intended.The full-color display performs well in the sun, too, as ZDNET writer Allison Murray tested it out herself. The device had no issues being visible in the sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor reading. It's also water-resistant, so you could also read poolside or in the bath.Review: Kindle Colorsoft"I have virtually no complaints with this Kindle except perhaps its small size. The size itself is easy and comfortable to hold, but reading color books or magazines, a bigger size like that of the Boox Note Air C 3's 10.3-inch display makes a greater impact, and you can really see and appreciate the color images better when seeing the entire page," said Allison in her review.If you need a colorful e-reader, look no further than the new Kindle Colorsoft.Kindle Paperwhite specs: Screen size: 7inches |Storage:16 or 32 GB |Battery life:Up to 8 weeks at 30 minutes per day |Lock screen ads:No |microSD card support:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Let's be honest: Kindles can be quite pricey. Plus, there is the fact that it is a device solely for the purpose of reading. Justifying that heavy price tag is hard, especially when you could buy a device that could do other things.That's where a tablet comes into play. Amazon also makes tablets you can read on, watch entertainment, use productivity apps, and play games. The Amazon Fire HD 10 is great for that purpose, especially because it has a reasonable price tag of $140.The best part is that you can download the Kindle app to the device and read books like you would on a Kindle. The only downside is that the tablet does not have the same battery life and page-turning speed. If anything, adding too much to the device could potentially slow it down more.Also:Amazon Fire HD 10The display is also brighter than its earlier versions. ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani tested it out himself, and found it to be a good device for entertainment rather than productivity. Therefore, it is perfect for solely running a Kindle function.Amazon Fire HD 10specs: Screen size: 10 inches |Storage:32GB or 64GB |Battery life:13hours |Lock screen ads:Yes, removable with fee |microSD card support:Up to 1TB Pros Up to 1TB microSD card support Full-color Cons On the heavy side Slow Let's be honest: Kindles can be quite pricey. Plus, there is the fact that it is a device solely for the purpose of reading. Justifying that heavy price tag is hard, especially when you could buy a device that could do other things.That's where a tablet comes into play. Amazon also makes tablets you can read on, watch entertainment, use productivity apps, and play games. The Amazon Fire HD 10 is great for that purpose, especially because it has a reasonable price tag of $140.The best part is that you can download the Kindle app to the device and read books like you would on a Kindle. The only downside is that the tablet does not have the same battery life and page-turning speed. If anything, adding too much to the device could potentially slow it down more.Also:Amazon Fire HD 10The display is also brighter than its earlier versions. ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani tested it out himself, and found it to be a good device for entertainment rather than productivity. Therefore, it is perfect for solely running a Kindle function.Amazon Fire HD 10specs: Screen size: 10 inches |Storage:32GB or 64GB |Battery life:13hours |Lock screen ads:Yes, removable with fee |microSD card support:Up to 1TB Read More Show Expert Take Show less The best Kindles, compared Best Kindle readerPriceScreen sizeBattery lifemicro SD card supportKindle (12th generation)$1106.2 inches6 weeksNoKindle Paperwhite$2007 inches12 weeksNoKindle Scribe$4209 inches12 weeksNoKindle Colorsoft$2807 inches8 weeksNoAmazon Fire HD 10$14010 inches13 hoursUp to 1TB*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts. Show more Which is the right Kindle for you? When shopping for a new Kindle reader, aside from price, you should also consider how much storage space you'll want or need for your digital bookshelf. The Kindle Paperwhite has 8GB of storage, which is enough for hundreds of books, audiobooks, PDF files, and graphic novels. On the other hand, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has 32GB of storage, which allows your digital bookshelf to store almost 14,000 titles. Furthermore, no matter which model of Kindle reader you use, many support either microSD cards up to 1TB or cloud syncing for near-infinite storage.Below is a table that outlines which Kindle corresponds to specific needs:Choose this Kindle reader...If you need...Kindle (12th generation)A basic reader that is easy to bring anywhere. It's affordable and will suit casual users.Kindle PaperwhiteA model with more bells and whistles than the basic Kindle model. If you want something more modern and lighter than the typical Kindle, this could be best for you.Kindle ScribeA Kindle that can be used to take notes and read. If you want to combine reading with a note-taking system, consider the Scribe.Kindle ColorsoftA reading device that is full-color, which is best for reading comic books and manga.Amazon Fire HD 10A cheap tablet and alternative to a Kindle, but performs just as well. If you don't mind exchanging a longer battery life for productivity and entertainment apps, it might be right for you. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a Kindle Price:This list's Kindles and Kindle alternatives range from $120 to $450. With more features, like drawing capabilities, strong battery life, and ample storage, you will pay a higher price.Storage capacity: The point of a device like a Kindle is to store as many books in one compact device as possible. We looked at Kindles with vast storage capacities that can hold thousands of titles.Environmental factors:Lots of models offer water resistance, so you can read in whatever environment you're in -- whether that's on a sandy beach or in a bathtub. However, remember that Kindles are still electronic devices, so they should not be exposed to extreme conditions.Display: Kindles come with a variety of display sizes, so consider what size is right for you.Kids: If you intend to allow your children to use a Kindle, or you plan on purchasing one for your child, you might want to opt for a model designed with kid safety and security in mind.Color: It's a minor consideration, but if you want your Kindle in a specific color, you might be limited in the model you ultimately select. Alternatively, there is a massive range of covers available in different colors and patterns.Battery life: The e-readers on this list should last you a few days, ideally a few weeks, before recharging. Keep in mind that turning off Wi-Fi when not in use can drastically improve your Kindle's battery life.Also: How to buy books on Kindle Show more How did we choose these Kindle readers? ZDNET only recommends products we have used and can speak to. We do this by spending a few weeks constantly using the products we write about and evaluating them for performance, battery life, usability, special features, and more.We focus on the needs of most consumers and the factors we consider to be the most important in choosing a Kindle. This may include display size, readability, and storage.Then, we write a product spotlight or review of the product and add it to one of these best lists. Each month, we evaluate which products still deserve a spot on this list and switch out older models or those out of stock with newer ones. Show more Kindle FAQs What's the point of a Kindle? If you have only ever read books through physical copies, not digital e-readers, you might think buying a Kindle is a waste of money. There's the argument that you don't even need the Kindle e-reader when you can download the app on your phone and read digital books and magazines from there.Sure, that's a good point. But many readers see having the Kindle app on a phone as more distracting, while a Kindle whose sole purpose is to function as an e-reader is distraction-free.Then there's the fact that carrying paperbacks while you travel, commute to work, or lug around in your small bag can get heavy, and sometimes, we don't have the space for every book we'd like to read. A Kindle is slim, lightweight, and easy to plop into a purse or even put in your coat pocket.Holding a physical book is not the same as using an e-reader, but for certain use cases, like portability and space optimization, a Kindle e-reader reigns supreme. Show more Can I bring my Kindle to the beach? Yes, you certainly can. Many readers enjoy taking a Kindle to the beach instead of a paperback book, thanks to select Kindle models' waterproof build and, specifically, their glare-free displays, making reading in strong sunlight a comfortable experience.A thin Kindle could be a splendid alternative if your beach bag is too heavy for a thick book. Plus, you don't have to choose between two or three books to read -- you can bring them all on your Kindle. Show more How many books will 32GB hold? It all depends on what kinds of books you want to download, as different media files have different sizes. For example, a single comic book issue file can be as small as 650MB, while a graphic novel can be up to 1.5GB of storage. On the other hand, plain-text files like novels, nonfiction titles, and even school textbooks have fairly small sizes, allowing you to have up to 13,500 books in your digital library with 32GB of storage space.However, longer titles like War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy will have a larger file size than something like F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. If you like longer reads, you'll probably store fewer books, though you should still be able to download and store thousands of titles, so the size of files outside of image-heavy titles isn't something you will likely need to worry about.You can even download audiobooks from the Kindle app, although the audio files are often large. This means that a 32GB Kindle will only hold about 150 audiobooks, depending on the length of the recording. Show more What's the difference between the Kindle Paperwhite and a regular Kindle? The Kindle Paperwhite boasts a more prominent display, a warm light adjustment feature, longer battery life, and an improved, waterproof build, so you should expect to pay more. Show more Do Kindles offer audiobooks? All Kindles offer text-to-voice narration through Alexa. But if you want to buy an audiobook specifically, you'll have to use Amazon's Audible. Audible is integrated into all newer Kindle models, and you can often take advantage of free trials or discount subscriptions during sales events. Show more Does a Kindle need Wi-Fi? For certain things, like downloading new books and accessing the internet, yes. But if you have already downloaded the book you'd like to read on your Kindle, you can read it without a Wi-Fi connection.I take my Kindle on the subway, where there's no Wi-Fi connection, and have no problem reading my favorite titles. For other ZDNET authors, including Charlie Osborne, a Kindle is a must on airplanes. Keeping a Kindle on airplane mode will also improve its battery life. Show more Are Kindles better than books? There is no objective answer to this. You may prefer a Kindle if you hate lugging around heavy books. A Kindle simply offers an alternative and a way to digitally store your book collection -- but, sometimes, there's nothing better than a hard copy. Show more Do I need a Kindle to read Kindle books? Nope! Whether you have an iOS or an Android, you can download the Kindle app from the App Store or Google Play store and start reading on it. This allows you to buy and download digital books to your phone or tablet.Also: The best tablets you can buy: Apple, Samsung, and Amazon compared Show more Can I get Kindle books for free? You can get Kindle books for free. Whether you're looking to fill out your library or to finally get around to reading those classics that were assigned back in your high school English class, it's pretty easy to find free Kindle books. Lots of classic literature is in the public domain, which just means that they are no longer protected by copyright laws and can be provided for free. If you're looking for new titles, you don't have to spend a fortune. And many free Kindle books can be found on none other than Amazon itself. All you have to do is go to Amazon and search "free Kindle books."Also: How to get (great) free books on KindleYou also can find thousands of titles for very low prices, sometimes as low as 99 cents. However, these are often self-published works. And while self-publishing is a great way for writers to get their work in the hands of readers without going through literary agents and publishing houses, it also means that sometimes the work isn't entirely up to snuff. So if you're tempted to buy that ultra-low-priced title, make sure you read reviews first so you don't end up buying something you won't like. Show more Alternatives to KindlesMeet the experts ZDNET sourced external industry experts for this article. Here is more information about them:Ayman Chaudhary: Digital creator (@aymansbooks) on TikTok with over 900,000 followers. She creates content and memes about novels and recommends the books she reads on the platform. Show more ZDNETs Tablet Guide Tablet Roundups Tablets Reviewed & Compared Tablets Explained ZDNET Recommends