How to Buy the Right Kindle
Which Model Should You Choose?
Choosing the right Kindle can be confusing.
In this guide, I’ll explain the different Kindle models, what features to look for, how Kindle books work, and which Kindle is best for different types of readers.
Kindle Glossary
- E Ink Display: A special screen designed to mimic the appearance of printed paper. It reduces glare and eye strain.
- Kindle Unlimited: A subscription service that gives you access to millions of books, magazines, and audiobooks for a monthly fee.
- Audible: Amazon’s audiobook service. Some Kindles allow you to listen to audiobooks through Bluetooth headphones.
- Storage: The amount of books your Kindle can hold. Even basic models can store thousands of books.
- Waterproof Rating: Some Kindle models can survive accidental splashes, bath time reading, and poolside use.
- Warm Light: An adjustable amber light that reduces blue light, making reading more comfortable at night.
- Lockscreen Ads” or “Sponsored Screensavers are special offers that appear on your Kindle’s lock screen when you’re not actively reading. If you buy a Kindle with ads and later decide you don’t want them, Amazon usually allows you to pay a one-off fee to remove them.
Buying Books for your Kindle
- Instant Delivery: Books are delivered to your Kindle in seconds, so you can start reading straight away.
- Huge Selection: Access millions of books, including bestsellers, new releases, and Kindle-exclusive titles.
- Great Value: Many Kindle books cost less than paperbacks, with prices often starting from just 99p. You can also subscribe to Kindle Unlimited for around £9.49 per month and enjoy access to millions of titles.
- Stored in Your Library: Your books are safely stored in your Amazon account and can be re-downloaded whenever you need them.
- Read Anywhere: Your books sync across Kindle devices and the free Kindle app, allowing you to switch seamlessly between your Kindle, phone, or tablet
Kindle Basic VS Paperwhite VS Paperwhite Signature
If you’re buying your first Kindle or are on a budget, the Kindle Basic is a great choice. If you read regularly, the Kindle Paperwhite is worth the upgrade thanks to its larger screen, waterproof design, and warm light. For keen readers, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition adds wireless charging, auto-adjusting brightness, and extra storage. The Kindle Basic offers the best value, the Paperwhite is the best all-rounder, and the Signature Edition is the premium choice.
1. Kindle Paper White: Top 5 Features
- Waterproof Design: The Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof (IPX8 rated), making it perfect for reading in the bath, by the pool, or on the beach without worrying about splashes
- Large 6.8-Inch Glare-Free Display: The high-resolution E Ink screen looks like real paper, even in bright sunlight, and offers a more comfortable reading experience than a phone or tablet.
- Adjustable Warm Light: Switch from a bright white light during the day to a warmer amber light at night to reduce eye strain and make bedtime reading more enjoyable
- Battery Life That Lasts for Weeks: Unlike tablets that need charging daily, a Kindle Paperwhite can last for weeks on a single charge, depending on usage
- Stores Thousands of Books:
2. Kindle Basic: Top 5 Features
- Glare-Free E Ink Display: The Kindle’s paper-like screen is easy on the eyes and can be read comfortably in bright sunlight, unlike a phone or tablet
- Adjustable Front Light: Read day or night with a built-in adjustable front light that lets you customise the brightness to suit your surroundings
- Long Battery Life: A single charge can last for weeks, making it perfect for holidays, commuting, and everyday reading
- Stores Thousands of Books: Despite its compact size, the Kindle can hold thousands of books, allowing you to carry an entire library wherever you go
- Lightweight and Portable: The Kindle Basic is Amazon’s lightest Kindle, making it easy to slip into a handbag, backpack, or even a coat pocket
kINDLE pAPER wHITE
Best For: Regular readers, book lovers, commuters, holidaymakers, and anyone who enjoys reading in bed
Kindle Basic
Best For: First-time Kindle users, casual readers, travellers, and anyone looking for an affordable e-reader
3. Paper White Signature: Top 5 Features
- Auto-Adjusting Front Light: The Signature Edition automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on your surroundings, so you always have the perfect reading light without having to change the setting yourself.
- Wireless Charging: Unlike the standard Paperwhite, the Signature Edition supports wireless charging, making it even more convenient to keep topped up.
- 32GB Storage: With double the storage of the standard Paperwhite, you can store thousands of books, PDFs, and audiobooks without worrying about running out of space.
- Waterproof Design: The IPX8 waterproof rating means you can read confidently by the pool, on the beach, or in the bath.
- Premium 7-Inch Glare-Free Display: The high-contrast 7-inch Paperwhite display looks remarkably like real paper, is easy to read in bright sunlight, and includes adjustable warm lighting for comfortable reading day or night.
Kindle Scribe VS Scribe Coloursoft
The Kindle Scribe and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft both offer a large screen, note-taking capabilities, and an included pen, but the Colorsoft adds a colour display, making it ideal for magazines, comics, colour-coded notes, and PDFs, while the standard Scribe uses a traditional black-and-white screen
4. Kindle Scribe: Top 5 Features
- Write Directly on Books and Documents: Use the included Premium Pen to write notes, annotate PDFs, and mark up documents
- Largest Kindle Display: Features a spacious 10.2-inch glare-free screen that’s ideal for reading, studying, and note-taking.
- Digital Notebook: Create journals, to-do lists, meeting notes, planners, and notebooks all in one place.
- Adjustable Warm Light: Customise the lighting for comfortable reading day or night.
- Long Battery Life: Enjoy weeks of reading and note-taking on a single charge.
KINDLE SCRIBE
Best For: Students, professionals, planners, and readers who like to take notes while they read
KINDLE Scribe Coloured
Best For: Students, professionals, planners, journal lovers, and avid readers who want a Kindle and digital notebook in one device
5. Kindle Scribe Coloursoft: 5 Top Features
- 11-Inch Colour E Ink Display: The standout feature is the large colour screen, allowing you to view book covers, magazines, PDFs, notebooks, and highlights in colour while still enjoying the paper-like Kindle reading experience
- Write, Draw and Highlight in Colour: The included Premium Pen lets you take notes, annotate books, mark up documents, and highlight in multiple colours, making it ideal for studying, planning, and journaling.
- AI-Powered Notebook Features: Search handwritten notes, convert handwriting to text, summarise notes, and organise ideas more efficiently with built-in AI tools.
- Mark Up PDFs and Documents:Import documents from Google Drive or OneDrive, write directly on PDFs, add comments, and export your notes.
- Read and Write on One Device: Unlike a standard Kindle, the Scribe Colorsoft combines a premium e-reader with a digital notebook, allowing you to read books, keep journals, create to-do lists, and organise your life in one place
Kids Kindle
6. Kindle Kids: Top 5 Features
- Kid-Friendly Cover Included: Comes with a protective cover, helping to keep the Kindle safe from bumps and drops
- Amazon Kids|: Included includes access to thousands of age-appropriate books for children.
- Parental Control: Parents can manage reading time, set goals, and monitor progress.
- Weeks of Battery Life: No need for constant charging, making it perfect for holidays and long journeys.
- Glare-Free Display: The E Ink screen is easy on young eyes and can be read outdoors in bright sunlight.
Final thoughts
If you’re a reader like me, I can’t recommend a Kindle enough. It’s a fantastic investment that gives you access to thousands of books in one lightweight device. I use mine mainly on holiday and when travelling, often switching between a physical book and my Kindle. It’s small enough to fit in most handbags, backpacks, and even larger coat pockets, making it the perfect for wherever you go.
