Amazon Kindle has been one of our favorite e-readers for years — some of our editors have actually been using them as far back as 2012.
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(The first Kindle came out in 2007).
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If you’re unfamiliar, they’re known for being lightweight, simple to use and make reading while on the go a lot more pleasant than using your phone or a tablet that wasn’t made for reading.
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Now, nearly 20 years after the release of its first model, Amazon has 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.
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I’ve tested different Kindle devices for years, and explain the key differences below so you don’t spend your money only to find that you prefer a different option.
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Which is the best Kindle model to buy?
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and which one will be best for you depends on your needs and the features you value.
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NBC Selected editors have tested nearly all of them, and they each have key differences that help you decide which one to buy.
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The Kindle Paperwhite is the go-to model for many NBC Selected staffers, myself included.
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Like all Kindles, it has a glare-free screen that makes it easy to read outside, even under bright sunlight.
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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.
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The warmer hue in particular makes it easier on the eyes when reading in dark rooms.
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I pair mine with a Kindle Paperwhite fabric case — it’s soft and slim, and automatically turns the screen off when closed.
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Best budget: Amazon Kindle (2024)
The plain Amazon Kindle, no tagline, is the model to get if you want the lowest-priced option.
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Despite its lower cost, using it is more or less a similar experience as any other Kindle — it uses the same software and same Kindle bookstore.
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Reading books and listening to audiobooks feels very similar on this (and every) Kindle.
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It’s also the smallest and lightest Kindle at well under a half pound — the weight of an average-size orange.
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It doesn’t have the Paperwhite’s adjustable light hue and it isn’t waterproof so if you like to read at the beach or pool this may not be the one for you, but while you’re otherwise reading and swiping through your favorite book, you might not notice much of a difference.
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Best color: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
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.
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It also makes highlighted text more noticeable and useful than on black and white Kindles.
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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.
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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.
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If you want a Kindle that can also be your notetaking companion, the Kindle Scribe is what you’re looking for.
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Former NBC Selected production coordinator Kelsey Fredricks tested it for two months and loved how responsive the screen was for taking notes.
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It comes with a stylus that’s smooth, comfortable to use and attaches to the side of the device with magnets for convenient storage.
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You can sort your notes and documents on the e-reader and send them to your phone, computer, email or printer easily, says Fredricks.
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The Scribe is larger than other Kindles, which makes it more comfortable for note taking but a bit bulkier in your hands and bag.
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At nearly a pound, it’s also a much heavier model.
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This model has an LED screen that allows you to read in a dark room, though there is a version without the light, too.
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You can read more in our Amazon Kindle Scribe review.
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Is it worth it to buy a Kindle in 2026?
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An Amazon Kindle is a book-sized device that uses an electronic-ink screen to display text, which simulates the appearance of ink on paper, says Nick Tanzi, assistant director of the South Huntington Public Library.
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E-ink screens are more comfortable to look at for long periods of time than smartphone or tablet screens, in our experience.
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They are also free of glare and reflections, which make them easy to read outside in the sun, unlike a smartphone or tablet.
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them → make → smartphone
You can adjust the brightness of the screen, change from light mode to dark mode and, with some models, change the warmth or cool hue of the light.
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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.
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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.
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you → connect → books
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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loans → sync → Kindle
So investing in a Kindle is worth it if you’re an avid reader and prefer to have all your titles in one device, giving you several options anytime you like.
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Is it worth getting a Kindle for kids?
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…and 23 more, not listed.
The Aporia
