The best Kindle for every type of reader — including those on your gift list

Who it’s for:

If you want to dip your toes into e-readers, the standard Kindle model is the best option for a budget-friendly model. Like the Paperwhite, it has 16GB of storage, with room for thousands of books. It’s the smallest Kindle, and you won’t miss the size of the Paperwhite. Instead, you’ll be delighted that it’s genuinely pocket-sized. Plus, if you want an e-reader with some flair, it’s now available in black and matcha, a vibrant light green.

Why we picked this:

After testing the Kindle Paperwhite, I thought I’d be ruined for the standard Kindle, but I found it to be an equally great device. It comes in a smaller package, the lightest Kindle. Plus, the 6-inch size makes it practically pocket-sized. Generally, it feels nicer to hold in my hand and bring on the go with me — exactly what I want in an e-reader.

Sure, it’s not as high-tech as the Paperwhite, but I think it’s an even better size. The screen has the exact resolution as the Paperwhite, but just a bit smaller. You lose some screen space with its plastic casing, but I didn’t mind. I liked the rimmed front design, making it easier to hold while using. While it also has the bottom power button, it is far less touchy than the other Kindle models, and it was harder to turn the device on or off accidentally.

Functionally, it’s comparable to the Paperwhite. The biggest feature the standard Kindle lacks is adjustable warmth, which I worked around by using Dark Mode at night. However, the standard Kindle would be totally perfect if it was waterproof. That’s the biggest downside to me, as someone who needs to be able to take it to the beach.

That being said, it is the most affordable, and it's a worthy sacrifice not to have waterproofing for its $109.99 price.

Who it's for:

If you're reading 100+ books a year, devouring books in days (or hours), the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is for you. It has the most storage of any Kindle at 32GB, which is more than enough storage for your digital library. The average e-book needs 1MB of storage, so the Signature Edition can hold up to 32,000 books. Whoa.

For seasoned e-reader users, spending $200 on the Signature Edition rather than $160 on the standard Paperwhite may be worth it due to the upgraded storage and auto-adjusting screen brightness. It also features wireless charging, but only with the Kindle charging dock. 

Beachside readers can also enjoy the Kindle Paperwhite as it remains waterproof, so the only sparks that fly will be in your romance book. 

Why we picked this:

I like the Paperwhite Signature Edition for all the same reasons I like the Paperwhite, but it has some key differences.

The Paperwhite and Signature Edition are the same size, weight, resolution, and brightness. They're both waterproof and have a 12-week battery life, too. Like the Paperwhite, the Signature Edition is plagued by the same issues: the power button on the bottom and the lack of a page-turning button. It also doesn't feature an internal gyroscope like the Kobo Libra, so you can't rotate it for reading in different positions.

The 2024 Signature Edition stands out in terms of its upgrades for the same reasons the 2022 version did. Most importantly, the Signature Edition has no lockscreen ads, letting you read without getting fed Amazon's suggestions. It also has twice the storage with 32GB. If you're used to storage in terms of tablets and computers, that might seem wimpy, but for an e-reader that has more storage than you'll ever need, the potential to hold around 30,000 books. Plus, the auto-adjusting screen brightness is convenient if you're always reading and moving from different areas and don't want to adjust the brightness manually. It also has wireless charging, which is less of a perk for me, considering it has to be done with a particular Kindle charging pad rather than a generic one.

The Signature Edition is $40 more expensive than the Kindle Paperwhite. I think it's worth it if you're looking for the upgrades it offers. However, it's not necessary for the average reader.

Who it's for:

If, looking through your bookshelf, your books have dog-eared pages, highlighted lines, and scribbles in the margins, your instinct might be that an e-reader isn't for you, but I'd like to introduce you to the Kindle Scribe. It's the only Kindle with writing capabilities and comes with an included pen that magnetically attaches to the side of the e-reader; it's ready for all your handwritten thoughts. The pen moves nicely across the screen, mimicking the texture of writing on paper. In addition to a library of books, the Kindle Scribe also comes with a journal section where you can take notes. The notes feature is especially great for students who want to handwrite notes and convert their handwriting into text.

Why we picked this:

If you jump from a Kindle Scribe from the standard or even Paperwhite, you'll be shocked by its 10.2-inch size. That screen size does make it a little more awkward to hold, but for writing or annotating, it's optimal. Unlike other tablets (I'm looking at you, iPads) that require you to buy a pen separately, the Kindle Scribe comes with a pen that conveniently attaches to the side so it doesn't get lost. However, it's not the most secure magnetic hold, so be careful not to bump the pen off accidentally.

Writing on the Kindle Scribe is a joy. Before testing this e-reader, I used my iPad and Apple Pencil to annotate readings, but I never loved it because the screen felt too slick for the Apple Pencil. The Kindle Scribe does not suffer this problem, as the matte screen lends some friction to the pen, making it feel like you're writing on paper. I enjoyed writing with the pen, and I swear my handwriting looked better on the Kindle Scribe than on my iPad.

Like the Kindle Paperwhite, the Scribe's battery life lasts 12 weeks. Where it starts to differ is the user interface. Compared to the Kindle Paperwhite, the Scribe's processing runs slowly, especially with the 2024 Kindle's upgrades. The Scribe often lagged when starting to wake up or switching between journals or books. This is especially disappointing considering the price, which is more than double that of the Paperwhite.

However, if you want to take notes but still want the convenience of an e-reader, I don't think you can go wrong with the Kindle Scribe. And if you don't want to pay full price, make sure to grab it when it's on sale during Prime Day or Black Friday.

Amazon released a new Kindle Scribe on Dec. 4, 2024. I'll update this guide once I'm able to test the new e-reader.

Who it's for:

If you're raising a voracious reader, the Kindle Kids Paperwhite is the best Kindle for kids. It's waterproof, which means it stands up to juice spills and dips in the pool. Plus, it comes with a built-in case. It's designed to be kid-proof, not just physically, but also with built-in parental controls. If you're concerned about monitoring your kid's bookshelf, this Kindle allows you to approve downloads by kids and displays age-friendly titles that kids can have easy access to.

Why we picked this:

More than anything else, a Kindle for kids has to be waterproof, which is why the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is the best choice. It comes with everything we like about the standard Paperwhite: a beautiful, high-resolution screen that works faster than any previous generation.

But what makes it great for kids is that it's a distraction-free device. It doesn't come with ads, notifications, or the temptation of games or video. I also like that it's a bit heavier than the standard Paperwhite, giving it a sturdier design. Plus, the built-in case adds an extra level of protection.

The parental controls are easy to use and set up, and the device also comes with a six-month free subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides unlimited access to thousands of age-appropriate books. The library of books is easy for kids to navigate and offers classics like Lois Lowry's The Giver and modern classics like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

What I don't love is the price. At $179.99, it's more expensive than the standard Paperwhite. If you want to go for a budget kids' pick, I'd go for a standard Kindle, which you can set up as a kids' device during setup to ensure parental controls and add an Amazon Kids+ subscription for $5.99 per month. Plus, as your kid ages, you won't have to upgrade to a more teen-friendly e-reader.