Oct 6, 2023 9:00 AM

The Best Kindles to Take Your Library Anywhere

Here’s how Amazon’s ebook readers stack up—and which one might be right for you.

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We love Kindles here at WIRED. They're simple, reliable, and perfect at what they do—in one palm-sized device, you can bring thousands of books with you to the park or mountain, and they typically get a month of battery life per charge. You can subscribe to get unlimited books from Amazon or get free books from your local library (more on those below). But what's the best Kindle? Our guide will help you decode the differences.

Be sure to check our many other buying guides, including the Best E-Readers, Best Fire Tablets, and Best Alexa Speakers.

Updated October 2023: We've added Strapsicle Kindle holders and a sleeve from the Quirky Cup Collective. We've also updated prices and links throughout.

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Photograph: Amazon
Best for Most
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation)
We think most people will like the Paperwhites the best. The step-up, waterproof e-reader went from one to three models, and they rival the more expensive Oasis. We tried the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but all three have bigger, 6.8-inch screens with smaller bezels. The screens are brighter overall at their max and have adjustable warm lighting, but only the Signature can auto-adjust that brightness to your surroundings—we think that should be standard across all models. Its faster page-turn rate means there's no delay while you read.
The Signature has 32 gigabytes of storage and the Standard has 8 gigs. That's a big difference, but you can still read and store a lot of books with 8 gigabytes (around 5,000). If you mostly listen to audiobooks, you may want to go for the Signature, since those tend to take up more room. Still, if you want to save some cash, just clean out your backlog; you can remove a book from your device without deleting it entirely from your Amazon account. The 2021 Paperwhites all have USB-C charging, but the Signature supports wireless charging.
$150 at Amazon
$190 at Amazon (Signature Edition)
$170 at Amazon (Kids Edition)
Photograph: Amazon
The Smallest and Least Expensive
Amazon Kindle (2022, 11th Generation)
The difference between Kindle models is not as stark anymore, so you'll probably be happy with whatever price point you prefer. This base Kindle was finally updated in 2022 and is the cheapest one at $100. It's the smallest of the lot at 6.2 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, with a 6-inch screen (the same screen size as the new Kindle Kids). If you find tablets too cumbersome to hold with one hand, consider this one.
The price increased by $10 from the last version, but it doubled the storage from 8 gigabytes to 16, and the screen is a 300-pixel-per-inch (PPI) resolution versus the old one's 197 PPI. It gets the same USB-C port for charging as the Paperwhite models, and it charges quickly. However, it's not waterproof, and it doesn't get warm lighting or auto-adjusting light.
$100 at Amazon

Photograph: Amazon
Frivolously Awesome
Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019, 10th Generation)
There's no practical reason to buy a $270 ebook reader, but the Oasis has a sleek aluminum design with a ridge on one edge and physical buttons to turn the pages. These make it ideal for one-handed reading. The light-up display also looks a little more natural and automatically adjusts the brightness.
Many of the Oasis' features now show up in the Paperwhites, like adjustable warm lighting, water resistance, and a faster processor. At 7 inches, the touchscreen is only slightly bigger too. After years of use, reviews editor Adrienne So has noticed that the battery on her Oasis now only lasts several days. It's also been unavailable on and off. We think it's due for an update.
$270 at Amazon
Photograph: Amazon
Best for Kids
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition (2021, 11th Generation)
The 2021 Paperwhites include a Kids Edition, which brings a bigger and sleeker screen, more lighting options, and IPX8 water resistance for the first time over the original Kindle Kids Edition. The rest of the features are pretty much the same as the new Kindle Paperwhite, except you'll get a year's subscription to Amazon Kids+, a kid-friendly content library with parental controls. (You can access the same platform across other Amazon devices, like Fire Tablets or Echo speakers.) It also comes with a case and a two-year no-questions-asked replacement guarantee. If your kid smashes it just once, you get your money back. If you're going to get your kid an entertainment device, an ebook reader that doesn't have access to social media is a safer choice. There is a web browser, but it's restricted by default (you can completely disable it too). There are 8- and 16-gigabyte storage options
★ A cheaper alternative with more storage: The newest base Kindle Kids ($120) is cheaper than the 8-gig Paperwhite Kids, but for 16 gigabytes (that's also double what the original Kids Edition was). But this one isn't waterproof if you think that will be a problem with your kiddos, and there's no adjustable warm lighting.
$170 at Amazon

Photograph: Amazon
For Note-Taking
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Thanks to the included pen, you can now write on your Kindle (8/10, WIRED Recommends)! There's no lag, and the outcome looks very similar to your handwriting. It's already pricey at $340, but you can spend an additional $30 for the premium pen that includes an eraser on the opposite end. You can't write directly on most books, which is frustrating—you have to instead use sticky notes. There are now some options available with that functionality, but it's mostly crosswords and guided journals.
The enormous 10.2-inch screen is ideal for taking notes, marking up PDFs, or doodling, and there are numerous paper formats you can choose, like college-ruled or dotted. The screen size does make reading easy too, especially if you need to increase the font size, but it takes away some of its portability if you prefer to keep an e-reader in your pocket or small purse. There are 16-, 32-, and 64-gigabyte options. Since it was released, Amazon has updated it with additional brush types, a convert-to-text in export tool, and better page navigation and subfolders. Weirdly, it's not waterproof like the other pricier Kindles. We've tried other E Ink tablets for writing, but this is probably the best (and cheapest) option.
$340 at Amazon (Basic Pen)
$370 at Amazon (Premium Pen)
Photograph: Amazon
For Easy Holding
Strapsicle E-Reader Hand Strap
When I'm a couple of hours into a reading session and my hands start to cramp, I fantasize about setting up one of those hands-free tablet holders so I can lie in bed with it directly in front of my face. I'm not quite there yet, but I do love these silicone Strapsicles. Attach one or both to the back of your Kindle—one is angled for your right hand and the other for your left—and slide your hand in. Your hands won't cramp, you won't accidentally hit the screen and flip pages, and the reader won't slip out of your hands. People also use Popsockets for this reason, if you prefer that. I love my phone Popsocket, but after a particularly long scrolling session, my fingers start to ache. These straps eliminate that altogether.
There are three sizes meant to hold different types of e-readers. You should see exactly which models they work with on the Amazon pages, as well as on this page on the Strapsicle website. If you use a case, these might not work, but the brand sells its own thin clear option for $13.
$23 at Amazon (For Paperwhite)
$21 at Amazon (For Oasis and Kobo Libra 2)
$23 at Amazon (For Kindle Gen 4-11 and Some Kobos)

Photograph: Amazon
Do You Need a Cover?
Kindle Cases
Kindles are, thankfully, not as fragile as our pricey smartphones, but you may still want to add a cover to protect the screen if you're frequently toting it around in a bag. These are meant mostly to protect the screen and add some protection from minor bumps, but they're not padded for serious drops. If you get a Kids Edition, those come with a case already.
The fabric covers for the Base Kindle ($30), Paperwhite ($35), and Oasis ($40) open like a book and come in some variation of black, blue, pink, or green. All but the Oasis one is made from post-consumer recycled fabric.
If you've upgraded to the Scribe ($60), that case flips up and over like a notepad, and you can position it into a stand too. There's also a slot for the pen if you don't want it to be attached magnetically all the time. This one is also made with recycled materials.
Buy at Amazon
Photograph: The Quirky Cup Collective
Or Get This Pretty Sleeve
The Quirky Cup Collective E-Reader Sleeve
When this mystical Kindle sleeve graced my TikTok For You Page—it was the Sun and Moon version—I knew I needed it. It's beautiful and will protect your device when you aren't using it, so you can throw it in your bag without worry. The outside is velvet and the inside satin, with some padding in between and a zip closure. On the back is a small zip pocket. There are several pretty designs, including a luna moth and an hourglass.
On each page, you'll see which devices fit. This size is good for the Kindle Paperwhites and Oasis, plus a bunch of Kobos and the iPad Mini. But if you use a bulky case, consult the measurements. There are also separate, and larger, book and iPad sleeves.
The Quirky Cup Collective is a small business out of Australia, and there's an informational page on tracking times and pricing. It may default to AUD, but the company will charge you accurately for the country you're in (I haven't seen it as anything but US dollars).
$27 at QCC

Photograph: Amazon
Do You Have an Older Kindle Model?
How to Identify it and Trade-In
Have an old Kindle lying around—or are looking at a used one for sale—and aren’t sure which one it is? This Amazon page includes photos, specs, and release years for the entire lineup. Once you know which one you have, you may be able to trade it in for credit toward a newer model.
Most old models probably still work, just with fewer bells and whistles. We think it's best to avoid Kindles with keyboards or any other physical buttons—page-turn buttons on the latest Oasis are OK.
Some older Kindles lost the ability to browse, purchase, or borrow new books directly from the device. However, you'll still be able to do so on Amazon.com on your computer or phone and have it sent to your Kindle, which is a better experience anyway. According to the company, the models affected are the Kindle 2nd Generation (International), Kindle DX International, Kindle DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4th Generation, and Kindle 5th Generation.
Courtesy of Amazon
Start Reading
Where to Get Books
If you buy every single book you want to read at Kindle, it can add up! But there are ways to save some money while reading as much as your heart desires.
You may want to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited for $12 a month. You can only choose from the Unlimited catalog, but there are millions of titles there, including audiobooks and magazines. Start out with the 30-day free trial. Since I got into romance thanks to #BookTok, this has been incredibly rewarding and I typically hate paying a membership for anything.
If you already pay for a Prime account, you're eligible for some free books through Prime Reading. There are not as many options as with Kindle Unlimited, and in a lot of cases you'll see both Unlimited and Prime options lumped together, so you'll have to look closely to find the free ones. But it's still something, and there are even some magazines included.
But if you don't want another monthly subscription and don't want to continue giving your money to Amazon, take advantage of ebooks available with your library card. Browsing a digital catalog is not as magical as spending an afternoon looking over every shelf in a library, but such is the ebook life (no one says you can't read both!). We have a detailed how-to on this that you should check out, but here are some of the takeaways:
Get a library card for your local branch
Check your branch's website for its ebook offerings. Many use the website OverDrive.
Download directly to your Kindle library. They'll automatically be removed when they're due back.
If you know someone else with a Kindle, you can lend books between your libraries, just as you would with a physical copy. Follow these instructions from Amazon to do so, and keep in mind not all books can be loaned.

Photograph: Adam Berry/Getty Images
What Else Can a Kindle Do?
Tips and Tricks
Kindles have helpful features that you may want to take advantage of it. Long-press a word or phrase to see its definition, highlight it, or take notes. You can also search the entire book for that particular word or phrase or translate it to or from other languages.
Word Wise shows short definitions in small text within the lines. Unfortunately, it's not available for all books, but when it is, you can turn it on or off and choose more and fewer hints. Clicking the short definition opens a longer one from Word Wise and the New Oxford American Dictionary or Oxford Dictionary of English (you can switch between the two), plus translations, and a Wikipedia page, if applicable.
While reading, tap the top of the screen and click “Aa” to change font size or type—there's even a font called OpenDyslexic that helps make reading easier for people with dyslexia. You can control margin sizes and line spacing from that menu too.
When a Kindle is connected to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, VoiceView Screen Reader (accessed through Settings > Accessibility) allows you to use gestures to navigate your device and reads aloud what you've pressed. It will also read a book aloud, though it doesn't sound nearly as nice as an audiobook does.
Amazon owns Goodreads, so it syncs seamlessly to Kindles (press the three-dot menu > Goodreads). If you have a Goodreads account, you can review the Kindle books you've read or browse your bookshelf and recommendations. Long-pressing a word or phrase, in addition to what is mentioned above, opens up an option to share quotes directly to Goodreads.
There's a web browser too if you're connected to the internet (three-dot menu > Web Browser). It's not the best, so I'd reserve it for emergency searches.

Medea Giordano turned her shopping problem into a career as a product writer for WIRED. She covers a little bit of everything but loves health, beauty, and pet tech. Prior to WIRED, she was an assistant editor at Wirecutter and an assistant in the newsroom of The New York Times.... Read more

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TopicsShopping buying guides Kindle ebooks