Kindles aren’t just for books, either. While browsing the web on the Kindle isn’t exactly a snappy, enjoyable experience, you can visit your favorite websites in a pinch. I prefer to save articles I find online with Pocket, then send them to my Kindle weekly with an online tool called P2K. I even use Kindle Comic Converter to send black-and-white comic books to my Kindle, and apps like Calibre can even create digital “magazines” from your favorite websites that get sent to your Kindle over Wi-Fi. All three Kindle models come with built-in Bluetooth, too, so you can connect your wireless earbuds and listen to audiobooks on Audible.
In other words: the Kindle is incredibly versatile, and even if you have a good tablet, Amazon’s e-reader is a worthy addition to your summer gadget toolkit. If you’re thinking of diving into the space, you’ll come across a slew of options. To help guide you, we break down below the entire Amazon Kindle suite, which currently includes three main Kindle models: the Kindle, the Kindle Paperwhite, and the Kindle Oasis.
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Amazon’s base model Kindle costs $89, which is a steal for what you get. Its 4GB of storage can hold thousands of books — more than you could ever read at once — and its 6-inch glare-free screen is fantastic for reading without harsh backlights straining your eyes. You can grab it in black or white, and up the price to $109 if you don’t want ads on your home screen (don’t worry, they aren’t intrusive).
Amazon also sells a Kindle Kids Edition — its innards and design are identical to that of the Kindle’s — for $109 with a bundled case, a year of Amazon’s kid-friendly FreeTime Unlimited service, and a 2-year warranty.
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If you have a bit more to spend, the Kindle Paperwhite offers a few upgrades. It has a higher-density screen for sharper text, 8GB of storage (or 32GB if you really need the extra space), and boasts IPX8 water-resistance — you know, just in case it accidentally goes for a swim in the bathtub or the ocean.
Since I use my Kindle for magazines and comics alongside books, the sharper screen on the Paperwhite is a noticeable improvement, so it’s currently my Kindle of choice. I also recommend getting a protective case — Amazon has its own covers that are quite nice, but third-party options offer built-in stands and more colorful designs. I use this model from MoKo, and my wife likes this Fintie cover/stand combo.
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The higher-end Kindle Oasis is twice the price of the Paperwhite, but comes fully loaded with a premium aluminum build and all the features you could ever want in a Kindle. The screen is slightly bigger at 7 inches. It equips a brighter, more uniform lighting system that you can adjust for a warmer hue that isn’t quite as blue-ish — or you can let it automatically adjust to match the light in your room. And actual buttons on the right allow for easier one-handed reading, too, a big plus for readers who prefer a tactile design.
The Oasis is undoubtedly a nice e-reader, and ideal if you do most of your reading at home. If you want something portable you can toss around without worry, the lower-cost Kindle and Paperwhite might be better options.
In addition, don’t confuse the Kindle line with Amazon’s Fire Tablets, which were once confusingly called “Kindle Fire.” These aren’t e-readers; they’re low-cost tablets, with a traditional backlit screen, full color and an app store that allows for streaming TV and movies, games or productivity tools. It’s a decent tablet for its low cost but it’s nowhere near as good as an iPad — and if you want something to read books on, I think the Kindle is a much more suitable choice.
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Whitson Gordon
Whitson Gordon is a former freelance technology writer with bylines in the New York Times, Popular Science Magazine, PC Magazine and more. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Lifehacker and How-To Geek.
FAQs
All Your Books on a Single Device
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the Kindle is that you can store thousands of books at one time. The classic Kindle offers 16GB of storage, while others like the Paperwhite and Oasis are available in 32GB models. The Kindle Scribe even has up to 64GB.
What is the advantage of using Kindle? ›
All Your Books on a Single Device
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the Kindle is that you can store thousands of books at one time. The classic Kindle offers 16GB of storage, while others like the Paperwhite and Oasis are available in 32GB models. The Kindle Scribe even has up to 64GB.
Why do people still buy a Kindle? ›
A Kindle is much lighter to hold or carry than a regular book, making it very convenient for many people. Being able to store multiple books at once is also a huge help when trying to travel light; plus, it means you don't have to consider walking to a different room to find the book you wish to read.
Why do people like Kindle so much? ›
There is so much to love about the little device. Always having a new book to read is wonderful, and the Kindle makes taking a book with me wherever I go easier than ever. My Kindle is small enough to fit into most of my purses, and if it isn't, I can use the Kindle app on my phone.
Why is a Kindle better for reading? ›
Easier On Your Eyes
Using technology like e-ink, Kindles put less strain on your eyes than other devices like computers and phones. If you often read for long periods of time, you might not want to be staring at the tiny screen of your phone.
Do I need Kindle to read? ›
But the good news is, you don't need a Kindle device to enjoy the many benefits of Kindle books. That's right: you can buy and read Kindle books on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. You can even read Kindle books on your desktop computer. You just need the Kindle reader app and you're good to go.
Do people still use Kindle? ›
Amazon's Kindle lineup has led the e-reading space for years. In terms of design, performance, and convenience, they're nearly unrivaled by other brands.
What are the disadvantages of a Kindle? ›
Cons of a Kindle
- It will never feel and smell like a real book. ...
- You can't save all your books and display them on a bookshelf. ...
- It is not good for technical books or books with photos. ...
- Finding a particular passage or spot is difficult. ...
- Kindle books can sometimes be more expensive that actual books. ...
- You can't share your books.
The screen size is one of the most significant differences between reading books on a phone and a Kindle. The screen on a Kindle is large enough to mimic a book's typical size, making it comfortable to read while avoiding the strain of a considerable screen size, which can be a problem with phone displays.
Will Kindle replace books? ›
I love kindle but it can't replace that physical book feeling. Nothing wrong with that. I like to buy ebooks for reading and physical books to display on my bookshelf.
E-book readers in the U.S. 2021, by age group
A survey held in early 2021 revealed that 42 percent of adults aged between 18 and 29 years old had read an e-book in the last we months, making respondents in this age group the most likely to have done so.
Is it worth buying an Amazon Kindle? ›
Should you put in about Rs 10,000 for an e-reader? I would say, if you love reading, or even if you are a casual reader — get the Kindle 2022 as it is totally worth it. My two big reasons are — you no longer need to purchase hardcovers as they take up physical space in your home.
Do I need a Kindle if I have an iPhone? ›
A: You can read just as easily Kindle books on a Kindle application on your Apple products. You do not need another device in order to do this unless your Apple products have an OS that's too outdated to run apps.
Why is Kindle so easy to read? ›
It's because a Kindle has no distractions, so it's much easier to read more compared to your phone, where it's easier to procrastinate. Also, you can get books delivered to your Kindle almost instantly, which is pretty nice. One thing is the instant delivery.
Are books better for your eyes than Kindle? ›
A different study showed no major difference in eye fatigue or strain between the LCD and E-ink technology. So what's all this mean? If you can read a book in print, do it.
What are the cons of Kindle? ›
Cons of a Kindle
- It will never feel and smell like a real book. ...
- You can't save all your books and display them on a bookshelf. ...
- It is not good for technical books or books with photos. ...
- Finding a particular passage or spot is difficult. ...
- Kindle books can sometimes be more expensive that actual books. ...
- You can't share your books.
If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, for example, you get access to more than 3 million select Kindle titles which you can read at no additional cost.
How many books can a Kindle hold? ›
How Much Storage Does An E-Book Take Up? An average text-only e-book takes up between 1MB and 2MB storage space, meaning an 8GB Kindle can store between 3,000 and 6,000 e-books.
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