A reading tablet is a must-have for the bibliophile on the go. Instead of lugging around that weighty novel, try a Kindle for a lightweight, portable reading companion. A 32GB Kindle can hold up 13,000 titles while weighing less than a paperback. This makes the e-reader a portability powerhouse.
Also: Your Kindle’s not obsolete, it just needs a jailbreak – and I’ll show you how it’s done
Amazon’s Kindle lineup has something for everyone. The Kindle Scribe makes annotating a breeze, and the Kindle Colorsoft offers a full-color tablet, so you won’t miss out on quality illustrations. Whether you want a premium experience with the Kindle Paperwhite or the budget-friendly base model, these e-readers encourage constant and convenient reading for everyone.
In our April update, we made light editorial changes and added the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to our list.
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What is the best Kindle right now?
We’ve tested the best Kindle reading tablets on the market by exploring their features, researching customer feedback, and comparing affordability. Even with more advanced devices available, Amazon’s base model Kindle remains our favorite.
The $110 base model Kindle is our best overall pick for its excellent battery life, easy readability, and fast page-turning speed. Read on for a full breakdown of the best Kindle reading tablets.
Also: The best tablets you can buy
The best Kindle readers of 2026
Nina Raemont/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Kindle base model is the perfect device to house all of your favorite books. The latest version of the tablet offers a new color, Matcha Green, as well as improved page turning rates. Even with the upgrades, this Kindle remains the most affordable in the product family at $110 — essentially the cost of four hardcover books.
Who’s it for: The convenient and accessible 6-inch tablet is perfect for a reader on-the-go, and its battery life lasts about six weeks. You can also choose to tack on a 3-month free trial of Kindle Unlimited for even more digital books.
After I went hands-on with this Kindle, I’d without a doubt recommend it to any word-lover. It has all the features you’d need in a respectable e-reader including a vivid, glare-free display, reactive and quick speeds, and a great battery life at a reasonable price.
Who should look elsewhere: While this tablet’s battery life isn’t bad, it’s the shortest in the Kindle devices lineup. There’s also no microSD card support.
Review: Amazon Kindle (12th-generation)
Amazon Kindle specs: Screen size: 6 inches | Storage: 16GB, Amazon Cloud | Battery life: Up to six weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: No
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Kayla Solino/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Kindle Paperwhite, which Amazon boasts as its “fastest Kindle ever,” is an upgraded version of the base model Kindle. While still 16GB, the 7-inch, glare-free screen has a higher contrast ratio and even faster page-turning speed.
Who’s it for: The auto-adjusting front light, faster page-turning rate, and battery life make the Paperwhite shine.
ZDNET’s Maria Diaz went hands-on with the device and preferred it over her current e-reader daily driver.
“After two weeks of daily reading on a single charge, some days for up to three hours a day, my Kindle Paperwhite’s battery is still at 32%. According to Amazon, the Kindle Paperwhite could last about 42 hours of reading with the brightness at 13,” Diaz said in her review.
Charlie Osborne, another ZDNET contributor, said she prefers the Kindle display to using the app on her smartphone.
Who should look elsewhere: The Paperwhite’s price is a big jump from the base model. In addition, you must pay a fee to remove lock screen ads, and there’s no microSD card support.
Review: Amazon Paperwhite (2024)
Kindle Paperwhite specs: Screen size: 7 inches | Storage: 16GB | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, remove with a fee | microSD card support: No
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Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Paperwhite Signature Edition is a boosted version of the original model, the biggest change being the extra storage. The glare-free 7-inch screen has a higher contrast and a faster page-turn rate as well as an adjustable warm light and wireless charging.
According to Amazon, a single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks, which adds up to about 30 minutes per day at a light setting of 13, according to the device specs. Audiobook streaming through the Amazon Audible app will also drain the battery faster.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition also sports a waterproof rating of rating of IPX8, which is perfect for poolside reading around splashy kids.
Who’s it for: If you want a few more bells and whistles on your Kindle Paperwhite, this is worth a look. It’s more expensive, but you get a whopping 32GB of storage.
Who should look elsewhere: The Paperwhite Signature Edition only offers a couple extra features, but it’s about $50 more expensive than the original Paperwhite. While there’s more storage, there’s still no microSD card slot. Plus, the $23
In addition, the Signature Edition only offers the same colors as the original Paperwhite, but with a metallic finish.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition specs: Screen size: 7 inches | Storage: 32GB | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: No | microSD card support: No
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Matthew Miller/ZDNET
Why we like it: The $450 Kindle Scribe combines a digital library with a digital notebook. You can use the Basic Pen to create notes either through an app or directly on the pages of the e-book you’re reading.
The display is remarkable, with a high-resolution 10.2-inch screen. You’ll also have access to multiple storage options at 16, 32, or 64GB. Plus, the battery life will let you read the next bestseller without worrying about finding the nearest plug for charging.
Review: Amazon Kindle Scribe
Who’s it for: The tablet is perfect if you’re studying for a test or enjoy annotating a novel. The Basic Pen comes with the tablet, but you can upgrade to the Kindle Scribe
When Matthew Miller reviewed the Scribe, he called it his on-the-go notetaking tablet of choice. “My desire to find something that doesn’t waste paper and also provides the ability to preserve and share my notes has been met with the Amazon Kindle Scribe,” Miller said.
He adds that the writing and erasing capabilities are top tier — further bolstered with the add-on Premium Pen.
Who should look elsewhere: Aside from the price tag, there is certainly room for improvement. Currently, you can export notes to a PDF and email them, but sending notes to other programs like Microsoft Word would be ideal. Additionally, we found that organizing your notes on the Kindle Scribe is nearly impossible.
Overall, it’s an excellent foray into the digital note-taking market, but future software updates will help refine the product.
Kindle Scribe specs: Screen size: 10.2 inches | Storage: 16, 32, or 64GB | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: No
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Allison Murray/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Kindle Colorsoft finally gives users what they’ve wanted for years: a full-color Kindle option. Compared to similar e-readers from other companies, Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft offers by far the smoothest experience.
Amazon also offers a
Who’s it for: If you like graphic novels, illustrative texts, or want to take a bunch of children’s books on a family vacation, this Kindle is the perfect tool to view the art at its full potential.
When ZDNET’s Allison Murray tested the tablet, she had no issues reading in the sunlight. It’s also water-resistant making it the perfect companion for outdoor reading.
“I have virtually no complaints with this Kindle except perhaps its small size. The size itself is easy and comfortable to hold, but reading color books or magazines, a bigger size like that of the Boox Note Air C 3’s 10.3-inch display makes a greater impact, and you can really see and appreciate the color images better when seeing the entire page,” Murray said in her review.
Who should look elsewhere: Like the Paperwhite Signature Edition, the Colorsoft has wireless charging capabilities, but the dock is sold separately. In addition, the battery life is only eight weeks, compared to the 12 weeks other Kindles offer.
Review: Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Colorsoft Kids
Kindle Paperwhite specs: Screen size: 7 inches | Storage: 16GB | Battery life: Up to 8 weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: No | microSD card support: No
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Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft builds on the full-color display of the Colorsoft but adds writing and productivity functionalities to the e-reader. It has a sleek form factor, a wonderful writing experience thanks to the improved pen, and a vibrant display, according to ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski, who reviewed the tablet. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft was one of the brightest digital paper tablets he’s used.
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft offers a light and ultrathin build, nitride LEDs, narrow bezels, and a satisfying matte display perfect for writing and sketching, Kucharski writes. The pen comes with 10 colors and five highlighter shades.
Also: This Kindle nearly replaced my Remarkable tablet with just the display itself – but there’s more
Integrations with Google Drive and OneDrive make searching, summarizing, and saving your own notes to a drive you’re already using possible and convenient. This would be great for students annotating notes or desk-side employees marking up important documents.
Who’s it for: Avid Kindle users who note take and draw will love using the premium Kindle. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft makes the most sense for students, avid readers and annotators, and people marking up documents for their job.
Who should look elsewhere: For those looking for a premium paper tablet catered toward artists and illustrators, we recommend the Boox Note Max or the ReMarkable Paper Pro.
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft specs: Screen size: 11 inches | Storage: 32 GB or 64 GB | Battery life: Up to eight weeks | Lock screen ads: No | microSD card support: No
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When shopping for a new Kindle reader, aside from price, you should also consider how much storage space you’ll need for your digital bookshelf.
Both the basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite have 16GB of storage. The Paperwhite Signature Edition has 32GB of storage, but it’s more expensive. The Colorsoft also has 32GB of storage, but a shorter battery life. In addition, if you’re not planning to take notes while reading, the Scribe probably isn’t for you.
Below is a table that outlines which Kindle corresponds to specific needs:
| Choose this Kindle reader… | If you need… |
| Kindle (12th-generation) | A basic reader that is easy to bring anywhere. It’s affordable and will suit casual users. |
| Kindle Paperwhite | If you want something more modern and lighter than the typical Kindle, this could be best for you. |
| Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition | If you want the Paperwhite experience with more storage and a wireless charging option. |
| Kindle Scribe | Best for notetaking, annotating while reading, or even journaling. |
| Kindle Scribe Colorsoft | If you want a similar option to the Scribe but with a full color display. |
| Kindle Colorsoft | A full color reading device best for comics, manga, and graphic novels. |
- Price: Kindles are generally affordable, but with more features, like drawing capabilities, strong battery life, and ample storage, you will pay a higher price.
- Storage capacity: The point of a device like a Kindle is to store as many books in one compact device as possible. We looked at Kindles with vast storage capacities that can hold thousands of titles.
- Environmental factors: Lots of models offer water resistance, so you can read inside and outside. However, remember that Kindles are still electronic devices, so they should not be exposed to extreme conditions.
- Display: Kindles come with a variety of display sizes. Do want a tablet about the same size as the average novel, or a larger screen?
- Kids: If you intend to allow your children to use a Kindle, you might want to opt for a model designed with kid safety and security in mind. At least invest in a case.
- Color: It’s a minor consideration, but colors might be limited in the model you ultimately select.
- Battery life: The e-readers on this list should ideally last a few weeks before recharging. Turning off Wi-Fi when not in use can drastically improve your Kindle’s battery life. Turning on airplane mode and lowering the brightness setting can also keep you reading longer.
Also: How to buy books on Kindle
ZDNET only recommends products we have used and can speak to. We do this by spending a few weeks constantly using the products and evaluating them for performance, battery life, usability, special features, and more.
We focus on the average consumer’s needs as well as the most important factors in choosing a Kindle. This may include display size, readability, and storage.
We write product spotlights or reviews and in addition to best lists. Each month, we evaluate which products still deserve a spot on this list and switch out older models or those out of stock with newer ones.
Latest Amazon Kindle news
- Amazon is retiring its older Kindle devices starting May 20. Older Kindles and Amazon Fire tablets will no longer get regular updates, impacting owners’ ability to download new books onto their devices. This includes any Kindle model released before 2013.
A Kindle will save you shelf space, but some readers love an in-home library. Carrying a book with you is extra weight, but Kindles are small, slim, and lightweight.
You don’t have to choose a side, and you don’t need a Kindle tablet to access Kindle’s library. You can download the app on your phone to read digital books and magazines, but a Kindle tablet’s sole purpose is to function as an e-reader is distraction-free.
In short, it’s all in your preference.
Below is a list of Kindles and Kindle Fire tablets that Amazon will retire on May 20.
Kindle e-readers
- Kindle Paperwhite First-Generation (2012)
- Kindle 5 (2012)
- Kindle Touch (2011)
- Kindle 4 (2011)
- Kindle Keyboard (2010)
- Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009 and 2010)
- Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
Kindle Fire tablets
Amazon is also ending support for Kindle Fire Tablets released before 2013:
- Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (2012)
- Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012)
- Kindle Fire Second-Gen (2012)
- Kindle Fire First-Gen (2011)
Yes. Kindles are generally water-resistant and sport glare-free displays, making reading in strong sunlight a comfortable experience.
A thin Kindle could be a splendid alternative if your beach bag is too heavy for a thick book. Plus, you don’t have to choose between two or three books to read — you can bring them all on your tablet.
A Kindle is a sturdy device if you take proper care of it. I had a look at the r/kindle Reddit page and found lots of people boasting that their Kindles have lasted them over a decade long.
It all depends on what kinds of books you want to download, as different media files have different sizes.
Longer titles like War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy will have a larger file size than something like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Image-heavy graphic novels might also take up more space. Generally, plain-text files like novels, nonfiction titles, and even school textbooks have fairly small sizes. Your 32GB tablet could plausibly house up to 13,500 books.
You can even download audiobooks from the Kindle app, although the audio files are often large. This means that a 32GB Kindle will only hold about 150 audiobooks, depending on the length of the recording.
The Kindle Paperwhite boasts a more prominent display, a warm light adjustment feature, longer battery life, and an improved waterproof build. These features make the device more expensive as well.
All Kindles offer text-to-voice narration through Alexa. If you want to buy an audiobook specifically, you’ll have to use Amazon’s Audible. Audible is integrated into all newer Kindle models, and you can often take advantage of free trials or discount subscriptions during sales events.
In addition, like the Kindle app itself, you don’t need a tablet to use the Audible app.
Kindles need Wi-Fi to download a book and access the internet. Once you download the book, you can read it without a Wi-Fi connection.
I take my Kindle on the subway, where there’s no Wi-Fi connection, and have no problem reading my favorite titles. For other ZDNET authors, including Charlie Osborne, a Kindle is a must on airplanes. Keeping a Kindle on airplane mode will also improve its battery life.
There is no objective answer to this. Like reading on your smartphone, a Kindle simply offers an alternative and a way to digitally store your book collection. Arguably, the most important thing is enjoying your reading time.
Yes, you can get Kindle books for free. Lots of classic literature is in the public domain, or no longer protected by copyright laws, and can be provided for free. You can also visit Amazon and search “free Kindle books.”
Also: How to get (great) free books on Kindle
You also can find thousands of titles for very low prices, sometimes as low as $0.99. However, these are often self-published works. You can also keep an eye out for “Stuff Your Kindle Day” to grab a few free e-books.
Latest updates
- April 2026: We made minor editorial changes and added the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
- November 2025: We added an interactive visualization comparing tech specs of the top Kindle models.
- September 2025: We performed substantial editorial layout changes, verified prices and product availability, and included the latest Kindle news, including the release of the new Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
Alternatives to Kindles
Jason Cipriani/ZDNET
Amazon also makes tablets you can use to read, watch entertainment, utilize productivity apps, and play games. The Amazon Fire HD 10 is great for all these purposes.
The 10.1-inch tablet offers a 32GB or 64GB version. It boasts a 1080p full HD display with 13-hour battery life, and 1TB of expandable storage with a separate microSD card purchase.
It comes in three colors — Lilac, Black, and Ocean.
Also: Amazon Fire HD 10
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Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Apple’s 10th-generation iPad is a great Kindle alternative.
The tablet sports a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, and the A14 Bionic chip. The iPad is compatible with the original Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard Folio. It’s also available in a 64GB or 256GB version with four color options — blue, silver, yellow, and pink.
The iPad is also compatible with the latest iPadOS 26.
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Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is a perfect option if you want the functionality of notetaking with the S-Pen coupled with a vibrant display.
The 11-inch Tab S8 comes in a 128GB and a 256GB with three colors to choose from — Graphite, Pink Gold, and Silver.
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Amazon
The Amazon Kindle Kids tablet, currently on sale for $95, offers 16GB of storage space and a kid-friendly, safe environment for reading.
The 6-inch tablet features like Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise, along with reading goal settings, and comes with a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+.
According to Amazon, the device lasts six weeks on a single USB-C charge at about 30 minutes of reading per day. It’s only available in Black, but has fun covers like Space Whale, Ocean Explorer, and Unicorn Valley.
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