Best Amazon Kindle E-Reader Android Central 2020
The best Kindle e-reader is often the best e-reader money can buy. Like Xerox and Velcro, the Kindle brand name is now synonymous with e-readers, and Amazon dominates the category. The new Kindle Paperwhite is a fantastic starting point if you're looking to get started, and there are plenty of other great picks available at various price points.
- Best Overall: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
- Best Value: Amazon Kindle 2019
- Upgrade Pick: Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019
- Best for Children: Amazon Kindle Kids 2019
1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Best Overall
Source: Amazon
The Kindle Paperwhite set the benchmark for affordable e-readers for a long time now, and the latest model adds even more compelling features to the mix. The highlight is the IPX8 water resistance, which lets you take your e-reader to the pool. The Paperwhite can survive in up to two meters of water for an hour, giving you much more flexibility to use the e-reader.
Amazon has also doubled the amount of internal storage to 8GB, giving you the option of adding even more books to the e-reader. You can also connect a Bluetooth headphone to listen to Audible audiobooks from the device. The Kindle Paperwhite has the same 6-inch 300ppi display as the outgoing model, and the five embedded LEDs provide uniform backlighting to let you continue reading at night. You'll also be able to adjust the font type and size, and you'll only have to charge it once a month. The design itself is also thinner and lighter than older models, making it much more comfortable to hold during extended reading sessions and has plenty of case options.
Pros:
- 300ppi e-ink screen
- IPX8 water resistance
- Thinner and lighter
- 8GB internal storage
- Audible integration
Cons:
- Micro-USB charging
- No physical buttons
- Ungainly bezels
Best Overall
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Now with IPX8 water resistance and 8GB storage.
With high-res e-ink display, IPX8 rating, Audible integration, and great battery life, the Paperwhite is the best e-reader around.
2. Amazon Kindle 2019: Best Value
Source: Amazon
The entry-level Kindle is lacking some of the more advanced features that you get with the Paperwhite — like IPX8 and a high-res screen — but you're still getting a lot of value for your money. A key addition this time around is a front light, making it that much more conducive to use the Kindle at night. The front light makes a huge difference, and the fact that it is now available on the entry-level Kindle is a big deal.
Another enticing addition is Bluetooth connectivity and Audible integration. The feature lets you pair your wireless earbuds or headphones with your Kindle and listen to Audible audiobooks with ease. If you're interested in trying out e-readers and want to save some cash, the Kindle is a great way to get started.
Pros:
- Great value
- Front light is nifty
- Audible integration
- Lightweight design
- Bluetooth
Cons:
- Low-res screen
- No water resistance
- Micro-USB charging
Best Value
Amazon Kindle 2019
All the basics, now with a front light.
You can now use the entry-level Kindle for night-time reading, and Audible integration is great for listening to audiobooks.
3. Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019: Upgrade Pick
Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central
The Kindle Oasis has the same 300ppi display as the Paperwhite, but it has 25 LEDs that provide much better backlighting. Two other features are exclusive to the Oasis — physical page turn buttons and an ambient light sensor that automatically turns down the brightness in dark environments. The ambient light sensor is particularly handy at night as it lets you read comfortably without straining your eyes.
Oh, and the 2019 edition also comes with adjustable warm light, making it a fantastic option. I've used my Kindle Oasis 2019 for the better part of a year now, and my favorite feature is the warm light. It makes a drastic difference in day-to-day use, and emulates the feel of actual paper much better. The design is also unique thanks to a sleek aluminum frame, and overall, the Oasis is the best e-book reader I've ever used.
Pros:
- Fantastic display
- Warm light is a bonus
- Comfortable to use
- IPX8 water resistance
- Physical page turn buttons
Cons:
- Micro-USB charging
- Interface needs refresh
- Limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Upgrade Pick
Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019
The most feature-packed Kindle ever.
The Kindle Oasis has a 7-inch display with adjustable warm light, physical buttons, IPX8 rating, and stellar battery life.
4. Amazon Kindle Kids: Best for Children
Source: Amazon
The Kindle Kids edition has the same hardware as the entry-level Kindle, but you get additional software features that make it the ideal option for children. Amazon bundles a year-one subscription to Amazon Kids+ that provides unlimited access to children's books — including the Harry Potter series. The Kids+ service also includes hundreds of children's movies, TV shows, and more, and you can set up the Kids+ service on any platform to take advantage of the benefits.
There's also a Parental Dashboard that lets you select age filters to get relevant book suggestions, set daily reading goals, view your child's progress, and more. Amazon offers a two-year no-hassle warranty that allows you to get a new Kindle Kids edition should the e-reader get damaged in any way. The Kindle Kids edition has 8GB of built-in storage for storing up to a thousand books, delivers weeks-long battery life, and comes with a free cover.
Pros:
- One-year access to Amazon Kids+
- Excellent value
- Two-year warranty
- Parental Dashboard
- Cover included
Cons:
- Low-res screen
Best for Children
Amazon Kindle Kids 2019
The ideal e-reader for children
With a durable design, parental controls, and access to thousands of children's books, this is the ideal e-reader for your kids.
These are the best Kindle e-readers you can buy
Source: Amazon
The Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader for most people, and it is an absolute steal for what's on offer. The new features — in the form of water resistance and 8GB storage — bridge the divide to the Kindle Oasis, and the Paperwhite is a no-brainer if you're in the market for a new e-reader.
Amazon has created the ideal e-reader here, and if you're just getting started with e-books and want an affordable option that has water resistance or if you're upgrading from an exciting option, the Kindle Paperwhite delivers in all the key areas.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Harish Jonnalagadda is the Regional Editor of Android Central. A reformed hardware modder, he now spends his time writing about India's burgeoning phone market. Previously, he used to ponder the meaning of life at IBM. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.
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