Best Kindle: top 4 Amazon e-readers for leisure, study, and more

Get the best Kindle for reading wherever you are, whether you read for pleasure, are a student, or looking to get your kid into books

best kindle: Amazon Kindle
(Image credit: Amazon)

The best Kindle is a worthwhile investment for anyone – even if you think you prefer print books. You may think that there's nothing like the rustle of real pages – until you've tried the latest Kindle models that imitate the look and feel of analogue reading. And, while we're all in favour of supporting local bookshops, there's little doubt that a download is better for the environment than a printed copy.

We've rounded up the best Kindles at the best prices today to ensure you get the most for your money. When you're done reading, head over to The Hub for more product reviews and buying guides.

The best Kindle available right now

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

the best kindle: Amazon Kindle

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Amazon Kindle

The best Kindle for those seeking an affordable e-reader

Specifications

Screen size: 6 inches
Screen type: Pearl e-paper
Storage: 4 GB
Weight: 161 grams
Touchscreen?: Yes
Wifi?: Yes
Battery Life: Up to four weeks

Reasons to buy

+
Great value for money
+
Impressive battery life
+
Lightweight
+
Sleek design

Reasons to avoid

-
Not waterproof

The best Kindle is, without doubt, the all-new Amazon Kindle thanks to its simple design and impressive performance. Here's everything you need to know about it:

Read comfortably through the day

Thanks to in-built adjustable front light, the Amazon Kindle allows you to enjoy your favourite books all day, without straining your eyes while you read. Plus, a 167 ppi glare-free screen means the screen reads just like paper, even in direct sunlight.

Highlight, research and translate with ease

If you like to really unpick your reading material, you'll be pleased to learn that the Amazon Kindle allows you to highlight your favourite passages, look up words and translate sentences al without having to leave the page.

Instant access to millions of books

As is the case for all Kindle users, you'll gain instant access to millions of books in the digital Kindle library. These can be enjoyed from any location which is great news if you travel often and don't like the idea of lugging around heavy books.

Impressive battery life

The battery life for the Amazon Kindle is up to four weeks, which means you won't need to worry about your e-reader running out of battery all the time.

Kindle paperwhite

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The best Kindle for incredible screen quality

Specifications

Screen size: 6 inches
Screen type: E-ink
Storage: Up to 32GB
Weight: 209 grams
Touchscreen?: Yes
Wifi?: Yes
Battery Life: Up to six weeks

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive battery life
+
Incredible quality screen
+
Offers 3G

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly more expensive
-
Slightly heavier model

Our next pick is the Kindle Paperwhite. In addition to all of the features mentioned above, it also boasts some additional that we didn't see in the Amazon Kindle. However, is also slightly more expensive as a result. Here's everything you need to know about it:

Waterproof design

Perfect for those who enjoy reading in the bath, by the pool or even the shallows of the sea (?!) the Kindle Paperwhite's waterproof design is a handy addition that's sure to protect it from water damage.

Impressive storage capacity

Enjoy up to 32 GB of storage, depending on the model you choose. This is great news for those who like to have lots of books on the go at once, or are heading away for an extended period.

Pair with Audible

Sync your device with Audible to listen to your favourite books, as well as reading them.

Kindle Oasis

(Image credit: Amazon)

3. Amazon Kindle Oasis

The best premium quality Kindle

Specifications

Screen size: 7 inches
Screen type: E-ink
Storage: Up to 32GB
Weight: 188 grams
Touchscreen?: Yes
Wifi?: Yes
Battery Life: Up to six weeks

Reasons to buy

+
Premium, ergonomic design
+
Incredible quality screen
+
Waterproof
+
Reads just like a book

Reasons to avoid

-
Most expensive model

If you're looking for a premium Kindle, it doesn't get better than the Kindle Oasis. Aside from all the features we've covered while discussing the Amazon Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite above, it also boasts the following premium additions:

Customisable screen

Much like the other models we've discussed, the screen of the Kindle Oasis adapts depending on your environment. But, it also offers you the opportunity to enjoy a wider range of customisable light settings which range from white to amber.

Waterproof design

Similarly to the Kindle Paperwhite, the Kindle Oasis is waterproof, which means you won't need to worry about it getting damaged if you're planning on using it in the bath, or by the pool.

Reads just like a book

Amazon boast that the Kindle Oasis is the model that mostly resembles paper. This is thanks to its light, ergonomic design, use of E-ink technology and fast page turns.

the best kindle: kindle kids

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. Kindle Kids

The best Kindle for little book worms

Specifications

Screen size: 6 inches
Screen type: 16-level grayscale
Storage: 8 GB
Weight: 288 grams
Touchscreen?: Yes
Wifi?: Yes
Battery Life: Up to four weels

Reasons to buy

+
Kid-friendly design
+
Sync with Parent Dashboard to track progress
+
2 year guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly heavier model
-
Grayscale may not work for everyone

If you have a little bookworm who gets through books quicker than you can keep track of, the Kindle Kids could be what you've been missing all this time. Here's everything we love about it:

Two year warranty

You won't have to worry about money going to waster after a Kindle is dropped and broken accidentally, because every model comes with a two year guarantee.

Built for reading

The Kindle Kids is built for reading, and reading alone, so you won't have to be concerned that your little one is playing games, watching videos or surfing the web without you being aware of it.

Hold thousands of titles

Perfect for kids who get through books at a rate of knots, the Kindle Kids stores an impressive number of titles while taking up minimal amounts of space. Plus, books bought through the Kindle bookstore tend to work out a little cheaper than those bought in-store.

Pair with Audible

By pairing this device with Audible, your little ones will be able to listen to their favourite books, as well as reading them.

Connect to Parent Dashboard

Track what (and how much) your kids are reading by syncing their Kindle with parent dashboard.

What is the best kindle?

The best Kindle is the Amazon Kindle if you're looking for an affordable e-reader that does everything you might expect, without costing a fortune.

Not only does this device boast an impressive four week battery life, it can also be connected to the internet, is controlled by touch screen and weights just 161 grams, which is perfect for slipping into your bag – or pocket – while you're on the go.

Check out our full product review below, then head keep scrolling for more of our favourite Kindles.

How to choose the best Kindle

Kindles all look very similar, but there are several important differences between them to be aware of when choosing the best one for your needs.

How will you be using your Kindle?

If you'll be using your Kindle primarily for leisure and holidays, then you should consider how easy it's too hold and whether you'll ruin it after accidentally dropping it in the pool/bath tub. The Paperwhite and the Oasis are the best models for leisurely reading, both of them waterproof. On the other hand, if you're a student and need to be able to make notes in the text, then the classic Kindle is your best bet (and is the more affordable option).

Light settings

If the most important thing to you when choosing a Kindle is how kind it is to your eyes, then the Oasis wins, because of all the different light settings it has. They're fully customisable and include the much-loved amber setting that's very comfortable for late-evening reading. The Paperwhite, on the other hand, is your best bet if you often read in full sun – its glaring reduction is a boon. 

Price point

Needless to say, the premium Kindle Oasis comes at a premium price: if you'll only be using your Kindle occasionally, we'd go for the classic Kindle instead. And, of course, if you're buying a child, go for the kids' version: it has a warranty, in case the device gets broken straight away.

Looking for more handy buying guides?

Emily Shaw

Emily first (temporarily) joined the Real Homes team while interning on her summer break from university. After graduating, she worked on several publications before joining Real Homes as Staff Writer full time in mid-2018. She left the brand in 2020 to pursue another career, but still loves a second-hand bargain and sourcing unique finds to make her rented flat reflect her personality.

SPONSORS