UPDATE: Jul. 7, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT This article was updated in July 2024 ahead of Amazon's Prime Day, which is coming July 16 and 17. It reflects the current Kindle lineup after the Kindle Oasis was discontinued earlier this year.
If you're searching for the best Kindle to buy in 2024, you're spoiled for choice. Amazon now makes a Kindle for every type of reader (including the cute yet highly functional Kindle Kids edition).
If you haven't yet been converted to the lovely world of Amazon Kindle readers, we have to ask, frankly: What the heck are you waiting for?
And now is the time to buy. With Amazon Prime Day 2024 coming July 16 and 17, the mega-retailer always discounts its own products, which includes Kindles. We're already seeing deals on bestsellers and Kindle e-books, so there's no doubt we'll see Kindle devices on sale, too. During past Amazon sales, we've seen Kindle deals with savings up to $90, so pause before paying full-price.
We know nothing compares to the feel of a book in your hands as you thumb through page after enticing page. Yet, even if you're a ride-or-die bibliophile whose favorite smell is that of a bookstore (guilty), Kindles have undeniable benefits. You no longer have to pack 10 different books when going on vacation because you never know which book will suit your mood at any given time. You can also read poolside or at the beach without worrying about damaging your precious literature.
As of July 2024, Amazon makes six different Kindles, after the Kindle Oasis was recently discontinued. The current lineup has a vast variety of features and includes a new generation of Amazon e-readers released in 2022 as well as some older models still worth buying. We've gathered our favorites below along with highlights from our Kindle reviews, so read on to find the right model for your reading pleasure.
What should I look for in the best Kindles?
When shopping for a new Kindle, consider the following factors:
Display size. The smallest Kindle has a 6-inch display while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.
Storage capacity. Depending on the model, Kindles can have anywhere from 8 GB to 64 GB of storage capacity to stash many thousands of your favorite reads at a time.
Battery life. Kindles generally have outstanding battery life (depending on your usage), but some models are even more impressive. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.
Waterproof protection. Not all Kindles are waterproof, but those that are provide peace of mind in case of accidental immersion in water without incurring damage.
Beyond those variable factors, all the latest Kindles boast a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. All Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity to allow you to access and download all the reading material you could ever want. (However, select Kindle readers also allow for free cellular connectivity so you have more options.) All Kindles offer parental control options as well, whether or not you've purchased a Kindle device specifically made for kids. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via any Kindle's built-in Bluetooth connection.
What features do Kindles offer?
Beyond the aforementioned standard features that are found across most (if not all) of the latest Kindle models, there are also specialized features that you'll find on the higher-end models. To pick the right Kindle for your lifestyle, you'll want to consider your particular needs and preferences as you shop.
Perhaps you like to read outside often; you'll want a Kindle with an auto-adjusting light so you don't have to worry about constantly fixing the brightness for optimal viewing in your current environment. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and Kindle Scribe all have this auto-adjustment feature.
Or, maybe you like to read before bed and want to cut out blue light that tends to keep us awake and alert; you'll need a Kindle that has an adjustable warm light feature so you can shift the display color from white to amber. After the 2022 release of the Kindle Scribe, there's even a Kindle that will allow you to jot down notes on your texts for later reference.