The Amazon Kindle is probably the first name that comes to mind when you think of thebest atomic number 99 - readers , but what you may not realize is that the Kindle name represent an entire lineup of machine , from the humble , newly - redesignedKindle ( 2024)that define the sword to the all - newKindle Colorsoft , Amazon ’s first - ever all - colour e - reader .

While other models like theKindle ScribeandKindle Oasisare pricey flagship e - book readers that are each distinctive in their own way , there ’s also the unexampled Kindle Paperwhite ( 2024 ) , which is more visually corresponding to the entry - degree Kindle . It ’s so like , in fact , that you may have a heavy time decide which one to go with if you do n’t look past their surface - tier similarities .

sure , the basic Kindle do as a solid eastward - book reader for anyone on a budget , but more serious bookworm may require to take a airless look at the differences to decide if it ’s worth expend a bit more on the zippier , more equal to 2024 Paperwhite ( or its even spendier cousin , theKindle Paperwhite Signature Edition ) — and if that extra money interpret into a better recital experience .

Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024): specs

Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: design and durability

At first glance , the 2024 Kindle and 2024 Kindle Paperwhite do n’t count all that dissimilar , except for their Modern colouring . They both boast a plastic construction with an e - ink screen , with the Kindle logo emblazon on the front . You ’ll also get USB - C charging on both , which marks an raise over the Micro USB of prior models , though it is n’t a new feature article for either transmission line .

Once you take that 2d glance , though , you ’ll quickly acknowledge some subtle but important design divergence that set the bounty Paperwhite asunder . It ’s slenderly larger — a little over half an in in both directions — but not so much that you really notice it . However , it also manages to run around a distinctively larger screen at 7 inches thanks to its smaller bezels . While view are mixed on whether that ’s a good thing , since it provide less space for your thumb when reading , it ’s hard to fence against a bigger display . Amazon has nixed the 8 GB option for the Paperwhite as well , so you ’re automatically upgraded to a much roomier 16 GB gimmick , no matter which theoretical account you pick out .

The Kindle Paperwhite also sport IPX8 body of water impedance , which the stock Kindle lacks solely . This means you’re able to feel more confident taking it to the beach , using it by the pool , or even sitting in your hot bathing tub — all of which are great plaza to use a standalone e - ledger referee instead of a more expensive and fragile lozenge .

In fact , the Paperwhite goes beyond the piddle resistance ratings of most other electronics , with the ability to withstand dousing in up to 2 meters of impertinent water for up to 60 minute and up to 0.25 meters ( about 10 in ) of seawater for up to three minutes . Most smartphones ca n’t treat saltwater at all — at least not formally .

Both the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite are useable in Black , but the Kindle offers a refreshing Matcha colour while the Paperwhite adds both Raspberry and Jade for those who require something a bit different . However , while the new Matcha color apply to the entirety of the Kindle , the Paperwhite hues do not wrap all the means around to the front to replace the fateful bezels .

Nevertheless , a larger covert , IPX8 water impedance that include brine , extra stem computer memory , and a wider choice of colors give the Kindle Paperwhite an easy profits for this round .

success : Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: performance, battery life, and charging

Amazon does n’t go into a lot of particular when it comes to glasses for its e - reviewer , but that ’s not surprising as there would n’t be much to liken a Kindle to outside of another Kindle . After all , these are n’t tablets that run traditional apps and games , so all you need to know is how farsighted it takes to load up a book and interchange between the page .

In that regard , you ’ll find that both the Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite perform evenly well , which have sense since they both wad in the same MediaTek MT8113 chip . download books is done over Wi - Fi — fit are the day when ledger entry - level Kindles offered free cellular connectivity — but with double - band Wi - Fi run on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz , it ’s more than speedy enough that you should n’t be wait too long to start reading . varlet - flipping is smooth and effortless to the point where you wo n’t feel like you ’re lag between page , although the e - ink display wo n’t give you the fancy animated transitions of an LCD or OLED filmdom .

In terms of Sir Frederick Handley Page alternate on the new Paperwhite , you get a turn of a cost increase as well . Amazon claims a 25 % step-up in page bend upper compared to the onetime mannikin , so if you ’re tired of sitting and waiting to see the speech on the next page , there ’s a clear succeeder here .

However , while the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite may be on par for performance , the more expensive example edges it out when it comes to battery life , rescue up to 12 week on a single charge under the same consideration where the Kindle only lasts for six ; those being 30 minute of read a day with Wi - Fi off and the front illumination lay to 13 . As for charging , both framework only support wired charge over USB - C ; you ’ll need to take shape for the Paperwhite Signature Edition if you want wireless charging , but wired charging should n’t be too much of a dogfight for a equipment that you ’ll probably only need to plug in once a month .

Although your factual mileage will diverge depending on how much you read , it ’s safe to say that , on medium , the Paperwhite will last you about 60 % longer between charge , which make it an well-fixed winner for this round .

Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: display

The Kindle offer a 6 - column inch display with a resolution of 300 pel per in ( ppi ) — again , Amazon does n’t get into the accurate figure of pixels on the screen because it does n’t really matter for a equipment like this . That ’s a nice improvement over the anterior generation ’s 167 ppi display that puts it more on par with the Kindle Paperwhite , although the latter still has it mystify with a 7 - inch projection screen at the same 300 ppi closure . This gives you a more expansive reading canvass with room for more textbook and , therefore , less page flipping . But Amazon does feature the new Kindle is much brighter : 25 % bright at its max setting , with sinister fashion , if you prefer to read that elbow room .

But the new Kindle Paperwhite presentation also wins in more area than simple size . The affluent - front design looks and feels more graceful , plus it sports a banging 19 LED ( versus four on the Kindle ) for more uniform front ignition . Contrary to the “ paperwhite ” name , you could also adjust the display for a warmer gold look that ’s easier on the eyes and feels more like reading a traditional paperback novel . you could also set up a agenda so that your Kindle Paperwhite shifts to tender lighting at bedtime , although car - adjustment is limited to the pricier Signature variant .

Both the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite have a dark mode for those who obtain that to be a more comfortable version experience , and the front - illume e - ink CRT screen on either will be a joy to read on for folks who stare at backlit computers , phones , and tablets all twenty-four hour period long . Of particular interestingness is the fact that the new Paperwhite has a in high spirits demarcation ratio than the previous example , so details pop off the screen in a direction that ’ll have you shinny to read more books . So while the Kindle gets the Book of Job done for simple meter reading , the adjustable color temperature and better front firing make the Paperwhite the much better option for zealous bookworms , as well as its additional particularisation .

Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: software and special features

The Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite run Amazon ’s proprietary operating system dedicate to reading vitamin E - book , although they do have a few other tricks up their arm .

The reading side includes everything you ’d wait . you may pull up a table of contents , highlighting handing over , add distinction , and even apply Smart Lookup to find definitions for words , related Wikipedia incoming , and translations . There ’s also Amazon ’s X - Ray feature that helps to summarize the most important information from a Holy Writ , including notable clips , the names of the great unwashed , blank space , terms , and image , and a Vocabulary Builder that will help you learn new words by keep track of anything you look up . Highlights and read position for a playscript will sync using Amazon ’s WhisperSync applied science , which is peculiarly handy if you desire to beak up where you left off using the Kindle app for a smartphone or tablet .

you could also see popular highlighted passages from others who have scan the same book before you and divvy up your own highlights via email or post them to your Goodreads profile , where you could also automatically deal the books you ’re take with others .

However , there ’s more to the Kindles than just show . you may also download audiobooks from Amazon ’s audiobook table service , hearable , and listen to them using a Bluetooth headset or speaker . Just be aware that while the storage usable on both models is more than enough for thousands of books , audiobooks will corrode that up much more cursorily .

Both Kindle model also sustain magnetic screen that can automatically sleep the equipment when shut down and wake up it up again as before long as you flip it open to set forth reading . Amazon naturally sell its own versions of these , but there are also numerous fashionable third - company options usable .

While the Kindle Paperwhite offer better hardware , it ’s as matched with its smaller and more low-cost sib when it comes to the software experience .

achiever : Tie

Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: price

The Amazon Kindle ( 2024 ) starts at $ 110 for the “ Lockscreen Ad - defend ” variation , which will expose ads related to Amazon product and help on the screen when it ’s in sleep mode . If you prefer a more relaxing sopor screen , you may choose for the advert - free version for $ 20 more .

It ’s also worth adding that Amazon ofttimes push aside its integral Kindle card during extra sales events like Prime Day , Black Friday , and Cyber Monday , so it ’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for some great deals during those seasonal events .

Overall winner: Kindle Paperwhite

The new standard Kindle is a solid and low-cost option for casual e - record book referee , but if you ’re somebody who love consuming books , the novel Kindle Paperwhite will be the good investment funds by far .

You get a substantially better screen that your eyes will thank you for , plus the variety of waterproofing that will have you translate comfortably while make relaxed in the middle of a lake . This is also joined by substantially good bombardment life and a more refined design all around . The veritable Kindle is good for the money , but if you could give it , the Kindle Paperwhite is really the way to go , especially with all those fun new color to choose from .